Skill

In Lemmings games, skills (known as abilities in Lemmings (PS3)) are the actions a Lemming can perform in order to reach their goal in levels. Some skills are affected by Tribe. Skills are succeeded by Instructions in Lemmings: The Puzzle Adventure.

Function[]

Skills that can be assigned are accessed from within the Ability Panel. It shows the number of times each skill can be assigned to a Lemming. A skill is assigned to a Lemming by selecting the skill and confirming it while pointing the crosshair at the Lemming. When a skill is assigned to a Lemming successfully, one copy of the skill is depleted unless the use is denied (for example, if the Lemming is already performing a behavior associated with that skill).

In The Lemmings Chronicles, the five skills are available to be used by all Lemmings any number of times. In Lemmings (PS3), Collectibles are objects that add one copy of a skill to the Ability Panel.

Properties[]

Skills performed by Lemmings have various impacts on aspects of the level. Some skills remove destructible terrain from the level's layout, turning it into empty space for Lemmings to walk or fall through. Some skills add new terrain to the level's layout, keeping Lemmings contained or allowing them to reach new areas safely. Some skills change a Lemming's movement behavior, often focusing on what it does in specific circumstances.

Skills have different durations as well. Some last for as long as suitable conditions are present in the area the Lemming is adjacent to. Others are only applied for a certain time before stopping, and have a defined impact on the surrounding area. Still others permanently alter the Lemming's state.

Most skills are performed by a Lemming immediately after they are confirmed, and require no further interaction. However, some have more particular setup behaviors. For example, the movement paths of certain skills in Lemmings 2: The Tribes are controlled using the Fan. Other skills require a second click following the first (confirming the action), being dependent on the crosshair's position to determine the physical direction their action will be performed in.

Skill categories[]

While not officially present in-game, the manual of Lemmings 2: The Tribes sorts skills into categories based on factors such as what they do and how they are controlled.

Wind Skills - These skills are controlled by the Fan.
Ground Removing Skills - These skills replace terrain with empty space.
Building Skills - These skills add terrain to the level layout.
Shooting Skills - These skills are to be aimed by the player and fired using a second click after assigning them.
Movement Skills - These skills alter Lemmings' movement behaviors.
Misc Skills - These skills are not given a more specific category by the manual.