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What is an All Bosses Run in Dark Souls 3?
The "All Bosses" category in speedrunning is exactly what it sounds like: a race to defeat every boss encounter within the game, from the starting Asylum Demon (if applicable to the specific run's game version) to the final, climactic showdown. For Dark Souls 3, this involves a meticulously planned route that skips optional areas where possible, but ensures every mandatory and some key optional bosses are vanquished. This means understanding boss weaknesses, optimal damage outputs, and precise movement to avoid unnecessary combat or time loss. It's a true test of a speedrunner's dedication and knowledge.This particular run, clocking in at 1 hour, 17 minutes, and 16 seconds, represents a significant achievement, pushing the boundaries of what's considered possible in an "All Bosses" category. It's not just about speed; it's about execution under pressure.
The 1:17:16 PB: Key Strategies and Insights
Achieving a Personal Best (PB) like this requires a deep dive into the current speedrunning strategies and game mechanics. The runner here, likely honing their skills over countless attempts, would have focused on several critical aspects:- Route Optimization: Every area, every bonfire, and every boss fight must be planned to minimize travel time. This includes knowing exactly which shortcuts to open and which to bypass.
- Damage Output: Maximizing damage per second (DPS) against bosses is crucial. This often involves specific weapon choices, infusions, and consumable buffs like resins or spells.
- Movement Tech: Mastering advanced movement techniques, such as roll cancels, weapon art cancels, or even specific glitches that allow for faster traversal, are essential.
- Menuing: Quick and efficient menu navigation for equipping items, using consumables, or managing spells can save precious seconds.
- Boss Skip Strategies: While this is an "All Bosses" run, there are often ways to manipulate boss aggro or AI to skip certain phases or trigger encounters faster.
Essential Gear and Builds
To achieve such a time, the build is paramount. While variety exists, typical "All Bosses" runs often gravitate towards builds that offer high burst damage or consistent, rapid damage against a wide array of enemy types.- Weapon Choice: Typically, a weapon with high damage potential and a fast moveset is preferred. The Black Knight Halberd, for example, is a fan favorite for its high base damage and Weapon Art, capable of staggering many bosses. Other popular choices include fast-hitting weapons like katanas or straight swords, often infused to exploit boss weaknesses.
- Stat Allocation: A heavy investment in Strength or Dexterity is usually necessary for optimal weapon damage. Endurance is vital for attacking and dodging, while Vigor is often kept at a minimum, relying on execution rather than survivability. Attunement might be important for casters, but most melee-focused runs prioritize weapon damage.
- Rings: Specific rings are game-changers. The Ring of Favor (increasing HP, Stamina, and Equip Load) and the Chloranthy Ring (stamina recovery) are almost always staples. Damage-boosting rings like the Lloyd's Sword Ring (bonus damage at full HP) or the Flynn's Ring (if using lighter equipment) are also key.
- Consumables: Items like Lightning Urns or Gold Pine Resins are essential for exploiting boss elemental weaknesses. Green Blossoms for stamina are also common.
Navigating Lothric: Optimizing Movement
The journey through Dark Souls 3 is as important as the destination. Every step, every dodge, and every sprint matters.- Bonfire Management: Knowing when to skip bonfires and when to rest is crucial. Resting might be necessary to refill Estus or attune spells, but stopping too long can cost valuable time.
- Shortcut Utilization: The game is designed with shortcuts to facilitate exploration. Speedrunners know precisely which levers to pull and doors to unlock to shave off minutes from the overall time.
- Enemy Skips: While not all enemies can be avoided, knowing which ones are worth fighting and which can be safely run past is a fundamental skill. Many common enemies pose little threat to a well-executed dash.
- Environment Exploitation: Sometimes, the environment itself can be used to your advantage, be it for positioning during a boss fight or for faster traversal.
The sheer amount of practice required to execute these movement patterns consistently is staggering. One wrong turn, one missed dodge, and the entire run can be compromised.
Boss Fight Breakdowns
Each boss presents a unique challenge and requires a specific strategy. While a full breakdown of every boss would be exhaustive, here are some general principles applied in high-level speedruns:- Iudex Gundyr: Often the first major hurdle, requiring a quick and aggressive approach to learn the fight's timings and damage checks.
- Vordt of the Boreal Valley: A relatively straightforward fight, often completed with a few hits from a strong starting weapon.
- Abyss Watchers: A complex encounter due to the multiple aggressive phases. Runners often utilize AoE attacks or specific weapon arts to manage the summons.
- Pontiff Sulyvahn: Known for his relentless combos, this fight is a major speedrun bottleneck. Precise dodging and exploiting his openings are key.
- Aldrich, Devourer of Gods: This fight can be punishing due to his ranged attacks and devastating arrow rain. Specific positioning and quick damage are vital.
- Soul of Cinder: The final boss, a culmination of Dark Souls 3's challenges. Runners often have a specific strategy for each of his forms.
The Role of RNG
RNG (Random Number Generation) plays a significant, albeit often frustrating, role in speedrunning. In Dark Souls 3, this can affect:- Enemy/Boss Behavior: Boss attack patterns can vary, and some critical RNG elements, like the placement of enemies or the drops from certain enemies, can impact the run.
- Item Drops: For runs that rely on specific loot (like rare weapon drops or specific rings), the RNG of drops can be a run-killer.
- NPC/Merchant Stock: If the route requires purchasing specific items, the availability and cost can be subject to RNG.
Community and Progress
The world of speedrunning is a vibrant and collaborative one. This record is not just an individual achievement but a product of the entire Dark Souls 3 speedrunning community. Runners constantly share new strats, discover new skips, and refine existing routes. Channels like GamingSpeedrun.com serve as a hub for sharing these advancements. The journey to this PB likely involved studying runs from other top players and contributing personal discoveries. This level of dedication highlights the passion within the gaming community for pushing the limits of what's possible in their favorite titles.Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most difficult boss for an "All Bosses" speedrun in Dark Souls 3?
Many runners would point to Pontiff Sulyvahn due to his aggressive dual-wielding phases and the potential for devastating combos. Aldrich, Devourer of Gods, can also be a major run-killer due to his unpredictable ranged attacks and the infamous arrow rain.
Are glitches allowed in Dark Souls 3 'All Bosses' speedruns?
It depends on the specific category. For "All Bosses - Glitchless," they are not. However, in categories that allow them, common glitches or skips might be used to save time. The community generally distinguishes between major game-breaking glitches and minor exploits or sequence breaks.
How long does it take to learn an All Bosses speedrun route?
This varies wildly depending on the runner's experience and dedication. Mastering a route to the point of achieving a PB like this can take hundreds, if not thousands, of hours of practice and study.
What is the fastest possible time for Dark Souls 3 All Bosses?
The WR (World Record) is constantly evolving, but times are generally below 1 hour and 15 minutes for the Any% Glitchless category. This 1:17:16 run is an impressive PB and likely very competitive in its specific category.
What software do speedrunners use to track their times?
The most common tool is LiveSplit. It's a highly customizable timer that allows runners to set up splits for individual segments of the run (e.g., boss fights, area completion) and track their progress against previous attempts or world records.
In conclusion, this 1 hour, 17 minute, and 16 second Dark Souls 3 All Bosses speedrun is a monumental achievement. It represents the pinnacle of player skill, strategic planning, and community collaboration. It’s a testament to the enduring appeal of Dark Souls 3 and the dedication of its speedrunning community. What are your thoughts on this incredible run? Did you find any of the strategies surprising? Share your own experiences with Dark Souls 3 speedruns or any impressive PB you've achieved in the comments below! We'd love to hear from you. And if you're inspired to start your own speedrunning journey, check out our guides on becoming a better speedrunner!