Woodpost Stairs

Woodpost Stairs is one of the most iconic and deadly obstacles that first debuted in SSAS. It consisted of several poles, or sometimes called as stairs, that arranged in a straight line. Considered a variation to the Pole Bridge, competitors must cross the unstable poles in order to reach the landing platform on the other side. In case if the competition was simulated in a 2D game creator, competitors have to jump and stick the landing from the first stair to the next and so on until reached the landing platform.

Throughout its appearance in two different competitions, the obstacle comes in a total of 10 versions.

First version
The Woodpost Stairs was one of the few SSAS obstacles to be first introduced in the first ever pre-release tournament. It appeared as the third obstacle of the Third Stage. This original version consists of six stairs with increasing height, with the first and sixth stair were stick together with the platform.

According to the tester, this obstacle was proven to be unbelievably difficult, as a result it was expected that the obstacle has a very high knockout rate. As a response, this obstacle was removed in the following tournament.

Second version
This obstacle returned in SSAS P3 as the sixth obstacle of the Third Stage. This time, the obstacle had received its first modification. The height of the poles were toned down and was increased to seven poles instead of six, with the fourth pole being the highest.

Although it looks easier, the obstacle was still proven to be difficult. Due to its difficulty, it was removed once again.

Third version
The obstacle returned and made its reboot in SSAS 1, as the third obstacle of the Third Stage, the same position as when the first version debuted. The format was reverted to the first version, with the exception of decreasing the number of poles to five instead of six.

Compared to the original version, the first and fifth pole are now distances apart from their respective platforms. In its early tournaments, the obstacle did minor damage, as it was reponsible for eliminating nearly half of the field who attempted it every tournament. In SSAS 4, due to low number of attempts, the obstacle eliminated no one and was removed in the following tournament in favor of the stage redesign.

The same version returned in SSAS Beastmaster as the third obstacle of the first level in the semifinals. This time, it eliminated a fair number of competitors.

Fourth version
In SSAS Trials 2, the Woodpost Stairs returned with yet another modified version. In this version:
 * The format is now reverted to the second version, but the second stair is placed much higher. Albeit with the first and last pole are distances apart from the respective platforms.
 * The fifth pole was slightly toned down.

It appeared as the third obstacle in (New) Asgard region, and later the fourth obstacle in the Boot Camp.

Since its no longer considered a Third Stage obstacle, an extra rule was given where competitors can't skip any steps. This rule wasn't a problem to competitors although it was not stated throughout the show.

During the (New) Asgard qualifying, the obstacle was proven to be a massive damage, as a total of 20 competitors fell on this obstacle. This was a record for the competitors fell on a qualifying obstacle, until the introduction of the Floating Dash later the same season in USA Heat 2, which later tied this record.

Because of its damage, this obstacle became the cut-off for the top 30 competitors who advanced to the regional finals. All competitors who attempted it except Miek and Rattatosk did advance to the regional finals. Later in the regional finals, only 8 competitors fell on this obstacle, all of them who fall on this obstacle did not advance.

During the Boot Camp, the obstacle retain its difficulty, as a total of 41 competitors spanding 3 nights fell on this obstacle. It was responsible for taking out some of the notable competitors, including Morimoto Yusuke, who later used his Safety Pass and cleared this obstacle, as well as Ashlin Herbert, who later used his Safety Pass also and fall at this obstacle again. Despite that damage, this obstacle became the cut-off for the top 75 competitors who advanced to SSAS 11. 23 out of the 41 competitors who fall at this obstacle did not advance.

The same obstacle returned for SSAS Trials 3, as the third obstacle in the first and second episode of qualifying. During the first episode of qualiying, it still proven to be brutal though there were no changes made, as a total of 11 competitors fell on this obstacle, including eventual veterans such as Victor Stone, Rina, Valkyrie and most responsibly eliminating Morimoto Yusuke for the second straight season. It once again became the cut-off for the top 25 competitors who would advance to the semi-finals.

During the second episode of qualifying, the obstacle did relatively little damage, as only 7 competitors fell on this obstacle. Surprisinly, all competitors who cleared this obstacle did advance to the semi-finals.

It then returned during the second episode of semi-finals later on the same season. The obstacle proven to be brutal again, as 12 competitors fell on this obstacle. Despite that, 7 out of 12 competitors who fell on this obstacle did advance to the finals.

It will Give You Up
In SSAS 15, the Woodpost Stairs made its return to the regular tournament for the first time since SSAS 4, as the seventh obstacle of the First Stage. This time, it was renamed to It will Give You Up. Though there were no obvious changes made, it only eliminated two competitors: Tyla DuBois and Langford Terill. Despite that little damage, this obstacle only lasted for one tournament and will be replaced with another obstacle in the next tournament.

First version
On ĐHN SASUKE 2020: 5th Anniversary, the Woodpost Stairs was appeared as the third obstacle in the First Stage. The obstacle was similar to SSAS P3 version, except the distance between the starting platform to the first pole and the final pole to the platform being slightly further, this forcing competitors to jump from the platform to the first pole, and also jump from the final pole to the landing platform.

Due to being appeared on First Stage which has a time limit, the obstacle was proven to be more deadly than SSAS until it would broke the record of Most Eliminations by a Single Obstacle which previously held by Flying Birds after just 3 episodes of the broadcast.

Many top and notable competitors failed here such as:
 * Hugo,
 * Fireapparitions,
 * Uzumaki Naruto,
 * Nguyễn Doãn Thọ and Mat Redho who were SASUKE Vietnam competitors,
 * Jamie Rahn,
 * one of SSAS grand champion, Orm Marius and
 * most shockingly two grand champions from ĐHN SASUKE, Muto Yugi and Đào Văn Hoàng.

Despite of it's high knock-out rate, it was modified on the next season.

Second version
On ĐHN SASUKE: Ninja Warrior Season 6, the Woodpost Stairs was modified. Although the obstacle still remained at 7 stairs, but the height of the stairs were slightly toned down, with the second, fourth and sixth stair are slightly higher than the first, third, fifth and seventh stair.

This time, the obstacle was proven to be far more easier than the previous version, as only 3 competitors failed. This obstacle was also notable for ending the Ngo Quyen Sedai's run that day.

Third version
The Woodpost Stairs appeared as the third obstacle on ĐHN SASUKE Trials 2 (2020) and this time was adapted from the first and original version which was introduced in SSAS P1. The obstacle consists of 4 stairs which increased in height and then competitors must make a bigger leap to the landing platform. This version become more brutal than SSAS P1, as 11 competitors falled on it.

This version later returned on ĐHN SASUKE 2021: 10th Anniversary as the first obstacle on the First Stage, replaced the Sonic Woodpost after two seasons. Compared to the ĐHN SASUKE Trials 2 (2020), the number of stairs was increased to 5, but the leap to the angled platform was shorter.

After six regular tournaments and Inazuma Sofia's kanzenseiha, on ĐHN SASUKE 2021: Ninja Warrior, the obstacle was replaced by the Shrinking Steps.

An exactly same obstacle would fused with the Sonic Swing and appeared as the first obstacle in the same show, as Sonic Woodpost.

Fourth version
Due to its low knockout rate in the previous season, the Woodpost Stairs once again modified on ĐHN SASUKE Rising 2020 as the fourth obstacle in the First Stage. This time, it has been decreased to 5 stairs instead of 7.

The first 4 stairs are somewhat similar to SSAS P1 version, but on the 5th stair, it was located far apart from the first 4 stairs and has the same height as the 2nd stair. This forcing competitors to make a bigger jump from the 4th to the 5th stair (similar to how competitors jump from the 1st to 2nd tire of Burn Rubber). This obstacle was become more brutal than the previous season, as 9 competitors falled on it, including Đào Văn Hoàng.

However, due to the higher clear rate on ĐHN SASUKE 2021: Sofia the First 2, the obstacle was later modified on the next season.

Aftermath

 * Since its appearance, the obstacle has been fused with several other known obstacles and debuted as standalone obstacles. For example: the Sonic Woodpost which was fused with the Sonic Swing, and the Sonic Stairs, which was fused with Archer Steps.