Ability Panel

The Ability Panel (referred to as the icon panel in most instruction manuals for Lemmings, and as the icon bar in the Help contents of the Windows 9x version) is the interface through which a player selects functions to use during a level in most games of the Lemmings series. It contains the buttons corresponding to each skill available in the level, as well as other functions that can be used in every level.

Layout

Lemmings

In most ports of the original Lemmings game, the Icon Panel appears below the row of text containing level information. The Icon Panel includes the following functions, from left to right:

• Decrease release rate
• Increase release rate
• Climber
• Floater
• Exploder or Bomber
• Blocker
• Builder
• Basher
• Miner
• Digger
• "Paws" (pauses the game)
• Nuke or Armageddon

Each of the eight skill buttons displays the number of times that skill can be used in the level. The number above the decrease release rate button indicates the level's minimum release rate, while the number above the increase release rate button indicates the value of the current release rate. Some ports combine the decrease and increase release rate buttons into a single icon, the number above which indicates the value of the current release rate. Ports with small maximum Lemming counts don't include the release rate buttons at all.

Some ports additionally include the Fast Forward function, which is placed between Paws and Nuke. In the Windows 9x version of Lemmings, the Icon Bar can be docked to the bottom of the game window or detached to occupy a separate part of the screen. It can also have its placement swapped with the Map. However, playing another level can cause the Icon Bar to detach on its own; attempting to reattach it can crash the game.

Lemmings 2: The Tribes

In Lemmings 2: The Tribes, eight large slots are used corresponding to the skills present in the level. There are eight of these slots regardless of whether the level allows eight distinct skills. Next to these, smaller buttons for the Fan, Paws, Fast Forward, and Nuke functions can be found at the right.

3D Lemmings

In 3D Lemmings, the skill icons are placed at the bottom of the screen. The Turner skill button is between Blocker and Builder. The Virtual Lemming buttons appear to the left of Climber. All other functions are placed at the top right corner.

Lemmings Revolution

In Lemmings Revolution, the icons corresponding to game functions are placed at the left side. The skill icons, Fast Forward, and Nuke are arranged like they are in Lemmings, but other icons are absent due to being adjustable elsewhere. In particular, each Entrance portal can have its release rate adjusted, while the game can be paused by pressing the Esc key.

Lemmings (PS3)

In Lemmings (PS3), the Ability Panel integrates information about the level into its layout in addition to the icons. The number of Lemmings on the loose is placed at its left, and below this number there is a fraction denoting the number of Lemmings saved over how many must be saved. The time left for the level is on the right end.

The Ability Panel is scrolled horizontally by pressing the L1 and R1 buttons, with a yellow circle indicating the selected function. The release rate buttons are placed to the left of the skill buttons in this game, while buttons for Nuke, Fast Forward, and pausing the game are absent since they can be accessed using the controller's buttons.

Lemmings Tribes

In Lemmings Tribes, eight slots are used corresponding to the skills present in the level, much like Lemmings 2. Artwork of the currently selected skill appears to the left of the eight slots. All other functions are accessed through the pause menu, so they are not included in the Ability Panel.

Lemmings Touch

Lemmings Touch replaces the Ability Panel with the Skill Cloud.

Function

When a button on the Ability Panel or Icon Panel is selected, it remains selected indefinitely. If a skill button is selected, the cursor is ready to apply that skill to a Lemming. A release rate button must be held in order to slide the value of the release rate. The Nuke button must be pressed twice in quick succession to be activated.

In the original game, the Paws and Fast Forward buttons perform their functions indefinitely once selected, until a part of the Game Screen is interacted with. In Lemmings 2: The Tribes, selecting any other button causes them to stop.

In Lemmings (PS3), the Cross button must be held down while a release rate button is selected to use it.