Sonic Thrust (瞬迅剣, Shunjinken^?, "Blink Fast Sword"^[1]), alternatively Sonic Dog (瞬迅犬, Shunjinken^?, "Blink Fast Dog") and Shunjinken (瞬迅拳^?"Blink Fast Fist"), is a classic swordsman technique of the Tales series.

Contents 1 Arte Description and History 2 Appearances (Sonic Thrust) 2.1 Mothership Titles 2.2 Escort Titles 3 Appearances (Sonic Dog) 3.1 Mothership Titles 4 Appearances (Shunjinken - "Fist") 4.1 Mothership Titles 5 Fan-Translated Names (Sonic Thrust) 6 In-Game Descriptions and Battle Quotes (Sonic Thrust) 6.1 Tales of Symphonia 6.2 Tales of the Abyss 6.3 Tales of the World: Radiant Mythology 6.4 Tales of Vesperia 7 In-Game Descriptions and Battle Quotes (Sonic Dog) 7.1 Tales of Vesperia 8 References

Arte Description and History

The arte is relatively new in the swordsman's standard set of artes, first added in Tales of Symphonia, but appearing in many games since. When using this arte, the character thrusts the weapon at the target, pushing it slightly backwards. It is difficult to use this arte during a combo, because it might force the enemy away, breaking the combo and giving the enemy a chance to retaliate. But it is powerful for an arte that can be used early within the games that it appears in.

In Tales of Symphonia, a Lightning elemental property can be added to Lloyd Irving's attack through the use of the Sardonyx accessory, the T. Seal: Lightning arte, a Lightning elemental weapon, or the Purple Quartz item, to replace the arte with the more powerful Lightning-based arte Lightning Thrust, if Sonic Thrust has been used over 200 times. This elemental variant can be used only by Lloyd, since both Kratos Aurion and Zelos Wilder have the more powerful Lightning Blade, which has a similar effect but greater damage.^[2]

In Tales of Vesperia, two versions of this arte exist; one being used by the support character Flynn Scifo, and the other used by Repede. While both artes do three hits as opposed to one in other games, Repede's is named Sonic Dog. In the PS3 version, Flynn's version only does one hit, but it spins the enemy so that he can chain another arte easily.

In Tales of Hearts R, a new variation of this arte is established for use without a weapon, involving a simple thrust with an unarmed fist.

Of all the four Mothership Titles this arte has appeared in, Tales of Innocence is the only one that is not made by Team Symphonia. In the Escort Title with Spada Belforma, Tales of the World: Radiant Mythology 2, this arte was removed from his arte list.

Appearances (Sonic Thrust)

Mothership Titles

Tales of Symphonia - Lloyd Irving, Kratos Aurion, Zelos Wilder (Sonic Thrust)
Tales of the Abyss - Luke fon Fabre, Asch (Sonic Thrust)
Tales of Innocence - Spada Belforma
Tales of Vesperia (X360) - Flynn Scifo, Adecor, Traitor to Heaven (Sonic Thrust)
Tales of Vesperia (PS3) - Flynn Scifo, Adecor, Leblanc, Traitor to Heaven
Tales of Graces - Richard (Sonic Thrust)
Tales of Xillia - Alvin, Gaius
Tales of Innocence R - Spada Belforma
Tales of Xillia 2 - Alvin, Gaius

Escort Titles

Tales of the World: Narikiri Dungeon 3 - Lloyd Irving
Tales of the World: Radiant Mythology - Swordsman class, Magic Knight class, Lloyd Irving, Kratos Aurion (Sonic Thrust)
Tales of Symphonia: Dawn of the New World - Zelos Wilder, Lloyd Irving (Sonic Thrust)
Tales of the World: Radiant Mythology 2 - Swordsman class, Magic Knight, Lloyd Irving, Kratos Aurion, Zelos Wilder, Luke fon Fabre
Tales of the World: Radiant Mythology 3 - Swordsman class, Magic Knight, Lloyd Irving, Kratos Aurion, Zelos Wilder, Luke fon Fabre, Flynn Scifo

Appearances (Sonic Dog)

Mothership Titles

Tales of Vesperia - Repede (Sonic Dog)

Appearances (Shunjinken - "Fist")

Mothership Titles

Tales of Hearts R - Galando Grinus

Fan-Translated Names (Sonic Thrust)

Tales of the World: Narikiri Dungeon 3 (Kajitani-Eizan): Sonic Thrust
Tales of Innocence (Absolute Zero): Sonic Thrust

In-Game Descriptions and Battle Quotes (Sonic Thrust)

Tales of Symphonia

Localized Description: "Lv. 1 Sp. Attack: blow the enemy away with a powerful thrust."

Tales of the Abyss

Localized Description: "Base: Powerful thrusts that down the enemy."

Tales of the World: Radiant Mythology

Localized Description: "Base: A strong thrust that blows the enemy back."

Tales of Vesperia

Japanese Description: 「瞬速の突きを繰り出す特技」
Localized Description: "Base Arte: A rapid flurry of powerful thrusts."

In-Game Descriptions and Battle Quotes (Sonic Dog)

Tales of Vesperia

Localized Description: "Base Arte: Send a series of sonic waves toward the enemies."

References

1. ↑ Tales Series Translation FAQ by KusanagiLord02 GameFAQs (2006) Retrieved on 2008-03-16.
2. ↑ Tales of Symphonia (GC) Skills FAQ by Chuc GameFAQs (2006) Retrieved on 2008-03-16.