As a Badnik, the Toxomisters consist of a vertical gray pole with an orange seal gap and a drooping black eye with a pink eyelid on the top of it.
Game appearances
Sonic & Knuckles
The Toxomisters are only encountered in Lava Reef Zone. In gameplay, they remain stationary while blowing a pinkish purple, puffy cloud that floats up or down, depending on whether or not the Toxomisters are on the ceiling. If the playable characters touch the cloud, it will stick to them, causing the player to lose one Ring per second, regardless of invincibility, shields (although the Aqua Shield will keep the cloud from sticking to the player) or Super States. Additionally, the player's speed and the Spin Jump's height will be decreased. The cloud also slows the player's descent and reduces vertical movement with springs. If the cloud touches a playable character without Rings, the player will lose a life. Touching multiple clouds will increase the rate at which the player loses Rings, speed, and jump height.
The player can get rid of the Toxomisters' cloud by either pressing left and right rapidly on or using the Spin Attack/Spin Dash. To defeat a Toxomister, which will also dissipate any cloud it produces, the player can use a Spin Jump on it.
In gameplay, the Toxomisters behave just like in their debut game: they sit in a fixed position where they produce toxic clouds (which have all their original effects). Also, upon destroying a Toxomister, it will release an Animal. Unlike the Sonic & Knuckles variation, spin dashing will not remove the cloud from the player. Pressing left and right rapidly on still works, however. Additionally, a shield will prevent the player from dying to the cloud in this game. The Sonic Mania variant also has lower range on the cloud, allowing the cloud to dissipate if the player gets far enough away.
As opposed to Sonic & Knuckles, the playable characters' sprites are taller in Sonic Mania. This makes them unable to go under the enemy without getting hit by the Toxomister's eye.
In the Sonic the Hedgehog comic series and its spin-offs published by Archie Comics, the Toxomisters first appeared as one of Dr. Eggman's Badniks in the timeline created by the second Genesis Wave. After the timeline was rebooted following the occurrence of the Super Genesis Wave, the Toxomisters are now identical to their game counterparts.
Trivia
The Japanese name "Puwazone" is likely a mangling of the English word "Poison".
Gallery
Screenshots
Sonic engulfed in the Toxomister's puffy cloud of poison smoke in Sonic & Knuckles. The player loses one Ring per second when this occurs.
or using the Spin Attack/Spin Dash. To defeat a Toxomister, which will also dissipate any cloud it produces, the player can use a Spin Jump on it.
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