How to 3: Reaching New Heights

I have added two new videos to my youtube channel.  These two videos are brief demonstration guides on how to reach new heights in Portal, as both focus on the accumulation of momentum.

Video 1 will show you how to gain momentum by using portals placed on floors of differing heights.  This technique is used extensively in the more challenging maps so you may need to familiarize yourself with it if you have not done so yet.

Task:

You must reach a platform, but that platform is the tallest point in the room.  Nearby you have two levels of differing height where you can place portals on the floor and a third point near the base of the target platform.

Now for the application:

1. Position yourself on the highest point available and place Portal B lengthwise against the edge.  For this example we will use Orange.
2. Place Portal A at the lowest point within jumping distance, lengthwise parallel to Portal B.
3. From the starting position jump into Portal A while continuing to hold the “Forward” button.
4. Exit Portal B while continuing to move through the air and re-enter Portal A.
5. Repeat step 4 until you acquire the target height of the tallest platform.
6. While in the air move your Orange portal to the base of the target platform Point C.
7. Re-enter Portal A exiting at Point C now with enough momentum to drop onto the platform.

Video 2 will show you how to gain extra fall height by using a portal placed on the ceiling.  This technique is not required in many challenges, but it is useful to know how to do.  You can also use this technique to add additional momentum to a current height limit.

Task:

You need a lot of momentum but one portal must be placed in a position where you cannot use an endless fall portal to gain that momentum.  You do have a place, not necessarily nearby, where you have a ceiling and floor clear for a straight drop through portal, as if you were going to create an endless fall portal.  The height of which floor to ceiling is enough to create the momentum you need.

Now for the application:

1. With the pre-positioned exit Portal A all you have to work with is the other.
2. Place Portal B, Orange for this example, on the high ceiling with a clear path to a spot on the floor where a portal can be placed.
3. Back at Portal A the exit portal will also be used as the entrance.  Gain as much height as possible and enter portal A.
4. Exiting Portal B, quickly place an Orange portal on the floor before you reach it.
5. Exiting Portal A you will now have added the momentum gained from floor to ceiling to your previous height.