Slightly faster Vicar Amelia fight (Bloodborne) This Hex 2019-06-05 | Slightly faster Vicar Amelia fight. R1 spam instead of visceral.The key is getting full damage on the combo before her backstep.Saves 2.5–3 seconds.
Amygdala fast lamp (Bloodborne) This Hex 2019-08-24 | Exploiting the Amy fast fog/lamp idea for the all bosses speedrun.A sneaky transform attack during her phase transition animation makes it possible.Saves about 2 seconds compared to current (slow lamp) strats.Requires good timing and positioning to execute.
Flamesprayer + saw cleaver any% glitchless route (Bloodborne) This Hex 2019-07-22 | Alternative route using the Flamesprayer for Cleric Beast and Vicar Amelia.Faster than the current any% glitchless route, but the Amelia fight is unpleasant.After Amelia, the saw cleaver would be used for the mid and late game (as usual).
Ebrietas fight with gunshot opening (Bloodborne) This Hex 2019-07-09 | Gunshot opening on Ebrietas to start the fight early.The fight itself isn't that much different than usual.Correction: Saves about 0.5 seconds over the best available current strat (see below).Reference fight by DJNattie using a strat from GiantCookieJar: clips.twitch.tv/AntediluvianRepleteSnailStinkyCheese(about 24.5s according to the timing method used here, however it has been shown by ahady that this can be brought down to at least 23.9s with more optimized stamina usage)
Laurence phase 1 kill (Bloodborne) This Hex 2019-06-23 | Shows how to kill Larry in his first phase for a faster death animation.Saves about 2.5s over the current speedrun strat.Contents: 0:03 - Intro | 0:08 - the strat | 0:54 - variation 1 | 1:14 - variation 2 (flawed)
A couple minor points about Woods hut skip (Bloodborne) This Hex 2018-10-18 | 1. Jumping into the hut from the side (0:01)2. Bridge drop from a different location (0:22)
Micolash fast hallway strats (Bloodborne) This Hex 2018-08-06 | A way to aggro Mico and fight him in the hall before he reaches the room in phase 1.Similar to the run-saving phase 2 gunshot strat, but here it's only for a small timesave.Contents: Example 1 (0:01), Lineup (0:31), Strategy (0:39), Example 2 (0:48)
Limb soreness in Bloodborne (some small timesaves) This Hex 2018-07-25 | Hammering away on broken boss limbs for slightly faster fights.All fights are done with typical all-bosses speedrun levels & gear.Contents: Paarl (0:08), Vicar Amelia (0:31), Ludwig (1:42)Current strats boss fight timing references:Paarl: youtube.com/watch?v=zwttfxfJXBE&t=16m47sAmelia: youtube.com/watch?v=U5h4s8iVJBo&t=11m44sLudwig: youtube.com/watch?v=wkwQFczGJxQ&t=54m10s
Another Woods elevator drop (Bloodborne) This Hex 2018-07-01 | Here we land on an invisible platform for the Woods hut drop.For safety, there's enough time to quit out before landing if you miss. Costs 2 blood vials but probably easier to execute than the slope quit.Slope quit version: youtube.com/watch?v=s9hV4syg6MsLift activation version: youtube.com/watch?v=ZUBIJMPY0z0Getting into the hut: youtube.com/watch?v=17Hggl6g780
Stacking Power Within and Lloyds Sword ring (Dark Souls 3) This Hex 2018-01-21 | We can use gradual healing spells to offset the HP loss from Power Within, maintaining the Lloyd's Sword ring buff. The damage increase is fairly impressive: +50% on current patch when Blessed Weapon is also stacked. I made a table showing viable healing sources vs vigor / HP (see below):docs.google.com/document/d/1UFwnEc7cXOtUi_sxXhVUqfyEqcV6uuJ2LjAzDTrDMDo
Rom the bad mother - fast but risky fight (Bloodborne) This Hex 2018-01-07 | Partial spider clear after opening with a beast-meter building combo. Character stats = 25 STR, 19 SKL.Saves 10-15 seconds over normal speedrun strats, but the dependence on mini-spider RNG leads to poor consistency.The Rom graphic is an FFZ emote (gcjH) by ElViniD, found on GiantCookieJar twitch channel.
Ludwig bullying (Bloodborne) This Hex 2017-12-17 | A different combo (ext R2, L1, charged R2) at the end of Ludwig phase 1 to allow insta-stagger in phase 2.No faster than current strats, but possibly more consistent by removing phase 2 RNG.The better strat is probably the second one shown (0:55), which bypasses his phase 2 stagger. ---The dog graphic is a FrankerFaceZ emote (bullyDog) by ElViniD.
Small skip into the Woods caves (Bloodborne) This Hex 2017-11-19 | Small skip to get OoB and into the caves on the Clinic run through Forbidden Woods.You can get stuck or die to fall damage pretty easily.Saves about 14 seconds at best.
Angel skip (Ringed City DLC - Dark Souls 3) This Hex 2017-04-05 | A two-jump skip at the DLC2 angel to reach the Demon Prince fight ~30 seconds faster.Difficult to execute consistently.Tested on current patch (ver 1.12 reg 1.31)
Archer skip (Ringed City DLC - Dark Souls 3) This Hex 2017-04-01 | Simple jump over the railing at the DLC2 archers to avoid going around to the back stairs.Should save about 15 seconds compared to going around the judicator.The jump is reasonably forgiving, but you can always take an extra quit-out to get a more reliable line up.
Slightly faster fight for early Paarl (Bloodborne) This Hex 2017-03-05 | About 2 seconds faster than the four limb stagger strats (15.5s from first hit to last).Character stats = 25 str, 18 skill, +4 saw cleaver with 7.3+2.7% gem and gold gem.*note*: I had 14 vit instead of 12, giving higher visceral damage. The fight is still consistent with 12 vit.Contents:(0:07) Example 1 - R1-R1-L1 finish (0:35) Example 2 - charged R2 - L1 finish
Very early Paarl option for all bosses speedruns (Bloodborne) This Hex 2017-03-03 | A minor timesave by taking the bodysnatcher route to Yahar'gul before Shadows.We reach Paarl much faster in exchange for a slower fight.This route allows bolt paper to be purchased for Shadows and Rom.Contents:(0:03) Explanation of the early Paarl route(0:14) Death to bodysnatcher(0:37) Jail spawn to spiral staircase exit(0:53) The Paarl fight (25 str, 18 skill, +4 saw cleaver) [ faster version of fight - youtube.com/watch?v=SdXEPzClA1c ](1:22) Notes(1:34) Getting the missing chunks x2 in Nightmare Frontier
Lunarium Key skip without quits, elixir, or gate (Bloodborne) This Hex 2017-02-14 | Shows how to do the Byrgenwerth jump skip to Rom without using quit-outs, blue elixir, or the shortcut gate.Approach the Centipede along the lower area to bait his fireball combo. There's just enough time to make the jump.Not an easy skip to execute, but the timesave is significant (~30 seconds on the any% route).Tested on current patch (1.09).Contents:(0:03) - Demonstration of the skip(0:34) - Notes(0:45) - More video examples (camera line-up vs stick line-up)
A Forbidden Woods skip at snakeman bridge (Bloodborne) This Hex 2017-02-08 | Shows a way to drop down the cliff by snakeman's bridge in Forbidden Woods.The character is subject to lethal 'stored fall damage' upon landing at the bottom, but you can actually survive it (sometimes).Not recommended vs normal route - difficult to execute, minimal time saved, materials are missed.Tested on current patch (1.09).
Easy way to get Crow Quills (Dark Souls 3) This Hex 2016-11-17 | You get a little boost at this spot, allowing the character to jump (or just run) on top of the rocks to get the Quills.
A Painted World skip (Dark Souls 3) This Hex 2016-11-13 | A two-jump skip immediately after the slide in Painted World of Ariandel DLC.Saves 20-25 seconds depending on if you're going to the bonfire or directly to Vilhelm.Originally tested on reg 1.22. Still works on current patch (app 1.15, reg 1.35).Contents:(0:05) Demonstration of the skip - to bonfire(0:28) Brief discussion(0:38) Second example - to Vilhelm(1:20) Notes
An Irithyll Skip (Dark Souls 3) This Hex 2016-11-13 | A railing jump on the stairs to Irithyll courtyard. Grants quick access to the Distant Manor bonfire. Difficult to execute, but saves up to 70 seconds compared to taking the long route around the map. Tested on patch regs 1.21 and 1.22 (current patch).Contents:(0:05) Demonstration of the skip (video)(0:33) Explanation of the jump(0:44) Second example (video)(1:02) Third example (video)(1:20) Notes
Another RTSR setup for Elana (Dark Souls 2) This Hex 2016-03-28 | A fast and easy way to get into RTSR health range on the approach to the Elana fight in Dark Souls II.Stated equip. load percentages apply for 21 VGR, which is typical for this stage of all-bosses speedruns.Tested on current patch DX9 version of DS2.Contents:0:05 - Intro0:14 - The RTSR setup (video)0:42 - Variations on the setup0:49 - Variation 1 (video)1:06 - Variation 2 (video)1:21 - Notes1:33 - A degree of safety (video)pseudostripy's comparison of his jump setup to the normal setup:youtube.com/watch?v=hFTvbYnx4t8
Fast approach to Chariot boss fight (Dark Souls 2) This Hex 2016-03-08 | A faster way to reach the Chariot boss fight that doesn't involve jumping onto the platform at the end of the bridge.Bait an attack at the narrow section of the bridge to cause a traffic jam, then sprint to the fog gate.Tested on DS2 Scholar version on PS4 (current patch).(0:00) Title(0:06) Intro(0:16) An example (video)(0:52) The strategy(1:04) Scenario 1 - We get a good lead - success (video)(1:24) Scenario 2 - We get chased immediately - failure (video)(1:49) Notes
Bloodborne - Lecture Building jump to first floor This Hex 2016-01-18 | A shortcut jump from 2nd floor to 1st floor of Lecture Building.Saves 15 seconds to Nightmare Frontier door with best execution.Tested on current patch (1.09).
Byrgenwerth skip to Rom using Blue Elixir (Bloodborne) This Hex 2015-12-11 | Shows how to use blue elixir to perform the jump skip to Rom without quitting out to reset enemy positions. You get multiple attempts at the jump as long as you don't aggro the Celestial Centipede. A possible speedrun route to get the blue elixir early in the game is also discussed. Bloodborne version 1.08.(0:06) Intro(0:16) An example of the skip (video)(0:48) Routing(1:02) 1. Get Blue Elixir, open gate to Iosefka's Clinic(1:14) 1. Get Blue Elixir, open gate to Iosefka's Clinic (video)(1:53) 2. Use Blue Elixir to perform the Rom skip(2:03) 2. Use Blue Elixir to perform the Rom skip (video)(2:42) 3. Go to the Clinic to get the Summons and Cord(2:52) 3. Go to the Clinic to get the Summons and Cord (video)(3:10) Estimated Timesave(3:26) Notes(3:40) Another note - Getting the Chunks at the start of Nightmare of Mensis(3:50) Another note - Getting the Chunks at the start of Nightmare of Mensis (video)
A fast lever room strategy (Dark Souls 2 - Brume Tower) This Hex 2015-11-21 | This video shows a faster and more direct way of getting through the lever room in Dark Souls 2 Old Iron King DLC. Throw an alluring skull immediately, dodge an attack from the big Iron Warrior and sprint to the lever. Tested on SotFS on PS4 and DX9 on PC (current patches). Footage shown in from SotFS.Video sections:(0:05) Intro(0:20) An example(0:47) The Iron Warrior's attacks(0:59) 1. Jump attack(1:17) 2. Charge + fast attack (swipe)(1:33) 3. Charge + slow attack (overhead or thrust)(2:07) 4. Steps forward (glitched)(2:26) 5. Camps at door(3:09) Summary
Another Yahargul skip (Bloodborne) This Hex 2015-11-08 | Demonstrates a new way to quickly reach the bottom level of the Yahar'gul map starting from the first lamp. This skip is based on clipping through the fence near the elevator rather than getting on top of the fence. Most useful for any% speedruns. Tested on current patch (v1.05).Video sections:1. Intro (0:05)2. Example of the skip (0:17)3. Clipping through the fence (0:51)4. Dealing with the enemies (1:54)5. Coming back in bounds (2:42)6. Conclusions (3:25)The original any% skip for Yahar'gul based on getting on top of the fence:youtube.com/watch?v=VUE7Oq7NB2U
Bloodborne Orphanage Key skip - speedrunning perspective This Hex 2015-10-16 | This video discusses the Orphanage Key skip in the Upper Cathedral Ward area of Bloodborne from the speedrunning perspective. I found a few interesting things about the brainsucker's AI that can make the skip more reliable. See my blog entry on this topic for more discussion:http://thishex.blogspot.com/2015/10/bloodborne-orphanage-key-skip.htmlFollow-up article that discusses how to make this skip very reliable using an idea discovered by speedrunners:thishex.blogspot.com/2016/02/bloodborne-orphanage-key-skip-part-2.htmlVideo sections:1. Provoking the brainsucker (0:13)2. Killing the brainsucker (0:23)3. Example of the skip (0:34)4. Attack descriptions (1:06)6. Attack probabilities (RNG) (2:53)7. The initial door approach (3:15)8. If you must quit out (4:08)9. Awareness timer (safe kill strats) (5:10)10. Manipulating attacks (6:09)11. Reliability of the skip (6:46)12. The timesave (6:56)
Easy way to get the Orphanage Key in Bloodborne This Hex 2015-09-29 | This video shows how to kill the brainsucker through the door to get the Orphanage Key in Upper Cathedral Ward. It avoids going around the long way where you'll encounter some annoying enemies. Many people know about this skip, but I haven't seen a proper video for it.
