Homing Attack
From Sonic Retro
Revision as of 11:00, 11 March 2018 by BSonirachi (talk | contribs) (Better quality Sonic 3D and S4E1 screenshots plus a Smash Wii U screenshot.)
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 Attack[1]; not an intrinsic ability of Sonic at this point, it required the Gold Shield power-up to use.
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 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.
Contents
How to use
Sonic 3D Blast
The Homing Attack first appeared here, but requires the Gold Shield. Simply press or when jumping near an enemy.
Sonic Adventure series
Sonic Heroes and Shadow the Hedgehog
Press / / Spacebar during a jump or fall in Speed formation. When in Power formation, the Speed and Fly characters will automatically attack nearby enemies.
Sonic Rush
Press during when jumping near an enemy. Cannot be used on springs and rails.
Sonic '06
Sonic and the Secret Rings and Sonic Colours
Press when jumping near an enemy.
Sonic Unleashed
Press / in the Xbox 360 / PlayStation 3 versions during a jump. In the Wii / PlayStation 2 versions, press / .
Sonic Generations and Sonic 4
Press / during a jump when you see a reticle on an enemy.
Super Smash Bros. series
The Homing Attack is Sonic's standard special move in this series. When 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 , 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.
Gallery
Sonic 3D Blast,
with the Gold Shield