Type-S

The Type-S (タイプ-S) is a recurring Board type Extreme Gear in the Sonic Riders series. It is Storm the Albatross' character-exclusive Extreme Gear, meaning only he can use it, and his default Extreme Gear. It is one of the first Extreme Gears available in every game in the Sonic Riders series.

The Type-S is a part of the Babylon Rogues' own unique series of Extreme Gears that is constructed and customized by the team's own Extreme Gear mechanic, Wave the Swallow.

Sonic Riders
"He's a force nature alright, and nothing is going to stand in his way when he's blazing around on his custom board."

- Description from the Sonic Riders website.

"Babylon Standard. Power type W (Wave)."

- Description, Sonic Riders

History
In the Sonic Riders storyline, the Type-S was the first Extreme Gear Sonic the Hedgehog rode on. After Knuckles the Echidna managed to knock Storm off the Type-S, Sonic grabbed it and used it to pursue Jet the Hawk. Storm managed to reclaim the Type-S, however, after Jet managed to blow Sonic off it.

Description
The Type-S made its first appearance in Sonic Riders. According to its profile, it is a standard Extreme Gear for the Babylon Rogues. Wave specifically made it for the Power Type.

In Sonic Riders, the Type-S is designed as a sturdy-looking yellow board. It has thick accents in a darker yellow shade on the front and each side of the rear, and has three additional pieces of black accents on the front, while the rear is black. Finally, its upper surface and underside are colored grey, while the underside has three circular pads on it.

Abilities and traits
As a Board-type Extreme Gear in Sonic Riders, the Type-S is well-balanced in its attributes with average statistics, an average rate of fuel-consumption and is suited for general riding.

Like most other character exclusive Extreme Gears, the Type-S does not possess any unique abilities of its own.

Sonic Riders: Zero Gravity
"When redesigning Storm's gear, Wave broadened the craft's base to support his massive bulk."

- Description, Sonic Riders: Zero Gravity

Description
The Type-S later made a return in Sonic Riders: Zero Gravity: According to its profile, the Type-S was redesigned by Wave, who broadened its base so that it could support Storm's massive bulk better.

In Sonic Riders: Zero Gravity, the Type-S received a noticeable redesign, leaving only a vague resemblance to its old design. In this game, the Type-S is much broader and thicker, giving it a more bulky structure, while still keeping a distinct board shape. It is primarily white, with orange layers along the sides and rear, with red streaks and a flame-like pattern, along with two purple circular foot panels, on the upper surface. It has as well green outlines on the exhaust port and on its borders between orange and white.

Abilities and traits
As a Board type Extreme Gear in Sonic Riders: Zero Gravity, the Type-S is well-balanced in its attributes with average statistics and is suited for general riding. Like most other character-exclusive Extreme Gears, the Type-S does not possess any unique abilities of its own.

Sonic Free Riders
"Rebuilt by Wave to support Storm's heft, this gear pushes hover lift output to the max."

- Description, Sonic Free Riders

Description
The Type-S reappeared again in Sonic Free Riders. According to its profile, it was rebuilt by Wave for maximum hover lift output in order to once again support Storm's massive heft.

In Sonic Free Riders, the Type-S received a new redesign. In this game, the Type-S is given a more board-like shape that greatly resembles the one it had in Sonic Riders. However, it took on a rather different color scheme, with grey being the dominant color. It has a light grey broad and open accent covering the rear and a single brown accent on the front, while having thick grey edges on the front. Also, its foot panel is black, with white, grey and yellow streaks and markings covering it.

Abilities and traits
As a Board type Extreme Gear in Sonic Free Riders, the Type-S is, like in Sonic Riders: Zero Gravity, well-balanced in its attributes and is suited for general riding.

Like in the previous titles, the Type-S possesses no unique abilities of its own, but it can be equipped with two Gear Parts.

Archie Comics
The Type-S has made several appearances in the Sonic the Hedgehog comic book series and its spin-offs published by Archie Comics as Storm the Albatross's personal Extreme Gear, which he always has with him, and was one of the first Extreme Gear shown in the comics. In this media, it has the same design it had in Sonic Riders.

The Type-S first appeared in Sonic the Hedgehog #163 where it was used by Storm to battle Sonic the Hedgehog, along with Jet the Hawk and Wave the Swallow. Using the Type-S, which was foreign technology to Sonic, Storm and his team were able to defeat Sonic in their first confrontation. The next day, however, when the Babylon Rogues arrived to destroy Knothole, Storm was attacked by Sonic, Knuckles the Echidna and Miles "Tails" Prower, who had required their own Extreme Gear. With his Extreme Gear, Knuckles was able to combat Storm on his Type-S, and eventually managed to drive off the Babylon Rogues, with the help of Sonic and Tails.

Trivia

 * On its underside in Sonic Riders, it has the mark of the Babylonians.
 * Despite Storm being the only one who can ride the Type-S, Sonic rides it in the opening cutscene of Sonic Riders.
 * Type-S stands for Type-Storm, meaning it was named after him.