Kingdom Hearts 2 Speedrun

2012-10-11 10:29:22 pm

The artist formerly known as Qxy

Well I didn't realize depleting your hp wasn't an automatic game over there. That was dumb on my part. You see planning this run can be difficult sometimes because all I have to work with for reference at this point is spikevegeta's beginner mode run, and the GameFAQs all journal guide, neither of which really accomplishes my goal. I've fleshed out a large part of my strategy, but i have no idea if its optimal. I've also beaten this game about 4 times on ridiculous restrictions, but a speedrun is something else that I have to get used to. This early part of the game is by far my least favorite, and I'll be happy to get out of it so that I can actually get into the meat of this. I'm aware that my 3rd segment could have been better, but I'm taking more care in the later ones (like seg 4 I'm proud of). So what do you think? Firstly, what major differences are there in a standard and beginner mode run? Do you want to talk strategy for 100%? I could really use any advice that you have. Finally, this is timed via ingame timer right? So each segment ends up costing 20 seconds because of how the game is regardless of the fact the SDA supposedly doesn't count menu time when saving.

P.S. Because of your video on the twilight thorn, I had proof that a one cycle kill could be done so I kept at it. Thanks.

Well  I didn't realize depleting your hp wasn't an automatic game over there. That was dumb on my part. You see planning this run can be difficult sometimes because all I have to work with for reference at this point is spikevegeta's beginner mode run, and the GameFAQs all journal guide, neither of which really accomplishes my goal. I've fleshed out a large part of my strategy, but i have no idea if its optimal. I've also beaten this game about 4 times on ridiculous restrictions, but a speedrun is something else that I have to get used to. This early part of the game is by far my least favorite, and I'll be happy to get out of it so that I can actually get into the meat of this. I'm aware that my 3rd segment could have been better, but I'm taking more care in the later ones (like seg 4 I'm proud of). So what do you think? Firstly, what major differences are there in a standard and beginner mode run? Do you want to talk strategy for 100%? I could really use any advice that you have. Finally, this is timed via ingame timer right? So each segment ends up costing 20 seconds because of how the game is regardless of the fact the SDA supposedly doesn't count menu time when saving.

P.S. Because of your video on the twilight thorn, I had proof that a one cycle kill could be done so I kept at it. Thanks.

Ghostwheel

Edit history:

Ghostwheel: 2012-10-22 02:22:38 pm

Ghostwheel: 2012-10-22 02:18:11 pm

Ghostwheel: 2012-10-21 10:14:59 am

Ghostwheel: 2012-10-20 11:48:17 pm

Ghostwheel: 2012-10-20 11:45:39 pm

Ghostwheel: 2012-10-17 12:08:38 am

2012-10-15 03:33:40 pm

The artist formerly known as Qxy

Ok, video clips are inflating the post to a large size, so here is another one with segments 7-12.

I have no name

2012-10-16 12:05:05 pm

Obscure games ftw

I haven't watched any parts, but are you collecting synthesis items? You need minimum 1,000, which must contain fire, blizzard, lightning, power, dense, twilight, dark and lucid shards (30), stones (25) and gems (20), not counting all the required crystals for synthesis.
The minigames shouldn't take too long, aside from the Hades Paradox Cup (have fun maxing Drive Forms to unlock this-ITimeless River is amazing for grinding Master/Wisdom Form, and TWTNW has that one area with tons of Dusks for Final Form. Valor should probably be done "on the run" for the most part, as it's off hits and so weaker hits means more faster.
If you have to max out the Summon Gauge then anywhere that has enemies that drop lots of Drive Orbs helps, as you get 1 EXP every time the gauge ticks down. Drive Orbs can boost it up a number, meaning when it ticks down again you just 'milked' an extra EXP. This can be repeated for as long as you have the means to do so, I've gotten 2.5 times as much EXP as I should have from one summon before.

I haven't watched any parts, but are you collecting synthesis items?  You need minimum 1,000, which must contain fire, blizzard, lightning, power, dense, twilight, dark and lucid shards (30), stones (25) and gems (20), not counting all the required crystals for synthesis.
The minigames shouldn't take too long, aside from the Hades Paradox Cup (have fun maxing Drive Forms to unlock this-ITimeless River is amazing for grinding Master/Wisdom Form, and TWTNW has that one area with tons of Dusks for Final Form.  Valor should probably be done "on the run" for the most part, as it's off hits and so weaker hits means more faster.
If you have to max out the Summon Gauge then anywhere that has enemies that drop lots of Drive Orbs helps, as you get 1 EXP every time the gauge ticks down.  Drive Orbs can boost it up a number, meaning when it ticks down again you just 'milked' an extra EXP.  This can be repeated for as long as you have the means to do so, I've gotten 2.5 times as much EXP as I should have from one summon before.

Ghostwheel

2012-10-16 05:45:47 pm

The artist formerly known as Qxy

Nice tip on the summons I never realized that one. Very useful indeed. Which room with the dusks are you talking about? I was planning on using naught's skyway with all the creepers immediately after getting Magnega. I'm not making synthesis collection a priority yet, and I'm going to worry about it more when I have all 7 lucky lucky abilities. I won't save much time by getting 20 or so items here or there when doing so is very improbable. By the way, you might know this if you do I don't have to test it. I know you can hit a max of 99 of any one synthesis item in your stock, but is this cap present when you present items to moogles? If not, 1000 is easy as I can just farm pride rock for lots of lightning shards. If so, I'll have to make those 1000 items with 1000- 600 that I have to get for the moogles - about 100 more I need to synthesize evrything - about 70 more I can get from easy lightning shards = about two more places to go to get 99 of a specific type of item. Any ideas? I'm thinking the same places I level up drives/summons could work.

I have no name

2012-10-16 06:01:12 pm

Obscure games ftw

Oh, I meant Creepers, just typed the wrong thing.

Not sure about the synthesis item thing, but Space paranoids gives craploads of Lightning Crystals, you can get those during summon grinding since most of the enemies drop drive orbs.

Ghostwheel

2012-10-16 06:02:22 pm

The artist formerly known as Qxy

Good call, Ill test both my question and that place out.

I have no name

2012-10-16 06:38:18 pm

Obscure games ftw

Quote from Qxybxjjllp:

Good call, Ill test both my question and that place out.

As an added bonus you can get 2 summons and reach the terminal in the room past where you fight Hostile Program, warp out, warp back in and there's a moogle right there to drop stuff off at (and a save point to break the grinding)

Strongfox

2012-10-20 08:01:58 pm

Any progress recently?

Ghostwheel

Edit history:

Ghostwheel: 2012-10-20 10:29:22 pm

2012-10-20 10:13:31 pm

The artist formerly known as Qxy

I just put up the cerberus segment, and I'm working on one that's pure hell which I expect to be finished with later tonight. Getting pete down to my specifications is really annoying. After this, the game will go much quicker, as I'll start gaining more powers to work with.

Edit: Speak of the devil, just got my pete segment finished and starting to encode. On to the Hydra.

Strongfox

2012-10-20 11:39:10 pm

Quote from Qxybxjjllp:

I just put up the cerberus segment, and I'm working on one that's pure hell which I expect to be finished with later tonight. Getting pete down to my specifications is really annoying. After this, the game will go much quicker, as I'll start gaining more powers to work with.

Edit: Speak of the devil, just got my pete segment finished and starting to encode. On to the Hydra.

I don't see links lol

Ghostwheel

2012-10-20 11:47:13 pm

The artist formerly known as Qxy

There's cerberus. Sorry about that. Pete's about 44 min away from being encoded. (It takes a long time). Also, Aren't you subscribed to my channel? Or does that not let you know about unlisted videos?

Strongfox

Edit history:

Strongfox: 2012-10-21 12:16:19 am

Strongfox: 2012-10-21 12:16:01 am

Strongfox: 2012-10-20 11:59:03 pm

Strongfox: 2012-10-20 11:58:41 pm

2012-10-20 11:49:05 pm

Quote from Qxybxjjllp:

There's cerberus. Sorry about that. Pete's about 44 min away from being encoded. (It takes a long time). Also, Aren't you subscribed to my channel? Or does that not let you know about unlisted videos?

Not about unlisted

Edit: And yes i'm subscribed to your channel and faved all your links.

Edit 2: Also I made a playlist so I don't always have to come back here to re watch previous segments.

Ghostwheel

2012-10-20 11:50:57 pm

The artist formerly known as Qxy

Ok, well I've been practicing and I've got hydra through dark thorn down cold. Those should be up tomorrow when I get around to recording.

Strongfox

Edit history:

Strongfox: 2012-10-21 12:18:17 am

Strongfox: 2012-10-21 12:17:38 am

Strongfox: 2012-10-21 12:15:01 am

Strongfox: 2012-10-20 11:56:07 pm

Strongfox: 2012-10-20 11:55:46 pm

Strongfox: 2012-10-20 11:55:02 pm

2012-10-20 11:53:56 pm

Quote from Qxybxjjllp:

Ok, well I've been practicing and I've got hydra through dark thorn down cold. Those should be up tomorrow when I get around to recording.

That is good to know. Glade to hear you are going very well with the run so far.

EDIT: Does getting hit by a heartless (or any enemy), in the back, that has a long weapon, while running make you go any faster, like ~1 second faster, or does it actually slow you down? I'm asking because I know in some games getting hit moves/propels/pushes you forward. One example is in 007, whenever you get hit buy a bullet you get bumped ahead with no lose in running speed unless you get hit head on or hit from the front and/or side.

Ghostwheel

Edit history:

Ghostwheel: 2012-10-21 10:18:52 am

2012-10-21 10:11:27 am

The artist formerly known as Qxy

To me, it seems to be faster. In the iteration I kept, he hit me at just the right angle. Sometimes he doesn't hit me, and the music point when I go into the door is usually slightly later. But I never actually try to abuse this. I figure if I slow down so he can hit me, my slowing down counteracts the slight benefit. For now, we'll call it the good luck that made up for that unavoidable boulder hit.

Edit: this only seems to be true for the lancers though. I've never met another enemy that knocks me in a sliding way (i.e. on the ground) or that knocks me that far or fast. In getting treasure during combat, as you've seen. I have to time and force certain angles on a lot of hits.

Strongfox

2012-10-21 06:46:37 pm

Quote from Qxybxjjllp:

To me, it seems to be faster. In the iteration I kept, he hit me at just the right angle. Sometimes he doesn't hit me, and the music point when I go into the door is usually slightly later. But I never actually try to abuse this. I figure if I slow down so he can hit me, my slowing down counteracts the slight benefit. For now, we'll call it the good luck that made up for that unavoidable boulder hit.

Edit: this only seems to be true for the lancers though. I've never met another enemy that knocks me in a sliding way (i.e. on the ground) or that knocks me that far or fast. In getting treasure during combat, as you've seen. I have to time and force certain angles on a lot of hits.

Ah right, I thought it was only the lancers. thanks for letting me know.

Strongfox

2012-10-22 01:08:20 pm

Quote from Qxybxjjllp:

Ok, well I've been practicing and I've got hydra through dark thorn down cold. Those should be up tomorrow when I get around to recording.

Cant wait to see the segment.

Strongfox

2012-10-24 10:42:35 pm

Nice segments. Cant wait to see more of Beasts Castle. It was one of my favorite levels.

Ghostwheel

2012-10-25 08:37:13 am

The artist formerly known as Qxy

Well all that's left is actually dark thorn. I'm sorry I haven't gotten it up yet, but I have a midterm in 3 hours and I also can't find my laptop charger. Can't really record without that. This weekend, charger pending, I should be able to get dark thorn through save before talking to merlin. Then all of timeless river... Then I'm going to save in the world map because I realized I have a few untested options at this point. I could go straitght to Port Royal, or go back to the River and level up wisdom for for early quick run (though I think it might be too much slower at this point to be worth it) or earl pain and panic cup sans Jiminy objective to get the Lucky Ring. (The sooner I get synth items the better). And testing shows I might be able to score the JO on the first try. But it'll be slower than If I complete it later. So We'll see what happens.

Strongfox

2012-10-27 07:20:56 pm

Quote from Qxybxjjllp:

Well all that's left is actually dark thorn. I'm sorry I haven't gotten it up yet, but I have a midterm in 3 hours and I also can't find my laptop charger. Can't really record without that. This weekend, charger pending, I should be able to get dark thorn through save before talking to merlin. Then all of timeless river... Then I'm going to save in the world map because I realized I have a few untested options at this point. I could go straitght to Port Royal, or go back to the River and level up wisdom for for early quick run (though I think it might be too much slower at this point to be worth it) or earl pain and panic cup sans Jiminy objective to get the Lucky Ring. (The sooner I get synth items the better). And testing shows I might be able to score the JO on the first try. But it'll be slower than If I complete it later. So We'll see what happens.

Cant wait to see the rest of it. Oh and the return Smiley

Ghostwheel

2012-10-28 11:54:46 am

The artist formerly known as Qxy

Well I'm stalled by a couple of things, even now that I just got my charger. I thought I had dark thorn down, but upon further review I might be able to kill him faster. The first part is kind of weird, and Im not really sure exactly what drives him out of vulnerability, like how mach abuse can you give him before he goes underground? Before the piller? Puwexil has a nice video and the beginner speedrun by spikevegeta also details a way to kill him in one cycle. But this is standard, and I'm not sure if I can still pull it off. Lets put it this way, I haven't done it yet, but I've come close. Here are some combos I've tried with a perty of SBG:

1) Don't valor - kill chandelier - full combo - trinity (usually misses on one or both finishers) - underground - half combo - pillar - kill
2) Valor - get some hits in before chandelier - kill chandelier - shortened combo - underground - attempt full or shortened combo - pillar - kill
3) Don't valor - kill chandelier - 1 or 2 hits - trinity (fully effective) - underground - half combo - pillar - kill
3) Don't valor - kill chandelier - 1 or 2 hits - trinity (fully effective) - underground - valor - half combo - pillar - kill
4) Don't valor - kill chandelier - 0-2 combos - beast's limit (more effective earlier I try it) (Don't forget I have to use all the limits for the journal so if I could find a natural use for this that would be good) - sometimes underground - sometimes lets me get a combo in, more often If I don't valor -pillar - kill
5) Valor - get some hits in on him - kill chandelier - smack him - revert - underground - trinity - fails
6) Don't valor - kill chandelier -trinity (homes in on the ceiling)
7) Attempting beasts limit with all strategies after he appears from underground
8) One time I tried chicken little - it failed so hard I don't even want to talk about it...
Probably the biggest nuisance is how hes in such a hurry to leave for the pillar after resurfacing. And the puwexil strategy is coming so close to working except I have to use longer combos else I fall short on damage. The e runs away before I can do the finisher. Any advice? Does anyone know it its possible in standard? Also I'm having the weirdest recording problem ever, which I'll talk to TS about, whats funny Is I can still record, but Amarec is making me jup through hoops to do it.

Well I'm stalled by a couple of things, even now that I just got my charger. I thought I had dark thorn down, but upon further review I might be able to kill him faster. The first part is kind of weird, and Im not really sure exactly what drives him out of vulnerability, like how mach abuse can you give him before he goes underground? Before the piller? Puwexil has a nice video and the beginner speedrun by spikevegeta also details a way to kill him in one cycle. But this is standard, and I'm not sure if I can still pull it off. Lets put it this way, I haven't done it yet, but I've come close. Here are some combos I've tried with a perty of SBG:

1) Don't valor - kill chandelier - full combo - trinity (usually misses on one or both finishers) - underground - half combo - pillar - kill
2) Valor - get some hits in before chandelier - kill chandelier - shortened combo - underground - attempt full or shortened combo - pillar - kill
3) Don't valor - kill chandelier - 1 or 2 hits - trinity (fully effective) - underground - half combo - pillar - kill
3) Don't valor - kill chandelier - 1 or 2 hits - trinity (fully effective) - underground - valor - half combo - pillar - kill
4) Don't valor - kill chandelier - 0-2 combos - beast's limit (more effective earlier I try it) (Don't forget I have to use all the limits for the journal so if I could find a natural use for this that would be good) - sometimes underground - sometimes lets me get a combo in, more often If I don't valor -pillar - kill
5) Valor - get some hits in on him - kill chandelier - smack him - revert - underground - trinity - fails
6) Don't valor - kill chandelier -trinity (homes in on the ceiling)
7) Attempting beasts limit with all strategies after he appears from underground
8) One time I tried chicken little - it failed so hard I don't even want to talk about it...
Probably the biggest nuisance is how hes in such a hurry to leave for the pillar after resurfacing. And the puwexil strategy is coming so close to working except I have to use longer combos else I fall short on damage. The e runs away before I can do the finisher. Any advice? Does anyone know it its possible in standard? Also I'm having the weirdest recording problem ever, which I'll talk to TS about, whats funny Is I can still record, but Amarec is making me jup through hoops to do it.

Strongfox

2012-10-29 03:56:12 pm

Quote from Qxybxjjllp:

Well I'm stalled by a couple of things, even now that I just got my charger. I thought I had dark thorn down, but upon further review I might be able to kill him faster. The first part is kind of weird, and Im not really sure exactly what drives him out of vulnerability, like how mach abuse can you give him before he goes underground? Before the piller? Puwexil has a nice video and the beginner speedrun by spikevegeta also details a way to kill him in one cycle. But this is standard, and I'm not sure if I can still pull it off. Lets put it this way, I haven't done it yet, but I've come close. Here are some combos I've tried with a perty of SBG:

1) Don't valor - kill chandelier - full combo - trinity (usually misses on one or both finishers) - underground - half combo - pillar - kill
2) Valor - get some hits in before chandelier - kill chandelier - shortened combo - underground - attempt full or shortened combo - pillar - kill
3) Don't valor - kill chandelier - 1 or 2 hits - trinity (fully effective) - underground - half combo - pillar - kill
3) Don't valor - kill chandelier - 1 or 2 hits - trinity (fully effective) - underground - valor - half combo - pillar - kill
4) Don't valor - kill chandelier - 0-2 combos - beast's limit (more effective earlier I try it) (Don't forget I have to use all the limits for the journal so if I could find a natural use for this that would be good) - sometimes underground - sometimes lets me get a combo in, more often If I don't valor -pillar - kill
5) Valor - get some hits in on him - kill chandelier - smack him - revert - underground - trinity - fails
6) Don't valor - kill chandelier -trinity (homes in on the ceiling)
7) Attempting beasts limit with all strategies after he appears from underground
8) One time I tried chicken little - it failed so hard I don't even want to talk about it...
Probably the biggest nuisance is how hes in such a hurry to leave for the pillar after resurfacing. And the puwexil strategy is coming so close to working except I have to use longer combos else I fall short on damage. The e runs away before I can do the finisher. Any advice? Does anyone know it its possible in standard? Also I'm having the weirdest recording problem ever, which I'll talk to TS about, whats funny Is I can still record, but Amarec is making me jup through hoops to do it.

Dang that sucks. I hope it gets better for you.

[quote="Qxybxjjllp"]Well I'm stalled by a couple of things, even now that I just got my charger. I thought I had dark thorn down, but upon further review I might be able to kill him faster. The first part is kind of weird, and Im not really sure exactly what drives him out of vulnerability, like how mach abuse can you give him before he goes underground? Before the piller? Puwexil has a nice video and the beginner speedrun by spikevegeta also details a way to kill him in one cycle. But this is standard, and I'm not sure if I can still pull it off. Lets put it this way, I haven't done it yet, but I've come close. Here are some combos I've tried with a perty of SBG:

1) Don't valor - kill chandelier - full combo - trinity (usually misses on one or both finishers) - underground - half combo - pillar - kill
2) Valor - get some hits in before chandelier - kill chandelier - shortened combo - underground - attempt full or shortened combo - pillar - kill
3) Don't valor - kill chandelier - 1 or 2 hits - trinity (fully effective) - underground - half combo - pillar - kill
3) Don't valor - kill chandelier - 1 or 2 hits - trinity (fully effective) - underground - valor - half combo - pillar - kill
4) Don't valor - kill chandelier - 0-2 combos - beast's limit (more effective earlier I try it) (Don't forget I have to use all the limits for the journal so if I could find a natural use for this that would be good) - sometimes underground - sometimes lets me get a combo in, more often If I don't valor -pillar - kill
5) Valor - get some hits in on him - kill chandelier - smack him - revert - underground - trinity - fails
6) Don't valor - kill chandelier -trinity (homes in on the ceiling)
7) Attempting beasts limit with all strategies after he appears from underground
8) One time I tried chicken little - it failed so hard I don't even want to talk about it...
Probably the biggest nuisance is how hes in such a hurry to leave for the pillar after resurfacing. And the puwexil strategy is coming so close to working except I have to use longer combos else I fall short on damage. The e runs away before I can do the finisher. Any advice? Does anyone know it its possible in standard? Also I'm having the weirdest recording problem ever, which I'll talk to TS about, whats funny Is I can still record, but Amarec is making me jup through hoops to do it. [/quote]
Dang that sucks. I hope it gets better for you.

Ghostwheel

Edit history:

Ghostwheel: 2012-11-11 12:56:46 am

Ghostwheel: 2012-11-11 12:50:48 am

Ghostwheel: 2012-11-10 08:31:08 am

Ghostwheel: 2012-11-09 09:16:15 am

Ghostwheel: 2012-11-05 02:45:13 pm

2012-11-04 09:46:44 am

The artist formerly known as Qxy

IM BACK BABY! Sorry for the delay, but here's a new post which'll have 6 more videos as I make them. I hope anyone who considers standard running builds off of the trail I'm blazing right now. Its stuff like segment 13 that sometimes makes me wish I was back doing chain of memories, but I'm proud of my result.

kwinse

2012-11-04 02:59:57 pm

Oh wow, that is awesome work there. Keep it up!

Strongfox

2012-11-04 04:06:32 pm

^ THIS

agree 100%