Needle Storm
| Needle Storm | |
|---|---|
 Sheik gathering her needles in SSB4 | |
| User | Sheik |
| Universe | The Legend of Zelda |
Needle Storm (仕込針, Stocking Up Needles) is Sheik's neutral special move. Sheik throws slim, almost-invisible needles to attack. 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 degree 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. Needles have transcendent priority in Brawl and SSB4, allowing Sheik to outcamp many 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 or roll out of a charge and keep her stock of needles. 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: 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. In Brawl and SSB4, the move acts like other charge-cancelable attacks, charging after one button press and automatically stopping at maximum, with a second press required to launch the attack early.
Sheik can also hold onto stored needles after losing a life by transforming into Zelda before being KO'd, then turning back into Sheik during the next life.
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.
Customization
Special Move customization was added in Super Smash Bros. 4. These are the known variations:
| 1. Needle Storm | 2. Penetrating Needles | 3. Paralyzing Needle |
|---|---|---|
 |
 |
 |
| "Throw needles forward if on the ground and 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." |
- Needle Storm: Default.
- Penetrating Needles: Throw needles through multiple opponents, but can only charge up to three. Electric effect. Shorter range than Needle Storm.
- Paralyzing Needle: Throw single needle, paralyzing hit opponents. Attack animation is much longer, leaving Sheik vulnerable.
Description from the Melee Instruction Booklet
Hold File:GCN BButton.png then release to throw a barrage of tiny darts.
Description from the Brawl 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.
Description from the Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS Foldout
Throw needles at opponents. Can be charged.
Gallery
Needle Storm in Melee.
Sheik gathering her needles in Brawl.
Sheik unleashes Needle Storm in the air (Brawl).
Using it on the ground (Brawl).
Sheik unleashes Needle Storm in Super Smash Bros. for Wii U.
Trivia
- The needles loosely resemble Bo Shuriken.
