Speed running

Introduction

Speed running is a type of informal conduct, taking one of two forms: winning with the lowest turn-count, or shortest real time elapsed. Short ascensions will tend to be low turn-count ascensions too. Speed running is a test of player skill, creativity and resourcefulness.

(This article is a work in progress - feel free to edit)

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. See below for some notable speed runs.

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: Binding your spells to the F1-F12 keys 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

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