20 Movement Optimizations on Monkey Island

Here is a video I put together with the help of thewoofs to show off a handfull of movement related tech on Monkey Island. Ranging from very small frame savers to bigger tricks that save a few seconds. Hope you find this helpful!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EJSPOAiUYYA

A Quick Overview of Insult Swordfighting Strats in 2025

Reposting per the flag in the forums that this was not surfacing elsewhere: https://www.speedrun.com/tsomi/forums/m4npa 

In 2023 I made a quick video explaining the current insult swordfighting strats which blend the old 3 pirate model with zergu's many optimizations. This is currently (May 2025) the fastest strategy using ScummVM/Saves:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8UxmpYtP0YQ


Advanced tips to go fast during conversations

One of the things that really make a difference when running this game (and other similar games) is how fast you can skip dialogs and provide the right answers during a conversation.

So, if you're getting good at speedrunning this game and are looking for a way to get better, fast conversations might be the key.

If you aren't very good at skipping dialogs, here are a few tips that will help you lower your personal best by several minutes. You'll have to practice to achieve that, though.

## The basics

Usually, conversations start with a character telling you something. Then, you're given a few options and you choose what to reply. Guybrush replies with the answer you've chosen, and the conversation continues. The whole process is very slow unless you skip the dialog and you quickly choose the right answer. So, to speed up the process, there are a couple of things you can do.

First, moving the cursor to the right answer and clicking on it is slow. So you should either position the cursor on the right spot before the conversation begins or use the keyboard to answer. You can choose an answer by pressing the numbers 1 to 6. Pressing 1 will select the first answer, pressing 2 will select the second answer, and so on.

Second, you can skip dialogs by pressing the "period" key. Each time you press "period", you'll skip one line of dialog. You can also hold "period" to quickly skip several lines of dialog.

Finally, **sometimes** you can skip entire fragments of a conversation by either pressing "Esc" or simultaneously clicking the left mouse button and the right mouse button.

## First problem: input restrictions

There's an important restriction when using the keyboard. Let's say you're holding the "period" key and then you press "1" while you keep holding "period". When you release "1", the game won't detect that you're still holding "period", so you'll have to release it and hold it again.

Every time you start holding a key, there will be a small delay until your operating system acknowledges that you're holding it. Since quite often you'll have to hold a key, release it and then hold it again, you should change the keyboard settings in your operating system to reduce this delay.

## Second problem: keyboard layout

Conversations might require a combination of using the "period" key to skip dialogs, using "Esc" to skip scenes, and either pressing numbers or selecting an answer with the mouse. On a standard keyboard, and assuming you use the mouse with your right hand, this requires positioning your left hand's thumb on "period", your little finger on Esc, and using the other fingers to somehow press the number keys. **Don't do this**. Doing so is hard, uncomfortable, and bad for your health. Instead, you should remap your keyboard. ScummVM allows doing so, and you can also do it by using keyboard remapping software.

A simple improvement would be to remap your keyboard so your spacebar becomes "period". From now on, I'll keep saying that you should press "period" to skip dialogs; when I do so, press the key you use to skip dialogs instead (like the spacebar). I'll do the same with the rest of the keys, so take it into account.

Another simple improvement would be to make "a", "Tab" or "Caps Lock" become "Esc". Try it right now: with your left hand, quickly type spacebar, then Tab and then 3. Now use the default shortcuts and quickly type period, Esc and then 3. Which one felt better? With the default shortcuts, your hand is doing a lot of effort for an action that should be effortless.

Ideally, you would use a keyboard layout that allowed a natural movement of the hand when skipping dialogs, skipping scenes, selecting answers, and using all the verbs needed in the game. I'd suggest you start with some simple shortcuts and do a few practice run using them. You will forget which key did what and will waste several seconds remembering it, and that's fine. The important thing is that you check whether you feel comfortable with the hand movements you have to do. If not, tweak your layout a little bit. If you watch swimmers or marathon runners, you might notice they move in a natural way with no wasted effort; try to aim for the same thing.

Regarding advanced keyboard layouts, the only limit is your imagination. There are people who map certain letters so they become numbers. There are people who position their left hand on the right side of the keyboard and use the left thumb to press right shift or right ctrl. And there are people who use keyboards with non-standard layouts; you can see some of those keyboards at [Xah's ergonomic keyboards blog](http://xahlee.info/kbd/ergonomic_keyboards_index.html).

## Cursor positioning

When using the mouse to select an answer, the key to go fast is to position the cursor in advance where the option you'd like to choose will be. This is particularly useful in conversations where you choose the same option several times in a row, like when buying the sword and the shovel at the store, when talking to Captain Smirk, or when buying the ship at Stan's. Once the cursor is at the right position, you can hold "period" and constantly click with the mouse.

An advanced technique would be to position the cursor right between two answers. For instance, when buying the ship at Stan's, you could position the cursor on the first answer but right next to the second one to answer "Well, maybe you're right" followed by "Let's talk extras". Then move your cursor down just a tiny bit so you'll choose "I think I can live without that particular piece of junk" next.

An even more advanced technique would be to blindly move the cursor while the characters are talking in order to position it on the right option. Be careful when using this technique because missing your blind movement by just a few pixels might cost you several seconds. Always check you've positioned the cursor on the right spot before clicking.

In some conversations, like when talking to Elaine at the end of the game, or if you use the bell to call the storekeeper, there's a cutscene right before you perform an action and you barely have time (or no time at all) to position the cursor before it disappears. In these cases, you can move the mouse cursor outside the game window while the conversation starts, use whatever visual reference you have on your desktop to know where you should position the cursor, and enter the game window again. ScummVM has a shortcut to trap/untrap the mouse in the game window; by default, it's Ctrl+m, but you can rebind it to any key using ScummVM global options.

## Skipping cutscenes with the mouse

As mentioned earlier, you can skip cutscenes by pressing Esc or by simultaneously pressing both left and right mouse buttons. Pressing Esc is easier and more reliable, but sometimes pressing both mouse buttons is faster because you can do so while holding the "period" key. For example, if you use the mouse to skip the cutscenes with Fester and Elaine at the mansion or the cutscene with Captain Smirk, you can keep holding "period" during the whole conversation.

## Leaving a conversation

In some conversations, there are options where Guybrush basically says "I've gotta go; see you". In those situations, you don't have to click on that option in order to choose it. You don't have to use your keyboard either. You can simply click anywhere on the main game area (that is, the area where Guybrush is, and **not** where the possible answers are) and Guybrush will choose the option that allows him to walk away from the conversation.

Some examples include saying "I think I'd just like to browse" to the storekeeper, saying "Well, keep a stiff upper lip. I've gotta go" to Otis, saying "Leave me alone, would you?" to Herman, saying "I've got to go after them!" to Bob, saying "STOP THE WEDDING!!" at the wedding, or saying "I've just remembered an appointment at the dentist's" to LeChuck. Clicking with the mouse will allow you to keep holding "period" both before and after you choose the answer, which is very useful in some cases.

## Practicing

Once you've done a few runs using a keyboard layout you feel comfortable with, you should memorize the right answers for a conversation (one conversation at a time; don't try to do everything at once). The [any% speedrun guide](https://www.speedrun.com/tsomi/guides/pnydx) contains the right answers for every dialog in the game.

Now, you can start practicing. We'll use the conversation to buy the map as an example.

First, get to know which scenes you can skip using Esc. I recommend practicing the conversation once without using "period", holding Esc most of the time and briefly releasing it when you have to select an answer. In this case, you'll find that you can skip the part where the citizen of Mêlée says "Let's talk business". The rest of the conversation can't be skipped using Esc.

Here's a way to practice this conversation that combines most of the techniques we've covered:

1. While Guybrush is walking to talk to the citizen of Mêlée, position the cursor where the fourth answer will be and hold "period" (or whatever key you've remapped it to).
2. Keep holding "period" and start clicking with the mouse so you'll select answer 4.
3. When the citizen of Mêlée says "Let's talk business", press Esc while you release "period".
4. Press "2", and then hold "period" again while you move the (invisible) cursor somewhere near the door to the Voodoo Lady shop (you don't have to be precise here) and start clicking there.

My recommendation is that, to develop your muscle memory, you practice the last step first. So, first, save before the last answer and practice answering with "2" and holding "period" while moving the cursor and clicking with the mouse. Then, save after the citizen of Mêlée says "Close enough" and practice pressing Esc as soon as he says "Let's talk business" and then pressing "2" and holding "period" while moving the cursor and clicking with the mouse. Keep going backwards one step at a time until you can do the whole process.

Practicing the end of the conversation has a few benefits. For instance, if you make a mistake in, let's say, step 2, it'll be easier to find your rhythm again because you'll have enough practice with the sequence starting in step 3. And if your muscle memory is better at ending the conversation, you'll only have to remember the beginning (which you can do while Guybrush walks to the citizen of Mêlée) and your body will automatically do the rest.

While practicing, it's better to go slow. If you try to go too fast, your body will tense and your movements won't be as fluent. Take it easy, let your body learn the basics, and you'll get faster without noticing. In other words, learn to speedwalk before you learn to speedrun.

Remember to take breaks as well. Once you finish your break, you'll probably notice that you've magically got better.

## Summary

1. Reduce your keyboard's repeat delay using the keyboard settings of your operating system.
2. Use a keyboard layout that makes you feel comfortable while you play.
3. Look for setups to position the cursor on the answer you're going to choose.
4. Consider pressing both left and right mouse buttons at the same time to skip certain cutscenes.
5. When you can, click anywhere on the main game area in order to choose the option to leave a conversation.
6. Practice :).

Any% Speedrun Guide (Saveless and Saves)

Fast cooking in Part Two

The content of this guide only applies when you play the floppy disk versions. If you're using the CD version, check the [guide to the Special Edition](https://www.speedrun.com/tsomise/guides/3y5fl). For this process, it doesn't matter whether you get credit early or not (technically, it matters a tiny bit; more on that later).

## The basics

Without a doubt, the trickiest moment in part two is putting all the ingredients inside the cooking pot. You have to use 8 items with the pot plus another one with the hot fire. The keys here are to minimize mouse movement and reduce the amount of inventory scrolling as much as possible. With the route described in this guide, you'll only have to scroll the inventory twice (or even *zero* times with the advanced strategy).

There are some key principles to keep in mind here (shout-outs to frozenspade, LeoLitz, zergu12, hyperformance, and probably others, for finding out and/or making guides about how to apply these principles to this part):

1. You can press "U" on the keyboard to select the "Use" verb, which is faster than clicking on "Use".
2. You can press "Q" to scroll the inventory up and "A" to scroll it down
3. You can press the numbers 1 to 6 to select the items on your inventory (only six items are shown at a time)
4. You can use an item with the cooking pot **or** you can use the cooking pot with an item; which one you click on first doesn't matter and both will result in successfully putting the item in the pot.
5. You can "buffer" a second action while Guybrush is on his way to perform the first one (more on that later).
6. When you get a new item, the inventory automatically scrolls to the bottom.
7. Some items disappear from your inventory after you use them.

A hint about keyboard bindings. With this strategy, there will be a moment where you have to scroll the inventory up and immediately use the first item. With the default shortcuts, this means pressing "Q" and then "1", which is very tricky. You might want to consider remapping the "1" key; for example, you could remap it to the "F" key. Feel free to remap any other keys as well.

## Main route

After skipping the initial cutscene, start by going to the kitchen, opening the cupboard and opening the cereal. You don't have to pick up the cereal before opening it; just type "O" (to open) and click on the cereal after opening the cupboard.

Now go and get the fine wine. The movement here is a bit tricky; if you directly click on the chest, Guybrush won't take the shortest path. So, instead, after entering the hatch, click next to the water on the right wall, and then click on the chest. After opening and looking at the chest, press "Esc" to skip the dialog, and then get the gunpowder.

Now get the Jolly Roger, go to your room to open the cabinet, and open and look at the chest. Right after looking at the chest, press the "period" key once to skip one line of dialog. After Guybrush has picked up the cinnamon sticks, pick up the feather pen and the ink. Right after getting the ink, while Guybrush is on his way to the kitchen, hold "Q" to scroll the inventory to the top. With this, the chicken will be on the third position. You can also scoll the inventory so the chicken is first or second. If you got credit early, you'll have one less item in your inventory, so scrolling up to the top will be a tiny bit faster.

When you enter the kitchen, click on the pot so Guybrush starts walking to it and, while Guybrush is walking, press "U", click on the cooking pot, and then press "3" (assuming the chicken is on the third position). After Guybrush uses the chicken, press "U" again, click on the cooking pot, and press "3" once more to use the breath mints.

There's a faster way to use the chicken and the breath mints, buffering an action as mentioned above. It's a bit tricky, though, but I'd recommend you to go for it and, if you miss, simply proceed as explained in the previous paragraph. Start as before, clicking on the pot after entering the kitchen. While Guybrush is walking, quickly press "U", click on the cooking pot, and press "3". Now quickly press "U" and click on the cooking pot. If you're fast enough, you'll do all this before Guybrush has reached the cooking pot. After Guybrush uses the chicken, it'll disappear from the inventory, so press "3" to use the breath mints (you can actually start holding "3" as soon as Guybrush starts putting the chicken on the pot). Since you had already selected "Use cooking pot with" while Guybrush was walking, you'll complete the action.

While Guybrush is putting the breath mints in the cooking pot, move the cursor to the red hot fire. Now press "U", press a number to select either the map or one of the T-shirts (the one that's easier for you), click on the red hot fire, and move the cursor back to the cooking pot. You'll see how the inventory automatically scrolls to the bottom because you got the flaming mass. Now press "U", click on the cooking pot, and then press "5" to use the ink. Now press "U", click on the cooking pot, and press "1" to use the Jolly Roger. Repeat in order to use the gunpowder and the fine wine.

Now for the home stretch. You'll have to scroll the inventory twice in order to use the cereal; I find it easier to do so one step at a time. So, press "U", click on the cooking pot, press "Q" to scroll the inventory up, and press "4" to use the cinnamon sticks. Now press "U", click on the cooking pot, press "Q" to scroll the inventory up, press "1" to use the cereal, and hold Backspace to skip the cutscene. After skipping the cutscene, proceed as explained in the [any% speedrun guide](https://www.speedrun.com/tsomi/guides/pnydx).

Here's a [video showing this route](https://dalek.zone/w/okCcyGDkdJ5u1yjZVxkJsA).

## Advanced strategy

Shout-outs to frozenspade for this strategy. Proceed as in the main route until you get the ink. Then, on the way to the kitchen, scroll the inventory up until the cereal is the last visible item.

Now for the tricky part. When you enter the kitchen, click on the pot so Guybrush starts walking to it and, while Guybrush is walking, quickly press "U", click on the cooking pot, and press "6" to use the cereal. Now quickly press "U", click on the cooking pot, and hold "Q" to scroll up the inventory as much as you can. While Guybrush is putting the cereal in the cooking pot, check which position the chicken is in the inventory and hold that number so Guybrush uses the chicken as soon as he's done with the cereal. Then use the breath mints and burn the map or a T-shirt. When the inventory scrolls down because you got the flamming mass, use the Jolly Roger. The Jolly Roger will disappear from the inventory and the gunpowder will appear in its place. Now use the gunpowder and it will also disappear, with the fine wine appearing in its place. Finally, use the fine wine, the cinnamon sticks and the ink to finish the process.

The part where you walk to the pot, use the cereal, press "U", click on the pot and scroll the inventory is arguably one the hardest tricks in the game. Depending on how fast you are, the chicken will end up in a different position in the inventory, so you'll have to react quickly. If done correctly, though, it makes the last part of the recipe easier and it saves between 3 and 5 tenths of a second.

Here's a [video showing the advanced strategy](https://dalek.zone/w/mhyfpdg6ZvvZ4xXHgKEFq2).

You want to try an even harder trick, you say? After using an item with the red hot fire, it's possible to use an item with the cooking pot and buffer a second action before Guybrush has used the first item. It's very hard, and you might lose your rhythm if you miss, but if you do it right you'll save another 3 or 4 tenths of a second.

## Other possible routes

There are many other ways to do this part, although as far as I can tell, all of them are slightly slower. You need to open the cereal in order to get the prize to open the cabinet, but you can visit the rest of the rooms in any order.

Here's another example: open the cereal, open the cabinet, pick up the cinnamon sticks and the ink, and now get the Jolly Roger. The movement to get to the rope ladder is tricky, since Guybrush won't take the shortest path on his own; you'll have to click on the area left to the hatch and above your crew first to optimize it. Finally, get the gunpowder (the movement is easier here than if you get the fine wine first) and the fine wine. The process to put the ingredients in the pot is very similar to the one explained in the main route; the only part that changes is the position of some of the items at the bottom of the inventory.

One more example that results in scrolling the inventory three times: get the gunpowder and the fine wine, and open the cereals. Get the Jolly Roger, open the cabinet, pick up the cinnamon sticks, and pick up the ink. When putting the ingredients in the pot, start as usual using the chicken and the breath mints and then burning the map or a T-shirt. Then use the ink, the Jolly Roger, and the cinnamon sticks. Now scroll up the inventory once to use the cereal. Repeat to use the fine wine and the gunpowder. Here's a [video for this alternative route](https://dalek.zone/w/hzRqb7hoE6upzACiqGMma5).

The key point that makes it possible to reduce the amount of inventory scrolling is to have the Jolly Roger or the gunpowder (or both, as in the main route) near the bottom of the inventory, since these items will disappear from the inventory once you use them.

How to handle the catacombs

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WYpD3FxTa1I

Monkey Island Demo

Before we can start to run the game itself we need to download and install DosBox on our computer.
DosBox can be downloaded from https://www.dosbox.com/ (its free & easy to use).
Basically its an emulator which allows you to run older games on your modern Computer.
Then you need the Demo itself, it can be found in the resources section. Just unzip its content onto your Computer. 
(I would recommend something like C:\demo\ or some other simple path)

Start DosBox you will see a console which requiers you to input some basic comands to get the game to run.
First we need to mount a specific folder so we can run the application (in this case the Monkey Island Demo)

Type: mount c: c:\demo\  
(this will mount the directory in which the files of the Demo are stored, of course you are free to choose any directory you want)
Type: C: 
(change to the newly created drive)
Type: dir
This will list all the files which are located on the mounted drive. In our case you should see all the files related to the Demo. This spet is not mandatory just to check if everything worked out.
Type: Midemo.exe
(this will start the Demo. Files which have the extension .exe (short for executable) are the files which start an application under DOS)
The Demo should start now.
Tipp: Press ctrl+F10 to release your Mousecursor.
Tipp 2: If you got problems to execute the comands just type "intro mount" to see the tutorial

In work will continue later

Nome	Autore
20 Movement Optimizations on Monkey Island	frozenspade 1 year ago
A Quick Overview of Insult Swordfighting Strats in 2025	thewoofs 1 month ago
Advanced tips to go fast during conversations	saruya 27 days ago
Any% Speedrun Guide (Saveless and Saves)	aWay0fLife 5 years ago
Fast cooking in Part Two	saruya 13 days ago
How to handle the catacombs	LeoLitz 4 years ago
Monkey Island Demo	MilkToast 5 years ago