Editing Boosting

{{MSonly}}

'''Boosting''' is a technique in the MS ruleset of [[Chip's Challenge]]. When [[Chip]] steps from ''any'' [[sliding tile]] to a non-sliding tile, he is allowed to make a move instantaneously without waiting to come to a stop. Since the slide is an involuntary move, it is not limited by Chip's maximum walking speed of 5 [[m/s]].

Some prominent examples of boosting-intensive levels are [[Forced Entry]], [[Arcticflow]], [[Mugger Square]], [[Rink]], [[Amsterdam]], [[Force Square]], [[Block Buster]], [[Block Buster II]], [[Doublemaze]], [[Icedeath]] and [[Force Field]].

== Lynx to MS changes, and busts ==

Lynx does not include this instantaneous move; Chip always slows to his normal speed of 5 m/s when leaving a sliding tile. Boosting in MS is effectively caused by a [[glitch]].

Levels such as [[Three Doors]], [[Traffic Cop]], [[Hidden Danger]], and [[Scoundrel]] are [[busted]] because they were not changed to fit the new rules, and [[Floorgasborg]] is also affected mildly because the [[suction boots]] are not required.

== Demo ==

This level is solved using proper boosting techniques:

[[File:Boosting demo.png]]

The [[clone machine]] blocks off the right edge of the grid. The correct route moves to the southwest, where there is an encounter between the ice and the force floors. If Chip were to move 2U L, since the L move was voluntary, he can't override the force floor. In order to get past it, Chip has to use the ice at [3, 3]. The full route is U 4L >D L 3U 2R URD >R 2U 2L, and then a choice between L >2D U, overriding [1, 2] with the use of the ice, and L to the exit, or step DL >L and override U. The second path is [1/2] quicker, but either way will use 2 turns for the purposes of the timer. <!---Check.---> The total time taken to reach the exit is 3.4 seconds.

== Boosting as a last resort ==

In addition to helping solve a level faster, there are some situations where boosting may be ''required'' to solve a level, such as in this diagram:

[[File:Boosting demo 2.png]]

As the [[pink ball]]s cannot move in their current positions, they will move when they are freed, in this case when the [[dirt]] is removed. Only Chip can remove dirt, but if he simply steps on the dirt, the ball will squash him as monsters move first. If Chip could ''slide'' onto one of the dirt spaces, he could then move instantaneously to the [[suction boots]] and then to the exit, but as it is, Chip must collect the [[ice skates]], and there are no other sliding tiles for Chip to use. Fortunately, there is a [[thief]] to the right side; Chip must move L 4U D to reach him. Now, Chip can slide L or U across the ice and then clamp to the exit.

This motif is common in several [[custom level set]]s, as many designers specialize in unusual solutions to simple problems. One example of this device is the ending section to this level created by [[Andrew Bennett]]:

[[File:What the thief.png]]

All the buried tiles under [[yellow lock]]s are [[trap]]s except for [8, 6] and [8, 7], which are [[recessed wall]]s. When Chip reaches this section with 30 [[yellow key]]s, he can move to the trap at [7, 0] since it is connected and buried (although holding it down costs no time). Before Chip can proceed, he needs suction boots from behind the [[socket]], but must also find a [[thief]] to remove the ice skates that the player was forced to pick up at the start of the level. Otherwise, opening the [[blue lock]] will cause the pink ball to kill Chip. When the boosting works properly, Chip can avoid the ball and exit.

== Expansions ==

After a boost is taken, the ''next'' move by Chip will sometimes take an entire turn and sometimes only a half turn. The reason this works faster is because Chip can only make voluntary moves every 1/5 of a second. When Chip lands after sliding an ''odd'' number of tiles, it takes a multiple of 1/5 of a second for the move to be complete and ''1/10'' of a second for the boost to be made. Since Chip can then legally make another voluntary move in 1/10 of a second, he can cover two spaces in one turn.

Because of its effective kinship to the spring step, this behavior is known as the [[spring slide]].
[[Category:Mechanics]]