Vortex Gaming

• ✅ Deep breathing indicates stamina recovery.
• ⚠️ Staying still in a bad spot accumulates fatigue.
• ✅ Watch for deep recovery breaths before continuing.

Breathing Pattern	Stamina Level
Calm and rhythmic	Under control
Accelerated panting	At your limit, need to rest

Treat deep breathing as a golden rule: observe the character's breathing for half a second before moving.

• ✅ Use R1 + analog stick for manual limb control.
• ⚠️ Auto climb makes nonsensical choices on overhangs and ceilings.
• ✅ Manual control allows precise limb movement and avoids frustrating falls.

Control Method	Effect
Auto Climb	Convenient but unreliable on complex surfaces
Manual (R1 + Analog)	Total control over limb movement, safer on overhangs

Hold R1, take a deep breath, and make the choice yourself for safer climbing.

• ✅ Always keep three limbs secured to the rock.
• ⚠️ Hanging by only two limbs drains stamina quickly.
• ✅ Secure a firm foot before releasing a hand for stability.

Points of Contact	Stability	Stamina Drain
Three	Stable	Normal
Two	Unstable	Rapid

Ensure both feet are locked or you have a solid triangular base before moving the next hand.

• ✅ Petons are not just checkpoints, but full breathers.
• ✅ Hang from the peton and wait for the green flash for 100% recovery.
• ⚠️ Moving before the green flash means starting tired.

Action	Effect
Hammering Pin	Creates a checkpoint
Hanging & Waiting for Green Flash	Full stamina recovery

Wait for the green flash before planning the next move to avoid hidden fatigue.

• ✅ Arms are for balance, not primary weight support.
• ✅ Position feet as high as possible and use a crouch to propel the body.
• ✅ Legs can take the punishment much better than arms.

Climbing Style	Stamina Usage
Arms Only	Rapid stamina depletion
High Feet Technique	Conserves arm stamina, more manageable stretches

Bring your feet up, crouch against the wall, and transfer the weight to climb with your legs.

• ✅ Don't be a cheapskate; place petons every 10-15 meters.
• ✅ Place petons right before overhangs or ceilings.
• ⚠️ Missing the hammer timing wastes a peton and leaves you exposed.

Situation	Peton Placement
General Climbing	Every 10-15 meters
Before Overhang/Ceiling	Mandatory

Use petons as manual checkpoints and focus on the hammer timing to avoid wasting equipment.

• ⚠️ Manual down climbing drains stamina insanely fast.
• ✅ Use repel instead of risking climbing down manually.
• ✅ Repel provides total control over speed and reduces stress.

Descent Method	Stamina	Control
Manual Down Climbing	High Drain	Low
Repel	Low Drain	High

If the direction is down, the rope becomes mandatory for a safe and controlled descent.

• ⚠️ Climbing with tunnel vision leads to stamina traps.
• ✅ Use L1/Tab for free camera reconnaissance.
• ✅ Identify rest points, dead ends, and rotten holds before climbing.

Camera Usage	Effect
Ignoring Free Camera	Increased risk of stamina traps and falls
Using Free Camera (L1/Tab)	Strategic planning, stamina conservation

Plan the route with the free camera to save stamina and avoid getting wedged in impossible spots.

• ⚠️ Raw food is dirty fuel and provides no essential buffs.
• ✅ Cook everything possible at the bivouac.
• ✅ Hot food provides buffs for grip, grit, determination, and warmth.

Food Type	Effect
Raw Food	Kills hunger but provides no buffs
Hot Food (Cooked)	Provides essential buffs for climbing

Turn the bivouac into a sacred ritual and always cook to ensure maximum stamina and avoid invisible hunger.