Speedrun Techniques#

Speedrun Category Overview#

Speedruns in Black Myth: Wukong are mainly divided into the following common categories, each with different rules and goals. Newcomers are advised to pick an easy category first to learn the overall route, then gradually take on stricter rules.

Core Speedrun Techniques#

Mastering the core techniques below is the foundation of becoming a speedrunner. These techniques do not exist in isolation; they usually have to be combined to actually compress your time.

Animation Cancel#

Animation canceling is one of the biggest barriers in speedrunning. Regular players chase damage, while speedrunners chase “no downtime” — every cancel helps you squeeze your inputs into the frame limit.

Movement Optimization#

In a speedrun, every second of movement optimization adds up to a huge difference. The main movement optimization techniques are listed below.

Chained Somersault Cloud jumps are the best choice for long dashes, but they require practiced rhythm. The slide is better suited to short-distance repositioning; together the two cover the vast majority of movement situations.

Chapter 1 Speedrun Route#

Chapter 1 is the foundation of speedrunning, and route optimization here is the most mature. An efficient route can keep Chapter 1 inside 25-30 minutes.

Timeline#

Route Map#

Chapter 1 is all about cutting unnecessary fights and exploration, stopping only where items must be collected. Once you know the flow well, Chapter 1 results become very consistent.

The Chapter 1 route is already highly mature, and time fluctuations come mostly from how fast you kill Black Wind King. If your Chapter 1 is always running over, the problem is likely wandering around at the start and fighting elite enemies you did not need to fight.

Boss Quick-Kill Strategies#

Boss Quick-Kill Time Targets#

Black Wind King Quick-Kill Breakdown#

The core of a fast Black Wind King kill is using Immobilize in phase one to create a damage window, and using the Transformation form in phase two to tank key attacks before going all out on damage.

Black Wind King’s second phase is a pure HP tank and goes down quite fast. The trick is to hold one Transformation for the stagger after its shapeshift ends, then land all of that damage on its weak point.

Skip Techniques#

The legality of skip techniques differs between speedrun events, so follow the rules of whichever event you run in. Every usable legal shortcut is worth practicing — maximize the time saved within the rules.

Resource Management#

Resource management in a speedrun is completely different from normal play. You need to calculate the timing of every medicine and every spell precisely; any waste can decide the final few seconds.

Medicine Usage Priority#

Medicines have to be used where they count in a speedrun; there is no need to carry a full pack of spare items. When planning your route, convert every bottle you save into time gained — often saving two extra bottles is enough to shave off a dozen seconds.

Mana Allocation Strategy#

Mana is a scarce resource in a speedrun. Every burst window bought with Immobilize is worth the investment; the rest of the time, get through levels with basic attacks and Guangzhi, and save your Mana for key fights.

Advanced Speedrun Techniques#

The following techniques suit experienced speedrunners and can compress clear time further.

RNG Manipulation#

RNG manipulation has a high ceiling, but routes that rely on randomness also carry more risk. It is recommended to build a solid foundation with controllable, consistent damage first, then try gambling on random events in specific segments.

Frame Perfect Inputs#

Frame perfect inputs mean completing an action inside a precise 1-2 frame window, which enables special optimizations. These require a very high amount of practice and precise input timing.

Frame perfect inputs are not for everyone; they demand extremely precise muscle memory. It is recommended to run the route stably first, then do targeted drills for these high-difficulty tricks.

Speedrun Practice Recommendations#

Becoming a speedrun master requires a systematic practice method. Below are practice recommendations by stage.

Practice quantity matters, but quality matters more. After every session, write down the mistakes you made and drill them specifically — that is far more efficient than mindlessly repeating full runs. Memorizing a run is not talent; it is built hour by hour.

Common Speedrun Mistakes#

Even experienced speedrunners will make careless mistakes out of impatience. The following mistake types appear most often; knowing them in advance and actively avoiding them saves a lot of practice time.

In speedruns, “mindset” is often underestimated; the chain reaction triggered by one mistake is deadlier than the mistake itself. Restore your rhythm immediately after a mistake and do not force record attempts — that is how you stay consistent.

Recommended Speedrun Tools#

The following tools can help you practice and record your speedruns better.

Recording is the ladder of improvement; major mistakes can almost only be spotted by watching them back. Community leaderboards help you lock onto target strategies by showing how top players in the same category move.

Related Guides#

• Full Walkthrough
• Boss Guide Collection
• Control Settings and Optimization
• Build Ideas Compendium