Category Rules

Changes

Rules may change, any changes will be announced in the Speedrun.com Discord under #challenge-discussion

Casual Submissions Welcome

Not all runs require exact timing. A full uncut video showing your run is sufficient, and moderators will re-time runs as necessary. Advanced timing methods are recommended for accuracy but are not required in order to participate.

Submission requirements

• Video proof must include game audio, be at a minimum of 480p30fps, starting from the main menu, and continue until at least 5 seconds after the run has concluded.
• Keep your timer visible for the entire run.
• Runs must be performed on vanilla game versions with no modifications.
• Nothing in the video should cover major gameplay elements.
• No macros, autoclickers, or external tools (with the exception of keybinding software, see more specific rules in this area below)
• The run video must be one continuous recording
• If the autosplitter fails to start, pause, or stop, keep playing and explain the issue in your submission notes. Moderators will verify by video.

Category 

Mastery Trials

Start your run from a fresh save file on any difficulty and end by defeating Maluca in Mission 7: “Mastery Trials”

Rules & Restrictions

• All main bosses up to and including Maluca must be defeated by means of combat, this includes:
  • Yetuga
  • Blade Phantom
  • Viper
  • Volbaino
  • Aratra
  • Rangkus
  • Maluca
• All bonus items including those from Deluxe Edition, Pre-Order, and the Pathfinder Package are prohibited from use, and runners are encouraged to disable them in Steam.
  • To disable Deluxe Edition/Pre-Order bonus items, right click The First Berserker: Khazan in Steam and then navigate through Properties - DLC - Deluxe Bonus/Pre-Order Bonus and simply uncheck them.
  • Pathfinder Package items are not shown under the DLC, but must be manually grabbed by the player in the run (which is prohibited)
  • 
• All strategies including glitches and exploits are allowed, but may be subject to change depending on community opinion and the determined effect on the health of the speedrun challenge in terms of accessibility and community engagement.

Timing

0) Key Definitions

• Load-Removed Time (LRT) – the timer removes loading screens or other non-play time.
• Split file – your LiveSplit splits file (.lss) listing the segments for your run.

1) Start and End of the run

• Start - First frame of player control in M1: Banished Hero (after initial fade into gameplay).
• End - First frame the Mission Complete / results triggers after defeating Maluca in M7: Mastery Trials.

2) How timing works

Setup: LiveSplit and autosplitter

1. Install LiveSplit: https://livesplit.org/downloads/
2. Learn the basics: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xq2MCodtH34
3. Activate the autosplitter:

• Open LiveSplit.
• Right-click the LiveSplit window → Edit Splits.
• Set Game Name to The First Berserker: Khazan
• Click Activate.

3) Timing Rules

• Runs on the PC platform are encouraged to use the LiveSplit load remover available within Livesplit to time via Load-Removed Time (LRT) automatically. If your run is not timed via LRT, it will be timed as Real Time instead.
• Runs on Console are timed via Real Time by nature of not having access to the load remover, but in the event where a console run is within reach of a cash prize, it will be manually retimed at the end of the event during the verification process. Console runners may manually pause their timer to emulate an LRT timer and submit as such, but must make note of it in the description.