Dark Souls 3: Speedrun Guide

Are you ready to conquer Dark Souls 3 at lightning speed and join the ranks of the elite speedrunners? Look no further! Our comprehensive "Dark Souls 3: Speedrun Guide" will equip you with everything you need to master the art of speedrunning this iconic game. From meticulous planning to navigating the fastest routes and outsmarting the game's toughest bosses, we've got you covered. Dive into crucial subtopics like "Planning a Speedrun,", "Speedrun Tips,", "Speedrun Routes,", "Speedrunning Bosses," and "Speedrun Records" to shave minutes off your time and rise to the top of the leaderboard. Let's get started on making you a Dark Souls 3 speedrunning legend!

Planning a Speedrun

So, you’ve decided to speedrun Dark Souls 3. Nice! But before you start, there’s some planning to do. Speedrunning is like creating a masterpiece out of chaos. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you plan your run and cut down those precious seconds.

1. Choose Your Speedrun Category

First, you need to decide which speedrun category you’re going for. Here are the most popular choices:

• Any%: Complete the game as fast as possible using any means necessary. Your goal is simply to beat the game.
• All Bosses: Defeat every boss in the game, including optional ones.
• Glitchless: A speedrun without using any glitches or exploits.

Each category has its own set of challenges and tricks. Choose the one that sounds the most fun to you!

2. Learn the Routes

Speedrunning isn't just about playing fast; it's about knowing the best routes and tricks to save time. Watch some experienced speedrunners on YouTube or Twitch to learn the paths they take. You can find route maps and guides online from the speedrunning community. Take notes and try to internalize the route.

3. Practice Key Sections

Not all parts of the game are equally difficult. Some sections are particularly tricky and require more practice:

• Boss Fights: Know the patterns and weak spots of each boss to beat them quickly.
• Key Items: Whether it's a weapon or an essential item, you need to know their exact locations and the fastest way to get there.
• Jumping and Rolling: Perfect your jumps and rolls through countless repetitions.

4. Optimize Your Build

Your choice of character build can hugely impact your run. Most speedrunners prefer:

• Dex Build: Fast rolls and quick attacks.
• Strength Build: Heavy hits to take down enemies quickly.
• Pyromancer Build: Strong ranged attacks to clear enemies from a distance.

Pick a build that suits your style and practice with it.

5. Memorize Shortcuts and Skips

Dark Souls 3 is full of shortcuts and skips that can save a ton of time. Learn how to perform glitches like the “Tree Skip” and master secret routes that bypass entire sections of the game.

6. Time Your Runs

Timing is everything. Use a reliable timer app to track your runs. The speedrunning community usually uses LiveSplit, which is easy to set up and provides a clear view of your splits and total time.

7. Analyze and Improve

After each run, watch your time splits and identify where you can improve. Maybe you took too long on a boss or forgot a shortcut. Small improvements add up!

8. Join the Community

Speedrunning is as much about community as it is about competition. Join forums, Discord servers, or subreddits dedicated to Dark Souls 3 speedrunning. You can share your runs, get tips, and even ask for help on tricky sections. It’s also super motivating to hang out with people who love the game as much as you do.

9. Stay Patient and Persistent

Even the best speedrunners started at zero. Your first few runs might be rough, but don’t get discouraged. Every mistake is a learning opportunity. Keep practicing, and over time, you’ll see improvement.

Speedrunning Dark Souls 3 is a thrilling experience once you get the hang of it. So, gather your gear, memorize those routes, and get ready to roll. Good luck, and happy running!

Speedrun Tips

Speedrunning Dark Souls 3 can be a thrilling experience, but it's also incredibly challenging. To help you get started, here are some essential tips and tricks that can save you precious seconds (or even minutes) on your run.

Start with the Right Class

Choosing the right starting class is crucial. For most speedruns, the Knight is a popular choice due to balanced stats and good starting equipment. Another solid option is the Pyromancer, as the starting fire spells can deal massive damage early on.

Route Planning

Before diving in, spend time planning your route. Watch runs from experienced players to see which paths and shortcuts they take. Familiarity with the game's maps and enemy placements can save you tons of time. Some key areas you'll need to optimize include:

• High Wall of Lothric
• Undead Settlement
• Farron Keep

Remember that every second counts, so always look for potential time-saving shortcuts and skips.

Timing Your Rolls and Sprints

Perfecting your roll timing and managing your stamina is crucial. Rolling can help you avoid enemy attacks without wasting time on unnecessary fights. And, keep an eye on your stamina bar; running out mid-fight or while dodging can be fatal.

Here are a few tips:

• Conserve Stamina: Only sprint when necessary and learn when to take brief pauses to recover.
• Perfect Your Rolls: Practice roll timing to avoid damage and move faster through areas.
• Ladder Skips: If you’re dexterous enough, use roll glitches to avoid long ladder descents.

Memorize Boss Patterns

Each boss in Dark Souls 3 has specific attack patterns that you can learn. Memorizing these can help you avoid lengthy battles. Key bosses you’ll face early on include:

• Iudex Gundyr: Practice parrying and dodging his attacks to take him down quickly.
• Vordt of the Boreal Valley: Stay under him to avoid most of his attacks.

Additionally, learning the fastest strategies to defeat bosses can reduce your run time significantly. Watch videos or read guides to find effective techniques used by top speedrunners.

Weapon Upgrades and Infusions

Choosing the right weapons and upgrading them efficiently can make a huge difference. Some recommended weapons for speedrunning are:

• Broadsword: Great for its quick attacks and decent damage.
• Irithyll Straight Sword: Excellent ice weapon that can carry you through mid-game.

Focus on infusing your weapon with the appropriate gem to maximize damage output. For instance:

• Raw Gem: Offers high base damage, perfect if you’re not heavily investing in specific stats.
• Fire Gem: Adds fire damage, useful when facing enemies weak to fire.

Limit Bonfire Usage

While bonfires are lifesavers, using them too often can cost you time. Plan out which bonfires are essential for your run so you can minimize resting at them. When possible, use them strategically to regain health without wasting travel time.

Optimize Inventory Management

Inventory management might seem trivial, but it can save you a ton of time. Keep your inventory as clean as possible to avoid unnecessary scrolling. Place essential items like Estus Flasks and Homeward Bones in easy-to-access slots to ensure quick usage.

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By integrating these tips and continuously refining your skills, you'll become more efficient at speedrunning Dark Souls 3. Practice, patience, and persistence are key aspects. Good luck, and may your runs be swift and flawless!

Dark Souls 3: Speedrun Guide

Speedrun Routes

Speedrunning Dark Souls 3 is like playing a whole different game. If you’re here, that means you’re ready to dive into the intense, heart-pounding action of completing this challenging game as fast as possible. Let’s explore some popular speedrun routes to get you started!

Category: Any%

The "Any%" category is all about getting to the credits as quickly as possible. No holds barred. Here are the key points for the Any% route:

1. Cemetery of Ash and Iudex Gundyr:

   • Start your run by rushing through the Cemetery of Ash.
   • You’re aiming for fast, decisive blows on Iudex Gundyr. Learn his patterns and stay aggressive.

2. Firelink Shrine:

   • Rest at Firelink Shrine, light the bonfire, but don’t linger.
   • Focus on getting to High Wall of Lothric post-haste.

3. Vordt of the Boreal Valley:

   • Use the shortcut through the elevator near the Lothric Knights.
   • Against Vordt, dodge his charges and stay close to hit him from the side or back.

4. Undead Settlement and Curse-rotted Greatwood:

   • Skip most of the enemies. Run past them straight to Curse-rotted Greatwood.
   • Aim for the weak points and remember the plunging attack phase.

5. Road of Sacrifices to Crystal Sage:

   • Speed is key. Don't get bogged down by enemies. Blast through to Crystal Sage.
   • Keep an eye on the real Sage during the fight and get those precise hits in.

6. Farron Keep and Abyss Watchers:

   • Enter Farron Keep and navigate the swamp quickly to avoid Poison.
   • Strategize and divide the Abyss Watchers to win efficiently.

7. Cathedral of the Deep:

   • Move swiftly to Deacons of the Deep. Hit and run tactics work well here.

8. Irithyll of the Boreal Valley and Pontiff Sulyvahn:

   • Push through Irithyll to the Pontiff as fast as possible.
   • Pontiff’s patterns can be challenging; practice your dodges and counters.

9. Aldrich, Devourer of Gods:

   • Rush to Anor Londo and engage Aldrich, focusing on consistent damage.

10. Lothric Castle and Lorian & Lothric:

    • Use the elevator shortcuts and go straight to the boss brothers.
    • Target Lorian first and then Lothric.

11. Dragonslayer Armour and Grand Archives:

    • Fight Dragonslayer Armour, then move through the Grand Archives at speed.
    • Conserve resources and avoid unnecessary fights.

12. Lothric, Younger Prince and Soul of Cinder:

    • Avenge both bosses with calculated attacks and quick movements.

Category: All Bosses

The "All Bosses" route requires a bit more finesse since you need to defeat every major boss in the game. Here are some notable bits:

1. Old Demon King and the Smouldering Lake:

   • Enter Smouldering Lake and take down the Old Demon King. Move swiftly and avoid getting swarmed.

2. Nameless King (Optional Boss):

   • Grab the Stormruler and ride the storms to duel the Nameless King. Learn his aggressive patterns.

3. Aldritch Faithful and the Dancer of the Boreal Valley:

   • Beat Aldritch and then the Dancer. Precision and patience pay off.

4. High Lord Wolnir and Yhorm the Giant:

   • Overpower Wolnir with explosive damage.
   • Employ the Storm Ruler to make Yhorm’s fall faster.

Tips for Speedrunners

• Memorize Patterns: Learn enemy behavior and boss patterns to minimize time wasted.
• Optimize Movement: Master rolling, running, and jumping to cut seconds off your time.
• Perfect Routes: Use shortcuts and avoid unnecessary detours. Know the quickest path inside and out.
• Practice, Practice, Practice: The more you play, the sharper your skills will become. Every second counts.

Speedrunning Dark Souls 3 isn’t just about speed; it’s about precision, strategy, and endless practice. Ready to race to the finish? Grab your Estus Flask, and let’s light that bonfire! 🚀

Speedrunning Bosses

Speedrunning in Dark Souls 3 is all about mastering skill, timing, and exploiting game mechanics to defeat bosses as fast as possible. These tips will help you reduce your time and get those impressive runs!

General Tips

Before diving into specific bosses, let's outline some general strategies to make boss fights quicker and easier:

1. Optimize Your Build: Go for a high DPS (damage per second) build that can dish out damage fast while allowing for quick movements. Dex/Strength builds with fast weapons like katanas or straight swords work wonders.
2. Memorize Movesets: Understanding each boss's patterns is crucial. Knowing when to dodge or parry can cut down the time you spend dodging and waiting for openings.
3. Use Resins and Buffs: Elemental resins and weapon buffs like Carthus Rouge or Gold Pine Resin can significantly increase your damage output.
4. Stay Aggressive: Many of Dark Souls 3’s bosses can be staggered. Relentless attacking can stop their move cycle, giving you more opportunities to strike.
5. Practice: Spend some time in practice runs focusing on consistency and precision rather than speed. The quicker time will come with familiarity.

Vordt of the Boreal Valley

He's one of the early-game bosses and can be a breeze if approached correctly.

• Weapon: Fire weapons work great here due to his weakness to fire.
• Strategy: Stay close to his right hind leg. This area is usually a safe zone, and you can land multiple hits without getting trampled. Watch out for his frost breath attack and roll away quickly.

Abyss Watchers

Abyss Watchers might seem tough but can be taken down quickly with a few tricks.

• Weapon: Fast-hitting weapons like the Farron Greatsword or Dual Sellswords are very effective.
• Strategy: During the first phase, focus on baiting attacks from the single Abyss Watcher and counter-attacking. When the third Watcher rises, let them fight each other while you deal damage from behind. In the second phase, just dodge his moves and get as many hits in as possible during his recovery animations.

Pontiff Sulyvahn

This is where your dodging skills will be put to the test.

• Weapon: A high-damage weapon like the Exile Greatsword or the Dark Sword.
• Strategy: Pontiff has a pretty hefty moveset with a lot of combos. Stick close to him, as he tends to use his ranged attacks when you're far away. In the second phase, focus on Pontiff rather than his clone as much as possible. Dodging toward him and to the side usually helps you get hits in without getting wrecked by his combos.

Yhorm the Giant

Surprisingly, Yhorm can be one of the simplest fights if you know how to exploit his mechanics.

• Weapon: The Storm Ruler, which you can find in the boss arena itself.
• Strategy: Pick up the Storm Ruler, charge its special skill, and release the powerful wind attacks to deal massive damage. Only a few hits should take him down. This makes the fight straightforward and quick.

The Nameless King

One of the most challenging bosses but still manageable with a solid strategy.

• Weapon: High AR weapons like the Lothric Knight Sword or Dragonslayer Axe.
• Strategy: In the first phase, keep your distance from the Stormdrake and attack its head when it swoops down. In the second phase, stay close to the Nameless King and dodge his attacks, especially his lightning smashes and pokes. Counter after his big moves when his recovery takes a bit longer.

Soul of Cinder

Your final obstacle which can be tricky due to its variety of attacks.

• Weapon: Anything you’re highly skilled with, but make sure it’s upgraded to the max.
• Strategy: In the first phase, the Soul of Cinder will switch between different fighting styles. Learning each style helps but always stay close and watch for big, slow attacks to roll behind and punish. In the second phase, watch out for his sword combo followed by a devastating explosion. Dodge through his attacks to get in close and finish the fight quickly.

Remember, practice is the key to mastering these bosses. With perseverance and these tips, you'll be shaving precious seconds off your run in no time. Happy speedrunning, Ashen One!

Speedrun Records

If you thought Dark Souls 3 was tough, try blazing through the game in just a couple of hours--or less! Speedrunning in Dark Souls 3 takes a crazy amount of skill, precision, and nerves of steel. Let’s dive into the world of speedrun records and see what it takes to be the fastest.

The Basics

Before we get into the numbers, let’s quickly go over what a speedrun is. Speedrunning is all about completing a game as fast as possible. Players use every trick, shortcut, and glitch they can find to shave off seconds, or even milliseconds, from their time.

Categories

Speedruns in Dark Souls 3 can be split into several categories. Here are the main ones:

• Any%: Complete the game as fast as possible without restrictions. Anything goes!
• All Bosses: Take down every single boss in the game as quickly as you can.
• No Hit: Finish the game without getting hit once--yes, it’s as crazy as it sounds.
• Glitchless: Complete the game without using any glitches. Good luck with that!

Each category has its own set of challenges and attracts different types of players.

Current Records (as of 2023)

Let’s talk about some of the most jaw-dropping records set by speedrunners in Dark Souls 3:

• Any%: The current world record for the Any% category is held by Distortion2 with an incredible time of 31 minutes and 44 seconds. This run is filled with precise movements, clever skips, and intense boss battles.
• All Bosses: In the All Bosses category, Nemz38 holds the record with a time of 1 hour, 19 minutes, and 35 seconds. This speedrun showcases mastery over every boss fight, demonstrating near-perfect execution.
• No Hit: The No Hit category is dominated by The_Happy_Hob, who completed the game in just 4 hours and 53 minutes without taking a single hit. Watching this run is like witnessing a dance of perfection and patience.
• Glitchless: For those who prefer a purer form of the game, the Glitchless record goes to Squillakilla at 1 hour, 45 minutes, and 33 seconds. It’s a testament to mastering the game the way it was ‘meant’ to be played, but at breakneck speed.

Tips From the Pros

If you’re inspired to give speedrunning a try, here are some tips from the masters:

1. Learn the Routes: Each speedrun has a specific route that players follow to optimize time. Study these paths and practice them until they become second nature.
2. Master the Glitches: For categories like Any%, knowing how to exploit glitches can save a ton of time. Practice these until you can execute them flawlessly.
3. Know Your Bosses: Efficiency in boss fights is crucial. Learn boss patterns and find the quickest ways to beat them.
4. Stay Calm Under Pressure: Speedrunning can be intense. Staying calm and focused is key to avoiding mistakes.
5. Watch and Learn: Study the top speedruns. Platforms like YouTube and Twitch are goldmines for learning tricks and techniques.

The Community

Speedrunning Dark Souls 3 isn’t just a solo endeavor; it’s a community effort. Websites like Speedrun.com and forums like Reddit’s r/speedrun offer a place for you to connect with other runners, share tips, and keep up with the evolution of speedrunning strategies.

Conclusion

Speedrunning Dark Souls 3 is not for the faint of heart, but it can be one of the most rewarding challenges in gaming. Whether you aim to beat the world record or just want to improve your own time, the thrill of the run is sure to have you coming back for more. Get your controller ready, plan your route, and may the speed be with you!