Sonic Advance 3 - Guides

Detailed Team Guide

Updated 7 years ago by kirbymastah

Team Types

Sonic Advance 3 allows you to pair any of the 5 characters (Sonic, Tails, Knuckles, Cream, and Amy) with any other. This means there are 20 possible teams in the game, all of them with their unique traits. For the purpose of brevity, teams will be abbreviated as two character's abbreviations, with a + in between:

Sonic = S
Tails = T
Knuckles = K
Cream = C
Amy = A
Any character = ?

While the tag actions depend solely on the support character (listed in the General Mechanics guide), the lead character also gains or trades abilities depending on who they are paired with.

Teams are categorized by speed, power, and flight. This is shown in the upper-left corner of the screen during standard gameplay with either a S (Speed), P (Power), or F (Flight).

The type of team is determined by if sonic or knuckles are in your team, as they have the dominant traits. If Sonic is in the team, then the team is automatically speed. If Sonic is NOT in the team, but Knuckles is, then the team is automatically power. If neither Sonic nor Knuckles are in the team the team is flight.

Speed teams can enter boost mode, either by running for a period of time, hitting a boost pad, or using Sonic's Tag Action
Power teams can break power barriers, and also take 2 hits to destroy some normal barriers instead of 4.

The "exceptions" to the above rules are S+K and K+S. These are speed teams, but they also have power attacks because both sonic and knuckles are in the same team, so this team has traits from both speed and power.

The team type is honestly a meaningless label aside from the rules above. For example, while S+T can enter boost mode, they can still fly using Tail's air tag action.

The teams will be organized by partner, because teams with the same partner are more similar with each other than teams with the same leader, so appropriate comparisons can be made.

Sonic Partner

Tails & Sonic

Boost Mode
Sonic Tag Actions
Down+A on ground = spindash
B on ground = Tail Swipe
A in air/water = flight/doggy paddle as normal (lasts 5 seconds)
Can trick off springs and ramps

This team is, hands down, the best team in the game for pure horizontal movement, and being able to fly and double jump with Sonic's Tag Action help compensate for its lag of vertical mobility, making it one of the most versatile speed teams. Tail's flight (and swim) does not lose any horizontal speed at all even when ascending (unlike other 2D sonic games where Tails loses speed each time he ascends). If a jump is buffered from Sonic's Tag Action, then Tails starts flying, while he does lose boost mode, he will maintain all of that speed through his flight. This makes this team overall the best in the game for pure horizontal speed. Being able to trick and swim are extra bonuses that make this team even better. If you want to use a team with Sonic's Tag Action, this should be the team to default to.

His tail swipe attack is also one of the best attacks in the game as it comes out instantly, has excellent reach, doesn't hurt himself, and the hitbox stays out much longer than the animation makes it seem.

Knuckles & Sonic

Boost Mode
Sonic Tag Actions
Down+A on ground = spindash
B on ground = double punch
A in air = headbutt
A in water = breast stroke, can climb walls
Floats on water surfaces

This team is well suited for levels that require a lot of horizontal speed while having power attacks as well. While knuckles can't glide like normal, his headbutt works similarly to his forward trick in Sonic Advance 2, in that he gains a forward burst of speed, bounces off enemies, and rolls upon landing (and maintains boost mode if he does it while in it). Use this team over other T+S teams if you need power attacks.

Cream & Sonic

Boost Mode
Sonic Tag Actions
Down+A on ground = spindash
B on ground or air = Cheese Bullet
A in air = flight
Floats on water surfaces

This team is similar to T+S except Cream's flight loses horizontal speed so it's slower. However, Cream can cancel her flight at any time unlike T+S, and her initial vertical flight speed is faster.

Cheese is no longer a homing attack. Instead, Cheese fires forward in a bullet, which is both good and bad. Cheese can be fired at any time (normally he needs a target to be used), and the hitbox is a lot larger and lasts way longer than it looks, so this can be really useful for some bosses. This is especially nice for Gemerl, since Cheese normally can't attack Gemerl until after his invincibility frames run out, but with this team, he can. Cream can also use this attack while running in boost mode, and continue to run with boost mode.

In the end, if you need that little extra vertical flight or the ability to cancel flight or cheese, use this team over T+S.

Amy & Sonic

Boost Mode
Sonic Tag Actions
Down+A on ground = spindash
B on ground = hammer
A in air = elbow dash
B in air = air hammer
Down+B in air = hammer twirl

This is the only team in the game led by Amy where she can spindash and spin at will, so she controls like the other four characters. Despite the inability to fly like T+S and C+S, this is still one of the most versatile teams in the game, having boost mode, air control with her elbow dash (this maintains boost mode), and being able to hammer springs. Use this team over T+S if you can take advantage of hammering springs in the level.

Tails Partner

Sonic & Tails

Boost Mode
Tails Tag Actions
Down+A on ground = spindash
B on ground = skid attack
Can trick off springs and ramps

This is a well-balanced starting team that adapts well to many scenarios casually. Access to boost mode, having Tail's height-reaching tag actions, and being able to trick makes this a team well suited for speedrunning vertical levels with boost pads. A key example is Ocean Base 1. This is effectively the closest you can get to playing as "Vanilla Sonic". If you want Tails' tag actions, this should be the team to default to.

Knuckles & Tails

Tails Tag Actions
Down+A on ground = spindash
B on ground = uppercut
A in air = midair hop into glide, can climb walls
A in water = breast stroke, can climb walls
Floats on water surfaces

This team is very popular among casual players for good reason. Gliding, climbing, and Tail's tag actions makes this team excellent for exploration. The uppercut is a great fast attack that has a large hitbox and stays out for some time so it's one of the best attacks in the game for bosses (especially Gemerl). This team can also use power attacks. If you need power attacks or want to take advantage of knuckles jump-gliding, use this team over S+T.

Cream & Tails

Tails Tag Actions
Down+A on ground = spindash
B on ground or air = Cheese Attack
A in air = parasol

A very mediocre team. To note, this is the only team that can use cheese while also using Tails' tag actions. This team also has a parasol, which is unique but not very useful because it's so slow. If you want Tails' tag actions but also access to cheese, use this team.

Amy & Tails

Tails Tag Actions
Down+A on ground = giant step
B during giant step = faceplant attack
B on ground = hammer
A in air = balloon float
B in air = midair hammer jump attack

This team is very similar to A+C, but instead of being able to trick, this team has Tail's tag actions and a midair jump. This team is hindered by being unable to spindash, instead being replaced by her inferior giant step like from advance 1. However, this is the only team that has a direct midair jump that doesn't require a tag action. This can be useful for vertical climbing, but there aren't any situations where this would be particularly useful. Use this team if you want a hammer and a double jump while keeping Tails' Tag Actions.

Knuckles Partner

Sonic & Knuckles

Boost Mode
Knuckles Tag Actions
Down+A on ground = spindash
B on ground = long-lasting power skid attack
B in air = insta-shield
Up+B in air = upward air dash attack
Down+B in air = bounce attack

Sonic gains a lot of interesting aerial attacks when paired with Knuckles. The Up+B in air attack is useful for gaining a bit of extra height when used at the peak of Sonic's jump. Unfortunately for speedrunning levels, while this team has access to boost mode, it's completely outclassed by other S+? teams. However, this team is well-suited for some bosses thanks to the vertical reach from the Up+B attack, along with insta-shield and his skid attack. Examples include Ocean Base's boss, and Altar Emerald's boss. Use this team if you want the fastest vertical attack in the game, along with other nifty abilities.

Tails & Knuckles

Knuckles Tag Actions
Down+A on ground = spindash
B on ground = Tornado attack
A in air = Tails Glide
A in water = Breast Stroke
B in air = Insta-Shield

This team is unique in that it's the only instance ever where Tails can use insta-shield! His tornado attack can be used repeatedly for a while and its hitbox stays out for some time until you either stop mashing B or he gets tired. Unfortunately, its lack of horizontal range makes it dangerous to use on bosses.

Tails also learns how to sort of glide like Knuckles (both in air and water). Compared to Knuckle's glide, Tail's version accelerates horizontally a bit more quickly but descends much more quickly, making its uses very limited. An interesting niche, though, is that the horizontal speed from Tail's glide is maintained from landing (unlike Knuckles where he comes to a near stop). This team doesn't really have much use all around.

Cream & Knuckles

Knuckles Tag Actions
Down+A on ground = spindash
B on ground or air = Cheese Attack
A in air = flight
Cheese rotates around Cream as a hitbox

This is a solid team for bosses, as C+K has access to both the homing attack, and having Cheese as protection. Cream can also fly as usual. To note, the only power attack available is using Knuckle's ground tag action, as using Cheese is not a power attack. Use this team if you want to take advantage of Cheese's barrier.

Amy & Knuckles

Knuckles Tag Actions
Down+A on ground = spindash but no spin
B on ground = giant hammer
Down+B on ground = hammer flip
B in air = air hammer

This team is similar to Vanilla Amy from Advance 1, except with an actual pseudo-spindash. However, her hammer flip goes at a set speed, so her horizontal speed doesn't carry over, making it not very useful. The giant hammer, while cool, is slow and doesn't really deal any extra damage so it's also useless for bosses. On another note, this is also the only team in the game that can spindash without balling up, which could be useful as there are times you don't want to ball up.

Cream Partner

Sonic & Cream

Boost Mode
Cream Tag Actions
Down+A on ground = spindash
B on ground = skid attack
Side+B in air = sideways air dash attack
A in air near enemy = homing attack
Can breath underwater

This team has a lot of neat properties. Access to boost mode and Cream's air tag action makes this a very versatile team. While S+T and S+A are more suited for vertical levels, and T+S is more suited for horizontal, S+C is the in-between team which can reach high heights at decent horizontal speeds. This makes this team one of the best for navigating larger levels that have a lot of walls, like Chaos Angel 1 and 2.

S+C's aerial side attack is useful for gaining a bit of extra distance or getting a bit of extra horizontal momentum out of a jump. Breathing underwater, while useful casually, shouldn't really be a big deal for speedrunning, but it doesn't hurt.

Having access to cheese makes this a decent team for many bosses too.

This should be the team to default to if you want Cream's tag actions.

Tails & Cream

Cream Tag Actions
Down+A on ground = spindash
B on ground = Tail Swipe
A in air = Upward Propeller Flight
A in water = Doggy Paddle
A in air near enemy = Homing Attack

The tail swipe is a great attack as it has good reach and stays out for a long time. Having access to both this and Cheese makes this team a great choice for bosses. While his propeller flight suggests that this team should be useful for just vertical reach, this style of flight lasts for a very short time and is also outclassed by T+A's flight. As a result, this team is mostly outclassed for levels, but great for bosses. Use this team if you want access to both cheese and Tails' tail swipe.

Knuckles & Cream

Cream Tag Actions
Down+A on ground = spindash
B on ground = double punch
A in air = glide, can climb walls
B while gliding near enemies = homing attack
A in water = breat stroke, can climb walls
Floats on water surfaces
Cheese flies around Cream as a hitbox

This team is the team to play if you want to play as Vanilla Knuckles, with a normal glide, normal punch, normal climbing, and normal floating. In addition, having access to Cream's air tag action makes this a very well-rounded team. Compared to S+C, this team trades boost mode and S+C's side+b attack for power attacks and gliding, so this team can be used as a safer team instead of S+C or if power attacks are needed. This can also be a good team for bosses thanks to having Cheese access and Cheese automatically spinning around Cream.

Amy & Cream

Cream Tag Actions
Down+A on ground = giant step
B during giant step = faceplant attack
B on ground = hammer
A in air = balloon float
B in air = air hammer
Can trick off springs and ramps

Very similar to A+T, but instead of having a midair hammer jump, this team can trick and has Cream's tag actions. This team is hindered by being unable to spindash, instead being replaced by her inferior giant step like from advance 1. It's not too big of a deal since Cream's air tag action can give a lot of acceleration in the air. This team can also trick. There aren't really any real uses for this team currently.

Amy Partner

Sonic & Amy

Boost Mode
Amy Tag Actions
Down+A on ground = spindash
B on ground = hammer
B in air = spin
Does not automatically spin jump

Many people think being paired with Amy is a detriment to the lead character but this isn't necessarily true. The fact that the main character straight jumps, and also can spin in the air at all gives you a lot of extra control in the air, which is very useful.

Having boost mode and Amy's tag actions makes this team well-suited for vertical levels. While S+T generally excels a bit more for climbing, S+A gains a hammer that Sonic can use on springs, giving this team a useful niche.

Tails & Amy

Amy Tag Actions
Down+A on ground = spindash
B on ground = hammer
A in air = Flight with Hammer. Lasts 3 seconds. Accelerates more quickly than other Tails flights.
B while flying = Hammer while flying
A in water = Doggy Paddle
B in air = spin
Does not automatically spin jump

The main reason to use this team is Tail's flight. He accelerates much more quickly (both vertically and horizontally) than S+T's flight and Tail's air tag action, but at the cost of only lasting 3 seconds. In addition to Amy's tag actions and having a hammer for springs, this is one of the best teams for exploration, vertical reach, and most importantly, prolonged flight. Keep in mind that being able to hammer while flying gives this team potential for aerial bosses as well, like Altar Emerald's boss. The main downside is lack of boost state. This team shines the most in Chaos Angel 3, where boost is useless but this team can most reliably and quickly skip all three autoscrollers thanks to its unique flight properties.

Knuckles & Amy

Amy Tag Actions
Down+A on ground = spindash
B on ground = hammer
A in air = glide, can climb walls
Can spindash up walls
Down+B in air = drill attack
Floats on water surfaces
B in air = spin
Does not automatically spin jump

This is another great team both for exploration and vertical levels. Being able to spindash up walls gives this team a niche that S+T and S+A wish they had. Having Amy's tag actions and being able to hammer springs is just icing on the cake. The drill attack is a power attack that's great for attacking downward.

Cream & Amy

Amy Tag Actions
Down+A on ground = spindash
B on ground = hammer
B in air = Cheese Attack
Down+B in air = ground pound
A in air = flight
Does not automatically spin jump
Can trick off springs and ramps

This team is the only team in the game where Cream actually gets her own attacks that don't use cheese: hammer, and a ground pound. This team is also one of four teams that can trick. Cream flight and Amy's tag actions makes this team well suited for vertical levels, while also having access to cheese and tricks.

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