Nothing else, I really thought that clearing one of the battlefields in the fourth area is all I need for the Hero to gain 2 levels! There is a glitch where if the Hero does level up after the 10th round while the "Cleaned them out" and "Won #### EXP." messages are popped up exactly as it is, the Hero immediately gains another level! I am not sure if anyone knew before, but I did notice that during gameplay. The best way to execute that glitch in this matter may involve between adjusting the EXP needed for the next level, and using the Exit spell to cut down acquired EXP after each battle. Not to mention, I thought this would be much faster than walking around the Mine, Volcano, and Lava Dome trying to level up from there. Somewhere down the line, the act of grinding for experience and an acceptable level needs to be as brief as possible so that the quality of the run is in no way downgraded.
So basically, an "any%" run. Since this website introduced the Bizhawk emulator, I figured I would seek to create a new FFMQ TAS from scratch as my first project. The Hero's name for this new TAS is simply "AC". I also have the actual version of SNES 9X, the ROM, and the movie that DonamerDragon wrote. I figured I would forego the SRAM glitch and focus primarily on the item manipulation glitch.
I would also use DonamerDragon's movie to help me walk through the first two areas of the game from the beginning all the way to after the Ice Pyramid. The reason is to make sure we don't lose too many frames or over-using frames to manipulate whatever RNG is lying around. This is also a slight challenge because the Hero is entering the fourth area on a slightly lower level - so if the Hero needs to clear a battlefield or two in order to gear up for at least the Pazuzu battle, then so be it. On the other hand, the Hero can skip the Aero spell room in Focus Tower/Doom Castle 1B, but it will require keeping the other characters alive the whole time. At the Rope Bridge, I believe I can pick up Tristan and we both can stop by the "Exit spell" battlefield on the way back to Phoebe's house. The glitched number of Seeds should be more than enough for both the Hero and its partner to keep using spells for the remainder of the game.
Once the item manipulation glitch is executed and the final boss is defeated, I can more than likely go back and search the exact memory addresses that affects the elements of the game including quantity of each item, key items, and crests.
Overall, this will depend on how many others are interested in watching out for my progress. Although the following YouTube clip shows a record of 1:52:57, I don't think this project would compete with that or any other published run. I would research this whole thing first and then try to aim for a faster time (under the "any%" branch) sometime later if need be.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AtpvujetfUUfreshfeeling wrote:
ffgamer86 wrote:
I want to utilize the glitch of the resistance bug. This bug makes the 2nd character's equipment be = to the character in the 2nd slot on the last loaded save file.
There was some question with the currently published run by DonamerDragon about whether getting the Noble Armor saves time or not because
+ it's a slight defense bonus and offers a couple of resistances
+ the time to pick it up is less than a second
- each time the game says, "Donnie is strong against water attacks" it causes a slight delay
So resistances can be a positive or a negative. I would have to think that using the resistance bug in a TAS, where you have a lot of control over which attacks enemies use and whether or not they succeed, would be of little or no benefit. It's quite possible that it would be negative.
So, here's a Speedrun FAQ that was published for this game, last updated in February 2015: http://www.gamefaqs.com/snes/532476-final-fantasy-mystic-quest/faqs/68495
The "big deal" in this FAQ is using an inventory glitch to skip 2 major dungeons and have some other minor benefits. I don't think it's been discussed yet in this thread.
Pretty sure the route described in this FAQ could save 15 minutes or so on the published run.
There may even be other key item-related skips possible with the methods described here.
So far, it looks like the Morning Star whip merchant in Ondol is the only one I've seen in your attempt. I did notice the floor sinking glitch you did there, however. So once that glitch is executed, Simon should land right next to that part of the blocks (in that picture I posted) and immediately throw Holy Water toward the blocks on the left to continue getting to the very bottom.
Apologies for anything else misleading, the only two indoor merchants I seen in the run was the Holy Water in the first town and the MS whip in Ondol. If I have to, I'll review the video later because I'm at work at the moment, but that's all I can remember so far.
I hate to break it to you, boss, but you did miss out on some minor places that can be improved, including a merchant in Ondol that sells a Morning Star whip. Throwing a Holy Water at the two blocks toward the left side (in red) will get you to the lower level a few frames quicker than taking the stairs.
In other places/towns where you buy stuff during the day, the layout may be inverted where the blocks can also be terminated toward the right side. I have not estimated exactly how many frames you might save from this, but it's worth a try.
In other places/towns where you buy stuff during the day, the layout may be inverted where the blocks can also be terminated toward the right side. I have not estimated exactly how many frames you might save from this, but it's worth a try.