Beginner's Kagayuzen Route Speedrun Guide!

Below is a newly drafted Beginner's Speedrun guide for .hack//INFECTION! This is to help new runners understand and learn the route in the community agreed optimal route! It is worth noting that this guide follows the Kagayuzen route as it is safer for RTA / Marathon, as well as increases the odds of a successful run! If you are new to the game, we highly recommend you try this route! 

Major thanks to Finzenku for assisting on the current version of the guide and Hachrt for various other information and tidbits incredibly crucial to the run.

https://docs.google.com/document/d/16vPx9_Xhwt6tv9_DWDx7mC-_f_7H_ELGY3sfCC3Pjio/edit

Finzenku Approved .hack// notes (Curated by Hachrt)

Microsoft OneNote, Notes compilation of all .hack// Games
https://1drv.ms/o/s!ArepQ_MqqpRjcK7pk_HEvG5LsBU

Master ZEDs Speed Guide

http://www.gamefaqs.com/ps2/551240-hack-infection-part-1/faqs/45217 

The guide is outdated in a few places but is worth reading through for any first-time runner.

NTSC-J Route in Japanese (日本語) by Iriirisu

https://ch.nicovideo.jp/iriirisu/blomaga/ar1369522

Speedrun Monster Guide

A list of all of the monsters, and their drops, that might be encountered in the any% story dungeons and Θ Noisy Geothermal Sea of Sand (used for leveling)

Server Area
MonsterName Level(Core) CommonDrain, RareDrain

Δ Expansive Haunted Sea of Sand
Swordmanoid 2(A) Phantom Blades, Head Gear
Chicken Hand 4(A) Battle Axe, Leather Gloves
Magical Goblin 3(A) Steel Blades, Leather Gloves
Deadly Moth 2(B) Earth Sword, Saftey Shoes
He{dhu&er 5(Boss)
Headhunter 5(Post-boss, B ) Fire Spear, Ceramic Anklet

Δ Indiscreet Gluttonous Pilgrimage
Sword of Chaos 6(A) Fire Spear, Gakaku
Sky Fish 4(A) Mizuchi, Nomad's Hood
Headhunter 5(B) Fire Spear, Ceramic Anklet
Hell Doberman 6(Last portal only, B ) Fire Spear, Hunter's Hood
Rock Head 9(B) Thunder Axe, Mountain Guard

Δ Boundless Corrupted Fort Walls
Hob Goblin 7(A) Lath Blades, Miner's Gloves
Dust Curse 8(A) Wooden Spear, Strange Blade
Shield Man 9(A) Fuse blades, Gougar Bandana
Bee Army 7(B) Green Sword, Mountain Boots
Rock Head 9(B) Thunder Axe, Mountain Guard
ed^|) 8(Boss)
Red Wyrm 10(Post-boss, C ) Defense Sword, Firedrake Mail

Δ Closed Oblivious Twin Hills
Mummy Ripper 7(A) Strange Blade, Grand Armor
Mimic 8(A) Hands of Earth, Fossil Bracer
Hungry Grass 11(A) Frost Bracer, Wyrm Scale
Scorpion Tank 9(C) Mountain Guard, Mountain Helm
Red Wyrm 10(C) Defense Sword, Firedrake Mail
¤tone^t= 13(Boss)
Stone Turtle 13(Post-boss, C ) Raxor Axe, Aqua Guard

Θ Quiet Eternal White Devil
Hungry Grass 11(A) Frost Bracer, Wyrm Scale
Guardian 12(B) Razor Axe, Frost Armor
Crab Turtle 12(B) Aqua Guard, Ice Helm
Thousand Trees 13(C) Frost Bracer, Wyrm Scale
Cyclo Shark 11(C) Unicorn Blade, Ice Hunter Cap

Θ Noisy Geothermal Sea of Sand
Metal Goblin 26(A) Anshou, Jinsaran
Lead Snakoid 25(A) Kikujyumonji, Holy Tree Mail
Cursed Blades 28(A) Sleipnir, Million$ Spear

Δ Plentenous Smiling Hypha
Heavy Metal 14(A) Ronin blades, Ice Helm
Water Witch 14(A) Basho Wand, Winter Coat
Thousand Trees 13(C) Frost Bracer, Wyrm Scale
Ki/er S^&aker 16(Boss)
Killer Snake 16(Post-boss, C ) Iron Anklet, Fire Lizard

Δ Putrid Hot-blooded Scaffold
Goblin Wiz 16(A) Spell Blades, Smith's Gloves
Nomadic Bones 15(A) Spear of Spell, Frost Anklet
Squilla Demon 16(B) Aqua Guard, Ice Helm
Sled Dog 15(B) Spear of Spell, Ice Hunter Cap
Shining Eyes 15(B) Diabolic Wand, Winter Coat

Θ Collapsed Momentary Spiral
Dark Witch 19(A) Rod of the Sea, Fireman's Coat
Noisy Wisp 18(A) Earth Rod, Fireman's Coat
Phantom Wing 18(B) Shanato, Fire Lizard
Menhir 17(B) Earth Axe, Hands of Fire
W¤dSto^k 18(Boss)
Thousand Trees 13(C) Frost Bracer, Wyrm Scale 

Θ Cursed Despaired Paradise
Wood Harpy 19(A) Water God Axe, Smith's Gloves
Dark Witch 19(A) Rod of the Sea, Fireman's Coat
Fire Witch 20(A) Inferno Wand, Lincoln Green
Lambada Knife 20(A) Lavaman Spear, Komura

Δ Buried Pagan Fiery Sands
Fire Witch 20(A) Inferno Wand, Lincoln Green
Gladiator 21(A) Enou, Forester Helm
Hell Box 22(A) Hands of Wood, Air Bracer
Fresh Valkyrie 21(A) Komura, Spirit Armor

Δ Lonely Silent Great Seal
Fresh Valkyrie 21(A) Komura, Spirit Armor
Lamia Hunter 23(A) Oak anklet, Ranger's Boots
Living Dead 22(B) Treeman Spear, Oak Anklet
Baby Worm 23(C) Shidan, Ranger's Boots

Θ Great Distant Fertile Land
Hell box 22(A) Hands of Wood, Air Bracer
Grand Mage 23(A) Cedar Wand, Scarab Earring
Snappy Grass 24(A) Air Bracer, Holy Tree Mail
Armor Shogun 24(B) Stromer Spear, Singing Blade
Baby Worm 23(C) Shidan, Ranger's Boots

Θ Chosen Hopeless Nothingness
Cursed Blades 28(A) Sleipnir, Million$ Spear
Mantis 27(B) Electric Guard, Giant Hill
Red Scissors 29(B) Electric Guard, Axe Bomber
Goil Menhir 28(B) Master's Axe, Shikisokuzeku
Mu Guardian 28(B) Master's Axe, Bom-Ba-Ye
Orge 27(C) Masterblades, Thunder Gloves
Skeith (Boss)

Speedy Blue Chest Guide

A list of all of the possible blue chest and gott statue drops for the any% route

Δ Expansive Haunted Sea of Sand (Lv. 3 Fire)
O:  Mage's Soul, Resurrect, Sandals, Used Greaves, Safety Shoes
B1: Mage's Soul, Resurrect, Steel Cap, Used Greaves, Safety Shoes
B2: Mage's Soul, Resurrect, Steel Cap, Used Greaves, Guard Cap
B3: Mage's Soul, Resurrect, Steel Cap, Face Guard, Guard Cap

Δ Indiscreet Gluttonous Pilgrimage (Lv. 4 Earth)
O:  Curing Sword, Amateur Blades, Steel Cap, Face Guard, Guard Cap
B1: Curing Sword, Noble Cloak, Steel Cap, Face Guard, Guard Cap
B2: Ring Mail, Noble Cloak, Steel Cap, Face Guard, Guard Cap
B3: Ring Mail, Noble Cloak, Plate Armor, Face Guard, Guard Cap
Gott: Slayer, Spark Blades, Hunter's Hood, Mountain Guard, Cougar Bandana

Δ Boundless Corrupted Fort Walls (Lv. 7 Earth)
O:  Mage's Soul, Resurrect, Hiking Gear, Wyrm Hide, Grand Armor
B1: Mage's Soul, Resurrect, Silver Bracer, Wyrm Hide, Grand Armor
B2: Mage's Soul, Resurrect, Silver Bracer, Silver Gloves, Grand Armor
B3: Mage's Soul, Resurrect, Silver Bracer, Silver Gloves, Silver Hands
B4: Leg Mail, Resurrect, Silver Bracer, Silver Gloves, Silver Hands
B5: N/A

Δ Closed Oblivious Twin Hills (Lv. 10 Wood)
O:  Mountain Helm, Hiking Gear, Cougar Bandana, Hunter's Hood, Wyrm Hide
B1: Mountain Helm, Hiking Gear, Grand Armor, Hunter's Hood, Wyrm Hide
B2: Mountain Helm, Hiking Gear, Grand Armor, Mage's Soul, Wyrm Hide
B3: N/A

Θ Quiet Eternal White Devil (Lv. 13 Water)
O:  Frost Anklet, Shadow Blades, Unicorn Blade, Aqua Guard, Snow Panther
B1: Raccoon Earcap, Shadow Blades, Unicorn Blade, Aqua Guard, Snow Panther
B2: Raccoon Earcap, Shadow Blades, Unicorn Blade, Aqua Guard, Ice Hunter Cap
B3: Raccoon Earcap, Shadow Blades, Unicorn Blade, Ice Helm, Ice Hunter Cap

Θ Noisy Geothermal Sea of Sand (Lv. 28 Fire)
O: Fireman's Coat, Firedrake Mail, Newt Necklace, Fire Dance Hat, Fire Helm

Δ Plentenous Smiling Hypha (Lv. 14 Wood)
O:  Flame Axe, Spark Blades, Mountain Guard, Cougar Bandana, Mountain Boots
B1: Flame Axe, Spark Blades, Mountain Guard, Cougar Bandana, Hunter's Hood
B2: Flame Axe, Spark Blades, Mountain Helm, Cougar Bandana, Hunter's Hood
B3: N/A

Δ Putrid Hot-blooded Scaffold (Lv. 16 Wood)
O:  Hands of Earth, Mountain Boots, Fossil Bracer, Ceramic Anklet, Miner's Gloves
B1: Hands of Earth, Mountain Boots, Mountain Guard, Ceramic Anklet, Miner's Gloves
B2: No Portals
B3: Wind Axe, Mountain Boots, Mountain Guard, Ceramic Anklet, Lath Blades
B4: Wind Axe, Mountain Boots, Mountain Guard, Raccoon Earcap, Lath Blades

Θ Collapsed Momentary Spiral (Lv. 19 Earth)
O:  Fire Dance Hat, Blaze Armor, Firedrake Mail, Fireman's Coat, Fire Helm
B1: Mage's Soul, Blaze Armor, Firedrake Mail, Fireman's Coat, Fire Helm
B2: Mage's Soul, Blaze Armor, Firedrake Mail, Fireman's Coat, Resurrect
B3: Mage's Soul, Blaze Armor, Firedrake Mail, Fire Bracer, Resurrect

Θ Cursed Despaired Paradise (Lv. 20 Darkness)
O:  Fire Dance Hat, Blaze Armor, Firedrake Mail, Fireman's Coat, Fire Helm
B1: Mage's Soul, Blaze Armor, Firedrake Mail, Fireman's Coat, Fire Helm
B2: Mage's Soul, Blaze Armor, Firedrake Mail, Fireman's Coat, Resurrect
B3: Mage's Soul, Blaze Armor, Firedrake Mail, Fire Bracer, Resurrect

Δ Buried Pagan Fiery Sands (Lv. 22 Fire)
O:  Defense Sword, Fuse Blades, Snow Panther, Raccoon Earcap, Aqua Guard
B1: Defense Sword, Fuse Blades, Ice Hunter Cap, Raccoon Earcap, Aqua Guard
B2: Defense Sword, Fuse Blades, Ice Hunter Cap, Raccoon Earcap, Ice Helm

Δ Lonely Silent Great Seal  (Lv. 22 Water)
O:  Mage's Soul, Resurrect, Winter Coat, Wyrm Scale, Frost Armor
B1: Mage's Soul, Resurrect, Frost Bracer, Wyrm Scale, Frost Armor
B2: Mage's Soul, Resurrect, Frost Bracer, Fishing Gloves, Frost Armor
B3: Mage's Soul, Resurrect, Frost Bracer, Fishing Gloves, ?Fishing Gloves?
	(Fishing Gloves popped up here very often and I didn't find a 5th drop that replaced the Frost Armor)

Θ Great Distant Fertile Land (Lv. 23 Darkness)
O:  Mage's Soul, Resurrect, Blaze Armor, Firedrake Mail, Fireman's Coat 
B1: Mage's Soul, Resurrect, Blaze Armor, Firedrake Mail, Fire Bracer
B2: Mage's Soul, Resurrect, Blaze Armor, Smith's Gloves, Fire Bracer
B3: Mage's Soul, Resurrect, Hands of Fire, Smith's Gloves, Fire Bracer
Gott: Forest Gloves, Air Bracer, Spirit Armor, Hands of Wood, Oak Anklet

Θ Chosen Hopeless Nothingness (Lv. 28 Earth)
O:  Mage's Soul, Resurrect, Fireman's Coat, Firedrake Mail, Blaze Armor
B1: Mage's Soul, Resurrect, Fire Bracer, Firedrake Mail, Blaze Armor
B2: Mage's Soul, Resurrect, Fire Bracer, Smith's Gloves, Blaze Armor
B3: Mage's Soul, Resurrect, Fire Bracer, Smith's Gloves, Hands of Fire
B4: Iron Anklet,  Resurrect, Fire Bracer, Smith's Gloves, Hands of Fire

Name	Author
Beginner's Kagayuzen Route Speedrun Guide!	Royzoga 6 years ago
Finzenku Approved .hack// notes (Curated by Hachrt)	Hachrt 8 years ago
Master ZEDs Speed Guide	Finzenku 10 years ago
NTSC-J Route in Japanese (日本語) by Iriirisu	Finzenku 4 years ago
Speedrun Monster Guide	Finzenku 9 years ago
Speedy Blue Chest Guide	Finzenku 9 years ago