- This article is about the enemy in the games. For the character in Adventures of Sonic the Hedgehog, see Grounder (Adventures of Sonic the Hedgehog). For other uses, see Grounder (disambiguation).
The Grounder[1] (ハンドリル[2] Handoriru?, lit. "Handrill") is an enemy in the Sonic the Hedgehog series. It is a mass-produced, mole-based Badnik created by Dr. Eggman.
Appearance[]
The Grounders are similar to the Burrobots in design, but much more bulky. They have broad, red bodies with two continuous tracks for legs. On their head they have two gray bolts for eyes, a white antenna on the back of the head, and a large drill bit for a nose. They also have a yellow neckline, a blue button on their bellies, round shoulders with the early Eggman Empire symbol on them, and slightly smaller drill pits for forearms.
Game appearances[]
Sonic the Hedgehog 2[]
The first appearance of the Grounder was in the 16-bit version of Sonic the Hedgehog 2, where it served as an enemy that appeared exclusively in Aquatic Ruin Zone.
In gameplay, the Grounders usually move back and forth on the ground or underwater while their drills are spinning. Though not dangerous on their own, Grounders are placed in very strategic places, such as at the top of paths above the player to block the way. They can also be hiding inside walls, only to suddenly emerge from them when the player passes them and hit them with a surprise attack. Regardless, the player can still easily destroy Grounders by with the Spin Attack or Spin Jump. Upon their destruction, they release an Animal.
In the 2013 remaster of the game, a green Grounder appears as a new object in Debug Mode, most likely as a nod to the character from Adventures of Sonic the Hedgehog.
Other game appearances[]
Sonic the Hedgehog Pocket Adventure[]
In Sonic the Hedgehog Pocket Adventure, the Grounders are featured at Aquatic Relix Zone. In this game, they have the exact same attack pattern as in Sonic the Hedgehog 2. Upon their destruction, they release an Animal.
Sonic the Hedgehog (Didj)[]
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Powers and abilities[]
Much like the Burrobots, the Grounders are equipped with drills that allows them to burrow through the ground, a skill of which they mainly use to drill through walls and hit their target.
In other media[]
Books and comics[]
Sonic the Hedgehog Yearbook[]
A large variation of the Grounder, from the 1992 Sonic the Hedgehog Yearbook.
Large variations of the Grounders appeared in the 1992 Sonic the Hedgehog Yearbook story "Big Trouble". In this story, Sonic and Tails encountered a large Grounder as it busted through a wall. The duo tried to damage it with the Spin Attack, only for it to bounce off of its shell harmlessly. Robotnik then announced to Sonic and Tails in his Eggmobile that this Grounder is the first of a new series of giant badniks whose size and strength would assure his conquest of Mobius where others had failed.
Tails wonders if they have to fall back, but Sonic refuses. With a little lateral thinking, Sonic and Tails climb to the top a column high above the Grounder. They then both leap down and hit the Grounder on the head with the Spin Attack, destroying it and releasing the three Animals that served as this Grounder's organic batteries.
Ladybird[]
Archie Comics[]
A Grounder, from Sonic the Hedgehog: Worlds Unite Battles #1.
In the Sonic the Hedgehog comic series and its spin-offs published by Archie Comics, the Grounders are Badnik models created by Dr. Eggman. A notable Grounder unit and his associates in particular once served as members of the doctor's Super Special Sonic Search and Smash Squad until they were solid to Breeze Media. The remaining Grounders would serve the villain's army as rank-and-file soldiers.
Sonic the Comic[]
A Grounder, from Sonic the Comic #37. Art by Richard Elson.
In the Sonic the Comic series published by Fleetway Editions, the Grounders were a part of Dr. Robotnik's Badnik army. During his initial reign over Mobius, they were only utilized on one occasion: to help the doctor break into Sonic's Secret Underground Base.
IDW Publishing[]
A large Grounder, from Sonic the Hedgehog: Imposter Syndrome #4.
In the Sonic the Hedgehog comic series and its spin-offs published by IDW Publishing, a model of a Grounder was shown to Dr. Starline by Dr. Eggman when the latter showed the former the Badniks and models he had created over time.[3]
During Dr. Starline's revisit to the Egg Cave, he would gaze upon Dr. Eggman's Grounder toy model while reminiscing.[4] Soon after, a giant Grounder stationed in Eggperial City encountered Surge and Kit while the pair were wreaking havoc around the city. Before it could do anything though, Surge and Kit decapitated it.[5]
A group of Grounders and Burrobots, from Sonic the Hedgehog #67.
Sometime later, a group of Grounders and Burrobots owned by Clutch would tunnel their way through Starline Base Sigma. Despite these Badniks encountering Surge and Kitsunami, they did not engage with them in combat and instead simply watched from the background as Clutch made a deal with Surge to work for him.[6]
Adventures of Sonic the Hedgehog[]
Grounder, from the Adventures of Sonic the Hedgehog television series.
In the Adventures of Sonic the Hedgehog television series, a green Grounder serves as one of the main antagonists of the show. He was created as the younger "brother" of Scratch and is one of the main subordinates of Dr. Ivo Robotnik, created to be a part of the Super Special Sonic Search and Smash Squad whose purpose is to eliminate Sonic and aid their creator in his various schemes. However, this Grounder is incredibly stupid and gullible, and often ends up causing his allies more trouble for the doctor's plans when trying to stop Sonic. However, he possesses various useful gadgets and an arsenal of weapons.
Trivia[]
- Grounder is one of the few Badniks in Sonic the Hedgehog 2 that features an early version of the Eggman Empire's symbol, which can be seen on its shoulder armor.
Gallery[]
Artwork[]
| Gallery |
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 Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (Strategy Guide)  Character logo, from Sonic Blitz. .png "BlitzGrounderlogo (Text Only).png (102 KB)") Text only Character logo, from Sonic Blitz.  Profile Icon, from Sonic Blitz. |
Screenshots[]
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References[]
- ↑ Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (Sega Mega Drive) United States instruction booklet, pg. 13.
- ↑ Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (Sega Mega Drive) Japanese instruction booklet, pg. 48.
- ↑ Sonic the Hedgehog Annual 2020, "Eggman's Day Off"
- ↑ Sonic the Hedgehog: Imposter Syndrome #2, story one
- ↑ Sonic the Hedgehog: Imposter Syndrome #4, story one
- ↑ Sonic the Hedgehog #67, "Second Chances"
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