Introduction to Speedrunning Disco Elysium

Greetings, fellow speedrunners! TurboTony here, ready to guide you through the mind-bending world of Disco Elysium speedrunning. While I've cut my teeth on Elden Ring and Dark Souls speedruns, today we're diving into the unconventional realm of Disco Elysium. This isn't your typical action-packed speedrun, but rather a test of quick thinking, precise dialogue choices, and exploiting the game's unique mechanics. Buckle up, because we're about to turn this sprawling RPG into a 20-minute sprint!

Understanding the Speedrun Categories

Before we jump in, let's break down the main speedrun categories for Disco Elysium:

• Any%: The fastest possible completion of the main story
• 100%: Complete all side quests and unlock all achievements
• Glitchless: Finish the game without exploiting any bugs or glitches

For this tutorial, we'll focus on the Any% category, aiming to wrap up the main story in under 20 minutes. It's a tall order, but with the right strategy, it's entirely possible.

Essential Preparations

Before you start your speedrun, make sure you have the following:

• A fresh save file (crucial for consistent runs)
• The latest version of Disco Elysium (currently 1.3 as of this writing)
• A timer or speedrun overlay software
• A solid understanding of the game's dialogue system and skill checks

Pro tip: Familiarize yourself with the keyboard shortcuts for dialogue options. Every second counts!

Character Creation: The Speedrunner's Build

Your character build is the foundation of a successful speedrun. Here's the optimal setup:

• Intellect: 1
• Psyche: 6
• Physique: 1
• Motorics: 4

This build maximizes your chances of passing crucial Inland Empire and Suggestion checks, which are key to our speedrun route. Don't worry about the low Intellect and Physique - we won't need them where we're going!

The Speedrun Route: A Step-by-Step Guide

Now, let's break down the speedrun into manageable chunks. Follow these steps precisely to achieve that sub-20-minute time:

1. Wake up and escape the hostel: Skip all dialogue and immediately head downstairs. Ignore Kim Kitsuragi for now.
2. Head to the bookstore: Run straight to the bookstore and talk to the owner. Use Inland Empire to convince him to give you the key to the harbor.
3. Unlock the harbor: Sprint to the harbor and use the key. This triggers a crucial story event.
4. Meet Joyce: Talk to Joyce on the boat. Use Suggestion to get information about the murder quickly.
5. Confront the Hardie Boys: Run to the Whirling-in-Rags and confront the Hardie Boys. Use Empathy to defuse the situation rapidly.
6. Solve the murder: With the information from Joyce and the Hardie Boys, piece together the murder solution.
7. Confront the killer: Head to the final confrontation and use Drama to talk down the killer.
8. Endgame: Choose the quickest dialogue options to reach the credits.

Remember, the key to this speedrun is maximizing your Inland Empire, Suggestion, and Drama skills. These allow you to bypass lengthy sections of the game through clever dialogue choices.

Crucial Glitches and Exploits

While Disco Elysium isn't known for game-breaking glitches, there are a few tricks that can shave off precious seconds:

• Dialogue Skip: Rapidly clicking through dialogue can sometimes cause the game to skip entire conversations.
• Map Teleportation: In some areas, you can click on far-off map locations to instantly teleport, saving walking time.
• Thought Cabinet Manipulation: Certain thoughts can be internalized instantly by saving and reloading, granting immediate benefits.

Use these tricks wisely, as they can be finicky and may backfire if not executed correctly.

Common Pitfalls and How to Avoid Them

Even seasoned speedrunners can fall victim to these common mistakes:

• Failing key skill checks: Always save before crucial checks. If you fail, reload immediately.
• Getting sidetracked: The world of Disco Elysium is rich and tempting. Stay focused on the main objectives.
• Inventory management: Don't waste time organizing your inventory. You won't need most items.
• Over-analyzing: Trust your instincts and make quick decisions. Hesitation is the speedrunner's worst enemy.

Training Regimen for Aspiring Speedrunners

To consistently achieve sub-20-minute runs, follow this training plan:

1. Practice individual sections of the run daily
2. Memorize optimal dialogue choices
3. Run full attempts at least 3 times a week
4. Watch top speedrunners and learn from their techniques
5. Join the Disco Elysium speedrunning community for tips and support

Remember, speedrunning is a marathon, not a sprint (ironically). Consistent practice is key to improvement.

Speedrunning Stats and Records

Let's take a look at some interesting stats related to Disco Elysium speedrunning:

As you can see, the difference between a casual playthrough and a speedrun is staggering. With practice, you too can join the ranks of elite Disco Elysium speedrunners!

Community Resources and Leaderboards

To stay updated on the latest strategies and compete with fellow speedrunners, check out these resources:

• Speedrun.com Disco Elysium Leaderboards
• Discord: Join the Disco Elysium Speedrunning server
• Twitch: Watch live attempts from top runners

Remember to submit your runs to the official leaderboards to track your progress and compete with others!

Conclusion: Embracing the Disco Speedrun Lifestyle

Speedrunning Disco Elysium is a unique challenge that tests your quick thinking, dialogue mastery, and ability to navigate a complex narrative at breakneck speed. As someone who's tackled Elden Ring and Dark Souls speedruns, I can attest that Disco Elysium offers a refreshingly different speedrunning experience.

With dedication and practice, you can transform this 20-hour RPG into a 20-minute sprint. Remember, every run is a learning experience, and even failed attempts bring you closer to that perfect sub-20 time.

So, grab your disco shoes, crank up the tempo, and dive into the wild world of Disco Elysium speedrunning. Who knows? You might just set the next world record!

For the latest speedrunning times and to submit your own runs, head over to www.speedrun.com/disco_elysium. Happy speedrunning, and may your thoughts be quick and your skill checks always successful!