Chess Kombat quicker rounds

This could be pretty unviable in max difficulty runs, but it could save a lot of time on novice or 100% novice runs. It also makes the runs very reset heavy, as you will require The Pit or Dead Pool stages for this strategy to work.

Pick Sub-Zero as your champion, and what you will need to do is the following button combination: 1 1 3 B2 B2 1 2 4 CS 1 2 CS

This will knock the opponent off the stage before they hit 0 HP, making fights slightly faster. This also works on leaders, so this strategy is very useful against them

Kabal Strategies for Arcade

Hello everyone who would like to do Kabal arcade runs! I spent a few hours tonight working on optimal routes to deathtraps or the best string in general to use in the fight. I'm really tired so here is a link to a Google slide of my notes. I'll try to remember to edit this post or leave a comment with the numbered inputs, or if someone would be kind enough to do it if I forget that'd be wonderful. 

If anyone doesn't know the correlation between the Playstation 2 inputs and the numbers, here is a key for it, here it is for you: Square(1), Triangle(2), X(3), Circle(4).

Link to slide: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1SYHfJ-IfWqWFi65VBhn58LAuwgLlnRdmkIdgBA6ZaOg/edit?usp=drivesdk

Konquest - Village Optimization (2024)

**A TUTORIAL FOR A TUTORIAL**

Hello there, I'm No Novice Luke, the current world record holder for NMSNG - Konquest + Dog%.

Here you will find an up to date tutorial on how to fully optimize your Village run. Within this ultimate and most intimate guide, I have made some rather handsome and time-saving discoveries.

Prepare yourself.

***CS - CHANGE STANCE***

**DOJO #1**

1. Step Foward & Back (6x) This can be done with 98 seconds left on the clock.
2. Dash Back (3x) This can be done with 97 seconds left on the clock.
3. Down+1 - Back+2 - Up+4 - 3 (Mantis) This cuts the congratulatory dialogue.
4. 2 - (add Back+2) - Up+2 (Mantis) The added launcher will cancel out the congratulatory dialogue.
5. 3 - (add Back+2) - Back+3 (Mantis) The added launcher will cancel out the congratulatory dialogue.
6. Perform "Stunning Prey" - 1,1,Up+3 - Back+4 (Sweep) This will cut the congratulatory dialogue.

**DOJO #2**

1. 1,1,2,4 (add '4' to bypass the stun animation afflicted to Bo' Rai Cho from 1,1,2) 
2. After performing 1,1,1 - stand where you are, there is no need to advance for the next hit to connect. Now, go on to execute 1,1,3.
3. 1,1,Up+3 - 1,1,2,4
4. Up+2 - Up+3 - Forward+4 - Down+2
5. Back+2 - Up+4 - This can be done with 29 seconds left on the clock.
6. Up+4 - 1,1,1 - then go on to perform the next juggle - Back+2 - 1,1,2.

**DOJO #3**

1. Block High (4x) Advance forward to catch the first hit. Now, remain stationary throughout, as moving towards him causes a short delay in his attacks. This can leave you with 91-92 seconds left on the clock. If executed correctly and Bo' Rai Cho cooperates, there will be 93 seconds left on the clock.
2. Block Low (4x) Advance forward to catch the first hit. You can go on to repeat this motion, as it has the opposite effect to the last lesson. This will actually trigger Bo' Rai Cho to throw out his attacks faster. If executed correctly and Bo' Rai Cho cooperates, there will be 94 seconds left on the clock.
3. Now, you must crouch under Bo' Rai Cho's attacks without taking damage. (3x) On the final attack, be ready to perform an uppercut. This must be timed frame perfect. If you perform the uppercut too early, Bo' Rai Cho will hit you. If you are too slow, the animation for your Down+2 will not come out. If done correctly, this will cancel out the congratulatory dialogue.
4. 1,1,1,CS,4,4,CS (2x) - 2 - 2 (Cycle Mantis through Shaolin Fist and finish on Dan Tien Dao). This will cut the congratulatory dialogue. There should be 38 seconds left on the clock. *This does not work on the PAL version of the game. There are inconsistencies between the two.*

**DOJO #4**

1. Change stance (3x) This can be done with 30 seconds left on the clock.
2. 2 (Mantis) - Forward+1 (Shaolin Fist) - 2 (Dan Tien Dao) The final hit has Bo' Rai Cho meet the ground faster, apposed to using '1', which has Bo' Rai Cho flailing in the air briefly. This can be done with 28 seconds left on the clock. It will cut the congratulatory dialogue.

**DOJO #5**

1. Side step & punish Bo' Rai Cho's attacks. I typically use '1' (Mantis), but I do acknowledge '2' to be much safer, as it creates a little bit of distance between you and Bo' Rai Cho. On the third and final hit, side step into 'Up+3' for a hard knockdown (57 seconds on the clock). This will cut the dialogue. Now, I'm going to point out, though typically 1 second slower, you can get an instant hit on Bo' Rai Cho with a 'Down+1'. This will cause him to buffer his next attack, therefore it's slower overall.
2. Now, the game wants you to stay low and counter Bo' Rai Cho's attacks. We are going to ignore that. Through much labbing, I have discovered a more time effecient solution, one that beats out the countdown. This lesson has a bug present, and we are going to exploit it. Step in with either 'Down+4' (2x) into uppercut or 'Down+1' into uppercut. This will bypass the timer, and cut the congratulatory dialogue. I typically go in with the 'Down+4' approach. It's an advancing low, and falls simply on preference. There will be 43 seconds left on the clock. I actually got a standing (single hit) attack to register. It's very inconsistent. Hits only seem to register from the '2' count. Primarily because you are out of range, and by the time you step in, it's fast approaching the '2' count. Once I actually hit a sweep command from a crouched position, with no surfacing, and it actually registered as the final hit, though it proved to be inconsistent. I acknowledge due to the air time from the uppercut, 'Back+4' is faster in Dan Tien Dao, and '2' is even faster than that.. it's just a shame that it's not applicable here. This information is drawn from my experiences, and is actively being worked on. The time saves already are superb. *This cannot, I imagine, like most of these bugs/tricks, be performed on the PAL version.*
3. BREAKER!! (3x)

**DOJO #6**

1. 1,2,4,CS,1 - This added input will cause a hard knockdown, and cut the congratulatory dialogue. 
2. 1,1,2,CS
3. 1,4,4,CS

**FINAL LESSON: FIGHT BO' RAI CHO**

**Mantis - 1,1,2,4 = 22% DAMAGE**

**Repeat this combo/string, but beware of the damage scaling. This will occur if you go back into the combo too fast. Allow for some recovery.**

Note: When travelling between lessons, be sure to spam the action button when talking to Apep.. to see him gesturing is enough, we don't need to hear him talk. We have stuff to do elsewhere.

Now, with Apep out of the way, I recommend you run full speed, channeling your inner, Kabal.

Upon reaching the dojo, this part is optional, and down to preference, but I typically take to the side of the steps, and meditate in the corner (on the same side as Apep). Both Apep and the door will be within arms reach. Meditation is evidently faster than waiting around for Apep, taking into account, you are pulled out of the animation in a timely fashion, as it can be a little janky.

When leaving your interaction with Apep, you'll come to find that the corner doesn't allow for you to run wild, it's basically two walls funneling you into the dojo. Alternatively, you can take the time to line yourself up with the corner of the steps, a method brought to the table by 'NoPulseWillow'.

That said, I would like to put some respect on his name (NoPulseWillow). He is a credit to the small pond that we all swim in. I remember when I first started speedrunning this game, it was his guide and video that put me on the right path. It gave me a blueprint to build off, and build off it, I did.

I hope you can all appreciate my contributions/augmentations to the run, and take it one step further. I have taken the time to document and share, from my experience, the variables at play here. Giving you the awareness and tools required to chase my ghost.. and even surpass it. Good luck.

We are a collective, and we stand united with a passion for running this game. I've taken the time to watch everybody's run on the leaderboard, and each one has a quality of it's own.

If we publicise our efforts and finds, test our theories, then much in the manor of the Eborsisk, by putting our heads together, we can spit fire. Let's shave some time.

I'd also like to recognise and shoutout 'AlucardtheBelmont' for keeping the kompetetive Konquest scene alive. He never fails to galvanise me.

'MissionofSin' is another runner I enjoyed watching.

The smallest changes can make waves in this game. I count every little mercy I get, incorporating every little trick that floats legal and viable in our category... that is, until the RNG steps in to kill the run. (I'm looking at you Scorpion, the victorious tortoise)

Thanks for reading.

P.S - Some advice for future fights.. you'd do well to remember this.. Bells & Whistles don't tell time. Especially when they are dropped. 

Keep it simple, short and heavy. Consistency wins out. It's okay to be avant-garde, but have it make good with the clock. Sometimes less is more. Things that would be more applicable in PVP, don't necessarily bare fruit here. 

Look at your hits vs. Damage. Also, keep an eye on the scaling. You may be saving yourself from a potential wake-up attack, by beating them down and not letting them up, but this comes at sacrifice of damage.. in turn running the clock up. Sometimes you have to slow it down in order to save time.

![](/static/blob/1n50dmz3.jpg)

Konquest Village Route

The first training of the game is pretty basic information, however there are some ways to speed up the mission that I found while practicing the routes. For example, in the 3rd section when you need to perform 1 attack using each button, the fastest way is Down 1, Back 2, Up 4 and 3, which takes ~4.5 seconds, and skips the congratulatory dialogue Bo Rai Cho gives. For the last section of the first training you need to perform 2 highs and 2 lows, and you can actually use combos and each hit can count toward the goal unlike in the 3rd section, so it is much faster to do the “Stunning Prey” combo (1 1 Up+3) then finish with a sweep to prevent Bo Rai Cho’s congratulatory dialogue from activating, and this takes ~4 seconds to complete.

	It doesn’t really matter which way you take to the next dojo after speaking with Apep, as you’ll always beat him unless you don’t sprint, but the fastest way is to follow the dirt road, which will give you enough time to set up for fast entry into the next training after the dialogue with Apep at the dojo. In order to lessen the likelihood of need to approach Apep when he gets to the dojo and lessen the movement from him to the dojo doors, it is best to align Shujinko’s left foot at the right side of the stairs, and his right foot be about half way past the edge. After Apep’s dialogue concludes, you can immediately hold left and enter the dojo only needing to turn to face the next dojo.

	The second training takes most of your freedom away, as you now need to learn your short combos. However, in the first portion you need to perform “Metal Mantis” (1 1 2) which stuns Bo Rai Cho and prevents you from going onto the next combo until the animation concludes. So it is best to perform the full “Scratch it Up” combo (1 1 2 4) to not need to time your next combo to when the animation stops. This block only exists here so when you need to perform Stone Column (Up+2) later in the training you can continue on while Bo Rai Cho is stunned.

	This next run to the dojo is one direct path you can’t take any faster, but to line up for the Apep dialogue you will want to be just ahead of the stairs with the heels of Shujinko’s feet aligned adjacent to the left edge of the stairs. After the dialogue hold up and right to be aligned with the door’s entry point

	For the first portion of this training, you are going to want to instantly hold right before blocking Bo Rai Cho’s attack, as he needs to connect with you while blocking for it to count. For the second portion you need to block and crouch in between each of Bo Rai Cho’s attacks, as it won’t count if you just hold block and down. The same thing goes for the next section, as you need to stand back up and crouch in between each of Bo Rai Cho’s strikes or else they will not count. There is another exploit in the final section, once you begin this portion, switch to the Dan Tein Dao (CS twice) and perform Shujinko’s “Double Throat Cuts” combo (1 1), which takes about 8 seconds, as opposed to 12 seconds if you do the section as instructed.

	In order to reach the next training mission, you must get the ham for the guard, but you must also speak with Apep at the bridge. To be at the best position for the dialogue, quickly try lining yourself up to where the guard’s left arm and the pointed edge of the pond (you will need to look to the right, as this pointed edge is next to the hut to your right. After speaking to Apep, you will want to take the most narrow diagonal toward the hut’s corner at the end of the road to go back to the butcher’s shop. After continuing past the bridge, you will want to line yourself up like you did with the 2nd training. Left foot at the right corner of the stairs, right foot halfway past the edge, then go directly left to quickly enter the dojo. 

	This training is incredibly quick and can be beaten in ~10 seconds, but what I find to be the fastest way to complete the last portion is to use Back 2 for Mantis, Forward 1 for Shaolin Fist and any attack for Dan Tien Dao, but if Bo Rai Cho is standing then you will want to do Back 3 to skip the congratulatory dialogue.

Run and do the same set up, but you can be a little off with your positioning here, as Apep’s range here is a lot larger than usual.

	There really aren’t any tricks for this training, but some helpful hints that make these sections much faster are as follows: for the first section you will want to use 2 to push Bo Rai Cho far enough so that you can easily evade his incoming attack. For the second section you will want to end the section with an uppercut or sweep to skip the congratulatory dialogue, and there is nothing to make the last section faster outside of holding right the entire time and pressing block when Bo Rai Cho goes to attack.

	To meet Apep at his last dialogue point and watch him leave the franchise forever, you can run and stop where the dirt path becomes tile and Apep will drag you to his dialogue slightly, but will keep you closer to the door than if you stood in front of where he would stand. Be careful with this last door, it is finicky and you need to be very close and facing the middle of the left door.

	For the first section, instead of performing the “Poor Soul” combo like Bo Rai Cho demands, perform “Explorer” (1 2 4 CS 1). This will skip the congratulatory dialogue. The rest of the training can not be sped up.

	In the final fight with Bo Rai Cho before exiting the village the best way to speed through this fight is to use the same combo with the Dan Tien Dao you used in the side step training (1 1). You can use the “Big Slice” combo (Foward + 4 1 1 CS 4 4 CS) to get to Dan Tien Dao without risking being vulnerable for a hit.

	There you go! You have successfully completed the village portion of a Mortal Kombat Deception Konquest Speedrun. I may do guides on sections that can be exploited or are generally difficult to do, but I honestly believe this is the hardest segment of the run, because unless you remember exactly how each training works, you can very easily get stuck and be required to reset over and over again. Good luck on your runs and hopefully this helped you understand the beginning segment of the run.

It took me 9:43.23 seconds from where a Konquest run were to begin to the start of the load screen when leaving the village, and this was with me messing up at points. If you are interested in adding onto this guide, here is the link to a google doc involving the guide in its entirety where you can comment any findings that may make this segment shorter than it already is, or making it less reset heavy.

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1dVjotiDKpMAFsCMaJ5jb5iytFsO5NSIOMgUS94xQJQo/edit?usp=sharing

Load Time Removal Guide [Moderator Use Only]

It has come to our attention that both Mortal Kombat: Armaggeddon and Mortal Kombat: Deception have flawed in-game timers which count loading time and are generally inconsistent.

We have decided to rectify this problem by removing load times. In the interest of transparency, this guide shows the manner in which load times will be removed.

*Please note: All runners are still expected to submit their full run with loading times intact. Runs that are edited with load times already removed will be rejected. This guide is for moderator use only.*

We will be using the following system to remove load times:

Time will begin after the first load is finished on the first opponent of the tower. 

1. Time will be counted from the first frame in which the level becomes visible:
https://i.imgur.com/p3KvaAb.png

Time will begin being removed on the first frame of completely black screen after the victory pose on the final round of the fight:

After this frame (removal not started yet):
https://i.imgur.com/f1hkSv2.png

2. Begin removal on this frame:
https://i.imgur.com/TzYTTIp.png

All subsequent tower cinematics inbetween fights will be discounted. Removal will stop and time will continue to be counted again at step 1 when the level becomes visible at the next fight.

Timing stops completely on the first frame of white flash upon defeating the final boss. The remaining footage after removal will be frame counted for the final timed run.

Stage Cutscene Times

This guide(or list) details how much time each stage cutscene uses up.
The timing methods for each cutscene are as follows:

For Intro cutscenes...
- Start frame is the first visible frame of the stage when loading in.
- End frame is the first frame in which the health bars are visible.

For Transition cutscenes...
- Start frame is the first frame in which the victim loses health/victim's model reacts(whichever is first) to the attack that triggers the cutscene.
- End frame is the first frame in which at least one character regains control.

For Death Trap cutscenes...
- Start frame is the first frame in which the victim loses health/victim's model reacts(whichever is first) to the attack that triggers the cutscene.
- End frame is the first frame in which the text '(Character) wins!' is visible.


https://i.imgur.com/NCGNdZ3.png
*Stages are ordered from shortest to longest Death Trap, then shortest to longest Transition*

Notes about accuracy
-Software allows me to view footage frame by frame, but these times may differ by as much as ~0.03-0.06 seconds due to possibly choosing the wrong frame to start and stop the timer on(Intro times and Trap end frames should be 100% accurate).
-Times for certain death traps(and I assume certain transitions as well) may differ by as much as ~0.3 seconds depending on the actual position/location of the victim when the cutscene starts(tested this specifically by timing the Hell's Foundry trap from multiple trigger spots).
-All footage used for measurement came from my ps2 but it's all considered in-game time for submitted runs, so these times *should* convert equally across all platforms.

Name	Author
Chess Kombat quicker rounds	NoPulseWillow 4 years ago
Kabal Strategies for Arcade	NoPulseWillow 3 years ago
Konquest - Village Optimization (2024)	No_Novice_Luke 1 year ago
Konquest Village Route	NoPulseWillow 3 years ago
Load Time Removal Guide [Moderator Use Only]	Tenka 6 years ago
Stage Cutscene Times	Diagee 3 years ago