Tarnished, are you ready to delve into the absolute bleeding edge of Elden Ring speedrunning? The question on everyone's mind isn't just *if* Elden Ring can be beaten quickly, but how ridiculously fast it's becoming. While the current world record hovers tantalizingly close to the 6-minute mark, the dream of a sub-5-minute run is the ultimate goal for many top-tier speedrunners. This isn't just about beating the game; it's about breaking its very code, exploiting every glitch, and mastering every trick known to the
speedrun community.
In this comprehensive guide, we'll dissect the Any% Unrestricted category, explore the insane strategies involved, and look at what it would take to shatter that 5-minute barrier. We'll cover the core mechanics, the most impactful glitches, and the future of Elden Ring speedruns.
The All-Important Any% Unrestricted Category
When we talk about speedrunning Elden Ring, the most popular and fastest category is "Any% Unrestricted." What does this mean for us gamers and aspiring speedrunners?
* **Any%**: This means you can use any means necessary to finish the game. Glitches, exploits, unintended game mechanics – all are fair game. The only rule is that you must reach the end credits.
* **Unrestricted**: This typically implies that certain previously banned glitches or sequence breaks are now allowed. For Elden Ring, this has historically included things like "Wrong Warps" and various forms of "Zips."
The community constantly evolves, and categories can shift, but Any% Unrestricted is where the absolute fastest times are found, pushing the boundaries of what's thought possible in
gaming.
The Core Strats: What Makes an Elden Ring Speedrun Tick?
To achieve times under 7 minutes, let alone approaching 5, runners rely on a highly optimized sequence of movements and glitches. While the exact route can vary slightly based on discovered optimizations and specific patches, the core components remain similar:
* **Character Creation**: Optimized starting class (often Wretch for stats or Vagabond for survivability early on) and the use of specific starting gifts, like the Golden Seed or Stonesword Key.
* **Early Game Skips**: Exploiting game mechanics to bypass large sections of the map and mandatory encounters.
* **Boss Routing**: Identifying which bosses are absolutely necessary and developing strats to defeat them as quickly as possible, often with specific weapon setups or spell combinations.
* **Glitches and Exploits**: This is where the real magic (or rather, broken code) happens.
Key Glitches and Techniques Driving Down Times
The pursuit of faster times in Elden Ring is almost entirely driven by the discovery and mastery of game-breaking glitches. These aren't just minor bugs; they are fundamental ways to manipulate the game's world and progression.
Wrong Warps: Teleporting Through the Lands Between
Wrong Warps are arguably the most impactful glitch discovered, allowing runners to bypass huge chunks of the game by tricking the game into thinking they are in a different location than they actually are.
This technique involves triggering a specific game event while in a state that confuses the game's loading system. By manipulating save data or specific item usage, runners can warp to end-game areas or boss arenas almost instantly, skipping entire regions and dozens of hours of gameplay. Understanding the exact setup for these
glitches is crucial and often requires frame-perfect inputs.
Zips and Megazips: Clipping Through the World
Zips, particularly "Megazips," are advanced movement exploits that allow players to pass through walls and other impassable geometry. This is typically achieved by performing a specific action (like mounting Torrent and immediately dismounting while using an item or weapon art) at precise angles and locations.
* **Zip**: A standard zip allows passage through thinner walls or specific geometry.
* **Megazip**: A more advanced and often riskier version that can bypass much thicker barriers, enabling access to previously unreachable areas and significant route changes.
Mastering these
speedrun techniques requires immense practice and a deep understanding of Elden Ring's collision detection.
Other Notable Exploits
While Wrong Warps and Zips are king, other exploits contribute:
* **Guard Breaks**: Utilizing specific weapon arts or items to instantly break enemy poise.
* **Item Duplication**: Though less common in Any% now due to route optimization, certain item duplication glitches have historically played a role.
* **Menu Glitches**: Exploiting the game's menus to manipulate game state or trigger events out of sequence.
The Quest for Sub-5: What's Left to Discover?
The current
world record for Elden Ring Any% Unrestricted is an astonishing sub-6-minute time. Achieving a sub-5-minute run would require:
1. **Near-Perfect Execution**: Every single input needs to be precise. No mistakes, no deviations.
2. **New Glitch Discoveries**: It's highly probable that a sub-5 run will necessitate the discovery of entirely new, game-breaking glitches or more efficient applications of existing ones. The current strats are already incredibly optimized.
3. **Route Re-Optimization**: Runners constantly analyze and refine routes. A sub-5 run might involve completely rethinking the established path through the game.
4. **Favorable RNG**: While speedruns aim to minimize RNG dependence, some elements, like enemy placements or specific drop rates (though less critical in Any%), can still play a minor role. A perfect RNG sequence could shave off precious seconds.
The Speedrunning Community's Role
The Elden Ring
speedrunning community is incredibly active and collaborative. Platforms like Speedrun.com, Discord servers (like the crucial Speedsouls Discord), and Twitch streams are where these discoveries happen.
Runners like Distortion2, SeekerTV, and many others constantly push the boundaries. SeekerTV's 5:58 run is a testament to this dedication. The development of these strategies is a communal effort, with runners sharing findings, testing theories, and refining techniques together.
The innovation in Elden Ring speedrunning is relentless. What seems impossible today becomes the world record tomorrow. The sub-5 minute barrier is the next great Everest for Tarnished speedrunners.
Watching the Masters at Play
To truly appreciate the speed and complexity involved, watching top runners is essential. Here are a few examples that showcase the evolution of Elden Ring speedruns:
* **Seeker's 5:58 World Record**: The current benchmark, showcasing mastery of existing strats.
* **Early Sub-7 Minute Runs**: Demonstrating the initial breakthroughs with major glitches.
* **TAS (Tool-Assisted Speedrun) Runs**: While not achievable by humans, TAS runs often predict future human possibilities by exploiting glitches to their absolute theoretical limit, sometimes showing times far below 5 minutes.
The journey from the first sub-13 minute runs to the current sub-6 minute records has been breathtaking. The progression highlights the power of community, discovery, and sheer dedication.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a sub-5 minute Elden Ring speedrun possible for humans?
While not currently achieved, it's theoretically possible if new, major glitches are discovered or existing ones are exploited with unprecedented efficiency. The community is constantly pushing the limits.
What is the most important glitch in Elden Ring speedruns?
"Wrong Warps" are considered the most impactful, allowing runners to skip vast portions of the game by teleporting to end-game locations. "Zips" and "Megazips" are also critical for bypassing geometry.
How long does it take to learn Elden Ring speedrunning?
Mastering the Any% Unrestricted category requires hundreds, if not thousands, of hours of dedicated practice. Understanding the complex glitches and executing them consistently is incredibly difficult.
Can I speedrun Elden Ring on console?
While many major glitches are version-dependent and can be patched, Any% runs are possible on consoles. However, PC often allows for more experimentation and potentially faster execution due to frame rate flexibility and easier save manipulation for certain glitches.
What does "Any% Unrestricted" mean in Elden Ring speedruns?
It means runners can use any items, skills, and most importantly, any glitches or sequence breaks allowed by the community to reach the end credits as fast as possible. This category typically allows for the most game-breaking exploits.
The Future is Fast
Elden Ring speedrunning is a testament to human ingenuity and the passion of the gaming community. The relentless pursuit of faster times, the discovery of mind-bending glitches, and the collaborative spirit are what make this genre so exciting. Whether a sub-5 minute run is achievable remains to be seen, but the Tarnished won't stop trying until they've squeezed every last frame out of the Lands Between. Keep watching, keep practicing, and maybe you'll be the one to break the barrier!
What are your thoughts on the current Elden Ring speedrun meta? Do you think sub-5 is achievable? Let us know in the comments below or join the conversation on our
Discord server!
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