[02-04-14] Water

Learn how to navigate Duke Nukem 3D's water levels, including movement, weapon changes underwater, and enemy behavior. Avoid drowning and master submerged combat.

Water is a common element in Duke Nukem 3D, often requiring you to submerge to progress. You can remain "afloat" with full capabilities initially. The screen tint changes to blue when you enter water. To leap out onto nearby surfaces, use the jump key while wading. Use the crouch key to dive underwater, granting you full range of motion.

While underwater, you can use all your weapons, though some function slightly differently. The primary danger is taking damage from prolonged submersion, which can be prevented by surfacing or using Scuba Gear. Drowning is possible, so monitor your health. Enemies do not take damage from staying underwater too long.

Underwater movement offers complete freedom: up, down, left, and right, as long as you are within the water volume.

Weapon and Item Functionality Changes Underwater:

• Pipebomb: Falls slower when thrown.
• RPG Missile: Slows down underwater.
• Devastator Missile: Slows down underwater.
• Laser Trip Bomb: Laser appears green instead of red.
• Bullet Casings (Chaingun, Shotgun, Pistol): Fall slower.
• Holoduke: Appears "half-in, half-out" when used at the surface or dropped above water. Underwater, it appears to be swimming.
• Jetpack: Can be activated underwater but is unnecessary due to full movement range. You cannot enter water while the Jetpack is active.

Enemy Behavior Underwater:

• Troopers, Captains, Sharks, Octabrains: Have full range of motion underwater.
• Pig Cops, Pig Tanks: Can fall into water but remain on the surface and cannot submerge.
• Enforcer: Can submerge and walks on the bottom, retaining its land jump height.
• Alien Drones: Walk on the bottom and can jump higher than on land.
• Protoziod Slimers: Can fall into water, move along the ground, and latch to the water's surface when transferring to a ceiling.

Enemies not listed cannot naturally go underwater and are assumed to behave normally if placed in water via map editing. Enemies that can submerge cannot exit the water on their own.

In some instances, you can swim in acid pools. You will not take acid damage while submerged in acid water, but you can still drown, which is unusual given that walking on acid still causes damage.