Thermal Discouragement Beam



The Thermal Discouragement Beam (referred to as the "deadly laser" by GLaDOS,) is a Test Chamber mechanic introduced in Portal 2.

The Beam is fired in a straight line from an immovable device built into the wall or ceiling of a Test Chamber. Each Beam is usually coupled with one Receptacle, though multiple Beams and/or multiple Receptacles may be present within a single Test Chamber. Directing the Beam into the Receptacle will activate certain mechanics that are crucial in reaching the chamber exit. The Beam can also be used in conjunction with Relays, which are small nodes built into the floor of some Test Chambers. Relays are activated when the Thermal Discouragement Beam passes through them, and multiple Relays must often be activated using a single Beam. Once all Relays are activated, specific Test Chamber mechanics will be triggered, similarly to the activation of a Receptacle.

Touching the beam while on the ground will make a “sizzle” sound and push the player away, as well as deal a small amount of damage. Prolonged, repeated exposure to the Beam will result in death.

Chamberlock video
The Thermal Discouragement Beam as it appears in Chamberlock informational videos.

Demonstration
A beta demonstration featuring the Discouragement Redirection Cube.