Rings are Sonic's lifeblood. Collecting rings serves multiple purposes:
- Protection: If Sonic takes damage while holding rings, he will lose all of them instead of a life. You can quickly recollect some of the scattered rings before they disappear.
- Extra Lives: Collecting 100 rings will grant Sonic an extra life (1-Up).
- Score: Rings contribute to your overall score at the end of a level, which influences your rank.
Always prioritize collecting rings, especially before challenging sections or boss fights. They are your primary defense against hazards and enemies.
While Sonic Colors: Ultimate retains the classic ring-loss penalty, it removes the ability to customize character stats through equipment seen in the avatar system of Sonic Forces.
While Sonic Colors: Ultimate uses rings primarily for health and extra lives, Sonic Frontiers utilizes them as a vital resource for boosting and increasing Sonic’s maximum defense level.