Speed running

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Speed running is a type of informal conduct designed to test a player's skill, creativity, and resourcefulness. In short, your goal is to win with either the lowest possible turn-count or the lowest amount of real time elapsed. While short real-time games tend to also be low turn-count games, players may take very long periods of time completing low turn-count games.

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How Fast is Fast?

Ascensions are typically completed in 60,000 to 160,000 turns and can take a few hours to days depending on the play style. A speed run in real time will aim for less than 3 hours of play time. Turn count speed runs are typically below 30,000 turns. Obviously this will vary based on whether you simply wish to win as quickly as possible or wish to acquire all 15 runes first.

General Speed Strategy

• Don't be a pack rat
• Don't fully map every level
• Avoid monsters rather than fighting them
• Avoid being burdened to any degree
• Make full use of blinking, teleport, stealth and apportation.

Gameplay Mechanics

• Movement
• Autorun and Autofight will help you
• Macros_guide.txt: Binding your spells to the number keys 1-4 and 6-0 can save time. Also, it is sometimes useful to set a macro to switch between often used rings or gear.

Background/Race/God Combos

• Spriggan abyssal knight: Corrupt and run
• Spriggan enchanter: Put to sleep and stab, then run
• Minotaur berserker: Auto-explore and tab to victory
• Deep dwarf healer of Elyvilon: Healing and pacifism.

Notable Speed Runs

For an up to date list of speedruns see the following links:

• Fastest wins (time)
• Fastest wins (turns)

Player	Turns	Time	Character	God	XL	Version	Score	Notes
Elynae	115199	3:02:57	MiFi	Zin	27	0.11.a0	13686564	CAO/CDO Overall fastest 15 rune win (Time) writeup
Elynae	49257	1:08:43	MiBe	Trog	25	0.11.a0	1873843	CAO/CDO Overall fastest win (Time) writeup
78291	19460	2:32:44	DDHe	Elyvilon	17	0.9.0	3357977	CAO 2011 Tournament Fastest Win (Turn Count and Real Time)
elliptic	24418	1:29:32	SpEn	Ashenzari	16	0.8.0	365912	CAO 2011 May Tournament Fastest Win (Turn Count and Real Time)
qwqw	14318	1:39:33	SpEn	Jiyva	14	0.7.1	4299119	CAO 2010 Tournament Fastest Win (Turn Count)
78291	16625	1:11:51	SpEn	(None)	15	0.7.1	3765072	CAO 2010 Tournament Fastest Win (Real Time)
hyperbolic	13435	3:03:41	DDBe	Trog	20	0.5.1	4733437	CAO/CDO Overall fastest win (Turn Count)

External Links

Nethack Wiki Speedrun Article