Shovel Knight

2014-07-06 03:57:16 pm

Yes, excellent work to everyone for finding all these wicked skips. I can't wait to see the Plague Knight Strats CptBrian mentioned....

CptBrian

Edit history:

CptBrian: 2014-07-07 04:51:58 am

2014-07-06 05:33:58 pm

Relax

Another VSync difference I noticed during my vsync test run:
http://www.twitch.tv/cptbrian/c/4609871
With VSync ON, the purple bird flies a little faster, enough to screw up my usual strats. If it doesn't fly faster, the hitbox at least is different. I made sure to jump at the same exact spot and get there at the same exact time.
I've reproduced these results more than the one time seen in the highlight.
idk what to think anymore.

MikeyLeet

2014-07-06 05:42:27 pm

I can confirm the bird thing, experiencing the same thing.

CptBrian

2014-07-06 09:56:48 pm

Relax

Anybody have any luck opening the .anb files within the .pak files? There's an .anb file for everything. I tried i2 Chart Reader 8.0 but there's an error upon opening them. There's literally only that one download for that program on an Africa site and it's only that version. Trying to get a different version is a complete nightmare. There's no download at all for Analyst's Notebook.
.anb is a chart created in Analyst's Notebook.
The Africa site was giving me 10KB/s down speeds so I reuploaded it to MediaFire. And here is what I used to successfully extract the .pak files for Shovel Knight.
Let me know if you're able to open any of the .anb files. I've been trying to for hours with no luck. The required programs barely exists on the internet.

duckfist

2014-07-07 10:55:06 am

Ugh, another Vsync issue. With it enabled, at the very beginning of Clockwork Tower, you can reach the first ladder by using mobile gear. Disabled, you're just out of reach. I'm not looking forward to constantly access the options menu for different strats...

redemption99

2014-07-07 08:43:10 pm

There are now some times and videos up on pbtracker for NG+ run we did earlier.

CptBrian

Edit history:

CptBrian: 2014-07-07 10:23:27 pm

CptBrian: 2014-07-07 10:20:56 pm

CptBrian: 2014-07-07 10:20:39 pm

CptBrian: 2014-07-07 10:20:23 pm

CptBrian: 2014-07-07 10:19:39 pm

2014-07-07 10:18:49 pm

Relax

Low% E2 really quick kill http://www.twitch.tv/cptbrian/c/4618355
Not sure if RNG was on my side or it was just executed properly. I think it may be possible to reproduce this consistently.

Also, I think everyone should cap their game to 60 so we're all on an even playing field. VSync does more bad than good in my runs, but I'll use it because it's fair.

One more thing, I think it's easier to do the vertical jump with VSync on in Stranded Jump where there's only 1 tile of space right above the statue. It was very difficult with VSync off, and fairly easy with it on.

Copilot

2014-07-07 10:27:01 pm

Ruling the cosmos!

I should note, in case you didn't notice, we are now doing weekly any% races on the SRL IRC every Sunday at 5:00 PM EST. First one was pretty big, 16 participants, so I'll expect it'll still be big for a while. Be there or be square.

Miets

2014-07-08 12:37:31 pm

CptBrian, you said you found a Plague Knight Quick kill earlier, but never got around to posting it I guess?
Could you please upload that strat somewhere?

CptBrian

Edit history:

CptBrian: 2014-07-09 08:55:49 pm

CptBrian: 2014-07-09 12:48:35 am

CptBrian: 2014-07-09 12:44:28 am

CptBrian: 2014-07-08 02:50:29 pm

CptBrian: 2014-07-08 02:44:58 pm

CptBrian: 2014-07-08 02:41:39 pm

CptBrian: 2014-07-08 02:40:53 pm

2014-07-08 02:39:50 pm

Relax

It's not completely consistent yet, but I've killed him in a little over 10 seconds about 7 times using the same strats. No point in posting a Plague kill until I completely understand why it works and I get it somewhat consistently. There's like a 1/3 chance of it working, so I must be on to something. I have barely been playing the game, much less spamming Plague fights. I've lost a lot of interest in this game and speedrunning as a whole.
Oh, and my sum of best for low% is sub 59 minutes now. I doubt I'll ever actually get a run that low. Too much bullshit. But if I just ran for a day or two I should get sub 60.

---

VSync problems in Lost City: http://www.twitch.tv/cptbrian/c/4626208
VS-off: The single stone block next to the sand will stop you from pogoing, even if I hold down. The bird skip only works with VS-off. With VS-on I will walk off, turn left and immediately attack. Almost every time it will destroy both blocks. With VS-off I will walk off the edge, turn and wait a bit before attacking. It only destroys block one. If I don't wait, I won't hit any blocks at all with VS-off. the hitbox is either much larger or it lingers much longer with VS-on.
I should clarify, with VS-on, even if it only destroys one block, you will never be able to get on top of the 2nd one.
I think the stone block glitch also happens further through with 2 big stone blocks on top of each other next to a red knight over a lava pit.

It's not completely consistent yet, but I've killed him in a little over 10 seconds about 7 times using the same strats. No point in posting a Plague kill until I completely understand why it works and I get it somewhat consistently. There's like a 1/3 chance of it working, so I must be on to something. I have barely been playing the game, much less spamming Plague fights. I've lost a lot of interest in this game and speedrunning as a whole.
Oh, and my sum of best for low% is sub 59 minutes now. I doubt I'll ever actually get a run that low. Too much bullshit. But if I just ran for a day or two I should get sub 60.

---

VSync problems in Lost City: http://www.twitch.tv/cptbrian/c/4626208
VS-off: The single stone block next to the sand will stop you from pogoing, even if I hold down. The bird skip only works with VS-off. With VS-on I will walk off, turn left and immediately attack. Almost every time it will destroy both blocks. With VS-off I will walk off the edge, turn and wait a bit before attacking. It only destroys block one. If I don't wait, I won't hit any blocks at all with VS-off. the hitbox is either much larger or it lingers much longer with VS-on.
I should clarify, with VS-on, even if it only destroys one block, you will never be able to get on top of the 2nd one.
I think the stone block glitch also happens further through with 2 big stone blocks on top of each other next to a red knight over a lava pit.

Bleep

2014-07-09 06:14:31 am

I've been playing with V-sync on as I thought running it at 120hz/144hz might cause issues. I might have to switch off if it's causing problems! I'm not sure if it has anything to do with V-sync, but I had a strange bug in Flying Machine where a fan enemy that helps you across a gap didn't spawn. Usually I'm able to walk straight across the gap, but the enemy didn't appear so I fell back to the previous screen. Here is a clip: http://www.twitch.tv/hiimbleepy/c/4627448. I hadn't had any problems like that before this run.

CptBrian

2014-07-09 08:34:17 am

Relax

That happens randomly for me with it off or on. But you can always jump that gap with or without that blue fan ninja guy.

Copilot

2014-07-09 10:11:01 am

Ruling the cosmos!

Yeah, I've had that happen too, but it's actually faster too ignore him, anyway, I think

GQDang

2014-07-09 09:49:17 pm

Don't know if anything like this has been posted yet, but I need an explanation of a clip I preformed with the Propeller Sword during my playthrough of the game and could it be used in other potential areas? http://www.twitch.tv/gqdang/c/4632011

Copilot

2014-07-09 10:18:22 pm

Ruling the cosmos!

Yo, that's really sick. I remember Adef clipped into a platform in Plague Knight's stage, it must've been in the same way. That's really cool to know, if nothing else, that could be used to prevent dying if you run into that situation.

Copilot

2014-07-10 12:04:31 am

Ruling the cosmos!

So I just found another crash. Apparently if you enter the Enchantress 1 fight pogoing near the bottom of the screen, the game doesn't know what to do about that shovel in the dirt and it crashes the game. So don't go into that fight pogoing.

Lakonthegreat

2014-07-10 03:37:14 am

Two things about the amulet that I discovered independently and don't know whether they've been mentioned:

In Tinker Knight's stage, I was able to clip through one of the rising platforms by triggering the amulet while taking a hit from a knight standing on it.

Another, in the Flying Ship stage, it completely breaks the wind mechanics. You can use it to completely skip all the wind phases and just continue on through the room with whatever phase of the wind you want.

CptBrian

Edit history:

CptBrian: 2014-07-10 08:53:32 am

2014-07-10 08:50:45 am

Relax

So I've got all this stuff extracted from the PAK files, but I can't open these file types and appear at least 95% encrypted in Notepad++. Error I get with the .anb files in Chart Reader.

siokedelic

Edit history:

siokedelic: 2014-07-10 11:25:09 am

siokedelic: 2014-07-10 11:24:40 am

siokedelic: 2014-07-10 11:22:56 am

2014-07-10 10:29:53 am

Hey everyone! I think I found a minor skip in Specter Knight's stage. I didn't see it on the Google Doc so I thought I'd share. It's not totally consistent since it relies on frog RNG, so it isn't really worth going for since it only saves a couple of frames at best over just doing the screen normally.

After the first skeleton miniboss, use a regular ground attack on the frog closest to you. It's RNG-dependent, but sometimes, he'll hop towards you. If you pogo off of him while he's hopping towards you, you can skip having to wait for the platform above you, even if he's electrified! If he hops the other way, you can just go up normally and it doesn't seem to waste any time.

EDIT: Never mind, I'm just apparently dumb and didn't know how to navigate that screen before. This could save a couple of frames at best and might be worth looking into for a frame-perfect TAS, but it's not worth going for in a run at all.

UberGoose

2014-07-10 10:33:55 am

The current strat is less than a second slower than the best RNG outcome of that strat, so unfortunately I doubt it's worth going for.

Side note, I've been running a bunch with my sick crutch strats of no magic armor and baby strats everywhere, but I'm gonna finally grind boss strats hardcore (I lose over a minute to capndrake in the first 2 knights). Looking forward to the weekly races though, plan on joining those in the future.

CptBrian

Edit history:

CptBrian: 2014-07-10 12:05:18 pm

2014-07-10 12:04:27 pm

Relax

Never rely on frog RNG. They are spawn of Satan.
3 different jump lengths, can jump left or right, 3 different jump timings(timing is immediately rerolled upon landing)(normal, delayed, instant jump), electricity.

Brandter

2014-07-10 12:24:27 pm

So want to add this, just a timing method to make one room a bit smoother, can still be better, and it dosen't really save much time. It's just nice Wink

CptBrian

Edit history:

CptBrian: 2014-07-10 10:13:26 pm

CptBrian: 2014-07-10 10:12:37 pm

CptBrian: 2014-07-10 10:12:20 pm

2014-07-10 10:11:43 pm

Relax

BK1 slightly quicker kill http://www.twitch.tv/cptbrian/c/4638835
The first jump just needs to be a little higher than the other short jumps to put him into stunlock mode immediately. (I think it just gives you a couple pixels of extra distance on him, making the stunlock possible immediately)

siokedelic

2014-07-12 10:57:53 am

Hi again! I found something that doesn't rely on frogs, so I thought I'd share again Smiley

In Propeller Knight's stage, is this a possible consistent setup for getting through the first wind room quicker? It is pretty tight timing on the pogo and relies on the respawn I'm guessing, so it probably isn't worth going for unless you've already died or death abuse. Just thought I'd share and see if anyone can do something with this!

steeh

Edit history:

steeh: 2014-07-13 05:11:35 pm

steeh: 2014-07-13 04:10:18 pm

steeh: 2014-07-13 04:08:22 pm

2014-07-13 03:57:36 pm

hey guys! glad to see you guys and this thread, I'm totally hyped to see crazy action in this game Cheesy

with my first ng any% attempt, i've only done 3 playthroughs so far, so I'm still just at the beginning. The tower of fate skip is a real cool find, I hate that part!! XD

http://www.twitch.tv/steeh00/c/4657165

this is my recording of todays session. PLEEEEEEEENTY of deaths but I figured I could share it anyways. i have to mention, my connection is horrible atm so forgive me for the poor video >.< also the end is cut out and I didn't set a time because I somehow managed to stop the timer.. once i realized that i ragequit >.<
my overall strategy is to die as little as possible to get access to my personal essentials which would be mage staff, bouncing ball and the dashing sword.
routewise it would look something like this:

- tutorial
- 1st knight
- 2nd knight
- Visit Village
--- bouncing ball and free HP upgrade(+buy 1), pickup song on the way out
- 3rd knight
- 4th knight
- Overworld bosses, Moneyevent at Castle
- Visit City
--- fight Hat shop boss
--- White Armor (+insta dig)
- 5th knight
- 6th knight
- 7th knight
- Visit Village
--- dashing sword
--- HP/MP upgrades
- finish

depending on how the run's going you can guess this plan gets completely screwed xD
aight thats all from me for now Cheesy

cheers steeh

hey guys! glad to see you guys and this thread, I'm totally hyped to see crazy action in this game :D

with my first ng any% attempt, i've only done 3 playthroughs so far, so I'm still just at the beginning. The tower of fate skip is a real cool find, I hate that part!! XD

http://www.twitch.tv/steeh00/c/4657165

this is my recording of todays session. PLEEEEEEEENTY of deaths but I figured I could share it anyways. i have to mention, my connection is horrible atm so forgive me for the poor video >.< also the end is cut out and I didn't set a time because I somehow managed to stop the timer.. once i realized that i ragequit >.<
my overall strategy is to die as little as possible to get access to my personal essentials which would be mage staff, bouncing ball and the dashing sword.
routewise it would look something like this:

- tutorial
- 1st knight
- 2nd knight
- Visit Village 
--- bouncing ball and free HP upgrade(+buy 1), pickup song on the way out
- 3rd knight
- 4th knight
- Overworld bosses, Moneyevent at Castle
- Visit City
--- fight Hat shop boss
--- White Armor (+insta dig)
- 5th knight
- 6th knight
- 7th knight
- Visit Village
--- dashing sword
--- HP/MP upgrades
- finish

depending on how the run's going you can guess this plan gets completely screwed xD
aight thats all from me for now :D
cheers steeh