Valor Mortis Guide | All Traversal Abilities and How to Unlock Them

Exploration plays an important role in Valor Mortis, with interconnected environments, hidden passages, and environmental puzzles that require more than conventional movement. As William progresses through the campaign, he gradually unlocks supernatural traversal abilities that allow him to cross large gaps, manipulate structures, and reach previously inaccessible locations.

There are two dedicated traversal abilities in Valor Mortis: Nephtoglobin Grapple and Nephtoglobin Platform Control. Both are unlocked through main story progression and are essential for navigating certain environments, discovering shortcuts, and collecting hidden rewards.

This guide covers all traversal abilities in Valor Mortis, including their unlock locations, how to obtain them, and the best ways to use them during exploration.

All Traversal Abilities in Valor Mortis

Unlike combat Transmutations, traversal abilities focus on environmental movement and exploration rather than directly damaging enemies.

The two traversal abilities are:

• Nephtoglobin Grapple: Unlocked during Chapter 3, allowing William to grapple toward designated points, wall-run along certain surfaces, and access elevated locations.
• Nephtoglobin Platform Control: Unlocked during Chapter 5, allowing William to manipulate specific platforms, walls, and structures to create new traversal routes.

Both abilities are acquired through the main campaign and cannot be permanently missed. They also work together, making certain previously inaccessible areas reachable once both have been unlocked. 

How to Unlock All Traversal Abilities in Valor Mortis

Nephtoglobin Grapple

Location: Fallen Village, Orchard

Chapter: Chapter 3 – Rendezvous

Ability Type: Traversal

Nephtoglobin Grapple is the first dedicated traversal ability players unlock in Valor Mortis. It becomes available during Chapter 3, after defeating the Iron Marshall in Fallen Village.

To unlock Nephtoglobin Grapple:

• Progress through Chapter 3 until reaching the Orchard section of Fallen Village.
• Continue following the main route until encountering the Iron Marshall.
• Defeat the boss to gain access to the area beyond the encounter.
• Locate the infected corpse inside the damaged structure near the boss arena.
• Interact with the corpse to obtain Nephtoglobin Grapple.

Once unlocked, the ability allows William to attach himself to designated blue Nephtoglobin anchor points and propel himself across gaps.

It also enables wall-running along compatible blue Nephtoglobin-covered surfaces, significantly expanding the number of locations players can explore.

Previously inaccessible platforms, elevated passages, and certain hidden routes become reachable after obtaining Grapple. 

How to Use Nephtoglobin Grapple

Grappling is particularly useful for crossing large gaps and reaching elevated structures.

To use the ability effectively:

• Look for glowing blue Nephtoglobin anchor points throughout the environment.
• Approach an anchor point until it becomes available for interaction.
• Use the assigned traversal input to grapple toward the target.
• Maintain your movement through connected grapple points or wall-running sections.
• Look for nearby ledges and platforms to complete the traversal sequence.

Certain areas also contain Nephtoglobin Blossoms that can be manipulated using Grapple, revealing new pathways and previously blocked passages.

After unlocking this ability, revisit earlier chapters containing blue environmental markers, as some optional exploration routes become accessible.

Nephtoglobin Platform Control

Location: Ship Graveyard

Chapter: Chapter 5 – Crime

Ability Type: Traversal and Environmental Manipulation

Nephtoglobin Platform Control is the second dedicated traversal ability in Valor Mortis. It becomes available during Chapter 5 while exploring the Ship Graveyard.

Unlike Grapple, which primarily focuses on moving between fixed anchor points, Platform Control allows William to manipulate certain structures and create new routes through the environment.

To unlock Nephtoglobin Platform Control:

• Progress through Chapter 5 until reaching the Ship Graveyard.
• Locate and activate the Ship Graveyard Lantern.
• Continue along the main path beyond the checkpoint.
• Follow the route until reaching an infected corpse.
• Interact with the corpse to unlock Nephtoglobin Platform Control.

Once unlocked, the ability allows William to manipulate specific Nephtoglobin-covered structures, including extending platforms, repositioning blue walls, and activating poles used for traversal.

Platform Control becomes particularly valuable when combined with Grapple, allowing players to cross more complicated environmental obstacles and reach hidden areas. 

How to Use the Nephtoglobin Platform Control

Platform Control allows players to interact with designated environmental structures that cannot be moved through conventional means.

To use the ability:

• Look for blue Nephtoglobin-covered structures or movable environmental objects.
• Approach the designated interaction point.
• Activate Platform Control using the prompted input.
• Wait for the structure to move or extend into position.
• Use the newly accessible platform, wall, or pole to continue exploring.

Some environmental puzzles require both traversal abilities. For example, you may need to extend a platform using Platform Control before grappling toward a nearby anchor point.

Pay close attention to environmental objects positioned around gaps or elevated pathways, as they often indicate where these abilities should be used together.

How to Combine Traversal Abilities

Although Grapple and Platform Control serve different purposes, combining them is essential for navigating more complicated sections of Valor Mortis.

Grapple provides mobility, while Platform Control changes the environment to make previously inaccessible routes possible.

When approaching a difficult traversal section, use the following strategy:

• Identify grapple points: Look for glowing blue anchors that indicate where William can travel.
• Search for movable structures: Check whether nearby platforms or walls can be manipulated.
• Activate Platform Control first: Reposition the necessary structures before attempting the crossing.
• Use Grapple to cross: Connect movements between available anchor points and platforms.
• Check surrounding areas: Hidden passages or collectibles may be located away from the main route.

Understanding how these abilities complement each other makes exploration considerably easier, especially in areas containing multiple environmental puzzles.

Best Areas to Revisit After Unlocking Traversal Abilities

Some locations in Valor Mortis cannot be fully explored during their initial visit. Certain pathways require abilities obtained later in the campaign, encouraging players to revisit earlier areas.

After unlocking Grapple, consider returning to the Valley of Ashes, particularly the Quarry section. Additional grapple routes become accessible, leading to optional resources and upgrade materials.

Once Platform Control becomes available, previously inaccessible routes requiring movable structures can also be explored.

Revisiting earlier locations may reward players with:

• Additional weapon upgrade materials.
• Hidden chests containing valuable resources.
• Ambers are used to improve character builds.
• Previously inaccessible shortcuts.
• Optional enemy encounters and collectible rewards.

Exploring earlier areas after obtaining both abilities is particularly useful for players attempting to collect everything before completing the campaign. 

Can You Miss Traversal Abilities in Valor Mortis?

Neither Nephtoglobin Grapple nor Nephtoglobin Platform Control is permanently missable.

Both abilities are acquired during mandatory story progression, meaning players do not need to complete optional quests or locate hidden collectibles to obtain them.

However, certain areas requiring these abilities can be encountered before they become available.

If you discover a seemingly unreachable platform, a blue grapple point, or a structure that cannot be manipulated, you may need to return after progressing further through the story.

Rather than repeatedly attempting an inaccessible route, continue through the main campaign until the required ability becomes available.

Final Thoughts

Valor Mortis features two dedicated traversal abilities, Nephtoglobin Grapple and Nephtoglobin Platform Control, both essential for navigating its interconnected environments.

Grapple allows William to cross gaps, reach elevated locations, and perform wall-running movements, while Platform Control provides the ability to manipulate structures and create new exploration routes.

Since both abilities are unlocked through mandatory story progression, obtaining them is straightforward. However, learning how to combine them and revisiting earlier areas will help you discover hidden rewards, shortcuts, and additional exploration opportunities.

FAQ

Q. How many traversal abilities are there in Valor Mortis?

A. There are two dedicated traversal abilities in Valor Mortis: Nephtoglobin Grapple and Nephtoglobin Platform Control.

Q. How do you unlock Grapple in Valor Mortis?

A. Nephtoglobin Grapple is unlocked during Chapter 3 after defeating the Iron Marshall in Fallen Village. Interact with the infected corpse beyond the boss encounter to obtain the ability.

Q. How do you unlock Platform Control in Valor Mortis?

A. Platform Control is unlocked during Chapter 5 in the Ship Graveyard. Activate the Ship Graveyard Lantern and follow the main path to the infected corpse containing the ability.

Q. Can you miss traversal abilities in Valor Mortis?

A. No. Both traversal abilities are obtained through mandatory story progression, so neither can be permanently missed.