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ou must master these skills before all others. Know them, learn them, and love them as you do Lara herself.

Jumping and Grabbing

You might as well jump
Each of Lara's jumps serves a purpose, and if you think about it, the Tomb Raider II environment was designed around her abilities, not the other way around. In fact, many of the puzzles can only be solved using one specific jump and/or grab combo. With that in mind, it's worth noting that the relative distance of each jump, from shortest to longest, is back flip, standing, side, and running. Moreover, sideways jumps can cut down the time it takes to solve certain timed puzzles - especially those involving a pair of buttons or switches, most notably in Diving Area, 40 Fathoms, and Living Quarters. You'll know them when you get to them.

Know the angles
Lara's jumping skills are impressive, if not peculiar. While you can aim her while she's airborne, she can't jump at an angle. When, for example, you're jumping from a slide, she will always jump straight off the ledge, backward or forward. If she could modify this compulsive jumping disorder and jump at a 45-degree angle, then many of the puzzles in the game would be downright easy, or could be skipped altogether. However, such is not the case.

Go the distance
Holding down the jump button while Lara's airborne will increase her distance, as will hitting the walk buttons (to make her dive). By contrast, hitting the grab button before it's time will pull her up short. A word about setting up a jump: Lara doesn't require a long run before she jumps. In fact, she only needs a full square. Simply place Lara's toes on the edge of a ledge, hop back, set up your angle, then go for it.

Lara's left foot
Since Lara likes to push off with her left foot, many times you need to hit the jump button when she's actually past an edge. It will appear that she makes her leap while actually in the air. Stranger things have happened, right? As an aside, one notorious jump at the end of Living Quarters is best (and perhaps only) performed with a right foot push off. You'll see.

Play it backwards
Oftentimes, the only way Lara will survive a slide down a ramp or a drop off a ledge is to turn around and hop off and grab as she falls. This trick can either save Lara from taking a tiny amount of damage or is the key to surviving the entire puzzle. When in doubt, turn around.

Next up: Fighting, Swimming, and One Extra-Special Move!