Infinite Boost (IB)

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*Main articles:* Fancy Flying, Dive Boost (DB)

Not to be confused with **Infinite Flight** on PS4 or on PC.

**Infinite Boost** is a variation of the Dive Boost where you dive with a shallow angle and super-slow speed for a few seconds. If done correctly it allows to gain height without using the scarf, after boosting.

## How to do an Infinite Boost

Difficulty:  A pinnacle of flying difficulty. (Somewhat much easier in Paradise, because of the sort of low gravity there.)

 Can't be performed without a **controller** ! (stick sensitivity required)

### Introduction

This boost is sometimes called **Ainshent Boost**, after the user TheAinshentMariner, who helped make it more popular. However, sometimes people might differentiate the Infinite Boost and the Ainshent Boost, with the latter being a variation that includes scarf usage (= an optimal slow boost).

It's recommended to learn Slow Boost and Level Boost first, and to perform them well before attempting to learn the Infinite Boost ; IB being a perfect mix of precision between both.

Legend says Sir Isaac Newton lost all his hairs upon playing Journey and discovering how Infinite Boosting escaped the law of gravitation and Earth's physics...

### Instructions

Give IB a try **in Paradise first** since it allows for a rather big margin of imprecision on both sticks. It doesn't take very long to get out of the skybox there for example, with the stronger boosts this level gives and a bit of training ! (It might take you several hours to get out of it in regular levels, depending on how well you perform)

1. Start from a ledge or another high point, maybe in the air after a RDS, CB, RCB, Super Boost, or Slow Boost/Dive Boost with flyers.
	* In the Broken Bridge level It's recommended to start from one of the pillars close to the Shrine (it's easy to compare your progress over time there, rather than a place without any visual cues to estimate your altitude gain or loss. See Ava's tutorial below showing it.)
		+ Walk or jump off the ledge. Note some players may find it hard to perform the first IB well after walking off a ledge because of how it affects the camera differently than when starting from the air directly.
2. To initiate the dive, for a split-second push your camera stick fully toward the ground and push the movement stick all the way forward as well.
	* Like with the Slow or Flap Boost, you need to start with a strong, but short input on both sticks in order for the game to register that you're diving/charging.
3. Once you've started diving, quickly change the camera angle and level it to a more horizontal position (different angles can work)
4. Around the same time ease up on the left stick, using about as much pressure as you would for a Slow Boost. Different camera angles require very slightly different left stick pressures.
	* If you got a correct position with the left stick, you should be able to see the "root" of your scarf from underneath, with the traveler's legs hanging down just slightly, and wiggling up and down one after the other (see reference pic below in Theory section).
	* The less pressure is applied onto the left stick the better it is for slow speed, but avoid a Flap Boost pressure (when the wayfarer's head is way above their feet during the dive), which would make you fall too fast and also prevent from charging lots of energy for the boost.
	* **The left stick pressure is a key element of infinite boosting !** It's crucial to find it quickly and precisely when starting the dive.
5. **Optional:** After a few seconds of dive (depending on how flat the camera angle was when starting the dive), point the camera **slowly** more and more to the ground, in order to keep on charging up more boost power (just like for a good level boost !).
	* Also adjust the left stick pressure accordingly by pushing it ever so slightly more forward to keep on diving in a slow boost position if needed (the steeper the camera angle, the more pressure is needed onto the left stick)
	* If your camera isn't too flat and the dive rather short, you don't have to adjust the camera angle at all until ready to boost.
6. Before getting too close to the ground, or after about **6-10 sec of dive duration**, aim the camera all the way down while moving it sideways to the wayfarer, and then point the traveler toward the camera to boost.
	* If you did this properly, you should fly up higher than where you started the dive from.
	* Placing the camera sideways before boosting isn't mandatory but can help a lot with the boost kicking in sooner when moving toward the camera.
	* You can boost with a camera facing the sky, but you will lose some boost during the camera movement and won't be able to gain any altitude over time like this.
7. Repeat for as long as you like ! It's normal to not manage to gain any height over time at first, this technique is extremely hard. But more importantly, you can do it !

#### Demonstration

This video demonstrates how to perform the Infinite Boost efficiently, with a **controller** shown and a **boost power visualiser** for a better understanding of camera angles importance ! (inverted camera stick axis on the video)

* The blue bar shows how much boost could theoretically be built up with the associated camera angle (if diving long enough to reach it)
* The magenta bar shows how much boost power has been gathered

The goal would be to never make the magenta bar reach the blue one and boost before that happens, or adjust the camera angle more to the ground a little. You cannot normally see these hidden boost power stats in-game, which is why it takes lots of practice to predict them the best you can while playing through trial and error.

Observe how a steeper camera angle during most of the dive can still bring a very correct result in terms of height gain at around 1:25 min in the video (skipping step 5 from the "instructions" above).

The following video shows 2 Ainshent boosts. Observe how they adjust the camera angle progressively during the first dive to make sure to keep on charging up more boost. This wasn't needed for the second dive since the camera angle was more vertical to begin with.

Note it seems they do press the left stick a little more forward the moment they jump every time (we can hear more wind noise), which isn't needed and can make one lose altitude faster instead.

### Theory

The concept behind infinite boost is to **lose as little altitude as possible during the dive** by falling as slowly as you can, and building up enough boost power to regain the altitude lost, plus a little bit more !

For any other aerial Fancy Flying technique than IB, we would jump regularly to slow down the falling speed, but with IB it isn't needed anymore with enough precision ! By repeating it over and over it is possible to reach unlimited height (as much as your hands can handle at least: **give them a rest sometimes** !)

What matters is the ratio altitude lost versus time spent on diving:

* How powerful a boost gets depends on how long you dived for and whether your camera was also aiming enough down to build some more: you fall more slowly on the vertical axis with a more horizontally angled camera during the dive, but also have a lower max boost power limit the flatter it gets.
* With IB it means diving with a leveled camera angle to lose altitude slowly, while still maintaining it enough down over time to keep on building a stronger boost, and boosting before having to place it too vertically.
	+ The optimal duration of a dive has been estimated at **around 9 seconds** by *nathanj* for IB (from the exact moment you push the left stick forward to initiate the dive, to the moment you pull it back for the boost). It has also been shown by him that it is counter productive to dive for more than 10-11 seconds (see graphics below).
	+ This is only an indication, and depending on how precise you are with both sticks, the optimal diving duration may vary a little for you (most likely a bit shorter). Keep in mind **shorter dives usually bring out better results** !

The graphs below show the results *nathanj* got from most successful dives during two infinite boost sessions, in order to study the optimal diving duration. This was performed with tools to precisely monitor the altitude gained over time, and also a visualiser to adjust the camera angle as precisely as possible as the dives went, for better accuracy.

* The perfect position of a wayfarer for Infinite Boost (sideways camera or "normal")
* Height gained depending on the dive duration in seconds
* Height gained per minute

#### Developing your own style

* This video shows the best dives marked in blue on the two graphs above, while using a common approach to infinite boost (just as explained under "instructions" on this page). It can be used as a reference for a great execution and to get an idea of the dive duration you shouldn't try to exceed.

* The orange points on the same two graphs were obtained with a sideways camera placement during the entire dive (not only just before boosting). It corresponds to a completely different style of infinite boost, very practical for doing shorter dives by starting close to the ground for example. You can see a video explaining how it works in Tutorial videos below.

Infinite Boosting doesn't have to be of one kind or the other, and it can look like a mix between the two extremes mentioned here. Most fancy flyers develop different styles of infinite boost, so it can be worth watching several players such as Apnodod, west8008, Nichero4, Aravshetikolava, Kenpatchi, nathanj, Bradjel, d\_zero\_gravity\_b..., who are Twitch or YouTube streamers. You can also look at a few top ranked players of Red Robe Glitched Speedruns to see different styles in action.

### Common Mistakes

* **Make sure to be diving** ! It is very easy to find out you built up no boost at all after the "dive" because you didn't press the left stick fully forward to initiate it properly. Same goes for the camera which you should always push down at the same time as the left stick, not simply aim to the ground.
	+ Only when having remaining boost power you can dive again without pushing the camera stick down again. Which happens sometimes when infinite boosting with a great boost-dive transition, and can be used by advanced players at their own peril to flatten the camera a little earlier, when starting the next dive.

* Applying **too much pressure on the left stick**. You really want to reach the minimum amount of left stick pressure required for a slow boost in order to fall slowly.
	+ Only in paradise will it still work well with a bit too much pressure.
	+ Make sure to **keep the left stick steady**, much like for slow boosting, as much as possible.
	+ Remember you may have to adjust the left stick pressure a little if you change the camera angle during the dive and suddenly end up in a flap boost position instead.

* **Diving for too long in general**: if you dive for more than 10 seconds you will have to push the camera almost fully down, in order to keep on charging up more boost power. If you do this, you will lose altitude fast and won't regain it all after the boost, even with a perfect left stick pressure ! Shorter dives often give better results.

* **Diving for too long with a flat camera angle**: you can reach the max boost power value of a more horizontal camera angle very soon, and will have to aim the camera more down slowly and regularly during the dive to avoid it (step 5 above in "instructions"). Maybe avoid choosing very flat camera angles if you're a beginner, since it takes lots of practice (and fails) to know when to dive a little more and how much.
	+ It can be slightly more efficient to infinite boost with this flatter camera angle approach, but it is a lot harder to manage well, and IB can already work greatly with a more intermediate camera angle value for most of the dive duration anyway.
	+ A perfect left stick pressure matters more than adjusting the camera angle extremely precisely at the right moment to follow the perfect diving curve.

* **Getting close to a platform/object** (in BB or Tower for example) **or the ground** before boosting: since you will have to push the camera fully down just before boosting, its placement can be altered by the close-by environment and force you to boost a bit horizontally (altitude loss).
	+ Consider trying a variation of IB with a sideways camera during the entire dive in situations where you get close to the ground easily, as it will make it easier to keep a good angle for the boost ! (see example in Tutorial videos)
* Like for any other technique, avoid pushing the left stick sideways during the dive to make sure you charge well (unless using the variation linked just above)
	+ The flatter the camera angle is, the less forgiving a sideways-positioned left stick is.

### Further Tips

* The secret for IB is to work your way onto an equilibrium of both sticks, where they complement each other's movements in perfect harmony. Both of those sticks are on the edge of failed boosting when IB is performed well. If the camera is too vertical you will lose altitude too quickly, if it is risen a millimeter too high, there will be a weaker boost. Same problems if the left stick is a millimeter too slow or fast... It's important to find this edge through **repetition and practice** until it becomes muscle memory, without overthinking it.
* **In Paradise** you can start charging boost energy with a 15° angle (compared to 25° for regular levels). Because of this, Infinite Boosting can be performed with even flatter camera angles for even more efficiency ! (on top of having an increased boosting speed there + longer lasting boost for the same dive duration)
* A successful Infinite Boost is also about how quickly and smoothly you can make the **transitions** between dive - boost and boost - dive.
* If you have troubles getting the right traveler body angle according to the camera position, try using the ideal body pose as a *confirmation* that you have a correct stick pressure, instead of making the body pose your goal.
* You can try getting into a faster dive just before boosting: since you aim the camera fully down there, the corresponding left stick pressure to apply should be a little bit stronger.
* Looking at the wayfarer from behind as they approach too close to the ground makes the camera gravitate towards it, as mentioned earlier in "common mistakes", and it can spoil the start of the boost by flattening the camera angle. However looking at the wayfarer as much from the side as possible while getting close to the ground allows to boost without being affected much by this problem ! (camera stick fully left or right, see Tutorial videos)

### Tutorial videos

This tutorial by aravshetikolava gives nice advice and a practice exercise to see how well you perform starting from a ledge !

Another nice tutorial about how to do Infinite Boost:

This next video shows a different style of infinite boost with sideways camera placement during the dive ; very useful to start from low altitude:

## Gallery

Here is a clip of Apno in PD. After more than 1h of infinite boosting. He went even higher than that later... (notice the skypainting effect due to being outside the skybox on PS4)

## Trivia

Even though this boost is named after TheAinshentMariner, Ainshent gives credit to Ryuichi-san (AKA Amen\_Ra-13) and Bradjel (AKA wlopi) for teaching him this technique, and discovering scarfless boosting, respectively.

Infinite boosting can be very useful as a reddie when you can't recharge your scarf, if you want to move faster/higher. This technique is extremely useful for red robe glitched speedrunners who tend to master it.

## Quotes

- exactly!
- you sure?
- don't worry, no one will notice.

journey alien players:
challenge accepted~
tgc: wait! there's absolutely no way you could explore the whole room???
jap: hold our beers~
tgc: but where's the point in doing that???
*jap: because we caaaaaaan~*

## See also

Need even more height and faster? Have a look at Low Frame Glitch warps ! (PS4 and PC only glitch).

 Fancy Flying TECHNIQUES

Beaming Down • Cave Boost • Charge Boost (CB) • Coasting • Dive Boost (DB) • Dropshoot (DS) • Dry Boost • Fancy Flying • Flap Boost • Flyer Boost • Goo Boost • Infinite Flight (IF) on PC • Infinite Flight (IF) on PS4 • Level/Speed Boost • Reverse Charge Boost (RCB) • Reverse Dive Boost (RDB) • Reverse Dropshoot (RDS) • Slow Boost • Steam Infinite Flight Tricks • Super Boost • Tandem Flying
 FANCY FLYING BASICS
Fancy Flying is when you control the character and camera together in order to gather energy with a dive and release it in the form of a boost, to gain lots of height, distance and/or speed.

Refer to the main article for general information and tips.

**Basic FF-techniques**, recommended to learn first:
**With Companion:** Tandem Flying. **Solo:**
Dive Boost (DB), Dropshoot (DS), Charge Boost (CB)

Expert Mode
**Expert Mode** introduction article to everything beyond the most basic gameplay.

See also: Glitches, Out of Bounds (OOB), Tricks, Challenges, Category:Expert Mode Glossary.

**Robins Guide for Newcomers** . 26 Minutes, full of tips, tricks, dos and don'ts.

Expert Mode

Carpet (Glitched) • Carpet Warp • Challenges • Crash Zones • Disco Wayfarer • Disco Zones and other Disco Stuff • Dune settings and PC glitches • Expert Mode • Expert Mode on iOS without Controller • Faceplant (FP) • Faceplant Jump (FPJ) • Fancy Flying • Glitches • Glossary • Guide to arranging a meetup • History Lesson Banner (HL Banner) • How to find Nick • Infinite Flight (IF) on PC • Infinite Flight (IF) on PS4 • Naked Wayfarer • Off-sync • Out of Bounds (OOB) • Peeling Grounds and Sanded Wayfarer • Sky Painting • Steam Infinite Flight Tricks • Surfing, Slides and Drops • The Difficulty Meter • Tricks • War Machine (Glitched) • Wayfarers (Glitched)

 Fancy Flying TECHNIQUES

Beaming Down • Cave Boost • Charge Boost (CB) • Coasting • Dive Boost (DB) • Dropshoot (DS) • Dry Boost • Fancy Flying • Flap Boost • Flyer Boost • Goo Boost • Infinite Flight (IF) on PC • Infinite Flight (IF) on PS4 • Level/Speed Boost • Reverse Charge Boost (RCB) • Reverse Dive Boost (RDB) • Reverse Dropshoot (RDS) • Slow Boost • Steam Infinite Flight Tricks • Super Boost • Tandem Flying
 FANCY FLYING BASICS
Fancy Flying is when you control the character and camera together in order to gather energy with a dive and release it in the form of a boost, to gain lots of height, distance and/or speed.

Refer to the main article for general information and tips.

**Basic FF-techniques**, recommended to learn first:
**With Companion:** Tandem Flying. **Solo:**
Dive Boost (DB), Dropshoot (DS), Charge Boost (CB)

Expert Mode
**Expert Mode** introduction article to everything beyond the most basic gameplay.

See also: Glitches, Out of Bounds (OOB), Tricks, Challenges, Category:Expert Mode Glossary.

**Robins Guide for Newcomers** . 26 Minutes, full of tips, tricks, dos and don'ts.

Expert Mode

Carpet (Glitched) • Carpet Warp • Challenges • Crash Zones • Disco Wayfarer • Disco Zones and other Disco Stuff • Dune settings and PC glitches • Expert Mode • Expert Mode on iOS without Controller • Faceplant (FP) • Faceplant Jump (FPJ) • Fancy Flying • Glitches • Glossary • Guide to arranging a meetup • History Lesson Banner (HL Banner) • How to find Nick • Infinite Flight (IF) on PC • Infinite Flight (IF) on PS4 • Naked Wayfarer • Off-sync • Out of Bounds (OOB) • Peeling Grounds and Sanded Wayfarer • Sky Painting • Steam Infinite Flight Tricks • Surfing, Slides and Drops • The Difficulty Meter • Tricks • War Machine (Glitched) • Wayfarers (Glitched)

## References

1. ↑ Information from Seki: "this video was one of the earliest explanations of Infinite boost, and at that time the term "infinite boost" did not yet exist." The title and video description were updated by 2023-02-10.