Sonic (SSB4): Difference between revisions

|availability = [[Starter character|Starter]]

|tier = A

}}

'''Sonic''' ({{ja|ソニック|Sonikku}}, ''Sonic'') is a playable character in ''[[Super Smash Bros. 4]]''. His return to the series was announced on October 1st, 2013 during a [[Nintendo Direct]].<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xdk6IKbIJa0 Nintendo Direct - 10/1/2013]</ref> Sonic is one of the six third-party characters in the game, alongside fellow [[Sega]] fighter {{SSB4|Bayonetta}}; [[Capcom]]'s {{SSB4|Mega Man}} and {{SSB4|Ryu}}; [[Bandai Namco]]'s {{SSB4|Pac-Man}}; and [[Square Enix]]'s {{SSB4|Cloud}}. He was the second third-party character to be revealed in the game, and is the first third-party [[veteran]] in the series.

However, Sonic's KOing options are hindered by their high lag, which makes them risky and impairs his ability to KO outside of the neutral game. Despite his mobility, the linearity of Sonic's recovery makes him susceptible to [[gimp]]ing. By extension, he has trouble contending with [[projectile]] [[camping]], owing to both his lack of a reliable projectile and an effective way to stop them.

==Attributes==

Sonic has many beneficial [[Character customization|custom moves]] at his disposal. Stomp can meteor smash opponents, making it more useful for edge-guarding. Hammer Spin Dash can [[bury]] opponents during start-up, allowing for follow-ups that Spin Dash would not permit. In comparison, Burning Spin Dash deals much more damage and its lower jumps leave Sonic less vulnerable after landing a hit. Auto-Spin Charge removes the need for button mashing in order to charge and has a deceptive charging animation that does not reveal when the move starts losing power, the latter of which makes it suitable for mindgames. Lastly, Gravitational Charge has a [[windbox]] that [[Windbox#Pulling attacks|pulls]] opponents in front of Sonic toward him, making it easier for him to hit them. However, it also [[Windbox#Pushing attacks|pushes]] away opponents behind him, which can make it more difficult for them to punish him directly.

==Changes from ''[[Super Smash Bros. Brawl]]''==

Sonic's moveset in general has also been improved in various ways. Notably, two of his moves (dash attack and down smash) have been completely overhauled. Sonic's new dash attack hits multiple times, which is further supplemented by the weakening of [[SDI]], and it possesses very high knockback growth; altogether, these traits make it better than his previous dash attack in regard to [[punish]]ing and [[tech-chasing]]. In comparison, Sonic's new down smash is generally more useful than his previous one, thanks to it being a [[semi-spike]] that has a consistent damage output and much less overall lag.

However, Sonic has received some nerfs, mainly to his speed, both in terms of mobility and frame data. A number of his moves have become laggier to varying degrees, with a good example being his back aerial, which incurs drastically more landing lag and has a worse auto-cancel window, which significantly harms its utility despite its increased power. Some moves (such as his forward smash, down smash, up aerial, and down aerial) also have shorter durations. Despite his overall higher KO potential, some of his moves have reduced KO potential, such as up aerial and down smash, and his overall damage output is lower, reducing his damage racking capabilities, although this was the case for most returning veterans.

===Aesthetics===

*{{change|Sonic's design is now based on his appearances in ''Sonic Unleashed'' onwards. His quills are slightly shorter and significantly more rigid, his mouth is now positioned on the side of his muzzle by default, and his irises are spread slightly further away from each other. Additionally, Sonic's fur and skin are slightly more vibrant, and his eye color is slightly more subdued. Lastly, his shoes now have a polished finish.}}

===Attributes===

*{{nerf|Sonic [[walk]]s slower (1.4 → 1.375).}}

*{{buff|Sonic's [[air speed]] is faster (1.1092 → 1.15).}}

*{{change|Sonic's [[gravity]] is higher (0.085 → 0.09).}}

*{{nerf|Sonic's [[traction]] is lower (0.07 → 0.06).}}

===Ground attacks===

*[[Neutral attack]]:

**{{nerf|The third hit has more ending lag (FAF 31 → 36).}}

*[[Forward tilt]]:

**{{buff|Forward tilt's second hit has increased base knockback (10 → 30).}}

*[[Up tilt]]:

*[[Down tilt]]:

*[[Dash attack]]:

*[[Forward smash]]:

**{{buff|Forward smash has increased knockback scaling (98 → 101), improving its KO potential.}}

**{{change|Sonic now grunts during the move instead of saying "Go!"}}

*[[Up smash]]:

*[[Down smash]]:

**{{change|Sonic has a new down smash, a split kick, similar to {{SSB4|Fox}} and {{SSB4|Falco}}'s down smashes.}}

===Aerial attacks===

*[[Neutral aerial]]:

*[[Forward aerial]]:

*[[Back aerial]]:

*[[Up aerial]]:

*[[Down aerial]]:

===Throws/other attacks===

*[[Pummel]]:

*[[Forward throw]]:

*[[Back throw]]:

*[[Up throw]]:

*[[Down throw]]:

===Special moves===

*[[Homing Attack]]:

*[[Spin Dash]]:

*[[Spring Jump]]:

**{{change|Grounded Spring Jump's spring remains on-stage for a shorter amount of time (240 frames → 235).}}

**{{change|{{GameIcon|ssb4-3ds}}Sonic now scowls while he ascends instead of grinning like in ''Brawl''.}}

**{{nerf|Sonic can no longer reuse Spring Jump if he is hit out of it with {{SSB4|Mario}}'s [[Cape]].}}

*[[Spin Charge]]:

**{{nerf|If Sonic lands with aerial Spin Charge, he can no longer cancel it by shielding.}}

*[[Super Sonic]]:

**{{change|Sonic now says "Super Sonic style!" upon activating Super Sonic, instead of "Now I'll show you!"}}

**{{nerf|Super Sonic's horizontal (0.5 → 0.4) and vertical (0.03 → 0.02) acceleration have decreased.}}

**{{buff|Super Sonic's ram has a larger hitbox (10u → 11.5u).}}

**{{nerf|Super Sonic's ram's damage now scales depending on how fast Super Sonic is travelling. This results in the move dealing much less damage during a slower ram, while still dealing less damage at maximum speed (18% → 6%-16%).}}

'''{{GameIcon|ssb4}} [[1.0.6]]'''

*{{change|[[Homing Attack]] now only targets characters, instead of also targeting certain projectiles, such as [[Trick Shot]].}}

*{{buff|Spring Jump can no longer be [[Pocket]]ed.}}

'''{{GameIcon|ssb4}} [[1.0.8]]'''

'''{{GameIcon|ssb4}} [[1.1.0]]'''

'''{{GameIcon|ssb4}} [[1.1.1]]'''

'''{{GameIcon|ssb4}} [[1.1.3]]'''

|game=SSB4

|neutralcount=3

|neutral1dmg=2%

|neutral2dmg=2%

|neutral3dmg=4%

|neutraldesc=The Punch + Punch + Kick combo from ''Sonic the Fighters''. Its first hit can be [[jab cancel]]ed reliably into any tilt attack, and is capable of [[jab lock]]ing. Holding the attack button will have Sonic perform the first hit repeatedly.

|ftiltdmg=4% (hit 1), 7% (hit 2 feet), 5% (hit 2 legs)

|utiltdmg=2% (hit 1), 6% (hit 2)

|utiltdesc=A {{s|wikipedia|540 kick}}, similar to {{SSB4|Captain Falcon}}'s up smash. Its decent vertical range makes it a fairly useful anti-air attack, although it has poor horizontal range. It can also combo into a short hopped forward aerial at 0%-40%, and into a [[Spring Jump]]-assisted forward aerial at 80%-90%. However, the former is reliable only against heavyweights and fast-fallers; the latter is consistently reliable only against middleweights; and both are heavily reliant on [[DI]]. It resembles the Skip Kick from ''Sonic the Fighters''.

|dtiltdmg=6%

|dtiltdesc=A legsweep. It can potentially [[trip]] opponents. If used repeatedly in succession, it will slowly move Sonic forward. It resembles the Leg Throw from ''Sonic the Fighters''.

|dashdmg=1% (hits 1-3), 3% (hit 4)

|dashdesc=A Spin Dash followed by a flying kick. It is a reliable follow-up from a down throw. While its very minimal start-up lag can allow it to pressure unwary opponents, it is very punishable because of its considerable ending lag. It resembles the Somersault, an attack that debuted in ''Sonic Adventure 2''.

|fsmashdmg={{ChargedSmashDmgSSB4|14}}

|fsmashdesc=The Wind-Up Punch from ''Sonic the Fighters''. It has high knockback growth, deceptive range, and can be angled, all of which make it one of Sonic's most viable KOing options. However, its very low base knockback makes it better suited for KO attempts later instead of earlier. It also has noticeable start-up and ending lag, making it risky if used unwisely. It KOs middleweights at 102%/92% (''3DS''/''Wii U'') while near the edge of {{SSB4|Final Destination}}.

|usmashdmg={{ChargedSmashDmgSSB4|5}} (hit 1), {{ChargedSmashDmgSSB4|1}} (hits 2-7), {{ChargedSmashDmgSSB4|3}} (hit 8)

|usmashdesc=A jumping Spin Dash. It hits multiple times, with its last hit having extremely high knockback growth, and grants [[intangibility]] on frames 18-20. However, its last hit has average base knockback, which makes it better suited for KO attempts later instead of earlier. Its last hit KOs aerial middleweights at 120%/110% (''3DS''/''Wii U'') from anywhere on Final Destination.

|dsmashdmg={{ChargedSmashDmgSSB4|12}}

|dsmashdesc=A split kick, similar to {{SSB4|Fox}} and {{SSB4|Falco}}'s down smashes. It has the lowest amount of start-up lag out of Sonic's smash attacks and hits on both sides, which make it useful for punishing rolls. It is also a [[semi-spike]], which makes it very useful for edge-guarding, especially when landing its back hit. Its back hit KOs middleweights at 122%/108% (''3DS''/''Wii U'') while near the edge of Final Destination. However, it lasts for only 1 frame, and has considerable ending lag. Its front hit also KOs later than its back hit because of its below-average base knockback and knockback growth.

|nairdmg=12% (clean), 8% (late), 5% (latest)

|nairdesc=Curls up into a ball and spins while slightly undulating up and down. In addition to being a reliable follow-up from [[Spin Dash]], [[Spin Charge]], and Spring Jump-assisted combos, its launching angle makes its clean and late hitboxes into useful combo starters at low to medium percentages when [[SHFF]]'d. It resembles the Air Spin from ''Sonic the Fighters'' and the Insta-Shield, an attack that debuted in ''Sonic the Hedgehog 3''.

|fairdmg=0.8% (hits 1-5), 3% (hit 6)

|fairdesc=A corkscrew [[wikipedia:Professional wrestling attacks#Battering ram|battering ram]], similar to {{SSB4|Pikachu}}'s forward aerial. It is tied with up aerial for the lowest amount of start-up lag out of Sonic's aerials. When coupled with its last hit's very high knockback growth, it is useful for spacing and edge-guarding. It can also combo into itself in certain instances, thanks to Sonic's fast air speed and its fairly large [[auto-canceling]] window. It resembles the Emerald Dive from ''Sonic the Fighters''.

|bairdmg=14% (clean), 10% (late)

|bairdesc=A hook kick. Its clean hitbox's impressive damage output and high knockback growth make it one of Sonic's most viable KOing options, especially when used for edge-guarding. Its clean hitbox KOs middleweights at 118%/107% (''3DS''/''Wii U'') while near the edge of Final Destination. If used while descending, Sonic's descent will be slowed slightly at its start. However, it has moderate start-up and ending lag, as well as high landing lag.

|uairdmg=3% (hit 1), 6% (hit 2)

|uairdesc=A scissor kick. Its very large auto-cancel window makes it deceptively safe and easy to avoid its fairly high landing lag. In addition to being a reliable follow-up from Spin Dash, Spin Charge, and Spring Jump-assisted combos, it is a viable KOing option near the upper blast line, especially as a follow-up from Spring Jump. Its second hit KOs middleweights at 133%/118% (''3DS''/''Wii U'') while near the upper blast line of Final Destination.

|dairdmg=8% (clean), 7% (late)

|dairdesc=A diagonal flying kick. It is a [[stall-then-fall]], but unlike the majority of other stall-then-falls, it is relatively safe to use off-stage thanks to it having noticeably less ending lag in comparison. Its clean hit also [[meteor smash]]es aerial opponents on frames 19-22, but not grounded opponents. It resembles the Stomp Dive from ''Sonic the Fighters'' and the Sonic Rocket from ''Sonic Battle''.

|grabdesc=[[wikipedia:Grappling hold#Clinch hold|Clinches]] the opponent. Sonic's standing grab is the thirteenth shortest ranged in the game. However, thanks to his [[pivot]] being tied with {{SSB4|Fox}}, {{SSB4|Greninja}}, and {{SSB4|Meta Knight}}'s for the third longest in the game, his pivot grab is useful.

|pummeldmg=2%

|pummeldesc=A knee strike. A fairly fast pummel.

|fthrowdmg=1% (hit 1), 6% (throw)

|fthrowdesc=A stretch kick. Due to its average damage output, very high base knockback, and average knockback growth, it is mainly used to force the opponent off-stage. It also has KO potential, albeit only on with stages with highly elevated [[platform]]s, such as {{SSB4|Battlefield}}'s top platform. It resembles the Top Kick from ''Sonic Battle''.

|bthrowdmg=7%

|bthrowdesc=Quickly backflips repeatedly with the opponent in tow before performing the {{s|wikipedia|tomoe nage}}, a Judo throw. It is Sonic's only throw with consistent KO potential and, prior to update 1.0.6, was one of the strongest back throws in the game. As of update 1.0.6, it KOs middleweights at 173%/165% (''3DS''/''Wii U'') while near the edge of Final Destination.

|uthrowdmg=1% (hit 1), 5% (hit 2)

|uthrowdesc=Heaves the opponent upward and sharpens his quills to stab them. It can be followed up with an up aerial and inputted Homing Attack at 0%-20%, and Spring Jump-assisted neutral, forward, back, and up aerials beginning at medium percentages. Like forward throw, it has KO potential, albeit only on with stages with highly positioned platforms, such as Battlefield's top platform.

|dthrowdmg=1% (hits 1-3), 4% (throw)

|dthrowdesc=Pins the opponent to the ground and then Spin Dashes onto them. Due to being a semi-spike, it is reliable for tech-chasing and setting up edge-guards. It resembles the Double Spin from ''Sonic the Fighters''.

|fsdesc=Gathers the Chaos Emeralds and uses them to attain his Super Transformation from the ''Sonic the Hedgehog'' games. When activated while very close to an opponent, the Chaos Emeralds will damage the opponent. Upon being activated, Sonic is invincible during its duration, and can fly in any chosen direction, depending on where the [[control stick]]/circle pad is tilted. The longer the control stick is held in a certain direction, the faster and more damaging his ramming attack will be.

}}

===[[On-screen appearance]]===

|desc-up=Somersaults and then crosses his arms with his index finger pointing out, one of his signature poses, while making three tsking sounds.

|desc-side=Performs the Super Peel Out, a technique that debuted in ''Sonic the Hedgehog CD'', while saying "Sonic SPEED!" ({{ja|遅すぎだぜ！|Oso sugi da ze!}}, ''You're too slow!'').

}}

===[[Crowd cheer]]===

===[[Victory pose]]s===

|victory-desc=The Mission Clear jingle from ''Sonic the Hedgehog'' (2006), which is an orchestrated remix of the Act Clear jingle from ''Sonic the Hedgehog 3'', entitled ''Mission Clear''.

|desc-1=Collects the blue [[Chaos Emerald]] and then poses with it before saying "Piece of cake!" In Japanese, he says "{{ja|A piece of cake! 楽勝だぜ!|A piece of cake! Rakushō daze!}}" (''A piece of cake! An easy win!'')

|desc-3=Performs the [[wikipedia:Kick (b-boy move)#Variants|pike]], a breakdancing move, and then strikes a pose while saying "Let's do that again sometime!" In Japanese, he says "{{ja|Hey guys! また遊んでやるぜ!|Hey guys! Mata asonde yaru ze!}}" (''Hey guys! I'll play again next time!'') It resembles his victory animation upon achieving an S-Rank in the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 versions of ''Sonic Unleashed'', as well as Blaze the Cat's victory animation when she clears a mission in ''Sonic The Hedgehog'' (2006).

|char=Sonic}}

===[[Official Custom Moveset Project]]===

{{OfficialCustomMoves

|set10=1331

}}

===Tier placement and history===

Sonic was initially perceived as a high-tier character, thanks to his buffs largely mitigating most of the weaknesses he had in ''Brawl''. While his newfound KOing options would be nerfed in game updates, Sonic's playerbase has nevertheless managed to display many different and effective playstyles. In addition to enriching Sonic's metagame, the likes of {{Sm|6WX}}, {{Sm|KEN}}, {{Sm|komorikiri}}, {{Sm|Seagull Joe}}, and {{Sm|SuperGirlKels}} have also resulted in him achieving very strong tournament results leading the general consensus to believe that Sonic is one of the best characters in the game.

<center>

<gallery>

</gallery>

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==[[Alternate costume (SSB4)#Sonic|Alternate costumes]]==

|{{Head|Sonic|g=SSB4|s=50px|cl=Red}}

|}

==Gallery==

SSB4 - Ore Club.jpg|Sonic hitting Pit with an [[Ore Club]].

Sonic meteor smash.gif|Using his down aerial to [[meteor smash]] {{SSB4|Marth}}.

</gallery>

{{Sonic universe}}

[[Category:Sonic (SSB4)| ]]

[[Category:Trophies (SSB4-3DS)]]

[[Category:Trophies (SSB4-Wii U)]]

[[Category:Sega]]

[[es:Sonic (SSB4)]]