Tomb Wader is one of the most iconic and challenging levels in Crash Bandicoot: Warped. Found in the third warp room, this Egyptian-themed stage is filled with deadly traps, crumbling platforms, water hazards, and a variety of enemies. For players aiming for 100% completion, collecting all the boxes in Tomb Wader becomes a thrilling yet sometimes frustrating endeavor. Knowing where to find every box is key not just for the gem, but for that satisfying feeling of total mastery. Understanding the route and mechanics of the level is essential to break all the boxes successfully and earn that coveted clear gem.
Understanding the Layout of Tomb Wader
Overview of the Stage
Tomb Wader is a horizontal 2D side-scrolling level set in an ancient Egyptian tomb. Unlike other levels that allow more free movement, this one restricts you to a mostly left-to-right path with occasional top-down navigation. It’s also known for its rising water mechanic periodic floods that make certain areas impassable unless timed correctly. The level is medium in length, but packed with timing challenges, jump precision, and cleverly hidden boxes.
Key Mechanics to Master
- Rising water: Wait for the water to lower before progressing through flooded sections or risk drowning.
- Nitro crates: Don’t touch them detonate them with the green exclamation box near the end.
- Metal crates: Use TNT or slide-jumps to reach or activate these carefully.
- Bonus stage: This side area holds many boxes and must be completed without dying to count.
Tips Before You Start
Use the Right Character
You can choose between Crash or Coco, but Tomb Wader is a Crash-only level. His moveset especially the belly flop and slide jump is essential for collecting certain boxes, particularly in hard-to-reach areas or over dangerous gaps.
Death Route Not Required
Tomb Wader doesn’t have a death route, so you don’t need to make it through without dying. However, to get all the boxes, you still need to finish the level in one go. If you miss a box and finish the level, you’ll need to replay it from the beginning.
Take Your Time
Because water rises and falls in many sections, patience is key. Rushing often leads to drowning or missing boxes that only become accessible when the tide is low.
Box Breakdown by Section
First Area (Entrance to First Flood)
- 3 normal crates at the beginning, easy to hit with spins or jumps.
- 1 crate above a pillar that requires a slide-jump or belly flop from a height.
- 2 crates positioned near rolling stones wait for the stones to pass before smashing them.
Second Area (Flooded Corridor)
This section features water that rises and falls in intervals. Time your jumps carefully to reach crates suspended above or partially submerged.
- 5 crates along a narrow path, one of which is an Aku Aku mask crate.
- Be careful not to break TNT too early or you’ll miss the stack underneath it.
Third Area (Spiked Pillars and Gators)
Here you’ll encounter dangerous gators and retracting pillars. Some crates are placed in risky spots between them.
- 1 box floating above a spinning blade use precise timing to jump safely.
- 3 boxes grouped above retracting platforms; you’ll need to jump quickly when they’re stable.
Bonus Stage
The bonus stage is essential for 100% completion. Entering it opens a separate room filled with tricky jumps and crate arrangements. The best part: you can retry it without penalty if you die.
- Contains 18 crates total.
- Several are stacked with TNT crates detonate carefully so you don’t lose any.
- Use slide-jumps to reach elevated rows of boxes that are otherwise inaccessible.
Post-Bonus Section
Back in the main level, things get tougher. Expect more hazards and boxes placed just out of direct view.
- Look for a crate hidden behind a statue near a sliding blade trap.
- A jump pad leads to an upper platform with 2 crates easy to miss if you’re not watching the ceiling.
- 1 crate located directly above a water hazard, only reachable when the tide is low.
Final Stretch (Green Exclamation Box and Exit)
This is where you can trigger the nitro detonator, which destroys all green crates you’ve passed. If you’ve touched any nitro boxes earlier, they would have exploded and cost you a life so avoid them.
- Hit the green exclamation box to destroy 12 nitro crates scattered throughout the level.
- 1 final crate just before the exit warp. It’s easy to overlook don’t rush!
Final Box Count and Completion
Total Boxes in Tomb Wader
- Standard crates: 49
- Nitro crates: 12 (detonated automatically with the green box)
- Bonus stage crates: 18
- Total: 79 boxes
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Skipping the bonus stage this alone holds nearly a quarter of all the level’s boxes.
- Missing crates hidden behind walls or objects like statues.
- Forgetting to trigger the green exclamation box before exiting.
Strategies for 100% Completion
Memorize Box Locations
After one or two playthroughs, you’ll start remembering where boxes are. Make mental notes of tricky spots, like crates hidden behind objects or ones that only appear when the water level drops.
Use Aku Aku Masks Strategically
These protective masks can absorb damage and help you survive traps. If you can carry one into the later areas of the level, you’ll have an easier time dealing with the gators and spinning traps.
Don’t Rush
Especially in flooded sections, waiting for the right moment to jump can make all the difference. Rushing might lead to missed boxes or unnecessary deaths, forcing you to restart.
Collecting all boxes in Tomb Wader requires sharp reflexes, patience, and a thorough understanding of the level layout. With 79 boxes total including those in the bonus stage and nitro crates this level is a true test for players aiming for full completion. Mastering the rising water mechanic, spotting hidden crates, and executing precise jumps will eventually lead you to success. Once you break every box and earn that clear gem, you’ll know you’ve conquered one of Crash Bandicoot: Warped’s most memorable and demanding stages.