The best strategies for speedrunning Dead Cells include mastering enemy patterns, optimizing movement, using shortcuts efficiently, and choosing the right route through the levels. It's also crucial to prioritize upgrading weapons and abilities that enhance speed and momentum, while minimizing unnecessary combat and exploration to save time.
Understanding Dead Cells
In order to master speedrunning Dead Cells, it is essential to have a deep understanding of the game itself. Dead Cells is a rogue-lite, metroidvania inspired, action-platformer. This means that each run is unique due to the procedural generation of levels and permadeath mechanics. As a speedrunner, knowing the layout and specifics of each biome, enemy behaviors, weapon and item synergies, and shortcut locations is crucial.
Route Planning and Optimization
One of the key aspects of successful speedrunning in Dead Cells is route planning. Before each run, speedrunners meticulously plan out the optimal path through the game to minimize backtracking, maximize efficiency, and reduce unnecessary risks. This involves knowing which biomes to prioritize, which boss cells to activate, and which power-ups and weapons to focus on acquiring along the way.
Movement and Combat Techniques
Mastering movement and combat techniques is essential for achieving fast run times in Dead Cells. Techniques such as roll dodging, wall jumping, and utilizing weapons and skills effectively can significantly increase speed and efficiency during runs. Speedrunners constantly practice and improve their execution of these techniques to navigate levels quickly and dispatch enemies efficiently.
RNG Management
One of the biggest challenges in speedrunning Dead Cells is managing the randomness of the game. Since levels are procedurally generated, item drops and enemy placements can vary significantly from run to run. Speedrunners need to adapt to the randomness by making quick decisions, adjusting their strategies on the fly, and making the most out of the resources available in each run.
Deathless Runs and Risk Management
Many speedrunners aim to complete Dead Cells as quickly as possible without dying, known as a deathless run. Achieving a deathless run requires a high level of skill, precision, and risk management. Speedrunners must balance the need for speed with the importance of staying alive, making strategic decisions on when to engage enemies, when to use healing items, and when to take calculated risks to save time.
Community Involvement and Resources
Engaging with the Dead Cells speedrunning community can provide valuable insights, tips, and resources to improve your speedrunning skills. Watching world record runs, studying other speedrunners' strategies, participating in races and challenges, and receiving feedback from experienced runners can all contribute to your growth as a speedrunner. Additionally, using tools like timers, trackers, and mods can help optimize your runs and track your progress over time.