An Elite 20% player stated that Puddle Jumper 2 was giving him the most problems. I didn't get to see what specifically was causing him problems, but usually on this map ... it's lava.
This route represents a path that an Elite player can take which can minimize risk. The most important skills you'll need for this track at the Elite level are are basic drifting and releasing drift boost, flipping (most notably the downward flip / slam used to get the green arrows after a lava bar), good turbo management, and taking curves tightly.
Here is some commentary on the track.
Lap 1
0:04 - At 91%, my start is pretty good. I use that to get in two chained drifts so that I can release near the edge to get a good speed while traveling through the air. I immediately flip downward and use my thrusters to land on the road.
0:10 - The winding road up ahead has a sequence of lava bars followed by boost pads. The first one is straight and easy, at low speed. Later ones on the path will require you to straighten out your drift before jumping and flipping down, which will increase your speed and change the timing. You'll notice that I completely missed the boost pads in some laps! Do your best to avoid the lava. Each curve needs only one or two basic drifts before straightening out, releasing, jumping, and slamming down onto the boost pad. If any particular set gives you trouble, it's okay to drive around it, or jump over the lava without worrying about the boost pads, at the Elite level! If you're drifting properly, then whether or not you get the boost pads, you will have massive speed here.
0:28 - After the last curve before the rectangular tunnel, try to keep your car to the right of the middle line and aim diagonally left to pass the left lava wall. When the lava wall on the right passes you, start tapping right on your controller (to avoid drifting) and line up with the center of the cut in the third lava wall ahead. Hop over the first lava puddle and ignore the first set of boost pads (you can add them in as your skills improve). When you hop to go through the center of the upcoming lava tunnel border, use your thrusters to maintain the proper height to flip right to the boost arrows on the right wall.
0:32 - After you get the boost arrows, hop off the wall and use your thrusters to float left, aiming for the left side of the first lava pole in the circular tunnel. Your angle should be perfect for you to drive past the pole, and aim for the section where the wall color changes from asphalt to the glass. When you fly off that edge, use your thrusters (sparingly) to avoid the ring of lava balls and maintain height.
0:38 - In this first lap, I missed flipping up to the ceiling to get the boost pads. Try to get them every lap! Head towards the checkpoint, between 2 o'clock and 3 o'clock. Aim for the third lava pole, but flip to the right before you hit it. Sparingly use your thrusters to maintain height over the lava poles, and then drop down after you've passed the last one. You can drop down earlier if you run out of thrusters too fast! Land and do a drift or two to give yourself a good speed boost. You'll notice that you haven't turboed yet!
Lap 2
0:47 - We're going to do a shortcut! Perform the same two chained drifts you did on the first lap, but this time, aim to release toward the left side of the road. When you drive off the edge, turbo and use your pitch up (to keep your nose up to get longer distance when you float) and pitch down (to make sure that you don't hit the barrier). Aim to diagonally hit the two boost pads on the ground, then jump and flip to the left.
0:58 - When you flip to the left, use your thrusters to maintain height above the road. Try to land on the road right next to the lava bar underneath the lava ball ring. This can be tricky because you may not be able to slam down since you've already used your flip to aim. Go for the boost pad if you're feeling saucy!
1:21 - I properly flip upward to get the two boost pads on the ceiling that I missed the first lap! :)
Lap 3
1:34 - The turbo pattern is the same as in Lap 2 over the water, although we are going to make one addition for this, our final lap. After you hit the two boost arrows and flip left, turbo again, immediately after the flip. If it gives you problems, either practice it in private matches, or omit the new turbo and add it in elsewhere.
2:03 - I smashed into the third lava pole, so I turboed here since it slowed me down. But if you don't hit the lava pole, turbo as you pass the last lava pole, and hold Right so you don't smash into the left wall before the finish line!
Even with all the missed boost pads and mistakes, this route ended up sub 2.07. Give it a try and see what times you can come up with! I'd suggest aiming for 2.12. Then, as your skills improve, you can try adding in more boost pads, more drifting, and more advanced techniques to cut off even more time. Have fun and avoid that lava as much as you can!
26 сен 2024
