Dark Souls: Speedrun Guide

Welcome to our ultimate Dark Souls: Speedrun Guide, your essential resource for mastering the art of racing through one of the most challenging games ever created. Whether you're a seasoned speedrunner or a curious newcomer, this guide will equip you with everything you need to conquer Lordran at breakneck speed. Our comprehensive breakdown covers crucial topics like Planning a Speedrun, Speedrun Tips, Speedrun Routes, Speedrunning Bosses, and a deep dive into Speedrun Records. Get ready to slash through your best times and achieve legendary status in the speedrunning community!

Planning a Speedrun

So, you want to speedrun Dark Souls? Awesome choice! Speedrunning this game is all about strategy, precision, and a little luck. Here’s how to get started.

1. Choose Your Category

First up, pick a speedrun category. Different categories have different rules and goals. Here are some popular ones:

• Any%: Beat the game as fast as possible, using any glitches or exploits.
• All Bosses: Defeat every boss, including optional ones.
• Soul Level 1 (SL1) Run: Complete the game without leveling up.
• Glitchless: Finish the game without using any glitches.

Each category has its own charm and challenges, so pick one that sounds fun to you!

2. Learn the Routes

Every speedrun category has an optimal route. Browse speedrun.com or watch top runners on Twitch and YouTube to see their paths. Pay attention to:

• Boss order: The sequence in which you fight bosses to minimize backtracking.
• Item pickups: Essential items like weapons, armor, and consumables.
• Shortcut reveals: Hidden paths and shortcuts that save time.

Jot down notes or even draw yourself a map.

3. Master the Mechanics

Dark Souls is all about timing and precision. For a successful speedrun, you need to be a combat master. Practice these:

• Rolling and dodging: You’ll need to dodge attacks with perfect timing.
• Parrying and riposting: Crucial for quick kills on certain enemies.
• Stamina management: Efficiently manage your stamina during fights and sprints.

The more you play, the more you’ll understand enemy patterns and boss mechanics.

4. Use Glitches and Exploits (If Allowed)

In categories that allow it, glitches can save a ton of time. Here are some common ones:

• Sen’s Gate Skip: Allows you to skip large parts of Sen’s Fortress.
• Ceaseless Discharge Skip: Defeat him quickly by making him fall off the cliff.
• Toggling Quantity Usage Glitch (TQUG): Duplicate items to save grinding time.

Be sure to practice these, as they often require precise timing and positioning.

5. Optimize Your Equipment

Choosing the right gear is key. Here are a few tips:

• Weapons: Fast and high-damage weapons like the Black Knight Halberd are usually preferred.
• Armor: Light armor for faster rolls and stamina recovery.
• Rings: Equip rings that boost your stamina or health, like the Cloranthy Ring.

Keep your loadout light and focused on speed.

6. Save Time with Menuing

Efficient menu navigation can shave off precious seconds. Practice:

• Quick item switching: Swapping weapons, rings, and items quickly.
• Bonfire navigation: Leveling up and warping without wasting time.
• Inventory management: Keep your inventory organized for fast access.

7. Practice, Practice, Practice

Speedrunning Dark Souls isn't easy. It demands lots of practice and patience. Do regular runs, and focus on areas where you lose the most time. Watch your replays to see where you can improve.

8. Join the Community

Speedrunning is more fun with friends. Join forums, Discord channels, and communities like SpeedSouls to share tips, strategies, and support.

Final Tips

• Stay Calm: Speedruns can be stressful. Keep your cool, even if a run is going south.
• Take Breaks: Avoid burnout by taking breaks during longer practice sessions.
• Have Fun: The goal is to enjoy the game, so keep your runs fun!

Good luck, Undead warrior! May your runs be swift and your glitches smooth. Happy speedrunning!

Dark Souls: Speedrun Guide

Speedrun Tips

Speedrunning through Dark Souls might seem impossible at first, but with a few tips and some practice, you’ll be slicing through enemies and bosses like a pro. Here’s a comprehensive guide to help you get started on your speedrunning journey.

Know Your Routes

The most important part of a speedrun is knowing where to go. Memorize your path so you don’t waste any time. Watch videos of experienced speedrunners, take notes, and practice those paths until they’re second nature.

Key places to focus on:

• Firelink Shrine: Your starting hub.
• Undead Burg: First major area with tight paths and enemies.
• Sen's Fortress: Lots of traps and narrow walkways; be quick and precise.
• Anor Londo: Home to tricky battles and careful maneuvering.
• Duke’s Archives: Ladders, tight spaces, and hidden enemies-pay attention.

Master Glitches and Skips

Speedrunners often use glitches to skip parts of the game. Here are a few essential ones:

• Firelink Skip: This skip allows you to bypass parts of the early game by performing a precise jump and roll.
• Sen’s Gate Skip: By using a specific set of moves, you can skip the gate mechanism and save valuable time.
• Duke Skip: Skip straight to the boss area in Duke's Archives using a complex jump and quit-out method.

Practice these skips repeatedly. They can save you minutes-crucial in a speedrun.

Efficient Combat

Fighting every enemy is a waste of time. Focus on the essential battles and dodge or run past others. Learn to parry enemies to make quick work of them when you can’t avoid a fight. Equip weapons that offer the best balance of speed, damage, and stamina usage.

Recommended Early Game Weapons

• Battle Axe: Found in the Undead Burg, great early damage.
• Zweihander: Located in the Graveyard, heavy but packs a punch.
• Black Knight Halberd: A bit of luck required for this drop, but it's a game-changer.

Optimize Your Builds

Speed is the key. Use light armor so you can dodge faster. Dexterity builds are often favored for speedruns because of their quick attack speeds.

Suggested Stat Focus

• High Dexterity: Faster swings, more damage.
• Adequate Endurance: More stamina for dodging and swinging.
• Enough Vitality: To survive unavoidable hits.

Time Your Bonfires

Rest at bonfires only when absolutely necessary. Each rest takes time and breaks the flow of your run. Balance the risk of moving forward with zero Estus flasks and the need to heal.

Bonfire Tips

• Use Homeward Bones to return to the last bonfire quickly.
• Avoid resting at each one; you lose valuable time.
• Choose bonfires that are next to shortcuts or key areas.

Boss Strategies

Knowing how to dow bosses quickly is crucial. Here are a few quick tips for the tougher bosses:

• Bell Gargoyles: Aim for the tail to get an extra weapon and avoid fire attacks.
• Ornstein and Smough: Always try to defeat Ornstein first; his lightning attacks are deadly.
• Four Kings: Heavy damage builds can down them before the next king appears.

Practice Makes Perfect

The best way to improve your speedrunning skills is through practice. Keep at it, and your times will improve. Don’t get discouraged by early failures; each run will get smoother. Enjoy the process!

Remember, every second counts in a speedrun. Now, tighten up your routes, master those glitches, and aim for the finish line. You’ve got this, Ashen One!

Speedrun Routes

Speedrunning Dark Souls can be super intense and fun! If you're up for zooming through Lordran faster than you ever thought possible, we've got you covered with some basic routes and tips.

Glitchless Any% Route

In the glitchless any% route, you'll beat the game as quickly as possible but without any glitches. Here’s a basic rundown:

1. Asylum Demon: Dodge his attacks and use plunging attacks from above. Grab your starting gift, the Master Key.
2. Firelink Shrine: Quickly run to Firelink Shrine, then down the elevator to New Londo Ruins.
3. Blighttown: Use the Master Key to breeze through to Blighttown from the Valley of Drakes. Beeline straight to Quelaag's Domain and defeat Quelaag.
4. Ringing the Bells: After beating Quelaag, ring the Bell of Awakening. Next, head to Undead Parish by warping from Firelink, and ring the second bell.
5. Sen’s Fortress: By now, Sen's Fortress will be open. Navigate through the traps and enemies while focusing on fighting only what you must.
6. Anor Londo: After defeating Iron Golem, proceed to Anor Londo. Dodge the dreaded archers and defeat Ornstein and Smough.
7. The Lordvessel: Obtain the Lordvessel from Gwynevere. Now, rest at the bonfire and warp.
8. Four Lords: Your goal is now to take down the four main bosses: Seath the Scaleless, the Bed of Chaos, Gravelord Nito, and The Four Kings. Fast travel and shortcuts are key here.
9. Final Battles: With all Lord Souls collected, return to Firelink Altar. The Kiln of the First Flame is your final destination. Beat Gwyn, the final boss, and congrats, you’ve speedrun through Dark Souls!

Classic Any% Route

If you’re open to some glitches, the classic any% route cuts down your time significantly. This is where it gets crazy:

1. Asylum: Same as glitchless, take down the Asylum Demon with plunging attacks.
2. Firelink Skip: Perform a precise jump in Firelink Shrine to avoid the elevator, landing you straight in New Londo Ruins.
3. Blighttown Skip: Use the Master Key to head straight to Blighttown and then to the Depths. Follow the same path to get to Blighttown but locate the right spot to perform the quelaag skip.
4. Sen’s Fortress Skip: Utilize the Sen's Fortress skip glitch to save significant time. Skip the sequence and land yourself closer to the fortress's end.
5. Anor Londo and Beyond: Execute a series of skips and glitches to bypass Anor Londo’s toughest spots.
6. Lordvessel Skip: After getting the Lordvessel, some runners will perform the Duke’s Archives skip or Kiln skip to bypass further challenges.
7. Quick Boss Battles: Use glitches to skip directly to boss fights, particularly for The Four Kings and Nito.
8. Gwyn Skip: In the Kiln, dodge through to Gwyn by performing the Gwyn Skip, allowing for an almost direct confrontation.

Helpful Tips

• Practice, Practice, Practice: Learning these routes requires practice. Knowing enemy patterns, perfecting movement, and mastering the glitches will save time.
• Stay Calm: Speedrunning can be stressful. Keep a cool head, and don't get frustrated if you mess up.
• Watch the Pros: Check out speedruns on YouTube or Twitch to see how the pros do it. They often have insights and tips you can learn from.

Embark on your speedrunning journey with these strategies, and maybe one day, you’ll see your name on the leaderboards. Happy running!

Speedrunning Bosses

So, you’ve decided to speedrun Dark Souls and, let’s be real, the bosses are the real gauntlets. If you’re gonna beat the clock, you need to master these titans. Here’s a quick guide to help you blaze through boss fights like a pro.

General Tips

1. Learn Patterns: Memorize each boss's attack patterns. This takes practice, but knowing when to strike is crucial.
2. Optimize DPS (Damage Per Second): Equip weapons that deal high damage swiftly and balance it with stamina management.
3. Use Summons Wisely: Summons can be a double-edged sword. They can deal extra damage, but they also make bosses tougher and can slow you down.
4. Keep Light: Staying under 25% equip load allows faster rolling, essential for dodging.

Key Bosses and Strategies

Asylum Demon

First boss out the gate. For a quick takedown:

• Drop Attack: When you first encounter him, do a plunging attack from the ledge for massive damage.
• Two-Hand Your Weapon: Right after the drop attack, switch to two-handing your weapon for extra damage.
• Dodge and Strike: Dodge his slow attacks and counter with your own. Keep circling behind him to avoid his front-facing smashes.

Taurus Demon

Early game bottleneck. Here’s a quick method:

• Ladder Trick: Climb the ladder just before entering the boss arena. Kill the archers, then use the ledge to perform another plunging attack.
• Bait and Roll: After the drop attack, bait his swings and roll through his legs, delivering hits to his back.
• High Damage Weapon: If you’ve picked up a high damage weapon early, this fight ends swiftly.

Bell Gargoyles

A tougher fight since there are two, but not impossible:

• Focus the First: Kill the first gargoyle ASAP to avoid dealing with both simultaneously.
• Hit the Tail: Cutting off the tail yields a useful weapon and reduces their combat effectiveness.
• Fire Resist Gear: Equip fire-resistant gear (like the Black Knight Shield) to mitigate damage from their breath attacks.

Capra Demon

A small arena and aggressive enemy can be tricky. Speedrun tips:

• Rush the Dogs: Take out the two dogs quickly to reduce pressure.
• Stair Cheese: Use the staircase to your advantage. Lead Capra Demon up and plunge attack him repeatedly.
• Shield and Dodge: Use a strong shield to block hits and look for windows to attack.

Iron Golem

A pivotal boss, especially in a speedrun. Here’s a slick way:

• Make Him Fall: Attack his legs to stagger him. When he wobbles, hit him hard to make him topple off the arena.
• Light Equipment: Light armor allows you more agility to dodge his slow, powerful hits.
• Quick Kills: Strong hits to his ankles can make the fight very short.

Ornstein and Smough

One of the most notorious fights. Swift strategies:

• Focus on One: Pick one to kill first (usually Ornstein for less mobility in phase two).
• Use Pillars: Use the pillars to block line of sight and create breathing room.
• Lightning Resist: If focusing on Ornstein first, equip lightning resist gear.

Final Thoughts

Speedrunning bosses in Dark Souls is all about precision, patience, and practice. Every attempt will teach you something new, bringing you closer to that perfect run. Stay sharp, learn from every fight, and soon you'll be zooming through Lordran like a true speedrunning legend. Happy running!

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This guide should set you on the path to mastering those boss fights. Remember, the clock is ticking, but with the right strategies, no boss stands a chance.

Speedrun Records

Speedrunning in Dark Souls is like an art form. It's all about finishing the game as fast as humanly possible, using every trick, glitch, and strategy that the speedrunning community has discovered. Here, we’ll dive into some of the records and techniques that top players use to shave off precious seconds.

The Legendary Runs

There are a few different categories in Dark Souls speedrunning, but the two most popular ones are Any% and All Bosses. In Any%, the goal is to reach the end credits as fast as possible, no matter what. For All Bosses, the goal is to defeat every single boss in the game before finishing. Let’s look at some of the standout records.

Any% World Record

The current Any% record is held by Insert Name, who completed the game in an astonishing 24 minutes and 15 seconds. This record relies heavily on precise execution of glitches and skip techniques, like the Ceaseless Discharge Skip and the infamous Kiln Skip.

All Bosses World Record

In the All Bosses category, Insert Name holds the record at 1 hour, 14 minutes, and 54 seconds. This category is significantly longer because it requires killing every boss, which includes some of the most challenging fights in the game like Manus and Kalameet from the DLC.

Glitches and Tricks

To get these fast times, speedrunners use a variety of strange and clever glitches. Here are some of the most critical ones:

1. Ceaseless Discharge Skip

   • By tricking the Ceaseless Discharge into a glitchy state, runners can bypass this tough early-game fight entirely. This technique saves several minutes.

2. Kiln Skip

   • This is one of the most significant skips in the game. It allows players to warp directly to the Kiln of the First Flame, skipping a large portion of content. The execution requires precise positioning and timing.

3. Boss Kill Strategies

   • Optimizing boss fights is crucial. Runners use specific weapons and gear that deal massive damage quickly. For example, the Black Knight Halberd is a favorite due to its powerful move set and high damage output.

Practice Makes Perfect

Speedrunners spend countless hours practicing these techniques. Successful runs require not only a deep understanding of the game’s mechanics but also near-perfect execution. Even a slight mistake can cost precious seconds or even minutes.

Some common practice tips from top runners include:

• Segmented Practice: Breaking the game into sections and practicing each one repeatedly helps to master specific skips and boss fights.
• Recording Runs: Watching their own gameplay, as well as others', helps runners identify mistakes and learn new strategies.
• Community Involvement: Engaging with the speedrunning community on sites like Speedrun.com and Twitch can provide valuable insights and new techniques.

Watching and Learning

If you're curious about speedrunning Dark Souls, there are plenty of resources to check out:

• Twitch Streams: Many top runners regularly stream their attempts, often explaining their strategies in real-time.
• YouTube Tutorials: There are numerous in-depth guides and tutorials that break down individual skips and full-run techniques.
• Speedrun.com: This is the official leaderboard and community hub for Dark Souls speedrunners. Here, you’ll find records, guides, and forums.

Final Thoughts

Speedrunning Dark Souls isn’t for the faint-hearted. It requires dedication, precision, and a deep love for the game. Whether you’re aiming for a world record or just fascinated by the technique and skill on display, the speedrunning community offers a unique and thrilling way to experience Lordran’s twisted beauty. Happy running!