Tarnished, are you ready to witness the absolute pinnacle of skill and dedication in the Lands Between? The race to conquer Elden Ring has reached a breathtaking new milestone. We're not just talking about beating the game; we're talking about shattering it. A phenomenal World Record has been set in the notoriously challenging Any% category, clocking in at an astonishing 28 minutes and 41 seconds. This isn't just a good run; this is a masterclass in exploiting every possible mechanic, skipping entire swathes of content, and pushing the game's engine to its absolute limits.
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What Exactly is an Any% Speedrun in Elden Ring?
For those new to the speedrunning scene, the Any% category is precisely what it sounds like: finishing the game by any means necessary, with the primary objective being to reach the end credits as fast as possible. This often involves utilizing glitches, sequence breaks, and highly optimized movement techniques that players might never discover in a standard playthrough. In Elden Ring, this means bypassing numerous bosses, exploration zones, and even entire questlines.
The goal is simple: trigger the final sequence. This often involves reaching a specific point in the game world or defeating a particular set of mandatory bosses, irrespective of how much of the game's vast content is explored or completed. It’s a pure test of route efficiency and mastery of the game's mechanics, both intended and unintended.
The 28:41 World Record: A Glimpse into Perfection
The current World Record holder has achieved an almost unfathomable time of 28 minutes and 41 seconds. This record represents months, if not years, of dedicated practice, research, and community collaboration. Every second counts, and a run this fast implies near-perfect execution on every single segment. This isn't a "playthrough"; it's a highly choreographed sequence of precise actions.
Imagine the sheer focus required to navigate the Lands Between at such speeds. It involves memorizing every enemy placement, optimizing every attack, and flawlessly executing complex maneuvers. This kind of dedication is what makes the speedrunning community so captivating. Players push the boundaries of what's considered possible within a game's framework.
"The thrill of shaving off even milliseconds from a previous record is what drives us. It's an endless pursuit of optimization."
Key Strats and Skips: How Was This Achieved?
Achieving a sub-29 minute run in Elden Ring's Any% category requires exploiting several critical strats and skips. While the exact route is a closely guarded secret within the top-tier speedrunning community, some common techniques observed in previous record attempts and general Any% runs include:
- Early Game Optimization: Starting with a powerful class or build that allows for rapid progression through the initial areas. This often involves carefully selecting starting keepsakes and knowing exactly where to go for essential early-game gear.
- Boss Skips: Identifying and executing techniques that bypass mandatory boss encounters. This could involve clever use of environmental traversal, specific weapon abilities, or even game-breaking glitches.
- Movement Tech: Mastering advanced movement techniques like roll-canceling, sprint-jumping, and utilizing specific terrain for faster traversal.
- Weapon and Spell Exploitation: Utilizing extremely high-damage weapons or spells that can trivialize boss encounters, often requiring precise setup and execution. The Black Knight Halberd, for example, has historically been a strong contender in Souls-like speedruns due to its high damage output.
- Sequence Breaking: Altering the intended order of events to gain access to areas or items earlier than designed. This is where true ingenuity shines, as runners find ways to bypass obstacles that would normally require significant progression.
The player who set this record has undoubtedly refined these existing strategies and potentially discovered new, groundbreaking ones. The search for the ultimate route is an ongoing process. It's fascinating to see how players deconstruct a game like Elden Ring, finding paths and exploits that FromSoftware likely never anticipated.
The Crucial Balance: RNG and Flawless Execution
Speedrunning Elden Ring, especially at this level, is a delicate dance between RNG (Random Number Generation) and sheer player skill. While a runner can practice a route thousands of times, certain elements are inherently unpredictable. Enemy spawn locations, critical hit chances, and the drop rates for essential items all play a role.
For a run to be successful at this level, the RNG needs to be in the runner's favor. A bad sequence of random events can easily add minutes to the final time, invalidating a potentially record-breaking attempt. This is why top runners often dedicate hundreds of hours to a single game category; they are not just honing their execution but also learning to adapt to and mitigate bad RNG.
The 28:41 WR suggests that not only was the route perfectly executed, but the RNG was also incredibly kind. Every attack landed critically when needed, every NPC pathing was optimal, and every essential item was acquired without undue delay.
The Elden Beast: The Final Hurdle
As mentioned by the runner in the original source, the Elden Beast is often the "destroyer of runs." This final boss is a massive, multi-phase encounter that requires significant damage output and precise movement to avoid its devastating attacks. Even with optimized builds and strategies, one mistake against the Elden Beast can cost precious seconds or, worse, end the run entirely.
Successfully defeating the Elden Beast within the tight timeframe of an Any% speedrun is a testament to the runner's ability to manage pressure and execute complex combat sequences under extreme duress. The transition from the Radagon fight to the Elden Beast is incredibly tight in these record-setting runs, leaving almost no room for error.
"That final boss fight is where all the planning and practice culminates. It's the ultimate test of nerves."
What's Next for Elden Ring Speedruns?
With a new World Record set, the Elden Ring speedrunning community will undoubtedly be buzzing. We can expect to see more runners attempting to break this 28:41 mark, pushing the boundaries even further. New strategies might emerge, previously overlooked skips could be discovered, and the meta for Any% runs could evolve rapidly.
The pursuit of sub-28 minutes is now the next major frontier. Will it be possible? Only time, dedication, and perhaps a bit more luck with RNG will tell. The evolution of speedrunning is a constant cycle of innovation and dedication, and Elden Ring is providing a rich playground for this.
For those inspired to dive into the world of Elden Ring speedrunning, resources like speedrun.com offer invaluable guides, leaderboards, and community forums. Learning from the best is the first step to making your own mark.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: What does "Any%" mean in Elden Ring speedruns?
Answer: Any% means completing the game by reaching the final boss and triggering the ending sequence as quickly as possible, using any glitches or exploits available. It doesn't require completing optional content or defeating all mandatory bosses.
Q2: How much practice does it take to achieve a World Record speedrun?
Answer: Achieving a World Record typically requires thousands of hours of dedicated practice, route optimization, and understanding of game mechanics and RNG.
Q3: Are glitches allowed in Any% speedruns?
Answer: Yes, glitches and sequence breaks are not only allowed but are often essential for achieving top times in the Any% category.
Q4: How does RNG affect Elden Ring speedruns?
Answer: RNG, such as enemy placements, critical hit rates, and item drop chances, can significantly impact the speed of a run. Favorable RNG is crucial for setting new world records.
Q5: Where can I watch more Elden Ring speedruns?
Answer: You can find top Elden Ring speedruns on platforms like YouTube (channels like SummoningSalt often cover speedrunning history and records) and live streams on Twitch.
The pursuit of speed in Elden Ring is a testament to human dedication and ingenuity. This 28:41 World Record is more than just a time; it's a story of countless hours, brilliant discoveries, and flawless execution. The Lands Between have been conquered at an unprecedented pace, but the quest for ultimate speed never truly ends. Will you be the next to challenge this incredible feat?
What are your thoughts on this new world record? Do you have your own impressive speedrun times in Elden Ring or other games? Share your experiences and strategies in the comments below! Join our Discord server to discuss the latest in speedrunning and connect with fellow enthusiasts.