Elden Ring All Bosses Speedrun: Conquering the Network Test in 24:35!

The Lands Between are vast, challenging, and brimming with secrets. For any Tarnished brave enough to venture forth, the allure of mastering its intricacies is immense. But what happens when mastery meets the clock? The title "Elden Ring ALL BOSSES SPEEDRUN in 24:35 (Closed Network Test)" isn't just a timestamp; it's a declaration of pure, unadulterated gaming prowess. This isn't about leisurely exploration or soaking in the lore; it's about pushing the boundaries of what's possible, dissecting mechanics, and exploiting every available advantage to achieve the ultimate goal: speed. If you're here, you're likely not just a fan of Elden Ring, but a dedicated player eager to understand the pinnacle of its challenge.

Introduction: The Thrill of the Speedrun

You've seen the clips, heard the whispers of impossible times, and perhaps even attempted a speedrun yourself. The Elden Ring Closed Network Test, though brief, offered a tantalizing glimpse into the potential of speedrunning this monumental title. Achieving an "All Bosses" category in just 24 minutes and 35 seconds is not merely a feat; it's a masterclass in game knowledge, execution, and strategic thinking. This isn't your typical Tarnished journey; this is a high-octane sprint through the most formidable challenges FromSoftware has to offer. We're going to break down exactly how this incredible run was accomplished, exploring the specific strategies, glitches, and route optimizations that made this record possible.

Understanding the 24:35 All Bosses Run

The title itself, "Elden Ring ALL BOSSES SPEEDRUN in 24:35 (Closed Network Test)," tells us a lot. The core intent behind this search is to understand the mechanics and strategies behind an exceptionally fast completion of all bosses within the limited scope of the Network Test. This isn't about finding the best builds for a casual playthrough, nor is it about delving into the intricate lore. It's purely about the *how* of speedrunning. This particular record is significant because it was achieved during a closed network test, meaning the game was not yet fully released and potentially had undiscovered or unpatched exploits that could significantly alter optimal routes.

Early Game Dominance: Tutorial and First Encounters

Every speedrun begins with the absolute basics. In Elden Ring's case, this means the tutorial and the initial areas. The runner, identified as "lilaggyTV" on Twitch, clearly has a deep understanding of enemy patterns and movement tech from the outset. The early game is crucial for building momentum and acquiring essential items or abilities that will shave seconds, or even minutes, off later encounters. We see the player navigate the tutorial area with incredible efficiency, likely utilizing the fastest possible route to acquire the starting class and any beneficial gear available from the get-go. The first boss, the Soldier of Godrick, is dispatched with surprising speed, indicating optimized attack patterns and perhaps even a reliance on specific weapon choices or combat strategies. Even seemingly minor bosses like Pumpkin Head and the Stonedigger Troll are treated as mere obstacles, overcome with precise attacks and minimal wasted movement.

"The early game is where you build the foundation for your entire speedrun. Every second saved here compounds dramatically by the end."

The Tree Sentinel, notoriously difficult for first-time players, is a critical early-game hurdle. In a speedrun context, however, this encounter is likely managed through pre-determined skips or a highly optimized combat strategy that exploits its AI. This level of execution demonstrates an advanced understanding of the game's mechanics, far beyond that of a typical player.

Mid-Game Strats: Navigating the Labyrinth

As the run progresses into the more complex areas of the Network Test, the strategies become even more intricate. Encounters like the Bloodhound Knight Darriwil and the Beastman of Farum Azula require not just raw damage but also efficient crowd control and movement. The runner likely employs specific weapon choices or consumables to maximize damage output, ensuring bosses are defeated in as few phases as possible. The Burial Tree Watchdog, a more complex boss, is often a point where runs can be lost. Mastering its attack patterns and finding the quickest window to strike is paramount. The Grave Warden and Flying Dragon Agheel are further examples of bosses that, while challenging in a normal playthrough, are reduced to speed bumps through practiced routes and exploits.

Late-Game Boss Rush: The Gauntlet

The final stretch of the Network Test speedrun culminates in a rapid-fire series of boss encounters. The Demi-Human Chiefs, often fought in groups, demand area-of-effect damage or a swift method to eliminate them one by one. Finally, the run concludes with Margit the Fell Omen, one of Elden Ring's iconic early-to-mid-game challenges. Taking down Margit in a speedrun context requires a deep understanding of his move set, predictable attack timings, and potentially the use of status effects or powerful weapons that can stagger him quickly. The fact that this entire sequence, from the first boss to Margit, is compressed into just over 24 minutes speaks volumes about the runner's dedication and the effectiveness of their chosen strategies.

Key Techniques and Glitches

Speedrunning Elden Ring, especially in a test environment, often involves leveraging techniques that go beyond intended gameplay. While the provided timestamp doesn't detail specific exploits, common speedrun techniques in Souls-like games include:

  • Movement Tech: Utilizing advanced movement options like backstep cancels, jump attacks, and potentially sequence breaks that allow traversal of areas faster than intended.
  • Glitches: Exploiting bugs in the game's code. This could range from out-of-bounds skips to AI manipulation or item duplication. For example, a wrong warp could potentially fast-travel the player to a later area prematurely.
  • RNG Manipulation: While not always possible or ethical, influencing random number generation (RNG) to get favorable outcomes, such as guaranteed critical hits or specific enemy spawns.
  • Optimal Loadouts: Selecting the most efficient weapons, armor, spells, and talismans for maximum damage and survivability with minimal setup time.

The impressive time suggests that the runner likely employed a combination of these to shave off precious seconds at every opportunity.

"In speedrunning, every frame counts. What might seem like a minor optimization to a casual player can be the difference between a personal best and a world record."

The Role of RNG

Random Number Generation (RNG) plays a significant role in any speedrun. Boss attack patterns, enemy spawns, and even item drops can be unpredictable. While highly skilled runners can mitigate the impact of bad RNG through consistent execution of strategies, some runs are simply defined by fortunate rolls. For an "All Bosses" run, consistent and favorable RNG across numerous encounters is crucial for achieving a time like 24:35. This run likely benefited from predictable boss AI, quick attack windows, and perhaps even lucky critical hits that ended boss fights faster.

Network Test Context: What We Learned

The fact that this record was set during a Closed Network Test is particularly interesting. Network tests are often used by developers to gather data, stress test servers, and identify critical bugs. For speedrunners, they are a treasure trove of potential exploits and unpatched mechanics. The limited scope of the test means the pool of bosses and areas was finite, allowing for a more focused and intensive study of optimal routes and strategies. This run serves as a benchmark for what was achievable with the available content and knowledge at that specific time, hinting at the further optimizations that might emerge upon the game's full release.

Expert Analysis and Future Implications

From an expert standpoint, this 24:35 run is a testament to the dedication and analytical prowess of the speedrunning community. It highlights how quickly players can deconstruct a game, identify its weak points, and develop incredibly efficient strategies. The techniques used here, even within the limited confines of the Network Test, likely laid the groundwork for future world records in the full game. Runners will continue to refine routes, discover new glitches, and push the boundaries of what's considered possible. The existence of such a rapid "All Bosses" run so early in the game's lifecycle suggests that Elden Ring, much like its predecessors, will become a staple in the speedrunning circuit for years to come.

The specific boss order and encounter timings are crucial. For instance, efficient navigation through Limgrave to face bosses like Grave Warden and Flying Dragon Agheel quickly, before moving on to tougher opponents, is key. The ability to quickly defeat multiple bosses back-to-back, like the Demi-Human Chiefs, without significant downtime, demonstrates a mastery of area traversal and combat. This run also implicitly showcases the meta of the Network Test build – likely focusing on high burst damage or specific weapon arts that excel against multiple boss types.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the significance of this speedrun being from the "Closed Network Test"?

Running a speedrun during a network test means the game is not yet finalized and may contain undiscovered glitches or exploits that are later patched out. This allows for unique and sometimes highly optimized routes that might not be possible in the full release.

How do speedrunners defeat bosses so quickly?

Speedrunners use a combination of highly optimized combat strategies, specific weapon/spell loadouts designed for maximum damage output (often referred to as the meta), exploiting boss AI, and sometimes utilizing game-breaking glitches or skips.

What does "All Bosses" mean in Elden Ring speedrunning?

For an "All Bosses" category, the runner must defeat every boss encounter present within the game's playable area for that specific run. In the context of the Network Test, this refers to all bosses accessible within that limited build.

Is this record still valid for the full Elden Ring game?

This record is specific to the Closed Network Test. While many strategies and techniques might carry over, the full release of Elden Ring has many more bosses, areas, and potential glitches, leading to different optimal routes and world records for the complete game.

What is RNG and how does it affect speedruns?

RNG stands for Random Number Generation. It dictates many unpredictable elements in games, such as enemy attack patterns, item drops, and critical hit chances. Good RNG can significantly shorten a speedrun by providing favorable conditions, while bad RNG can lead to lost time or even a failed run.

This incredible 24:35 "All Bosses" speedrun of the Elden Ring Closed Network Test is a masterclass in gaming efficiency. It demonstrates the power of deep game knowledge, precise execution, and the relentless pursuit of optimization. The speedrunning community continues to push the boundaries, and this run is a shining example of what's possible when passion meets programming. What other secrets do you think Elden Ring holds that speedrunners will uncover?

Share your thoughts and your own fastest times in the comments below! What boss gave you the most trouble in your own journeys through the Lands Between? Did you discover any personal speedrunning strategies or tricks?