High Energy Pellet

A High Energy Pellet in Portal

“

While safety is one of many Enrichment Center goals, the Aperture Science High Energy Pellet, seen to the left of the chamber, can and has caused permanent disabilities such as vaporization. Click to listen — GLaDOS

”

The High Energy Pellet is a puzzle mechanic introduced in Portal. It is a fast moving energy ball, fired by an emitter built into a Test Chamber surface and usually accompanied by a receptacle that catches it. Players direct the ball into the receptacle in order to activate lifts or devices before it dissipates and explodes. The ball is extremely volatile, and as such instantly vaporizes Chell on contact. Turrets, however, will be knocked over by it. The High Energy Pellet emitter makes a cameo in Chamber 7 of Portal 2, being lifted out and being replaced by a Thermal Discouragement Beam emitter.

Portal

The High Energy Pellet was a common puzzle mechanic in Portal. Appearing first in Portal Test Chamber 06, it reappeared in Test Chamber 07, Test Chamber 08, Test Chamber 11, Test Chamber 13, Test Chamber 14, Test Chamber 15, Test Chamber 17, Test Chamber 18, and Test Chamber 19. Test Chamber 19 features two versions of the High Energy Pellet, the standard yellow High Energy Pellet as well as a green High Energy Pellet. As the green one does not dissipate and explode, it is sometimes colloquially known as the Super High Energy Pellet.

Portal 2

The High Energy Pellet does not make an appearance in Portal 2; however, it's emitter and receptacle do. These appear in Chamber 7 of Portal 2, which is identical to Test Chamber 06 of Portal (albeit run down and degraded). However, this similarity is removed when GLaDOS replaces the items with those of the Thermal Discouragement Beam.

Gallery

High Energy Pellet

The High Energy Pellet in Portal.   High Energy Pellet launcher.   High Energy Pellet catcher.   The alternative version of the High Energy Pellet as seen in Portal test chamber 19.   An Energy Pellet launcher and catcher in Portal 2's Chamber 7.   Artwork found in the Portal 2 ARG, of a destroyed Energy Pellet launcher.   A High Energy Pellet about to hit a Test Subject on an Aperture Science propaganda poster, titled "Courage is Not the Absence of Fear".

Trivia

• The Energy Pellet uses the Combine Energy Ball model from the Half-Life series.
• The Pellet "refreshes" every time it passes through linked portals, meaning the player could keep the ball bouncing until they've discovered the solution to the current chamber.