Hey fellow speedrunners and hardcore gamers! Welcome back to GamingSpeedrun.com, your premier destination for all things fast-paced and optimized in the gaming world. If you're here, you're likely diving deep into the intense world of *No One Survived* and looking to shave precious seconds off your runs. Today, we're focusing on "Forging Forward," a crucial segment that often separates the good from the legendary in this title. This isn't just about playing the game; it's about dissecting every movement, every decision, and every pixel to achieve that coveted World Record. Get ready, because we're about to break down the ultimate strategy for this section.
"Forging Forward" in *No One Survived* is more than just a level; it's a gauntlet. This section demands precision, quick thinking, and an intimate knowledge of the game's mechanics. Whether you're aiming for a personal best (PB) or eyeing the top spot on the leaderboards, mastering this segment is non-negotiable. We'll cover everything from optimal pathing to exploiting enemy AI, ensuring you're not just surviving, but thriving at a speedrunner's pace. This guide is built from countless hours of practice and analysis, designed to give you the edge.
Understanding the Objective
At its core, "Forging Forward" tasks players with navigating a treacherous environment, often resource-scarce, while dealing with persistent threats. The primary objective isn't just to reach the end, but to do so with the least amount of time spent. This means minimizing combat encounters where possible, optimizing resource collection, and executing environmental interactions flawlessly. Every second counts, and understanding the win condition for this segment – typically reaching a specific extraction point or triggering a narrative event – is paramount.
Key Strats and Skips
This is where the magic of speedrunning happens. "Forging Forward" is ripe with opportunities for sequence breaks and clever routing.
* **Early Access Glitches:** Depending on the version and platform, there might be specific glitches allowing you to bypass certain sections entirely. For instance, a well-timed jump or a specific interaction with an environmental object could clip you through a wall or trigger an event prematurely.
* **Enemy Manipulation:** Instead of fighting every enemy, smart runners learn to manipulate their aggro. Luring them into traps, using noise to draw them away from your path, or simply sprinting past them in opportune moments are critical.
* **Resource Skip:** Often, certain crafting or scavenging objectives can be skipped if you have the right starting loadout or can reach a later-game item cache earlier than intended. This requires precise knowledge of item placement and level geometry.
In my runs, I found that mastering the dash-jump timing through the collapsed tunnel was key. It saved me nearly 5 seconds compared to the standard path.
Resource Management Essentials
In a speedrun, inventory space and crafting materials are a luxury you can rarely afford.
* **Prioritize Essential Items:** Focus only on items that directly contribute to the speedrun goal: ammo for necessary fights, healing items for critical moments, and keys or tools needed for progression.
* **Crafting Efficiency:** If crafting is mandatory, identify the fastest recipes and ensure you have the exact materials needed. Don't waste time collecting surplus.
* **Ammo Conservation:** Every bullet counts. Aim for headshots, use melee when safe, and avoid unnecessary engagements that deplete your precious ammunition.
Enemy Engagement Optimization
Combat in *No One Survived* can be a major time sink. Here’s how to minimize its impact:
* **Identify Necessary Fights:** Determine which enemies *must* be defeated for progression and which can be avoided. Not every zombie needs to die.
* **Weapon Choice:** Use the most effective weapon for the enemy type and situation. A shotgun blast might clear a group quickly, while a precise headshot from a rifle is better for single, tough targets.
* **Environmental Hazards:** Use the environment to your advantage. Explosive barrels, traps, or even hostile enemy interactions can thin out the herd for you.
The AI pathing in this section is quite predictable. If you trigger an enemy from a distance, you can often lead it away from your objective without firing a shot.
Route Planning Perfection
A perfect route is the backbone of any successful speedrun. For "Forging Forward":
* **Shortest Path:** Always calculate the shortest possible path between objectives, even if it seems riskier. Sometimes, a slightly more dangerous route saves critical seconds.
* **Objective Order:** Ensure you tackle objectives in the most efficient order. Sometimes completing a secondary objective first can unlock a shortcut or a better path to the primary goal.
* **Flow State:** Practice the route until it becomes muscle memory. You want to move through the level with an almost subconscious efficiency, minimizing hesitation.
Advanced Techniques
For those pushing the boundaries, specific advanced techniques can make all the difference:
* **Damage Boosting:** Intentionally taking damage to trigger invincibility frames or to move faster can sometimes be viable, though risky.
* **Out-of-Bounds (OOB) Exploitation:** If the game’s engine allows, finding ways to go out of the intended play area can lead to massive skips. This often requires deep knowledge of collision and level design.
* **Menuing/Inventory Management:** Advanced players can sometimes perform actions like equipping items or using consumables faster through specific menu interactions or button inputs.
Common Pitfalls to Avoid
Even the best runners can falter. Be wary of:
* **Over-Aggression:** Trying to skip too much and getting overwhelmed by enemies.
* **Resource Mismanagement:** Running out of ammo or health at critical moments.
* **RNG Dependence:** Relying too heavily on random chance (RNG) for item spawns or enemy behavior without backup plans.
* **Fatigue:** Speedrunning requires intense focus. Take breaks to maintain peak performance.
I can't stress enough how important it is to know the exact spawn points for key items. Missing a crucial health pack can end a run faster than any enemy.
Practice and Progression
Mastering "Forging Forward" won't happen overnight.
1. **Segmented Practice:** Focus on mastering this section in isolation before attempting full runs.
2. **Watch Top Runners:** Study runs on speedrun.com to see how the best players handle this segment. Pay attention to their routes, strats, and any glitches they utilize.
3. **Record and Analyze:** Record your own attempts and analyze where you're losing time. Every mistake is a learning opportunity.
4. **Consistency is Key:** Aim for consistent execution rather than relying on lucky runs.
This segment of *No One Survived* is a true test of skill. By applying these strategies, refining your route, and practicing diligently, you'll be well on your way to achieving incredible times.
Frequently Asked Questions
* **Q: What is the most common skip in the "Forging Forward" section?**
A: The most prevalent skip usually involves navigating an environmental hazard or clipping through a specific wall section to bypass a combat encounter or traversal challenge. Specifics vary by game version.
* **Q: How important is resource management in this specific segment?**
A: Extremely important. Speedrunners must be highly selective about what they pick up, prioritizing items essential for progression and survival while ignoring anything that doesn't directly shave off time.
* **Q: Are there any specific enemies I should prioritize avoiding?**
A: Yes, any high-threat, slow-moving enemies that can easily block your path should be avoided if possible. Luring them away or using environmental features to bypass them is often more efficient than engaging.
* **Q: What's the best way to practice this section for a speedrun?**
A: Segmented practice is highly recommended. Focus solely on mastering the "Forging Forward" segment repeatedly until you can execute your chosen strategies consistently before integrating it into full run attempts.
Keep pushing those limits, runners! The world of speedrunning is constantly evolving, and your next PB could be just one perfectly executed strategy away. If you've got your own insights, faster strats, or discovered a new glitch for "Forging Forward," drop them in the comments below! Let's build the ultimate knowledge base together. Join our Discord channel to connect with fellow speedrunners, share tips, and celebrate those hard-earned victories. Happy running!
