Cool. I think the last line on the part 2 catagory rules threw me off since it says "runs must start from a new save file", which is why I had to ask. Because like you said, if you had to rerun part 1 every time why not just do full game runs at that point.

So I want to run part 2 and I unsurprisingly want to make it as optimal as possible. So I have a few questions.

1. it says that it is recommended to have a playthrough of part 1 for verification and the segment has total IGT. Does it matter how long the part 1 run is, it isnt part of part 2 but part 1 is part of IGT so would only Real Time matter in this case.

2. If part 1 time doesnt matter, what restrictions do I have in part 1, I could do every mission up to Lares to get as many free quest points as possible and grab every possible P crystal, money, and parts that I might need for the run all pre-set. Would that be allowed.

3. Rather than just setting up the same part 2 every run from part 1 would it be fine to have a back up of that save file, from right after beating Lares, so a runner wouldnt have to play a 2-3 hour segment that ultimately seems like it should not matter in context of the category.

I think that is the important parts of my questions.

Im not sure where else to ask this, so I'll put it here I guess. But Im not sure thats the Proto Pincer fight.