By Luthien
Version 2, 22nd of November, 2002
Elevatoring is a further development of flare or key climbing. The big advantage is that it does not use up any of the items used to climb. Thus, flare elevatoring allows to reach any height with only three objects of the same type and without losing any of them. The only disadvantage is that you can only climb vertically and not across precipices as it's possible with staircase stacking.
3.3 Getting Down From Any Location
1. Theory (back to top)
* Elevatoring works with any objects that fall into your lap when you drop them while looking straight up or down. The list of items varies in T1 and T2 and includes flares (T2), several types of food (T2) and keys (T1 and T2). Please refer to appendix. A for a list of objects that have been successfully tested. These items get wedged inside and support him in mid air while his body supports them.
* When jumping, the object passes through Garrett's body for two jumps. The trick is to exploit this repeatedly to gain height.
* The major improvement compared to flare climbing is that the objects are picked up before they fall to the ground. So, any
height can be reached with only a minimal number of objects.
* This works as long as you have this type of object still in your inventory. It does not work with the last flare, key, etc. of a certain type. In some missions, it also does not work with the first item of a certain type. This object will fall right through you to the ground.
2. The Basics: step-by-step (back to top)
2.1. Preparations (back to top)
* First of all, lower the mouse sensitivity as much as possible. Move the slider all the way to the left. If it's too high, this climbing technique becomes a game of chance with a very slim success margin.
* Make a save in a dedicated slot before you start and use quick save to save a few times during the climbing process. Overall, it's a very easy and reliable technique, so saving is not this important.
* Collect at least three items of a proper type. Flares and keys work well. If you are unable to find three of a kind, two of one kind and two more of another kind work too. In that case, alternate between the item types and never drop the last of a kind.
* Finally, find a suitable place for climbing. If possible, start close to a wall which you can mantle later, but not directly next to it. A distance of a half step is better.
2.2. Climbing (back to top)
Placing the first flare:
1) Look straight up and drop (not throw) a flare (or whatever item you are using). The flare should land flat on your head.
2) Jump twice. You should gain a bit height with each jump. Unlike with plain flare climbing there is only a small chance
that something goes wrong.
Elevatoring:
3) Look straight up and drop (not throw) a flare.
4) Look straight down. You should see the old flare below you.
5) Pick up the flare and jump at the same time. When done right, you gain a little height, wedge in the flare above your head and take the flare below you. Jump again to gain more height.
6) Repeat steps 3 to 5 until you have gained enough height. When you get close to the lip of a wall it may be wise to not face it directly as Garrett may try to mantle it and fall down.
Final steps:
7) When you are high enough, face the floor where you want to get. Look down so that the remaining flare gets hilighted. Jump towards the floor and pick up the flare at the same time.
8) Congratulations!
3. Advanced Elevatoring (back to top)
Here you can find more advanced and also more difficult uses of elevatoring. More difficult means that you should save more
often.
3.1 Moving Horizontally (back to top)
It is also possible to move a little bit in any horizontal direction while elevatoring. With patience, one can cross any
precipice. It is possible to move slightly in any direction after step 5 in above description:
5b) Face in the direction you want to travel look down so you can see the object below you, but not straight down. Touch the
sneak key for a moment. Garrett starts to slide off the object, loses a little height and moves a bit in the target
direction. Do not overdo it or Garret falls off.
Note: When looking straight down, Garrett can not move forwards or backwards.
3.2. Getting Down Again (back to top)
With the knowledge of moving horizontally it is now easy to get down.
5c) Look almost straight down and touch the strafe or sneak keys for mere moments. Each time, Garrett and the object sink
towards the ground. Always aim for the center of the object. Repeat this until you fear to fall off. Repeat steps 3 to 5 to get a firm foothold again and continue to travel down.
3.3 Getting Down From Any Location (back to top)
How do you get down when you are not already hanging in thin air? I can think of two ways:
a) Start elevatoring up as described in section 2 and move horizontally towards the precipice (see 3.1). As soon as you
leave the firm ground behind, start elevatoring down (see 3.2). You need some room above you to do this.
b) Save the game. Ready the chosen item and jump off the edge. While still in flight, look stright down and drop a few of the items fast. With luck, one of them gets wedged in Garrett's body. If not, or if you take too much damage or loose too many items, reload the game. After that, continue as in section 2 or 3.2 to get up or down.
Happy elevatoring!
Luthien
Appendix (back to top)
A. Tested Mission
Thief 1
working items: keys
not working :
not tested : ?
Thief 2
working items: flares, loaf of bread, apples, cheese, keys
not working : scouting orbs
not tested : deer legs, other food
B. Tested Missions
Thief 1-
Mage Keep
Thief 2-
Framed!
Life of the Party
Precious Cargo
Casing the Joint
C. Changes to this Tutorial
Version 2
* Improved technique so that it works with round objects too.
* Added sections about advanced applications.
* Added list of tested items.
* Simplified instructions.
