This shows new theory: In Stage X, go left from the start. It's harder but ~10 seconds faster than going right.

Good: Lucky drops in Stage 2, Stage X, fast Stage 4.

Bad: Stage 2 giant top miniboss, I fail two piledrives.

Unshown theory that I'll use in future runs: In Stage 1, I'll choose the bauble miniboss. This allows the faster final room and save 3-5 seconds over the jumping miniboss. This is the reason for why I'm at +8 after Stage 1: The existing splits already had the bauble miniboss. :-)