Guard

Guard is a technique that appears in Sonic Unleashed. It is used by Sonic the Werehog and the Gaia Colossus. When performing this technique, the user assumes a defensive stance against incoming attacks.

PS3/Xbox 360
In the PlayStation 3/Xbox 360 version of Sonic Unleashed, both Sonic the Werehog and the Gaia Colossus can perform Guard. When performing Guard, the user puts his forearms up in front of himself to brace against incoming attacks.

When Sonic the Werehog performs his version of Guard, he forms a blue Shield around himself. While guarding as Sonic the Werehog, the player can completely block the enemies' attacks, effectively negating the damage Sonic would otherwise receive. However, while Guard can effectively negate the damage from physical strikes, energy blasts and shock waves, it cannot block certain elemental attacks, such as the Fire Masters' fireballs or the Egg Fighter: Shields' electrical surges. Additionally, every time Guard successfully blocks an attack, it consumes the Shield Gauge, and if the Shield Gauge runs out, Guard will no longer be effective.

To perform Guard for Sonic the Werehog, the player has to hold down the L1 Button/left bumber. Additionally, by holding down the L1 Button/left bumber and moving the left Control Stick at the same time, the player can use Guard while on the move. Also, by pressing the /button whilst doing this will make Sonic perform an evasive manoeuver. Using Guard is also necessary to perform some of Sonic the Werehog's Special Attack Skills.

During the first phase of the boss battle with Dark Gaia, where the player is controlling the Gaia Colossus, the Gaia Colossus can perform Guard as well. However, while this version of Guard does not depend on a Shield Gauge, it only serves to minimize the damage from Dark Gaia's attacks rather than negating them. To perform the Gaia Colossus' Guard, the player has to, like with Sonic the Werehog, hold down the L1 Button/left bumber. Additionally, the Gaia Colossus can also perform Guard while moving by holding down the L1 Button/left bumber and moving the left Control Stick at the same time.

PS2/Wii
In the PlayStation 2/Nintendo Wii of Sonic Unleashed, only Sonic the Werehog can perform Guard. When performing Guard, Sonic puts his forearms up in front of him to brace himself against incoming attacks, with his forearms glowing light blue.

While guarding, the player can completely block the enemies' attacks, effectively negating the damage Sonic would otherwise receive. When blocking an attack with Guard, a hexagon-shaped force field appear in front of Sonic. Unlike in the PS3/Xbox 360 version of Sonic Unleashed where Guard depends on the Shield Gauge, Guard can in this version withstand an endless amount of attacks without failing.

To perform Guard in gameplay, the player has to do the following actions:

While performing Guard, the player can make Sonic dodge while guarding to take an evasive action.