Needle Storm

Needle Storm (, Stocking Up Needles) is Sheik's neutral special move.

Overview
Sheik throws slim, almost-invisible needles to attack.

These needles travel extremely fast, hitting opponents in range almost instantaneously. They are thrown straight forward if the move is used on the ground, or at a 45° (30° in Ultimate) angle downward if used in the air. In Super Smash Bros. Melee, each needle does 3% damage regardless of distance. In Super Smash Bros. Brawl, they still do 3% to nearby opponents but only deal 2% if used from a distance. In Super Smash Bros. 4, the damage has been reduced to 1.9% close up and 1.2% at a distance. The needles do even less damage in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, dealing only 1.5% up close and 0.8% from afar. Needles have transcendent priority in Brawl, SSB4 and Ultimate allowing Sheik to outcamp several characters.

Needle Storm can be charged to add more needles to the attack, up to a maximum of six. When the move is used after charging, Sheik throws all the needles in rapid succession. It is charge-cancelable; Sheik can shield, roll or air dodge out of a charge and keep her stock of needles, and jumping or spot dodging is also possible in Ultimate as well. If she is attacked while charging, she will drop her needles on the ground and thus lose the charge. In Melee, the move has an odd quirk compared to other auto-charge specials: the button must be held to charge, and Sheik will continue charging even after stocking all six needles, only stopping when the move is canceled or the special button is released to make her fire. As a result, only in Melee Sheik cannot perform a roll to cancel the charging animation without putting up a shield first.

In Brawl, SSB4 and Ultimate, the move acts like any other auto-charge-cancelable move, where it starts automatically charging after one button press then stopping at maximum, with a second button press mid-charge required to launch the attack early.

In Melee only, Sheik can also hold onto stored needles after losing a stock by transforming into Zelda before being KOed, then turning back into Sheik during the next stock.

In Melee, if thrown after the apex of the jump and below the maximum height of Sheik's single jump, in a technique called needle canceling, Needle Storm incurs no significant landing lag, allowing Sheik to combo aerial needles immediately into ground attacks, grabs, dashes, or even more needles. Reverse needle canceling refers to charging needles in the air, then tapping the shield or grab button to stow them. This too produces zero lag and can be used to efficiently store needles, to grab the ledge, or to increase jump distance.

Customization
Special Move customization was added in Super Smash Bros. 4. These are the variations:


 * 1) Needle Storm: Default.
 * 2) Penetrating Needles: Throw needles through multiple opponents, but can only charge up to three. Electric effect. Shorter range than Needle Storm, but more shield damage.
 * 3) Paralyzing Needle: Throw a single needle, paralyzing hit opponents. Attack animation is much longer, leaving Sheik vulnerable.

Origin
Needle Storm is entirely original to Smash, and does not reference anything about Sheik in particular. The move is most likely a reference to throwing needles used by real ninja, which is what the Sheikah are based on. The needles loosely also resembles bo shuriken.

Names in other languages
Tormenta de cuchillas