What are these special abilities?

[Stry8993]

And how do I use them? It gives me an option to select it, like CD or Mania, but I don't know how to use them.

[zweat]

to use them you must go to mania mode, select no save mod and press whatever button is for "secrets".
now you can change which ability you want.

[T. K. Bold]

In 'No Save' Mode, press W to bring up the secret options. from there you can choose to alter Sonic Skill Style.

The way the skill styles work is like this:
S3&K, Sonic special skill was the Insta-Shield, done by pressing jump while in the air.
S-CD, Sonic could run even faster than a regular spindash by holding up, and rapidly tapping the jump button.
Mania, Sonic can achieve almost instantly peel out into a spin-dash. Done by holding down and a jump button while airborn until you hit the ground.

Long story short, I feel like the fact these skills are locked away from 'Save Game' mode, and not innately available to Sonic is kind of dumb.

[Ragdollintothewall]

I don't remember ever finding the instant shield ever useful, maybe I just didn't know what it was.

[T. K. Bold]

Originally posted by RhinoceritisDDS:

I don't remember ever finding the instant shield ever useful, maybe I just didn't know what it was.

Neither did I... but it does apparently have it's uses, since it also acts as a proximity attack. Not that I'd know how to use it well, I'm usually playing Miles or Knuckles.

[Aegix Drakan]

Wait Insta-shield can be enabled in the game?!

Oh man I can't wait to get that option. I miss that ability so much. It's really helpful for hitting awkward item boxes, or hitting enemies from outside their tricky hitboxes (like those blue worms that have electricity rings around them)

[Stry8993]

Does this ever unlock for a regular save mode?

[Stry8993]

And thank you guys for all the info, its much appreciated.

[Sabin Stargem]

I mostly use the Insta-Shield for brief spurts of invincibility to nail annoying enemies. The flying worms are one such nuisance.

Anyhow, I hope that the unlockable abilities someday become part of the vanilla experience.

[zweat]

Originally posted by Stry8993:

Does this ever unlock for a regular save mode?

No it doesn't

[Tigereyez101]

Long story short, I feel like the fact these skills are locked away from 'Save Game' mode, and not innately available to Sonic is kind of dumb. [/quote]

I agree.

[Ɲøƈ]

Originally posted by T. K. Bold:

S-CD, Sonic could run even faster than a regular spindash by holding up, and rapidly tapping the jump button.

If you're gonna be helpful at least be right..

[Duck ♥♥♥♥♥♥]

Insta-Shield is my most favorite Sonic-based ability. It's useful for extending your offensive hitbox and also allows you to hit enemies which would normally harm you if you jumped on them (spiked caterpillar bodies, spiked pufferfish when blown up, etc). Not only that, but I find that the Drop Dash isn't something I would normally work with and usually gain speed by Spin Dashing instead. The Insta-Shield also looks cool when you're in the air :]

[Chaos Epoch]

Originally posted by Mr. Goober:

Insta-Shield is my most favorite Sonic-based ability. It's useful for extending your offensive hitbox and also allows you to hit enemies which would normally harm you if you jumped on them (spiked caterpillar bodies, spiked pufferfish when blown up, etc). Not only that, but I find that the Drop Dash isn't something I would normally work with and usually gain speed by Spin Dashing instead. The Insta-Shield also looks cool when you're in the air :]

Drop dash works quite well for speed. But only if you remember about it.

[|iG| Vertigo]

Originally posted by RhinoceritisDDS:

I don't remember ever finding the instant shield ever useful, maybe I just didn't know what it was.

It's insanely useful when used properly. All the Launch Base Zone bosses, particularly, become vastly easier with the insta-shield.

Partly obviously because it makes you briefly invulnerable, meaning you don't have to worry about spikes or other obstacles at the point of impact. But mostly because it slightly enlarges your hitbox, allowing you to score hits from further away - this reduces the amount of time you're in a dangerous position. Both those factors are extremely useful against Sonic 3's final boss.

It's also *extremely* difficult to nail Launch Base's orbinaut badniks without insta-shield, and there are numerous other enemies throughout S3&K (eg. Death Egg's chainspike badnik) that it makes a lot easier or less risky to take out.

[twitch.tv/thedoovle]

What? I press the options on the select save and I can change em in save mode.