In This Section: Introduction Corner Bug & Variations Fence Bug & Variations Safety-Drop & Hole Bugs Petrified Guardian Bug Exposure Meter Bug Laser Sight Bug Printer-friendly page Related Pages: Gameplay & Controls Tips & Strategy Tomb Raider Tourist Tomb Runner Tomb Raider Bugs

The information on this page pertains only to Tomb Raiders 1 through 5.
Angel of Darkness and the newer games, Legend, Anniversary and Underworld, are built on different game engines and thus require different approaches. Please see the specific controls and walkthrough pages for them.

NOT ALL BUGS ARE BAD. Like most computer/video games, the Tomb Raider series has its share of bugs. Some are mild, some are deadly—to Lara, that is. (The nastier bugs are covered in the walkthroughs in the levels where they occur.) But there are a few that can actually enhance your gaming experience. Some can get Lara to places she wouldn't otherwise be able to go. Some can even save her life. To find out all you need to know about these 'good bugs,' read on.

For more information on where and how to apply these bugs, check out the wealth of shortcuts and useful-bug info on these sites: Tomb Raider Tourist, Tomb Runner and the Tomb Raider Bugs section of TReditor.hu. In addition to the basic bugs covered here, these sites include variations on regular moves like the standing jump, running jump and backflip, where you can do special set-ups to cover more distance.

I'd also like to offer special thanks to Theresa Jenne, whose site (tombraiders.com) is no more, but who was known as the queen of the Expert Challenge and who inspired many diligent bug-finders over the years. Some of her walkthroughs can still be found on the Web Archives. We miss you, T.! :(

[Top | Printer-Friendly Version]

screenshot 1

screenshot 2

screenshot 2a

screenshot 3

screenshot 4

screenshot 5

screenshot 6

Basic Corner Bug or "Jump Trick"

This bug works in Tomb Raiders 1-5. It is used to get Lara on top of high blocks and ledges she wouldn't normally be able to reach. It was originally discovered by Jason McAllister, though I first learned about it a bit later on the Croft Times and Tombraiders.com sites. TheReaper suggested the refinement in step 2a.

The corner bug works best at a convex corner with a flat surface on top. It won't work if there's a ceiling (e.g., an overhanging arch or ledge) or solid "sky" above, though a modified version can be used where an arch is present (see below). It also helps to have a drop-off in front of the corner, though this isn't necessary once you get the hang of the move. For example, the spot marked with the red X in the first screenshot at right is perfect. If you start here on the low ledge near the front door of Lara's mansion in the TR3 training level, you can use the corner bug to get up on the roof. (You'll need to use it twice as shown by the green arrows.) Here are the basic steps:

1. Position Lara at the edge of the drop-off, facing out, with one shoulder against the side of the convex corner. (screenshot 2) Or, if there is a drop-off in front of the corner, position Lara with her chest against the wall that forms the corner and then sidestep to the edge until she won't go any further. (screenshot 2a)
2. Turn Lara about 45 degrees toward the corner, keeping her arm and inside foot against the wall and her outer foot as close to the edge as possible. (screenshot 3)
3. Press and hold the jump key to make Lara jump in place. As she jumps, she'll inch forward little by little. You'll notice her arm and lower leg start to creep into the wall. (screenshots 4 and 5)
4. Keep jumping and Lara will reach a critical point. The game will interpret her position as being inside the wall, reject this information as impossible, and reposition her in a 'legal' spot on top of the corner. (screenshot 6)

If you want to get all the way up on the roof, repeat the jump trick again starting at the spot marked with the yellow X in screenshot 6.

Click on each screenshot to see a larger version. (Non-javascript browsers, please click here.)

We also have two animated gifs showing the corner bug in action: TR1 animation and TR2 animation. (No java? Click here instead.) Thanks to Jeff Reid for these files.

·   ·   ·

screenshot 1

screenshot 2

screenshot 3

screenshot 4

screenshot 5

Crawling Corner Bug

This variation on the basic corner bug was found by the ever-sharp Stiletto. It can be used in TR3 and Last Revelation. (Lara doesn't crawl in the earlier games.) There's no need to have a drop-off in front of the corner, but it won't work if there's an overhanging ledge or archway. The example shown in these screenshots is from TR3 Lost City of Tinnos. Here the bug can be used to work around another bug, enabling Lara to get a secret in that level.

1. Position Lara near a convex corner as you would for the basic corner bug (i.e., one foot and arm should be touching the edge of the corner, and she should be angled about 45 degrees toward the outside of the corner). (screenshot 1)
2. Press and hold Duck to make Lara go into a crouch. If Lara is positioned correctly, her inside shoulder will creep into the corner a little. (screenshot 2)
3. While still holding the Duck button, press Forward so Lara goes onto her hands and knees. Again, the shoulder closer to the corner should creep into the corner texture a little (screenshot 3)
4. Release the Duck button so Lara stands. At this point, the leg closer to the corner should be well embedded in the corner texture. (screenshot 4)
5. Press Duck again and release. As in the basic corner bug, the game will interpret her position as being inside the wall, reject this information as impossible, and reposition her in a 'legal' spot on top of the corner. (screenshot 5)

Click on each screenshot to see a larger version. (Non-javascript browsers, please click here.)

You may need to repeat the crouch, crawl, straighten routine a couple of times before Lara will spring up to the top of the corner. The more precisely you position her in step #1, the fewer tries it will take.

·   ·   ·

screenshot 1

screenshot 2

screenshot 3

screenshot 4

screenshot 5

Trigger bug (more screens in walkthrough)

Swimming Corner Bug

This variation on the basic corner bug, also found by Stiletto, works in all games, at least theoretically.(I haven't tried it in TR1 or I also haven't discovered many useful places to try it, so feel free to experiment and let me know.) It's quite a bit trickier than the basic or crawling bugs, so be patient.

1. Begin with Lara treading water near a convex corner with a flat spot on top. It may help to start a little farther from the corner than you would for the other corner bugs. Here Lara is in the canyon pool in TR3's Nevada Desert level. (screenshot 1)
2. Turn Lara 45 degrees relative to the corner, as in the basic corner bug. (screenshot 2)
3. Press Jump to dive under the surface. If you've gotten the angle right, Lara's head and upper body will disappear into the wall. If this doesn't happen, try again using a slightly different starting position. (screenshot 3)
4. Once Lara is embedded in the corner, continue to press Jump and tap Forward to angle her downward a little. Don't press Left or Right, as this will cause her to come out of the wall and you'll need to start over. Use Jump and Forward to work Lara downward inside the corner. (screenshot 4)
5. Release Jump (in this particular situation, releasing it when Lara reaches the bottom works best) and the bug should take effect, popping her up to the ledge above. (screenshot 5)

·   ·   ·

Other Corner Bug Variations

One very useful variation is the Trigger Bug, discovered by Ewil. As far as I know, it's only used in a couple of levels in TR4. It enables you to trigger retracting floor spikes using corner bug techniques. Once they are triggered, Lara can pass over them safely. Use of the trigger bug is detailed in the walkthrough for Cleopatra's Palaces. (It can also be used in the Catacombs level to open the carved door near the beginning of the level, enabling you to take a nice shortcut. This is shown in Ewil's Catacombs speedrun video on YouTube.)

In addition, there are many spots where the regular corner bug won't quite cut it, but you can still finesse Lara into otherwise unreachable spots using some clever variations. I encourage all bug-hounds to visit Richard C's Tomb Raider Tourist site. There you'll find details on the arch and "flicker motion" variations on the corner bug, as well as game-by-game tours of some interesting spots you can reach with old "Buggsy".

[Top | Printer-Friendly Version]

screenshot 1

screenshot 2

screenshot 3

screenshot 4

screenshot 5

screenshot 6

screenshot 1

screenshot 2

Basic Fence Bug

This bug works best in TR1, TR2 and TR3 and the bonus levels for these games. Here you take advantage of seams between two-dimensional textures (like fences or balconies) to force Lara through to the other side. The fence bug doesn't require as precise positioning as the corner bug, but I have described the exact technique I use below, since it is fairly accurate and fairly easy to follow. I don't know who discovered this bug. These screenshots were taken in the Return to Egypt level of Unfinished Business and Bartoli's Hideout in TR2.

1. Position Lara against a fence just to the left of a seam between two textures. A good way to ensure correct positioning is to place her right foot just to the right of the seam between the corresponding floor textures. (screenshot 1)
2. Hop back once. Lara's right foot should still be on or near the seam. (screenshot 2)
3. Sidestep to the left once. (screenshot 3)
4. Turn just a little to the right and use the Look button to check Lara's position. Make sure her head is lined up with the seam between the two fence textures or just a tiny bit to the left of it. (screenshot 4)
5. Run at the fence. If you've positioned Lara correctly before starting to run, she'll go right through the gap between the sections of fence. (screenshots 5 & 6)

Click on each screenshot to see a larger version. (Non-javascript browsers, please click here.)

·   ·   ·

Vaulting Fence Bug Variation

This is a simple variation on the basic fence bug. It can be used where a fence is built on top of a wall that is low enough to vault up onto. If Lara has to grab and pull up, the wall is too high and the bug won't work.

1. Position Lara against a fence just to the left of a seam between two textures. A good way to ensure correct positioning is to place her right foot just to the right of the seam between the corresponding floor textures. (screenshot 1) In some spots, the reverse positioning is necessary: Stand to the right of the seam with Lara's left foot just to the left of the seam.
2. Press Action + Forward. If the positioning is correct, Lara will vault up onto the wall right through the seam in the fence. (screenshot 2)

Click on each screenshot to see a larger version. (Non-javascript browsers, please click here.)

·   ·   ·

screenshot 1

screenshot 2

screenshot 3

Fence Bug Balcony/Corner Variation

This variation on the fence bug works at a concave corner in a fence or balcony (i.e., a thin texture with regular seams, nothing a full block thick).

It may help to press Action or Jump + Action as you run. (This variation was found by Joe C. and reported on tombraiders.com. Thanks also to Grant W. for pointing out that it does in fact work in TR3 as well as the earlier games.)

Click on each screenshot to see a larger version. (Non-javascript browsers, please click here.)

·   ·   ·

Movable Block or Crack Bug

This technique was also discovered by über-bugmeister Stiletto. It's similar to the fence bug in that you force Lara through the seam between two textures, here a wall and a movable block. These screenshots were taken in the Barkhang Monastery level in TR2, where this bug can be used to avoid the pool with the strong current (as suggested by Baz on tombraiders.com). It's also perfect for taking a shortcut into the pyramid in the Atlantean Stronghold level of Unfinished Business (as suggested by Wes D.).

screenshot 1

screenshot 2

screenshot 3

1. If necessary, push or pull the movable block so there are empty spaces on the side where Lara is standing and on either side beyond the block (as shown in the diagram above). Depending on what's beyond the block, you may be able to see light through the vertical crack between the block and the wall.
2. Position Lara at a 45 degree angle to the corner with the seam. Sidestep into the corner so Lara's foot and arm are right against the crack. (screenshot 1)
3. Side flip toward the crack... (screenshot 2)
4. ...and Lara should go right through it into the open space beyond. (screenshot 3)

Click on each screenshot to see a larger version. (Non-javascript browsers, please click here.)

[Top | Printer-Friendly Version | Next Page - More Useful Bugs]

Custom Search