Boulder (HD)

Damage:	Instant Kill (Contact, while moving)
Notes:	A stationary boulder will resume rolling if propelled by an explosion.

Boulders are extremely destructive traps that appear when a Golden Idol is disturbed in the Mines.

Mechanics

Boulder traps are seen in the form of a Golden Idol under a large statue.

If the Golden Idol, is moved in any fashion, there will be a brief rumbling before the 2x2 tile wide boulder crashes through the head of the statue and drops down onto the platform where the idol was placed. The boulder immediately begins rolling in the direction of the Spelunker and smashing through any obstructions in its path.

When the boulder hits the indestructible wall at the edge of the map, it will rebound and start rolling in the other direction until it runs out of momentum. Boulders lose momentum faster when they have to smash through blocks.

When a boulder stops, it simply comes to a rest and may block passages, but can be climbed over. If a bomb or other explosive is detonated next to it, it will propel the boulder forward and cause it to start rolling again.

Spelunkers unfortunate enough to be in the boulder's way will be instantly crushed. The boulder will also crush any and all items on the ground, including treasure and the Gold Key.

Strategy

Boulders tend to run through Shops and Kali Altars, making the Golden Idols they guard generally not worth taking for players who do not wish to anger Kali or the Shopkeeper's Association.

However, there are several good strategies for avoiding a boulder trap and getting away with the Idol:

Disarming

In certain cases, it can be possible to prevent the boulder from ever appearing by acting quickly.

If the Golden Idol is removed from play before the boulder spawns (either by selling it at a Shop, taking it to the level exit or sacrificing it at an Altar) the rumbling will subside and the boulder will never drop.

This relies on fortuitous idol placement, as it must be near enough to somewhere that the player can get rid of the idol quickly. This may be the only way of successfully taking the idol without consequence if it spawns next to a Shop or an Altar.

Avoidance

If the boulder spawned in a way that it cannot destroy a Shop or Altar or the player does not mind them being destroyed, there are multiple methods that can be used to dodge the boulder.

Boulders are two tiles tall and do not climb slopes. To avoid them, seek higher ground at least three tiles higher than the platform the idol was placed on. A rope can achieve this goal if necessary.

It is also possible to jump over the boulder if equipped with Spring Shoes or at least two tiles above where the boulder spawns, although risky.

Spelunkers who stay around three tiles away from the boulder's spawn will remain safe as it bounces off of the ground and over them.

Trivia

• The boulders are an obvious nod to the iconic boulder scene in Raiders of the Lost Ark.

Bugs

• It's possible to get stunned by jumping next to the Boulder while hanging from it.
• If the Spelunker places a rope next to the Boulder and climbs down on it while being on top of the Boulder, they may clip inside the Boulder and get crushed.
• When a boulder is not in motion and against a ceiling, crawling into the space between the boulder and the ceiling and getting up will crush the player.