OUTDATED since IGT is not used anymore for timing runs on the leaderboards.
Since we use IGT for most of the categories, it might be helpful to know how the timer works, when it stops running and so on. The IGT starts running when you gain character control on the first stage and stops on fade-out after the final boss.
[section=Where is IGT not used?] IGT is NOT used for: • Bossrush (no IGT available for this mode) • Nightmare Mode (IGT is bugged in Nightmare, the time for stage 9 is added twice, so we switched to Real Time(RTA) )
[section=Autosplitter] If you play on PC, I recommend you to check out the autosplitter for Livesplit that tracks the IGT. Not only does it let you see your pace in IGT, it also helps a lot for understanding how the IGT works and what to look out for. Check it out HERE and shoutouts to CptBrian for making the autosplitter.
[section= What pauses the IGT?] • Pause Menu pauses the IGT, so you could take a break in the middle of the run without losing time (please don't do that NotLikeThis )
• Certain cutscenes pause the IGT but not all of them. For example the transition to the train in stage 1 pauses it, transitions into boss fights pause it but door transitions don't pause it
• The Death Screen pauses the IGT. So dying is less punishing for the IGT than for RTA. Not dying is still the faster strat :P
• Character switches pause the IGT. So your IGT does not get punished for wrong character switches and switches back. You could do 5 minutes of constant character switches without having a diffferent IGT (please don't do that either NotLikeThis )
• After the boss fights the IGT gets generally paused after their desperation attacks. Stage 4 pauses on boss kill since it has no desperation attack, Stage 3 and 6 pause on fade-out, so try to use up all your WP on stages 3 and 6 to save a little bit of time
• IGT is paused in the screens between bosses and the next stage where you recruit new allies and walk off to the right.
• Beware of this Bug: Do not switch characters on the screens between stages. Since IGT is already paused on those screens, a character switch will unpause the IGT and you lose time!
