Speedrunning Tips For Completing Zelda Breath Of The Wild Faster

The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild is a game built on exploration, discovery, and freedom. But beneath its open-ended design lies a tightly woven world that can be manipulated, optimized, and mastered by those aiming to complete it as quickly as possible. Speedrunning Breath of the Wild has evolved into a highly technical discipline, where seconds matter and every movement is calculated. Whether you're new to speedrunning or looking to shave minutes off your personal best, understanding the mechanics, glitches, and strategic decisions that top runners use is essential.

This guide breaks down the core principles behind fast completion runs, from sequence breaking and damage boosting to route efficiency and inventory management. By applying these techniques, even casual players can begin to appreciate the depth of optimization possible in one of Nintendo’s most expansive titles.

Understanding Speedrun Categories

Before diving into specific techniques, it's important to know which speedrun category you're targeting. Different categories have different rules, and knowing them shapes your entire approach.

For most aspiring speedrunners, GT or Defeat Ganon are the primary goals. These runs focus on skipping as much content as possible using sequence breaks and movement tricks.

Essential Movement Techniques and Glitches

Movement optimization is the backbone of any fast Breath of the Wild run. Unlike traditional platformers, this game allows for advanced physics manipulation through precise inputs and environmental interactions.

Stasis Boosting

One of the earliest and most powerful tools available is Stasis. By freezing an object in motion and then shooting it, Link gains a recoil boost. This can be used to reach otherwise inaccessible areas early in the game.

To maximize height and distance:

1. Place a metal object (like a treasure chest or weapon rack) on a slope.
2. Use Stasis while the object is rolling toward you.
3. Fire an arrow into the frozen object just before time resumes.
4. The resulting explosion of momentum propels Link skyward.

With proper angle and timing, Stasis boosts can launch Link directly onto the Temple of Time roof—bypassing the entire Great Plateau tutorial.

Paraglider Clip

A technique known as the \"paraglider clip\" allows runners to pass through solid geometry by exploiting hitbox detection. When performed correctly, this skip enables immediate access to Hyrule Field without completing any Shrines.

The method involves:

• Positioning Link at the edge of a cliff with the paraglider equipped.
• Using a precise jump-paraglide input while rotating the camera to alter collision detection.
• In some cases, combining this with a shield surf to gain enough speed.

This trick requires frame-perfect timing and is often practiced in controlled environments before being attempted live.

Flint Hopping

Flint hopping uses repeated explosions from flint deposits to maintain mid-air momentum. By detonating flint clusters while falling, Link can effectively \"hop\" across vast distances without touching the ground.

This is especially useful in regions like Death Mountain, where natural flint spawns allow near-flight traversal.

“The beauty of Breath of the Wild speedrunning is that nearly every mechanic can be pushed beyond intended limits. Once you understand the physics engine, the world becomes your playground.” — Kaze Emanuar, competitive speedrunner and emulator analyst

Route Optimization: The Fastest Path to Ganon

No amount of glitching matters without an efficient route. Top runners spend more time planning their path than executing it. Every second saved on navigation accumulates over the course of a sub-20-minute run.

Key Route Milestones (Ganon’s Tower Any%)

1. Skip Great Plateau: Use a Stasis boost or paraglider clip to exit immediately after awakening.
2. Travel to Hateno Tower: Fast travel isn’t available yet, so runners use terrain clipping or long-zips to reach the eastern coast.
3. Obtain Magnesis: Enter the Ja Baij Shrine via sequence break to get Magnesis early.
4. Access Divine Beast Vah Ruta: Use Magnesis to manipulate machinery and enter the Divine Beast without completing trials.
5. Escape with Gunboats: During the escape cutscene, position Link to fall directly into a boat for instant ejection to Hyrule Castle vicinity.
6. Climb Ganon’s Tower: Use precise climbing animations and corner grabs to ascend faster than standard climbing allows.

Each segment relies on specific setups and prior knowledge. For example, reaching Ja Baij Shrine early requires manipulating NPC positions or exploiting loading zones near Hateno Village.

Inventory Management and Damage Optimization

Carrying unnecessary items slows down menu navigation and affects performance during critical moments. In a speedrun, every millisecond counts.

Runners typically carry only:

• One high-durability weapon (preferably metal-based)
• A bow with at least five arrows
• No shields (to avoid accidental blocking delays)
• No food or elixirs (healing is skipped; damage taken is minimized through routing)

Damaged received during the run is carefully calculated. Taking knockback from enemies can actually save time by launching Link forward—this is known as \"damage boosting.\" However, excessive damage leads to death, which incurs a respawn penalty. The key is balance.

Checklist: Preparing for Your First Speedrun Attempt

Before going for a timed run, ensure you’ve covered all foundational elements. Use this checklist to stay organized:

• ✅ Master basic Stasis boosting on flat and sloped terrain
• ✅ Practice paraglider clips near ledges (e.g., Temple of Time balcony)
• ✅ Learn exact jump angles for corner grabbing during tower climbs
• ✅ Map out fastest ground path from Great Plateau to Hateno Village
• ✅ Identify early-game metal objects ideal for Stasis launches
• ✅ Optimize button layout for quick weapon/bow switching
• ✅ Disable unnecessary HUD elements if supported by your setup
• ✅ Record practice runs to analyze time sinks and pauses

Many runners use external timers and split-tracking software like Livesplit to measure progress between key milestones. Identifying where time is lost helps refine future attempts.

Mini Case Study: Breaking the 20-Minute Barrier

Jordan, an intermediate player familiar with BotW’s mechanics, had been stuck at a 28-minute average for weeks. Despite knowing about Stasis boosts, he struggled with consistency and wasted time navigating Kakariko Village unnecessarily.

After studying top leaderboard runs, he noticed that elite runners avoided the village entirely, opting instead to clip through terrain near the East Reservoir Lake to reach the river leading to Hyrule Castle.

He also discovered that holding the analog stick at a precise diagonal during a Stasis boost increased launch stability. By implementing these changes and streamlining his inventory, Jordan reduced his time to 22 minutes within three days. A week later, after mastering the gunboat escape animation, he completed a clean 19:47 run—his first sub-20.

The breakthrough wasn’t raw skill, but rather pattern recognition and willingness to abandon intuitive paths in favor of optimized ones.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I speedrun Breath of the Wild without glitches?

Yes, but it will be significantly slower. A no-glitch Any% run typically takes around 1.5 to 2 hours, depending on execution. You’ll need to complete the Great Plateau, activate towers, and follow the intended progression path.

Is swimming ever faster than climbing?

Rarely. While swimming avoids stamina drain from climbing, water currents and slow movement speed make it inefficient. The exception is when using updrafts in lakes or rivers to gain vertical elevation quickly, such as near Zora’s Domain.

Do I need mods or special equipment to compete?

No legitimate speedrun categories require mods. Runs are performed on retail hardware or approved emulators (for console-specific records). A reliable controller with responsive buttons is recommended, but no special gear is mandatory.

Conclusion: Push the Limits, Respect the Craft

Speedrunning The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild is more than just finishing fast—it’s about redefining what’s possible within a seemingly linear adventure. Through meticulous planning, mechanical mastery, and relentless iteration, players turn exploration into precision racing.

Every failed clip, every mistimed boost, brings you closer to understanding the game’s hidden logic. The community thrives on shared knowledge, and each record broken opens new avenues for innovation.