Beginner/Intermediate Ninja Guide
Hi all. I’ve been playing ninja tracks for a little over 3 years now and I have a pretty good grasp on how to pass most obstacles. (That’s maybe 1/3 of the battle at least :P)
Trials is one of those games like counterstrike, rocket league, or even supermeatboy type platformers where it is difficult to master but it has very fair and balanced core gameplay. (Apart from rage-inducing glitches kappa) You constantly need to sharpen up your skills in order to be more competitive or even to keep from losing skill.
It’s not the easiest game in the world and has a very steep learning curve so I thought I’d share my ninja notes that have helped me progress. It’s not the best, most complete, or perfectly structured guide ever, but feel free to use this info for future ninja guides or video tutorials if you want.
Since Trials Rising is right around the corner I would really like to see an influx of new ninja players out there shredding tracks with the rest of us. As difficult as it may seem at first, playing ninja tracks is actually very attainable with the right instructions/knowledge.
This is a list of obstacles you’ll run into and my tips and tricks for conquering them using certain techniques I’ve picked up on. It’s easy to forget or overlook key movements and in turn develop bad techniques that can halt progression. As we all know Trials will punish you for even the slightest mistakes!
Most of this will seem very obvious for veteran players but if you’re completely new, it might not make any sense at all yet until you’ve had more practice or until you've watched a few more YouTube videos.
By now the ninja community has grown quite a bit so it’s easy to just watch and learn. In fact, I was watching ninja videos before I even had the game. It was just so entertaining and looked extremely fun. I had Frontier at the time, but not Evolution or Fusion.
Anyways, let’s get started:
My picks for great fusion beginner ninja tracks:
Eye of the storm Nj by Redlynx
Chiapas by Copain gotier
Elegy by Zach
Beyond the treetops by Papasmur
Afternoon showers by Muscles
Crosstown capital by Zach
Crack of dawn by Realseven
Grotte mysterieuse by Thedesigner60
Mauerpark by Coxezz
Hell hole by Kalianhagle
Below the surface by Smilies2013
Pirates gold by Vortex
Cluttered by Apex viruz
Tcp by Pinglew
Intro:
My advice would be to really pay attention to every little movement riders do. Whether it be watching in game replays or videos online. For instance, it took me a long time to realize that frequently you have to let go of the thumb stick (or hold it up/down/diagonally) in order to keep the right line or angle.
Use the controller’s deadzone to your advantage. Little rider bodyweight changes are key. Wait until your back wheel makes contact with the ground or wall then lean back or forward depending on the surface. That goes for speed running and ninjas.
Obstacle Approaches:
First off, it’s important to note that there are 3 main rider stances: sitting, standing in the middle of the bike, and standing all the way forward. So if your having problems jumping a gap or climbing an obstacle one way, try switching things up with your rider’s posture.
One of the most common approaches for when sitting back doesn’t give you enough distance is to start leaned forward. (Switch bunny hop) This way you have a little more momentum for a more explosive bunny hop that uses all of the platform space available.
Tap gas once then go full speed the second time as the bike falls to stick to the ground more before the jump.
When you’re carrying speed often times it’s a good idea to dip your front wheel down in the air while crouched and let the front wheel hit first then lean back and forward again to shoot you over the top of a box, for instance. It can be a good alternative and less risky than backwheel bouncing up boxes. Use the physics to your advantage.
When jumping a series of flat obstacles on a slope that are spaced far apart you’ll want to bunny hop from neutral position (deadzone) forward. Don’t lean back too much after/during hitting them. Only to position the bike in the air or just before the platform. Always aim for your backwheel to hit first.
Alternate approaches:
Brake and pop:
When you reverse slightly before take off it can reduce chances of lifting your front wheel too high and falling backwards onto your back. It’s more of a controlled launch method. Something as simple as rolling backwards or tapping forward before you jump full speed can make all the difference.
Endo:
Roll forward and hold brake while leaning back to pop an endo. Let go of the brake quickly and hold again as needed if you're falling too far forward. Nice way to get up hills that aren’t that steep and should work for most obstacles. You can add a squishy squashy before take off. (Forward back motion)
When you let the bike fall for the jump don’t always hold thumbstick leaned back right away. If you want to get more distance you must lean back to get started, let go of thumbstick briefly, and wait for the back wheel to hit the ground before you lean back again to bunny hop.
Pillar jumps in particular can be a problem if you lean back too early before takeoff. You’ll jump higher not farther. This was very problematic for me to learn when I was starting out. I kept coming up short on jumps and didn’t realize why.
Furthermore, be mindful of where you start the endo. Large boxes are easier to climb if you start the hop farther away because it allows your back wheel to make contact with the object you want to jump up to first. Remember to pull yourself up with the front wheel when you have enough momentum by fapping and/or holding brake.
Quick endo:
When completely still, throw your weight forward and hold/quickly tap the brake late. This will pick up you back wheel slightly. Great for getting over boxes and awkward objects. Less chance of face plants too. I use the endo climb more out of habit but this is probably the most efficient technique. So try to learn it early on. Looks pretty cool too.
Brake climb:
Pop a wheelie and lean back a fair amount. Brake and lean forward as you throttle up. Necessary for steeper inclines. Extremely useful because you’re back wheel is almost guaranteed to hit the wall first or at the same time as your front wheel and there’s no speed loss. If your front wheel does hit that’s ok just slow down quickly to compensate.
Other essentials:
Throttle control:
Unless you already have a very strong index finger (who are you? The Hulk?!) it’s going to take a while to get a feel for how to climb steep walls. Trials is the only game I know of where you actually need to strengthen your finger muscle. No seriously.. it’s a straight up workout.
My shoulders and arms get sore after playing for a couple hours too from snapping bunny hops constantly. Maybe I grip the controller too hard? Trials addict problems..
Anyways, It seems crazy at first but soon you will be able to fight against the right (and left?) trigger’s stiff spring. I dread the day my nicely worn 360 controller breaks. lol
To keep from getting overly frustrated it’s a good idea to head over to the track editor and grab a flat Uber ramp. Maybe set it to a 55-70 degree angle to start out and practice crawling slowly up the wall from a standstill.
Squeeze/tap the trigger while leaning forward until you start to move and try to hold it locked in one place. Then try it with a brake climb (more on that later) Brake + full throttle then try to back off the trigger as quickly/smoothly as you can.
The more practice you get you’ll eventually find where the correct trigger threshold is for sticking to a wall. (Basically backing off on the trigger and holding it there to maintain wall grip) Aim for about half way trigger pressing. Practice tapping and feathering the trigger too. It takes a lot of finesse.
Keep making the angle steeper and steeper as time goes on. See what you're comfortable with. (Even if it’s uncomfortable it’s good practice) Try this for 5 to 10 minutes before you hit trackcentral. It’s completely personal preference, though. This is the method I used when starting out to keep the raging to a minimum when trying to attack steep walls. Ossloth
The editor is a great tool for practicing techniques that you are unfamiliar with. Maybe take a screenshot of the problematic obstacle and try to replicate it the best you can.
Quick taps:
If you have experience with speed running in Trials or playing other reflex heavy games this will no doubt come easily to you. There are many times where tiny throttle or brake adjustments are needed. Just like with any platforming game, the faster and more precise you can be hitting triggers/buttons, the better.
One thing that I completely overlooked when I was starting out is that tapping is just as important as having good trigger control.
When you tap the accelerator before an obstacle and then fall back you’re basically testing where the bike is going to position itself.
It might seem obvious but it can be very beneficial and will result in less faults/frustration. I do this all the time especially when discovering brand new ninja tracks in Trackcentral.
Recoveries:
Let’s say you are climbing an obstacle and suddenly you lose grip or you accidentally tap brake at the wrong time. Happens to me all the time lel. What should you do?
Your first instinct might be to brake to stop yourself right? Well, that can work sometimes but it usually sends you spiraling out of control down a cliff to your gruesome demise. Instead don’t touch the brake or gas until right before you’ve landed with both wheels on solid ground.
Aim for the backwheel to hit first preferably just before the front. If you’re moving too fast to the left and not directly down pin the throttle before you land. You’ll bounce a bit so wait for the bike to settle before proceeding.
Additionally, practice letting go of the joystick just before impact so you don’t make any movements that could throw you off as you land. If you land front wheel first that’s fine just brake quickly and lean forward to steady yourself.
Sometimes it’s best to push yourself off a wall like a rock climber and back flip in order to avoid hitting stuff as you fall. When falling your focus should be on correcting your position and bracing for impact. (Small, quick adjustments are best)
Other times there might be objects below you that you can brake and hook your front wheel on to avoid a fault. Pretty satisfying when it works.
Climbs:
When climbing from a crouched position lean back slightly and release throttle briefly right before the wall to keep traction and maintain the right trajectory. It might be necessary to lean back by letting go of the control stick fast just before an angle change on the wall
Ideally the goal for a fast climb is the keep the front wheel away from the wall as much as possible without losing grip.
If you hit your front wheel too hard at the start of the climb you'll lose back wheel grip. Keep that in mind and lean back enough so you'll avoid too much contact.
You must feather or play with the throttle for steeper inclines to get momentum started. If you know you're front wheel is too far back off the wall as you climb up quickly tap brake as you throttle to cling back to the wall and maintain back wheel grip. This technique is hit or miss but sometimes it works.
If there's a slight angle change on a wall, speed up and do a little wheelie to keep your back wheel locked to the wall. Be aware that your backwheel needs to land right before your front in order to keep enough speed. (For hopping to walls)
It might seem obvious but lean forward and then go neutral to begin climbing a steep wall From an already steep wall. Like a 45 degree to 90. So LS right let go and then LS right again. Or lean back slightly first if you start a climb by sitting down on the bike.
When you reach the top of a steep wall climb there's 3 options:
A. Slow down to a crawl and just as your front wheel hovers over the top and moves to the right accelerate quickly to pop yourself up.
B. Get enough speed to do a front flip and land a fender grab (if your face looks like it's going to hit do a quick tuck) this is the best option for beginners.
C. Slow to a crawl and just as your back wheel rolls over the edge accelerate and go Into a fender grab. sometimes I brake quickly for better grip.
Overhangs:
Curved overhang:
Just think of it as an upwards slide. Slide up by leaning back and forward as you accelerate up. Then time the braking/fapping when you have enough momentum to swing the front wheel over the top. Keep your front wheel up. Sometimes it helps to back up a bit to pop that wheel up. Either by coasting back or by braking.
Backwheel hook overhang:
Some climbs have the top blocked off with a protruding plank/object. When just before the top of a climb, intentionally pop a wheelie by tapping forward and brake/fap when you see your bw hit under the object. The more speed you generate the easier it will be to swing up.
Fendergrabs:
The idea is to flip the bike forward by braking and hold the gas so it grabs. The back wheel will do a little upside down burnout on an edge. Apply throttle and hold the thumbstick to the right to lift the bike up into a wheelie. Brake tap and lean back to land both wheels on the ground again.
Fender grabs are much easier and won’t slip as much if you build up front flipping speed by fapping. (Spamming x/square as you hold RT) Many level 1 tracks have brake to frontflip fender grabs so watch out for signs of that. Remember you’ll need a little speed to make the gap.
Fendergrab to backflip:
In some cases you’ll need to flip underneath an object. Instead of flipping forward you do the reverse and fall back until you’re in a fendergrab position. control the throttle so that you swing down fast but smooth. Release the trigger at the end of the swing and lean back to land on the platform beneath.
Steep fendergrab:
Hold throttle let go of thumbstick briefly and then full throttle to swing the bike. Once up tap, hold, and release trigger brakes as needed while throttling at the same time or right after. Quick brake taps are key here.
Rounded fenders:
These can be tricky (especially on small isolated barrels) because you need to hold brake and lean back while throttling at the left edge of the object in order to jump off it correctly.
Frontwheel hooks:
Some objects are too high to reach the traditional way. Instead, jump up and lean forward to hook your front wheel on the edge of the platform. It can be helpful to throttle during the hook. Once you have a proper hold, brake and lean back to push off the bottom of it and swing up by fapping/holding brake.
Frontwheel swing:
When on the right side of a platform, hold brake just before the edge and let the bike fall forward while leaning back. Tapping/releasing the brake just before the swing is helpful to position the bike correctly.
Backwheel swing:
Similar to the swing above. Dangle your front wheel over the edge slowly, let your front wheel dip down, and hold brake while leaned back. Don’t go too fast just let gravity do the work. Release brake at the end of the swing and do a front flip to land below. You can do this leaned forward too but it’s less consistent.
Slides/Scrubs:
Types of slides:
Slightly curved ramp slides
Medium curved ramp slides
Heavily curved ramp slides
Uphill slides
Downhill slides
Overhangs
Drop slides
Bw only
Fw only
Reverse bw only coasting
Reverse fw only coasting
I struggle with these but I think the main concept is to position yourself properly in the air or on the ground, lean back or forward until you make contact with the object, then briefly (let go/move joystick up or down) and maintain the right trajectory. Occasionally a quick release of throttle during a slide is key to keep the right line.
Lean forward or back at the end of the slide to propel yourself wherever you need to go. Most importantly don’t hit your front wheel but keep it as low to the ground as you can for the most speed.
Just like with backwheel bounces it can be helpful to dip your frontwheel midair while seated before the slide. Other times standing up briefly at the start is necessary. It completely depends on the type of obstacle and how you enter it.
it’s not very common for ninja tracks but speed runners will sometimes lean way back at the end of a slide, brake, and flip downwards if the timesaving drive line requires it. So maybe we should practice this as well. That would make a sweet ninja checkpoint. (cough, cough) kappa
Front wheel only:
Endos are tough at first. Really focus on what the bike will do when you throw your weight around as you brake and release. I still struggle with the timing of the inputs. Like, when to let go of the thumbstick. Also hit the gas when you have to climb up a steep ramp or when jumping off a ledge if needed.
It’s personal preference if you use throttle up ramps, though. I prefer not to but I’m not great at these fw obstacles so holding gas and using the fap button might be the more consistent option. Alternate between x and LT be ready to fap (pedo bear)
Don't do what I did when I was starting out. I would rely on the X / square (fap) button for all my braking needs. Trigger brakes are way more powerful! I can't tell you why that is but yeah.. I guess digital vs analog. I suggest alternating between x/square and left trigger for best results.
Front wheel gaps:
Quickly tap brake twice or more to load springs and get the tires rolling a little more. You’ll need a little speed first if the jump is bigger. Lean forward, back, and forward again while holding brake in order to get across larger gaps from a standstill.
The efficient front wheel move:
Fap or land with some momentum and then coast really briefly while tapping forward to stay balanced and quickly pass a pillar obstacle or fw gap/obstacle.
When you brake with a little speed you will usually jump farther/higher due to the compressed suspension. I don't have this technique down yet but I can see how it would be really helpful. The less time spent on your front wheel the better!
Another important trick is to fap just before the jump to get a little more distance. I still don’t fully grasp how to jump large gaps consistently tbh.
I think you can jump farther if you go neutral position (let go) just before the jump... you’ll have to ask someone else lol. I use the left trigger to do fw only but some people use the fap button so your mileage may vary there.
Fw climbs:
Use full range of motion from left to right and find the rhythm. Sometimes tapping brake twice or quickly leaning forward twice at the perfect time helps get you moving faster. Be careful not to lean too far forward or back. Have your right trigger finger and thumb ready to fap. Find the sweet spot balance wise.
Back wheel only:
Feather brake and throttle simultaneously while leaning forward or back to stay in one spot. It's a great way to keep control and stay on small obstacles. If you lose balance just go into a fender grab if possible and start over.
The technique of using throttle and brake simultaneously can be good and bad.. Good in that it helps get a feel for the wall climb speed (like after a fender grab) but bad if you need to be precise like fw bw maps.
To be a good ninja you need the ability to have good and quick tapping control as well as slow and precise trigger control. there are many times when u only need a tiny bit of braking or gas. For instance when balancing a wheelie or endo.
I would advise learning to separate gas and brake inputs as much as possible especially on fw bw tracks. Don’t try pressing them at the same time right away. That skill comes later when you improve throttle control.
To stay stationary on flat ground without hopping constantly lean back and brake or throttle to keep control. The idea is to avoid moving too fast unless you're stationary hopping (Less throttle or brake is better) don’t rely on them too much. Learn to let go of both triggers and coast briefly when needed.
Try not to brake too much. Only when needed. Get in the habit of letting go of brakes to keep your control on flat ground. Otherwise you'll be all over the place. Harder to balance if you hold brake for too long.
The bike needs time to settle. Even for just an instant. Took me way too long to realize this. 😬 so remember to always make small adjustments when balancing on one wheel. Slow and steady wins the race.
When jumping or moving anywhere on flat ground after braking, release brake quickly and hold again to keep your front wheel low. Then tap gas once or twice to test your speed. (since you started at a standstill with low speed) Tap or hold throttle to accelerate. Once you reach the end of the ramp lean back for the bunny hop if it’s needed.
Back wheel bounces:
Its all about setting up for the right orientation in the air and timing the bunny hop as soon as you make contact with the ground. The angle you need is dependent on the objects and where you plan on sending the bike.
Try snapping forward from neutral (deadzone) position right as you land if the platform is more flat. If the bounce has a steep angle leaning back fully on impact is the right move.
Also it helps to dip the front wheel down (go neutral/deadzone and tap back) right before you snap the bunny hop or better yet add a forward back motion (squishy squashy) right before you land to get that extra height/distance.
Brake bounce:
Same concept as a regular bounce. Typically used at low speeds to get extra height, instead of distance. The quicker you hit brake as you land, the better.
Climbing or descending bw:
Take it slow and easy. Let go of brake quickly if you’re about to fall back too far. If you have to jump to a bw only ramp land so that you're leaned forward and brake + throttle blip like you would for a stationary. The other option is to land crouched and brake depending on how steep it is.
After the bounce, hold brake again briefly until the bike is stable. Again you want to lean forward but be ready to go to neutral position (let go of thumb stick) or release brake quickly to avoid falling too far back.
Constantly tap forward as you throttle and brake to stabilize. Once you feel in control start the bw climb but be mindful of the front tire! If you think you might fall forword pick the fw up high and brake to regain balance. You have to play around with brake/throttle until you have the right balance. Constantly let go of the thumb stick to keep your balance. Then you're ready to advance.
If there’s a 45 degree angle brake and go neutral then go full speed in neutral position up until the end of the ramp. Tap forward as needed. Useful for when you need all the speed you can for a jump.
Climbing a wall from flat ground bw only:
Brake climb to start and then very quickly let go of the gas and use throttle control so you don’t touch your front wheel. Hesitate right after the braking. The idea is to wait for the back wheel to make contact before you drive forward. Feather the throttle to build momentum. You can do this full speed too of course. It depends on how steep the wall is.
Stationary bunny hop:
When stationary bunny hopping be quick with brakes to get started but then hold the brake slightly longer to get the most out of the bounces. Start by coasting or slowly tapping gas forward on bw and brake as you lean back.
Just like with regular bw bounces, let the fw dip slightly in the air before landing. Hold brake a little longer if you're having problems. Timing has to be near perfect. It might help to hold brake and gas at the same time while in air.
Also take note of your position when you land each time. If you want to stay stationary your front wheel has to be somewhat forward. Concentrate more on your back wheel but keep the front wheel position in mind too. Again, You have to find the sweet spot.
Eventually you'll learn when you're off balance in the air and need to regain bike control. Then you'll be able to anticipate a fail. Recoveries are a crucial part of being a successful ninja
Use full range of motion from left to right to get the best hops. You should be holding brake just before you hit the ground. Also when you land u want to be either be leaning back or neutral position. Both work but leaning back will compress the springs more resulting in better hop height which is needed for brake bouncing over something tall like a bomb.
Start a bunny hop by coasting or driving forward while leaning back and braking briefly. That way you start with the springs loaded and it's easier to keep the bounces going.
Another way to do it is pop a wheelie slowly and without touching brakes throw your weight forward and back braking as you lean back. This method can be used effectively after a fender grab or when your spamming brake and gas leaned forward to stay in one spot.
Bw squishy squashy on a slope:
Start by popping a wheelie drive forward and let the bike fall. Time the bunny hop so that your front wheel doesn't touch the ground.
It is possible to do while hitting the ground on non bw obstacles. Remember it won't work without a little speed.
Feather the trigger as much as you can to make the transition easier. (That goes for Any climbing really)
It's important to make sure you have good contact with the ground before you start the bunny hop. It helps to be holding gas as soon as you let go of brake.
Be sure to let go of the brake completely before accelerating.
The goal is to get the front wheel as low to the ground or obstacle as possible without touching
Flat squishy:
Use full speed + standing forward position to start but then let go (move to deadzone) and tap as needed. Before you take off, quickly tap lean forward as you brake to help keep contact with the ground. Keep front wheel low, switch your stance to sitting, and time the bunny hop. Fap and brake with the trigger as needed. This is the intended method for inclines too but you need to lean forward more.
That’s all I got, people!
Pretty long winded post so if you bothered to read this far, thanks!
I hope this is helpful to some of my fellow trials riders out there. See you out on the tracks! Rising looks dope!
Lastly, I would like to thank Redlynx and all of the Trials community for making this never ending content that is a blast to play!
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