Hey Tarnished! It's been a minute, but I've been diving back into the
#speedrun category for Elden Ring, specifically Any%. The meta has shifted, new strats are being discovered constantly, and I felt the pull to get back in the saddle. Today, I'm thrilled to announce a new Personal Best (PB) for myself: a blistering **26 minutes and 26 seconds**, all without using the notorious Zip Glitch!
This run was achieved on **Patch 1.02**, a version of the game that remains a sweet spot for speedrunners due to certain mechanics and the absence of some later patches that altered critical movement or sequence-breaking possibilities. If you're curious about the routing and the specific strats employed, you can often catch me attempting these runs live on my Twitch channel. Drop by and say hi!
The All-In Strategy: Any% No Zip Glitch
The Any% category, for the uninitiated, means beating the game by any means necessary, with the primary goal being to reach the end credits as fast as humanly possible. The "No Zip Glitch" variant specifically excludes a particularly powerful, yet game-breaking, sequence break that involves manipulating the game's physics to travel vast distances instantly. While the Zip Glitch allows for incredibly fast times, running without it demands a deeper understanding of the game's systems, precise movement, and optimized boss encounters.
In my experience, mastering the Any% No Zip Glitch route in Elden Ring is a test of endurance and execution. Every second counts, and a single misstep can cost you dearly. This PB is the culmination of countless hours of practice, studying other runners, and refining my own approach to each segment of the game.
Decoding the Route: Key Sections and Strats
The route for Any% No Zip Glitch is meticulously planned to minimize travel time and maximize damage output. It typically involves skipping as many optional bosses and areas as possible, focusing solely on the critical path to triggering the final encounter.
* **Starting Class and Gear:** A popular choice for this category is the Vagabond or Warrior, due to their starting stats favoring melee combat. We grab the starting weapon and immediately head towards crucial early-game items.
* **Early Game Skips:** Key skips often involve utilizing specific jumps or enemy aggro to bypass triggers or entire sections. For instance, navigating the Siofra River early can save significant travel time compared to a standard playthrough.
* **Resource Management:** Managing your Flasks of Crimson Tears and Cerulean Tears is paramount. Knowing exactly when and where to use them, and which enemies drop them, is vital.
* **Traversal Tools:** Acquiring the Spirit Steed and Torrent is a priority, but optimizing their usage, especially during long stretches, is key to shaving off those precious seconds.
Boss Battles: Fast Kills and Strategies
While the goal is to skip as many bosses as possible, certain encounters are unavoidable and must be overcome quickly.
* **Margit, the Fell Omen:** This early-game gatekeeper can be a run-killer if not approached correctly. My strategy often involves using specific weapon arts or elemental weaknesses to bring him down rapidly.
* **Rennala, Queen of the Full Moon:** The second major shardbearer is another mandatory fight. Learning her attack patterns and the timing for destroying her summoned spirits is crucial for a fast kill.
* **Godrick the Grafted:** Often considered the first true "major" boss, Godrick requires precise dodging and aggressive offense. Utilizing AoE attacks or status effects can significantly speed up this fight.
* **Radagon of the Golden Order & Elden Beast:** The final gauntlet is where many runs fall apart. Mastering the parry timings against Radagon and learning the Elden Beast's patterns for maximum damage uptime is essential. The difference between a 26:xx and a 27:xx run often comes down to these final encounters.
In my attempts, I've found that aggressive staggering and exploiting openings is far more effective than playing defensively against these final bosses. You have to be willing to take a few risks to achieve top times.
Why Patch 1.02 Still Reigns Supreme
For speedrunning Elden Ring Any% without the Zip Glitch, Patch 1.02 is often the preferred version. This specific patch contained a delicate balance of mechanics that enabled certain sequence breaks and movement tech that were later altered or removed.
* **Enemy AI and Hitboxes:** Some argue that enemy AI and their hitbox detection were slightly more predictable or exploitable in earlier patches.
* **Item Acquisition Speed:** The speed at which certain key items could be acquired might have been marginally faster.
* **Combat Mechanics:** Subtle changes to weapon arts, poise, and stagger values could impact how quickly bosses could be defeated.
While newer patches might offer different challenges and possibilities, for this specific category and my current PB, 1.02 provides the most consistent and optimized environment.
It's a bit of a technicality, but sticking to a specific patch is standard practice in speedrunning to ensure fair comparisons and consistent runs. For Any% No Zip, 1.02 is where it's at.
Honing Your Skills for a Personal Best
Achieving a PB like 26:26 doesn't happen overnight. It requires a multi-faceted approach to practice:
* **Segmented Practice:** I break the run down into smaller segments (e.g., Godrick fight, Leyndell) and practice each one repeatedly until it's near-perfect.
* **RNG Manipulation (Where Possible):** While Elden Ring has a lot of random elements (RNG), understanding how certain actions influence spawn rates or enemy behavior can sometimes help.
* **Watching Top Runners:** Studying VODs and streams from world record holders and top players provides invaluable insight into new strats and optimization opportunities. You can learn so much from watching how they handle tricky situations.
* **Consistency is Key:** Even if you have a few "god runs" where everything goes perfectly, you need to be able to replicate a high-level performance consistently. This means drilling the fundamentals over and over.
The most frustrating part of speedrunning is often the RNG. Sometimes the gods of chance are with you, and sometimes... well, you just have to accept it and try again on the next run. But that perfect run makes it all worth it!
This new PB is a huge milestone for me, and honestly, I'm already thinking about how to shave off even more time. The pursuit of the
#WR is a constant drive, and with the Elden Ring speedrunning community constantly innovating, there's always something new to learn and optimize.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the "Zip Glitch" in Elden Ring speedruns?
The Zip Glitch is an exploit that allows players to bypass large sections of the game by manipulating the game's engine, effectively teleporting the player character forward. It's a powerful tool for speedrunning but is often excluded in specific categories like "No Zip Glitch."
- Is Patch 1.02 the only version used for Elden Ring speedruns?
No, different categories and runners may use different patches. However, for Any% No Zip Glitch, Patch 1.02 is widely considered optimal due to specific mechanics and optimizations available in that version.
- How long does it take to get good at Elden Ring speedrunning?
This varies greatly depending on the individual's dedication, practice time, and the specific category. Some runners might achieve respectable times in weeks, while mastering routes for world records can take months or even years of consistent effort.
- Where can I watch live Elden Ring speedruns?
Platforms like Twitch are the primary hubs for live speedrunning content. Many top runners stream their practice sessions and official attempts there. Websites like speedrun.com also list current records and often link to the runners' streams.
The journey through the Lands Between is vast, and the speedrunning community continues to uncover its secrets at an astonishing pace. This 26:26 PB is a testament to that ongoing exploration. If you enjoyed this breakdown or have tips of your own, drop a comment below! Let's keep the conversation going and push the boundaries of what's possible in Elden Ring #speedrunning. And if you want to follow my journey to potentially chase that world record, make sure to check out my stream and subscribe!
