Beginners Route

Beach 1

-end with 2 health
-Avoid damage on the long fall preceding the enemies
-kill crab 1
-jump over turtle 1
-grab the health
-kill turtle 2
-Don't take damage on the final fall

Beach 2

-End with 2 helth

Cave 2

-skip health
-kill bats

Blindfolded Inputs

Beach 1 

(Note: All Y dash jumps when not indicated are assumed to be to the right)

Y Dash jump x2
Walk right 2 units
Up jump
B left jump x2
1 step right
Y dash jump x2 (Each should have climbing sound)
Y dash jump x2
Y dash off cliff
Y dash jump
B neutral jump
Kick crab
B neutral jump
Kick turtle
B neutral jump
Grab health
Up jump
Neutral B jump
Y dash jump
(Note: There is subpixel variance on this jump, this will likely be edited with practice)
Up jump test for the ledge
If fail, walk right then up jump up the ledge, if you still miss turn, walk left 2 steps while kicking for the turtle then turn right and up jump.
Y dash jump (climbing sound)
Y dash jump x2
Walk right 1 unit then duck to avoid damage
Push rock a bit more than 2 pushing sounds
Y dash jump to reach the ledge.
Take 2 steps right
Y dash to reach the loading zone 

Beach 2

(Note: All Y dash jumps when not indicated are assumed to be to the right)

Wait for death animation to finish
Neutral B jump
Kick until you hit the crab
Y dash jump up the cliff
Delayed Y dash run then jump (Go about 2-ish tiles)
B neutral jump
Walk three tiles right
Y dash jump right (Listen for cliff climb)
B neutral jump
Y dash jump
(Warning: Once again there may be some subpixel shennanigans here.  Listen closely for Lester's climb sound on the next jump, you can also just walk three units right and up jump)
Y dash jump up the cliff
B left jump
Walk 1 tile right 
Y dash jump (Listen for climbing sound)
Neutral B jump x2
Y dash jump
Press X and get the health
Walk one unit right (this is in most cases, sometimes you may be 1 unit to the right so be prepared to improvise)
Jump up
Neutral B x2
Y dash x3 (Note: The second Y dash jump must go to neutral as soon as possible so you don't go to far for the final Y dash jump)
Neutral B (RNG may cause you to take damage)
Right x1
Up jump
Hold Y, X, and Right
(Note it is okay to take 1 unintentional hit in this stage)

Caves 1

Do not press anything until Lester hits the ground
Y dash jump
Y dash jump right then hold left the full jump
Neutral B jump
Y dash jump left, release left as soon as possible
After hearing Lester's first landing hold right
Turn right
Neutral B jump
Y dash Jump right x5
B neutral jump
Y dash jump right (Climbing sound)
Y dash jump right
B neutral jump
Y dash jump x2
Run to the right
Wait for Lester to fall down then run to the right off another cliff
When Lester lands hold Y and left
When Lester Lands again hold Y and right until you complete the stage.  You will likely take 1 damage, if so it is okay.
(Note: you can alternately run left after falling and sacrafice one health as well, do whatever works best)
(Note: In this section you can do turns while falling if you feel confident enough.  This can certainly prevent damage which can save 5+ seconds in caves 2)

Caves 2 

Intentionally kill yourself unless you have full health.

(Note: doing this by memory validate later)

B jump neutral
2 steps right
Y dash jump x3
1 step right
Up jump
Y dash jump right, switch to neutral after hitting B
Pick up rock
Turn left
B neutral
2 steps left
Y dash jump left
3 steps left
Y dash left x3
Throw rock
Pick up gem
Turn right
Y dash jump right
1 step right
After landing Y dash right jump 3 times
B neutral jump
Y dash jump right
B neutral x2
Right step x2
Y dash x2
Up jump
Y dash jump right
Continue holding Y and B and Right and jump while Lester tiptoes
B neutral jump
Put gem down
Run to the end of the level
(Note: this ending section can be done damageless)

Totem Poles

(Note: Doing this by memory, validate later)

Y dash jump
B Neutral Jump
Y dash jump
B neutral jump
Y dash jump
B neutral jump
1 step right
Kick twice, if both miss take another step and continue kicking until you hit he crab
Y dash jump right
Up jump
Y dash jump right
B neutral jump
Y dash jump right., you can go neutral in the jump for safety, but if you do so you may need to take another step
Y dash jump
Y dash jump again but go neutral as soon as possible
Y dash jump right
Dash until Lester gets sp00ked
Hold Y, B, and right and jump three times.
Continue Y dash jumping right two times
Y dash jump again but press left after jumping.
Kick and test for the tiki, if you missed, take an extra step and kick again
Y dash jump x2
B neutral jump x2
Step right x2
Kick the crab
Y dash jump
Take 1 (?) step right
Up jump
Y dash jump right, go neutral
Take a step right then duck
Grab the artifact
Take 2 steps right
Up jump
Take 1 steps right
Up jump
Y dash jump and go neutral
Take a step right
Y dash to the ground
Y dash jump 3 times
Put down the artifact
Skip the text by pressing start
Run to the end of the level

Burial grounds

(Note: There is RNG in this level.  You may die around the 4th or 5th jump)

Y dash jump
B neutral
Y dash x12
B neutral
Y dash
B neutral
Pick up skull
B neutral
Hit start for text
Step x3
Drop skull
Turn
Step x2
Pick up skull
Turn
Step x2
Drop skull
Hit start to advance text
Wait briefly then run to the end

Village

Y dash jump x11
Step x2
Go in door
Y dash jump left
Walk off box
Push the box over 4 pushing sounds
Get on box
Y dash jump right
Run to the end
Advance text by hitting start

Rooftops

(Note: The first B jump is RNG)

Y dash jump x3
Y dash jump, switch to up as soon as Lester leaves the ground
Y dash jump neutral
B neutral x4
B right jump
Y dash jump 
B neutral x2
Y dash to the end

Cage 

(Note: This level is a backup if you fail rooftops)

Turn left
Step x2
Up jump
Kick
Run to the right
Mash X
Run to the exit

River 1

(Note: Each section ends the last input on a raft, also all commands after a fish MUST be performed as soon as possible upon hearing the cue)

RAFT 1
Y dash jump
Duck
Up jump
B neutral
Duck
Wait for splash
Kick a snake that falls on top of you
Duck
Wait for a spash
Up jump
Kick
Up jump
Turn left
Walk until you hear the snake fall
Turn right
Kick
Up jump
Duck
Wait until splash
B neutral
Up jump x3
Y dash jump
RAFT 2
Y dash jump
B neutral x2
Y dash jump
Briefly wait
B neutral
Duck
Wait for 2 splashes
Up jump
Kick
Turn left
Walk until you hear a snake fall
Turn right
Kick the snake
Up jump
Wait for two spashes
B neutral 
Kick
B neutral
Mash B and Y at the same time
RAFT 3
B neutral kick
Step x2
Health
B neutral
Duck
Wait for splash
B neutral
Duck
Wait for a splash
Up jump
Kick
Up jump
Turn left
Walk until you hear a snake fall
Turn right
Kick
Duck
Wait for a splash
B neutral
Up jump x3
B neutral
Hold right near the latter part of the jump
Jump off the vine
Run to the end

Jungle

Y dash jump x5
Step x2
Kick
Y dash jump x2
B neutral
Hold up and climb the ladder
Step x2
B neutral
Y dash jump
Wait until you think Lester is at the end of his swing to the right
B neutral jump off the vine
Step x3
(Repeat this process for the first 3 jumps, on the fourth repeat but take 4 steps instead of 3)
When landing on the final platform (the fifth one you land on) Take 2 steps
Y dash jump
Learn the timing for when to jump to the final vine
Jump and run to the end

Tree house

Turn left
B neutral
Step left
Turn right
Push the block a bit more than 2 pushing sounds
Climb up the block
Y dash jump
Pick up the candle
B neutral drop the candle
Wait for the anvil to fall
Y dash jump x2
Y dash jump till you hit a door
Turn left
Step x4
Pick up boomerang 
Turn right
Throw boomerang
Run to the end

Ape

Throw the boomerang whenever the lady yells help
Walk to avoid the ape
Always alternate directions
After winning the fught and walking to the lady mash start

Cave mouth

GOOD LUCK LOL

Koffing's Tutorial

Rat's Tutorial

http://www.twitch.tv/radioactive_rat/v/80367700

TAS/Deathless route

https://docs.google.com/document/d/11euq3MMlvPtZHxE_o5m-S3Cs-rhxa3LoXALudeAXbhE

Tech Guide

Tiles

Tiles in Lester work just like they do in every other game that has a tile function, such as Pokemon games.  These tiles both simplify and complicate basic movement.  Tiling makes it so that each individual step must be routed but also cuts down on variation thus making optimization a lot easier than most other games.

Tile Manipulation

Tile manipulation is a technique used for Lester to be in the proper spot so that he falls in  optimal position so that additional steps are skipped.  This is most notably used in Beach 1, Cavern 1, and Cavern 2.

Mid-Tile Ground Landing

Mid tile ground landing a technique used to optimize Lester’s movement.  Lester will progress further on the X axis after a jump if you land on a tile in which the game “rounds up” due to being too far right.  This is not as precise as a mid-tile damage cancel.

Mid-tile damage cancels

On certain platforms, Lester can land on tiles that are “invisible” because they are in between a tile that exists and an empty space in front.  In Beach 1 this is utilized by jumping at the proper frame(s?) to land in a position where Lester doesn’t begin his proper falling animation due to the game being confused of Lester’s state.  Basically, Lester’s landing animation is sustained and Lester can not take damage in his falling animation.

RNG and RNG Manipulation

RNG, or random number generator, is the way that the game assigns randomness.  It appears that the RNG in Lester is manipulatable by a timer.  This has been evident by the consistent RNG, whether it be good or bad, on different stages when the same route te is used.  RNG affects the speedrun in the crab at the end of Beach 2, Caves 2 (though now obsolete), Burial Grounds, Rooftops, and the rocks in Cavemouth.  All crabs and bats are RNG but only the ones in the listed levels have an impact on the run.

Buffering

Whenever Lester performs a command there are null frames in which another action can not be initiated until Lester’s animation frames end.  In this period, you can hold a button and Lester will perform another action as soon as the period of null frames end.  Because of this, consistent periods of time can be spent so that we don’t have to time things that are difficult to time.  This is most notably used in the Ape and Spider fights.

Ledge Grabs

There are three different types of ledge grabs, long distance grabs, slow grabs, and snap (quick) grabs.  Snap grabs and distance grabs are just as fast as each other, and are of course the most optimal.  Slow grabs are performed by jumping too close to a ledge so that Lester lingers on the ledge.  A snap grab is done by jumping when Lester is a little less than perpendicular to a ledge.  This is most notably used to get the drip fast cycle in caves 2.  Some runners also use this in Totem Poles if they jump far over the crab.  A distance grab is simply when you jump at the right time so that Lester grabs a ledge at the optimal angle and he does not linger.

Ledge Falling/Turning/Jumping 

There are 3 ways to dismount a ledge in Lester the Unlikely.  First is ledge falling which is when you go down a ledge with only a left or right d pad input that is typically followed by a down input.  Based on your tiling, you may be able to input a delayed action (as seen in the mid air walk in totem poles).  This falling will, however, damage Lester if you attempt to turn in mid air or if you do not use a down input and the height is enough to hurt Lester.  Typically, if a ledge is not high enough for Lester to take damage, it is optimal to just run off rather than do a down input despite the landing animation.  This has been timed to save approximately 0.1 seconds.  Ledge turning when you press the opposite direction that you are running when going off a ledge.  Based on the tiling, this input can typically be performed before you even start to fall.  This is used twice at the end of cavern 2.  Ledge jumping is when you jump so that Lester lands on a ledge (similar to a mid-tile damage cancel) but you jump on an earlier frame (the window is wide) so that you can turn Lester to the left.  This technique is situational and seems to only save time in cave 1, it has been timed in cavern 2 but it seems to waste time for some reason.  

Animation merge glitch

The animation merge glitch is a glitch that is nearly impossible for the casual viewer to pick up on.  This glitch occurs when Lester begins a jumping animation (or has a landing animation) extremely close to the trigger for a halting animation.  This technique allows for the rock throw in caves 1,  tip toe skip in Totem poles, and the jump at the start of burial grounds to be possible.  

Vine jumping

There are two aspects to optimizing vine jumps.  First, how early you jump.  The earlier you jump, the more frames you save.  Secondly, you want to land on a mid-tile.  This, however, is nearly impossible to reliably replicate without practice.  Vines will also swing faster and further if you go from a long distance.  Lester’s swing points are manipulated by Lester’s speed and X,Y coordinates, however, they are relatively consistent hence why visual cues are still reliable.  Examples of extended vine swings are used in River 1 and Jungle.

Pylon Skip

By colliding with the ledge at the proper position, Lester bypasses the collision of the rock by interrupting it with an animation.  When Lester is clipped in an object you can only jump or do a “restricted” action by storing it with a turn.  This jump is a (2 or 3?) frame window.

Restricted ladder jumping

In Docks and Lava Run there are ladders that normally can not be jumped up unless you jump before the ladder within a certain distance.  A jump is performed to nullify this state.  

Extended jump damage cancel

In docks a jump is used to avoid taking damage on a long fall, and also stall out the barrel for a perfect cycle.  This jump uses a left input near the apex of the jump to just barely avoid taking damage.  Lester does not take damage every time he screams.  Also note that when Lester jumps and grabs a ledge his height value in contained by his lower body, so when the ledge is grabbed, Lester does not gain much height to protect himself versus simply falling on the ground.  This is effectively used in Cavern 2 though as the difference is enough to prevent damage.  This however, can not be used in Beach 2 to save time on the part with the turtle in the small gap.

Name	Autor
Beginners Route	koffingrockz 7 years ago
Blindfolded Inputs	koffingrockz 8 years ago
Koffing's Tutorial	koffingrockz 8 years ago
Rat's Tutorial	koffingrockz 8 years ago
TAS/Deathless route	koffingrockz 8 years ago
Tech Guide	koffingrockz 8 years ago
Tutorial Playlist (Outdated)	koffingrockz 8 years ago