check this video out. im clearly doing 3 full stabs (even longer stabs than some of the other elite time attackers on this boss), yet im not killing in 3 full stabs. this is the closest ive gotten. is there some mechanic im missing? this is just a trial video.

In this particular video you shorted the first stab by a very small amount.

thanks, but if you look at shirapons 22:05 video, it seems like his first stab was short too. im just wondering if i could get away with faster stabs then the second 2 stabs i did (exluding the jump stab of course) Also, i timed my stabs and even the first one was about 0.3 seconds slower than the other top runners and i want to be able to compete for top times too...

Can't really find the video you're referring to, but if you watch your own recording you can see that your stamina gauge doesn't flash when you land the first stab. That indicates that you were short of a full charge. It also explains why after the third stab Valus was left with what we call "pixel health". He essentially had one hit point left because of the short charge on the first stab.

I'm not entirely positive, but I think you're getting longer stabs because you aren't holding down the attack button while you charge. Pressing and holding square causes Wander to charge about twenty percent faster. Also switch to the hand at some point before gripping on and beginning the first stab. Charging from the hand is also slightly faster for the first stab.

ohhhhh that mustve been it. alright ill try that. thanks!

yea, did that. that was what was missing. also, for valus, should i take the sword away before doing the first attack on his heel too? or just for the head?

Heel doesn't really matter because you aren't charging. Or at least you shouldn't be.

thanks, got it.