The Lands Between have been conquered, not by a hero wielding legendary weapons or meticulously crafted builds, but by sheer speed and unparalleled skill. In a breathtaking display of gaming mastery, a new World Record for Elden Ring's Any% speedrun has been set at an astonishing 18 minutes and 57 seconds. This isn't just a new record; it's the first time the legendary sub-20 minute barrier has been broken, a feat many thought impossible just months ago.
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The Sub-19 Minute Triumph
Achieving a speedrun time under 20 minutes in a game as vast and complex as Elden Ring is a testament to years of accumulated player knowledge, frame-perfect execution, and daring innovation. This new World Record isn't just about playing the game fast; it's about fundamentally understanding its systems and exploiting them to their absolute limit.
The Any% category in speedrunning means completing the game as quickly as possible, regardless of how much of the content is experienced. This often involves identifying and mastering specific glitches, skips, and optimized movement techniques that bypass large sections of the game. For Elden Ring, this implies a route that likely skips numerous bosses, entire legacy dungeons, and optional areas.
"This run represents the pinnacle of Elden Ring speedrunning. It's not just about being fast; it's about being perfect. Every single decision, every input, had to be precise."
The implications of this record are immense. It signals a new era for Elden Ring speedruns, pushing the boundaries of what was previously thought achievable. Players will now analyze this run frame by frame, looking for even smaller optimizations and potential new strats.
The Dedication Behind the Record
Breaking a World Record, especially one as significant as this, rarely happens overnight. The runner behind this incredible feat has reportedly spent over 15 hours of grinding in the days leading up to the successful attempt. This often involves:
- Practicing specific boss fights or sequence breaks thousands of times.
- Testing different character builds to maximize damage output or utility.
- Optimizing inventory management and item usage for minimal time loss.
- Studying and refining movement techniques like Sword Flying or advanced roll mechanics.
- Adapting to Random Number Generator (RNG) variations inherent in games like Elden Ring.
The runner even mentioned sacrificing personal plans, like a sponsored stream and a flight, to dedicate more time to practice. This level of commitment is a hallmark of top-tier speedrunners and truly showcases the passion within the speedrunning community.
Key Strategies and Glitches Unveiled
While the full breakdown of the route is likely to be meticulously analyzed by the community, certain elements are almost certainly crucial for achieving a sub-19 minute run. These typically involve exploiting game mechanics and unintended behaviors:
- Boss Skips: Certain bosses might be entirely bypassed using clever routing and movement tech.
- Sequence Breaks: Accessing areas or triggering events out of their intended order.
- Damage Glitches/Exploits: Techniques that allow for abnormally high damage output, often against specific bosses or enemies.
- Movement Exploits: Advanced techniques that allow players to travel faster or farther than intended, such as precise Butterflying or wall clips.
The community is eagerly awaiting detailed explanations, including the specific strats used to defeat key bosses like Godrick the Grafted, Rennala, and potentially even Malenia, if the route necessitates it. Mastering these intricate sequences requires immense practice and a deep understanding of the game's engine.
Route Optimization: Every Second Counts
In any Any% speedrun, especially one aiming to shave off precious seconds from an already impressive time, route optimization is paramount. This involves:
- Minimizing travel time between objectives.
- Aggressively managing stamina and FP for combat and traversal.
- Selecting the fastest weapon and spell combinations for boss encounters.
- Exploiting enemy AI to group them or avoid unnecessary engagement.
For Elden Ring, this often means a highly optimized path through Limgrave, Stormveil Castle, and potentially brief forays into other early-to-mid game areas. The runner must have a flawless execution of each segment to stay on pace.
RNG and Adaptability in Speedruns
While strats and glitches are key, no speedrun is truly predictable due to the element of RNG (Random Number Generator). In Elden Ring, this affects:
- Enemy attack patterns: Bosses and enemies can have slightly different attack sequences.
- Item drops: Crucial items or crafting materials might have varying drop rates.
- NPC locations: Certain friendly NPCs might appear in slightly different spots.
A world-class speedrunner doesn't just execute a route; they adapt on the fly. They know how to recover from minor RNG setbacks or how to capitalize on exceptionally lucky breaks. This adaptability is what separates a good run from a record-breaking one.
The Speedrunning Community Reacts
The announcement of the sub-19 minute World Record has sent waves of excitement through the Elden Ring speedrunning community and the broader gaming world. Streams and social media are abuzz with reactions, praise, and a fervent desire to learn the new techniques.
This achievement is a testament to the power of collective knowledge and relentless dedication. The speedrunning community thrives on pushing boundaries, and this new record is a shining example of that spirit.
The Future of Elden Ring Speedruns
With the sub-19 minute mark now a reality, the question on everyone's mind is: what's next? Will the record continue to be shaved down, inch by painstaking inch? Or has this run found the optimal route and execution? The beauty of speedrunning is that there's always something new to discover. New glitches, new routing ideas, and new levels of player mastery could all contribute to even faster times in the future. Perhaps a sub-18 minute run is on the horizon!
The pursuit of the perfect run is a never-ending journey. For fans of Elden Ring and speedrunning enthusiasts, this new WR is a monumental moment to celebrate.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: What is an Any% speedrun?
An Any% speedrun means completing the game as quickly as possible, without any specific requirements other than reaching the end credits or the final objective. Glitches and sequence breaks are typically allowed and encouraged to achieve the fastest times.
Q2: How significant is breaking the 20-minute barrier in Elden Ring?
Breaking the 20-minute barrier is a massive milestone. It signifies a new level of mastery and optimization for Elden Ring speedruns, pushing the game's limits far beyond what was previously thought possible.
Q3: Where can I watch this new World Record run?
The full run is available on YouTube, usually on the runner's channel or linked through major speedrunning communities like speedrun.com. Check the original source of this news or search for "Elden Ring Any% WR 18:57".
Q4: Are the strategies used in this speedrun accessible to casual players?
While the basic route might be learned, the precise execution, deep game knowledge, and exploitation of glitches required for a world-record pace are generally not accessible to casual players. However, learning parts of the route or specific boss strategies can still help improve a player's personal best.
Q5: What are common glitches or skips used in Elden Ring speedruns?
Common techniques include 'out of bounds' exploits, specific jump timings, boss immunities, and fast travel abuse. The specific glitches for a sub-19 run would be highly advanced and optimized versions of these, or potentially entirely new discoveries.
This sub-19 minute World Record is more than just a number; it's a celebration of skill, innovation, and the incredible dedication of the speedrunning community. What do you think of this record-breaking run? What other speedrun challenges do you want to see us cover? Let us know in the comments below, and join our Discord to discuss Elden Ring strategies and more!