Project M

Sonic (PM)

From SmashWiki, the Super Smash Bros. wiki
Jump to navigationJump to search
Sonic
in Project M and Project+
Sonic SSBB.jpg
SonicSymbol.svg
Universe Sonic the Hedgehog
Base game appearance Brawl
Moveset inspiration Sonic (SSBB)
Alternate costume Jet Set Sonic
Sonic (SSBB)

Sonic is a playable character in the Brawl mod Project M. He has been buffed for his Project M showing. Sonic is currently ranked 20th out of 41 characters on the Project M Tier List, near the top of B tier, and a slight improvement over his placement in Brawl, where he was 22nd out of 38.

Attributes

Sonic's Jet Set Radio costume in Project M.

True to his series, Sonic is the fastest character in the game, having the fastest dash speed and a fast air speed. These traits make him able to rack up damage very easily and execute combos across the stage. His strengths include extremely fast and tricky movement, a great combo game, good edgeguards and among the best recoveries in the game, and said traits can be utilized to his advantage against his foes. Additionally, he has been given the option to moonwalk as a result of the game's return to Melee physics, which can guide him in his approach. He also now has the ability to dash jump, which almost doubles his already fast air speed. Sonic also sports a plethora of recovery options, as all four of his special moves can help him recover in some capacity.

While Sonic was known in Brawl for his high speed and movement, he was held back by his poor KO potential due to his extremely weak attacks and few finishers, all of which were unreliable and ineffective. This has been addressed in Project M, as he has been given more KO power in his moveset, making him stronger than before.

Sonic's flaws include having poor range on most of his moves (in addition to a lack of projectiles), poor hitbox placements, and weak horizontal and vertical endurance due to being light with only an average falling speed (even floatier characters like Samus take less vertical knockback due to her extra weight), while also being very susceptible to juggles despite generally not being easy to combo. As such, while Sonic can combo easily due to his maneuverability, he himself is very easy to K.O. at lower percents, as attacks with high power can send him flying off the stage for good despite his multitude of recovery options, and his low range and lack of projectiles compel him to come close to his opponents rather than heckle them from afar. As such, Sonic must make use of his speed and movement options in order to open up opponents and compensate for his weaknesses.

Changes from Brawl to PM

Sonic was buffed in transition to PM, with an even faster dash, more KO power, and an introduction to his new F-air.

Sonic's new up taunt in Project M.
Sonic's new forward aerial.

Aesthetics

  • Change Up taunt now features a horizontal spin and finger wag. Additionally, all of Sonic's taunts can be held indefinitely by holding down the taunt button.

Attributes

  • Buff Dashing speed was increased (3.5 → 4).
  • Nerf Sonic is significantly lighter, drastically worsening vertical and horizontal endurance (95 → 82).
  • Nerf Grab release glitch from Brawl has not been removed.

Ground Attacks

  • Buff Jab combo does more damage.
  • Buff Forward tilt is now a single hit, while still dealing the same damage, and does the same damage even from far away unlike Brawl, and slightly more KO potential.
  • Buff Up tilt is now a flash kick with a single hitbox instead of a double high kick, which acts better as a launcher, with overall less lag, and is based off of Sonic Up Draft from Sonic Battle.
  • Buff Forward smash does more damage and is a better KO move.
  • Buff Up smash has much less ending lag and only has two hitboxes; the first is weak, while the second is much stronger and produces more knockback, making the move harder to avoid and improving its KO potential dramatically.
  • Buff Down smash changed to a multi-hitting "break-dance" move reminiscent of his Heavy Attack, the Sonic Flare, from Sonic Battle. It acts similar to the original, but has faster start-up and deals higher damage with much more knockback and can punish shielding or crouch canceling foes.
  • Buff Dash attack does more damage, and deals higher knockback.
  • Nerf Down tilt's IASA frames are later.
  • Nerf New up tilt has less damage potential.
  • Change Sweetspots of neutral aerial and up smash now have a slash effect, and the former has a new look inspired by Sonic 3.

Aerial Attacks

  • Buff Neutral aerial does much more damage and has stronger knockback and has a larger hitbox.
  • Buff Forward aerial is now a faster front-flip kick, based on the Sonic Eagle from Sonic Battle. It has much more utility, covering a wider area in front of Sonic and meteor smashing at the heel of his foot, which when combined with his enhanced air speed gives Sonic a deadly Ken Combo.
    • Nerf New forward air has less damage potential.
  • Buff Back aerial does more damage and is a stronger KO move.
  • Buff Up aerial has faster start-up, links better, does 4-5% more damage and the sweetspot at the tips of his shoes have stronger knockback.
  • Buff Down aerial does more damage and has more knockback on its sweetspot, has significantly faster startup, and is now better at starting aerial combos when L-canceled.

Grabs and Throws

  • Buff Up throw sends for better follow-ups.
  • Buff Down throw is faster, giving the opponent less time to DI.
  • Nerf Up throw does less damage.

Special Moves

  • Buff Homing Attack can hit even when facing the other way and has much faster startup and fires straight at the opponent, now homing on them much more consistently in addition to juggling them at medium percentages.
  • Buff Side special is now Somersault: a fast-starting spin attack with a variable height jump depending on how long is the special button held. Pressing the attack button turns the attack into a sliding kick similar to that of the Sonic Advance games. Both attacks cancel upon falling off a ledge. This gives Sonic a new multi-hitting quick attack to efficiently rack up damage and then launch foes, rather than a move almost identical to his down special. It also sweetspots ledges when used in midair, improving Sonic's horizontal recovery.
  • Buff Down special is still his Spin Charge, but has gained most of the nuances the original Spin Dash had while retaining all of its own properties. It can additionally damage opponents when being charged.
  • Nerf Homing Attack has a slightly decreased detection radius, and gives less distance when there is no opponent in range, and has less KO potential. Additionally, if Sonic does not hit a wall or at least target anybody, he will go into helpless state.
  • Nerf Spring Jump gives slightly less vertical distance, and Sonic can no longer air dodge after performing the move; also, using it causes Sonic to lose all of his momentum as a result of the move resetting.
  • Nerf Spin Charge can no longer be held indefinitely.
  • Buff Pressing the attack button during the startup of Homing Attack lets Sonic use the Blast Attack, which is a faster Homing Attack with less ending lag, though it has less range and doesn't track the opponent. Sonic now strikes a pose after successfully hitting with a Homing Attack.
  • Change Falling animation after using Spring Jump is now identical to his helpless animation, though without the black overlay. Sonic now additionally spins horizontally during the rising portion of the move in a manner similar to Sonic CD.

Revisions

v2.5b

  • Buff Forward tilt is now one hit, has less endlag, and much more knockback growth.
  • Buff Forward smash hit duration extended and has a weak hit added during that time.
  • Buff Neutral air is slightly faster, stronger, and has larger hitboxes.
  • Buff Back air adjusted in knockback, and is stronger at lower %s.
  • Buff Up air 2nd hit comes out slightly faster, sweetspot does a little more damage, and knockback slightly adjusted.
  • Buff Up air autocancels much earlier and IASA is a bit earlier.
  • Buff Homing Attack IASA is earlier.
  • Buff Aerial Somersault can grab ledges.
  • Buff Spin Charge can be B-reversed.
  • Buff Spin Charge startup is faster.
  • Buff Up smash is two hits instead of many multi-hits, and the knockback on the last hit is stronger.
  • Buff Jump startup is slightly faster.
  • Buff Gets more horizontal momentum from grounded jumps.
  • Buff Down air initial hitbox spikes on both grounded and airborne opponents.
  • Nerf Somersault can no longer be jump canceled immediately, and the invincibility is completely gone.
  • Nerf Aerial mobility is slightly lower.
  • Bug fix C-Stick up while shielding now correctly jumps instead of up smashing.
  • Change Up tilt has a new animation.
  • Change Down tilt moves forward and back, and the hitboxes and animation were adjusted.
  • Change Down tilt sends foes up and behind him.
  • Buff Forward air has slightly faster startup with endlag and knockback adjusted.
  • Change Down air no longer has disabled air mobility, and can be fastfalled to change the dive speed.
  • Change Homing Attack on-hit cancel is removed.
  • Buff Homing Attack can be shortened by pressing Attack before he homes-in, this is called Blast Attack.
  • Change Homing Attack hit animation is now reversible.
  • Change Somersault initial hitbox sends outward, and halfway through aerial Side B it will send upwards.
  • Nerf Somersault can only be used once per recovery, he must land on the stage or grab the edge to regain Side B usage in the air.
  • Change Grounded Somersault goes into a multi-hit somersault instead of a spindash.
  • Buff Grounded Somersault somersault is jump cancelable, and if you press Attack Sonic will perform a slide kick.
  • Buff Grounded Somersaults somersault and slide kick are both edge cancelable.
  • Buff Spin Charge releases into spindash sooner.

v2.6b

  • Buff Up aerial's first hit has increased knockback, matching Brawl Sonic's values. The tipper sweetspot on the second hit is now easier to land.
  • Nerf Forward smash's knockback was decreased.
  • Nerf Forward smash's weaker lingering hit has notably decreased hitbox sizing and knockback.
  • Nerf Forward aerial's damage and knockback were notably decreased, but no longer degrade at the end of the kick.
  • Nerf Somersault's hitboxes can no longer clank other moves and have increased hitlag.
  • Nerf Somersault's jump-cancel window starts later.
  • Nerf Sonic can no longer airdodge after performing Spring Jump, even if he performs an aerial in between.
  • Nerf Spring Jump can no longer be canceled with a walljump, or wall jump after using Spring Jump.
  • Nerf Spin Charge's hitboxes can no longer clank other moves and have increased hitlag.
  • Nerf Spin Charge's spin jump can no longer be canceled with any special or airdodged from, and has a five frame-lock on performing aerials.
  • Buff Sonic's jump squat animation carries over more momentum, allowing for more range during his jump cancel grab.
  • Change Forward tilt tipper hit angle raised and homogenized amongst angled variants.
  • Change Forward tilt damage is now based on angle like other forward tilts (12 hi, 11 med, 10 low), and knockback was compensated to match 2.1 Sonic.
  • Change Neutral aerial's hitbox sizing and placements reverted to match 2.1 Sonic, but no longer shrink during the move's duration>
  • Buff Neutral aerial's active duration is faster.
  • Change Neutral aerial's initial damage was matched to Brawl Sonic's values, and the knockback compensated to match the last hit of Brawl Sonic's forward aerial.
  • Change Forward aerial starts up faster and now hits while Sonic's leg is further above him. Cooldown was increased slightly.
  • Change Forward aerial's shoe sweetspot now sends at a diagonal angle during the first two active frames.
  • Change Back aerial's initial damage and knockback stats weakened slightly, and his torso hitbox was made into a flub with notably less damage. The lingering hit was strengthened to match Brawl Sonic's values.
  • Change Down aerial's lingering hit angle was raised to match other diagonal sending moves>
  • Change Down aerial's dive no longer slows down when fast-fell.
  • Change Homing Attack has a longer window to acquire a homing target, and a slightly longer start-up.
  • Nerf Homing Attack's hit rebound animation has a later interrupt window.
  • Change Homing Attack's hit angle is notably higher.
  • Change Somersault's hits earlier with a new graphical cue before the move goes into the hop or tumble. This can allow it to hit twice with the hop. Somersault's initial damage and knockback were reduced to compensate.
  • Change Somersault's previous momentum now has a large effect on the hop's height, making when you use the move more important.
  • Change Somersault's grounded tumble hitboxes have less time between hits, but end faster.
  • Change Spring Jump no longer has invincibility, but can be interrupted with an aerial earlier.
  • Nerf Spring Jump's turnaround window is slightly longer.
  • Change Spring's hitbox comes out slightly later, and has a more diagonal hit angle with lower base knockback but increased knockback growth.
  • Bug fix Spin Charge's jump inputs now properly recognize the tap-jump setting.
  • Change Spin Charge's charging hitboxes no longer deal additional shield damage, but now drag targets in whatever direction Sonic is moving.
  • Nerf Spin Charge's charge now sends Sonic into spindash if you fail to mash quickly enough, and the mash requirement increases the longer you stay in charge. A quick white flash indicates that the mashing requirement has gotten harder.
  • Nerf Spin Charge's charge can no longer be canceled in any manner but by releasing into spindash, or holding shield to enter the spin stop cancel.
  • Nerf Spin Charge's spindash can no longer be shield canceled at any point in the move. Pressing shield will now cause Sonic to skid to a stop.
  • Nerf Spin Charge's spin jump and spin turn now have a fifteen frame delay on their hitboxes if Sonic has hit with spindash or spin turn in the last nine frames.
  • Change Spin Charge's spin jump and spin turn have reduced damage with compensated knockback, but can now hit multiple times.

v3.0

  • Buff Sonic’s aerial mobility was slightly increased.
  • Buff Neutral air hits one frame sooner and stays strong slightly longer. The initial hitboxes were slightly increased in size, and knockback on all hits tweaked to aid in comboing and late-percent kills.
  • Buff Neutral air now has a small initial sweetspot that deals 15% damage with strong knockback and has neutral frame advantage on block.
  • Buff Back air has increased start up reminiscent of Brawl’s, and increased damage and knockback on all hitboxes. IASA window starts two frames earlier.
  • Buff Up air's knockback trajectory slightly raised to be straight vertical. Both sweet and sour spots have increased knockback growth.
  • Buff Spin Dash knockback stats and trajectory tweaked to aid in comboing.
  • Buff Spring Jump use is now reset if Sonic is grabbed.
  • Nerf Forward air’s early sweetspot has reduced knockback growth.
  • Nerf Homing attack lock-on range reduced by about 1/3.
  • Change Neutral air animation tweaked for polish.
  • Change When Homing or Blast attack collides with a floor, Sonic rebounds instead of flattening to the stage.
  • Change Spin Maneuver’s Jump-cancel frame-lock no longer resets upon landing mid-move. Sonic also flashes when the frame-lock ends>

v3.5

  • Buff All of Sonic's forward tilt hitboxes last longer.
  • Nerf Sonic's forward tilt, up tilt, forward aerial, and down smash no longer increase Sonic's foot size, limiting range.
  • Nerf Forward tilt, up aerial, and down aerial has more endlag.
  • Nerf Up aerial's second hit now lingers for less time.
  • Nerf Spin Charge no longer has a hitbox when turning (and for a second afterwards).
  • Nerf Spin Charge now has longer startup.
  • Buff Spring Jump has faster startup.
  • Nerf Glitch fixed where Sonic could airdodge out of Spring Jump.
  • Buff Homing Attack can now grab ledges faster, and has 25% larger detection size.
  • Nerf Homing Attacking in the air without it finding a target now puts Sonic into special fall.
  • Nerf Somersault can no longer be edge cancelled immediately, cannot be cancelled for a longer amount of time, and the held version can't be jumped out of until it hits the ground.
  • Nerf Spinshot distance reduced by about half.
  • Nerf Super Sonic damage and knockback weakened, and now leaves Sonic helpless.
  • Change Homing Attack's ending animation is now affected by gravity.
  • Buff The first hit of his up aerial weakened to link better.
  • Change Down aerial's falling speed was reduced by 10%.
  • Nerf Somersault now has one less hit.

Moveset

Up to date as of version 3.6.

Name Damage Description
Neutral attack 3% Two punches followed by a side kick.
3%
4%
Forward tilt 12% (feet), 10% (legs) Sonic stands on both hands and kicks out both legs at the opponent. This move can be angled up or down.
11% (feet), 9% (legs)
10% (feet), 8% (legs)
Up tilt Sonic Up-Draft 11% (foot), 9% (leg) Sonic performs a backflip kick. Based on the Sonic Up-Draft move from Sonic Battle.
Down tilt 6% Sonic throws his leg out and does a sweep kick.
Dash attack 8% (clean), 4% (late) Sonic curls into a ball to rush at any opponent in his path.
Forward smash 16% (clean), 12% (late) Sonic winds up his fist, then throws a punch forwards. This move can be aimed up or down.
Up smash 2% (hit 1), 14% (hit 2) Sonic jumps up and curls up into a spiky ball. This move hits twice, with the first hit linking onto the second hit. Sonic himself is intangible while the first hitbox is active.
Down smash Sonic Flare 15% (hit 1), 12% (hit 2) Sonic does a double-hitting "break-dance" kick. Based on the Sonic Flare move from Sonic Battle.
Neutral aerial 15% (clean center), 11% (clean sides), 8% (mid), 5% (late) Sonic curls up in a ball and spins around to generate a sharp "shield" around him, similar to the "Insta-Shield" seen in Sonic the Hedgehog 3. A useful move to send opponents flying and is a good combo finisher.
Forward aerial Sonic Eagle 11% (foot), 9% (leg) Sonic flips forward and sends his heel downward in an axe-kick fashion. Acts as a meteor smash upon impact on Sonic's foot. Based on the Sonic Eagle move from Sonic Battle.
Back aerial 16% (clean leg), 12% (clean body), 9% (late leg), 6% (late body) Sonic performs a backwards roundhouse kick that deals fairly strong knockback.
Up aerial 4% (hit 1), 13% (hit 2) Sonic flips upside down and performs an upwards scissors kick. One of his stronger aerial attacks.
Down aerial 10% (early hit), 9% (fall) Sonic stalls for a brief moment, then shoots downwards foot first, via a stall-then-fall move. The move's initial hitbox can spike opponents.
Grab
Pummel 3% Knees the opponent.
Forward throw 3% (hit 1), 6% (throw) Sonic kicks the opponent forward.
Back throw 8% Sonic performs a high speed multi-flip version of the tomoe nage, a Judo throw. Deals decent knockback.
Up throw 3% (hit 1), 5% (throw) Sonic throws the opponent up and sharpens his quills to stab the opponent.
Down throw 1% (hits 1-3), 5% (throw) Sonic pins the opponent on the ground to spin-grind on top of them.
Floor attack (front) 6% Does a quick spinball sweep.
Floor attack (back) 6% Does a quick foot sweep.
Floor attack (trip) 5% Does a spin kick while getting up.
Edge attack (fast) 8% Gets up onto the stage with a spinball attack.
Edge attack (slow) 4% (hit 1), 8% (hit 2) Sonic slowly climbs up and kicks forward twice. This is the only edge attack move that can hit twice.
Neutral special Homing Attack / Blast Attack 8% Sonic curls up into a spiky ball while ascending, aims for the nearest target, then crashes into them. He'll perform a pose if he hits.
Side special Somersault 4% (startup), 8% (jump), 1% (rolling hits)
Slide kick: 9% (clean), 6% (late)
Sonic leaps a small distance in the air while in ball form, then performs a couple of somersault when he lands. This move can be linked into a sliding kick or canceled by jumping.
Up special Spring Jump 4% Summons out a spring from the Sonic the Hedgehog games and uses it to leap into the air. All of Sonic's momentum is reset when the using the spring. The spring acts as a projectile when used in mid-air.
Down special Spin Charge 1% (charging hits), 6-11% (dash), 4% (jump) Sonic curls himself into a spiky ball and dashes forward. This move can be charged by rapidly pressing the special button while holding down, making it both faster and stronger. Unlike in Brawl, this move cannot be charged infinitely.
Final smash Super Sonic 18% (startup), 16% (ram) Transforms into Super Sonic, from the Sonic the Hedgehog games. The player can use the control stick or other movement buttons to make him fly in any direction they choose and ram into other foes. The transformation lasts for about 15 seconds. Ending the transformation while airborne will cause Sonic to become helpless.

In competitive play

Notable players

Active

  • USA AriYo - Notably beat SK92, and JPeGImage
  • USA Aion - The best active Sonic main; has notable wins over Sosa and Jose V.
  • USA Guerrilla - Notably beat Dakpo
  • USA Gooley - Notably beat Aidan, Flipp, and Jose V, and got 25th at Blacklisted
  • USA Jfyst - Notably beat Dirtboy, N0ne, Hero of Time,2nd at CEO 2015
  • UK JJLinyard - Notably beat Fuzzyness, Jolteon and Alpha Dash
  • USA Mapmark - Notably beat Tantalus, Omni, EE, and BaconPancakes
  • USA N810 - 25th at FinalBOSS
  • USA Solharath - Best Midwest Sonic main
  • Australia Star - Best Australian Sonic Main
  • USA Zenokidz - 5th at FinalBOSS
  • USA Zeus - Notably beat Denti and SparkingZero

Inactive

Alternate costumes

Sonic's colours have been changed to be significantly more obvious, improving his readbility in team battles. The non-default colours are all references to other Sonic characters, while his alternate costume is based on another series that was created by SEGA, Jet Set Radio.

Sonic's alternate costumes in PM
SonicHeadSSBB.png SonicHeadRedPM.png SonicHeadPurplePM.png SonicHeadGreenPM.png SonicHeadShadowPM.png SonicHeadTailsPM.png SonicHeadSilverPM.png SonicHeadBeatPM.png

Interestingly, if Sonic is using his Silver or Beat costumes, his running animation and side taunt animation revert to him wearing his signature red shoes, though this was fixed in a later revison.

Trivia

External links