Heavy Gunner

The Heavy Gunner (ヘビーガンナー) is an antagonist that appears in Sonic Mania. A member of the Hard-Boiled Heavies, the Heavy Gunner is the enhanced version of an Egg-Robo created by Dr. Eggman. Struck with the power of the Phantom Ruby, the Heavy Gunner serves as his team's strong arm specialist.

Appearance
Originally an Egg-Robo, the Heavy Gunner received a makeover when he stumbled upon the Phantom Ruby. Decorated as a police officer, the Heavy Gunner's design reflects that of a blue and black uniform and a white motorcycle helmet with a red siren on top. The Heavy Gunner has two yellow straps crossing over on his chest in an "X"-shape, with a star-shaped badge in the middle. He also possesses a microphone communicator on his helmet, white gloves, gray-colored appendages, and blue fore feet.

The Heavy Gunner is equipped with a jetpack on his back and carries a white and green rectangular prism-shaped weapon on its left arm.

History
The Heavy Gunner was originally an elite Egg-Robo who handled the most extreme tasks for his creator, Dr. Eggman. After detecting a mysterious energy source on Angel Island, Eggman sends the Heavy Gunner and the other Hard-Boiled Heavies to investigate. Upon reaching Angel Island, he and his troop excavated the energy source, the Phantom Ruby, just as Sonic the Hedgehog and Miles "Tails" Prower arrived. The Phantom Ruby promptly warped space-time around them, transforming the Heavy Gunner into his police officer attire along with his troop. As a side effect of the ruby, the Heavy Gunner and his team gained free wills and personalities of their own.

The Phantom Ruby transported the Hard-Boiled Heavies, along with Sonic, Tails, and a nearby Knuckles the Echidna, to the Green Hill Zone, where the troop fled with the gemstone. The Heavy Gunner and his troop soon reunited with Eggman in the Zone, who tried to command the group. When they would not listen though, Eggman snatched the Phantom Ruby from their clutches. The Heavy Gunner and his troop then fled the scene. The Heavy Gunner would be the first Hard-Boiled Heavy to fight against the trio of heroes. Encountering them in Studiopolis Zone, the Heavy Gunner and its three Egg-Robos chased the heroes across the Zone, but were ultimately defeated, leaving the Heavy Gunner to retreat.

The Heavy Gunner, now modified with a rocket stash, would reappear to fight Sonic and co. again when Eggman briefly sent the trio to its section of the Titanic Monarch Zone during what seemed like their final battle.

Personality
The Heavy Gunner is, like most of the Hard-Boiled Heavies, an oddball. The Heavy Gunner is considered a "loose cannon" and is too erratic for his own good. Due to this destructive behavior, he causes unintentional damage to property and anyone standing in his way. The Heavy Gunner loves to terrorize civilians of Studiopolis Zone with his helicopter. Despite his spontaneous and destructive behavior however, he still abides to the orders from the Hard-Boiled Heavies' leader, the Heavy King, with no hesitation.

Powers and abilities
The Heavy Gunner, like a standard Egg-Robo, is shown to have the ability to fly at any given time.

Weapons
The Heavy Gunner's main weapon is a green rectangular prism-shaped firearm that can shoot three missiles simultaneously.

Battle
The Heavy Gunner serves as the fifth boss overall in Sonic Mania, with his battle taking place at the end of Studiopolis Zone Act 1.

Boss guide
The Heavy Gunner, alongside three Egg-Robos, will come soaring through the sky towards the end of Studiopolis Zone Act 1, chasing the player. The boss is relatively easy: the Heavy Gunner will shoot three missiles: two of them will be red missiles while the last missile is colored blue. The blue missile is the key to beating the Heavy Gunner, as hitting the blue missile with a Spin Attack will cause the missile to rebound back to the Heavy Gunner. Doing so three times will eliminate the platoon of Egg-Robos the Heavy Gunner brought with him as back-up. Hit the blue missiles once more to aim at the Heavy Gunner to force him to flee from the scene.

Trivia

 * The Heavy Gunner is the most prolific of the Hard-Boiled Heavies, being the only member shown publicly before Sonic Mania released.
 * According to the YouTube video "How to Make a Badnik, with Dr. Eggman" uploaded by the official Sonic YouTube channel, the Heavy Gunner's weapon comically appears to be inspired by a pencil sharpener.
 * Heavy Gunner being described as a "loose cannon" is a reference to cop movies that often feature protagonists matching that description.
 * The Heavy Gunner is the only member of the Hard-Boiled Heavies that serves as an Act 1 boss. All other members appear as Act 2 bosses.