Poll: Which ‘first obstacle’ is your favorite?

UPDATE: We plain old forgot that the Archer Steps existed. We’ve updated this article to include the obstacle.

“I just don’t want to go out on the first obstacle.”

We hear that all the time from the rookies (and some veterans) on each season of American Ninja Warrior. When you plan to take on the course you plan for big things. No Ninja wants to hit the water in the first 10 seconds of their run.

Alas, it happens. Nerves, silly mistakes, miscalculations. Many a rookie (and some veterans) can attest that the first obstacle on the course should never be overlooked.

Generally, the first obstacle is one of the few constants in each season of the show. It repeats between the Qualifiers and the City Finals (except for season 10 when the show brought in the Archer Steps as the first obstacle of the City Finals courses). It also stays the same as the show moves from location to location. However, the obstacle itself has changed from season to season.

Which “first obstacle” from the history of American Ninja Warrior is your favorite?

Need a reminder? Here are the four obstacles that have appeared over the 12 seasons.

Quintuple Steps (Seasons 1, 5, 6, 7)

Photo by: Brandon Hickman/Esquire Network/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty Images

Quad Steps (Seasons 2, 3, 4)

Photo by: Bill Matlock/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty Images via Getty Images

Floating Steps (Seasons 8, 9, 10)

Photo by: Mitchell Leff/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty Images via Getty Images

Shrinking Steps (Seasons 11, 12)

Photo by: Elizabeth Morris/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images

Archer Steps (Season 10 City Finals)

Photo by: Adam Bettcher/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty Images via Getty Images

Which one is your favorite and why? Take the poll and share your thoughts in the comments.