Route Update from AUG 2020, in tltl;dr;dr fashion.
(Anubys->1T1B5TSTAG, Nibs -> 4T)-Zaltys (OC1T1B5TSTAGaaaaaa...)-disc1P-1P3PD2WP-D1-Quest-FE-sleep=D2-sleep4-runLN-Y-buyVB-sellShield+RecItems-GateGuy-SnkIn-MENU(VB+FE, DM->EQ)-teleLN-3Fans(1OC, 6 Blitz)-phone-teleL-hotel-sleep-D3=sleep1-code-crest-Baird-LS-DD-PR-Imperil(OC Blitz in VB's Liberator, no Depro needed)-NG-Gip-Crux-Seed-GC-RufBorder-backwards-Crux-AtmTab-MENU(PR default garb, Gip on VB, Imp on EQ)-teleR-Ado-RS-NG-Gur2OC(1OC=10Galestrikes, OC-Blitz x6)-Crux-DF-Tab2-teleLN-Noel2OC(2Depro2BlizGuardBlockPerfOC10ThunSTAG3GipsOCBlitzerinos)-ShadowHunter-dayendnoenc-D4=DD-Wil-ChEater(3OC Blitzspam)-teleW-Cano-Sarala-Forest-3Ferts-Jagd-Vengeance-Nadia-teleW-Cano-HandIn3Ferts-FIXED-Plant3-feed1-sleepnextday-D5-feed1-pick3-plant2-feed-feed-sleep5-pick2-Aryas-Flower-Fira-BG-dayendnoenc-D6=returnW-WilRes-Sazh-teleJ-Polta-2Enfrost3Enaero-Temple(get Aeroga)-Caius(4OCBlitzSpam+WP+Enfrost?)-CR-MENU (equip VG over EQ, Fira on PR)-teleY-WE-GateDude-Mazep1(buy3 Bravs)-Cyclops2OC (Dpeor+CR Blitz spam via VB)-Mazep2-FWBoss-teleRuf-RS-NG-Maze-Gur(2OC, 3debuffs+Beatddown+3Blitz)-Mur2-teleY-2xF-Funicula-Skatane(Depor, Blitz, no OC)-3xF-Sarzak-run to Slaughterhouse-Gremlins-Anubii-Zaltii(Jump+Depro+OC Blitz)-MM-Forge(2 DraGaunts, or 1 Kikui + 1 DraGaunt)-menu(default MM over VG, equip 2 DraGaunts)-Sarzak-Palace-Mazep3-2Anubii1OC(only if in chaos)-Snow(2OC, use Enaero potion + Imp +Depro + Blitz spam)-teleJ-Dryads(OC once each)-Mog-teleR-Mal-RS-GC-Tab3-dayendnoenc-D7-returnRuf-RS-SS-Mur3-Grendel(get 2nd stagger with 10 Galestrikes, 4 OCs allowed)-SS-DF-Cactair (4OC, Aeroga/Magnet spam)-4EP left-teleWilRes-Sazh-teleLN-sleeeeepp-D12 4 Hps = return and sleep - press buttons and panic - gg [4 firas on SG, then HS, Depro the 2nd one and HS spam, 2 OCs allowed - Chimera is just debuff Enforst 3 Firas and Attack-HS spam (3OCs alllowed), Bhuni gets 2 OC p1, 3 EP p2, 2 OC p3, 1 OC p4)
tl;dr guide
Anubys -> 1Thun 1Blizz 5Thun STAGGER 3x Attack Niblet -> 3-4Thun Anubys -> 3Attack Guard STAGGER OC 5Attack Ignore Potion Shop Following Snow, run through maze to Zaltys. Zaltys -> OC 1Thun 1Blizz 5Thun STAGGER 2Attack GC OC 5Attack STAGGER Attack/OC until dead Ark-4 cubes-Discard 1 Potion-EscapeZaltys-Hope-Buy 3 Phoenix Downs + 2 Warrior Potions
Day1 Tele down, go left and up the ladder, talk to Yellow Shirt guy, get the Fighter's Emblem, talk to Guard, fall down, run close to Thornton, accept quest, talk to Shopkeep, talk to Innkeeper, talk to Holmes, move backwards to the glowing papter on the ground, go up the stairs with Holmes following you, talk to Thornton, completed Quest, go the gate and talk to the Lady, back to Investigator, Quest Complete, Hotel and sleep to 6.
Talk to Hope about red things. Get Lib+JuSo+RM cube. Tele down.
Day2 - Sleep 4. Yus. Buy Velvet Bouncer. Sell the Juno Sop shield and your Recovery Items (keep the 2 WPs). Run way to Augurs Quarter Gate. Knowledgable Tourist. Sneak In Band Man. MENU:
EQ -> VB Sword -> Lib Acc -> FE Abilities -> Thunder, Light Guard, Blitz
DM -> EQ Abs -> Blizz, Attack, Guard
Tele LuxNo. Attack ! Fantatic. OC Blitz x2 GC Blitz x2 Blitz x3. Phone. Tele Lux North. Hotel. Sleep 6.
Day 3 - Return. Sleep 1. Check code nearby (2nd number). Guess code -> [1-3][4-6]0[7-9]. Proceed through graveyard. Crest. Baird. Soul Ticket. LuxSo. DeadDunes. Buy Passion Rouge. Fight a Sahagin. Near God's Stat. Galestrike. Crux. Soul Seeds if you see any. Grave Colossi Stat. RuffianBorder. Backwards and around. Crux. Atmos Shrine. Tab #1 below. Teleport Ruffian.
Since you are going for early SAHAGIN...
Blitz x3 OC Blitz x8. ~12s. *
MENU: MW -> PR (Default it) Weapon - > CB Abs -> Depro2, Deshell2, Guard, Blizz VB -> Abs -> Gstrike EQ -> Sickle (if you got the drop), Imperil
TeleRuf. Adonis. RufStat. NearGod. GURAN:
Depro+Deshell+Imperil, OC 5 Blizz 5 Galestrikes STAG Blitz OC Blitz x7-8
Run down and right. Crux. Dry Flood Stat. Tab 2. Tele LuxNo. Warren. NOEL:
Blizz x4 (2 via PR 2 via EQ) Guard OC Thun x10 STAG Depro x2 WP Galestrike x3 Blitz OC Blitz to dead. Guard again if he tries to smack you some more. ~22s
Shadow Hunter. Day ends with no encounter.
Day4 - TeleDeadStation. Train to Wildlands, ChocoboEater:
Depro, block his attack. OC Blitz to dead. ~20s.
Tele Wildlands Station. Canopus. 2 Greens for the bird. Sarala. Get Chocobull. Run to Jagd forest, 3 Fertilizers, Cole, Jagd Village. Buy Vengeance. Arc right and accept quest from Nadia. Tele Wil. Cano. Sara. Hand in all Ferts. Switch FPS Fixed. Plant 3. Sleep to next day. Switch to Dynamic FPS.
Day 5- Get 3 blooms. Switch to fixed FPS. Plant 2 more. Feed bird 1 Chocobull + 1 Green + 1 Milk. Switch to Dynamic FPS. Hop on. Run to hotel. Sleep to 4. Get 2 blooms. Run to Aryas. GetYeul's flower in back right. Leave village and head for Beloveds Gift. Tele Wil. Run down onto bird, left to Wil Research Camp. Sazh. Tele Ruf. Adonis. Got Fang. Tele Ruf. Run to Ruf Stat. GC. Down the stairs to Tab 3. Day end no encounter.
Day6 - Return to Jagd. Go to Polta via Odin. Buy 2 Enaeros and 3 Enfrosts from the Shopkeep. Take the long journey up and through the Temple. Get Aeroga. Caius:
OC Depro x2 Imp x2 WP Enfrost Blitz like crazy. ~28s
Pick up the Chaos Revenge. Equip it on VB, where VG gets Shadow Hunter. Tele to Yus. Chocolina, Complete Key to her Heart quest. Grab Wolf's Emblem. Keep running through alleyway towards Gate Guy. Maze - Cyclops (2 OCs allowed):
Depro. BeatDown OC. BeatDown x7. STAG. BeatDown x2 (buffer from VG into VB post OC). Blitz if not dead.
Maze to Augur's. Sneak In Pass. Sarzak. Fireworks Boss. Tele Ruf.
RS. NG. Run far right to God's Hand, into the maze. All odd doors should be in your favor (~7:50pm first door, ~9:20pm last door). Guran (1OC is fine):
Triple Debuff, BeatDown 2-3, Blitz to kill.
Finish the maze. Should have 2 Murals and 2 Crux pieces. Tele Yusnaan
2x Fireworks Worker. Funicula. Skatane (5x Fireworks): Depro Blitz x5.
Backwards toward Hotel. 3x Fireworks Worker. Augur's. Boss. Sarzak. Run to Slaughterhouse, Forge (can do it after Slaughterhouse too). Sell Lib+Sacra/Devil swords. Buy Kikui + Dragon Gauntlet.
Slaughterhouse: Gremlins -> Magnet (if you have it) - Blitz to dead Anubys -> Depro 3xBlizzara (if you have it) or 5x Blizzards Beat Down x2 or Blitz to death. Guard to STAG if needed. Zaltys (for both)-> Depro. Jump (Beatdown x2). STAG. Wait for head to drop. OC Blitz to death.
MENU
VB -> Kikui + DraGau VG -> MM = Wolf's Emblem PR -> Guard -> Aeroga/Magnet (if dropped)
Sarzak. Maze. 2 Anubii (if in Chaos):
Depro on both. Blitz x4. 1 OC Blitz to kill. Skip the OC if no Chaos.
SNOW (should have 3 OCs available):
*Imp+Deshell+Depro (Enaero Potion when he punches you) OC Firax3 STAG OC Blitz OC Blitz to win. ~18s
*There is a manip now. If you load a savefile just before Snow, enter the fight and escape, then playthrough the game all the way to Snow, he will give you an optimal pattern, with an immediate Recast after your Debuffs. The strat above expects you are also doing this. If not, cast debuffs until he punches you once, then uses Recast.
Tele Jagd. Head for Mog Village. Go to centre of circle. Fight 3 Dryad battles. Can OC in each of them. They die to ~3 Blitzes. Return to circle. Talk to Mog. Talk again once he floats to the corner. Tele Ruf. RS-DF. Run to Cactair. Day should end around here.
Day 7 - Cactair:
3OC available. OC and Magnet to death, or Aeroga to death (can throw in debuffs/Galestrikes, and to let Fang get in some damage).
Tele to Ruf. RufStat-SancStat. Mural 3. Go back to Giant door. Grendel:
Enaero. Bravery Potion. Wait for ProtectiveCircle to end. ~9 -ra spells, between Fira (and Blizzara). You can also try 6 Firas from MM and follow with 5 Thunders from VB. STAGGER. Imp+Depro+Blitz to win. Got 3 OCs so use them. Can stagger again with 3 more Firas or 5 Galestrikes so he'll stop attacking you.
Run backwards. Cutscene. TeleWildResCamp. If you have no Fira from the Sphere, pick up the Blizzara sphere behind the camp. Tele Lux North. Sleep 6.
D8-D11 -Return. Sleep 6.
D12: Buy 4 Hero Potions from Hope. Return. Sleep 6.
D13- Ark. Get Super Garbs and Decoy. MENU.
Dark Muse+ Chaos Revenge Dragon Gauntlet Fighter's Emblem -Nothing- Thunder/-raspell/buffed Atk ability Light Guard Heavy Slash Lv4 Galestrike/buffed Atk ability
Equilibrium+ Kikuichimonji DoubleCross Wolf's Emblem -Nothing- Thunder/Blizzard/-ra spell Guard Attack Lv4 Imperil
Passion Rouge Shadow Hunter Lotus -Nothing- Collector Catalog Depro 2 Guard Blizzara/other -ra spell Deshell 2
Super Guards.
OC. 4 Blizzara. Heavy Slash. STAG. 2nd target. OC. Depro x2. Attack -> HS x2. Same thing to the first one to kill.
Run through the minimaze.
Chimera (3 OCs allowed)
Imp Depro 2 Blizzara Enfrost Attack->HeavySlash Lv 4 x2 STAG OC HS until dead.
Sets (2OCs allowed)
Depro Attack -> HS for both.
Bhunizelze
P1 (2 OCs allowed) - Hero's Potion during Doom. Enaero Potion. Bravery Potion. This Enaero should last the whole fight. Imp x2 Depro x2. Blizzara x2 - Attack x4 - Heavy Slash. Keep up the A-HS combo until STAG. Should cast 2 more Imperils. OC A-HS. Each OC should grant you 3 of these combos. Keep up Attack + HS if ATB allows it, preferably before he recovers from Stagger for too long.
P2 (2 OCs allowed) - Attack. Decoy. Hero's Potion. Imp x4. Depro x2. Blizzara x2, and no more. Attack 4 - Heavy Slash about 4 times. OC. Continue the combo. STAGGER in OC for a good chance at WoD Skip. Keep up the A-HS combo, you can Guard WoD but its likely it will kill you. If you know how to Guard-Depro spam so that Lightning shuffles backwards, the spell can be avoided.
P3 (2 OCs allowed) - Hero Potion. Imp x2 Depro x2. Blizzara x2. Attack x4 - Heavy Slash. Once STAGGER, HS immediately for the extra damage. Use an OC to continue the A-HS combos.
P4 (2 OCs allowed)- Use -ra spells and the single ones. Do not debuff yet. Staggers in 12-18 ra spells. Imp+Depro, Atk+HS until dead. You can use your last Hero's Potion to tank Cataclysm/Elementaga.
Timer automatically stops at clearing the results screen.
What lies below has been unexamined.
-.-.-.-
General rules:
-
Time starts when you select New Game, ends when the stars fade away on the final battle
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hug the walls and corner turns, it saves more time than you think; at the same time, pressing up against the wall will cause Lightning to slowly push off, and you don't want this pointless time loss
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keep your running ATB constantly in the blue; takes twice as long to load when it's run out and red; just alternate walking and running as you see fit; hold Sprint when you are moving forward in the air and when jumping out of a roll, as its faster; climbing ladders fills up running ATB, so try to approach them with a near-empty blue bar; while you want to avoid any extra encounters, escaping from them does fill your ATB to full
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you will be Guard Cancelling most combo finishers (pressing Guard mid-flip, like the 5th element cast or 3rd Blitz strike, cuts the animation time in half and lets you begin anew)
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if you can Perfect Time your attacks, do so; faster Staggering and higher Damage Output result respectively; Overclocking fills up each of the your 3 in-battle garb ATB to full once it runs out
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when skipping cutscenes, some cutscenes have a tiny delay before you can skip them, and pausing the game too early result in the game not prompting you for the Skip button; you have to playthrough the game yourself and get a feel for when this is, but overall it's half a second; I will try to type out when I skip a scene, but some I may have missed
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skip all Tutorials; a small timesave is pressing Back, which sometimes defaults you to either the Exit selection in the menu, or closes out the menu entirely; Mashing X clears Sentences, Item Obtained messages etc. faster, though it doesn't apply to Warp Locations discovered
-
watch the WR to understand other movement nuances; all runners follow the general patterns;
ST = Skip Tutorial SC = Skip Cutscene CT = Clear Text AQ = Accept Quest QC = Quest Complete
Guide:
1st Anubys -> ST
(Equilibrium/EQ)Thunder, (Dark Muse/DM) Blizzard x1, (EQ)Thunder x5 - STAGGER - (DM) Attack x3 [with Perfect Timing] should kill
Select "No". Want to fight Niblet #1, then Anubys, then Niblet #2. Do not fight Anubys first, as you don't have 1 EP for an Overclock.
Niblet #1 and #2 -> 4 Perfect Timed Thunders [if you are blessed with high Magic, it could be 3]
2nd Anubys -> (EQ) Attack x3, Perfect Guard - STAGGER - Overclock, (DM) Attack x5
Run forward, hopping over the stair rail, SC. ST. Follow Snow. If you get into any encounters, just reset the run, as you can't Escape yet. SC when activating Door Switch.
Zaltys -> SC. ST.
Overclock, (EQ)Thunder x2, (DM) Blizzard x5, STAGGER - (DM) Attack x2, Overclock Attack x14. Keep up Overclock/Attack with DM until dead. Note: Perfect Timing the first 7 spells is crucial, and even then may not Stagger 100% consistently
Head to door. SC.
When you regain control in the Ark, move backwards and pick up the 4 Treasure Cubes in a counter-clockwise fashion. ST. Head to the bookcase. Talk, SC. Yes, Rebattle Zaltys.
Zaltys -> ST. Menu. Escape.
Run to Hope. Talk, SC. Talk, SC. Talk, SC. Buy 1 Phoenix Down and 3 Warrior's Potions. Head to the Teleporter. Use. SC. Off you go to Luxerion.
SC. Accept Quest. You will be "collecting evidence" via interacting with people/things. Run left to the ladder and climb up. As soon as you land, talk to the Guy. SC. Run left and jump, Lighting should grab the ledge. Flip up, get Fighter's Emblem, run left, talk to Guard, SC, continue left and jump between the overhang and the pillar. After a RollOutJump (ROJ), you will auto-talk to Thornton, SC, AQ, SC. Run left towards the Weapon Shop. Talk to the Shopkeep, SC. Move right to the Hotel Guy, SC. Jump left over the table and move right to Holmes, Talk, SC. CT. Move backwards (Walk, don't run, get full ATB) between the tree and the Weapon Shop and Talk with the glowing paper on the ground. CT x2. Run left to Thornton, who should be walking up the stairs. SC. QC. Run left to the Priest at the other end of the hallway, Talk, SC. Run back to the Investigator. Talk, SC. Talk, SC. QC. CT. Run right to Hotel Manager. Talk, SC. Sleep to 6. Day End.
SC. Run forward to Talk to Hope, SC. Ask Hope about Sidequests. SC. Talk, Ask Hope about Mainquests, SC. CT. Run backwards and pick up the Treasure Cube. Run to Teleporter. Use. Return to previous point.
Jump left and run towards Lux South. Picking up Magician's Token is optional. At Baird, Talk, SC. Buy Soul Seed Pass. Talk to Train Attendant, SC, Dead Dunes, SC.
Run forward and Talk to Sitting Attendant, SC. Run to Outfitters, Talk, SC.
Buy Passion Rouge.
Run forward awhile. Activate Ruins North Cactuar Statue, SC x2. Run North towards Grave Colossi, picking up 1 Crux before you activate the Cactuar Statue.
Continue running leftward, to Ruffian. Go through it to activate its Warp point, and arc right to the exit. Slide down, then go right to Atmos Shrine, go down it's stairs, open door with Crux, getting the Tablet at the bottom. Warp to Lux North. Turn backwards and talk to Attendant, SC, Yusnaan, SC.
SC x2. CT. Jump forward, and when you land. SC. Run forward to Weapon Shop. Talk, SC.
Sell -> Juno Sop (shield), 1 Phoenix Down and 2 Potions Buy -> Velvet Bouncer. Have 2290 gil.
Run left, jump up on the box, and arc right and run down the stairs. When close to Flanitor, SC. Run left to Augur's Quarter. After the stairs, jump left and run along the left edge, being careful not to fall. It's fine if you walk to refill ATB on this slope. At the top swing left to the corner then circle back, which will cancel the enemy's seeing you, and now you can Talk to the Knowledgeable Tourist in front of the giant gate. SC. Go back down and jump over the ledges and run to the Band Man. Talk, SC. Buy Sneak-In-Ticket. SC. Menu:
Equilibrium -> Velvet Bouncer. Liberator -Shield- Fighter's Emblem -Ring- Thunder Light Guard Blitz Lv2 -Move-
Mist Wizard -> Passion Rouge Devil's Daughter -Shield- -Accessory- -Ring- Deprotect Lv2 Guard Blizzard Deshell Lv2
Staying in the Menu, EP abilities and Teleport to Ruffian
Run through the camp to Adonis, Talk, SC. Run back to Adonis, Talk, SC. Yes. SC. Run to Ruffian Cactuar Statue, Activate, use it to warp to Ruins North Statue. Run towards God's Wrath statue, but make a right at the stairs first to pick up Galestrike Lv2. Continue to Gurangatch area. SC.
Gurangatch -> Deshell, Deprotect, Blizzard x4, Thunder x5, Blizzard x5. STAGGER, Overclock, Blitz x7
SC. CT. Run down and right, through the Chaos. Your EP should be at 4. This is where you must fight the Sahagin, in the Chaos.
Pick up Crux at the cliff edge. Jump down, run rightward to Dry Floodlands Shrine, activate Cactuar Statue, run down the stairs, open Crux door, continue down to pick up Tablet. SC. Teleport to Ruffian.
Sahagin -> If you Perfect Guard his Rush attack, that will stagger. Cast Deprotect, then just Overclock Blitz to kill. Will take extra Blitzes. Do not use more than 1 Overclock/ Got Imperil? Congrats, the run continues.
Keep running forward along the clifftop. Pick up Crux at the cliff edge. Jump down, run rightward to Dry Floodlands Shrine, activate Cactuar Statue, run down the stairs, open Crux door, continue down to pick up Tablet. SC. Teleport to Dead Dunes Station. Walk backwards and talk to Attendant, SC, Wildlands, SC.
Run and jump over the gate, SC, continue down the stairs. Run straight, all the way, through the winding path, towards the Chocobo Eater.
Chocobo Eater -> Blitz, Warrior's Potion (good timing will prevent the ChEater from delaying you with a punch), Deprotect, Overclock Blitz, Overclock Blitz. Only 2 Overclocks are needed. Get Blizzara/Magnet? Congrats.
SC. Run all the way back to Canopus Farms. Jump over the fence and move right for an auto-cutscene. SC. Talk to Dr. Gysahl. SC. Talk to Bird. Feed Green. CT. Run to Sarala. Talk, SC. Run back to Bird. Feed Green. SC. Run back to Sarala. Talk, SC. AQ. SC. You are free to buy your 2 Vegetable Seeds from the Adventuring Essentials shop to the right (skip the Libra tutorial). Run to the yellow chocobo nearby and talk for a Chocobull.
Run to Jagd Village, picking up 2 Fertilizers before talking to Cole on the way (watch WR vid to determine where the fetilizers are). Continue to the village and get your 3rd Fertilizer. Fall down behind Jagd Village for 4th fertilizer. Teleport to Wildlands Station.
Run to Canopus, talk to Sarala, Yes, SC, QC. Talk to Sarala, SC, you get 5 Vegetable Seeds. CT. Talk to Sarala 3 more times to hand in your 3 Fertilizers, SCing where appropriate. Pan the camera down¤¤¤. Plant Seed, clearing the messages, and continue by running to the other plots (clockwise), planting 3 Vegetable Seeds total. Run to Innkeeper, Talk, SC, you get Sheep Milk, Sleep until 6.
¤¤¤At this point if you would like your run to continue by avoiding the Gysahl Green Glitch, switch the Dynamic Framerate (60FPS) to Fixed Framerate (30FPS). Switch back to Dynamic before you Sleep. Switch again before planting your second set of Vegetable Seeds.
SC. Run back to Teleporter. Return to Previous Location.
Run backwards to the plots of fertilizer, and pick up your 3 Gysahl Greens, making sure to plant a new Seed in its place, along with a 4th. Run to Bird. Feed until it can stand. SC. CT. Jump on Bird. Go to Innkeeper. Sleep until 3AM. Still on your Bird, pick up the last 4 Greens. Jump off and feed Bird to Hover Power. Jump on. Head up to the Enfire Braclet and pick that up. Go left and make your way to Aryas. Trot towards the left of the sheep fence so you don't activate the Aryas Warp point. Continue straight to Beloved's Gift at the end of the birdge, pick that up. Warp to Lux North.
Run down the stairs, then left toward the Heretic. 3 strikes on the one with the ! mark should trigger a battle with 3 of them.
Heretics -> Overclock. Blitz x2, Guard Cancel, Blitz x2, Guard Cancel, Blitz x3. Get Sickle of the Faithful? Congrats.
Run to the Telephone. After completing that cutscene, MENU:
Velvet Bouncer Liberator -Shield- Fighter's Emblem Firewyrm Bracelet Blitz Light Guard Thunder Galestrike
Dark Muse Sacramax -Shield- -Accessory- -Ring- Blizzard Guard Attack Imperil
Warp to Jagd Village.
Get on Bird. Trot to Poltae, picking up a Soul Seed somewhere in the chaos of the rocky area. Buy 2 Enaero and 2 Enblizzard Potions from Item Shop, Go straight and take the left path upwards. Jump onto the ledge, SC, continue trotting and hovering to the end, SC, clear Message Boxes, SC, Lightning should automatically dismount, continue up the ladder and to Caius temple.
SC, SC. Clear Message Box. Make your way through the maze. Check WR video for details. Caius skip is risky and saves at most 10 seconds. Day should end around here.
Return to previous location.
Continue through the maze. Pick up Aeroga if you don't have Magnet. Approaching Caius, SC.
Caius -> Overclock, Imperil x2, Deprotect x2. Warrior's Potion, Blitz until Overclock ends. Continue to Overclock Blitz. If he casts Megaflare then you are going too slow. Fight should finish in under 30 sec.
SC, SC. Pick up Chaos Sword, and Menu it onto Velvet Bouncer NOW. Teleport to Lux North.
Run down the steps and go right to Hotel Guy, Talk, SC, sleep to 4.
Run to Telephone. Interact, SC, enter code as is (0000), SC, Yes. SC.
Dreadnought -> Deprotect x2, Blizzard x5, Overclock, Blizzard x10. -STAGGER- Overclock Blitz. Note, stop your first Blitz with a Guard Cancel if Lightning runs towards one of the arms; you want her Blitzing the center for the most damage. Got Flamestrike? Congrats.
Continue running through the graveyard to the Heretic Scene. SC. Run right and pick up the Crest of Etro.
Teleport to Luxerion North. Run forward, jump over the fence, and then left towards the Warren. Weave a bit, ROJ where needed, eventually you make a left to Talk to Heretic. Yes. SC. Run forward. SC. Run along the path, being careful not to fall down. Avoid Heretics as best you can. Jump down at the end to fight Noel.
Noel -> Imperil x2, Deprotect, Guard, Deprotect, Warrior's Potion, Blizzard until he back flips or you guard his second attack, immediately Overclock Thunder x5, -STAGGER- Galestrike x3 Blitz x4, Overclock Blitz until dead.
SC. Pick up the Shadow Hunter post-battle.
Teleport to Jagd Village. Get on Bird. Trot to Jagd Village, a little right to the Outfitter, and get his Vengeance. Gallop to Moogle Village. Consult the WR vid for the proper way. To start the Moogle Quest, jump off the root on the right side and glide to the center area with the tree stumps. Talk to the centre Moogle. SC.
Jump down to fight the Dryads. With 3 EP, you can Overclock once each fight, and end with 2 EP to Teleport away,
3 Dryads -> Overclock. Blitz x2, Guard Cancel, Blitz x2, Guard Cancel, Blitz x3.
2 Dryads -> (use Magnet if you have) Overclock. Blitz x2, Guard Cancel, Blitz x2, Guard Cancel, Blitz x3. If second one is alive, Imperil, Deprotect, Blitz x3.
1 Dryad -> Imperil, Deprotect, Blitz x3.
Find your Bird, hop on, and either jump off the grass ramp or go around the back to get to the center. Auto cutscene. SC. Talk to Mog. Head straight a bit, jump off to the left and wait for Mog to come to you. Talk to Mog. SC. QC. Teleport to Jagd Village.
Wildlands Station. Run down the stairs, and your Bird should meet you just as your ATB is running out. Hop on. Go left towards Wildlands Research Camp. Day should end before you reach the camp.
Return to previous location.
If no Blizzara, go pick it up behind the Camp (hover to Village, then go right and backwards and hover to cliff). Continue to Sazh Airship.
Talk to Sazh, SC. Run to the Blue Chick. Run out and arc left to the Treasure Sphere for a Fragment. SC. Menu.
Velvet Bouncer Chaos Sword -Shield- Fighter's Emblem Enfire Braclet Thunder Light Guard Blitz Lv 2 Galestrike Lv2
Passion Rouge -> Vengeance Shadow Hunter -Shield- -Accessory- -Ring- Beat Down Guard/Magnet/Aeroga Blizzara Deprotect (only available if dropped by Sahagin/Heretic)
Teleport to Ruffian. Run left to the Seed Girl. Hand over the Soul Seed and Moogle Fragment, SC. Run to Landlady, sleep to 3AM.
Run to Adonis, Talk, SC, QC, SC. CT. Run to Cactuar Statue, Use to warp to Ruins North Statue, run back and up across the dunes to the giant hand. Jump down over the cliff and run down the stairs, Talk, SC.
[Consult the WR for the proper Maze route, as it is too complicated to type out.]
Some notes on the maze:
-
You reach the first timed door at ~3:50, letting you take the short cut, and the last timed door at ~5:10, letting you activate the third red box and finish the maze
-
The second Gurangatch uses a similar strategy. Imperil+Deshell+Deprotect+4 Blizzards+5 Thunders. Use Galestrike until staggered, then Overclock Blitz. Should end with 5-6 EP. Fang sometimes makes the stagger easier.
-
Pick up Collector's Catalogue, 2 Cruxes, activate Sanctuary Cactuar Statue
After examining the second Shrine, and having 2 Super Crux pieces, Teleport to Ruffian. Use the CacStatue and go to Colossi statue, and run down to get the last tablet. Then warp to Yusnaan.
Jump over the rail and go left to talk to Chocolina. SC. Clear box. Go to Key to Her Heart quest. QC. CT. SC. CT. SC. You get 2nd Fragment. Run backwards and up the stairs. Jump over to the overhang, then down-left to the ledge. Get the Wolf's Emblem. Run down the steps, and the day should end.
Return to previous location.
Continue running down the steps and go to the Gate Man to take the secret passage. Talk, SC. Yes. SC. Clear box. Talk again, SC. Yes, Continue through the opened passageway. Take the maze (consult WR video). When you reach the 2nd NPC, talk to buy 4 Bravery Potions. Continue towards Cyclops at the end of the path. SC.
Cyclops -> Overclock, Imperil, Deprotect, Blitz Overclock, Blitz. Got Magnet? Congrats.
SC. SC. Continue through the second maze, picking up the ID Card from the skeleton bones. Use ID Card to open the gate at the end. Continue running, go up the ladder. Run straight. Auto-cutscene, SC. Run rightward to Augur's Quarter and unlock the giant gate with your ID Card.
Run and arc right, going up the stairs to the Director. Talk, SC. Jump down and run to Fireworks Boss. SC. Teleport to Yusnaan.
Run straight and arc right, talk to Fireworks Dude, SC, SC, you get 2 Fireworks. Continue straight through the shops, then make a right and talk to Funicula, SC, AQ, SC, Clear Box. Keep running down this path and fight the Skatane.
Skatane -> Imperil, Deprotect, Blitz x3-5.
Gain 5 Fireworks. Run backwards to Funicula, continuing through all the way to Augur's Quarter. Talk to Fireworks Dude left of the Flanitor and Guard for 3 Fireworks. Now you have all 10. Run all to the Augur's Quarter. After opening the gate via ID Card, run to the Fireworks Boss, Talk, Yes, SC. Run backwards to Director, Talk, SC. Teleport back to Yusnaan.
Run to the Slaughterhouse.
Talk to Attendant (since you'll be talking to her multiple times, the usual pattern is: Talk, SC, Yes, SC, SC; after the fight, SC, SC).
6 Gremlins -> Magnet x2, Blitz x 3. If no Magnet, just Blitz until they're all gone.
Anubys -> Imperil, Deprotect, Blitz x3-5.
Zaltys Brimstone -> Beat Down x2 – STAGGER- Enfrost Potion, Imperil, Deprotect, Blitz x3-4.
After obtaining Midnight Mauve, talk to the Attendant again for another Zaltys Brimstone fight and the Dajh Fragment. Same strategy.
Be sure to talk to Forge (it should be Day 6). Sell Liberator. Buy Kikuichimonji and 1 Dragon Gauntlets. ~2000 gil left. Run all the way back to the Director.
Before you speak with him, Menu:
Velvet Bouncer Kikuichimonji Dragon Gauntlet Fighter's Emblem -Ring- Thunder Blitz Lv2 Light Guard Galestrike Lv2
Dark Muse -> Midnight Mauve Chaos Sword Dragon Gauntlet Wolf's Emblem Enfire Bracelet Fira Lv3 Guard Blizzard Imperil
Vengeance -> Passion Rouge Devil's Daughter/Sickle -Shield- -Accesory- Collector's Catalogue Deprotect Lv2 Magnet/Aeroga/Guard Blizzara Deshell LV2
Midnight Mauve must be Default.
Talk to Director, SC. Yes. Clear box. SC. SC. SC.
Run forward and through the maze. Consult the WR vid for the route. Go for the Snow Maze skip, it's easy to learn. You will get a mini-cutscene every time you see a switch in a new room, so SC.
When you get to the Guard, SC, exit Menu, SC. Snow’s door is also a SC. Continue running, eventually you will get to a fight:
2 Anubys (Chaos or not)-> Imperil (1), Deprotect(1), Imperil (2), Deprotect(2), Blitz x4, Overclock Blitz.
Keep running, getting Serah's Pendant, and you will eventually fall down a shaft to circle back to a previous part of the maze. Continue to Snow’s Door, Talk, SC.
Snow -> Imperil, Deprotect, Deshell, Guard (he should punch you), Bravery Potion, keep casting spells until he uses Recast and does his Falcon Punch, GUARD IT, then Overclock Firax3 should STAGGER. Blitz to death. If you get no second punch, continue casting Fira (about 9 would stagger normally), then proceed with Overclock Blitz.
Teleport to Ruffian.
Run to Ruffian Cactuar Statue. Warp to Sanc Statue. Get 3rd Mural. Yes. SC, SC, SC. Get Super Crux piece, SC, SC. Run back to the giant door, Talk, SC. Run forward, up the stairs, to the back, Talk, SC.
Grendel -> Enaero Potion, Bravery Potion, wait until his Protective Circle animation ends, Overclock Fira x2, Blizzara x2, Fira x3, -STAGGER-, Imperil, Deprotect, Blitz with Overclock Blitz until dead.
SC. Runbackwards, SC. Run to Cactair Statue and Warp to Dry Floodlands. Run forward and right up the slope, continuing until you reach the Glowing Crux symbol, Talk, CT, attack the Cactair:
Cactair (if Magnet) -> Continuous Overclock Magnets.
Cactair (if Aeroga) -> Overclock, Aeroga, Light Guard Cancel, repeat. Must leave 3 EP, and you get 1 to make a total of 4 after the fight.
Teleport to Wildlands Research Camp. Hop on the Bird. Trot to Sazh’s Spaceship. Keep going to Sazh. Talk, SC. SC. QC. Teleport to Luxerion North. Run down to the bottom of the steps, then head right and Talk to Hotel Manager, SC. Sleep the few minutes until 6, Yes. SC. SC.
Everytime you Warp out of the Ark, choose “Return to Previous Position”. The same procedure generally follows, where you Talk to the Hotel Manager, Sleep until 6, skipping appropriate cutscenes, both before and after loadtimes involving the Ark. When there are 2 Days Left:
Run to Hope, Talk, SC. Buy 4 Hero’s Potions. Exit Menu. Run back to Warp Device. Go through another Hotel Manager cycle. 1 Day Left. Run to Hope, Talk, SC. Buy 2 Hero's Potions, 1 X-Potion (optional) and 1 Phoenix Wing (optional). These lasts 2 items are for safety, and a proper Bhunivelze should not need them. Exit Menu. Run to Warp Device. Return to Previous Position. SC. Sleep until 6 again.
After the loadtimes in the Ark, SC, SC, SC. Run behind the bookcase to pick up the 3 New Garbs. Run clockwise 2 Cubes down and pick up Decoy. Run back to the Warp Device, Menu:
Velvet Bouncer -> Dark Muse+ Chaos Sword Dragon Gauntlet Fighter’s Emblem Enfire Bracelet Heavy Slash/Flamestrike/Galestrike (anything that gives you an Attack Boost) Light Guard Heavy Slash Lv4 Heavy Slash/Flamestrike/Galestrike
Midnight Mauve -> Equilibirum+ Kikuichimonji -Shield- Wolf's Emblem Thunder Guard Attack Lv4 Imperil
Passion Rouge Shadow Hunter -Shield- -Accessory- Collector’s Catalogue Deprotect Lv2 Guard Blizzara Deshell Lv2
Use the Warp Device, SC.
SC. Run forward, one full ATB sprint should get you to the Auto-Cutscene by the door. SC.
Super Guards x2-> Overclock, Hero’s Potion, Imperil x2, Deprotect x2, Heavy Slash x2 (DO NOT GUARD CANCEL THE FIRST GUY, you can the second guy). Imperil x2, Deprotect x2, Heavy Slash x2. Keep Overclock on constantly. If you don’t, more Guards will spawn (repeat the strategy without the Hero’s Potion if this happens). Should have 7 EP after the fight.
Run forward to the end of the pathway. SC. Run through the maze until you reach the Chimera. Attack it:
Chimera -> Hero’s Potion, Imperil, Deprotect, Blizzara x3. Heavy Slash, Overclock, Heavy Slash x2 -STAGGER-, still in Overclock, walk behind the Chimera, continue to Overclock and Heavy Slash until dead. Should have 8 EP after the fight.
Run to the door. Engage, SC, SC.
2 Sets -> Overclock, Imperil, Deprotect, Hero’s Potion, Heavy Slash x3, Overclock runs out, Heavy Slash. Imperil, Deprotect, Overclock, Heavy Slash x3. Must have 8 EP after this fight.
SC. Run backwards and down the steps. SC. Run left, around the centre circle, to the door beside the Moogle. Engage, SC, Yes, SC. Run forward until the Auto-Cutscene. SC. Run forward to the giant shadow until Auto-Cutscene. SC. Final boss time (there is no single consistent strat but):
Bhunivelze
1st Form ->
Switch to Passion Rouge instantly, Menu, use Bravery Potion. This will combine the Doom and Potion cast animation. Deprotect x2, Imperil x2, Heavy Slash Lv4. Guard Cancel (good timing would block Bhuni’s first attack at this point). General plan is to cast 2 Blizzaras when you can, Attack Lv 4 with Equilibrium+ to maintain the Stagger Gauge and allow the other garb ATB to refill faster (garb ability), and Stagger with the Dark Muse Chaos Sword (Quick Stagger ability). Once -STAGGER-, Heavy Slash until ATB empty, Overclock, keep Heavy Slashing until Overclock runs out, Heavy Slash more until ATB runs out. Anything left you can Attack Lv4. Should not use more than 1 EP or STAGGER more than once.
2nd Form ->
Deprotect x2, Imperil x2, Attack, cast Decoy so it falls behind him, Hero’s Potion, and keep fighting until Enfire runs out, then you can EnAero (note, use this potion on Passion Rouge, with Collector’s Catalogue), try to STAGGER (occurs faster than last form) with the same method, with the same Heavy Slash idea as before, but you can use 3 Overclocks. Should finish this before he casts Wings of Destruction.
3rd Form ->
Deprotect x2, Imperil x2, try to STAGGER, can Overclock twice with 2 EP. Keep the Hero’s Potion buff on when you find the time. Should finish this before he starts attacking after another Holy Blade cast.
4th Form ->
Blizzara x3, Thunder x4, Blizzara x3. Attack Lv4, and while Lightning is in the air, Overclock, cast Thunder and Blizzara x3 (floating Lightning casts faster). The 3rd Blizzara in a triple combo adds to the Stagger Gauge, so use it when you can. 5x more Blizzara then try to STAGGER with Heavy Slash. Once Staggered, Imperil, Deprotect, make sure you have the Hero’s Potion buff still going (EnAero should still be going from Phase 2). Heavy Slash Lv4 until out of ATB. Overclock, Hold down Heavy Slash Lv4 and she will continue to float, attacking. Overclock runs out, continue Heavy Slash Lv4, finishing with Attack Lv4 if need be.
CT. SC, SC, SC, SC. Final Split is when selecting the Save File.
FAQ
What do you need to get Sub 1:59 hours in this mode?
Chaosless Sahagin fight with Imperil, first try. (saves 15 sec)
Blizzara off of Chocobo Eater. (saves 20 sec)
Magnet off of Cyclops. (saves 15 sec)
Minimal encounters (each encounter is +10 sec).
Proper setup: 60fps, Steam Game is in Offline Mode, set the Game Priority to Realtime (assuming you have System Explorer, minimize outside CPU usage). I’m using a PS4 controller for this PC game, but an XBOX one works just as well. Minimal CPU usage will also load the game faster.
Why Blizzara?
Aerora, Thundara and Fira are farther away. You get these for the Stagger Boost, not their damage, and they all Stagger at the same level (though a technicality in the game's mecahnics makes Aerora best of the -ra spells, and Thunder best of the base spells).
Why does the route change so much?
Because LR is awesome.
Where you gain some time in one place, you would lose it in another. You can change the route in extreme ways and get similar end times with this game. Incredibly fun, I do full attempts when performing these route changes, and have no one set guide to go about it all. Here is an incomplete web:
