Greatest Ice Climbers Player Ever

Big D, also known as Dawson Peron, is widely considered the greatest Ice Climbers player ever in competitive Super Smash Brothers. His dominance across multiple Smash games showcases a level of technical mastery and character understanding that few players have achieved. From his early days playing Snake and King Dedede in Brawl to becoming the ultimate Ice Climbers specialist in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, Big D's journey reveals what it takes to be the best.

From Basketball Star to Smash Legend

Before becoming a competitive Smash player, Big D was a basketball enthusiast, standing over six feet tall in elementary school. He discovered Super Smash Bros. 64 at a friend's house and was immediately hooked. That Christmas, he received his own copy and began grinding with local players. His competitive spirit from basketball translated directly into Smash, where he pursued excellence with the same dedication.

The Rise of Ice Climbers Mastery

While Big D excelled with multiple characters early in his career, Ice Climbers became his signature character. He picked them up in Brawl specifically to counter Pikachu, but discovering desyncs—the technique of separating Popo and Nana to use different moves at different timings—changed everything. This mechanic gave Ice Climbers incredible versatility: they could wall out opponents with desynchronized blizzards, execute devastating zero-to-death grab combos, or play as a rushdown grappler. Big D mastered all these approaches.

Unmatched Tournament Consistency

When Big D fully committed to Ice Climbers in competitive tournaments, he immediately dominated. He achieved five to six years of uninterrupted number-one rankings in British Columbia, setting a new era for the character. His technical execution was so far ahead of competitors that even when he transitioned to new Smash games, his ranking remained consistent. In Super Smash Bros. 4, he maintained his top ranking despite Ice Climbers being removed from the roster, proving his skill transcended a single character.

Training Methodology and Matchup Knowledge

What separates the greatest Ice Climbers player from others is his preparation. Big D spends 90-95% of his training mode time grinding losing matchups rather than practicing what he already knows. He studied difficult characters like Duck Hunt, Pac-Man, and Belmonts until he found solutions. This methodical approach to matchup knowledge is why he remains so difficult to defeat—he doesn't rely on gimmicks; he understands every interaction Ice Climbers have with the entire cast.

Legacy Beyond One Character

Big D's competitive legacy extends beyond just Ice Climbers. Throughout his career, he's demonstrated proficiency with Peach, Falcon, Dedede, and even Kirby, using creative counter-picking strategies to stay unpredictable. Yet his return to Ice Climbers in Ultimate felt like a return to form, immediately establishing him as the character's best player and reasserting his dominance.

Watch the full documentary to see how Big D became the greatest Ice Climbers player ever and hear from the players who've competed against him throughout his legendary career.