Shovel Knight

Copilot

Edit history:

Copilot: 2014-07-14 12:11:58 am

2014-07-14 12:11:38 am

Ruling the cosmos!

Wait, you are aware that you don't have to fight all of the Overworld Bosses and Mr. Hat, right? And that it's a lot faster to get all of the items in the stages rather than the village, both for actually acquiring the items, and because you don't have to waste as much times getting gold. And the fastest way to get gold is by breaking checkpoints, not by doing any gold stages.

And you missed an Order of no Quarter. There are 8.

Shadow the Past

2014-07-14 06:20:17 am

Hey all, I'm interested in speedrunning this game, but seeing as I'm new to speedrunning I'm missing some of the bare-bones necessities. What kind of recording software should I use? I do have XSplit which afaik can record locally (bad internet connection, so can't stream), but would it be better to get something like OBS? Also, what would you recommend for recording splits?

CptBrian

Edit history:

CptBrian: 2014-07-14 09:30:43 am

2014-07-14 09:28:46 am

Relax

Quote from Shadow the Past:

Hey all, I'm interested in speedrunning this game, but seeing as I'm new to speedrunning I'm missing some of the bare-bones necessities. What kind of recording software should I use? I do have XSplit which afaik can record locally (bad internet connection, so can't stream), but would it be better to get something like OBS? Also, what would you recommend for recording splits?

OBS allows local recording as well, and I can confirm it works very well. For recording splits, I use LiveSplit, but WSplit and LLanfair are also nice.
Just how bad is your internet? CPU? I ask because I tweaked my settings enough to stream with 50KB/s up speed. The quality isn't great but it's definitely watchable. I put more load on the CPU to compensate for the up speed.

---

I made split icons for Mr. Hat and Hall of Champions (two race categories)
Hall of Champions
Mr. Hat

Shadow the Past

2014-07-15 05:23:31 am

Quote from CptBrian:

Quote from Shadow the Past:

Hey all, I'm interested in speedrunning this game, but seeing as I'm new to speedrunning I'm missing some of the bare-bones necessities. What kind of recording software should I use? I do have XSplit which afaik can record locally (bad internet connection, so can't stream), but would it be better to get something like OBS? Also, what would you recommend for recording splits?

OBS allows local recording as well, and I can confirm it works very well. For recording splits, I use LiveSplit, but WSplit and LLanfair are also nice.
Just how bad is your internet? CPU? I ask because I tweaked my settings enough to stream with 50KB/s up speed. The quality isn't great but it's definitely watchable. I put more load on the CPU to compensate for the up speed.

My upload is about 1Mbps, while my CPU is an Intel i5 2.5GHz. I'd definitely be interested to hear what you did specifically to be able to stream at such a low upload speed lol.

CptBrian

Edit history:

CptBrian: 2016-04-29 07:39:52 pm

CptBrian: 2014-08-09 06:47:52 am

CptBrian: 2014-08-09 06:47:22 am

CptBrian: 2014-07-21 01:11:21 pm

CptBrian: 2014-07-21 01:07:26 pm

CptBrian: 2014-07-21 12:56:40 pm

CptBrian: 2014-07-21 12:55:45 pm

CptBrian: 2014-07-15 01:23:29 pm

CptBrian: 2014-07-15 10:28:06 am

CptBrian: 2014-07-15 10:22:19 am

CptBrian: 2014-07-15 10:03:10 am

CptBrian: 2014-07-15 09:45:03 am

CptBrian: 2014-07-15 09:43:08 am

2014-07-15 09:37:36 am

Relax

-removed-

adamsantos

Edit history:

adamsantos: 2014-07-15 02:24:49 pm

2014-07-15 02:05:41 pm

Hey everyone, I just created an account today specifically to post in this thread! I love Shovel Knight, and while I have been playing video games since the NES era as a kid, I have never done a speed run of a game. After watching some SGDQ I became inspired to have fun speed running Shovel Knight.

Unforuantely I am playing on 3DS and there doesn't seem to be a way to record gameplay, all I have to share is my first low % run:

I'm loving reading all the tips and watching all the videos on this thread. Looks like a lot of fun! Anyways I was really proud/happy to complete the game with no upgrades/relics/armor/etc. Although when I finished the game I noticed that I had "1%" item completion even though I didn't pick up a single side item, not even a meal ticket. So is it possible to get 0% or 1% is what you get for at least having money?

EDIT: Nevermind, just read around a little and discovered that 1% is the lowest. Cool! I can't wait to try this run again!

Hey everyone, I just created an account today specifically to post in this thread! I love Shovel Knight, and while I have been playing video games since the NES era as a kid, I have never done a speed run of a game. After watching some SGDQ I became inspired to have fun speed running Shovel Knight.

Unforuantely I am playing on 3DS and there doesn't seem to be a way to record gameplay, all I have to share is my first low % run:
[img]https://d3esbfg30x759i.cloudfront.net/ss/zlCfzSK4vpAWNXAGYz[/img]

I'm loving reading all the tips and watching all the videos on this thread. Looks like a lot of fun! Anyways I was really proud/happy to complete the game with no upgrades/relics/armor/etc. Although when I finished the game I noticed that I had "1%" item completion even though I didn't pick up a single side item, not even a meal ticket. So is it possible to get 0% or 1% is what you get for at least having money?

EDIT: Nevermind, just read around a little and discovered that 1% is the lowest. Cool! I can't wait to try this run again!

CptBrian

Edit history:

CptBrian: 2016-04-29 07:40:05 pm

CptBrian: 2014-07-15 06:56:04 pm

CptBrian: 2014-07-15 06:46:04 pm

CptBrian: 2014-07-15 04:07:35 pm

CptBrian: 2014-07-15 03:27:09 pm

CptBrian: 2014-07-15 03:26:57 pm

2014-07-15 03:26:33 pm

Relax

-removed-

Shadow the Past

Edit history:

Shadow the Past: 2014-07-15 08:22:05 pm

2014-07-15 08:21:44 pm

Quote from CptBrian:

This is why running this game is annoying. It doesn't take much bad RNG to destroy a run.

Also Here's a cool guitar medley of SK music.

If you run into them, immediately exit to the title screen and reload, they'll move to a different spot than the one you're in, so you can at least move your way closer to the stage you're going for.

Also thanks a lot for the OBS settings! Really appreciate it Smiley

Copilot

2014-07-15 09:24:12 pm

Ruling the cosmos!

Alright, so if anyone cares, I've made a tutorial for any% for any newbies that want to come in here. As of making this post, I'm only about up to Mole Knight's stage in the videos, but I should finish it no later than tomorrow. The route I'm using is CapnDrake's WR route, but I'll change the videos if any route changes come about.

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL5QCcAGcp7lBegEVmqPGfaPULI4cI-bU4

Knocks

2014-07-16 03:45:34 am

Quote from CptBrian:

This is why running this game is annoying. It doesn't take much bad RNG to destroy a run.

This is why I think running with the "no map encouners" cheat should be the standard category.

Quote from Copilot:

Alright, so if anyone cares, I've made a tutorial for any% for any newbies that want to come in here. As of making this post, I'm only about up to Mole Knight's stage in the videos, but I should finish it no later than tomorrow. The route I'm using is CapnDrake's WR route, but I'll change the videos if any route changes come about.

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL5QCcAGcp7lBegEVmqPGfaPULI4cI-bU4

Watched all of them. I like that you explain the tricks instead of just showing them. I learned a bunch even though I've been playing this game a lot Smiley

CptBrian

Edit history:

CptBrian: 2014-07-16 09:29:26 pm

CptBrian: 2014-07-16 06:33:36 pm

CptBrian: 2014-07-16 10:31:08 am

CptBrian: 2014-07-16 09:52:52 am

CptBrian: 2014-07-16 09:39:09 am

CptBrian: 2014-07-16 09:32:19 am

2014-07-16 09:29:48 am

Relax

New Low% WR in 59:10 RTA http://www.twitch.tv/cptbrian/c/4675953
YT link:
Sum of best is at 54:55 now.
5 deaths total, and at least 3 of them were really silly.
56:27 IGT

Quote from Shadow the Past:

Also thanks a lot for the OBS settings! Really appreciate it Smiley

This latest run is a good preview of my new OBS settings too. 1052 x 480 at 35 FPS.

One more thing, JTVPing will help you find the best server to choose for streaming, which is set in Settings > Broadcast Settings.

RamblingJosh

2014-07-16 11:55:28 am

Many words! Handle it!

Quote from Knocks:

This is why I think running with the "no map encouners" cheat should be the standard category.

I know there's been some discussion on the matter, but as far as I've seen most everyone is against it. The RNG in this game really sucks, but a cheat is a cheat. Not to mention that apparently cheats can randomly deactivate mid-game somehow.

Quote from Copilot:

Alright, so if anyone cares, I've made a tutorial for any% for any newbies that want to come in here. As of making this post, I'm only about up to Mole Knight's stage in the videos, but I should finish it no later than tomorrow. The route I'm using is CapnDrake's WR route, but I'll change the videos if any route changes come about.

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL5QCcAGcp7lBegEVmqPGfaPULI4cI-bU4

This is cool, but I would be really careful how you go about it. The game is still pretty new, and the route is changing fairly frequently still. What's more, new players probably won't want to run the fastest route anyways. New players probably want to start out with a route that gets 8 health/80 magic and no armor upgrade until they are good enough to move towards the prostrats. Also covering the super nitty gritty of level movement can be overwhelming, and most of it people will pick up naturally after a few runs anyways.

[quote="Knocks"]This is why I think running with the "no map encouners" cheat should be the standard category.[/quote]

I know there's been some discussion on the matter, but as far as I've seen most everyone is against it. The RNG in this game really sucks, but a cheat is a cheat. Not to mention that apparently cheats can randomly deactivate mid-game somehow.

[quote="Copilot"]Alright, so if anyone cares, I've made a tutorial for any% for any newbies that want to come in here. As of making this post, I'm only about up to Mole Knight's stage in the videos, but I should finish it no later than tomorrow. The route I'm using is CapnDrake's WR route, but I'll change the videos if any route changes come about.

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL5QCcAGcp7lBegEVmqPGfaPULI4cI-bU4[/quote]

This is cool, but I would be really careful how you go about it. The game is still pretty new, and the route is changing fairly frequently still. What's more, new players probably won't want to run the fastest route anyways. New players probably want to start out with a route that gets 8 health/80 magic and no armor upgrade until they are good enough to move towards the prostrats. Also covering the super nitty gritty of level movement can be overwhelming, and most of it people will pick up naturally after a few runs anyways.

Copilot

Edit history:

Copilot: 2014-07-16 12:26:52 pm

Copilot: 2014-07-16 12:24:59 pm

Copilot: 2014-07-16 12:24:30 pm

2014-07-16 12:24:01 pm

Ruling the cosmos!

Quote from Knocks:

This is why I think running with the "no map encouners" cheat should be the standard category.

Cheats aren't allowed in speedrunning in general in any% terms, and I've heard the argument that the game's community, as in us, is supposed to make the rules for the game, but that's just not entirely true, we do have some rules that we have to follow. Besides that, if we're going to use cheats, then we have no reason not to make the cheat that puts us on the last level of the game the one that we use, instead of one that just disables some RNG components of the game.

Quote from Knocks:

Watched all of them. I like that you explain the tricks instead of just showing them. I learned a bunch even though I've been playing this game a lot Smiley

Thanks man, I really appreciate it, that's kind of what I was going for. The tutorial is supposed to be directed more at all of the people that I'd seen who said they were new to speedrunning and that this was their first speed game, because for a lot of these people, whenever they would post their videos of them completing the Plains level or something, I just couldn't help but notice that they just lacked basic fundamentals like jumping up ladders, so I wanted it to be as detailed as possible. Some people who are more familiar with level optimization might not care for the level of detail I put into the videos, but it's not necessarily intended for them.

Quote from RamblingJosh:

This is cool, but I would be really careful how you go about it. The game is still pretty new, and the route is changing fairly frequently still. What's more, new players probably won't want to run the fastest route anyways. New players probably want to start out with a route that gets 8 health/80 magic and no armor upgrade until they are good enough to move towards the prostrats. Also covering the super nitty gritty of level movement can be overwhelming, and most of it people will pick up naturally after a few runs anyways.

In regards to how new the game is, I did wait until I felt like we had a relatively solid ground to stand on before making the videos. As the route changes, because I know it will, I will change the videos to accommodate, but I wanted people who might be struggling a bit to have a basis to go on. I know that at the least at this point the route can't change too drastically unless some major game-breaking bug is discovered, so letting people know what the route is, if nothing else, lets more people be able to start looking at the route for improvements.

In regards to newers players, I will points out as I go along what one can do to adjust the difficulty, so I will probably point out when I get to the point that if you don't quite feel safe with the Magic Armor, you can go ahead and just got more magic upgrades, or something of the sort. I will make sure to point out along the way that you can take the route a little bit slower to be a little safer.

And in regards to the last part of your message, please see my response to Knocks above. Again, it's more for people who are completely new to speedrunning in general, but if I do receive more complaints about it, then I will change the videos to accommodate. I mean, Knocks over there seemed to be the intended audience with the intended result, so I don't know. I mean you have to think about, some people just don't think about things like jumping up ladders instead of climbing them.

[quote="Knocks"]
This is why I think running with the "no map encouners" cheat should be the standard category.
[/quote]

Cheats aren't allowed in speedrunning in general in any% terms, and I've heard the argument that the game's community, as in us, is supposed to make the rules for the game, but that's just not entirely true, we do have some rules that we have to follow. Besides that, if we're going to use cheats, then we have no reason not to make the cheat that puts us on the last level of the game the one that we use, instead of one that just disables some RNG components of the game.

[quote="Knocks"]Watched all of them. I like that you explain the tricks instead of just showing them. I learned a bunch even though I've been playing this game a lot Smiley[/quote]

Thanks man, I really appreciate it, that's kind of what I was going for. The tutorial is supposed to be directed more at all of the people that I'd seen who said they were new to speedrunning and that this was their first speed game, because for a lot of these people, whenever they would post their videos of them completing the Plains level or something, I just couldn't help but notice that they just lacked basic fundamentals like jumping up ladders, so I wanted it to be as detailed as possible. Some people who are more familiar with level optimization might not care for the level of detail I put into the videos, but it's not necessarily intended for them.

[quote="RamblingJosh"]This is cool, but I would be really careful how you go about it. The game is still pretty new, and the route is changing fairly frequently still. What's more, new players probably won't want to run the fastest route anyways. New players probably want to start out with a route that gets 8 health/80 magic and no armor upgrade until they are good enough to move towards the prostrats. Also covering the super nitty gritty of level movement can be overwhelming, and most of it people will pick up naturally after a few runs anyways.[/quote]

In regards to how new the game is, I did wait until I felt like we had a relatively solid ground to stand on before making the videos. As the route changes, because I know it will, I will change the videos to accommodate, but I wanted people who might be struggling a bit to have a basis to go on. I know that at the least at this point the route can't change too drastically unless some major game-breaking bug is discovered, so letting people know what the route is, if nothing else, lets more people be able to start looking at the route for improvements.

In regards to newers players, I will points out as I go along what one can do to adjust the difficulty, so I will probably point out when I get to the point that if you don't quite feel safe with the Magic Armor, you can go ahead and just got more magic upgrades, or something of the sort. I will make sure to point out along the way that you can take the route a little bit slower to be a little safer.

And in regards to the last part of your message, please see my response to Knocks above. Again, it's more for people who are completely new to speedrunning in general, but if I do receive more complaints about it, then I will change the videos to accommodate. I mean, Knocks over there seemed to be the intended audience with the intended result, so I don't know. I mean you have to think about, some people just don't think about things like jumping up ladders instead of climbing them.

Knocks

2014-07-16 01:27:53 pm

Quote from Copilot:

Quote from Knocks:

This is why I think running with the "no map encouners" cheat should be the standard category.

Cheats aren't allowed in speedrunning in general in any% terms, and I've heard the argument that the game's community, as in us, is supposed to make the rules for the game, but that's just not entirely true, we do have some rules that we have to follow. Besides that, if we're going to use cheats, then we have no reason not to make the cheat that puts us on the last level of the game the one that we use, instead of one that just disables some RNG components of the game.

Why can't we make our own rules? There is already a category for No Overworld RNG on PBtracker.

Of course there are reasons to not allow cheats that skip content! That is like saying just because we are making cannabis legal we need to make black tar heroin legal as well because both are drugs. The only real effect the no map encounters cheat would cause is that people would get fewer runs ruined by bad RNG. I'm not at that skill level, but I can imagine how crazy frustrating it must be, trying to get a WR and getting screwed by the encounters over and over again.

[quote="Copilot"][quote="Knocks"]
This is why I think running with the "no map encouners" cheat should be the standard category.
[/quote]

Cheats aren't allowed in speedrunning in general in any% terms, and I've heard the argument that the game's community, as in us, is supposed to make the rules for the game, but that's just not entirely true, we do have some rules that we have to follow. Besides that, if we're going to use cheats, then we have no reason not to make the cheat that puts us on the last level of the game the one that we use, instead of one that just disables some RNG components of the game.
[/quote]

Why can't we make our own rules? There is already a category for No Overworld RNG on PBtracker.

Of course there are reasons to not allow cheats that skip content! That is like saying just because we are making cannabis legal we need to make black tar heroin legal as well because both are drugs. The only real effect the no map encounters cheat would cause is that people would get fewer runs ruined by bad RNG. I'm not at that skill level, but I can imagine how crazy frustrating it must be, trying to get a WR and getting screwed by the encounters over and over again.

CptBrian

Edit history:

CptBrian: 2014-07-16 01:30:59 pm

2014-07-16 01:30:24 pm

Relax

Anyone can make up any random category on PBTracker.
And I'd say about 2/3 of my resets were from bad RNG, so I'm all for removing map RNG at least.

Knocks

2014-07-16 01:51:42 pm

Quote from CptBrian:

Anyone can make up any random category on PBTracker.
And I'd say about 2/3 of my resets were from bad RNG, so I'm all for removing map RNG only.

Wow, that's even more than I thought it would be. I fear that if removing map RNG isn't allowed, the community will pretty much split in two sooner or later, one camp with purists and one with people who just can't be arsed to have 2/3 of the resets caused by something they have no control over.

Copilot

2014-07-16 02:28:27 pm

Ruling the cosmos!

Trust me dude, it's agreed upon that you aren't allowed to use cheats to speed up the run. If you want to be one of the two people who plays the "No Overworld RNG" category, be my guest, but nobody will regard any time you put on there as relevant

luigimeister

Edit history:

luigimeister: 2014-07-16 02:30:09 pm

2014-07-16 02:29:33 pm

Likes SoM far too much

Quote from Copilot:

Trust me dude, it's agreed upon that you aren't allowed to use cheats to speed up the run. If you want to be one of the two people who plays the "No Overworld RNG" category, be my guest, but nobody will regard any time you put on there as relevant

^

luigimeister

Edit history:

luigimeister: 2014-07-16 02:30:03 pm

luigimeister: 2014-07-16 02:29:52 pm

2014-07-16 02:29:39 pm

Likes SoM far too much

double post too strong

RamblingJosh

2014-07-16 02:36:14 pm

Many words! Handle it!

The community won't really split. We just end up with multiple categories. Just about every game has multiple categories that people run (ie any% and any% no map RNG in this case). It's still the same community playing the same game and doing mostly the same things. If anything removing map RNG has a smaller perceived effect on the run than if you were to run low% or something.

I think it would be great if we could just roll without encounters. It makes both routing and grinding runs easier, and sure we could agree to do that as a community. But I can guarantee you that as soon as that becomes a thing, nobody will ever take Shovel Knight seriously. It's not even like it makes a fun gimmick run like other cheats would.

Knocks

2014-07-16 02:37:03 pm

I don't care about what is "agreed upon". I care about what makes sense and what makes running this game as enjoyable as possible. So far, I haven't heard one single good argument for not allowing this.

Let's say that there was an option instead of a "cheat" that allowed you to turn off the RNG. I bet that would be counted as a legit category. Now it is frowned upon just because it is called a cheat, even though the only thing it does is improve the experience of running this game. No one in their right mind enjoys being screwed by that RNG.

Copilot

2014-07-16 02:40:25 pm

Ruling the cosmos!

Again, it's your choice if you want to do it. Go ahead, but once you get into higher times, getting a good time with the cheat on won't mean anything in the end, CapnDrake will still be the Shovel Knight god. Even the other guy who went and made the category on PBTracker just plays normal any% now, and he has a very excellent time, actually, like, 56 or 58 minutes, something like that.

ShadowWraith

2014-07-16 02:42:22 pm

.

FWIW, SDA wouldn't accept a run that used the No Overworld RNG cheat.

Copilot

2014-07-16 02:43:51 pm

Ruling the cosmos!

Quote from ShadowWraith:

FWIW, SDA wouldn't accept a run that used the No Overworld RNG cheat.

I tried to tell you guys. There are certain things we aren't allowed to do, the entirety of the game isn't just in our hands, we are part of a larger community. Thank you ShadowWraith.

UberGoose

2014-07-16 02:49:21 pm

Quote from luigimeister:

Quote from Copilot:

Trust me dude, it's agreed upon that you aren't allowed to use cheats to speed up the run. If you want to be one of the two people who plays the "No Overworld RNG" category, be my guest, but nobody will regard any time you put on there as relevant