Homing Attack
The Homing Attack is an attack used by Sonic the Hedgehog and is his most basic attack in many games. It originated in Sonic 3-D Blast.
In Super Smash Bros. Brawl, the Homing Attack is Sonic's Standard Special Move. When used, Sonic curls up into a ball, rises into the air, then dashes towards the opponent closest to him. This move can also be used an unlimited amount of times in the air, thus allowing him to recover if opponents try to edge guard him. If Homing Attack is used when no opponent is nearby, Sonic dashes forward at a downward diagonal angle. If Sonic does not hit anybody with it and hits the ground, he will stall for a second, leaving him open. As a side note, if two Sonics (or Kirby(/ies) with Sonic's ability) attack one another with this move, they will slowly jump upwards until they reach the top of the screen, in a manner similar to the Luigi Ladder. Sonic may aim his homing attack, once performed. It also possesses a unique quality in that it tries to hit the opponent's side facing away from sonic by traveling over them. This property means that it only hits effectively when the opponent is moving away from him on the ground, or traveling towards them in the air, making it a effective recovery gimping, and combined with his naturally good recovery gives sonic a large edgeguarding potential, opening him up for upward their movement possibility
It should be noted that the homing attack can be used to stall indefinitely and/or travel underneath stages by jumping into the ceiling of an impenetrable platform, then using this ability to ricochet off of it at will. When you are about to use Homing Attack tap the control stick left or right, depending on the way you want to go, and then press neutral B. Sonic will change his direction, and attempt to home on an enemy in that direction, or, if there is no enemy in range, dash downwards at a diagonal angle.
Origins
The Homing Attack's origins go back to early Sonic the Hedgehog games, wherein Sonic would need a Fire Shield to use it. The attack has become more frequent in 3D Sonic games like Sonic Adventure and Sonic Heroes and has been given a "lock-on" feature, which is used in Brawl, wherein Sonic homes in on whomever is nearest, hence the name of the attack.
Trivia
- In Home-run Contest, this attack does not home on the Sandbag because in Brawl it is functionally an item, not a character like in Melee.
- While Sonic is preparing for Homing Attack, pressing the attack button will make him use the attack faster. It will, however, slightly decrease its accuracy.
- In Shadow the Hedgehog's and Sonic Heroes' 2 player mode, if both characters continue to homing attack each other, they will slowly ascend, much in the way that happens with Sonic's own Homing Attack.
- Mr. Game and Watch's Up A and Mario's Side B both have interesting effects on Sonic's Homing Attack.
- This is Sonic's only attack not to start with an "S".
References
| Sonic's Special Moves | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Brawl | 3DS/Wii U | Ultimate | |
| Standard Special | Homing Attack | ||
| Side Special | Spin Dash | ||
| Up Special | Spring Jump | ||
| Down Special | Spin Charge | ||
| Final Smash | Super Sonic | ||