Flap Boost

Flap Boost is an advanced flying technique similar to Slow Boost, but executed with a more subtle angle which allows the Wayfarer to still flap normally rather than "diving" and twirling like in the Slow Boost. It's a very useful boost to reach some heights without using much space or environment (e.g. to dry climb the Tower).

Flap Boost could be considered a variation of the Slow Boost, but it may also be a boost of its own, unique kind.

How to Flap Boost
Difficulty: Mastering takes a lot of practice. This trick might only be doable with a controller as it requires to control very precisely the pressure applied to your movements (maybe even more precise than for slow boosting).


 * Start by finding a ledge that you can fall off of (instead of walking down from it). If you're a beginner, try to start from a ledge that's not too close to the ground.
 * Point the camera all the way down and hold it this way.
 * Walk/Run as fast as you can off the ledge, and allow yourself to dive just a little. Immediately pull most-of-the-way back on the movement stick, still keeping it far enough forward that you move slightly forward.
 * Flap, allowing yourself to fall a little between flaps. Try to keep your movement stick steady after you find the best spot, and never press it sideways.
 * Around the same time as your final flap (just after it), either aim your traveler toward the camera, or aim the camera upward to boost.

Here is a YouTube tutorial about flap boosting, that will help you understand how it works and give lots of practice advices (followed by other demonstration videos below):

Where to practice?
A good place for beginners to practice is in Broken Bridge, close to the banner on the right that activates the second bridge segment ; specifically, next to the head of the War Machine. (Probably because the camera is forced to the ground here, it will also help getting a better boost)

Lots of other platforms are good to practice in Broken Bridge as well, like the one shown in the tutorial video above (near the glyph cave with the small flyer banner). However flap boost can result in a not so good boost from other platforms in BB, as it is often performed relatively close to the ground here, and other platforms nearby seem to affect the boost easily.

You can also practice a vertical ascension of the Tower with flap boosting, by boosting facing the camera!

Movement stick pressure
First, don't forget to walk off a ledge, left stick fully forward, as it will "count" as a jump, and add to the boost.

The left stick "secret" is to apply just the right amount of pressure on it while flapping. Too much pressure and you will get a dive with a twirl (when your wayfarer spins as you jump). Slightly less pressure will still make a twirl when jumping (This is the spot for slow boosting). Too little pressure, and you won't boost (if not moving forward), or just get a lighter one (movement stick very slightly forward). Check the video tutorial above at around 33 seconds in, to compared these left stick pressures.

You don't want to slow boost here, so if you twirl repeatedly, it's a good indicator you should release a little more pressure on the left stick.

Make sure that you are always moving forward a little while you are flapping. If you're not sure whether you are moving forward, you probably don't hold enough pressure on the movement stick.

2 theoretically functioning flaps exist: One when you press the movement stick very slightly forward (enough to move a little), and one when you press it a little more (still not to the point of twirling). Some in-between stick pressures might exist:


 * For the first one ; you flap in an almost vertical position, it doesn't make you move forward a lot at all, and the boost will not be that great.
 * For the second one ; you are more leaning forward, it makes you move farther when flapping, and it gives a way better boost. You should always aim for this second kind of flap for efficiency.

On the final flap, try to push the movement stick forward just enough to get a twirl (same pressure as for slow boosting). This gives better height.

It isn't dramatic if you do a few accidental slow boost jumps instead of a flap once in a while otherwise, but remember it is not what you aim for.

Flapping speed, environment
Try not to flap too fast ; a longer "fall" is usually what the game looks for, and this means that more time between flaps will often help the boost - at least as long as you're not letting yourself get too close to the ground, or fall a lot between flaps.

Like with most cases, getting too close to the ground, walls, or other platforms can ruin your boost. Pay attention when flap boosting from a small platform (or from the ground, though not recommended), to "jump" fast enough to reach a correct height before boosting, or your boost will be greatly reduced.

Camera control
You can boost either by facing the camera (move towards it), or by pushing the camera to the sky (and continue to move forward). However, having the camera to the ground usually helps to aim for your arrival platform destination.

In general, try to be gentle when moving the camera while charging/flapping, as it is easy to mess up your boost efficiency with brutal movements. Also avoid to aim sideways with the movement stick while boosting, as it possibly increases the chance of interfering with the boost (only use camera).

You don't always need to move the camera all the way up when boosting ; in fact, it might be better to keep your goal in sight, or just below the bottom of your screen. This can help with both aiming (especially if you need practice on that front), and distance.

Keep in mind that having a companion nearby can seriously mess up your boost (as for lots of other boosts), especially if they are behind you and you choose to boost with the camera up (you won't be able to put your camera up high enough for a proper boost).

You can't boost well enough if a platform is too close behind you and you choose to boost with the camera up, for the same reason: It feels like the camera itself hits the platform and stops raising after.

Using flyers to increase the boost
Consider using flyers for a much better boost. You can chirp at them to take off a platform or from the ground, or chirp at them while mid-air already, after a dive, or after having already started to flap boost.

After chirping on the ground, when the flyers start to carry you in the air, quickly ease the movement stick pressure back to the "flap position".

Wait until they carry you all the way up to start flap boosting like usual.

It seems that flap boosting and chirping at flyers multiple times in a row won't increase the maximum height reachable with a single chirp to flyers.

You can flap a few time, then chirps at flyers, and follow with ainshent boost to reach a very high altitude. Some boost combinations work better than others. Have fun exploring what works best!

Trivia
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Quotes
"I don't know how the %$#* do i get boost from those lame jumps, but well, seems like this is slow boost at it's slowest!"

- Авалоки Тешвара / aravshetikolava