A relatively unknown speedrunner named Blanxz recently achieved a staggering record in Elden Ring that has reset the boundaries of perceived human limits in FromSoftware‘s punishing open world masterpiece. On March 18th, 2023 Blanxz uploaded a speedrun in the Any% Glitchless category clocking a previously unthinkable time of just 56 minutes and 27 seconds. This earth-shattering run beat the prior record holder Distortion2 by nearly 30 seconds and could signify a new era of unbelievable speedrunning times ahead.
An Introduction to Elden Ring Speedrunning
For those new to Elden Ring speedrunning, here is a quick 101 before we dive deep into Blanxz‘s run and future possibilities.
Speedrunning Objectives
Speedrunners aim to complete games as fast as possible while racing against the clock. Runs must follow rules based on categories that range from anything goes (Any%) to various restrictions (All Bosses, Glitchless etc).
Elden Ring Categories
Elden Ring leaderboards recognize several popular categories including:
- Any% – Use any glitches/sequence breaks to finish fastest.
- Any% Glitchless – Ban major out of bounds glitches.
- All Remembrances – Defeat all shardbearer bosses.
Speedrun Tracking
Speedrun.com tracks verified world record video submissions and maintains hierarchy of times across categories and platforms. Elden Ring attracts highly engaged competing runners.
Inside Blanxz‘s Groundbreaking 56 Minute Run
So how exactly did Blanxz manage to shatter expectations set over 12 months since Elden Ring‘s release? His run combined relentless precision, consummate skill against bosses, frame perfect movement optimization and a polished route that never wasted a single second.
Some mind-blowing highlights displaying his mastery:
- 13 Second Godrick Fight
- Seamless Leydell Jumpskip
- Last second critical Fire Giant blows
- Perfect Final Boss rush
No hit marathon boss battles. Pixel perfect platforming between precarious roots and branches using Tensor‘s Float. Blanxz pushed his focus into overdrive while eliminating all errors that cost previous runners their advantage. Not even one minor misstep over nearly an hour of intense action.
Where Blanxz admitted he could still save time was the unexpected difficulty against Fortissax. But that dragon will soon fall to Blanxz just like all that came before.
Elden Ring Speedrunning – Evolution of Records
| Date | Runner | Time | Improvement | Category |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 18, 2023 | Blanxz | 56m 27s | 28s lower | Any% Glitchless |
| Mar 21, 2022 | Distortion2 | 56m 55s | 1m 21s lower | Any% Glitchless |
| July 30, 2022 | SeekerTV | 3m 58s | 3m 2s lower | Any% Unrestricted |
Pushing Elden Ring speedrun times lower and lower has revealed the incredible talent possessed by its top runners. Distortion2 and LilAggy were among the first to set initial records, but since launch runners have continued to break new ground and set jaw dropping world records. With new movement tech and route optimization, another 10 minutes could easily be saved.
Master Speedrunner Blanxz
Very little is known about Blanxz‘s background aside from his YouTube channel with around 1k subscribers. But this could be the start of a new speedrunning superstar being born out of obscurity like so many before after a breakthrough run. Blanxz clearly possesses rare talents and the drive to put in grueling hours of repetition while hunting for perfection. The Tarnished have gained a new champion this day.
Future Possibilities – The Hunt for a Sub 50 Minute Run
Blanxz may sit atop the Elden Ring speedrunning mountain now having slain 56 minutes. But the thirst for lower times and the allure of huge new glitch discoveries will continue driving innovation from ambitious Tarnished. The limiting factor is no longer perceived human ability, but lack of new glitches and techniques waiting to be pioneered.
Experts speculate that a perfectly implemented "block cancel" technique allowing 25% faster movement could cut up to 10 minutes off current times. Combining this new tech with additional routing refinements and alternate sequence breaks skipping massive swaths of areas could soon yield runs under 50 minutes. Perhaps even a previously inconceivable sub 40 or 30 minute run exists out there awaiting its chosen prophet to manifest.
As the Elden RingAny% Glitchless king, the next leap belongs to Blanxz. But hordes of determined challengers both known and unknown will be channeling their focus into blockchain-like relentlessness aiming to usurp the crown for themselves. All of us spectators lucky enough to bear witness can only thank FromSoftware for creating such an incredible and infinitely masterable open world full of mystery – and for the inspiration it imbues within its players to achieve greatness.
The endless allure of a perfectly optimized and perilous descent into the fog beyond the Erdtree beckons a new age of legends. So come Tarnished, join us around the glow of the Site of Grace. Adventure awaits those bold enough to discover it!
