Skies Of Arcadia Legends...GC

Zyre

Edit history:

Zyre: 2010-03-13 04:20:06 pm

2010-01-05 09:05:38 am

The Speedrunning Teacher

Now that the holidays are over and I'm all moved in, I can finally get back to working on this run.

I'll start with the good stuff first: I finally was able to get YouTube to cooperate with me, so I now have the first two recorded segments up on my YouTube account. Segment 2 had to be split because of the 10 minute video time limit.

Segment 1 - Getting the Electri Box
-This segment required a ton of restarts. Main reason for the restarts was because I needed to get that Electri Box. Unfortunately, it only has a 1% drop rate from the Soldiers, and the only battle where I'm guaranteed to battle Soldiers is that first battle. Because of the low chance of getting it, I can't be too picky about how the battles in the segment turned out. I also fight battles here because they are easily One-Hit-KO (OHKO) with Pyri and for the exp (both level and magic).

Segment 2 - Part 1 - Shocking Antonio
Segment 2 - Part 2 - Pirate Isle & Off to Shrine Island
-Antonio is easy with the Electri Box. Two shots and he's down. On the flight back to Pirate Isle, I run from the Marocca because its defense prevents me from OHKOing it. Ghastlings are OHKO'd by Pyri. I use Aika because her Quick is higher and gives her a better chance of going first. This didn't happen, as one escaped and another attacked, and Aika decided to counter, adding more time. Sigh. Still, this was better than several other attempts.

Any feedback will be appreciated. I plan on posting the segments as I finish recording them so that you guys can enjoy them.

Also, I have a potential Segment 3 recorded, but I'm running it a few more times to see if I can get a better time.

EDIT: Added comments to segments.

Now that the holidays are over and I'm all moved in, I can finally get back to working on this run.

I'll start with the good stuff first: I finally was able to get YouTube to cooperate with me, so I now have the first two recorded segments up on my YouTube account.  Segment 2 had to be split because of the 10 minute video time limit.

[url=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FV5SpfPhfDA]Segment 1 - Getting the Electri Box[/url]
-This segment required a ton of restarts.  Main reason for the restarts was because I needed to get that Electri Box.  Unfortunately, it only has a 1% drop rate from the Soldiers, and the only battle where I'm guaranteed to battle Soldiers is that first battle.  Because of the low chance of getting it, I can't be too picky about how the battles in the segment turned out.  I also fight battles here because they are easily One-Hit-KO (OHKO) with Pyri and for the exp (both level and magic).

[url=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4YP0QKLBLaY]Segment 2 - Part 1 - Shocking Antonio[/url]
[url=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OORFBRojAI0]Segment 2 - Part 2 - Pirate Isle & Off to Shrine Island[/url]
-Antonio is easy with the Electri Box.  Two shots and he's down.  On the flight back to Pirate Isle, I run from the Marocca because its defense prevents me from OHKOing it.  Ghastlings are OHKO'd by Pyri.  I use Aika because her Quick is higher and gives her a better chance of going first.  This didn't happen, as one escaped and another attacked, and Aika decided to counter, adding more time.  Sigh.  Still, this was better than several other attempts.

Any feedback will be appreciated.  I plan on posting the segments as I finish recording them so that you guys can enjoy them.

Also, I have a potential Segment 3 recorded, but I'm running it a few more times to see if I can get a better time.

EDIT: Added comments to segments.

bmn

2010-01-05 11:01:51 am

The first battle in seg#1 was pretty poor luck, but I suppose you take what you can get with a huge intro and bad odds at getting the box. The other battles made up for it tho, I like the use of Pyri to clear house as soon as you get it. Are you planning to use magic a lot throughout the early game? - of course towards the end it's mostly useless outside of ship battles, what with magic boxes available.

Seg#2: I forget this aspect of the system, but I assume you can't use a box twice in one round? "Stand quietly"'s the quickest option?

I'm happy to see you're uploading the videos as you make them. I don't think I could handle waiting for an SDA publication >_>

Zyre

2010-01-05 11:26:30 am

The Speedrunning Teacher

I agree that the first battle in the first segment was really poor luck, but it wasn't the worst outcome either. Early game magic is a yes, and I'll test how well magic is gonna work for each segment as the run goes. Pyri (and its later, stronger versions) will get used very often since it can clean out a battle quickly in one shot, plus it is cheap on the SP use. Though the battles I fight are only ones that I can one-shot with Pyri. Otherwise I just run.

And you're correct about using the box twice in a round. Only one person can use a box per round, but if I had more than one box, then more characters can use the boxes. Defending is the quickest option because there is no animation for it, thus "skipping" that character entirely. I have Aika use the box since she has a higher Quick and is more likely to go first, so Antonio only gets to act once.

Something that I noted about the in-game timer. It is actually very accurate. Even though it doesn't show the seconds, it doesn't cut them off when you save the game. The only time that the timer doesn't run is when you're in the inventory menu. It does run when on the save menu and in shops though, so the final time will be the time shown plus the amount of time in the inventory menu.

I agree that the first battle in the first segment was really poor luck, but it wasn't the worst outcome either.  Early game magic is a yes, and I'll test how well magic is gonna work for each segment as the run goes.  Pyri (and its later, stronger versions) will get used very often since it can clean out a battle quickly in one shot, plus it is cheap on the SP use.  Though the battles I fight are only ones that I can one-shot with Pyri.  Otherwise I just run.

And you're correct about using the box twice in a round.  Only one person can use a box per round, but if I had more than one box, then more characters can use the boxes.  Defending is the quickest option because there is no animation for it, thus "skipping" that character entirely.  I have Aika use the box since she has a higher Quick and is more likely to go first, so Antonio only gets to act once.

Something that I noted about the in-game timer.  It is actually very accurate.  Even though it doesn't show the seconds, it doesn't cut them off when you save the game.  The only time that the timer doesn't run is when you're in the inventory menu.  It does run when on the save menu and in shops though, so the final time will be the time shown plus the amount of time in the inventory menu.

Zyre

Edit history:

Zyre: 2010-03-13 04:35:44 pm

2010-01-12 08:52:24 pm

The Speedrunning Teacher

Segment 3 - Shrine Island
-Still can't take out Maroccas, so I gotta run when I see them. First one I see I have the advantage, so I can run without failure. The battle with the two Maroccas and the Grouder happens there every time, it isn't random. Sadly, I fail the first Run, but succeed the second. Loopers are another one to run from. They evade almost every time and cannot take damage from magic. The best way to take them out with with a Special Attack or a Counter. I do get turned around at 5:09 for a second, and again at 6:20. >.>

This video is that potential segment that I was referring to in my earlier post. I ran this segment a couple of times, but I didn't get the luck I did here. I was able to match the length of time, but not get a better time (nor the luck with the battles), so this segment, I feel, is the keeper. Again, feedback is appreciated at any time.

Segment 4 is on its way soon. I'm working on it now and hopefully will have it before the end of this week. I may have to run the Executioner segment just so I can record me beating him at level 9. The level I gain here in segment 3 will most likely bring me to level 10 when I face the Executioner. Grin

EDIT: Added comments.

[url=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NLB-BiW9VFo]Segment 3 - Shrine Island[/url]
-Still can't take out Maroccas, so I gotta run when I see them.  First one I see I have the advantage, so I can run without failure.  The battle with the two Maroccas and the Grouder happens there every time, it isn't random.  Sadly, I fail the first Run, but succeed the second.  Loopers are another one to run from.  They evade almost every time and cannot take damage from magic.  The best way to take them out with with a Special Attack or a Counter.  I do get turned around at 5:09 for a second, and again at 6:20. >.>

This video is that potential segment that I was referring to in my earlier post.  I ran this segment a couple of times, but I didn't get the luck I did here.  I was able to match the length of time, but not get a better time (nor the luck with the battles), so this segment, I feel, is the keeper.  Again, feedback is appreciated at any time.

Segment 4 is on its way soon.  I'm working on it now and hopefully will have it before the end of this week.  I may have to run the Executioner segment just so I can record me beating him at level 9.  The level I gain here in segment 3 will most likely bring me to level 10 when I face the Executioner.   ;D

EDIT: Added comments.

MAS8705

2010-01-12 11:16:04 pm

SDA Apprentice -- (3-1)

I would think that you would have restarted due to the bad start, but if it didn't do anything to hurt the run, then I can understand why you kept it... I read in one of the earlier comments that the box you used against the first boss in segment 2 is rare, so I can see why you hung on to it in spite of the missed swings...

I also like how you balance out your "time to fight" with "Time to run" to ensure that you aren't lagging that far behind in levels...

Also Bmn, I can understand wanting to see the run as its made, it's always great to see a speed run in the making... (I'm probably going to be watching this one with yoshifan's Galaxy run)

I wish you the best of luck Zyre... May the next group of segments run as smooth (if not smoother) as your first three...

PS: Congrats on the first subscriber... Smiley

Zyre

2010-01-13 09:25:51 pm

The Speedrunning Teacher

Remember how I mentioned beating the Executioner at level 9? Thought I'd put up the video of it happening. Dunno if I'll be level 9 when I get to that point in the actual run, I might be slightly higher level. Enjoy!

Thanks for the subscription, MAS.

bmn

2010-01-13 09:41:12 pm

Good to know you're getting into it proper now. It's always hard when the first segment is a tough one (I'm in that predicament myself with Metal Gear Solid 2).

Are you planning on answering all the Swashbuckler Rating questions correctly, and is there a benefit to it in terms of the speedrun? ...apart from the obvious situations like the ship battles where it does make a difference.

MAS8705

2010-01-13 10:45:36 pm

SDA Apprentice -- (3-1)

Quote from Zyre:

Thanks for the subscription, MAS.

Hey, when you have people backing you up, that gives you more motivation to give it your all... Nice work with the 2 turn executioner btw... Along side with BMN's question, I have a question myself...

I know at the end, you have your choice of, "Who you take" in the final fight... Drachma (with Spirit Charge), Gilder (with... well... something...) and Enrique (with justice shield)... From my response, you can tell I that I don't see any effectiveness of having glider, but who are you planning to use for the end?

Zyre

2010-01-13 11:43:50 pm

The Speedrunning Teacher

Quote from bmn:

Are you planning on answering all the Swashbuckler Rating questions correctly, and is there a benefit to it in terms of the speedrun? ...apart from the obvious situations like the ship battles where it does make a difference.

Most of them, yes. I'm testing each choice out and so far answering correctly yields fewer lines of text and fewer animations to wait on, so it speeds up the times. How much it speeds up, however, varies. One example is the choice in Dyne's office where I may "Defend Fina" or "Remain quiet." "Defend Fina" adds at least an extra three seconds of text and animation more than "Remain quiet."

The title that derives from these choices is moot, since that fake Vize ruins your rep anyways.

But as I said, I'm testing each choice out (with exceptions like you noted for ship battles).

Quote from MAS8705:

I know at the end, you have your choice of, "Who you take" in the final fight... Drachma (with Spirit Charge), Gilder (with... well... something...) and Enrique (with justice shield)... From my response, you can tell I that I don't see any effectiveness of having glider, but who are you planning to use for the end?

Right now the plan is for Drachma to be part of the final crew. Current reasoning behind this is because of how I plan on using SP for battle. Mainly, SP is going to be used to fuel Vyse's Pirates Wrath (or Cutlass Fury, need to test to see which will fare better in a long run) and, if possible, build up towards Prophecy (definitely possible if I use Cutlass Fury every turn). Drachma is good in this sense because Spirit Charge costs 0 SP, gives double his Spirit in return, and puts him on guard. Being a tank already, with him on guard, he should have a high chance of surviving anything that the final bosses can throw at him (except the Eterni series).

Enrique and his Justice Shield is a possibility, one that I'll test out when I get to that point. As I said before though, SP is going to be perhaps the key to the final battles. Using his Justice Shield eats 4 SP per turn, so building SP for Pirate's Wrath would take a little longer.

[quote="bmn"]
Are you planning on answering all the Swashbuckler Rating questions correctly, and is there a benefit to it in terms of the speedrun? ...apart from the obvious situations like the ship battles where it does make a difference.
[/quote]

Most of them, yes.  I'm testing each choice out and so far answering correctly yields fewer lines of text and fewer animations to wait on, so it speeds up the times.  How much it speeds up, however, varies.  One example is the choice in Dyne's office where I may "Defend Fina" or "Remain quiet."  "Defend Fina" adds at least an extra three seconds of text and animation more than "Remain quiet."

The title that derives from these choices is moot, since that fake Vize ruins your rep anyways.

But as I said, I'm testing each choice out (with exceptions like you noted for ship battles).

[quote="MAS8705"]
I know at the end, you have your choice of, "Who you take" in the final fight... Drachma (with Spirit Charge), Gilder (with... well... something...) and Enrique (with justice shield)... From my response, you can tell I that I don't see any effectiveness of having glider, but who are you planning to use for the end?
[/quote]

Right now the plan is for Drachma to be part of the final crew.  Current reasoning behind this is because of how I plan on using SP for battle.  Mainly, SP is going to be used to fuel Vyse's Pirates Wrath (or Cutlass Fury, need to test to see which will fare better in a long run) and, if possible, build up towards Prophecy (definitely possible if I use Cutlass Fury every turn).  Drachma is good in this sense because Spirit Charge costs 0 SP, gives double his Spirit in return, and puts him on guard.  Being a tank already, with him on guard, he should have a high chance of surviving anything that the final bosses can throw at him (except the Eterni series).

Enrique and his Justice Shield is a possibility, one that I'll test out when I get to that point.  As I said before though, SP is going to be perhaps the key to the final battles.  Using his Justice Shield eats 4 SP per turn, so building SP for Pirate's Wrath would take a little longer.

Zyre

Edit history:

Zyre: 2010-03-13 04:58:04 pm

2010-01-20 06:14:14 pm

The Speedrunning Teacher

Break in homework + no job at the moment = more time for this speedrun.

Segment 4 - Boss & Attack on Pirate Isle
-It wasn't until much later that it was pointed out to me that I didn't need to use Focus and Attack on the Sentinel. Plus the Counter just added time. Using Defend would have been better as I wouldn't have seen any animation for Vyse. Still can't take out Maroccas, & Looper = run.
Segment 5 - Of Arcwhales and Old Men
-I fight that last battle normally because I need 58 more gold for the next segment. Since the recording was going much better than several of the other recordings I decided to fight whatever I could get next. I should have used Pyri on the second turn instead of attacking. It would have been faster.

EDIT: Added segment comments.

bmn

2010-01-21 12:17:08 am

I notice in Seg#4 you turned down a battle against a Marocca on its own. If there was a risk of being a little down on gold/exp/mexp (even if in this case a single Marocca wouldn't give you enough gold) in the near future, would it be a better choice to take the battle and lose a few seconds (or even save a few if the run would've failed)?

Also in the boss battle, the focus in the first round seems unnecessary as you'd have 8sp for the round you used CF.

PS Seg#5 isn't public on Yt.

Zyre

2010-01-21 08:27:13 am

The Speedrunning Teacher

Quote from bmn:

I notice in Seg#4 you turned down a battle against a Marocca on its own. If there was a risk of being a little down on gold/exp/mexp (even if in this case a single Marocca wouldn't give you enough gold) in the near future, would it be a better choice to take the battle and lose a few seconds (or even save a few if the run would've failed)?

That's a very good point. I wasn't thinking of that when I was recording...I was more focused on getting a good run in. But that will be something I will remember in the future.

Quote from bmn:

Also in the boss battle, the focus in the first round seems unnecessary as you'd have 8sp for the round you used CF.

Again, that's true. The plan layout that I had for that boss battle was for still being at level 4. I had completely forgotten that I was level 5 and that Vyse earns 2 SP instead of 1 at that point, so I was following my script. Had I remembered, I would have probably just defended for a turn (which would save a few seconds).

Quote from bmn:

PS Seg#5 isn't public on Yt.

Fixed it. Thought I had it set for Public viewing. Tongue

[quote="bmn"]
I notice in Seg#4 you turned down a battle against a Marocca on its own. If there was a risk of being a little down on gold/exp/mexp (even if in this case a single Marocca wouldn't give you enough gold) in the near future, would it be a better choice to take the battle and lose a few seconds (or even save a few if the run would've failed)?
[/quote]

That's a very good point.  I wasn't thinking of that when I was recording...I was more focused on getting a good run in.  But that will be something I will remember in the future.

[quote="bmn"]
Also in the boss battle, the focus in the first round seems unnecessary as you'd have 8sp for the round you used CF.
[/quote]

Again, that's true.  The plan layout that I had for that boss battle was for still being at level 4.  I had completely forgotten that I was level 5 and that Vyse earns 2 SP instead of 1 at that point, so I was following my script.  Had I remembered, I would have probably just defended for a turn (which would save a few seconds).

[quote="bmn"]
PS Seg#5 isn't public on Yt.
[/quote]

Fixed it.  Thought I had it set for Public viewing. :P

bmn

Edit history:

bmn: 2010-01-21 06:10:50 pm

2010-01-21 06:04:39 pm

Okeys, once you get Drachma in the party Alpha Storm assumedly will become useful for a bit. In the odd situation (such as the first battle in Seg#5, where you don't have the SP to do it) it I believe can be a substitute for Pyri if all the enemies are in-line with Aika, it doesn't require MP, and after the first showing it's quicker than using magic (and regular Attacks I think?), through skipping most of the action. In the 3xThrokryn battle you have 4SP per round which allows Aika to use it constantly. You could have her use Pyri first round if you need it, and then AS on each later round - using Attack can be iffy due to Throkryns having good Dodge%, as with Loopers.

Although that all depends on how powerful AS is. I forget >_>

Zyre

2010-01-21 10:26:29 pm

The Speedrunning Teacher

Hmmm. Besides the point that they have to line up for them all to get hit, I read somewhere that Alpha Storm's damage is considered red magic damage, and not physical damage like Vyse's or Drachma's. If that is the case, I dunno if AS would deal more damage or not than Pyri would. I'll have to look it up again, and test it out on these next few segments.

bmn

Edit history:

bmn: 2010-01-22 07:01:47 am

2010-01-22 06:23:57 am

Yeah, I'm pretty sure it's Red. IIRC it's just a weaker line-attack version of Lambda Burst. I'm not really suggesting using it as a Pyri-alternative in general; more that it could be a more useful alternative to Attack for Aika (at least against non-Red-resistant enemies) with her weak Atk stat in the early game, if you're not using SP for anything else. Or as a Pyri-alternative if you need to conserve MP of course. As I say, after the first use it's about the same speed in-game as Attack, so could have some use.

Might break out the old GC emulator and see if I can follow you around. Might catch something.

MAS8705

2010-01-28 09:55:48 pm

SDA Apprentice -- (3-1)

Not like Zyre wasn't going to do this later, but what the hey...

Segment 6 is up (I don't know how to do the fancy alt. title, and I'm not going to bother to name it since it is only a 4 minute segment... I guess you can call it something that covers advancing the story, collecting 2 moonfish, talking to the sailor's guild and selling some info, and buying 2 crystales boxes before saving)

Hope everyone who is watching the run (which I take it is me and Bmn at this point) enjoys...

Segment 6- :52 minutes

Zyre

Edit history:

Zyre: 2010-03-13 05:17:47 pm

2010-01-28 10:07:36 pm

The Speedrunning Teacher

Quote from MAS8705:

Not like Zyre wasn't going to do this later, but what the hey...

ROFL! That made my day. Thanks! Grin

Segment 6 - Tricking the Old Man
-Not much to say here. Getting everything in town done.

Segment 7-A - Training on Baltor
Segment 7-B - Infiltrating Valua & Picking on kids
-First shot on the third turn is the earliest that Baltor can go down. If there is hesitation in selecting ship attacks, it is because I'm referring to my notes.

BTW, to do the fancy title, look at this:

Code:

[url=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=stjmLCWWO_0]Segment 6 - Tricking the Old Man[/url]

Just put the URL inside the brackets, and the title between.

I did some testing, and it seems that Aika's AS does around the same damage as Pyri would, so I had her learn it, and wouldn't you know it, a single, brave Scourfly decided to take it head on. Fastest battle yet.

EDIT: Added segment comments

[quote="MAS8705"]
Not like Zyre wasn't going to do this later, but what the hey...
[/quote]

ROFL! That made my day.  Thanks!  ;D

[url=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=stjmLCWWO_0]Segment 6 - Tricking the Old Man[/url]
-Not much to say here.  Getting everything in town done.

[url=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n9jeyJlU4vc]Segment 7-A - Training on Baltor[/url]
[url=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kFIhzXip6Dg]Segment 7-B - Infiltrating Valua & Picking on kids[/url]
-First shot on the third turn is the earliest that Baltor can go down.  If there is hesitation in selecting ship attacks, it is because I'm referring to my notes.

BTW, to do the fancy title, look at this:
[code][url=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=stjmLCWWO_0]Segment 6 - Tricking the Old Man[/url][/code]

Just put the URL inside the brackets, and the title between.

I did some testing, and it seems that Aika's AS does around the same damage as Pyri would, so I had her learn it, and wouldn't you know it, a single, brave Scourfly decided to take it head on.  Fastest battle yet.

EDIT: Added segment comments

mocliamtoh

Edit history:

mocliamtoh: 2010-01-28 11:44:29 pm

2010-01-28 11:30:14 pm

My name is unpronounceable

Quote from MAS8705:

Hope everyone who is watching the run (which I take it is me and Bmn at this point) enjoys...

I suppose that's my cue to chime in and mention that, I too, am still watching the progress of this run (I made a post earlier somewhere...). It's been a long time since I beat the game, but I still remember this as one of my favourite RPGs. If I remember anything useful, I'll be sure to chime in though.

EDIT: How are you going to distribute the captain's stripes you get. Are you going to use any of them on the Little Jack, or are you going to save them all for the Delphinius?

bmn

Edit history:

bmn: 2010-01-29 08:16:37 am

2010-01-29 07:57:24 am

Pretty sure used stripes are transferred when you switch ships, so it's best to use a stripe before your next ship battle.

Quote from Zyre:

I did some testing, and it seems that Aika's AS does around the same damage as Pyri would, so I had her learn it, and wouldn't you know it, a single, brave Scourfly decided to take it head on. Fastest battle yet.

Sexual. Obviously it's limited use, but every little helps. Plus you got Increm out of it that time ;p

Zyre

2010-01-29 08:41:56 am

The Speedrunning Teacher

Quote from bmn:

Pretty sure used stripes are transferred when you switch ships, so it's best to use a stripe before your next ship battle.

You would be right. The Captain's Stripes are transferred between the ships automatically, so I'll be using it in an upcoming segment (aka the next time I need to go into the menu).

bmn

Edit history:

bmn: 2010-01-29 09:14:25 am

2010-01-29 09:06:09 am

If you're confident of having enough HP for a particular ship battle, it may be an idea to defer using the stripes until a more risky one and save a few seconds in the menu.

mocliamtoh

2010-01-29 11:52:10 am

My name is unpronounceable

I never knew that about the stripes carrying over.

Saving a few seconds on what may well become the longest run on SDA? Is that even worth it?

bmn

2010-01-29 12:39:59 pm

This is SDA, son ;p

Then again, all the ship battles may end up being tight enough that it's not an option anyway.

Zyre

2010-01-29 07:46:21 pm

The Speedrunning Teacher

Quote from bmn:

Then again, all the ship battles may end up being tight enough that it's not an option anyway.

I know that it is an option for the next ship battle (when escaping Valua), and I should be able to handle Recumen (the Red Gigas, if that is his name) without getting hit once. The battle that may need it is the Lynx (Belleza's ship).

Here's a thought that I may just have to test, but I'd like to see if anyone knows off the top of their head: Does the stripe increase the ship's attack/defense power as well as add hp? If it does, then I might as well apply it asap to get that extra attack power.

bmn

Edit history:

bmn: 2010-01-29 07:57:31 pm

2010-01-29 07:50:18 pm

I believe it's only HP, but don't quote me on that. The only solid definitions I've seen have only mentioned HP though. Might be an idea to play ahead a bit and get a few stripes so you can compare.

Or just use them at the first opportunity. A few seconds may only really be worth it if the effort required to research it is fairly small.