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Hold onto your runes, Tarnished! We've just witnessed history being made in the Lands Between. For the first time ever, a runner has broken the seemingly impossible barrier of 7 minutes in Elden Ring's Any% Unrestricted speedrun category. This isn't just a new personal best; it's a world record that redefines what we thought was possible. The sheer dedication and mastery on display are absolutely mind-blowing.
The Shattering of Records: Sub-7 Achieved!
It’s official: the 6-minute mark has fallen in Elden Ring Any% Unrestricted. This monumental achievement by the runner known as Distortion2 marks the first time the community has seen a time under 7 minutes. For months, the speedrunning community has been pushing the boundaries, shaving off seconds with every new discovery and perfected execution. Witnessing this specific PB felt surreal, a moment many of us have been anticipating with bated breath. The culmination of countless hours of practice, meticulous route planning, and insane execution has finally paid off in the most spectacular way.
In my experience, achieving a time like this isn't just about raw skill; it's about understanding the game's engine at a level most players never even consider. The sheer amount of RNG manipulation and pixel-perfect inputs required for such a run is staggering. It’s moments like these that truly embody the spirit of speedrunning. The runner themselves expressed being in shock, and honestly, who wouldn't be? Breaking a barrier like this is the dream of many.
"Well I'm done with this category for now until new stuff is found. Still in shock I managed to get this time." - Distortion2
Understanding Any% Unrestricted
For those new to the Elden Ring speedrun scene, let's break down what "Any% Unrestricted" means. "Any%" signifies that the primary goal is to reach the end credits by any means necessary, with the fewest constraints possible. "Unrestricted" specifically allows for the use of all glitches, exploits, and out-of-bounds tricks that can save time. This is in contrast to categories like "Any% Glitchless," where players must adhere to more traditional gameplay mechanics. The Any% Unrestricted category is often where the most significant time saves are found, as runners push the game's boundaries to their absolute limit.
In Elden Ring, this often involves intricate sequence breaks, out-of-bounds travel to skip entire sections of the map, and precise manipulation of enemy AI or game physics. The goal isn't to experience the game as intended, but to find the fastest possible path from the starting point to the final boss. It requires an intimate knowledge of level design, boss patterns, and, crucially, how to break the game in your favor.
Key Strats and Skips in This Run
While a full breakdown of every frame-perfect trick would require its own encyclopedia, some of the pivotal elements enabling this sub-7 minute run likely include:
- Early Game Sequence Breaks: Exploiting glitches right from the start to bypass tutorial areas and gain access to powerful early-game gear or abilities faster than intended.
- Out-of-Bounds (OOB) Travel: Utilizing specific jumps or glitches to move the player character outside the normally traversable game world. This allows for skipping large portions of the map, directly reaching distant objectives.
- Boss Fight Manipulation: Employing strategies that either trivialize boss encounters (e.g., specific damage setups, AI manipulation) or allow players to skip them entirely through clever routing and OOB tricks.
- Menu Glitches: Certain speedruns leverage menuing exploits to perform actions faster or trigger game events in unintended ways.
- RNG Optimization: While not a "skip" per se, runners optimize for favorable random number generator (RNG) outcomes, such as enemy spawns, item drops, or boss attack patterns, to ensure consistency and speed.
The ingenuity behind these strats is what makes Elden Ring speedrunning so fascinating. Every patch can change the viability of a strat, pushing runners to constantly adapt and innovate. The discovery of a new, major skip can shave off minutes, leading to the kind of record-breaking performances we're celebrating today.
The community's ability to find and refine these glitches is a testament to their deep understanding and passion for the game.
The Evolution of Elden Ring Speedrunning
When Elden Ring first launched, the Any% Unrestricted record stood much higher, closer to the 20-minute mark. Through persistent effort, runners like Distortion2, and the broader community, have systematically dismantled the game's intended progression. Early breakthroughs involved discovering ways to skip major bosses or travel vast distances using clever movement tech. As more players joined the hunt, the discoveries accelerated. New glitches were found, existing ones were optimized, and the route became incredibly refined.
This journey from 20+ minutes down to under 7 minutes is a classic example of speedrun category evolution. It’s a story told through countless world record progressions, each iteration building upon the last. The community shares knowledge, collaborates on strats, and pushes each other to achieve the impossible. Watching this progression unfold has been incredible, and this sub-7 run is the pinnacle of that journey so far.
Behind the Scenes of a World Record
Achieving a world record isn't just about the final, flawless run. It’s about the thousands of failed attempts, the near-misses, and the sheer mental fortitude required. Runners often stream their practice sessions, allowing fans to witness the grind firsthand. They meticulously analyze their own runs and those of others, looking for tiny optimizations.
The runner, Distortion2, is a familiar face in the Elden Ring speedrunning community, known for their incredible skill and dedication. Their streams are a fantastic place to learn about the intricate details of high-level play. You can often find them live, practicing the game and interacting with their community.
Catch the action live! Follow Distortion2 on their streaming channels daily for insights into the world of hardcore gaming and speedruns.
If you want to support this level of dedication to hardcore gaming and witness more incredible feats, consider checking out their streams and social media. The journey doesn't stop here; the community is always looking for the next big discovery.
Follow Distortion2:
- Stream: Link to Stream
- Twitter: @distortion_2
- Discord: Distcord Server
What's Next for Elden Ring Speedruns?
With the sub-7 barrier broken, the question on everyone's mind is: what comes next? Will new glitches be discovered that push the time even lower? Can the current strategies be refined further to shave off more precious seconds? The history of speedrunning suggests that records are always meant to be broken.
The Any% Unrestricted category might see times dip into the 6:40s or even lower if a truly game-breaking strategy emerges. Beyond that, the community continues to explore other categories, such as glitchless runs or specific challenges, each offering a unique test of skill and knowledge. The future of Elden Ring speedrunning is bright, and we can expect more exciting developments and record-breaking performances in the months and years to come.
This run is a monumental achievement and a testament to the creativity and perseverance of the speedrunning community. Congratulations to Distortion2 for this incredible record!
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the current world record for Elden Ring Any% Unrestricted?
A: The current world record is 6 minutes and 59 seconds, achieved by Distortion2, marking the first sub-7 minute run in this category.
Q: What does "Any% Unrestricted" mean in speedrunning?
A: "Any%" means the goal is to finish the game by any means possible. "Unrestricted" means all glitches, exploits, and out-of-bounds tricks are allowed.
Q: How difficult is it to perform the glitches used in this speedrun?
A: The glitches and strategies used often require extremely precise inputs, frame-perfect timing, and a deep understanding of the game's mechanics, making them very difficult to execute consistently.
Q: Where can I watch this world record run?
A: You can typically find world record runs on platforms like YouTube or Twitch. The runner, Distortion2, likely has the run uploaded or available on their Twitch channel VODs.
Q: Will new content or patches affect this speedrun record?
A: Yes, future game patches could potentially fix glitches or alter mechanics, which might invalidate current strategies or even allow for new, faster routes. Conversely, community discoveries can always push records further.
What are your thoughts on this incredible achievement? Did you expect sub-7 to happen this soon? Let us know in the comments below, and join our Discord server to discuss all things speedrunning!
