Slicer

Slicer (カマキラー) is mantis-type badnik, that is created by Doctor Robotnik. Slicer makes its first appearance at Metropolis Zone in Sonic the Hedgehog 2. Slicers are temporary dangerous guards along with other badniks of Metropolis Zone with their sharp and even irritating claws.

Sonic the Hedgehog 2
Slicers make their debut in Sonic the Hedgehog 2 as they exist at the Metropolis Zone, which has three acts unlike others that had two. Slicers can usually be found at the edges of gorges where the player often bounce out or they can block a narrow point of the route.

Slicers can also be found hanging on ceilings. As it has been mentioned before, Slicers are really vulnerable after it throws its claws to the player. Without them, it can be defeated with any attack possible and even if Slicers have its claws, it is possible to attack them behind.

Sonic Pocket Adventure
Slicers also make appearance in Sonic the Hedgehog Pocket Adventure at the last full zone, Gigantic Angel Zone. As the zone resembles of Metropolis Zone, having same badniks (including Slicer), which behave the same way like in Metropolis Zone.

Sonic the Hedgehog 4
Slicers makes their return in the Mad Gear Zone in Sonic the Hedgehog 4. Despite having an updated look, they pretty much act same like in past games and because of Homing Attack, they are now easier to defeat. Also, if the player lets Slicer live alone after throwing its claws away, it starts flashing and self-destruct itself.

Sonic 4 Website info

 * Slicer&mdash;how could we ever forget you? The one Badnik everyone loves to hate. Slicer can fire off its arms at our blue hero, making it a formidable foe that will require a lot of practice to defeat unscathed. Timing is key, so don’t hesitate for a second if one of these robots spots you!

Physical Appearance
Slicer as a badnik is based on a mantis. Slicer's head is flat and has yellow eyes with small pupils. Like Motobug and Buzz Bomber, Slicer has two metallic teeth. Each of its hand has razor-sharp claws, which are its primary weapons. Slicers have thin legs, and each foot's heel has small wheels. He moves slowly with them. These small wheels later don't exist in the updated look.

Abilities
When Slicer notices the player, it throws its claws in a boomerang-like fashion. This attack is surprisingly hard to avoid, although the Slicer is very vulnerable without its claws. In Sonic the Hedgehog 4, after throwing their claws, they self-destruct if left alone for a while. Slicers are quite infamous for their somewhat unavoidable placements.

Sonic the Comic
In Sonic the Comic issue 55' story The Great Escape!, only single Slicer makes its appearance during the comic's run, as it with two Coconuts, Crawl and Burrobot are bringing generator to the prison division. Slicer later turns out to be Johnny Lightfoot in disguise.

Archie Comics
Slicer make its appearance at Archie's Sonic the Hedgehog comic's issue 18. This single Slicer was part of badnik team, which consisted him, Coconuts, Crabmeat, Buzzbomber, Newtron and Roller to break up the apparent wedding of Sonic the Hedgehog and Sally Acorn. Despite their assault, Slicer got easily defeated as other badniks in team.

Slicers return years later at Genesis arc in Issue 229, as they guards inside route of Metropolis Zone, when Sonic is heading to the doctor Eggman. In this story arc they got updated look from Sonic the Hedgehog 4.

Related Badniks

 * Kama-Kama
 * Mantis
 * Kamaki

Trivia

 * Because of their single attack and unavoidable placements, Slicers are usually considered as one of the most difficult enemies in Sonic the Hedgehog 2.
 * Like Shellcracker, Slicers for odd reason disappears from certain places where they should be in Metropolis Zone. This is especially noticeable at the last High-speed elevator section in act 3 of Metropolis Zone, where Slicer is able to appear in front of high-speed elevator, but sometimes this Slicer disappears from that location when the player visits on another time.