1. Demo recording guide

https://github.com/ImAciidz/L4D-Speedrunning/wiki/Demos

2. Game Version Glossary

## 2.0.0.0

- Release patch
- Infinite stumble glitch for skipping Swamp map 1 event (patched in the first update)
- Infinite stumble has other applications, the main relevant one being a backup for skipping the event on Quarter
- Used for Main Campaigns solo, and any of the Main Campaigns solo ILs
- First half of Mall is harder than 2.0.0.9 and later - [see difference here](https://i.imgur.com/ZB2VMUS.png)
- **SI limit varies by how far you are into the campaign and difficulty** - see [this spreadsheet](https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1M63BhBqC3bwR7f3PURKDul4zjs5SFm1AAscjg9VdgiA/) for details
- For campaigns with 5 maps, when playing on easy, the SI limit is **1** for the first three maps, and **2** for maps 4 and 5
- For campaigns with 4 maps, when playing on easy, the SI limit is **1** for the first two maps, and **2** for maps 3 and 4
- Expert always has a limit of 3 regardless of map

## 2.0.0.8

- Used before 2.0.0.0 was accessible/available/working, no longer relevant.

## 2.0.1.1

- Used for Dead Center solo due to having the rebalanced (easier) mall script and still having SI limit dependent on map (this means Hotel and Streets have a SI limit of 1 on easy, rather than the static 2 in later versions).

## 2.0.1.2

- Fastest for Passing solo as you can skip starting the map 2 event, and you can skip the finale elevator ride
- **Starting in this version, the SI limit no longer varies by difficulty and map, instead it is always a static 2**

## 2.0.2.7

- Mainly useful for Passing co-op, first version we use where warp mechanics change to allow omniwarping (see co-op basics guide)
- Last version we use that allows you to deal collateral damage to bots/teammates
- First version we use that has cl_viewmodelfovsurvivor unhidden
- Preferred by some for ILs that are part of Main Campaigns due to adjustable viewmodel FOV, but this version is not viable for Swamp Fever due to no infinite stumble, and is also technically harder due to having 2 SI on maps where there would only be 1 on easy in versions older than 2.0.1.2 (see spreadsheet linked above)
- (unconfirmed) may have a higher risk of co-op desync bug that makes boosting other player(s) impossible until rejoining
- Over the course of a Main Campaigns co-op run, loads are about ~2 minutes faster than in 2.0.4.5

## 2.0.4.5

- Best for No Mercy solo/co-op
- Mainly used for Main Campaigns co-op
- Over the course of a Main Campaigns co-op run, loads are about ~2 minutes slower than in 2.0.2.7
- Last version we use with unlimited votes/no vote cooldown (vote cooldown was added in 2.0.5.0)

## 2.0.7.5

- Only used for Dead Air solo/co-op, Cold Stream solo

## 2.0.9.1

- Mainly used for All Campaigns Legacy solo/co-op
- First version with 13 campaigns added to the game
- Also used for ILs of Crash Course solo/co-op, Death Toll solo/co-op, Blood Harvest solo/co-op, Cold Stream co-op

## 2.1.4.7*

- Applies to any PC run that was done on the latest version of the game prior to the TLS update on the leaderboard (2.1.3.x-2.1.5.5)
- Any run done after TLS update released (September 24th 2020) that is labeled as 2.1.4.7 is actually done on version 2.1.4.7
- 2.1.4.7 is one of the last versions with the exploit that prevents death cameras from playing while holding down push-to-talk ingame - this was patched some time before 2.1.5.5
- Best for Sacrifice solo (co-op can be run on 2.0.4.5-2.1.5.5, doesn't matter)
- Console runs labeled as 2.1.4.7 are not actually 2.1.4.7 - they are a weird mix of versions (pre-2.0.9.1 Carnival finale map, but has other attributes that tie it to approximately ~2.1.0.7 or so). Console also has no vote cooldown on any version.

## 2.2.0.3

- Last version with director_stop exploit in TLS finale
- Can stand on gas cans when they first spawn which allows for an easy common jump on the No Mercy generator event
- Best for TLS co-op ILs, and All Campaigns co-op
- Used to be ideal for All Campaigns Solo until 2.2.2.8 released

## 2.2.2.7*

- This version entry applies to any run done on version 2.2.0.4-2.2.2.7 (all pretty much functionally identical for a speedrun)
- RocketDude mushroom overhaul in 2.2.0.8
- FOV slider added in version 2.2.1.3 (June 15th, 2021 update)
- Water slowdown removed in original L4D1 campaigns in 2.2.1.3, but reverted on July 8th, 2021 update

## Newest (2.2.2.8+)

- This applies to any run done on version 2.2.2.8 or newer (2.2.2.8 released August 22nd, 2023)
- This update (2.2.2.8) removes the incap trigger on Hard Rain 2 event, making it skippable without bots in solo
- 2.2.2.8 also patched the Cold Stream 2 skip added by TLS (2.2.0.0+) and balanced TLS finale which made it faster/easier in Any Difficulty and Expert Realism

3. 2023 Main Campaigns Solo Tutorial

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qJrF6wSnTwg

Basics of warps and boosts for coop runs explained

Coaster Skip Guide

Dark Carnival Basic Guide

Main Campaigns Tutorial in Portuguese by brunost

https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLWmCtIBlRtvKNFb4-e5OOpeuaCh4rsKMS

Passing Finale strat for Solo (Best for ER)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PZiMg-dZhuI

Random Compliation of Speedrun Strats/Skips

Has some less well known skips that might be useful. OSsloth
Some of the stuff is old and has better methods for, such as the Cold Stream finale skip.
https://youtu.be/jQ03v5UoYko

Solo Barns Skip for Dark Carnival

Things you need to note:
1. Charger spawns here are like 33% chance.
2. Make sure you stand here for better charger spawns: https://steamuserimages-a.akamaihd.net/ugc/1652217513719862032/E0C8957425269718EFBBC0D987FF6BC1A2D8684F/
3. You are required to bring a pipebomb with you (other throwables work but are more harder to use).
4. Make sure it's on Easy for better timing.
5. I'd say having anything above 50 health is enough since the average slams he would do on you before the pipebomb explosion is 1-2 slams.

https://youtu.be/g5l8EbZOI_c

Speedrunning Tutorial Video Series

Looking to start speedrunning from scratch or want to brush up your knowledge on some specific tricks? Check out my playlist of speedrunning tutorials! If you are completely new, it is highly recommended to watch them in their entirety, otherwise each one has a thorough, timestamped index of the tricks shown in the description if you'd like to jump to anything specific.

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLbPhAee-kIeWlWDTF-q-gTS-wot5JK1qK

The Parish Basic Solo Guide

Tutorial for Calculating a Loadless Time Manually (FOR CONSOLE ONLY)

## Note: PC runs now use demo timing exclusively - this only applies to console runs currently.

**Make sure to read the overview below the video for some extra information that didn't get included!**

Watch this quick video I recorded to see how to manually calculate what your loadless time is in a run. It is very easy once you get accustomed to it!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2fdJENpsgfI

For a brief explanation, timing starts on the first frame you see any HUD element appear, and runs through the frame before your mouse cursor appears. It is highly recommended that you capture your mouse cursor in your recording as that is a more accurate way to time (especially for game version 2.0.2.7), but if you do not record your cursor then you accept a slight time loss and can instead use the little red "4" loading icon that appears in the upper-right just after. Timing then resumes when you see any HUD element load again next map, usually your weapon, crosshair, teammate health bars, or the item sidebar on the right.

For campaign transitions in a full-game run, timing runs through the frame before you see your mouse cursor appear and, if failing to record your cursor, instead being when the next campaign's poster appears, and resumes on the first frame the poster disappears. A black screen does count towards timing being resumed.

Derpduck

TheMaster

Waifu

LunaTik

vogeltech

aciidz

Skytis

brvno

Left 4 Dead 2

Dead Center

Dark Carnival

The Parish

LOKKI22

axes

st1nger

PorkyThePork

LuLuZephyr

Uncultivated

2.1.4.7*

2.0.0.8

2.0.9.1

2.0.2.7 Any Difficulty

Expert Realism

2.0.0.0

2.0.1.2

2.0.7.5

2.0.4.5 2.2.2.7*

2.2.0.3 Newest

2.0.1.1 Version

Difficulty

Players

Barns Skip

We've updated the **Keybinds/Commands** section of the rules to be (hopefully) clearer about what "tricks that require the developer console" means. We believed that the way it was worded previously was contradictory with some commands present in the whitelist, which could lead to some confusion. No

Name	Author
1. Demo recording guide	aciidz 1 year ago
2. Game Version Glossary	aciidz 3 months ago
3. 2023 Main Campaigns Solo Tutorial	Skytis 4 months ago
Basics of warps and boosts for coop runs explained	LunaTik 2 years ago
Coaster Skip Guide	Waifu 2 years ago
Dark Carnival Basic Guide	Waifu 2 years ago
Main Campaigns Tutorial in Portuguese by brunost	brvno 1 year ago
Passing Finale strat for Solo (Best for ER)	vogeltech 2 years ago
Random Compliation of Speedrun Strats/Skips	Derpduck 7 years ago
Solo Barns Skip for Dark Carnival	vogeltech 2 years ago
Speedrunning Tutorial Video Series	TheMaster 7 years ago
The Parish Basic Solo Guide	Waifu 2 years ago
Tutorial for Calculating a Loadless Time Manually (FOR CONSOLE ONLY)	TheMaster 6 years ago