Welcome, aspiring Hyrule conquerors, to the bleeding edge of The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild speedrunning! If you've ever looked at Hyrule's vast, sprawling landscape and thought, "How fast can I *really* break this game?" then you're in the right place. This isn't about enjoying the scenic vistas or meticulously uncovering every shrine; this is about pure, unadulterated velocity. We're talking about shattering the 30-minute barrier and reaching the final boss before most players even leave the Great Plateau. Forget the lore, forget the side quests – we're here for the *speed*. This comprehensive guide will dive deep into the "Any%" category, explaining the mind-bending glitches, exploits, and sheer ingenuity that make these record-breaking runs possible.
Table of Contents
The Quest for Speed: Understanding Any%
In the world of speedrunning, "Any%" is the purest form of competition. The goal? To finish the game's main objective – in this case, defeating Calamity Ganon – as quickly as humanly (or bot-like) possible. This means anything goes. Glitches are not just allowed; they are actively sought after and exploited. Skips that bypass entire sections of the game are the norm. The traditional gameplay loop of Breath of the Wild is completely redefined. We're not looking for the most optimal route in terms of item collection or quest completion, but the absolute fastest sequence of actions to trigger the end credits. This often involves using game mechanics in ways the developers never intended, showcasing an incredible depth of understanding and execution.
The "Any%" category for Breath of the Wild has evolved dramatically since its release. What was once a sequence of well-known glitches has become a highly optimized ballet of precise inputs and route memorization. The current world records are astonishingly fast, often under 25 minutes, which is a testament to the community's dedication and skill. This rapid progression is what makes the speedrunning scene so exciting.
Core Speedrunning Techniques
To achieve these blistering times, speedrunners employ a variety of techniques that fundamentally alter how Breath of the Wild is played. These aren't just minor optimizations; they are game-changing strategies that leverage the engine's quirks.
- Movement Tech: Mastering Link's movement is paramount. Techniques like wdashing (whistle dashing) and shield surfing are essential for faster traversal across the vast map. These allow Link to move significantly faster than his standard run speed, cutting down travel time between objectives.
- Combat Efficiency: While traditional combat is often skipped, certain boss encounters or necessary enemy despawns require combat. Speedrunners focus on the most damaging, quickest attacks, often utilizing critical hits or exploiting enemy AI to end encounters in mere seconds.
- Resource Management: Even in a speedrun, managing resources like stamina, weapons, and health is crucial. Runners will strategically pick up specific items, cook simple meals for quick healing, and select the most durable or powerful weapons for their intended purpose.
- Sequence Breaking: The most defining aspect of Any% runs is the ability to break the intended game sequence. This can involve bypassing entire dungeons, using glitches to access areas early, or triggering game states out of order to progress faster.
Key Glitches and Skips
The true magic of Breath of the Wild Any% speedrunning lies in its intricate glitches and skips. These are the building blocks of every record-breaking run. Understanding and executing these flawlessly is non-negotiable.
The Mighty BLJ (Backwards Long Jump)
This is arguably one of the most foundational glitches in the game for speedrunning. By performing a series of precise backward jumps, Link can gain an incredible amount of vertical and horizontal momentum, allowing him to "fly" across the map or reach elevated areas much faster than intended. Mastering the precise timing and angle for a BLJ is a rite of passage for any aspiring BotW speedrunner.
Other critical glitches and skips include:
- Windbombs: A technique that combines a shield jump with a bomb detonation to propel Link forward at extreme speeds. This is crucial for traversing large distances quickly and bypassing many environmental obstacles.
- Menuing/Duplication Glitches: While some duplication glitches have been patched, others, particularly those involving precise menu usage, can be used to acquire key items or resources extremely early, saving massive amounts of time.
- Out of Bounds (OOB) Exploitation: Runners often find ways to get Link outside the intended playable map boundaries. This can be used to skip entire sections of the game, bypass invisible walls, and reach objectives much faster. For instance, using a well-timed jump or a specific glitch to clip through a wall can bypass a significant chunk of the game.
- Shrine Skips: Many shrines, which would normally require puzzle-solving, can be completely bypassed using advanced movement tech or specific glitches. This is essential for shaving off seconds, or even minutes, from the overall time.
- Boss Skips/Damage Boosts: Certain boss fights can be skipped entirely or completed in a matter of seconds. Techniques often involve precise bomb placement, critical hit setups, or exploiting enemy AI to trigger their defeat before they can even attack.
Route Optimization and RNG
The beauty of Breath of the Wild Any% speedrunning isn't just in the glitches, but in the incredibly optimized routes runners have developed. A route is a meticulously planned sequence of movements, actions, and glitch executions designed to be the fastest possible path from the start of the game to the final boss.
Random Number Generator (RNG) plays a significant role. The game determines things like enemy drops, critical hit chances, and certain environmental interactions randomly. While runners aim for consistent strategies, a good RNG can shave off precious seconds. For example, getting an early critical hit on a crucial enemy or finding a weapon with high durability right when you need it can make a world of difference. Runners have developed strategies to mitigate bad RNG or even manipulate it in some cases, but a perfect run often relies on a bit of luck.
The current meta for Breath of the Wild Any% speedrunning is incredibly refined. Early game focuses on quickly acquiring the necessary runes and tools, often through a series of precise BLJs and windbombs to reach specific locations before they're normally accessible. Key objectives like freeing Divine Beasts are often skipped, with runners heading directly towards Hyrule Castle. The final confrontation with Calamity Ganon is a highly optimized sequence of damage-dealing and evasive maneuvers, often culminating in a sub-minute battle.
Practicing and Improving
Becoming a top-tier Breath of the Wild speedrunner is a journey that requires immense dedication and practice. Here’s how to get started:
- Watch the Masters: Study world record runs. Analyze the exact movements, inputs, and glitch executions. Channels like RasenUrn's YouTube channel and the original source video are invaluable resources.
- Learn Individual Skips: Don't try to learn the entire run at once. Focus on mastering one or two key glitches or skips at a time. Practice them in isolation until they are second nature.
- Segmented Practice: Break the run down into segments (e.g., Great Plateau, Hyrule Field, Hyrule Castle). Practice each segment repeatedly until you can execute it consistently.
- Use a Timer: Tools like LiveSplit are essential for tracking your progress and identifying areas where you are losing time.
- Join the Community: The Breath of the Wild speedrunning community is incredibly welcoming. Engage in discussions on platforms like Reddit or Discord to ask questions, share strategies, and get feedback.
- Be Patient: Speedrunning is about incremental improvement. Every failed attempt is a learning opportunity. Don't get discouraged; celebrate your personal bests and keep pushing.
Remember, the journey to a World Record (WR) is a marathon, not a sprint, even if the goal is to sprint through the game itself. It requires thousands of hours of practice, a deep understanding of game mechanics, and nerves of steel. The current records are set by some of the most dedicated and skilled players in the world, constantly pushing the boundaries of what's considered possible.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: What is the fastest Any% speedrun category for Breath of the Wild?
A1: The Any% category, which aims to complete the game by defeating Calamity Ganon as quickly as possible using any glitches and exploits, is the fastest. Current world records are often under 25 minutes.
Q2: Are glitches allowed in Breath of the Wild speedruns?
A2: Absolutely! In the Any% category, glitches and exploits are not only allowed but are essential for achieving top times. Techniques like BLJs and Windbombs are fundamental.
Q3: How much practice is needed to achieve a good time?
A3: A good time requires significant practice. While you can achieve a decent time with a few hours of dedicated learning, competing for top placements or world records can take thousands of hours of practice and refinement.
Q4: What is RNG in the context of Breath of the Wild speedruns?
A4: RNG stands for Random Number Generator. It refers to the game's use of random elements, such as enemy drops, critical hit chances, or item spawns. Good RNG can significantly speed up a run, while bad RNG can slow it down.
Conclusion and Community Call
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild Any% speedrun is a breathtaking display of player skill, game knowledge, and sheer audacity. It transforms a beloved open-world adventure into a high-speed challenge, pushing the boundaries of what players thought was possible. The continuous innovation within the speedrunning community ensures that records are always being challenged and new strategies are constantly being discovered.
Are you inspired to start your own speedrunning journey in Hyrule? What are your personal best times? Share your own incredible glitches, skips, or even your most epic fails in the comments below! For more in-depth discussions, strategy breakdowns, and to connect with fellow speedrunners, join our official GamingSpeedrun Discord server. Let's race to the finish!