Gohla

Gohla (ゴーラ), also known as Sol and Ghora, is a recurring enemy in the Sonic the Hedgehog series. It is a mass-produced Badnik model created by Dr. Eggman and a variant of Orbinaut. Unlike their predecessors which utilize spiked balls, the Gohlas uses fireballs for weapons and defense.

Appearance
Originally, Gohlas were simple floating red orbs with two black eyes for a face and a varying number of fireballs obiting them. They also appear to have a small hatch beneath their body. In Sonic Lost World, Gohlas retained this design, along with the inclusion of tired-looking, cyan eyes.

In Sonic Advance 2, Gohlas were redesigned so they looked more like their alternate variants. Here, the Gohlas had grey plates added on the top and bottom of their body, along with six spikes. Their fireballs were also redesigned as spherical orange robot drones with eyes, all of which were set ablaze.

Sonic the Hedgehog 2
Gohlas made their first appearance in Sonic the Hedgehog 2, where they are encountered in the overworld and cavers of Hill Top Zone. Due to their fireballs acting as a shield, the player will have a hard time attacking the Gohlas without getting hurt. Similar to Unidasus from the original Sonic the Hedgehog, the Gohlas only move in one direction and when they see the player, they will launch their slow-moving fireballs one by one from their back bottom in the direction they are facing. The player is recommended to avoid the fireballs until all of them are released. The Gohla will then be left without a defense and the player can destroy it with a Spin Jump.

Apparently, flashing Gohlas without fireballs appear on the other side of seesaws in Hill Top Zone, which the player has to use in conjunction with the seesaw to utilize said gimmick.

Sonic Blast
In Sonic Blast, Gohlas are featured in Red Volcano Zone. While their movement patters are only slightly different, the Gohlas have here only one fireball orbiting them. They also do not release their fireball, opting to use it to protect themselves. These enemies are hard to avoid while crossing lava pools, but their lack of fireballs make them easier to destroy. Like every Badnik in the 8-bit titles, these Gohlas do not have Animals inside them.

Sonic Advance 2
In Sonic Advance 2, the Gohlas returned with a new design, and are only featured in Hot Crater. Unlike in Sonic the Hedgehog 2, these Badniks move both back and forth, albeit slowly. The Gohlas also do not release their fireballs, which in this game orbit them laterally. The player can defeat the Gohlas by Spin Jumping on top of them.

Sonic Rivals 2
In Sonic Rivals 2, the Gohla from Sonic the Hedgehog 2 makes an appearance as a collectible card. The card can be obtained by completing the game.

Sonic Lost World
Gohlas make an appearance in both the Wii U and Nintendo 3DS version of Sonic Lost World. During the game, the Deadly Six hijacked all the Gohlas. In Wii U version of the game, they are found in Desert Ruins Zone 1, Frozen Factory Zone 1 and Sky Road Zone 4. In the 3D sections of Desert Ruins and Frozen Factory, Gohlas either remain stationary or move around in linear patterns while their fireballs orbit them horizontally.

When the player gets close to them, Gohlas have their fireballs orbit Sonic for a few seconds before making them collide with him to inflict damage. However, using this attack leaves the Gohlas vulnerable. The only way to avoid this attack is to jump as the fireballs close in or destroy the Gohla before the fireballs hit using the Spin Jump, Focused Homing Attack or Spin Dash. In 2.5D sections of Sky Road Zone 4, Gohlas remain stationary in-between ceilings while lines of fireballs orbit them laterally

In the Nintendo 3DS version of the game, Gohlas appear in Desert Ruins Zone 1-3. In the 3D sections, their four fireballs orbit them horizontally. In the 2.5D sections, they are found in wide areas or tight cavities, where they have two-to-four fireballs orbit them laterally. The player can use a Somersault Kick to stun them and then hit them with a Homing Attack, or time an attack so it hits the Gohlas without Sonic touching the fireballs.

Powers and abilities
The Gohlas are capable of levitation, though their main abilities lie in their fireballs which they can hold in orbit around them. They act both as weapons and a shield, and can be launched at their foes By the time of Sonic Lost World, Gohlas have demonstrated the ability to sheer their fireballs after launching them, allowing them to attack their targets with fireballs from multiple directions at once.

Weakness
Gohlas are incapable of generating new fireballs. As such, they are left completely vulnerable should they use up all their fireballs.

E-17 Ghora
The E-17 Ghora are Gohlas-based E-series robots that appear in Sonic Adventure and Sonic Adventure DX: Director's Cut. Like the Gohlas, they have four fireballs orbiting them which they use to defend themselves. These robots are featured in Red Mountain and Lost World.

E-31 Gola
The E-31 Gola is another, slightly different E-series model based on Gohlas that appears in Sonic Adventure 2 and Sonic Adventure 2: Battle. These robots are similar to the Ghoras and are only seen in Death Chamber.

Naming variations
The Gohla's name may have been originally intended to be translated to Sol for the English localization, but the instruction manual of Sonic the Hedgehog 2 shows no accompanying illustration for that name. Also, Sonic Jam called this Badnik Ghora after its Japanese name, which would later be re-translated for their Sonic Rivals 2 cards. The European guidebook Stay Sonic refers Gohla simply as Orbinaut. Another alternative spelling Gola is featured during the end credits of 3D Sonic the Hedgehog 2 for the Nintendo 3DS.

Two E-Series robot models appear to be based on the Gohlas, namely E-17 Ghora in Sonic Adventure and E-31 Gola in Sonic Adventure 2. These are all acceptable translations of the Japanese name, but "Gohla" appears to be the most consistent official spelling.

Trivia

 * A Gohla makes a small appearance on the variant cover of Sonic the Hedgehog #251, where it provides fire for Dr. Eggman and Dr. Wily around a campfire.