Configuring DosBOX for max cycles and various options

[IMPORTANT]
If you have the GOG or Steam distribution of the games, then that will be where your copy of King's Quest 2 is located. Refer to the post in the "Forum" tab of this page for an explanation as to why we do NOT use them for speedrunning.

Downloading DosBox:
Download DosBox Enhanced Community Edition => https://dosboxece.yesterplay.net/
Scroll down and download the "DOSBox ECE rxxxx.7z" (x is the current version number) file
Unzip to a location of your choosing. Launch DOSBox.exe once and close it.

Configuring DoxBox:
Navigate to C:\users\<username>\appdata\DosBox (username is your Windows username) and open dosbox-ece.conf with a program like notepad++.

From top to bottom of the configuration file make these following changes (use CTRL+F to find them):

Under [SDL]
fullscreen = false (change to true if you want to play in fullscreen)
fullresolution = desktop (if you are playing in fullscreen and want the game to fit your desktop's resolution)
windowresolution = x (X is something that can fit on your monitor and is smaller than it's resolution)
output = opengl
autolock = true (Locks the mouse cursor in the window. Press CTRL+F10 to release it.)

Under [dosbox]
machine = tandy (tandy runs the game faster)

[render]
aspect = true (keeps the aspect ratio of the game in a 4:3 ratio rather than most modern display's 16:9)

[cpu]
core = dynamic
cycles = max

*Most settings further down from here are related to music and sound which are irrelevant.

[autoexec]
mount x: <location of game files such as C:\Kings Quest 2>
x:

Note: as mentioned above the files for the GOG and Steam distributions of the game will be located in their respective folders. You may need to search around for them, but most commonly GOG will be at: C:\GOG Games\ and Steam will be under C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\SteamApps\common and in the King's Quest Collection folder. As said: please look for these files yourself as I do not own these two distributions and cannot verify their exact default installation locations).

Launch DosBox ECE and type kq1 to launch King's Quest II.

That is it, you should be setup. Happy running.

Join our KQ Speedrunning Discord!

Invite link here: https://discord.gg/XEJbsHp

Just started up this server, runners of all KQ games are welcome to join! I'd love to start up a community of KQ fans so we can help each other out with routing, runs, strats, etc.

I'll see y'all there!

-Jaki

Routes for Any%, 100% and ScummVM

The Any% and 100% routes assume the game is played in DOSBox at high cycles, and take advantage of it by using Fastest speed to zip around the map. Recommended cycles for these runs are approximately 200000/second (and not Max); this is high enough to make typing speed rather than computer speed the limiting factor, but also low enough the effect of the sugar cube doesn't run out immediately.

A fair word of warning on the 100% run: while many King's Quest speedruns include random elements or even start with the expectation that the player may need to save and restore a few times, King's Quest II 100% takes it to an altogether different level and is not recommended if you dislike RNG. The ScummVM run, on the other hand, is refreshingly non-random; many runs die to Hagatha five seconds in, but after that the player's essentially untroubled. The only other problem spot is Dracula's coffin; several seconds will be lost if it isn't open.

Commands are indicated in uppercase for clarity, but do not need to be typed in uppercase.

--

ANY%

The first command, "GET CAGE", can be prepared before actually starting play. Note that getting the cage only works if Hagatha isn't in her cave; most runs therefore die at the very start to Hagatha's RNG, but after that the route is fairly RNG-free with the exception of the sorcerer. The 3 save occasions indicated below are all due to sorcerer RNG; any or all of them can be omitted if you are really pushing for an optimal time.

(prepare the first command, "GET CAGE")
(restart game)
9 [fastest]
6367 F3 [hope for an empty cave]
348498 [fast] (walk east and north to the bottom of the screen above) GET TRIDENT
6 [fastest]
26292681839 READ DOOR
1834318138615 GET CLAM [] GET BRACELET
8 [fast]
4 (ready the next command, "GIVE BRACELET HER", while walking over to the mermaid)
= (swim) [fastest]
4 GIVE BRACELET HER
1 RIDE HORSE
1814 WAVE TRIDENT [] GET KEY
662492976729 UNLOCK DOOR [] READ   F3 (2 or 3 spaces)
18341 [fast] 
(navigate to position southeast of the tree. SAVE here, both due to sorcerer RNG and possible bad positioning; the following zip should take you to the screen with the antique shop, and if it doesn't you were either too far east/north or too far west/south)
3 [fastest]
8686 OPEN F3 [SAVE] 
GIVE HER CAGE [restore and F3 if the sorcerer appears]
RUB LAMP [] F3 [] F3 [] FLY RUG
61 TOSS BRIDLE SNAKE [fast]
(navigate around the rock, typing "TALK HORSE" while walking. Go east along the northernmost line not blocked by the rock)
TALK HORSE [fastest]
926832 GET KEY (if your position earlier was slightly too far south, an extra 1 may be needed before you can get the key, followed by an extra 9 to get back in position)
84 [SAVE due to sorcerer RNG] FLY RUG
[if you drift beyond the midpoint of the rock while typing and can take an even more northerly line, you have the following option: 639 GET KEY 724 [SAVE] FLY RUG]
93974 OPEN DOOR
98 PRAY [] GRAHAM
284189676729 UNLOCK DOOR [] READ  F3 (2 or 3 spaces)
1834243 [fast] (navigate to position for death skip)
1 DRINK SEA (while moving)
(navigate west to Dracula's island, then immediately turn northeast to the castle door. Type and enter WEAR CROSS en route to the island, then prepare OPEN DOOR if you have time)
(at door) 7 [fastest] OPEN DOOR
297169848434 OPEN DRAWER []   GET CANDLE (2 initial spaces)
3863214794 LIGH[F3]
6326893 GET HAM
93294 (check if the coffin lid is open. Repeat 64 until you get an open lid)
38 GET PILLOW [] GET KEY
16848 [fast] (navigate NW through the first flight of stairs and NE through the second. Type "EAT CUBE" while doing so, but don't press Enter yet) 
7 [fastest]
4348 [hold Enter down, clearing several messages about Dracula and also eating the cube]
1616 GO BOAT
31676729 UNLOCK DOOR
[fast] (navigate to net)
GET NET (navigate to shore)
    FISH (minimum 4 spaces) [] GET F3
6 [fastest]
83923 GET AMULET
83418392627 OPEN DOOR
478 [fast] (move south a bit) 9 [fastest]
78 [fast] (move south a bit) 9 [fastest]
GIVE HAM
8617 OPEN DOOR [] HOME

--

100%

The first command, "OPEN BOX", can be prepared before actually starting play. Omitting saves is not recommended in this category; even lucky runs will need to restore many times. Restore immediately if the dwarf steals anything from you.

(prepare the first command, OPEN BOX)
(restart game)
6 [fastest]
3 F3 [] GET FOOD
4 (repeat 64 until Little Red Riding Hood appears) 
GIVE HER FOOD [may take many attempts]
97969 OPEN DOOR 
62 [save - dwarf RNG; restore until he doesn't throw you out]
939 GET SOUP 
36 OPEN TRUNK [] GET EARRINGS
439 [fast] (navigate up and out) 
1 [fastest] [save] 
8 GET NECKLACE
2 [save] 67693839 READ DOOR 
183 [save] 41814929 [save - wolf] OPEN F3 [] GIVE HER SOUP
4 LOOK UNDER BED [] WEAR CLOAK [] WEAR RING
242472714343412 [fast] (navigate) GET TRIDENT
8 [fastest] [fast]
4 (prepare the next command, GIVE FLOWERS HER)
= (swim) [fastest]
4 GIVE FLOWERS HER 
1 RIDE HORSE
1814 GIVE MAN TRIDENT [] GET KEY [] GET CLOTH
69362 GET STAKE
94 [fast] (navigate) GET SHELL [] GET BRACELET (navigate to eastern part of screen) 
2 [fastest] [save] 68438367 COVER CAGE [] GET  F3 (2 or 3 spaces)
34848 [save] 62681839 UNLOCK DOOR [] READ  F3 (2 or 3 spaces)
183 [save] 41 [fast] (move to position southeast of tree as in the Any% route)
3 [save] [fastest] 8686 OPEN DOOR [save] GIVE CAGE HER [] RUB LAMP [] F3 [] F3 [] FLY RUG
61 TOSS BRIDLE SNAKE [fast]
(navigate around the rock, typing "TALK HORSE" while walking. Go east along the northernmost line not blocked by the rock)
TALK HORSE [fastest]
926832 GET KEY 
84 [save] FLY RUG
93974 OPEN DOOR
98 PRAY [] GRAHAM
272 LOOK HOLE [] GET BROOCH
7418 [save unless protected by fairy] 
967681839 UNLOCK DOOR [] READ  F3 (2 or 3 spaces)
183 [save] 4 [save] 8394 GET MALLET 
9243 [fast] (get in position for death skip) 
1 DRINK SEA (while moving)
(navigate west to Dracula's island, then immediately turn northeast to the castle door. Type and enter WEAR CROSS en route to the island, then prepare OPEN DOOR if you have time)
7 [fastest] OPEN DOOR
297169848434 [] OPEN DRAWER [] GET   CANDLE (minimum 3 spaces)
3863214794 LIGHT F3 
6326893 GET HAM
93294 (repeat 64 until the coffin lid is closed - this is the opposite of Any%, where it needs to be open)
38 [fast] OPEN LID [] KILL MAN [fastest] [] GET KEY [] GET PILLOW [] GET KEY
38684 [fast] (navigate to start of 3rd flight of stairs, prepare "UNLOCK TRUNK" while moving) 
7 [fastest] 47283793 UNLOCK TRUNK [] OPEN  F3 (minimum 2 spaces) [] GET TIARA
1432142714 EAT CUBE 
34162 GO BOAT [save]
31676729 UNLOCK DOOR [fast] (navigate to net) 
GET NET (navigate to shore) 
     FISH (minimum 5 spaces)
GET F3 [] TOSS F3 [fastest] RIDE F3
83923 GET AMULET
83418392627 OPEN DOOR
478 [fast] (move south a bit) 9 [fastest]
78 [fast] (move south a bit) 9 [fastest]
GIVE HAM
8617 OPEN DOOR [] HOME

--

ScummVM

Since the ScummVM route doesn't rely on zips, general directions rather than exact inputs are indicated. Nearly all commands should be typed while navigating to the place where they'll be actually needed. This somewhat affects ideal commands; for example, GET CANDLE is typed with three spaces in Any% and 100% (to allow use of LIGHT F3 later) but only one space in ScummVM. Commands that should be prepared for future use while navigating are indicated in parentheses.

- Northeast to Hagatha's cave (GET CAGE - hope for an empty cave)
- Northwest to trident (GET TRIDENT)
- East to necklace (GET NECKLACE)
- Southeast and east to bridge, northeast to door (READ DOOR)
- back to bridge, then due west to between the first obstacles, then southwest hugging the beach of the poisoned lake, then due west again (GIVE HER NECKLACE)
- over to mermaid (RIDE HORSE)
- over to giant clamshell (GIVE MAN TRIDENT), GET KEY
- due east to tree near poisoned lake, then northeast past monastery to screen west of the chasm, then east and over the bridge (effectively the same route as before, but in the opposite direction) (UNLOCK DOOR), READ  F3
- west, south and southeast to monastery (OPEN F3), over to altar
- PRAY [] GRAHAM (WEAR CROSS while exiting)
- southeast out of the monastery door, south 2 screens to antique store (OPEN DOOR) (GIVE HER CAGE)
- RUB LAMP [] F3 [] F3 [] FLY RUG (each of these commands should be prepared while the animation for the previous one is still under way; not only does this save time, it gets Graham safely out of trouble before delayed random appearances from the sorcerer) 
- east (TOSS BRIDLE SNAKE) (TALK HORSE) (with good execution and fast typing, Graham can avoid stopping at any point here; moving past the horse is okay as long as Graham doesn't exit the screen) 
- east into the cave (GET KEY), then back out into the open (FLY RUG)
- north, across lake, past monastery and northwest to bridge (watch out for the chasm) (UNLOCK DOOR), READ  F3
- west, past monastery, southeast into position for death skip (DRINK SEA)
- west to island, northeast to door (OPEN DOOR)
- west, up (OPEN DRAWER), GET CANDLE
- down to candle (LIGHT CANDLE)
- down and east (GET HAM)
- east and southeast (GET PILLOW), west to coffin which is hopefully open (OPEN LID then GET PILLOW if it's not), GET KEY
- out and up the stairs (EAT CUBE)
- out and across the thorns (GO BOAT)
- southeast to bridge and door (UNLOCK DOOR)
- to fishing net (GET NET), then to the shore (FISH),, then to the fish (GET FISH)
- east across the sea, then further east and slightly northeast (GET AMULET)
- southeast, west of blocking bush, over to door (OPEN DOOR)
- up the stairs (GIVE HAM), OPEN DOOR [] HOME

Skips and glitches explained

The most dramatic (and effective) skip in King's Quest II is the death skip to Dracula's island. It is also the trickiest skip in King's Quest II, although still relatively easy. 

When Graham drinks from the poisoned lake (with a command like "drink lake" or the shorter "drink sea"), a death animation is triggered but Graham's movement doesn't stop; and since death occurs with some delay, Graham can cross screens before it happens. This saves Graham from actually dying, and leaves him walking across the poisoned lake in a still-continuing death animation, allowing him to reach Dracula's island without the boat. 

The death skip isn't specific to a particular spot; the only requirements are that Graham is near the poisoned lake, near the edge of the screen, and drinks from the lake while moving towards that edge. All three routes (Any%, 100% and ScummVM) generally use the skip at the same location, though: at the screen northeast of Dracula's castle and south of the western part of the monastery, moving southwest towards the screen's southern edge. There are several advantages to this location: it can be reached easily; the shape of the shoreline makes executing the skip fairly easy; it is sufficiently far north that Graham is deposited beyond the thorn maze and directly at the castle entrance; and travel distances during the skip are so short that Fast speed can be used without losing time, especially since two productive commands ("wear cross" and "open door") can be typed mid-travel. By using a different location at the western edge of the same screen it is possible to switch to Fastest immediately after entering death animation, and then reach the castle entrance from the west after a lengthy series of zips; but this is actually slower than remaining in Fast and entering the island from the east. Once Graham reaches the island, he snaps back into a normal animation and loses the ability to walk across the poisoned lake.

The death skip can technically be executed at any time, but only becomes useful after reading the third door inscription. If it is used too early Graham will be stuck on Dracula's island; the boat will appear at the shore but doesn't take him back properly, and the skip itself cannot be initiated on the island.

--

Two other glitches can also be exploited in King's Quest II speedruns, both in Dracula's castle: the wall clip and the never-ending tumble. The wall clip is used only in the 100% route, to skip the staircase to the tower with the locked trunk. It requires extremely specific circumstances to work, but is nevertheless very easy to execute since it is built directly into a zip-based route. The clip allows Graham, moving northwest, to walk directly through the wall and into the void beyond; there is another wall at the western edge of the void but it doesn't stop Graham, only prevents him from continuing further west. Graham continues to move north, and eventually emerges at the top of the tower.

The never-ending tumble is used only in ScummVM runs, to slightly speed up the walk down the stairs to Dracula's coffin. Roughly midway through the first stairs down, Graham turns north; this sends him tumbling down, but doesn't kill him if the location is right. Instead, he will appear on the next screen further down the stairs, locked in a still-continuing tumbling animation; despite the strange animation, he can continue moving in a mostly normal way and retrieve the key from Dracula's coffin. Exiting the castle eventually restores some semblance of normality. Exploiting this glitch is somewhat dangerous, since the tumble does kill Graham if he's too far up or down.

Name	Author
Configuring DosBOX for max cycles and various options	ChuckGrody 4 years ago
Join our KQ Speedrunning Discord!	JakiJo 8 years ago
Routes for Any%, 100% and ScummVM	SantaClaus 2 years ago
Skips and glitches explained	SantaClaus 4 years ago