The Any% routes assume the game is played in DOSBox at high cycles, and take advantage of it by using Fast speed to zip around the map. Recommended cycles for these runs are approximately 140000/second (and not Max); this is high enough to allow very quick zipping, but also low enough to allow for the well zip and leprechaun back entry. Note that DOSBox's machine emulation mode should be set to either machine=tandy or machine=vgaonly in the configuration files; on most computers, the default svga_s3 setting cannot actually run DOSBox at such a high cycle rate.

The first commands, which are "move rock" for the risky route and "get clover" for the easy route, can be prepared before actually starting play (and then triggered with F3). Fast speed should also be selected through the menu before starting play; although actually starting the game automatically sets the speed to Normal again, Fast can now be selected slightly faster since the menu position is remembered by the game. Sound should also be turned off before starting play, to eliminate the fanfare on opening the castle doors.

Commands to type are indicated in uppercase for clarity, but need not be typed in uppercase.

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ANY% (easy route with comfortable sub-1:00 potential - suitable for new players - main danger spot is the well zip)
(GET CLOVER) (sound off) (restart game, start time)
[fast]
975 F3
162715 MOVE ROCK [] GET KNIFE
86762639 GO   PAIL (min. 3 spaces)
(NOTE: instead of the 86762639 zip, 8674 can be used and is faster; but the longer zip avoids the deadly wolf RNG)
[normal] EXIT F3
(type "cut rope" while falling)
= CUT ROPE [] DIVE
(navigate SW to position, type "toss water" while navigating)
2 [fast - be ready to press the next key immediately]
72 TOSS WATER
7 GET MIRROR
27426242 GET BAG
71613434186172 74 HI [repeat until heard]
GET KEY [x3]
197 F3 [normal]
(navigate west a bit; Graham should be on the easternmost pixel of the screen immediately to the west. If you're a fast typer, type "get mushroom" while walking. Head north when on the correct pixel, [fast])
2717627 GET MUSHROOM
68127172 OPEN BAG [] GIVE F3 [repeat until accepted]
(NOTE: If you accidentally do the waterwalk on the western edge of the gnome screen instead, different zips are required: [fast] 481817 GET MUSHROOM 671727172 OPEN BAG, etc.)
48 OPEN DOOR
16 GET SHIELD
4383847174 EAT MUSHROOM
281839389 UNLOCK DOOR [] OPEN  F3 (2 or 3 spaces)
4939 (save if you feel wimpy)
9939277171727 (hope for a lucky giant)
GET CHEST [possibly in Normal, but Fast can be maintained with a favorable giant position; 28 can be used to recycle the giant if needed]
(navigate back to a spot where you can return to the cave by zipping east)
68338186111713432717179293 [normal]
(navigate to edge of differently colored area)
9 [fast] (reposition if needed) OPEN DOOR
834 (stop time)

--

ANY% (faster but riskier route, introducing leprechaun back entry and moving the dangerous well zip to much later in the run. This route is only recommended once you start hitting times close to 1:00, both due to the higher risk and because leprechaun back entry must be done quickly to save time compared to rat. If you want to start on this route earlier, the alternative safe version of leprechaun back entry is strongly recommended)
(MOVE ROCK) (sound off) (restart game, start time)
[fast]
716175 F3 [] GET KNIFE
938479 GET CLOVER
3939347274 HI [repeat until heard]
GET KEY [x3]
197 F3 [normal]
(navigate west a bit; Graham should be on the easternmost pixel of the screen immediately to the west. Type "get mushroom" while walking. Head north when on the correct pixel, [fast])
2717627 GET MUSHROOM
39272943927 EA[F3]
6348486[Ent]8 GET SHIELD
(note: the 3 must be hit immediately after the initial 6, otherwise Graham will die) 4838 (prepare yourself mentally...)
47(Esc)
(these keys must be hit in very quick succession, while still allowing enough time for each of them to take effect properly. This is the part that makes leprechaun back entry a highly risky strategy at 140K cycles)
(ideally, you should now be at the northern wall. If the 7 did not have time to take effect, or the 4 and 7 registered in the wrong order, you may still be on the stairs, which will lose several seconds. Regardless, select Normal and walk to a spot where a 4 zip to the exit is possible; typing "unlock door" while en route.)
4 [Fastest] 281839389 UNLOCK DOOR [] OPEN  F3 (2 or 3 spaces)
4939 (save if you feel wimpy)
9939277171727 (hope for a lucky giant)
GET CHEST [possibly in Normal, but Fast can be maintained with a favorable giant position; 28 can be used to recycle the giant if needed]
(navigate back to a spot where you can return to the cave by zipping east. If this requires temporarily switching to Normal, type GO   PAIL (with a minimum 3 spaces) while repositioning)
6833818611142924 GO   PAIL (min. 3 spaces)
[normal] EXIT F3
(type "cut rope" while falling)
= CUT ROPE [] DIVE
(navigate SW to position, type "toss water" while navigating)
2 [fast - be ready to press the next key immediately]
72 TOSS WATER
7 GET MIRROR
274[Ent]261276[Ent x2 if wolf]727179293 [normal]
(navigate to edge of differently colored area)
9 [fast] (reposition if needed) OPEN DOOR
834 (stop time)

Alternatives:

• instead of 938479 GET CLOVER 393 etc., do 6893835 GET CLOVER 9393 etc.; this adds two keystrokes, but avoids fairy RNG
• instead of 274261276727179293 at the end, do 274261292618479293; this goes through the ogre instead of the wolf, which is potentially better due to the ogre having a slightly lower chance of appearing, but the keystrokes may be a bit more awkward
• instead of 483847[Normal] for the no-mushroom return, do 48381[Normal]77fast[Normal]; this is slightly slower, but much more consistent