Notes and Strategy (10)

Learn the best strategies to defeat Knuckles and stop Robotnik from stealing the Master Emerald in Sonic & Knuckles. Master the Sky Sanctuary Zone!

Alright, let's talk about this fight with Knuckles. Honestly, compared to some of the bosses you've faced recently, he's pretty manageable. Just keep a few things in mind and you'll be fine.

Strategy vs. Knuckles:

• When you Spin Dash towards Knuckles, he's just going to block it, so save your Spin Dash for other things.
• If Knuckles uses his Spin Dash, your best bet is to simply jump over him. Trying to counter his Spin Dash with your own will still result in you taking damage, so it's not worth the risk.
• When Knuckles glides, that's your opening! Get behind him and land a hit.
• There's a tricky maneuver where you can hit him if you Spin Dash the *exact* moment he lands, but it's really tough to pull off consistently, so focus on the other strategies.

After the Battle:

Once you've dealt with Knuckles, a bunch of explosions will go off. Knuckles will run off to check them out, and you should follow him. You'll catch Robotnik in the act of stealing the Master Emerald from the Emerald Chamber. (Quick note for Sonic 3 & Knuckles players: you might see those grey/colored Super Emeralds here, depending on your progress in the Special Stages.) Knuckles finally realizes Robotnik is the real bad guy, but it's too late – the Master Emerald is gone!

Robotnik makes his escape, and you'll automatically start heading right. Knuckles will try to stop him but gets zapped by electricity. Robotnik can take a ton of hits, so don't even waste your time trying to attack him. Eventually, the floor you're on will collapse, dropping you into a new area. Knuckles will wake up, smash through a wall, and then show you a teleporter. Sonic hops on, and boom – you're off to Sky Sanctuary Zone!