Merit Badges are hexagon shaped badges which allow the use of psychic abilities by the owner, and are given to Razputin in Psychonauts and Psychonauts 2 by various mentors. Not all psychic abilities require the acquisition of a merit badge (or even have merit badges), such as telepathy or mind reading.
Psychonauts[]

Raz's backpack.
Merit Badges can be bound to keys and then by pressing the key Raz can do various activities, some of which are required to finish levels. Some Merit Badges are acquired by ranking up via finding PSI Challenge Markers in the world or making some using the machine. Rank up enough and Raz will get the gift of Pyrokinesis, Telekinesis, and Invisibility. Other Merit Badges are given to him by a staff members once he completes the courses in their mind. These are Basic Braining given by Coach Oleander, Marksmanship given by Sasha Nein, and Levitation given by Milla Vodello. The others Raz obtains while in the minds of Linda, Boyd and Edgar, as a way to get past certain obstacles. These are Shield given by the freedom fighters, Clairvoyance given by Boyd Cooper, and Confusion given by Dingo inflagrante.
There are 8 total badges to collect:
Badge Name | Effect | Badge |
---|---|---|
Marksmanship | Also known as PSI-Blast. It shoots a psychic beam at enemies and requires ammo at lower levels. PSI-Blast will chain to hit three targets at level 40. It chains to hit six targets at level 70. It does not require ammo at level 95. | ![]() The Marksmanship merit badge. |
Levitation | Summons a ball of psychic energy that Razputin can ride, jump, and float with. The levitation ball can deal damage at high speeds at level 50 and can deal damage at low speeds at level 75. | ![]() The Levitation merit badge. |
Pyrokinesis | Unlocked at level 10. Lets Raz set certain objects and enemies on fire. Pyrokinesis range increases at level 45. | ![]() The Pyrokinesis merit badge. |
Telekinesis | Unlocked at level 20. Lets Raz move certain objects or enemies. Telekinesis range increases at level 65. | ![]() The Telekinesis merit badge. |
Invisibility | Unlocked at level 30. Turns Raz invisible for a small amount of time. Invisibility lasts twice as long at level 60. | ![]() The Invisibility merit badge. |
Shield | Protects Raz from attacks and can bounce back some attacks. The shield knocks back enemies that attempt melee attacks at level 55. The shield damages enemies it knocks back at level 80. | ![]() The Shield merit badge. |
Clairvoyance | Lets Raz see through the minds of others. | ![]() The Clairvoyance merit badge. |
Confusion | Makes enemies turn on their allies. Confusion duration doubles at level 85. It does not require ammo at level 95. | ![]() The Confusion merit badge. |
In addition to the main badges, there are a few badges that don't correspond to abilities but instead provide other benefits:
Badge Name | Effect | Badge |
---|---|---|
Basic Braining | Allows access to the entire camp. | ![]() Basic Braining badge. |
Oarsman | Allows the use of canoes on the lake. | ![]() The Oarsman badge. |
Mental Magnet | Attracts mental items. | ![]() The Mental Magnet merit badge. |
Psychonaut | Awarded to cadets that have earned the rank of Psychonaut. | ![]() The Psychonaut badge. |
Psychonauts in the Rhombus of Ruin[]
The original merit badges on Raz's backpack from Psychonauts reappear in Psychonauts in the Rhombus of Ruin, however due to psilirium poisoning Raz isn't able to use all of his powers. Raz doesn't earn any new merit badges in Psychonauts in the Rhombus of Ruin.
Psychonauts 2[]
In Psychonauts 2, Merit Badges became a diamond shape on the HUD. Psychonauts 2 also added the ability to bind up to four PSI Powers to keys/buttons.
There are three new badges to collect:
Badge Name | Effect | Badge |
---|---|---|
Mental Connection | Allows the user to make mental connections. | ![]() The Mental Connection merit badge. |
Time Bubble | Allows the user to slow down time. | ![]() The Time Bubble merit badge. |
Projection | Allows the user to make a paper clone of oneself. | ![]() The Mental Projection merit badge. |
In addition to the three new merit badges, there are five badges from the first game that make a return, including an unique merit badge for PSI-Punch (though Marksmanship is renamed to PSI Blast, meanwhile PSI Punch is renamed to simply Melee):
Unused Merit Badge[]
During some point in the development of Psychonauts 2, there was a fourth new merit badge that didn’t make it into the game called "Brain Storm". Which had the ability to swap between objects or randomize them.
Gallery[]
Trivia[]
- During the cutscene upon obtaining a merit badge in Psychonauts, the badge will always be signed "Ford Cruller," even though only five badges are actually obtained from Ford Cruller.
- The merit badges in Psychonauts 2 are not signed by Ford Cruller but instead by Hollis Forsythe, Helmut Fullbear and Cassie O'Pia. They sign them for Mental Connection, Time Bubble, and Projection respectively.