Skylanders... yes, skylanders

ZountainZew

Edit history:

ZountainZew: 2014-08-14 07:20:34 am

ZountainZew: 2014-08-14 07:19:33 am

ZountainZew: 2014-08-11 05:21:01 pm

ZountainZew: 2014-08-11 05:20:28 pm

2014-08-03 01:25:28 pm

Get this guy a healing potion, on me

EDIT 14/08/2014 : I've decided to stop posting to this thread - for the time being anyway. I'll still run it myself since I still believe it's a fun game to speed run but after testing I've noticed this game really isn't friendly to newcomers.
You're at a disadvantage as soon as you buy the game because to really optimize you've got to spend money on external power ups which some are hard to find as theyre not made anymore and alot of the main speedrunning Skylanders have legendary versions so you'd have to shop around for exclusives. It's a few seconds off your time but I feel like no one will be motivated without spending alot of money.
If anyone comes across this thread feel free to post and I'll give any insight I have but I can't really advertise this game as a speedrun when it convinces people who might not have alot of money to spend it - There are other speedruns out there for cheap so I reckon only Skylanders fans will want to run this anyway.

Thread title:

HoboWithaShotgun

2014-08-03 07:17:20 pm

Wake up and be awesome

Interesting, I've never played a Skylanders game but I'd watch a run no doubt. Just have to add a couple things

1) I highly recommend starting a Skylanders Swap Force thread under newer consoles as that's where most speedrunning development takes place (finding routes, glitches, etc.)
2) From what I've read, PS4 does indeed have faster loading times than PS3
3) The one problem I see is trying to expirement with each um... Skylander? Certain Skylanders might have special uses for particular things and if you want to test them, then good luck my friend.

ZountainZew

2014-08-04 03:38:35 am

Get this guy a healing potion, on me

Yeah I knew there would be alot of testing to be able to bring the time down and find the best characters to use... it was part of the reason I posted this thread incase anyone had already ran it and could give some insight. Looks like I've got alot of work to do then so I can eventually run/stream it to get people interested Tongue

bangerra

2014-08-06 03:44:32 am

I've done a few Any% attempts on Hard difficulty. My PB is somewhere around 4:30 (I forgot to save my splits aparently -.-)on the PS3 version, which has HORRIBLE loading times.
I have a selection of about 20 skylanders, the one I use for 95% of the run atm is Free Ranger with a +speed hat. He has a very nice combination of running speed, massive damage and !Very Important! the ability to pull enemies out of their shielded attacks.
I might do some Nightmare runs in the future if I can find the time. Runs on Easy seem extremely boring with all the unskippable cutscenes.
I have not found any usefull glitches yet, but killing enemies too fast has caused me to softlock the game a few times (not spawing next wave/not opening the gate etc..)

ZountainZew

Edit history:

ZountainZew: 2014-08-07 11:04:37 am

2014-08-06 07:05:45 am

Get this guy a healing potion, on me

I've been testing for a few days and yeah I noticed a few of the problems you mentioned, also to do a legit any% that isn't segmented you have to start a new save slot which means your portal master rank is reset... so no bonus artifacts which maybe takes like 5 mins off the run, not such a big deal but something to consider. I also read that the Wii version is missing some content that's in the other versions and the 3DS version is a pretty a much complete new game so IDK if for fun sake we just use standard versions (e.g PS or Xbox versions).

I think which skylanders to use will depend on whether the shielded mobs are more predominant in the chapter or not because certain Skylanders like magma charge etc can cancel the effect... I also noticed that Zou Lou can cancel the flying bat attacks by using his wolf to stand in the way... not sure if it ultimately saves time. The fastest Skylander I've tested so far is Nightshift because he can constantly teleport which skips past Mobs without taking damage and he has a second life. I don't think there's any case where switching Skylanders in the middle of a chapter will be useful so I think it's a case of finding the right Skylander for the chapter, placing it on the portal before the cutscene becomes skipable and then quickly playing out the level without dying... I reckon this could be a pretty fun run just I gotta put alot of work in first to optimise it, let me know if you find anything.

I've been testing for a few days and yeah I noticed a few of the problems you mentioned, also to do a legit any% that isn't segmented you have to start a new save slot which means your portal master rank is reset... so no bonus artifacts which maybe takes like 5 mins off the run, not such a big deal but something to consider. I also read that the Wii version is missing some content that's in the other versions and the 3DS version is a pretty a much complete new game so IDK if for fun sake we just use standard versions (e.g PS or Xbox versions).

I think which skylanders to use will depend on whether the shielded mobs are more predominant in the chapter or not because certain Skylanders like magma charge etc can cancel the effect... I also noticed that Zou Lou can cancel the flying bat attacks by using his wolf to stand in the way... not sure if it ultimately saves time. The fastest Skylander I've tested so far is Nightshift because he can constantly teleport which skips past Mobs without taking damage and he has a second life. I don't think there's any case where switching Skylanders in the middle of a chapter will be useful so I think it's a case of finding the right Skylander for the chapter, placing it on the portal before the cutscene becomes skipable and then quickly playing out the level without dying... I reckon this could be a pretty fun run just I gotta put alot of work in first to optimise it, let me know if you find anything.

bangerra

2014-08-06 09:07:31 am

Yea, switching skylanders should be used as little as possible, switching out takes anywhere between 5-10 seconds depending on loading times. Some chapters are absolutely filled with shielded enemies where skylanders like magma charge or free ranger are absolutely essential. Considering there is a level select, we could potentially make an IL table.

ZountainZew

Edit history:

ZountainZew: 2014-08-07 11:05:31 am

2014-08-06 09:13:10 am

Get this guy a healing potion, on me

Yeah an IL table would probably be best just to learn the game and get some strats together... the level select really comes in handy for soft locking aswell since alot of battle gates are near checkpoints.

ZountainZew

Edit history:

ZountainZew: 2014-08-07 10:15:16 am

ZountainZew: 2014-08-06 03:59:54 pm

2014-08-06 03:56:24 pm

Get this guy a healing potion, on me

So after testing most of the new Skylanders and a few old I've found out which Skylanders are broken... I'll eventually test all 100+ but I'm pretty sure the ones i've tested will do. I'm starting to analyse each chapter and I'll edit any comments if I find updated strats. If no one else reads this then it will just be a bank for my own info haha but anyone is free to chip in.

Chapter I : Mount Cloudbreak

Skylander(s) needed : Nightshift
Run down on Nightshift : He does the most damage at full HP so avoid damage where you can, take advantage of his long punch reach and try to hit enemies that are standing together. If your health falls below full or you need to do some DoT use his bite ability. He has a second life so a death isn't exactly a reset. Constantly use his teleport spell to move around the map very quickly, can pass enemies in the way without taking damage. The reason Nightshift is prefered is because he has faster movement and there isn't any shielded enemies in this chapter.
Safe Strat Skylander(s) : Free Ranger, Roller Brawl, Magna Charge - pretty much any Skylander with fast movement spells with some sort of defense to stay alive.

Step by step for reference
- Place Skylander on the Portal while the cutscene plays
- Destroy anything that falls onto the airship including enemies and wreckage while you wait to reach the destination.
- Teleport constantly along the path, your projectiles should destroy the wooden wall on their own - same again later
- After the battle gate take the path to the left and jump on the boxes to skip dialog with Tessa - DONT GO NEAR HER
- When you see a locked gate turn to the right and grab the key, gate activates dialog if you dont have key
- 3 Pushes maximum to move the cage blocks
- Take food to the left after auto scroller if you're below half HP, if not skip and bite later
- TP past plant, isn't actually blocking the way - same again later
- At final battle gate kill plants first to minimize enemies, bite a Greeble if you can quickly to leave a DoT on him to maximize DPS

Extra Notes
There are slightly better hats available if you reach the highest portal master Rank but it's a few % higher crit chance etc so not a big deal but still a tiny time saver if you really want to grind and min max
Also there is a legendary Nightshift available but again the improvements are very slight and would save maybe 10 seconds on this chapter for a few £$ more

So after testing most of the new Skylanders and a few old I've found out which Skylanders are broken... I'll eventually test all 100+ but I'm pretty sure the ones i've tested will do. I'm starting to analyse each chapter and I'll edit any comments if I find updated strats. If no one else reads this then it will just be a bank for my own info haha but anyone is free to chip in.

[u][b]Chapter I : Mount Cloudbreak[/b][/u]

[u][b]Skylander(s) needed :[/b][/u] Nightshift
Run down on Nightshift : He does the most damage at full HP so avoid damage where you can, take advantage of his long punch reach and try to hit enemies that are standing together. If your health falls below full or you need to do some DoT use his bite ability. He has a second life so a death isn't exactly a reset. Constantly use his teleport spell to move around the map very quickly, can pass enemies in the way without taking damage. The reason Nightshift is prefered is because he has faster movement and there isn't any shielded enemies in this chapter.
Safe Strat Skylander(s) : Free Ranger, Roller Brawl, Magna Charge - pretty much any Skylander with fast movement spells with some sort of defense to stay alive.

[u][b]Step by step for reference[/b][/u]
- Place Skylander on the Portal while the cutscene plays
- Destroy anything that falls onto the airship including enemies and wreckage while you wait to reach the destination.
- Teleport constantly along the path, your projectiles should destroy the wooden wall on their own - same again later
- After the battle gate take the path to the left and jump on the boxes to skip dialog with Tessa - DONT GO NEAR HER
- When you see a locked gate turn to the right and grab the key, gate activates dialog if you dont have key
- 3 Pushes maximum to move the cage blocks
- Take food to the left after auto scroller if you're below half HP, if not skip and bite later
- TP past plant, isn't actually blocking the way - same again later
- At final battle gate kill plants first to minimize enemies, bite a Greeble if you can quickly to leave a DoT on him to maximize DPS

[u][b]Extra Notes[/b][/u]
There are slightly better hats available if you reach the highest portal master Rank but it's a few % higher crit chance etc so not a big deal but still a tiny time saver if you really want to grind and min max
Also there is a legendary Nightshift available but again the improvements are very slight and would save maybe 10 seconds on this chapter for a few £$ more

ZountainZew

2014-08-07 11:00:56 am

Get this guy a healing potion, on me

Chapter II : Cascade Glade

Skylander(s) needed : Nightshift
Why Nightshift? : After timing various Skylanders he is the fastest because of his teleport ability; Free ranger isn't far behind but because there is only one battle gate with Shielded enemies Nightshift works out around 30 seconds faster even with the slower killing in the final battle gate and the bonus to air at the start. Also you save 5-10 seconds because of Nightshift still on the portal and not needing to switch.
Safe Strat Skylander(s) : Free Ranger, Roller Brawl, Magna Charge - pretty much any Skylander with fast movement spells with some sort of defense to stay alive.

Step by step for reference
- Nightshift should still be on the portal
- Move the block on the right once to the left, jump on the bridge, move the left block to the right once then jump on them both to reach the other side
- On the Spark lock take advantage of the 'jump on button' animations to switch to the other blob and move, saves half a second
- Wooden wall should be destroyed by projectiles as you teleport
- Move the block on the right forward once then move the block on the left all the way to the right
- Go straight into the jump pad since the Greeble can't damage you while using it
- Aim your projectiles at the wooden cages to free the 2 plants as you teleport and try to manipulate the enemies movements so the plants eat them while you give support damage
- Skip the shielded greeble he isn't blocking anything
- On the spark lock take advantage of the time it takes for a blob to move on the moving platforms to switch - saves a second
- Move the stone block into place, no need to talk to the guy
- Skip the shielded greebles again
- Grab the food to the right if less than half, otherwise skip and bite later to keep health topped for max damage
- Take advantage of the plants again on the last battle gate and damage the smaller greebles while the shields are up

[u][b]Chapter II : Cascade Glade[/b][/u]

[u][b]Skylander(s) needed :[/b][/u] Nightshift
Why Nightshift? : After timing various Skylanders he is the fastest because of his teleport ability; Free ranger isn't far behind but because there is only one battle gate with Shielded enemies Nightshift works out around 30 seconds faster even with the slower killing in the final battle gate and the bonus to air at the start. Also you save 5-10 seconds because of Nightshift still on the portal and not needing to switch.
Safe Strat Skylander(s) : Free Ranger, Roller Brawl, Magna Charge - pretty much any Skylander with fast movement spells with some sort of defense to stay alive.

[u][b]Step by step for reference[/b][/u]
- Nightshift should still be on the portal
- Move the block on the right once to the left, jump on the bridge, move the left block to the right once then jump on them both to reach the other side
- On the Spark lock take advantage of the 'jump on button' animations to switch to the other blob and move, saves half a second
- Wooden wall should be destroyed by projectiles as you teleport
- Move the block on the right forward once then move the block on the left all the way to the right
- Go straight into the jump pad since the Greeble can't damage you while using it
- Aim your projectiles at the wooden cages to free the 2 plants as you teleport and try to manipulate the enemies movements so the plants eat them while you give support damage
- Skip the shielded greeble he isn't blocking anything
- On the spark lock take advantage of the time it takes for a blob to move on the moving platforms to switch - saves a second
- Move the stone block into place, no need to talk to the guy
- Skip the shielded greebles again
- Grab the food to the right if less than half, otherwise skip and bite later to keep health topped for max damage
- Take advantage of the plants again on the last battle gate and damage the smaller greebles while the shields are up

ZountainZew

2014-08-11 09:05:08 am

Get this guy a healing potion, on me

Chapter III : Mudwater Hollow

Skylander(s) needed : Nightshift
Why Nightshift? : Starting to think he might be the fastest in every level just because of teleport.

Step by step for reference
- Teleport straight after the cutscene for an almost instant chat with Tessa
- You need to speak to the guy in the middle to unlock the fishing rod even though it's right there
- Go for the fish in the middle first - it will take a cut right through the middle of the whirlpools with perfect timing for you to catch it
- The whirlpools can give you a tiny boost of speed if you drift along the edge
- Push the middle and top 'blocks' into the hole and ignore the block on the left it isn't needed in any%
- Teleport all the way to the guy stud next to the giant blue donut and the enemies you HAVE to kill will come from behind, take care of them then jump on
- After you teleport past the rockets and start fishing go up the left side and down the right side to avoid the eels
- Sometimes a rocket is waiting for you outside so be prepared to jump or teleport
- Try to hit some of the Chompys with projectiles as they can damage you while turning the 'fish' and break your concentration, if you don't get them with projectiles then finish them off asap with punches
- At the next battle gate this is a popular soft lock spot if you kill the enemies too early, still try to be fast but if you do soft lock you can reload the level from the checkpoint you just reached
- Jump out the way of the boar, bite it as it charges to do damage over time then punch it until it charges again - punching boars is such a great strat
- Go straight for the crystals and jump out the way of attacks

[u][b]Chapter III : Mudwater Hollow[/b][/u]

[u][b]Skylander(s) needed :[/b][/u] Nightshift
Why Nightshift? : Starting to think he might be the fastest in every level just because of teleport.

[u][b]Step by step for reference[/b][/u]
- Teleport straight after the cutscene for an almost instant chat with Tessa
- You need to speak to the guy in the middle to unlock the fishing rod even though it's right there
- Go for the fish in the middle first - it will take a cut right through the middle of the whirlpools with perfect timing for you to catch it
- The whirlpools can give you a tiny boost of speed if you drift along the edge
- Push the middle and top 'blocks' into the hole and ignore the block on the left it isn't needed in any%
- Teleport all the way to the guy stud next to the giant blue donut and the enemies you HAVE to kill will come from behind, take care of them then jump on
- After you teleport past the rockets and start fishing go up the left side and down the right side to avoid the eels
- Sometimes a rocket is waiting for you outside so be prepared to jump or teleport
- Try to hit some of the Chompys with projectiles as they can damage you while turning the 'fish' and break your concentration, if you don't get them with projectiles then finish them off asap with punches
- At the next battle gate this is a popular soft lock spot if you kill the enemies too early, still try to be fast but if you do soft lock you can reload the level from the checkpoint you just reached
- Jump out the way of the boar, bite it as it charges to do damage over time then punch it until it charges again - punching boars is such a great strat
- Go straight for the crystals and jump out the way of attacks