IMPORTANT: The material in this section 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. See the specific controls and walkthrough pages for them.

INTRODUCTION - 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 the Tomb Raider Tourist and Tomb Runner sites. 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.! :(

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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 TR3 animation. (No java? Click here instead.) Thanks to Jeff Reid for these files.

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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.

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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)

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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".

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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.)

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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.)

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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.)

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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.).

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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 below). 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.)

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These two bugs are based on the same principle. They take advantage of the way the jump-grab move alters Lara's trajectory. The first is used to make Lara land on a ledge directly beneath an opening or another ledge, even if the distance is too far for a normal safety-drop. The second enables her to jump down onto a ledge where an overhang prevents a normal jump. (If you aren't familiar with the basic safety-drop and jump-grab moves, review them on any of the TR 1-5 Controls pages.) Both bugs were discovered by Jeff Reid and both work in all games in the series. The screenshots used in these two examples come from the Lost Library level in Last Revelation.

Saftey Drop Bug

1. Position Lara at the edge of the ledge or hole, with her back to the open space, as though she were about to do a safety-drop. There must be a ledge directly below where Lara is standing. The X in the screenshot shows where she'll land. (screenshot 1)
2. Press Action + Back, just as in a safety-drop, except release the controls just before Lara grabs the edge. (screenshot 2)
3. She should then drop through the opening (or off the ledge) landing on the ledge directly below. (screenshot 3)

Hole Bug

1. Position Lara at the edge of a hole facing it. There must be a ledge below on the opposite side of the hole. (If there's a pole in the opening, as in the situation pictured, be sure to step to one side to avoid hitting the pole when jumping.) The X in the screenshot shows where she'll land. (screenshot 1)
2. Take one hop back from the edge. (screenshot 2)
3. Take a standing jump, pressing and holding Action while Lara is in the air. (screenshot 3)
4. She should then jump through the opening, landing on the ledge ahead and below. (screenshot 4)

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

We also have an animated gif showing the safety-drop bug in action. (No java? Click here instead.) Thanks to Jeff Reid for this file.

Petrified Guardian Bug

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This bug is useful for dealing with the petrified guards in the last two China levels of TR2 and the six-armed statues in the India levels of TR(The screens are from Floating Islands.) Apparently these tricks don't work on every system, but if you save before trying them, you have nothing to lose.

In the first variation, fire three grenades at each of the stone guardians before they awaken (as shown in screenshot 1). This will weaken them considerably, so that when they do animate, it will only take a single grenade (or far fewer bullets than normal) to kill each one. In the PC game, be careful to use only three grenades, not four, as the extra one seems to cause the game to crash. PlayStation players may find that using four grenades causes the guardians to vanish without coming to life at all. (This was first suggested by Guillaume Cormier. Several PlayStation users wrote to let me know how it works on this system.)

Alternately, if you have leftover harpoons in TR2, use about 25 to "tenderize" each petrified guard. Lara won't auto-aim, but you'll know you're hitting them accurately when they bleed (as shown in screenshot 2). Then when they animate, they'll explode immediately. (This variation was discovered by Iris S.)

Note that in the TR3 India levels, you must either cheat or be playing through a second time in order to have the grenade launcher in the early levels. (Thanks to Gecook for testing this in TR3.)

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

Exposure Meter Bug (TR3 Only)

This bug, unique so far to TR3, can prevent Lara from freezing to death in icy water. Just save your game underwater and reload. This resets the exposure meter. I recommend saving in a new slot, just in case something goes wrong. Also, be sure you don't accidentally save as Lara is about to drown!

Laser Sight Bug (TR4&5 Only)

This bug is unique to TRLR and is used to conserve revolver and crossbow ammunition.

For PC/Macintosh: Equip the revolver or crossbow combined with the laser sight. Then take aim using the Look button (Ins/0 on the numeric keypad). Without releasing Look, press the number 1 at the top left side of the keyboard, the hotkey for pistols. You'll hear Lara drawing pistols and you'll now be able to shoot with laser-sight accuracy and unlimited ammo (i.e., pistol ammo, not explosive arrows, etc.).

For PlayStation: Equip the revolver or crossbow combined with the laser sight. Then take aim using the Look button (L1). Without releasing Look, press Select again and move the selector as though you were going to choose the pistols. Press X and then Triangle. You'll hear Lara drawing pistols and you'll now be able to shoot with laser-sight accuracy and unlimited ammo (i.e., pistol ammo, not explosive arrows, etc.). Note that you won't hear any shooting sound, but you'll see blood/ricochet sparks from the hits.

For Dreamcast: Equip the revolver or crossbow combined with the laser sight. Then take aim using the Look button (left trigger). Without releasing Look, press the Start button and go into the Inventory. Now highlight the pistols and, without releasing the left trigger, hit the Start button again. You'll hear Lara drawing pistols and the Lasersight stays activated until you press the Y button. You'll now be able to shoot with laser-sight accuracy and unlimited ammo (i.e., pistol ammo, not explosive arrows, etc.).

(Thanks to Ian T. and DOOM515 for confirming the PS1 and Dreamcast versions of these cheats.)

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Walkthrough text and related diagrams copyright © 1997-2009 Stellalune. All rights reserved. Feel free to link to this page but do not copy it. To give me your feedback, send email to or visit http://tombraiders.net/stella/. The Tomb Raider and Lara Croft names, logos and likenesses are copyright © Eidos Interactive Ltd.