The Pointdexter^[1] (ポイントデクスター^[2], Pointodekusutā^?), later known in Japan as Puff (パフ^[3], Pafu^?), is an enemy that appears in the Sonic the Hedgehog series. It is a mass-produced, pufferfish-based Badnik model created by Dr. Eggman.

Appearance[]

Based on the pufferfish, Pointdexters have gray bodies with spikes all around, a blue face and occiput with yellow borders.

Game appearances[]

Sonic 3 & Knuckles[]

In Sonic the Hedgehog 3, and the lock-on game Sonic 3 & Knuckles, Pointdexters appear in the underwater sections of Hydrocity Zone.

In gameplay, they swim around slowly, periodically drawing out and retracting their spikes. However, they make no effort to attack the player. Pointdexters can easily be destroyed with a Spin Jump when their spikes are retracted, but they will damage the player when their spikes are out. They can also be hard to notice, if the player quickly falls down underwater.

Sonic Rivals 2[]

In Sonic Rivals 2, the Pointedexters appear on a card that can be collected by getting a high score from Sunset Forest Zone's Boss Act.

Sonic Mania[]

In Sonic Mania, and its expansion Sonic Mania Plus, the Pointdexters appear as enemies. In terms of design, they are unchanged from their debut game. In these games, they only appear in the underwater sections of Hydrocity Zone.

In gameplay, the Pointdexters behave just like in their debut game: they swim around slowly while periodically protruding spikes. Also, upon destroying a Pointdexter, it will release an Animal.

Powers and abilities[]

The Pointdexters are adapt swimmers and can protrude metal spikes from their bodies, the latter of which makes a direct attack on them very painful.

In other media[]

Sonic the Comic[]

Main article: Pointdexter (Sonic the Comic)

Pointdexters have also appeared in several issues of the British publication Sonic the Comic, after Dr. Robotnik's discovery of the Floating Island. In this continuity, they are able to float through the air. In their first appearance in the comic, a Pointdexter appeared in Marble Garden Zone.

Ladybird[]

Main article: Pointdexter (Ladybird)

Trivia[]

• Similar-looking Badniks to the Pointdexters have appeared throughout the Sonic the Hedgehog series. Sonic 3D Blast has the Fish enemy in Spring Stadium Zone and Gene Gadget Zone, and Sonic Advance has the Senbon enemy.
  • The Pointdexters are also similar to Bubbles, a Badnik from the same game, in both appearance and attack method.
• When it draws out its spikes, the Pointdexter is virtually indestructible, as neither invincibility or even Hyper Sonic's Hyper Flash can destroy it. Bubbles shares a similar feature.

Gallery[]

Artwork[]

Sonic the Hedgehog 3

Sprites[]

Sonic the Hedgehog 3

Sonic Mania

Sonic Mania Plus

Screenshots[]

Sonic the Hedgehog 3

Sonic the Hedgehog 3

References[]