So, I recently found a new strat for BBI. You can obtain the first Void Key an indefinite amount of times by doing a Hard Mode NG+, cutting out the entire Void Key section of the run - for both Void Keys. Ive gotten a run that's sub 10, with sub 9 VERY possible.

Yes it is faster like this, but in my opinion : learning to survive to the midnight helix is a good thing.

And, hm, if people want to try to do it with Rook, know that he loses everything when he dies, and when you start a new game, but everything is safe if you equip him in the speedrun mode.

Yes, but also, since this is a speedrun the objectively most optimized way to go through the run would be without the helix being touched - after all, the goal is to cut down time, not learn how to make it to the helix.

I mean, it is not about recording or having the best time, it is learning and enjoying the design of the game. There is something very enjoyable there (with music it is better) but it is probably a feeling that I had first time I did it, some people could enjoy it too.

That's fair, but this is also a speedrunning community, and enjoying the design of the game is more of a priority for when you're not trying to breeze past the design of the game is what I'm saying.

That's why the NG+ runs use ferrystones, it's the same principle with skipping the BBI doors, to complete the goal faster. I don't disagree the game is meant to be enjoyed, but with this being a speedrun we're discussing, it wouldn't make sense to slow down in the context of trying to go faster.