The past few weeks there's been a new community activity among the active Discord players: Malthusis is hosting seeded speedruns (by turn count), with most everyone also playing at the same time and reporting their rate of progress to the surface.
I've always played combat and never build for flight, much less do speedruns, but watching everyone enjoy their runs I wanted to try out this alternative way to play. Turns out it's pretty exciting and challenging, in of course a much different way than the regular game experience. It's been nice to change things up in an otherwise familiar environment.
Ignoring my first attempt a couple weeks ago (because I had no idea what I was doing and to combat player me "wheels are fast look at me go!!!"), my second attempt today went much better after learning from the mistakes of last time :)
The randomly generated seed for this particular group speedrun was SmallTacticalClaws. Great name, and here's how it went down...
(
Don't read further just yet if you want to try to the seed for yourself first, since I'm going to spoil a bunch of stuff.)
This run had a bunch of really interesting floor starts, including the very first one where you're faced with the option to immediately dive into the Mines. Others took the entrance ("rolled the dice"), but I skipped over it since "-10 is small anyway and I'll probably find a normal exit real quick, yeah?" Well, it didn't happen quite as fast as I wanted and I felt like I was going to hit a dead end, so I simply went all the way back to the beginning to take the Mines exit anyway, ha.
Certainly wasted a bunch of turns there with that change of mind. There's really no room in a speed run to be wishy-washy!
Not a very nice Mines, either, since there's an ambush waiting at the entrance...
The early game is easy anyway, it's just a case of how quickly you can get out and what you can loot before then.
In -8 close to turn 200 I'd hit a long dead end and retracing would've sucked, so was relieved when a grenade to a wall let me into another section of the floor. Whew.
This was also when I picked up pretty much
the star of my run, which kept me alive on numerous occasions by warning me about trouble ahead: the Adv. Visual Processing Unit. Decent sensors would've been even better but I didn't see any and wasn't about to waste time trying to hunt for anything. At least I did have some mediocre sensors for the first half of the run.
My first flight unit! (And me getting into trouble. Normal me would've blown up all these machines for fun, but speedrunner me knew this was a bad idea so I circled around.)
Then in -5 I finally got my second flight unit, but oh man did I also find a lot more trouble. There's even more than you see here, but there's no time to waste slipping by everyone quietly--full speed ahead!!!
Then I hit my worst floor. Actually not just mine because everyone had trouble there, but it was especially rough for me because on -4/Factory I'd already explored a decent bit and would likely find an exit soon when suddenly I was sucked into a chute. Nooooo... No problem I'm fast, yeah? Right, well yeah without a speedrun goal I could spent extra turns maneuvering around to trick all the Crushers and get out without a scratch, but I was worried about wasting yet more time here and decided to try to 'nade open a large enough area to just keep going.
Yeah they trashed me and I was left with almost nothing... In hindsight I can see better ways to handle this in the same amount of time, but oh well too late now xD
Here I am getting myself out of more trouble once back on -4 again. Still no build to speak of.
That's an overloaded Fabricator, something I did a couple times on the way up to take care of some pursuers and as a source of matter :)
-3 had a nice greeting area with a couple of Behemoths. Here I'm still collecting flight units, and have at least found a few more. Propulsion armor has been replenished off and on, being the speedrunner's primary method of defense aside from pure speed :D
Research trolled several us with a faulty Mini Smartbomb Launcher in a dead-end room, but I found other launchers late. -2 also gave me a nice flight stash, one which Mhorre also found and enabled him to win. (Malthusis did great with much less :P) This build is starting to look halfway decent for something just thrown together:
Go go go! Racing to the other side of the map because there's no exits on the side I started on (although I guess it was worth exploring the first side because I got the flight stockpile).
Then I made it into Access...
YOU MESSED WITH THE WRONG SPEEDRUNNER, FOLKS!
Yeah, one Fusion Bomb and they were all scrap. And I'm glad I took them out, because that made it extra likely I'd explore east rather than join the Hunters on their side, and
right around the next corner was the exit. Of course it wasn't the back exit--that would've been too easy because I'd already hit an Energy Cycler shortly after dropping into Access... Although I could go east through that door and probably find my way back around to the open side, I didn't want to trek around when I seemed to have the means to take this side, so I decided to blast my way through the heavy guards :P
I had just enough firepower to make it through the barriers, and as an extra bonus, with the exit open I rushed it with all thrusters on overload and simultaneously earned two new achievements, Speed Demon and Supersonic :P
Yeah I was in no condition to maintain that speed, but for the duration moving at 20 spaces per turn they had no chance to stop me!
Won in 2,055 turns.
I didn't win the race, though--by turn count I came in third place behind Mhorre (1,899) and Malthusis (1,915), who both also reached the end and with a lower turn count, but everyone was fairly close together!
I'd have had a better shot at first if I hadn't been chuted in -4 after exploring much of the floor, or hadn't several times run around for a bit after forgetting to switch back to my faster propulsion (not used to playing anything but combat xD). Nearly a quarter of my run was spent at a single depth, -4.
I also just barely missed the first speedrun achievement threshold (2k), doh!
Anyway, was great fun.
Cogmind - Beta 6 @@@ ROGUELIKE MODE
Name: Kyzrati
---[ ESCAPED! ]---
Performance
-------------
Evolutions (9) 4500
Robots Destroyed (19) 95
Value Destroyed (662) 662
Prototype IDs (5) 100
Alien Tech Used (0) 0
Bonus (27789) 27789
TOTAL SCORE: 33146
Cogmind
---------
Core Integrity 1252/1600
Matter 75/300
Energy 77/190
System Corruption 6%
Temperature Cool (3)
Location To Epsilon Eridani
Parts
-------
Power (3)
Light Quantum Reactor
Propulsion (12)
Experimental Biometal Medium Treads
Centrium Leg
Centrium Leg
Cooled Impulse Thruster
Cooled Impulse Thruster
Cooled Impulse Thruster
Cooled Impulse Thruster
Cooled Impulse Thruster
Improved Q-thruster
Utility (8)
Advanced Visual Processing Unit
Advanced Targeting Computer
Improved Armor Integrity Analyzer
Hacking Suite
Improved Hacking Suite
System Shield
Weapon (2)
Force Lance
Inventory (4)
Micro Fission Core
Peak State
------------
Power
Quantum Reactor
Light Quantum Reactor
Propulsion
Biometal Heavy Treads
Experimental Biometal Medium Treads
Centrium Leg
Centrium Leg
Cooled Impulse Thruster
Cooled Impulse Thruster
Cooled Impulse Thruster
Cooled Impulse Thruster
Cooled Impulse Thruster
Cooled Impulse Thruster
Improved Q-thruster
Utility
Advanced Visual Processing Unit
Advanced Targeting Computer
Improved Armor Integrity Analyzer
Reaction Control System
Improved Hardlight Generator
Hacking Suite
Improved Hacking Suite
System Shield
Weapon
Enhanced Quantum Rifle
Matter Neutralizer
Inventory
Micro Fission Core
Gamma Bomb Array
Fusion Bomb Launcher
Force Lance
[Rating: 180]
Favorites
-----------
Power Ion Engine
Engine Ion Engine
Power Core Micro Fission Core
Reactor Quantum Reactor
Propulsion Cooled Impulse Thruster
Treads Improved Heavy Treads
Wheel Compact Wheel
Leg Armored Leg
Hover Unit Combat Gravmag System
Flight Unit Cooled Impulse Thruster
Utility Advanced Visual Processing Unit
Device Reaction Control System
Storage Small Storage Unit
Processor Advanced Visual Processing Unit
Hackware System Shield
Protection Improved Powered Armor
Weapon Matter Neutralizer
Energy Gun Enhanced Quantum Rifle
Energy Cannon Matter Neutralizer
Ballistic Gun Assault Rifle
Launcher Grenade Launcher
Impact Weapon Heavy Mace
Piercing Weapon Force Lance
Special Melee Weapon Advanced Datajack
Stats
-------
Bonus Breakdown 27789
Pacifist 470
Win 3000
Win Speed 24319
Combat Hostiles Destroyed 14
AOE 9
Classes Destroyed 4
Worker 3
Recycler 2
Swarmer 10
Grunt 4
Major NPCs Destroyed 0
Best Kill Streak 7
Combat Bots Only 6
Best States 0
Heat Dissipation 52
Coolant Potential 50
Energy Generation 65
Energy Capacity 690
Matter Stores 300
Matter Capacity 300
Sight Range 20
Robot Scan Range 12
Terrain Scan Range 18
Terrain Scan Density 10
Armor Coverage 400
Evasion (%) 76
Targeting Accuracy 8
Armor Integrity Analysis 50
Recoil Reduction 2
Datajack Penetration 75
Offensive Hacking 22
Defensive Hacking 10
Matter Collected 1000
Remotely 0
Salvage Created 742
Parts Attached 98
Power 7
Propulsion 45
Utility 15
Weapon 31
Unidentified Prototypes 5
Parts Lost 39
Power 5
Propulsion 19
Utility 7
Weapon 8
Average Slot Usage (%) 52
Naked Turns 0
Spaces Moved 4027
Treads 27
Wheels 0
Legs 0
Hover 0
Flight 3061
Fastest Speed (%) 2000
Average Speed (%) 245
Slowest Speed (%) 50
Overloaded Moves 16
Propulsion Burnouts 0
Targets Rammed 9
Targets Kicked 0
Targets Crushed 0
Cave-ins Triggered 0
Spaces Dug 149
Melee 29
Projectile 4
AOE 116
Heaviest Build 79
Greatest Support 150
Greatest Overweight (x) 23
Average Overweight (x) 0
Largest Inventory 6
Average Capacity 4
Most Carried 5
Average Carried 3
Final Capacity 4
Final Carried 1
Damage Taken 8629
Core 1573
Absorbed by Shields 12
Missiles Intercepted 0
Average Core Remaining (%) 84
Depth 11 Exit 100
Depth 10 Exit 64
Depth 9 Exit 100
Depth 8 Exit 91
Depth 7 Exit 96
Depth 6 Exit 84
Depth 5 Exit 90
Depth 4 Exit 56
Depth 3 Exit 76
Depth 2 Exit 98
Depth 1 Exit 78
Volleys Fired 21
Largest 1
Hottest 105
Shots Fired 21
Gun 0
Cannon 6
Launcher 15
Special 0
Kinetic 0
Thermal 6
Explosive 15
Electromagnetic 0
Hit Streak 54
Miss Streak 1
Penetration Max 0
Secondary Targets 0
Shots Hit Robots 1
Core Hits 28
Critical Hits 0
Critical Kills 0
Critical Parts Destroyed 0
Overload Shots 0
Energy Bleed 0
Heat Surge 0
Short Circuit 0
Meltdown 0
Melee Attacks 44
Impact 20
Slashing 0
Piercing 23
Sneak Attacks 0
^Combat Hostiles 0
Follow-up Attacks 0
Knockbacks 0
Damage Inflicted 2282
Guns 0
Cannons 0
Explosions 2250
Melee 0
Ramming 32
Kinetic 0
Thermal 653
Explosive 1597
Electromagnetic 0
Impact 0
Slashing 0
Piercing 0
Overflow Damage 21
Projectiles 21
Explosions 0
Melee 0
Self-Inflicted Damage 44
Shots 2
Rammed 9
Highest Temperature 302
Average Temperature 100
Received Heat Transfer 750
Highest Corruption 15
Average Corruption 4
Corruption Purged 0
Message Errors 5
Matter Fused 1
Heat Flow Error 3
Energy Discharge 1
Parts Rejected 1
Data loss (database) 2
Targeting Errors 1
Depth 9 End 1
Depth 5 End 1
Depth 4 End 15
Depth 3 End 1
Depth 2 End 1
Depth 1 End 6
Recyclers Shooed 1
Haulers Intercepted 0
Robots Corrupted 8
Combat Hostiles 5
Parts Fried 13
Impact Corruptions 0
Robots Melted 0
Combat Hostiles 0
Parts Melted 0
Heat Transferred 500
Parts Sabotaged 0
Parts Stolen 0
Parts Stripped 0
Parts Self-Destructed 0
Prevented 0
Power Chain Reactions 2
Communications Jammed 0
Distress Signals 0
Times Spotted 219
Peak Tracking Total 23
Tactical Retreats 36
Parts Field Recycled 0
Retrieved Matter 0
Drone Launches 2
Drone Recoveries 0
Traps Triggered 6
Indirectly 0
Trap Hack Attempts 0
Triggered 0
Disarmed 0
Reprogrammed 0
Reused 0
Traps Extracted 0
Installed 0
Triggered 0
Machines Disabled 5
Max in Single Turn 1
Machines Sabotaged 0
Data Cores Recovered 0
Used 0
Machines Hacked 19
Terminals 14
Fabricators 4
Repair Stations 1
Recycling Units 0
Scanalyzers 0
Garrison Access 0
Total Hacks 40
Successful 8
Failed 32
Catastrophic 7
Database Lockouts 0
Manual 21
Unauthorized 16
Terminals 31
Fabricators 7
Repair Stations 2
Recycling Units 0
Scanalyzers 0
Garrison Access 0
Terminal Hacks 4
Level Access Points 1
Locate Traps 1
Zone Layout 2
Hacking Detections 17
Full Trace Events 1
Feedback Events 0
Feedback Corruption 0
Feedback Hackware Fried 0
Feedback Blocked 0
Trojans Installed 1
Terminals 1
Fabricators 0
Repair Stations 0
Recycling Units 0
Scanalyzers 0
Garrison Access 0
Fabricators Overloaded 2
Enemy Kills 5
Fabricator Schematic DLs 0
Garrisons Disabled 0
Garrisons Compromised 0
Fab Network Shutdowns 0
Robot Schematics Acquired 0
Robots Built 0
Total Robot Build Rating 0
Robot Fabrication Matter 0
Robot Fabrication Time 0
Part Schematics Acquired 0
Parts Built 0
Total Part Build Rating 0
Part Fabrication Matter 0
Part Fabrication Time 0
Parts Repaired 0
Part Repair Time 0
Parts Recycled 0
Recycled Matter 0
Retrieved Matter 0
Retrieved Components 0
Parts Scanalyzed 0
Part Schematics Acquired 0
Parts Damaged 0
Robot Analysis Total 0
Robots Rewired 2
Robots Hacked 0
Non-combat 0
Combat 0
Robot Hack Failures 0
Allies Hacked 0
Hacks Repelled 0
Total Allies 2
Largest Group 1
Highest-Rated Group 56
Highest-Rated Ally 56
Total Orders 1
EXPLORE 1
Terraforming Orders 0
Walls Tunneled 0
Ally Attacks 0
Total Damage 0
Kills 0
Allies Corrupted 0
Allies Melted 0
Peak Influence 332
Average Influence 95
Final Influence 172
Maximum Alert Level 1
Low Security (%) 81
Level 1 18
Level 2 0
Level 3 0
Level 4 0
Level 5 0
Triggered High Security 0
Turns 0
Squads Dispatched 11
Investigation 3
Extermination 0
Reinforcement 8
Assault 0
Garrison 0
Intercept 0
First Intercept Depth 0
Derelict Logs Recovered 0
Scrap Searched 1
Exploration Rate (%) 21
Regions Visited 14
Branch Regions 1
Pre-discovered Areas 0
Known Exits Taken 1
Unknown Exits Taken 10
Garrisons Visited 0
Relays Disabled 0
Generators Disabled 0
Network Hubs Disabled 0
Actions Taken 4331
Turns Passed 2055
Depth 11 4
Depth 10 91
Depth 9 39
Depth 8 95
Depth 7 139
Depth 6 165
Depth 5 246
Depth 4 436
Depth 3 351
Depth 2 307
Depth 1 182
Scrapyard 4
Materials 170
Factory 949
Research 658
Access 182
Mines 55
Waste 37
New Achievements 3
Prototype IDs
---------------
Experimental Biometal Medium Treads
Cooled Cesium-ion Thruster
Cooled Impulse Thruster
Improved Q-thruster
Mini Smartbomb Launcher
Fabricated
------------
Nothing
Alien Tech Used
-----------------
None
Route
-------
-11/Scrapyard
-10/Materials
-10/Mines
-9/Materials
-8/Materials
-7/Factory
-6/Factory
-5/Factory
-4/Factory
-4/Waste
-4/Factory
-3/Research
-2/Research (discovered 3 exits: *Acc x3)
-1/Access
To Epsilon Eridani
Achievements
--------------
Ride The Lightning
Speed Demon
Supersonic
Challenges
------------
None
Game
------
Seed: SmallTacticalClaws
Manual?: 1
Play Time: 128 min
Cumulative: 3195 min
Sessions: 1
Easy Mode: 0
Game No.: 28
Easier: 0
Easiest: 0
Win Type: 0
Total: 4
Types: 4/0/0/0/0/0/0
Lore%: 17
Gallery%: 56
Achievement%: 30
Options
---------
ASCII: 1
Keyboard: 1
Movement: Numpad
Keybinds: 0
Fullscreen: 0
Font: 20/SmallcapsGlow
Map View: 66x50
Tactical HUD: 1
FOV Handling: Fade In
Map Filters: NONE
Filters: NONE
Steam: 1
The speedrunning records so far, recording the number of turns for each player to reach a given depth (or win):
