Submissions from patch 1.2.11 and for missions with 1st place ties will be closely compared to existing record without milliseconds. If the new submission is determined to be faster, the old records will have their milliseconds set to 999 so the leaderboard will recognize the new run as 1st place.

Any time I edit a record, I leave a comment specifying what I did and why.

If you disagree with edits like this, please let me know! Particularly for cases where a new record is deamed faster.

Heads up for anyone streaming DK:AS or uploading to YouTube: The music used for the mission select during Zombie mode and the mission 6.3 Graveyard Surprise is apparently "Spooky Waltz for Halloween" by ThatBeat.

YouTube WILL allow the upload, but the video can't be monitized (if you're a youtube partner) and may include ads. If you don't want to deal with this either:

• Turn off the game music for the mode/mission
• Go to this path in your steam folder steamapps\common\Door Kickers - Action Squad\media\sounds and delete or rename theme_halloween.ogg

The full game section felt bloated with 8 chapters and 2 full play modes for single player, and all of it again for Co-op. That was 20 different tabs in one big clunky block of text. Then you had a second box for Leveled or 3 star mode.

This has been tidied up to show:

• Leveled, 3 Star, Co-op Leveled, and Co-op 3 Star for main category
• A secondary tab with the 8 chapters, base game (84 missions), and base game + DLC (96 missions)

Submitting a run will ask for one of the 4 main categories at the start (Leveled, 3 Star, etc) and include a drop down to select with run type from the 8 chapters and 2 full game modes.

Hope this makes browsing full game runs easier!

-- If your previously approved run has gone missing or is in the wrong category, please let me know ASAP!

Hello Door Kicking fans!

Patch 1.2.11 is here, and this is what you should know:

• Mission completion now shows a minute:second.millisecond format
• Milliseconds are 2 places. Add a 0 at the end of your submissions for individual levels!
• A handful base game missions have an extra enemy spawn in mid level. This should NOT affect the ability to beat existing records, but I'm mentioning it just in case it does need to be addressed in the future.
• Agents can now reach level 21. If all agents are maxed out, they can have all of their personal skills plus contribute 4 points to the team tree, allowing all skills to be unlocked if all characters are maxed (or one character 'mules' all the team skills).
• 12 new missions as paid DLC! These levels are amazing. And Hard. Hardmazing.

UPDATES TO THE SPEEDRUN.COM PAGE:

The following language has been removed from the rules

• All base game weapons, armor, and equipment are allowed.
• Characters may use their base game skills up to the 32 point maximum.
• Team Skills are allowed and can be activated by a character not played in the run.

These rules felt redundant because to break them you would have to modify the game, which we already have a rule covering that. Also, agents can have their entire skill tree legitamately unlocked now, and all runs require showing the skill tree.

The following rule was removed from categories it didn't apply to:

• A hostage turning into a zombie after being rescued (Mission 6.11) will show a hostage death, but does NOT prevent 3 stars. This is because mission 6.11 is the only mission this happens during the default mode we speedrun, Classic.

Catagory updates:

• Individual level catagories for the Chapter 8 DLC have been added!
• All Missions had been renamed 84 missions.
• 96 Missions added for full game + DLC
• Donut Run category removed. It only affects 20 levels and had no subbmissions. If there is interest in the future, it can easily be added back. Maybe as chapter-like run where the 20 missions with donuts are specifically run?

Fresh Runs have 2 exceptions added to the no equipment rule:

• Shield may use her default shield (she can't take it off)
• Off-Duty guy may use the Year-Old Twinky. It is unlocked on a Fresh save and by that logic is appropriate to the catagory. Also anything that makes people play something other then Breacher is good for variety!

HOW TO USE:

• Open LiveSplits
• Right click on it and selected "Edit Splits..."
• In "Game Name:" type in Door Kickers: Action Squad.
• Click the "Activate" button.

To add it to existing splits, simply load them in, edit, and activate.

IMPORTANT:

• It only tracks Real Time on the LiveSplits timers, but you can find IL in-game mission times in the log file (more on that later).
• When a timer has completed, it must be manually reset for the autosplitter to do its job. You can Right click on LiveSplits, select Settings, and set a hotkey!
• It does NOT check what missions you are running. You will still need to set up your own splits for each chapter/full game run. This is intentional so missions can be run in any order.

CATEGORY SETTINGS: While editing your splits, next to the Activate/Deactivate button is a Settings button. There are two options at the top that can be toggled depending on the category you're running.

Split whenever a level is completed (3 star not required)

• Checked: For Fresh and Leveled runs. The splits advance on mission complete.
• Unchecked: For 3 star runs. The split will only advance if all hostages are saved. (It accounts for mission 6.11 "The Express" where 3 star loses 1 hostage who turns into a zombie.)

Reset on mission restart or fail

• Checked: For individual level runs
• If a mission is started while the timer is running, it starts the timer over.
• If the mission fail splash occurs, the timer will reset to 0 and wait.
• Remember to reset the timer between successful attempts!

THE LOG In your LiveSplits folder you will find DKAS_ILTimes (shows up after completing 1 mission with the autosplitter active). It records the results of each mission using in-game time. This is how it records the runs:

New run started! 1-04: MISSION SUCCESS at 00:24.616 (Hostages: 0/0, Arrest Targets: 0/0) New run started! 5-10: MISSION SUCCESS at 00:08.117 (Hostages: 15/19, Arrest Targets: 0/0) New run started! 1-01: MISSION SUCCESS at 00:14.817 (Hostages: 5/5, Arrest Targets: 0/0)

In-game time and real time for IL's should only differ if the mission had slow-mo rooms, which add ~1.5s per slow-mo (can vary by mission).

Big thank you to Ero on the Speedrun Tool Development discord for putting this together!

The breacher saw says it can cut through any door in the game. This includes keycard doors (but sadly not lever activated doors). This opens up 5 solo levels to some time saving routes (2.3, 2.9, 4.8, 6.9, and 7.7) and potentially several more for online co-op. Here is the list of everything I've found and at least theorized on.

1.11 CLEANUP At the end. May save time in multiplayer by being able to do slow-mo room last.

1.12 MEET BIG BOSS Online co-op: May save 2-3 seconds not having to walk to the keycard as long as one of the players is still using sniper support for the guy on the front balcony. Although the player grabbing the keycard death warping to catch up to the other is likely faster.

2.1 MEETING BART Online co-op: one player can clear the right half of the level without having to wait for keycard. Death warp to top player for slow-mo room.

2.3 GOING UNDER Solo: Go down to kill everything. Ignore keycard and go back up. Online co-op: one player waits at the top, skipping the climb back up.

2.7 OUTPOST Online co-op: One player goes up the left side of the building to clear the window areas so first player can snipe the far right street level guys. By the time they're done there should be enough bar again to saw into the keycard room.

2.9 THE BLOCK Clear everything to the top but don't pick up the keycard in the slow-mo room. Drop off to the right and finish level using saw, completely skipping building respawns.

2.10 CAUGHT IN A MAZE Online co-op: One player can saw through door and do top while other player does bottom. May require death warp and saving enough kills to get sniper support to clear slow-mo rooms.

3.3 METRO MADNESS [MAY NOT WORK] Online co-op: One player goes top, other goes down. Player that went down goes right, saws through door, and grabs keycard in dark room. Player that went top should arrive around this time. Do slow-mo room. Exit out different doors (unconfirmed if this will work). Player that went left reaches other slow-mo door last. Player that went right death warps to them to finish level.

3.8 HIPSTER BEER FACTORY Has a keycard door. Not practical for single player because of too much backtracking. Online co-op will probably get keycard before the other player gets to the door.

4.1 BANK HEIST Online co-op: Gets someone to the basement sooner, allowing team to cover more ground by splitting up. If bar permits, allows doing the final keycard room before the lowest basement level.

4.3 FIBONACCI [MAY NOT WORK] Online co-op: team can split up after first slow-mo room and save time not collecting keycard. Team enters upper and lower door to finish slow-mo rooms (may not work). Otherwise player that went up death warps to do lower slow-mo door and complete level normally.

4.8 WHINE AND DINE Cut the door ASAP to skip the entire backtrack through the level. DO NOT PICKUP THE KEYCARD! Grabbing it causes back spawns.

4.9 LIGHTS OUT Can't get enough bar for the first 2 doors. Doesn't save any time compared to grabbing the keycard from slow-mo room (which you have to enter). Huge time save for a donut run to cut down the door by the powerswitch, however!

5.3 DUSTY NEIGHBOURS Online co-op: second player can get through the door sooner then waiting for keycard to be collected.

5.11 WORD ON THE STREET Likely won't save time because of having to go to the keycard to get a gunner kill. In co-op one player would probably reach the keycard before the other could finish sawing the door anyway. Assuming they arrived there at the same time, which seems unlikely.

6.2 SNITCHES GALORE Online co-op: One player to go back up the ladder after the first slow-mo room and saw through to take a different route sooner. Activate the saw ASAP so other player can build up for sniper support.

6.3 GRAVEYARD SURPRISE Requires 2 uses of saw to get into locked basement without a keycard. Seems impractical compared to just getting the keycard solo or co-op.

6.8 POOL PARTY CRASHERS Online co-op: May save time over waiting for the keycard depending on the route.

6.9 DOWNSTAIRS CAGE Solo: Faster clear and easier approach on arrest target. Online co-op: Allows the team to split up and clear the basement sooner.

7.6 EARTHWORM BEN Online co-op: May allow second player to get to basement sooner.

7.7 SWITCH AND DESTROY Saves time for 3-star and leveled on first 2 keycards, and additional time for leveled on 3rd.

7.8 HOME BOX OFFICE Online co-op: Won't have enough bar for first door, but allows access to 3rd building sooner.

7.10 UNDER PRESSURE Online co-op: second player can get into basement sooner.

Let us know if you find any other things the saw can cut through!

Cy83RN1Nj4 pointed out the full game co-op submission did not allow player 2 to be listed. (Thank you!)

To fix this you may notice a change to the tabs in the Full-game leaderboard:

• There are 9 additional categories, 1 for each of the 7 chapters, 1 for full game, and 1 for Donut Run (84 missions + 20 donuts) specifically for co-op submissions (both leveled and 3 star)
• The 'solo' sub tab has been renamed Leveled to match the naming used individual mission
• The co-op sub tab has been changed to 3 Star. 3 Star missions for each chapter can now be submitted! (wasn't an option before)
• Each chapter is referred to by number instead of name, with the chapter name available in the rules section
• Donut Run is also new for people that want an all missions+donut option, and a 3 star+donuts option.

Additionally the blurb about cheating on all categories now mentions disabling game sounds is acceptable (such as the bomb beep and voice clips). This is meant for a quality of life option when grinding levels and constantly restarting.

I'm a little cross-eyed after sorting this all out. If you notice any typos, errors, etc please let me know so I can correct them ASAP!

You can find the rules in the usual place for each category.

The short, important things to know:

• Showing the skill tab is required for ALL submissions.
• Co-op individual levels now go by In-Game Time like all other IL categories.
• Online co-op does NOT require the mission select screen.
• 3 Star runs do NOT require waiting for the star animation to play.

Please let me know if you have any questions or concerns. I can be reached directly over discord: Kuzunoha#9875

For PC players it is possible to turn off the beep sound that plays ever second when doing bomb defuse missions.

Find this folder: Steam\steamapps\common\Door Kickers - Action Squad\media\sounds

Rename this file: bombbeep.ogg

Unless you repair/reinstall, you won't have to listen to the beep anymore. This is nice when you're spending hours grinding a bomb mission.

I did this for the voice call outs when you enter the character select screen/change character too out of personal preference. There's only so many times I can listen to "Breacher Ready!"

Since there is only a handful of us currently doing DKAS runs, I changed the following items on the submission form:

• Breacher is now the default character pick (it was previously based on in-game character select order)

• 1.2.10 (current version as of this post) is the default selection for game version. Old versions have been cleared from the dropdown, but may be manually re-entered should someone have runs from previous versions of the game to submit.

• Breacher (shotgun character) can negate the slowdown of firing by jumping. Shooting at the start of a full jump will completely negate it, while doing the same but bonking on a low point (most commonly a door frame) will negate some of it.

• Breacher's Killing Spree skill is really strong and preserving it makes clearing rooms a 1 shot instead of 2-3. This can make breach charges worth using even though he can shotgun heavy doors instantly.

• Jumping preserves momentum. Calling for armor or sniper support mid jump forward saves time.

• You can do a 'cover step' on wide enough cover objects (like boxes) by tapping down at a certain point. This warps you forward a few frames to take cover on the far side. Saves about 1/6 of a second.

• Breach charges (remote bombs) do less damage when they're stuck to a door. You can soak the damage entirely with armor if you have enough, so you don't have to stop moving. Combos well with jumping to re-armor if you have bar to spare.

• Enemies like Dogs, Shotgunners, and Shield boss have a push with their attacks, so you can damage boost from them.

• Timing your shots is important to counter recoil and actually hit where you want. Sometimes delaying a fraction of a second for 2 shots will save time compared to spamming 3.

• Abilities like Fergie's double tap -mostly- ignore recoil penalty.

• Enemies have different AI states, and certain ones will make them take increased damage. Most noticeable on 'boss' enemies, who can sometimes be 1 shot by Breacher if they haven't noticed him.

• Most rooms are 2 characters high, but doors are only 1. If you jump by a door so enemies on the other side lose line of sight, they will go into 'search' mode until they see you again. Very few enemies are fast enough to shoot you between jumps doing this, allowing you to do re-armor/sniper support, reload, or potshot between jumps.

• Clip management is actually really important, particularly on characters other then Breacher.

• Standing still makes you reload faster.

• Hitboxes while jumping are different and can let the character squeeze through a few select gaps through the game (mostly to get around elevators).

• The AI will react to sounds, like explosions and gun fire. You can use that to bait them closer in a few spots.

• Breacher can kill an enemy and smash a door open in 1 shot if they're close enough together, which saves time and ammo and preserve the killing spree buff. Great on a few select maps like 3.1 and 4.7

• Bomb wiggle. With quick movements you can change your position when disarming a bomb to save time walking when you finish.

• Holding up will lock you to certain interact targets, like bombs, and you can hold the direct you want to go when you're done won't interupt it. So you can go in that direction the frame the interaction ends.

• Shooting stops interacting with objects for a few frames, but interacting with objects doesn't block you from shooting. So you want to interact then shoot. (The power switch in 6.1 Fixer Upper comes to mind)

I would like to make the submission rules more on the nose to ensure they are clear, and runs are all judged by the same standards. Please let me know if you have any changes or additions you would like to see to the following:

REAL TIME is used for the Full Game category.

TIMER BEGINS: • Ready is selected for the first mission.

TIMER ENDS: • Mission Complete appears on the final mission.

VIDEO EVIDENCE MUST INCLUDE: • An external timer visible during the entire run. • Before starting - The level select screen. • Before starting - Skills for each character used in the run. (‘Mule’ characters filling the Team Skills are not required unless played.) • The entire run from start to finish without edits or cuts. (Exceptions -might- be made for minor drops, such as live stream recordings.)

RULES: • 3 stars must be earned on all mission complete screens. Missions can be replayed as needed to achieve this. (3-star full campaign only) • Missions may be played in any order as long as all missions are completed. • All base game weapons, armor, and equipment are allowed. • Characters may use their base game skills up to the 32 point maximum. • Team Skills are allowed and can be activated by a character not used in the run. • Glitches are allowed as long as the mission complete message and results are displayed upon completing a mission. • Cheating will NOT be permitted including: modifying the game files, using Steam Workshop, external programs/macros, and anything else used to substitute player control of the game.

Rules last updated x/x/x. Submissions approved before this date have been grandfathered in.

IN GAME TIME is used for individual missions, which is displayed on the mission complete screen. NOTE: Due to how records are displayed on speedrun.com, submissions may have the real time changed by a moderator to match in-game time so records are displayed accurately by default.

VIDEO EVIDENCE MUST INCLUDE: • Level select screen shown before starting or after completing the mission. • The entire run from start to finish without edits or cuts. (Exceptions -might- be made for minor drops, such as live stream recordings.)

RULES: • 3 stars must be earned on the mission complete screen. (3-star category only) • All base game weapons, armor, and equipment are allowed. • Characters may use their base game skills up to the 32 point maximum. • Team Skills are allowed and can be activated by a character not used in the run. • Glitches are allowed as long as the mission complete message and results are displayed upon completing a mission. • Cheating will NOT be permitted including: modifying the game files, using Steam Workshop, external programs/macros, and anything else used to substitute player control of the game.

Rules last updated January 8th, 2021. Submissions approved before this date which did not meet these requirements have been grandfathered in.

IN GAME TIME is used for individual missions, which is displayed on the mission complete screen. NOTE: Due to how records are displayed on speedrun.com, submissions may have the real time changed by a moderator to match in-game time so records are displayed accurately by default.

VIDEO EVIDENCE MUST INCLUDE: • Level select screen shown before starting or after completing the mission. • Character skill shown before starting or after completing the mission. • The entire run from start to finish without edits or cuts. (Exceptions -might- be made for minor drops, such as live stream recordings.)

RULES: • Characters must use their starting weapon: Assaulter: Mp5A3 Breacher: Pump Action Shotgun Shield: G17 Pistol Agent Fergie: G19M Pistol Recon: MP9 Suppressed Off-Duty Guy: Trunk Carbine • Both gear slots must be empty. No armor, grenades, or other support items allowed. • Characters skills CANNOT be used. Make sure skill points are not placed. • Team Skills CANNOT be used. ‘Mule’ characters to activate team skills is NOT allowed. • Ultimates may be changed. • Strategic Abilities (special bar for armor, medkits, etc) may be used normally. • Glitches are allowed as long as the mission complete message and results are displayed upon completing a mission. • Cheating will NOT be permitted including: modifying the game files, using Steam Workshop, external programs/macros, and anything else used to substitute player control of the game.

Rules last updated January x/x/x. Submissions approved before this date have been grandfathered in.

I don't believe this changes the spirit of the current rules, but rather potentially makes it more clear to potential runners what to include so their submission is approved.

Door Kickers: Action Squad as of patch 1.2.8 is currently difficult to get an accurate 'real time' for playing a level. This is due to potentially variable load times across different platforms and the player gaining control before the black of the load screen is removed. For this reason, the in-game time displayed on mission completion is the one considered for records.

Currently speedrun.com defaults to showing 'real time' first followed by In-game time (you can click on in-game time on leaderboards to change the sorting). Submissions with a real time value included take priority over submissions that do not have them. I have not found a way to change this, and it has caused confusion among potential new runners.

For the sake of consistency viewing the leaderboards, I will be editing all single level submissions and removing the 'real time' portion of the submission. This should cause the In-game time to take default priority.

I will leave an edit note in all submissions I change.

Hostages and dying are the two ways to lose a star. So far there are no strats where dying/reviving is faster, meaning missions without hostages will likely be the same for the Leveled category and the 3 Star category.

1.4 Night Call 1.8 The Warehouse 1.12 Meet Big Boss 2.3 Going Under 3.4 Molotove Delivery 3.5 Vertigo 3.11 Raid on the Plaza 4.12 The Great Batsby 5.3 Dusty Neighbours 5.4 The Shiny 5.7 Sky Scratchers 5.8 NCtv Cribs 5.9 Tinytanic 5.12 The Crib 6.3 Graveyard Surprise 6.6 Hardcore 6.8 Pool Party Crashers 6.9 Downstairs Cage 7.1 Stoners Paradise 7.4 Living on the Ledge 7.9 Leap of Faith 7.10 Under Pressure

Some bomb/elimination/arrest missions still have hostages that are not required to complete the mission, but are required for 3 star. In the case of 7.8 "Home Box Office" there are 3 arrest targets. Only 1 arrest is required to complete the mission, but you will lose a star if even 1 of them is killed.

Since I recently learned I can record my gameplay, I'm going back through DK:AS and getting the fast times I had to achieve for the in game leaderboard.

Chapter 1 missions 1 through 12 are all ready. I hope to get at least a few done a day until there's something submitted for every mission. Couldn't beat speed glitch Breecher (pre 1.0.2) on a few missions for the current 3 star records, but managed to top a good chunk of them.

Please let me know if I can do anything to make the review process easier.