Needle Storm

Needle Storm
Sheik gathering her needles in Ultimate.
User	Sheik
Universe	The Legend of Zelda

Needle Storm (仕込針, Stocking Up Needles) is Sheik's neutral special move.

Overview

Sheik throws slim, almost-invisible needles to attack.

Sheik unleashes Needle Storm in the air (Brawl).

These needles travel extremely fast, hitting opponents in range almost instantaneously. They are thrown straight forward if the move is used on the ground, or at a 45° (30° in Ultimate) angle downward if used in the air. In Super Smash Bros. Melee, each needle does 3% damage regardless of distance. In Super Smash Bros. Brawl, they still do 3% to nearby opponents but only deal 2% if used from a distance. In Super Smash Bros. 4, the damage has been reduced to 1.9% close up and 1.2% at a distance. The needles do even less damage in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, dealing only 1.5% up close and 0.8% from afar. Needles have transcendent priority in Brawl, SSB4 and Ultimate allowing Sheik to outcamp several characters.

Needle Storm can be charged to add more needles to the attack, up to a maximum of six. When the move is used after charging, Sheik throws all the needles in rapid succession. It is charge-cancelable; Sheik can shield, roll or air dodge out of a charge and keep her stock of needles, and jumping or spot dodging is also possible in Ultimate as well. If she is attacked while charging, she will drop her needles on the ground and thus lose the charge. In Melee, the move has an odd quirk compared to other auto-charge specials: the button must be held to charge, and Sheik will continue charging even after stocking all six needles, only stopping when the move is canceled or the special button is released to make her fire. As a result, only in Melee Sheik cannot perform a roll to cancel the charging animation without putting up a shield first.

In Brawl, SSB4 and Ultimate, the move acts like any other auto-charge-cancelable move, where it starts automatically charging after one button press then stopping at maximum, with a second button press mid-charge required to launch the attack early.

In Melee only, Sheik can also hold onto stored needles after losing a stock by transforming into Zelda before being KOed, then turning back into Sheik during the next stock.

In Melee, if thrown after the apex of the jump and below the maximum height of Sheik's single jump, in a technique called needle canceling, Needle Storm incurs no significant landing lag, allowing Sheik to combo aerial needles immediately into ground attacks, grabs, dashes, or even more needles. Reverse needle canceling refers to charging needles in the air, then tapping the shield or grab button to stow them. This too produces zero lag and can be used to efficiently store needles, to grab the ledge, or to increase jump distance.

Instructional quotes

instruction booklet		Hold then release to throw a barrage of tiny darts.
instruction booklet		Press the B Button to ready needles, then press it again to fling them. The longer you charge up the move, the more needles you'll fling.
case foldout		Throw needles at opponents. Can be charged.
Move List		Throws needles forward on the ground or diagonally downward in the air. Throw more needles if charged longer.

Customization

Special Move customization was added in Super Smash Bros. 4. These are the variations:

1. Needle Storm	2. Penetrating Needles	3. Paralyzing Needle
"Throw needles forward if on the ground or diagonally down if in the air. Can be charged."	"Throw needles that go through enemies. You can only throw up to three at a time."	"Throw needles that deal slightly less damage but paralyze opponents. Charges more slowly."

1. Needle Storm: Default.
2. Penetrating Needles: Throw needles through multiple opponents, but can only charge up to three. Electric effect. Shorter range than Needle Storm, but more shield damage.
3. Paralyzing Needle: Throw a single needle, paralyzing hit opponents. Attack animation is much longer, leaving Sheik vulnerable.

Origin

Needle Storm is entirely original to Smash, and does not reference anything about Sheik in particular. The move is most likely a reference to throwing needles used by real ninja, which is what the Sheikah are based on. The needles loosely also resembles bo shuriken.

Gallery

• 

  Needle Storm in Melee.

• 

  Sheik gathering her needles in Brawl.

• 

  Using it on the ground (Brawl).

• 

  Sheik charging the move in Super Smash Bros. for Wii U.

• 

  Sheik unleashes Needle Storm in Super Smash Bros. for Wii U.

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  Sheik when Needle Storm is fully charged in Ultimate.

• 

  Needle Storm as shown by the Move List in Ultimate.

Names in other languages

Language	Name
Japanese	仕込針
English	Needle Storm
French	Lance-aiguilles
German	Nadelsturm
Spanish	Tormenta de cuchillas
Italian	Tempesta d'aghi
Chinese (Simplified)	暗器针
Chinese (Traditional)	暗器針
Korean	바늘 폭풍
Dutch	Naaldenstorm
Russian	Иглошрм

Sheik's special moves

Neutral special	Needle Storm
Side special	Chain		Burst Grenade
Up special	Vanish
Down special	Transform		Bouncing Fish
Final Smash	—	Light Arrow		Sheikah Dance