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What's Up, Speedrunners!
Alright, fellow gamers and speedrunning fanatics, gather 'round! If you clicked on this, you're likely as obsessed with shaving off those precious seconds as I am. We're talking about a brand new World Record! Yes, you heard that right. The epic challenge of the Shadows of Evil Easter Egg, tackled solo, has just been conquered in an insane 21 minutes and 2 seconds. This isn't just any run; it's a testament to dedication, incredible skill, and maybe a little bit of luck with the RNG gods.
Were the 'Abhs' (Abominations) a bit poo? Maybe. Did that stop this record? Absolutely not. In this post, we're diving deep into what made this speedrun possible, the gritty details of the solo strategy, and what it takes to achieve such a phenomenal time in one of the most complex Easter Eggs in Call of Duty Zombies history. So buckle up, and let's break down this legendary achievement.
The Record Run: Shadows of Evil
This speedrunning feat, achieved on June 8, 2022, saw a player push the limits of solo play in Shadows of Evil. The target: completing the entire Easter Egg questline as fast as humanly possible, without any teammates to share the burden. The final time? A jaw-dropping 21:02. This shatters previous records and sets a new benchmark for what's achievable in this notoriously intricate map.
Shadows of Evil is infamous for its complex steps, requiring players to activate rituals, defeat Margwas, acquire specific items like the Summoning Key, and navigate the treacherous Underworld. Doing all of this solo, under the pressure of a timer ticking down relentlessly, is a monumental task. Every second counts, and a single mistake can cost valuable minutes.
"I'm honestly happy with the time, especially with how the Abominations were playing out. It just goes to show that even with imperfect RNG, a solid strategy and execution can still lead to a WR."
The player expressed initial surprise, noting that the quality of the enemies ('Abhs were kinda poo') wasn't ideal. However, this only highlights the mastery involved. Even with less-than-perfect enemy spawns or challenges, the execution of the run was so flawless that it still resulted in a World Record. This speaks volumes about the practice and dedication poured into perfecting the route and strategies.
Strategy Breakdown & Key Moments
Achieving a sub-21 solo run in Shadows of Evil requires meticulous planning and near-perfect execution of several key phases. While the full strat is proprietary to the runner, we can infer some critical elements based on typical speedrunning approaches for this Easter Egg.
- Early Game Efficiency: The first few minutes are crucial. Players need to quickly acquire starting points, open essential doors, and obtain the necessary items to begin the rituals. This often involves precise movement and efficient use of Gobblegums (if allowed in the category, though this record implies no Gobblegums for the 'solo' tag).
- Ritual Completion: Performing the three main rituals (summoning the Gateworms) needs to be streamlined. This means knowing exactly where to go, how to defend yourself during the activation, and minimizing travel time between ritual sites.
- Margwa Hunts: Defeating the Margwas that spawn after each ritual is a significant time sink. Runners employ specific strategies to down them quickly, often using powerful weapons or exploiting map mechanics. The timing and location of these spawns are heavily reliant on RNG.
- Underworld Navigation: Traversing the different districts and the Underworld requires efficient use of the tram system and understanding enemy patrol routes. Getting caught can mean losing precious seconds.
- Summoning Key Acquisition: Obtaining the Summoning Key involves another set of steps and often a mini-boss encounter. Speedrunners aim to complete this phase with minimal downtime.
- Final Ritual & Boss Fight: The final ritual and the subsequent boss fight against the Shadowman are the climax. While this record is for the Easter Egg completion *before* the final boss fight, the setup for it must be perfect.
A particularly challenging aspect for solo runners is managing the pressure. Unlike team runs where roles can be divided, a solo player has to perform every task. Any slip-up in aiming, movement, or decision-making can have catastrophic consequences for the final time.
"The RNG on Margwa spawns can make or break a run. Getting them to spawn quickly and in decent locations is key to staying on pace for a WR."
The Grind is Real: Pushing for Sub-21
As mentioned by the record holder, the grind continues for that elusive sub-21 time. This demonstrates that even with a World Record in hand, the pursuit of perfection never truly ends in the speedrunning community. The current 21:02 is an incredible achievement, but the goal for many is to break that 21-minute barrier.
Achieving sub-21 would likely require:
- Near-Perfect RNG: Favorable enemy spawns, item drops, and ritual activations.
- Flawless Execution: Zero mistakes in movement, aiming, and timing.
- Optimized Route: The absolute fastest path through every step, potentially utilizing undiscovered skips or glitches (though this WR appears to be glitchless based on common understanding).
- Advanced Techniques: Mastery of advanced movement tech and combat strategies specific to Shadows of Evil.
The journey to these incredible times is often streamed live on platforms like Twitch. Watching these dedicated individuals practice for hours, facing countless failed attempts, only to finally nail that World Record run, is truly inspiring. It’s this dedication that fuels the speedrunning community.
Community Support & Collaboration
The speedrunning world thrives on community. While this is a solo record, the journey is often shared and supported by others. The mention of the thumbnail artist, Eldarly, highlights the collaborative nature of content creation within the gaming sphere. Furthermore, platforms like Twitch and Discord are essential hubs for runners to share strategies, discuss routes, and motivate each other.
If you're interested in supporting the creator and seeing more of this high-level play, make sure to check out their Twitch channel. True hardcore gaming is kept alive by these passionate individuals and the communities that rally around them. For those looking to get involved, joining their Discord channel is a great way to connect directly.
"GGs and thanks for watching! The grind continues for sub 21 on my twitch."
The dedication to pushing boundaries and achieving new milestones in games like Call of Duty Zombies is what makes the gaming community so vibrant. This new World Record is a significant moment, and we can't wait to see if the runner can break that 21-minute barrier!
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: What game is this World Record for?
This World Record is for the Easter Egg completion in the Call of Duty Zombies map, Shadows of Evil, played solo.
Q2: What was the exact time achieved?
The World Record time achieved was 21 minutes and 2 seconds (21:02).
Q3: Is this a glitchless run?
Based on the context and typical speedrunning categories for Easter Eggs, this record is understood to be a glitchless run, focusing on pure gameplay and strategy.
Q4: Where can I watch more runs like this?
You can often catch live practice and attempts on the runner's Twitch channel (link provided in the original description) and join their Discord server for community interaction.
Q5: What makes Shadows of Evil a difficult Easter Egg to speedrun?
Shadows of Evil features a lengthy questline with multiple complex steps, including rituals, specific item collections, and challenging boss encounters (Margwas and the Shadowman). Completing it solo under pressure requires near-perfect execution and favorable RNG.
What do you think of this incredible new record? Can you imagine pulling off a run like this? Let us know in the comments below! Did you see any particular strats that amazed you? Join our Discord server to discuss this and all things speedrunning!