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Homing Attack

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Sonic4Episode1 HomingAttack.png
Homing Attack
First seen: Sonic 3D: Flickies' Island (1996)
Users: Sonic the Hedgehog, Shadow the Hedgehog, Amy Rose, Metal Sonic, Espio the Chameleon, Knuckles the Echidna, Miles "Tails" Prower, Silver the Hedgehog, Rouge the Bat
Type: Attack

The Homing Attack is a special move principally used by Sonic the Hedgehog that allows the character to swerve during a Spin Jump, automatically zeroing in and striking a nearby enemy. It was first featured in Sonic 3D: Flickies' Island, where the instruction manual called it the Sonic Blast AttackMedia:Sonic3D Sat EU manual.pdf[1]; not an intrinsic ability of Sonic at this point, it required the Gold Shield power-up to use.

Overview

The technique became a standard move in Sonic Adventure and has been included in all 3D and several 2D Sonic games since. In Sonic Heroes, it was part of the repertoire of all Speed type characters, so other users include Amy Rose, Shadow the Hedgehog, and Espio the Chameleon. Usually activated by pressing A in mid-jump; if no enemies are within range, use this move to have Sonic perform a Jump Dash (in Sonic 3D Blast, Sonic would instead go straight down). In this way it often replaces Sonic's earlier double-tap jumping move, the Insta-Shield.

In Sonic Lost World, Sonic is capable of performing a Focused Homing Attack, which is capable of locking-on to multiple enemies; up to six at once. The more enemies Sonic takes out with a single Focused Homing Attack, the more Animals will be rescued than just defeating each enemy individually, with the second enemy destroyed releasing two animals, the third releasing three, and so on. This type of Homing Attack can also work on just one foe; if three layers of reticles appear on a certain enemy, the player can release the Focused Homing Attack to deal even more damage and possibly defeat the foe immediately. No bosses, excluding the first fight with Zazz, will be defeated easily with this method, but it is very effective against them.

How to use

Sonic 3D: Flickies' Island

The first appearance of the Homing Attack, although in this game it requires a Gold Shield. To perform the move, press A or C when jumping near an enemy, otherwise nothing happens.

Sonic Adventure series

The first time the move was presented without the necessity of a Shield for execution. To perform it, press A / X while jumping nearby an enemy, item or object. Otherwise, the Homing Attack acts as a Jump Dash, propelling Sonic downwards and forward.

The Homing Attack is an useful tool in general as it can be used not only to defeat chains of enemies, but also to reach higher paths or defeat bosses.

Sonic Heroes

In Sonic Heroes, perform the Homing Attack by pressing X / A / Spacebar during a jump or fall in Speed formation while nearby an enemies, items or objects. When in Power formation, the Speed and Fly characters will automatically target enemies, items or objects.

The strength and behavior of the Homing Attack will change depending on the levels of power the player currently has:

  • Level 0: The attack inflicts 1 hit of damage to the targeted enemy and leaves an energy aura behind the character.
  • Level 1: The attack inflicts 2 hits of damage to the targeted enemy and leaves an energy aura behind the character along with colored rings.
  • Level 2: The attack inflicts 3 hits of damage to the targeted enemy and leaves an energy aura behind the character along with larger colored rings.
  • Level 3: The attack inflicts 4 hits of damage to the targeted enemy and triggers a Tornado Jump.

Like in the Sonic Adventure series, the Homing Attack acts as a Jump Dash if no enemies, items or objects are around.

Shadow the Hedgehog

In Shadow the Hedgehog, perform the Homing Attack by pressing X / A during a jump or fall nearby enemies, items or objects.

The move can also be used by the Shadow Androids in the game's multiplayer mode and by Sonic in the game's co-op aspect (exclusive to the PS2 and GC versions).

Sonic Advance series

Present in Sonic Advance 2 (Sonic-exclusive) and Sonic Advance 3 (If using Sonic, Tails or Knuckles).

  • For Sonic Advance 2. Press A when jumping near an enemy, cannot be used on springs or rails.
  • For Sonic Advance 3. Any characters that can use Homing Attack must be paired with Cream, in case of Sonic and Tails, it works the same way as Advance 2. In Knuckles case, however, press B when jumping near an enemy and while performing the Glide


Sonic Rush series

In both Sonic Rush and Sonic Rush Adventure the Homing Attack is presented as a Sonic-exclusive ability. To perform it, press R when jumping near an enemy, however, it cannot be used on springs, item boxes or rails.

Unlike Sonic Rush, where Sonic stays vulnerable after a Homing Attack, in Sonic Rush Adventure he remains in a Spin Attack state after hitting an enemy.

Sonic '06

Sonic and Shadow can use the Homing Attack, to perform the move press X / A during a jump or while in midair near enemies, items or objects.

Enemies in particular will be sent flying and if aimed at other enemies or breakable objects. Those will be either destroyed or take damage from the hit.

Sonic Rivals series

Sonic and the Secret Rings

In Sonic and the Secret Rings, press 2 to perform the Homing Attack when jumping near an enemy. Unlike previous games, Sonic does not remain in a Spin Attack state after hitting the targeted enemy, leaving him vulnerable.

In this game, the Homing Attack is an equippable skill available from the start and costs 10 Skill Points to be equipped. The game also features additional Skills that can alter or enhance the Homing Attack mechanics if used such as the Homing Dash, the Homing Cancel, the Homing Bonus and etc.

Sonic Unleashed

In both versions of Sonic Unleashed, the Homing Attack is a Daytime exclusive move. To perform it, press X / Square in the Xbox 360 / PlayStation 3 during a jump or when utilizing a gimmick while near a targetable enemy or spring that has a reticle around them.

In the Wii / PlayStation 2 versions, press A or Shake the Wii Remote / X when a cursor appears above a homing target to execute the move.

Sonic the Hedgehog 4 series

In Sonic the Hedgehog 4, the Homing Attack works closer to its 3D counterpart and can be used by both Sonic and Metal Sonic (In Episode Metal). Once Sonic or Metal Sonic are closer to an enemy, an object or an item box, a reticle appears and allows him to target the mentioned.

To perform the move in Episode I press A or B / X or Circle / 2 when close to the target. In Episode II and Episode Metal press A or B / X or Circle.

Sonic Colours / Sonic Colours Ultimate

Working similarly to the Xbox 360 / PlayStation 3 version of Sonic Unleashed, the Homing Attack targets enemies, items and objects such as springs with a reticle. To perform it, press A on Nunchuk style or 2 on Sideways mode while locked on a target.

Particular to Sonic Colours Ultimate, the game features two overlapping targeting reticles. Once the reticles are synched, press A / X / B to execute the Homing Attack and earn extra Boost Gauge.

Sonic Colours (DS)

Unlike Sonic Rush and Sonic Rush Adventure, this version of the Homing Attack works closer to the console games; it features a reticle and can be aimed not only at enemies but also items and objects such as springs, taken from Rush Adventure however is how Sonic remains in a Spin Attack state after bouncing off the target. To perform the move, press A or B while jumping near a targetable enemy, item or object.

Like the console games, if not near a target, Sonic will do a Jump Dash instead.

Sonic Generations

In the console / PC versions of Sonic Generations, the Homing Attack works virtually the same as in Sonic Unleashed and Sonic Colours. To perform the move in the console / PC versions, press A / X during a jump when a reticle appears around an enemy or targetable object. To perform it in the 3DS version, press A or B while jumping near a target with a reticle.

Similarly to Sonic and the Secret Rings, the Homing Attack can be customized with a Skill called Serial Homing that allows Sonic to chain Homing Attacks faster.

Note that in Sonic Generations, Classic Sonic can unlock the Homing Attack as a Skill by collecting all of the Red Star Rings in Planet Wisp Act 1. In the 3DS version, the Homing Attack is part of Classic Sonic's default moveset and is automatically unlocked after defeating Big Arms.

Sonic Lost World

In both versions of Sonic Lost World, the Homing Attack works in similar fashion to previous modern interactions. Press A (Wii U) / A (3DS) or B while in midair to lock on a target and then perform a Homing Attack.

The game also sees the introduction of the sub-ability called the Focused Homing Attack. By targeting multiple enemies or targeting a single enemy multiple times with stacked up reticles, Sonic will strike with a charged, more powerful version of his regular Homing Attack. The Focused Homing Attack is particularly useful for tough enemies and boss fights with multiple hits.

Sonic Forces

In Sonic Forces, the Homing Attack can be only be used by Sonic and Shadow. To perform the move, press B (Switch) / X / A (Xbox) during a jump while near a targetable enemy, item or object.

Sonic Frontiers

In Sonic Frontiers, the Homing Attack is one of Sonic's base moves in the game and can be outside in the open areas of Starfall Islands or inside Cyber Space with unique properties on each. Unlike previous games, Sonic can execute a Homing Attack from the ground, while jumping or while in Spin Attack form; it does not lead to a Jump Dash if used without targetable enemies or objects and cannot target Grind Rails this time around.

To perform it, press Square / X (Xbox) / Y (Switch) during a jump or from the ground as long as the target has a reticle around it.

The Homing Attack is crucial tool no only for traversal of the islands and Cyber Space stages, but also an important combat tool. Particular to Sonic Frontiers, Sonic can now lock-on the Homing Attack to enemies and objects in open areas or during battle encounters. If in midair, the move can also be canceled with a Stomp to save the player from dangerous situations and avoid certain types of enemies with either shelled husks or unavoidable attacks.

With the introduction of The Final Horizon update and the Another Story storyline, now Amy and Knuckles can also perform a Homing Attack in this game.

Sonic Superstars

In similar fashion to Sonic Generations is an unlockable ability for this classic counterpart, an Emerald Power under the Extra label that is exclusive to Sonic and is earned after collecting the 7th Chaos Emerald. Opposed to the previous games in the series, the Homing Attack has limits. Once the time runs out, Sonic is unable to use the ability until a checkpoint is reached to restore it.

After selecting the Extra Emerald Power with L or R / Left Bumper or Right Bumper / L1 or R1 in the sub-menu, press Square / X (Xbox) / X (Switch) to active the Emerald Power, then press the same button again during a jump or from the ground as long as the target has a reticle around it to perform the Homing Attack.

Other appearances

Super Smash Bros. series

The Homing Attack is Sonic's standard special move in this series. When B is pressed, Sonic spins in mid-air for a second, and then launches towards the back of the nearest enemy in an arc. The move can be completed faster by pressing B, at the cost of accuracy. In Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS & Wii U, the Homing Attack can be replaced with two other variants:

  • Custom 1: Stomp. Instead of moving towards a target, Sonic goes straight down, meteor smashing the opponent.
  • Custom 2: Surprise Attack. A faster variant of the Homing Attack, albeit with less power and range.

By swallowing Sonic, Kirby is also able to perform the Homing Attack via his Copy Ability.

Other media

Sonic the Hedgehog (IDW comics)

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Sonic Prime

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Gallery

References