'Shadowboxing': A Novel Trick in Baldur’s Gate 3 Speedrunning
A novel trick called 'Shadowboxing' has resulted in the any% speedrun record for Baldur’s Gate 3 to fall below five minutes. This technique involves using the remains of the character Shadowheart.
Baldur’s Gate 3 Speedrunning: a Constant Battle Against the Clock
Baldur’s Gate 3 speedrunning has seen considerable action despite being a relatively recent release. Players are constantly seeking game-breaking methods to slim down the timer and roll credits. These tactics are so prevalent that game developer Larian has had to patch some from the game, and it appears this recent trick may soon be up for censure.
The Trick and the Record
This particular speedrun method was demonstrated by renowned Baldur’s Gate 3 speedrunner Mae, who managed to complete the game in merely four minutes and 15 seconds by creatively using the corpse of the Cleric character.
The Method in Detail
In the opening, Mae's technique seems straightforward. They initially select Gale as the player character and take Enhance Leap and Feather Fall as the first level spells. These spell selections allow Mae to gracefully avoid any combat encounter from the first act and speedily proceed to the Mountain Pass.
In the second act, Mae is able to fast forward using Shadowheart's remains. For unknown reasons, killing Shadowheart and packing her remains into a box induces the game to glitch, resulting in the second act being skipped entirely. Mae kills Shadowheart, packs her into a crate, sets the crate aflame, and shakes it. In an unexpected turn of events, Mae is instantly transported to the final boss of Act 2.
After this point, Mae chooses the ending where Gale detonates his chest nuke in the Cult of the Absolute’s hideout, turning everyone of note into a Mindflayer. As the credits roll, the game is effectively complete in under five minutes, albeit with plenty of psychological layers to unravel post-completion.
Mae: A Prodigy in the Community
Mae is a prodigious figure in the Baldur’s Gate 3 speedrunning community and has set multiple records in the any% and sex% categories. This most recent record gives her an 11-second hill over the next fastest run. Mae is known to retaliate whenever anyone usurps her titles.
How to Participate?
While the average player may not be able to compete with this sub-five-minute game completion time, there are an array of guides available. These guides are intended to assist players in their adventures and help them maximize their enjoyment of the game.
