What is a "Three-Dimensional Maneuver"?


Many times in _Attack on Titan_ , the various soldiers mention something
called "three-dimensional maneuvering", which appears to be an effective
strategy for the battles with the Titans. At the end of chapter 3, there is a
"rough explanation" about it:

![enter image description here](https://i.stack.imgur.com/F3YCc.jpg)

However, it doesn't really explain what three-dimensional maneuvering _is_ ,
and the manga doesn't seem to show very well what the soldiers are doing when
they perform these maneuvers. Logic would dictate that a three-dimensional
maneuver can be any maneuver since movement in the real world is in three
dimensions. However, this term seems to mean something specific.

What is a "three-dimensional maneuver", and how is it special or effective
against the Titans?




According to what is shown in **Episode 3** , Three-Dimensional Maneuvering is
indeed being able to move in all three axes. We, normally, are able to move
two-dimensionally, meaning that we move along a horizontal plane. The gear
introduces a vertical axis, making it possible for humans to move to a desired
height as well.

[![Three-Dimensional Maneuvering
Gear](https://i.stack.imgur.com/iDNpN.jpg)](https://i.stack.imgur.com/iDNpN.jpg)

As to the advantages it might provide in fighting Titans, besides the ones
[Rinzwind says in his
answer](https://anime.stackexchange.com/questions/3321/what-is-a-three-
dimensional-maneuver/3322#3322) (avoid falling rubble and the like; and also,
to make people move a lot faster), I guess the most evident one would be the
fact that people do not need to fight at a height that only reaches a Titan's
feet or legs and being able to rise enough to be able to attack them where it
might do some actual damage. From the **Attacks on Titan** episodes I've seen
so far (3 episodes), humans always go for the neck, meaning that this gear
allows them to strike on more (presumably) vulnerable spots.




According to what is shown in **Episode 3** , Three-Dimensional Maneuvering is
indeed being able to move in all three axes. We, normally, are able to move
two-dimensionally, meaning that we move along a horizontal plane. The gear
introduces a vertical axis, making it possible for humans to move to a desired
height as well.

[![Three-Dimensional Maneuvering
Gear](https://i.stack.imgur.com/iDNpN.jpg)](https://i.stack.imgur.com/iDNpN.jpg)

As to the advantages it might provide in fighting Titans, besides the ones
[Rinzwind says in his
answer](https://anime.stackexchange.com/questions/3321/what-is-a-three-
dimensional-maneuver/3322#3322) (avoid falling rubble and the like; and also,
to make people move a lot faster), I guess the most evident one would be the
fact that people do not need to fight at a height that only reaches a Titan's
feet or legs and being able to rise enough to be able to attack them where it
might do some actual damage. From the **Attacks on Titan** episodes I've seen
so far (3 episodes), humans always go for the neck, meaning that this gear
allows them to strike on more (presumably) vulnerable spots.

