Introduction to God of War (2018) Speedrunning

Greetings, aspiring speedrunners! TurboTony here, ready to guide you through the thrilling world of God of War (2018) speedrunning. As someone who's spent countless hours perfecting routes in games like Elden Ring, I can assure you that conquering Kratos' journey in record time is an exhilarating challenge. This guide will walk you through the steps to complete God of War (2018) in under 3 hours, a feat that'll make even the Norse gods raise an eyebrow.

Understanding the Any% Route

Before we dive axe-first into the nitty-gritty, let's clarify what we're aiming for. The Any% route for God of War (2018) focuses on completing the main story as quickly as possible, skipping side quests and optional content. Our goal is to get Kratos and Atreus from point A to Z faster than you can say "Boy!"

Here's a breakdown of the main segments we'll be tackling:

Segment Estimated Time Key Objectives
Prologue to Witch's Cave 30 minutes Tutorial, first boss, meet the Witch
Journey to the Mountain 45 minutes Lake of Nine, Dragon fight, reach the summit
Alfheim 40 minutes Light of Alfheim, escape the realm
Return to Midgard 35 minutes Boss fights, story progression
Helheim and Beyond 30 minutes Retrieve the Blades of Chaos, escape Helheim

Essential Glitches and Techniques

To shave off precious seconds, you'll need to master these game-breaking moves:

1. Realm Tear Skip: This crucial glitch allows you to bypass entire sections of the game. To execute, position Kratos at the edge of a realm tear, perform a specific jump sequence, and voila! You'll find yourself on the other side, saving valuable minutes.

2. Infinite Sprint: By canceling Kratos' sprint animation at precise intervals, you can maintain top speed indefinitely. This technique is vital for traversing large areas quickly.

3. Axe Boost: Throw your axe at a specific angle while jumping to gain extra height and distance. Master this, and you'll be leaping over obstacles like a Norse parkour expert.

4. Damage Boosting: Sometimes, taking damage can launch Kratos to otherwise inaccessible areas. It's a risky technique, but when executed correctly, it can save significant time.

Optimal Equipment and Skills

In speedrunning, every second counts. Here's what you should prioritize:

  • Leviathan Axe: Focus on upgrading its Frost damage for quicker enemy dispatching.
  • Atreus' Bow: Upgrade shock arrows for crowd control.
  • Armor: Stick with starting gear. Upgrading takes too much time.
  • Skills: Prioritize "Executioner's Cleave" and "Guardian Shield" for Kratos, and "Acrobatics" for Atreus.

Speedrunning the Prologue

The journey begins! Here's how to blitz through the opening:

1. Skip all cutscenes. Yes, the story is epic, but we're here for speed!

2. During the first Baldur fight, focus on dodging and counter-attacking. Don't waste time with extended combos.

3. Use the Axe Boost technique to quickly traverse the initial forest area.

4. When you reach the Witch's Cave, employ the Realm Tear Skip to bypass a significant portion of the tutorial.

Mastering the Lake of Nine

The Lake of Nine is a hub area that can be a time sink if not navigated efficiently:

1. Use the boat only when absolutely necessary. Infinite Sprint across frozen sections when possible.

2. Skip all optional islands and focus solely on the main quest markers.

3. During the Dragon fight, use Atreus' arrows liberally to stun the beast and progress quickly.

4. Employ the Damage Boost technique to reach higher areas of the Mountain faster.

Speeding Through Alfheim

Alfheim can be tricky, but with these tips, you'll be in and out faster than light:

1. Use the Realm Tear Skip to bypass the initial Light Elf encounters.

2. During the light beam puzzles, have your routes memorized to avoid any hesitation.

3. In the central chamber, use Axe Boosts to reach higher platforms without solving puzzles.

4. For the final boss, focus on dodging and quick axe throws rather than lengthy combos.

The Helheim Sprint

Helheim is where things heat up (ironically). Here's how to cool it down:

1. Use the Infinite Sprint technique to quickly navigate the icy paths.

2. During the Bridgekeeper fight, focus on parrying to create openings for quick damage.

3. Employ the Realm Tear Skip to bypass the lengthy bridge-lowering sequence.

4. When retrieving the Blades of Chaos, use precise jumps to avoid enemy encounters.

Final Push and Boss Strategies

As you approach the endgame, keep these strategies in mind:

1. For Baldur fights, memorize his attack patterns and focus on perfect dodges to create openings.

2. Use Atreus' arrows to interrupt Baldur's attacks and create more opportunities for damage.

3. During environmental hazards, use Axe Boosts to quickly traverse dangerous areas.

4. In the final confrontation, alternate between Blades of Chaos and Leviathan Axe for optimal damage output.

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

Even the best speedrunners can fall into these traps:

1. Over-reliance on Rage Mode: While powerful, activating Rage takes time. Use it sparingly.

2. Unnecessary combat: If you can run past enemies, do it. Every fight costs precious seconds.

3. Perfectionism: Don't reset for small mistakes. Adapt and move forward.

4. Neglecting Atreus: Your BOY is crucial for crowd control and boss fights. Use him wisely!

Conclusion

Congratulations! You're now equipped with the knowledge to conquer God of War (2018) in record time. Remember, speedrunning is as much about practice as it is about strategy. Don't get discouraged if your first attempts aren't sub-3 hours. Keep at it, refine your techniques, and soon you'll be giving Kratos a run for his drachmas.

As you continue to improve, don't forget to check your times against the global leaderboards. You can find the latest God of War (2018) speedrunning records at www.speedrun.com/gow2018.

Now go forth, speedrunner, and may your runs be swift and your BOY be useful!

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