What's up, Tarnished! It's your favorite speedrunner here, and I've got some absolutely massive news. After countless hours, nail-biting attempts, and some truly insane plays, I've finally reclaimed the Elden Ring Any% Speedrun World Record! The new time to beat? A staggering 25 minutes and 37 seconds. And the best part? This WR was achieved on Patch 1.02, a version of the game that's actually quite kind to speedrunners, and crucially, without using the infamous zip glitch. This means it's a legitimate, intended-path-focused run that showcases true mastery of the game's mechanics.
Getting this record back has been a journey, and frankly, it feels incredible. But the grind never stops, right? I'm already shifting my focus to the All Remembrances category, and I've got some wild ideas brewing for challenge runs that I think you guys will love. Keep your eyes peeled for that spicy new content!
Table of Contents
The Elden Ring Speedrunning Scene: A Constant Evolution
Welcome, fellow adventurers, to GamingSpeedrun.com! You're watching a monumental achievement in the world of Elden Ring speedrunning. This isn't just any run; it's a World Record (WR) that redefines what's possible in the Any% category. For those new to the scene, Any% means finishing the game as fast as possible, using any means necessary, though this specific record focuses on a more "legit" approach by excluding certain advanced glitches.
The Lands Between are vast and unforgiving, but speedrunners like myself live to find the quickest path through its treacherous landscapes. Every boss down, every shortcut opened, every precise dodge roll brings us closer to that coveted PB (Personal Best) and, ultimately, the WR. This record, achieved on Patch 1.02, is a testament to deep game knowledge, precise execution, and a little bit of luck with the RNG.
Witness the 25:37 Masterpiece
Let's talk about the run itself. Achieving a time under 26 minutes in Elden Ring Any% is a significant milestone, especially without relying on the more game-breaking glitches like the zip glitch. This 25:37 is not just a number; it represents:
- Flawless boss fights: Margit, Godrick, Rennala, Radahn, Morgott, and Malenia all fell in record time.
- Optimized movement and routing: Every second counts, and there's no wasted movement.
- Minimal reliance on powerful MMORPG-style builds: It's about speed, not necessarily overpowering enemies with traditional RPG grinding.
- Perfect execution of critical sequences.
Watching this run back, even I'm amazed at how smoothly everything clicked. The tension during the Malenia fight, knowing that a single mistake would cost precious seconds, was palpable. But the training paid off!
Key Strategies and Skips in Elden Ring Speedruns
So, how do you shave minutes off a game that takes dozens of hours for a casual playthrough? It's all about understanding the game's mechanics inside and out. For this Any% run, particularly on version 1.02, several key strategies are employed:
- Early Game Optimization: Grabbing essential items like the Whetstone Knife and Torrent immediately sets the pace.
- Boss Skip Routes: Certain bosses, while mandatory for progression in a normal playthrough, can have their fights significantly shortened or bypassed with specific strats. For example, learning the precise attack patterns to kill bosses like Godrick the Grafted in under a minute is crucial.
- Sequence Breaking (Minor): While this run avoids major glitches, minor sequence breaks that are part of the intended game design are utilized to save time.
- Effective Combat: Mastering parries, guard counters, and knowing which weapon arts deal the most damage efficiently is key. For this run, a specific weapon build focused on high DPS against bosses was essential.
The community on sites like speedrun.com is a treasure trove of knowledge. Runners constantly share new strats, discover faster routes, and refine existing techniques. It's a collaborative effort that pushes the boundaries of what's possible.
"Every single frame matters in a run like this. We're not just playing the game; we're dissecting it to find the absolute fastest path."
Why Patch 1.02 is King for This Record
You might be wondering why the specific mention of Patch 1.02. Game patches, especially in live service games and RPGs like Elden Ring, can significantly alter game mechanics, enemy AI, and even physics. Patch 1.02, released shortly after the game's launch, was particularly favorable for speedrunners in several ways:
- Enemy AI Behavior: Certain enemy behaviors were less aggressive or predictable than in later patches.
- Boss Encounter Timings: The timing for certain boss attacks and vulnerabilities might have been slightly different, allowing for quicker kills.
- Item Acquisition: While not a major change, any minute saved in acquiring key items or stats adds up.
Many speedrunning communities adopt specific patch versions for their categories to ensure consistency and comparability. This WR on 1.02 showcases the pinnacle of routing and execution on that particular build of the game.
The "No Zip Glitch" Factor: Purity in Speed
The exclusion of the zip glitch is a significant detail for many in the Elden Ring speedrunning community. The zip glitch allows players to essentially teleport short distances by manipulating certain game mechanics. While it drastically cuts down on time and is a valid strategy in many "glitchless" or "intended glitches" categories, performing a record-breaking run *without* it demonstrates a different kind of mastery.
This record proves that even without exploiting such powerful mechanics, the core gameplay loop of Elden Ring can be completed at an astonishing speed. It emphasizes precise movement, combat prowess, and deep route knowledge. It's a win for those who appreciate a run that stays closer to the intended player experience, albeit a highly optimized one.
"Doing this WR without the zip glitch feels more rewarding. It's a testament to pure skill and game knowledge, not just glitch exploitation."
What's Next for Elden Ring Speedrunning?
As mentioned, I'm already diving deep into the All Remembrances category. This category requires collecting all major remembrances dropped by shardbearers, which opens up a whole new set of challenges and routing possibilities. It's a longer category, demanding endurance and a different strategic approach.
Beyond that, the community is always experimenting. We're looking at potential challenge runs, perhaps incorporating different starting classes, specific weapon limitations, or even mods that alter the game in interesting ways. The beauty of games like Elden Ring is their depth, offering endless possibilities for speedrunning and discovery.
Keep an eye on my Twitch channel. I stream my practice sessions, attempts, and sometimes just chill runs where we can chat about strats and the latest in the Elden Ring gaming scene. Your input and support mean the world!
Show Your Support for True Hardcore Gaming!
Achieving records like this requires immense dedication, countless hours of practice, and a passion for pushing the limits. If you enjoyed watching this World Record speedrun and want to support the grind, there are several ways you can help:
- Subscribe on YouTube: Hit that subscribe button and the notification bell! It’s the best way to stay updated on new videos, guides, and exciting speedrun content. Subscribe Now!
- Follow on Twitch: Catch me live as I practice, attempt runs, and interact with the community. Your viewership is invaluable. Watch Live
- Join the Community Discord: Connect with me and other fellow gamers and speedrunners. Share your own tips, ask questions, and be part of the conversation. Join Our Discord!
- Check out the Merch Store: Represent your love for hardcore gaming with some exclusive gear. Shop Merch
- Become a Member: For as little as $1.99, you can become a channel member and get exclusive perks while directly supporting the content creation. Become a Member
- Support via NFTs: If you're into unique digital collectibles and want to support TRUE hardcore gaming, check out my NFT store. Explore NFTs
Every bit of support helps me continue to create high-quality content and chase even more incredible records in games like Elden Ring and beyond. Thank you, Tarnished!
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the Any% category in speedrunning?
- Any% means completing the game as quickly as possible, regardless of how much of the game's content is experienced. This usually allows for glitches and sequence breaks.
- Why is the game version (Patch 1.02) important for speedruns?
- Different patches can change game mechanics, enemy behavior, and physics, affecting run times. Speedrunning communities often standardize on a specific patch version for consistency and fair competition.
- What is the "zip glitch" in Elden Ring?
- The zip glitch is an advanced technique that allows players to quickly move short distances by exploiting certain game mechanics, significantly speeding up traversal and sometimes enabling skips.
- Is this Elden Ring speedrun considered glitchless?
- This specific record is for the Any% category on Patch 1.02 without using the zip glitch. While it allows for other minor skips or optimized mechanics, it avoids the more significant traversal glitches.
- Where can I watch other Elden Ring speedruns?
- The best place to watch and track Elden Ring speedruns is on speedrun.com. You can also find many runners streaming live on Twitch.