E2M2: The Lava Pits (Heretic + Hexen)
From DoomWiki.org
| Heretic re-release maps |
|---|
| The City of the Damned |
| The Dome of D'Sparil |
| The Ossuary |
| The Stagnant Demesne |
| Fate's Path (deathmatch only levels) |
| This level has an original version |
E2M2: The Lava Pits is the second map of the Hell's Maw episode in the enhanced Heretic: Shadow of the Serpent Riders re-release, included with Heretic + Hexen. It uses the music track "Atlas" by Kevin Schilder.
Contents
Walkthrough[edit]
_E2M2_map.png)
Essentials[edit]
Step forward to lower the wall ahead, revealing a magma pit with a number of rock islands, as well as some gargoyles and one or two sabreclaws. You can only safely stand on the orange-colored islands, as the brown islands that have the ethereal crossbow and crystal vials on them will sink into the magma when you step on them. Go through either opening at the east end of the pit to enter the neighboring cavern, which has a magma river running through it, then collect the yellow key between the triangular platforms at the west end of the river.
Go back to the pit and pass through the northern opening to enter a gray room, open either of the yellow doors to face some sabreclaws then go up the stairs and press the switch at the top to raise another staircase. Climb this staircase and go through the door that opens at the top, noting some gargoyles that are released behind you, then go east past a green door and follow the tunnel to a wooden room. Open the east door in this room and kill some waiting gargoyles, press the switch behind them then enter the teleporter that opens behind you to go to the north-west area of the map. Kill any golems approaching from the building ahead then go inside it to get the green key; two undead warrior ghosts and Gauntlets of the Necromancer will rise from the floor as you approach the item.
Go back to the green door you passed earlier and open it to face some gargoyles, then press the switch in the south-west corner to open the lava column in the middle of the room and reveal the exit teleporter underneath it.
Other points of interest[edit]
The triangular platforms on either side of the yellow key will carry you up to a ledge above with a Tome of Power, a quartz flask and crystal vials. More flasks and vials are provided on yellowbellies-r-us skill level or lower.
At the east end of the magma river is a hole with one or two sabreclaws guarding various items, including a Wings of Wrath. Taking the items will lower the outer walls to reveal gargoyles. You can open the north-west wall to find a hidden teleporter to the top of the river.
Secrets[edit]
Official[edit]
- Ride the platforms on either side of the yellow key up to the ledge above, then step off the west side to open a chamber to the west with one or two crystal vials and a shadowsphere. (sector 127) Approaching the shadowsphere releases a disciple of D'Sparil behind you.
- Go east from the green door and follow the tunnel to a wood and stone room. Open the eagle insignia in the north-west corner to find disciples guarding a hellstaff and lesser runes. (sector 25)
- From the stone room mentioned in secret #2, continue east down some steps to a room overlooking the magma river. Open the blue banner wall in the north-east corner to find a Tome of Power. (sector 48) Entering the secret will open a chamber behind it containing a disciple and a quiver of ethereal arrows, and going into that chamber will open a third chamber with another disciple and a Morph Ovum.
- Pressing the switch to reveal the exit will also open a wall in the south-east corner of the room. Pass through the wall to enter a room with several square columns, then walk round the columns to find a Bag of Holding. (sector 18) Watch out for some of the columns lowering to reveal weredragons as you reach the south end of the room.
- After entering secret #4, go to the lava pool south of the green key building. The wall at the south end of the pool has lowered to reveal a cavern with an iron lich guarding an enchanted shield and a mystic urn. (sector 140) Depending on skill level you may also find crystal vials, claw orbs, or ethereal arrows.
Non-official[edit]
- Open the south wall of the column room past secret #4 to find a teleporter to the top of the magma river.
Bugs[edit]
Demo files[edit]
Comparison of versions[edit]
Room design[edit]
- Additional sectors were added throughout the level to create more realistic lighting.
- The caves at the south end of the map have additional walls, possibly to give them a more natural appearance.
- A hidden teleporter was added to the chamber at the east end of the magma river.
- A red arrow symbol was added to the ceiling of the chamber north of the magma pit.
- A teleporter was added to the room containing the switch that opens the green key building, which goes to that location.
Texture changes[edit]
- Lava wall textures were added in various parts of the level, including the magma pit and the stairs leading outside.
- The staircase area between the magma pit and the northern end of the level was retextured with gray brick walls.
- The entire northern half of the level was changed from stone floors to dirt.
- Iron walls were added to the outdoor area at the north end of the map.
- The green key door uses an exit door texture instead of stone, to make it more obvious.
- Wooden supports were added to the room south-east of the exit.
Thing placement[edit]
- The green key gizmos were set to appear on all skill levels, correcting a design error in the original level where they only appeared on bringest them oneth.
- Hanging skulls and barrels were added to the wood and stone room.
- The two wall torches in the exit room were removed.
- Comparison of maps
E2M2 (original)
E2M2 (Heretic + Hexen)
Areas / screenshots[edit]
Speedrunning[edit]
Routes and tricks[edit]
Current records[edit]
The records for the map at the Doom Speed Demo Archive are:
| Run | Time | Player | Date | File | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SM speed | |||||
| SM max | |||||
| BP speed | |||||
| BP max | |||||
| NM speed | |||||
| NM 100S | |||||
| Tyson | |||||
| Pacifist |
The (absence of) data was last verified in its entirety on August 10, 2025.
Deathmatch[edit]
Player spawns[edit]
This level contains four spawn points:
- facing east. (thing 4)
- facing south. (thing 5)
- facing north-west. (thing 6)
- facing west. (thing 7)
Statistics[edit]
Map data[edit]
| Things | 392 |
| Vertices | 1486* |
| Linedefs | 1516 |
| Sidedefs | 2207 |
| Sectors | 243 |
Things[edit]
This level contains the following numbers of things per skill level:
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