Scan Dash (Echoes)
Like its predecessor, Prime 2 allows for the player to cover extra long horizontal distances using techniques that abuse the dashing mechanic. However, in Echoes there are two ways to gain extra horizontal distance through dashing instead of just one, both varying in difficulty. The standard method of dash jumping is easier, but way slower and less useful than that of Prime 1. The other method, known as extended dashing, allows you to get dash speeds that are similar to that of Prime 1, and is more versatile at the cost of being harder to execute, requiring more extensive training to do properly and consistently. Nonetheless, Dash Jumping is still an essential form of movement in Echoes speedrunning that has applications in numerous different areas of the game.
Scan Dash
To perform a Scan Dash:
- Lock on to a target with either Scan Visor or Combat Visor
- Strafe off of that target while holding down R almost immediately afterwards
Unlike the first game, it is necessary to keep holding both L and R throughout the scan dash. If either button is released, then you will instantly slow down. Also, it is possible to bend or curve the scan dash by rolling the control stick up or down before the R button has been pressed. Once R is pressed, then your angle and speed is locked until you let go of either L or R again.
- To get the best height and distance from a scan dash, you want press R roughly 1/4 of a second after beginning the dash
- You can look where you are going during a Scan Dash by pressing A to drop the Scan Visor. As long as you are still holding L and R, this will not affect your speed or direction whatsoever and you can look around freely.
- If you did a dash in Combat Visor, or use a scan target that is close enough that you begin actually scanning it, then it's still possible to look around during the dash, but at a slight cost of speed. Just briefly let go of L to stop locking onto your target, and then immediately begin holding L again to minimize the speed loss.
- Assuming you are still holding L and R, you can peform a "bunnyhop" after a Scan Dash by jumping immediately after touching the ground again. This lets you continue jumping while maintaining most of the speed from your original scan dash. The most significant application of bunnyhopping can be seen in Vault.
Scan Dash Tutorial by erinexplosives
Extended Dash
To perform an extended dash:
- Lock on to a target with either Scan Visor or Combat Visor
- Press and hold B for about 1/4 of a second, making sure you get about enough height, then let go of B to dash in either direction
- Immediately when landing on the ground, hold R and press B again. How much speed you will retain will depend on how precisely you do these inputs
- Keep holding L and R for the rest of the dash