Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (PC)

56:57 Any% PB analysis for BehLev (Possibly helpful tips for beginners!)

Actualizado 1 year ago por dphdmn

Feeling a bit bored, I've decided to embark on an analysis of your PB run @BehLev, (as you said you don't know how to save time in it), specifically the 'Any% in 56m 57s.'

Run link

Why reading this?

Well, maybe you should not...

I only wanted to point out some moment for BehLev specifically, and not something very general for everyone to read, but it's now so large, and I've spend like 3 hours writing this for some reason, so it's no longer fits into single comment under the run.

If you are a beginner hp3 speedruner, and somehow clicked on this page, this may help you understand some lesser-known details, if you watch the BehLev's run and follow along my notes in this review. Some of the notes are also referencing useful videos to watch for strats, (besides ones that are well explained in the main guide).

While it might be a tad lengthy, there's a chance it could offer some helpful insights. - ChatGPT

Talking about me, if you are wondering if that will be helpful to read or not, I'm not very fast (my PB is 51 min at the moment of writing this), but I've learned a bunch of small details of this speedrun, which I wanted to share here in this somewhat strange format, using Run by speedruner BehLev as an example, and go though many common mistakes, that can help beginners to get bellow 55 without much trouble. I also assume that you have already watched the guide by Myelin, and this extremely helpful PB analysis by Tedder. You also should probably watch some runs from WR holders.

*(some description parts here improved with chatGPT, so it looks a bit weird)

*(split names are weird Cyrillic stuff because referencing BehLev's run splits, but they make sense if you just follow along timecodes)

*(timecodes = video highlight timestamps, not livesplit, most of them are done after something happened, not before, so my logic for the potential reader is: you watch the run, something is going on, you look at timestamps to see my comment about it)

Let's see where this journey takes us (hopefully in Казахстан)! - ChatGPT

Поезд в Казахстан (about 13s timesave) [Train]

0:13 - You lose a few seconds pausing during the cutscene (+4).
1:43 - Unnecessary left-right/jumping movement (+0.5).
2:04 - The scabbers skip execution is slow, saving minimal time (+2).
2:18 - Late jump leading to a suboptimal ledge grab, and not using shift (+2).
2:40 - You can simultaneously hold W and D to skip the savebook, avoiding waiting for the door to open (+1).
3:06 - Turncasts failure, which I also struggle with (+3).
5:36 - Adjust your mouse movement while loading to cast at the target (+0.5).

Летим на фиолетовой тяге (about 1:15 timesave) [Carpe]

8:15 - After failed attempt, consider completing the section normally for a safer and potentially faster approach (+22s).
8:23 - Spending too much time setting up jumps on corners; also, second try spongify/ledge grab (+4).
8:30 - Again, not using shift (+2).
8:48 - First try jump is good, but learn to execute it with skipping animation for a smoother run (+5).
9:22 - Position yourself closer to the imp for a quicker throw (not necessarily a time loss due to luck).
9:37 - Use cutscene skip to expedite the appearance of pixies (possibly +1).
10:15 - Second try is good, but a faster cast would improve the timing (+7).
10:55 - Casting can be done faster on crabs (+2?).
11:12 - Unfortunate event (+10).
11:18 - Save book is useless (+3).
11:25 - Slightly slower strat; skip killing the right crab, and stay in the corner at the end for a faster exit (potentially +5).
11:42 - First try is nice, but move to the right before casting to reduce failure rate.
12:10 - Focus on left imps first; trigger them to throw crackers, and try to kill two at once if possible (maybe +10).
12:19 - Cast at the block earlier (+1).
12:23 - Avoiding the use of shift, and unfortunate double grab (+3).

Ханрид нас ждет (about 55s timesave) [F&G skip / Hagrid]

13:58 - Timing issues; use the floor to improve accuracy, potentially saving around 45s if first try.
14:25 - Jumping doesn't save time, and some jumps can lead to time losses; refrain from unnecessary jumps.
15:46 - You don't need as many rings, potentially saving at least 10s.

Энимал Пленет от Гермионы (about 57s timesave) [Peves fight/Transfiguration]

17:25 - Avoid spamming cutscene skip here (+2).
17:36 - Random jumps can lead to issues (+0.5).
18:34 - Staying back in this fight is problematic (let's say +4).
18:57 - Move forward, perhaps slightly to the right with the D key at the end (+0.5).
20:29 - Don't wait too long before casting (+2).
20:38 - Avoid jumping at the end so the rabbit doesn't rotate like that (+2).
20:45 - Changing settings in the middle of the run is not good regardless of intentions (+7).
21:00 - Don't skip that (+1).
21:06 - Faster casting of Alohomora is recommended (+2).
21:10 - Turncast issue; also, move to the right here (+3).
21:33 - It doesn't save time to go further nor lose it significantly.
21:51 - Slower strat; unfortunate fail. Just use two buttons for jump. (+8).
22:20 - Good job on the first try lag jumps, albeit a bit slow (+1).
22:21 - Cut the corner! (+1).
22:42 - Cast the rabbit immediately (+1).
23:05 - Impressive jump; well done.
23:22 - AFK moment (+1).
23:28 - Use shift skips; it's easy (+2).
24:06 - Probably doesn't lose time, but go to the left to avoid the savebook.
24:29 - Nice imp trolls, not much you could do about it (+5).
24:55 - Maze skip is challenging; it's understandable (+14).
25:15 - Bandimuns moment (+1).

Лечение деменцыи Люпина (about 10s timesave) [Expecto Patronum]

28:11 - Casting a bit slowly (idk +1).
28:17 - Avoid jumping for no reason.
28:22 - Refrain from jumping at random moments (+2).
29:15 - Slow casting; aim for it above the middle of the wand for efficiency (+3).
29:17 - Yes, there is a cutscene; also, avoid unnecessary jumps (+1).
29:32 - Slow casts, slow skips, and an extra skip (+3).

Библиотека (about 14s timesave) [Library]

30:20 - Epic backup strats; I might try that next time I fail this swing. Thanks! (But seriously, practice skip strats, at least the safe one) (+10).
30:27 - Don't take that savebook (+2).
30:45 - Slow skip, fat dragon, moving to the middle (+2 or something).

Ледяная гора аладайнса (about 1:19 timesave) [Glacius]

31:21 - Skipping that is better; potential +13 timesave (lol).
31:54 - Yes, there is a cutscene, and a slow cast (+2).
32:38 - Good job on that jump.
33:18 - Slower slide; consider avoiding holding ASD keys and focusing on mouse rotation (watch some good run with visible inputs for guidance); unsure of the exact time loss, but let's say (+10) for the entire split.
33:30 - Unfavorable double jump (+1).
33:35 - You can save half a second with a risky jump that I never attempt as well.
34:20 - Anticipated that it wouldn't die immediately upon movement (+4).
34:25 - The trick is tricky; avoid jumping immediately after the barrier goes down; there's about a half-second delay (+35).
35:02 - Trigger imps on the left; experiment with them, as they throw almost every time if done correctly (something like this) (+3).
35:06 - Don't casually lose crackers like that (+3).
35:17 - Bad one-imp, and another one; they are trolls, but it still loses time (+5).
35:32 - Avoid taking the save book (+2).
35:33 - Rare glacius that you can jump over before it becomes ice; do that (+1).

Убогие скелетики (about 58s timesave) [Shrieking Shack]

38:28 - Correct, you can't move here while loading; it's annoying (+1).
39:03 - Casting on it first is the way to go, not what happened (+5).
39:17 - Unclear why it didn't work; major time loss. Also, reaching the top faster by climbing the other side could save (+17).
39:50 - Save about half a second by casting on the 2nd salamandra earlier (with jumping).
39:58 - It always appears in the same place, and you want to be close to it; try to learn to turn-cast here, although it's hard but fun.
40:05 - Time lost due to being in the wrong place (+2).
40:12 - Yes, there is another one left (+6).
40:20 - Cast at it earlier (+1).
40:26 - Avoid jumping; instead, smash cutscene skip to prevent time loss like this (+1).
40:51 - Epic timings; well done.
40:53 - Please focus; you should not cast here, and there is a cutscene (+2).
41:26 - Don't grab the savebook, and there is a cutscene (+2).
41:41 - You switched the target for no reason (+1).
41:46 - Hit the right one first so you can save time walking (+4).
41:51 - Don't wait for cutscenes, please (+1).
42:17 - That's the Harry POV, yes (+1).
42:20 - Failing double casting loses time (+6).
42:29 - No, you should not grab it yet (+2).
42:33 - Wait for Hermione x2 (+6).
42:46 - You want to go backward here, but you got lucky, so no time loss.

Мы в прошлом (about 32s timesave) [Back in time]

44:20 - Slow casting and a slow skip; potential timesave around (+5) idk.
45:06 - Nice AFK moment (+2).
45:15 - Oops, a fire miss (+5).
46:06 - Good RNG with imps; could potentially be a bit faster, but RNG plays a significant role here.
46:35 - Pixies first and then turncast, as you need double-cast anyway (+2).
46:42 - You tried it before pixies; could you attempt it again? (+3 or something).
46:45 - No-no-no, you can still do it with Hermione; that's faster (+3 or something).
47:10 - A funny time loss; yes, you can't cast it with Harry only; jump into the cutscene first (+6).
47:15 - Another AFK moment (+1).
48:08 - Again, slow casts, but two early casts are good; overall nice, but try to cast faster.
48:33 - Not sure what's going on here, but you probably smashed the skip button a lot; still like (+5) time loss.

Сново летим на Ранчике (about 1:02s timesave) [Carpe final]

48:40 - AFK moment / inaccurate skip (+2).
49:19 - Come on, at least try it; if you don't, you're already missing part of the cycle, so you'll have to wait at the end if the next two swings are without fails.
49:17 - A strange way of doing it; try landing on the platform first.
50:33 - Alohomora should be first / also a sad 2nd try cast.
50:47 - Unfortunate; it might work better if you don't look forward when jumping.
(Overall timeloss at Carpe is about 1 min without using crazy strats, hard to pinpoint exact moments where you lose time because of the cycle mechanic.)

Дай Бог,дай Бог (about 23s timesave) [Transfig final]

51:21 - Slow cutscene skip; smash it before it starts for a potential 0s (+4).
51:22 - Cast on Rabbit as soon as possible; it doesn't save time to run there (+1).
51:59 - Бог дал, ну и слава богу, gj.
52:08 - Moving kind of slow here for no reason / failed cast (+3).
52:20 - Long time to rotate for no reason (+2).
52:28 - Waiting on the thing for a cutscene for no reason (+4).
52:40 - Going above is just faster (if you don't get stuck all the time like me) (+3).
53:35 - F. (+2).
52:38 - F. (+2).
53:51 - Nice failed fire; at least you had a 2nd one (+2).
53:53 - Also, you can save like half a second by flinging into the trigger here on the left.

Гарри улетел... (about 41s timesave) [Glacius final]

54:04 - Slow cutscene skip (+1).
54:09 - You can jump above it (+2).
54:13 - ...especially if you want to do the lag jump attempt setup (+4).
54:24 - At least you got it lol.
54:32 - Don't kill these cute salamanders! (+1 or something).
54:37 - Don't let him jump on your head (+1).
54:49 - Triple fail is okay, but you also lose the other cracker (+2).
54:52 - Yeah, they are trolling you / slow shield grab (+4).
55:05 - Trolling crabs (+3).
55:35 - Slow crabs, also slow shield grab (+5 at least idk).
56:22 - If you are going to try this, you should get there much earlier (+3).
56:51 - Well, you completely failed it; can't blame you, but also bad imps (+5 at least).
57:05 - Yes, learn the place of this spongify (use frogs); I also forget it all the time (+4).
57:27 - Slow cutscene (+1).
57:57 - Extra pause (+1).
58:01 - No, that's very wrong; you should just press right until you are next to the door, and only then jump; no adjustments needed; works [almost] every time (+4).

Splits Summary / Rolling Total

Поезд в Казахстан (Train to Kazakhstan): 13s timesave / +0:13
Летим на фиолетовой тяге (Flying on the Purple Sleigh): 1:15 timesave / +1:28
Ханрид нас ждет (Hagrid Awaits Us): 55s timesave / +2:23
Энимал Пленет от Гермионы (Hermione's Animal Planet): 57s timesave / +3:20
Лечение деменцыи Люпина (Curing Lupin's Dementia): 10s timesave / +3:30
Библиотека (The Library): 14s timesave / +3:44
Ледяная гора аладайнса (The Ice Mountain of Aladdin): 1:19 timesave / +5:03
Убогие скелетики (The Pitiful Skeletons): 58s timesave / +6:01
Мы в прошлом (Back in Time): 32s timesave / +6:33
Сново летим на Ранчике (Flying to the Ranch Again): 1:02s timesave / +7:35
Дай Бог, дай Бог (God Give, God Give): 23s timesave / +7:58
Гарри улетел... (Harry Flew Away...): 41s timesave / +8:39

Final Summary

Total potential timesave: +8:39, bringing your PB down to 48:18 with all visible improvements considered.

Also, Please ensure you're using the full original English version of the game to avoid potential time losses (1min+ based on my experiments with Russian version few years ago) during cutscenes due to translation or animation issues.

Main Tips

Minimize unnecessary jumps.
Utilize the Shift key for animation skips.
Optimize cutscene skips for speed and accuracy.
Avoid changing settings during gameplay.
Stay active and aware to avoid AFK moments; learn the timings.
Resist grabbing unnecessary savebooks.

Chapter-specific Tips

Поезд в Казахстан (Train to Kazakhstan): Avoid pausing the game while running. Consider resetting instead. Practice more for improvement.
Летим на фиолетовой тяге (Flying on the Purple Sleigh): If you fail a risky trick, opt for a safe attempt on the second try. Learn faster strats for specific rooms and practice more.
Ханрид нас ждет (Hagrid Awaits Us): Master clues for F&G skip and practice it regularly. Watch runs that avoid white rings to save significant time.
Энимал Пленет от Гермионы (Hermione's Animal Planet): Focus on small details, and also practice better bunny jump strat and Maze skip.
Лечение деменцыи Люпина (Curing Lupin's Dementia): Increase casting speed.
Библиотека (The Library): Attempt skip strats / practice.
Ледяная гора аладайнса (The Ice Mountain of Aladdin): Skip the intro for a quicker start (lol). Find faster sliding inputs and practice the bridge skip extensively.
Убогие скелетики (The Pitiful Skeletons): Learn stairs room strategy. Sync casts with Hermione. Try casting through the door Minimize failures in salamander room. Optimize casting order for efficiency. Look for time-saving opportunities with last skeletons. Streamline your approach; it's almost casual currently.
Мы в прошлом (Back in Time): Learn optimal strats for the pixies room. Try doublecast, and if not working, cast with Hermione before doing bunny.
Сново летим на Ранчике (Flying to the Ranch Again): Attempt the first swing; it's crucial. Practice the last room extensively.
Дай Бог, дай Бог (God Give, God Give): Smash the cutscene skip at the start. Practice dragon movement.
Гарри улетел... (Harry Flew Away...): Jump above at the start for a better setup. Avoid killing salamanders. Beware of imp/crab trolls. Optimize shield grabs and practice turncasts. Learn the spongify position (use frogs). Keep door jumps simple; it's easier than it seems.