- Mirror's Edge Catalyst controls are built around one core rule: a single "up" input handles almost every traversal action.
- L2/LT or left mouse triggers jumps, climbs, and wall-runs depending on context.
- L2 + Circle/B performs a kickslide to slip under obstacles and keep Momentum alive.
- Circle/B is your evade button — time it against enemy flashes to counter instantly.
- Remapping is limited on console, so learn the default layout before tweaking PC binds.
Core Movement Controls Overview
Mirror's Edge Catalyst maps nearly all of Faith's traversal to a context-sensitive "up" action plus directional input. Instead of memorizing a dozen buttons, you learn to read the environment: the same input that vaults a railing also starts a wall-run or mantles a ledge. The official EA game page describes this as the foundation of the game's fluid first-person parkour.
Video Highlights:
- Official E3 2015 trailer shows Faith chaining wall-runs and vaults with a single flow of input
- Demonstrates how Momentum carries through contextual actions without button switching
- Highlights the visual language of Runner Vision that guides your inputs mid-run
The table below summarizes the core traversal inputs on each platform:
| Action | PS4 | Xbox One | PC (Default) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jump / Climb / Vault | L2 | LT | Left Mouse Button |
| Kickslide (slide under) | L2 + Circle | LT + B | LMB + Ctrl |
| Quick Turn | R3 (click) | R3 (click) | C (default bind) |
| Mag Rope | R2 | RT | Right Mouse Button |
| Attack (light/heavy) | Square / Triangle | X / Y | E / Q |
| Evade | Circle | B | Ctrl |
| Runner Vision highlight | Automatic | Automatic | Automatic |
The jump button does different things based on speed and facing: standing still it climbs, sprinting at a wall it wall-rns, and at a ledge it mantles. Never release the left stick — directional input decides which variant fires.
Traversal Inputs in Detail
Each movement technique has a specific input combination, and most chain directly into one another as long as your Flow stays unbroken. Learning these transitions is what separates new runners from leaderboard chasers.
| Technique | Input | Best Use |
|---|---|---|
| Wall-run | Sprint at wall + Jump input | Crossing gaps along facades |
| Coil (tuck jump) | Jump input again mid-air near ledge | Clearing high ledges mid-run |
| Kickslide | Up input + Evade while sprinting | Sliding under low obstacles |
| 180 Quick Turn | Quick Turn button mid-run | Redirecting Momentum in chases |
| Balance beam | Automatic when on narrow edges | Walking rails and beams |
| Mag Rope swing | Aim + Rope button at swing point | Crossing large gaps in Anchor |
Wall-run Chains
- Sprint first, then jump into the wall
- Hold direction along the wall face
- Jump out at the apex to preserve speed
Coil Jumps
- Press jump again near a ledge mid-air
- Faith tucks her legs to clear height
- Essential for Time Trial star times
Kickslide Combos
- Slide under obstacles without stopping
- Chains directly into a vault or jump
- Faster than jumping low barriers
Stopping, bumping head-on into a wall, or dropping to street level breaks Flow. Plan two or three moves ahead — Runner Vision's red highlights show the intended line.
Combat Control Inputs
Faith never uses guns, so combat controls revolve around strikes launched from movement. Attacks scale with your speed: a hit delivered from a sprint, wall-run, or slide deals significantly more damage than one thrown from a standstill.
| Combat Action | PS4 | Xbox One | PC (Default) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Light attack | Square | X | E |
| Heavy attack | Triangle | Y | Q |
| Evade / Dodge | Circle | B | Ctrl |
| Focus attack (mid-movement) | Square while running at target | X while running | E while moving |
| Takedown prompt | Square on staggered/unaware enemy | X on staggered enemy | E on prompt |
When an enemy flashes, they are about to strike. A last-moment evade triggers a slow-motion window for an instant counter — this is the safest way to handle Sentinels and shielded K-Sec troops.
Step-by-Step: Build Muscle Memory
Internalize the Up Input
Spend your first hour only using the jump/climb button with full directional input. Practice in the Anchor district until vaults, mantles, and wall-runs fire without thinking about which button you pressed.
Add Kickslides and Coils
Layer in the kickslide (Up + Evade) under obstacles and the coil (jump again mid-air) over ledges. These two actions cover most Time Trial shortcuts.
Drill Combat Timing
Practice evading on the enemy flash in the early Prison Break encounters. Chain evade into a light attack counter, then exit the fight at full sprint.
Unlock Quick Turn
Purchase the Quick Turn traversal upgrade with Chipsets as soon as possible — it is the single most valuable control addition for chases and Dashes.
Run Time Trials
Use Time Trials and player-made Dashes to pressure-test your inputs. Leaderboard ghost replays show exactly where top runners press each button.
The early delivery missions in Anchor are low-pressure runs with varied obstacles — an ideal practice loop before attempting star-rated Time Trials.
PC Remapping Recommendations
PC players get the most flexibility. The default mouse-button scheme mirrors the console "up" trigger, but many runners adjust binds for comfort during long sessions.
| Bind | Default | Common Alternative | Why |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jump / Climb | Left Mouse | Spacebar | Spacebar feels natural for jump-focused games |
| Evade | Ctrl | Shift | Shift is easier to reach mid-stride |
| Heavy attack | Q | Right Mouse | Frees Mag Rope to a side button |
| Quick Turn | C | Mouse Button 4 | Instant access during chases |
Control Mastery Milestones:
- Perform 10 clean wall-run to coil chains
- Complete a mission without losing Flow for an extended period
- Land 5 evade-counter takedowns
- Earn 2 stars on any Time Trial
- Finish a Dash using Quick Turn at least twice
A controller works fully on PC and matches the console layout exactly. If you learned on PlayStation or Xbox, there is no penalty for keeping the pad — most top Time Trial runners on the community subreddit play with a controller.
Controls FAQ
Q: Can you remap controls in Mirror's Edge Catalyst on console?
Console versions offer only limited remapping options, so most players learn the default layout. PC players can freely rebind every action through the settings menu or Steam Input.
Q: How do the Mirror's Edge Catalyst controls handle jumps versus climbs?
There is no separate climb button. A single context-sensitive input (L2/LT or left mouse) triggers a jump, climb, vault, or wall-run depending on your speed, facing, and nearby geometry.
Q: What is the best control setup for Time Trials?
Keep the default traversal binds, unlock the Quick Turn upgrade early, and on PC consider binding Quick Turn to a mouse side button so you can redirect mid-run without moving your left hand.
Q: How do I perform a kickslide?
Hold the jump/climb input together with the evade button (L2 + Circle, LT + B, or left mouse + Ctrl on PC) while sprinting. Faith slides under the obstacle and can chain straight into a vault or jump.