Table of Contents
Introduction: The Golden Order's New Pace
Alright, Tarnished! If you're here, you've likely seen the impossible happen. A runner has done the unthinkable, smashing through the previously impenetrable sub-30 minute barrier in Elden Ring's Any% speedrun. We're talking about a **World First** of 28 minutes and 59 seconds. This isn't just a new Personal Best (PB); this is a monumental achievement that redefines what's possible in the Lands Between. For those of you who live and breathe speedruns, this is the kind of news that gets your adrenaline pumping. You're probably asking: How was this done? What strats were used? Is this the new meta? We're diving deep into this incredible run, dissecting the techniques, the risks, and the sheer skill involved. Get ready to explore the bleeding edge of Elden Ring speedrunning.The 28:59 Run: A Masterclass in Execution
Achieving a sub-30 minute Any% run in Elden Ring is the holy grail for many speedrunners. It requires near-perfect execution, exploiting every known glitch, skip, and animation cancel. This specific run, clocking in at an astonishing 28:59, represents the pinnacle of years of community effort and individual dedication. It’s a testament to how runners constantly push the boundaries of game mechanics, finding new routes and optimizations. The sheer speed required means that even a single mistimed dodge or a poorly executed jump can cost precious seconds, making a run like this incredibly demanding. This record isn't just about raw speed; it's about understanding the game's engine on a granular level. Every frame, every animation, every possible shortcut is meticulously planned and practiced. The runner’s ability to string together complex maneuvers without faltering is what separates a good run from a historic one.Key Strategies and Skips
To achieve a time this low, runners typically rely on a combination of established and newly discovered techniques. The Any% category, by definition, allows for glitches and exploits to be used. Here are some of the core elements that likely contributed to this record-breaking run: * **Boss Skips and Sequence Breaks**: Elden Ring's open-world design allows for many bosses to be bypassed entirely or fought out of their intended order. This run undoubtedly utilizes major skips to avoid optional areas and challenging encounters that don't gate progression. * **Glitched Movement Tech**: Techniques like "Sword Flying" or advanced jump exploits can drastically reduce travel time between points of interest. Mastering these requires incredible precision and often relies on specific weapon art timings or environmental interactions. * **Fast Travel Exploitation**: While fast travel is a staple of Elden Ring, speedrunners push its limits. This can involve carefully timed teleports or specific movement inputs to achieve faster transitions. * **Critical Hit Setup**: Bosses are often defeated with a single, perfectly timed critical hit. This requires specific weapon choices and stat allocations, focusing on maximizing damage output for that crucial moment. * **RNG Manipulation**: While luck is always a factor, skilled runners develop strategies to mitigate negative Random Number Generation (RNG) or even force favorable outcomes. This might involve specific loading zones or enemy spawn patterns. The planning that goes into an Any% run is staggering. It's not just about knowing the route, but about knowing how to react when things don't go perfectly.Critical Moments and RNG
Every speedrun is a dance with the unpredictable. In a game like Elden Ring, where enemy AI can vary and item drops aren't always guaranteed, **Random Number Generation (RNG)** plays a significant role. For a sub-30 minute run, every boss encounter needs to go as smoothly as possible. * **Starting Class and Initial Gear**: The choice of starting class and the very first few items acquired can set the tone for the entire run. Getting the right weapon or essential consumables quickly is paramount. * **Enemy Aggro and Pathing**: How enemies react to the runner can drastically alter a route. Sometimes, enemies will path in a way that allows for quick passage, while other times they can create frustrating roadblocks. * **Boss Phase Transitions**: Specific bosses might have phases that are easier or harder to trigger based on player actions. Optimizing these transitions can save valuable seconds. * **Item Drops**: While major progression items are fixed, some speedruns can benefit from specific random drops that speed up the process, such as crucial crafting materials or gear. The runner’s ability to adapt on the fly to favorable or unfavorable RNG is a hallmark of elite play. It’s not just about executing a plan, but about having the reflexes and game knowledge to adjust when the game throws unexpected variables at you. This run is a testament to mastering those critical moments.Optimizing Movement and Combat
The core of any speedrun lies in efficiency. In Elden Ring, this means minimizing time spent traversing the vast world and maximizing damage output during combat. * **Movement Techniques**: Beyond simple running, speedrunners utilize a variety of techniques. This includes precise strafing, jump attacks for slight boosts, and often, the use of specific Ashes of War that offer rapid mobility or invincibility frames. The Butterflying technique, for example, can allow for incredible horizontal movement. * **Combat Encounters**: Even though the goal is to skip as much as possible, certain mandatory boss fights are unavoidable. For these, runners focus on identifying the quickest kill strategies. This often involves: * **Weapon Choice**: Using weapons with high critical damage or rapid attack speeds. The Black Knight Halberd, when accessible early, is a prime example of a weapon that can dominate early-game bosses. * **Build Optimization**: Allocating stats precisely to maximize damage for specific weapon types. A pure Strength or Dexterity build might be favored, or a hybrid for certain weapons. * **Exploiting Boss Weaknesses**: Many bosses have elemental or damage type weaknesses that can be exploited for faster kills. Every action, from opening a menu to swinging a weapon, is optimized. This is where the deep dive into game mechanics truly shines.The Meta of Any%
The Any% category in Elden Ring is constantly evolving. What was considered optimal a few months ago might be outdated now. This 28:59 run likely incorporates the latest discoveries in terms of route optimization and glitch utilization. * **The Starting Area**: The initial minutes are critical for securing essential items and setting up for the first major skips. * **Key Boss Fights**: Which bosses are fought and in what order is a complex puzzle. Typically, runners aim for bosses that grant essential items or unlock critical paths, while avoiding optional encounters. * **Late-Game Skips**: Elden Ring's design presents opportunities for significant sequence breaks late in the game, allowing runners to reach the final boss much faster than intended. These often involve elaborate Out of Bounds (OOB) glitches or advanced movement techniques. The community constantly experiments, sharing new findings on platforms like Reddit and Discord. This iterative process of discovery and refinement is what drives the speedrunning community forward.Beyond the Record: The Future of Elden Ring Speedrunning
This sub-30 run is a massive milestone, but the pursuit of speed never truly ends. What's next for Elden Ring speedrunning? * **Further Optimization**: Runners will undoubtedly scrutinize this new record, looking for even smaller optimizations to shave off more time. * **New Glitches and Skips**: The game's engine is complex, and there's always a chance for new, game-breaking glitches to be discovered. * **Category Variations**: While Any% is the most popular, categories like Glitchless, 100%, or specific challenge runs continue to thrive. * **New Runners**: Records like this inspire new players to get involved, bringing fresh perspectives and skills to the community. The dedication shown by the Elden Ring speedrunning community is truly inspiring. This 28:59 run is not just a personal achievement; it’s a beacon for what’s possible when passion meets precision. It’s a reminder that even in a game as vast and complex as Elden Ring, there’s always a faster way to reach the end. This is what speedrun gaming is all about – pushing limits and redefining the game itself.Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Any% category in speedrunning?
The Any% category means runners aim to complete the game as quickly as possible, regardless of how much of the game's content is experienced or how many objectives are completed. This category often allows for the use of glitches and exploits.
How are Elden Ring speedruns timed?
Speedruns are typically timed using a program called LiveSplit, which tracks the in-game time. For Any%, the timer usually starts when the player gains control and ends when the final boss is defeated and the credits begin to roll.
Are glitches allowed in Elden Ring speedruns?
Yes, glitches and exploits are fundamental to the Any% category of Elden Ring speedrunning. The community actively researches and utilizes these to discover faster routes and skip large portions of the game.
How does RNG affect Elden Ring speedruns?
RNG (Random Number Generation) can significantly impact Elden Ring speedruns by affecting enemy behavior, item drop rates, and boss attack patterns. Skilled runners develop strategies to mitigate bad RNG or exploit favorable outcomes.
What does "World First" mean in speedrunning?
"World First" signifies that a runner has achieved a new record time for a specific category in a particular game that has never been accomplished before. In this case, it means this 28:59 run is the first known completion of Elden Ring's Any% category under 30 minutes.
The pursuit of speed in Elden Ring is a testament to the ingenuity and dedication of the gaming community. This 28:59 run is not just a record; it's a new chapter in the game's legendary status.
What strategies have you found most effective in your own Elden Ring playthroughs? Share your thoughts and any personal bests in the comments below!
What do you think about this incredible achievement? Are you inspired to try your own Elden Ring speedrun? What other games would you like us to cover in terms of speedrunning strategies? Let us know in the comments or join the discussion on our Discord server! We're always looking for passionate gamers to share their experiences and insights.