Are you a Dishonored fan looking to shave seconds off your personal best? Perhaps you've watched the lightning-fast runs on YouTube and wondered, "How do they *do* that?" You've landed in the right place. The Dishonored Any% speedrun is a masterclass in movement, glitch exploitation, and sheer game knowledge. Forget a leisurely stroll through Dunwall; this is about a high-octane sprint to the finish line, utilizing every trick in the book. In this in-depth guide, we'll break down the strategies, the insane skips, and the precise execution that makes this speedrun category so captivating, drawing insights from the very players who define it.
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What is Any% Speedrunning in Dishonored?
For the uninitiated, "Any%" in speedrunning means completing the game as fast as possible, with no restrictions on the methods used. This often involves exploiting glitches, bugs, and unintended mechanics that developers may not have foreseen. In Dishonored, this translates to a frantic race against time, where every millisecond counts. The goal isn't to see every corner of the map or to achieve a high score; it's to reach the final objective, the ending credits, in the absolute shortest time possible. This often means breaking the game's intended progression, going out of bounds, and executing incredibly precise inputs.
The core appeal of the speedrun category for Dishonored lies in its reliance on aggressive movement and clever glitches. Players aren't just running; they're exploiting the game's engine to achieve speeds and traversal methods that are far beyond what Corvo Attano could normally achieve. This makes the runs incredibly exciting to watch and even more challenging to perform.
Essential Gliches & Strats: The Backbone of the Run
The Dishonored Any% speedrun is built upon a foundation of intricate speedrunning strategies and a deep understanding of the game's physics and mechanics. Here are some of the most critical techniques you'll see:
- Movement Glitches: This is paramount. Techniques like scroll-jumping (using the mouse wheel to gain momentum rapidly), precise strafing, and utilizing environmental interactions to propel Corvo forward are essential.
- Out-of-Bounds (OOB) Exploitation: Often, the fastest way through a section is to simply not be in the game's designed playable area. These OOB skips can save significant time by bypassing entire combat encounters or traversal puzzles.
- Damage Boosts: Certain actions or environmental effects can provide a temporary speed boost. Understanding how to trigger and maintain these is crucial for maintaining momentum.
- Input Precision: Many of these glitches require frame-perfect inputs or very specific timing. One wrong click or key press can cost precious seconds or, worse, end the run.
- RNG Manipulation: While not always a "glitch," manipulating random number generator (RNG) elements, such as enemy patrols or item spawns, can be vital for consistent runs.
These aren't just random tricks; they're carefully discovered and practiced techniques that have been refined over years by the dedicated Dishonored speedrunning community. The pursuit of a World Record involves constant innovation and optimization of these strats.
Early Game Optimization: The Void Skip and Beyond
The run truly kicks off with an explosive start. Immediately after gaining basic control, runners aim to perform the infamous "Void Skip" or a similar out-of-bounds maneuver.
"The elevator only works on the 1.2 patch (or earlier), since we also clip through the ceiling by holding ‘Shift’ and a directional key."
This technique allows players to bypass large sections of the early game. Instead of following the intended path, runners exploit clipping glitches with the environment to gain access to areas much earlier than intended. This often means skipping key objectives, like picking up Corvo's signature sword and crossbow. Skipping these items is a strategic choice; running without the sword equipped makes Corvo faster, and since the crossbow isn't needed for any critical strats in Any%, it's a simple time save.
Following this, runners typically head into the Void to grab a rune. The critical part here isn't just grabbing it, but utilizing it for the best possible outcome. Runners will often save the rune's activation until *after* they exit the Void.
"When we reach the end of the Void, we grab the rune, but rather than use it to level up an ability right away, we press escape and save using it until we exit, so that we can use the rune to level up Agility."
This allows them to immediately upgrade the Blink ability upon regaining control of Corvo, providing a crucial distance-traveling tool for the rest of the run. The precise timing of this rune usage is key to minimizing downtime.
Mid-Game Maneuvers: Navigating the Walls of Light
As the run progresses, players will encounter the imposing Walls of Light, powerful magical barriers that instantly kill anyone who touches them. Speedrunners, however, have developed ways to bypass these formidable obstacles.
A precise Blink is often used to pass over these barriers. This requires near-perfect positioning and timing; a fraction of a second too late or too far to the left means instant death and a failed run. This demonstrates the high-stakes nature of these strats. Additionally, enemy interactions are optimized. For instance, a strategically placed Springrazor isn't just for combat; it can be used to stun an enemy, allowing the runner to perform a pickpocket for a necessary item without breaking stride. This showcases how every action is multi-purposed in a speedrun.
The community has also identified potential "wrong warp" glitches. These can occur when interacting with certain doors, particularly if the player spams the interaction button. A wrong warp can send the player back to an earlier point in the level, costing immense amounts of time. Therefore, players must be meticulous with their interactions.
"Also, when seeker threw the springrazor, he also crouched so he could pickpocket the guy before he died, allowing us to obtain the ‘Blackmail Journal.’"
Furthermore, in some Dishonored speedruns, damage boosts are a critical component. These boosts are often tied to the game's frame rate (FPS), meaning runners must ensure their game is running at a consistent rate to guarantee the boost's effectiveness. This often involves waiting in loading screens to allow the game to stabilize its FPS, ensuring the boost is as potent as possible.
Late-Game Execution: Securing the Win
The final stretch of the run demands absolute perfection. Runners are often dealing with complex sequences that involve precise movement, item usage, and environmental manipulation.
The "Sewer Leap" is another technique that can be employed, especially if a player doesn't have a free-scrolling mouse wheel, highlighting the adaptability required. Playing at a lower FPS, like 30, can sometimes make certain jumps easier due to fewer input frames to manage, showcasing how different speedrunning techniques cater to different playstyles or hardware limitations.
The team's expertise shines when navigating out-of-bounds areas. The sewers, for example, offer a significant time save by allowing players to bypass picking up crucial items like the sword and crossbow. This early skip, achieved through precise positioning and movement glitches, can save upwards of 26 seconds in that specific area alone. This highlights the deep dive into game mechanics that speedrunners undertake.
"Overall, all this out-of-bounds work saves approximately 26 seconds in the sewers area compared to staying in-bounds."
The final moments often involve a race to secure objectives, with players using their upgraded Blink ability to quickly traverse the remaining distances. The success of the run hinges on executing these final sequences flawlessly, often without any room for error. It's a testament to the dedication and practice involved in achieving these incredible times.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Any% category in Dishonored speedruns?
The Any% category means completing the game as fast as possible, without any restrictions on the methods used. This includes exploiting glitches and bugs.
Is the Dishonored speedrun difficult to learn?
Yes, the Any% speedrun for Dishonored is very difficult due to its reliance on precise movement, complex glitches, and out-of-bounds techniques that require a deep understanding of the game's engine.
What is the "Void Skip"?
The "Void Skip" is an out-of-bounds glitch used early in the run to bypass a significant portion of the game's intended progression, saving considerable time.
Does the speedrun require specific game patches or versions?
Some glitches, like the elevator skip, are patch-dependent, meaning certain speedruns might require specific versions of the game to be performed correctly.
How much time can be saved by going out of bounds?
Going out of bounds can save substantial amounts of time, often tens of seconds in specific segments, by allowing runners to skip intended paths and item pickups.
Mastering the Dishonored Any% speedrun is a monumental task that requires incredible dedication, practice, and an intimate knowledge of the game's mechanics. The continuous innovation within the community ensures that these records are always being pushed, offering endless fascination for fans of speedrun gaming. Whether you're aiming for your own PB or just want to appreciate the skill involved, watching these runs is a thrilling experience. What other speedrunning strategies would you like us to explore?