Flame Shield

Race Only | ATK ★★ | DEF ★★ | SPD ★★★★

Controls

Hold L

Boost forward (increases gauge)
Wait

Cool down, decreasing gauge
Hold L (gauge maxed)

Destroy shield and dash forward

Details

When nothing but pure speed will do, the Flame Shield is the perfect choice—a reusable, high-powered booster with a final kick. Boosting potential decreases when closer to 1st place. Protects Ring count from a single hit.

When YOU'VE got it... When THEY'VE got it...
  • While boosting, the Flame Shield can punt hazards away, and can even survive direct attack items like Bubble Shield or Invincibility.
  • Flame Shield dramatically improves your handling the longer you boost, but high speeds can still be tough to control. Don’t be afraid to feather the accelerator.
  • As you approach 1st place, your Flame Shield’s gauge will get shorter and shorter. Eventually, it may not be worth holding onto it; find the right place to Overheat!
  • A cooling Flame Shield is vulnerable to any attack. Make your move after they boost.
  • The Flame Shield is at a mid-point between a simple Sneaker and invincible comeback items. Traps laid near shortcuts have a good chance of catching them with no gauge, defenseless.
  • In the endgame, a Flame Shield can change everything—but close to the front, all they can do is overheat. Body-block their advance, bump them away from Tripwires, or go for an Insta-Whip to strip the shield.