Keyes is the ninth campaign level in Halo: Combat Evolved. This level is famous for the Flood Bump skip, one of the most important speedrun tricks in the game.

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Flood Bump (Keyes Skip)

The Flood Bump on Keyes is THE defining speedrun trick for this level, allowing you to skip directly to the final cutscene in under 2 minutes.

How It Works

The Flood Bump exploits the physics of Flood Combat Forms reviving. When you stand on a Flood corpse that reanimates, the game pushes you out of the collision—and with the right positioning, this pushes you through doors or walls.

Step-by-Step Guide

1. Start the level and proceed to the first Flood encounter
2. Kill a Combat Form and note its position
3. Stand directly on top of the Flood corpse
4. Wait for it to reanimate (not all corpses revive—about 40% are "Revivers")
5. When it revives, the physics push you through the nearby geometry
6. With correct positioning, you skip directly to the Keyes cutscene room

Identifying Revivers

• Only some Flood Combat Forms will reanimate
• These are called "Revivers" in the speedrun community
• Watch for subtle movement in corpses
• Practice recognizing which corpses will revive

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Shield Bump

Similar to the Flood Bump but using other physics interactions.

How to Perform

1. Locate an enemy with a shield (Elite, Jackal)
2. Position yourself to be pushed by their shield
3. The physics can push you through geometry

Applications

• Alternative to Flood Bump in some scenarios
• Can be more consistent in certain setups
• Requires enemy manipulation

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Updated MCC Method

The Master Chief Collection version has slightly different timing.

MCC Differences

• Timing may be slightly different due to framerate
• Some positioning adjustments needed
• The core technique remains the same

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Traditional Route (No Skip)

If you can't execute the Flood Bump, here's the standard approach.

Key Points

• This level is extremely difficult on Legendary without skips
• The Shotgun is essential for Flood
• Keep moving—Flood spawn infinitely in many areas
• Memorize the path to Captain Keyes

Combat Tips

• Melee Infection Forms to save ammo
• Shotgun for Combat Forms
• Grenades for groups
• Don't fight what you don't have to

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Tips

• Practice the Flood Bump—it transforms this level
• MCC and Original Xbox have slightly different timing
• The skip makes Legendary much more manageable
• Without the skip, this is one of the hardest levels

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See Also

• General Techniques — Basic mechanics
• The Library — Another level where Flood Bump helps
• Two Betrayals — Previous level
• The Maw — Final level