Introduction: Hello, I'm Lemon and through this guide I will explain several different mechanics, tactics and useful information in the Folklore Hunter Speedrun. It's important to remember that this game is in early access and as of now, the only hunt is Night of the Wendigo and this guide applies to the map in 0.3b so further updates may make the information in this guide invalid. This guide is generally suited to SOLO runs but mechanics and glitches can be used in multiplayer.
Clues: There are eight total clues in the game right now. They are in the form of notes left by past hunters. The collection of all clues is an essential part of the 100% category. The locations are listed on this map: https://imgur.com/a/Is0h6zO
Each clue is listed exactly where it is on the map with the exception of the cave clue. This clue is further inside the cave in the main chamber behind a large rock. You will find a skeleton lying on the ground.
Locations: There are seven locations in the game as of writing. Many of which are essential for all speedrun categories. Each location is found on the map:
Known glitches: There are relatively few glitches in Folklore Hunter as the developer patches them out frequently.
As of 0.3b, the most useful glitch for the speedrun would be the Item Duplication glitch. The glitch is done as follows:
- Choose the item you want to duplicate in your inventory.
- Hold down "CTRL" on the keyboard and drag the item over to another slot to split it.
- Select the highest number and accept.
- Select the original stack of items you want to duplicate in your inventory, not the new one you just created.
- Drag that item outside of your inventory to drop it on the ground.
- Exit out of your inventory and pick up the item you just dropped.
- You now have double the amount you originally had.
The best way to utilise the duplication glitch is with bear traps, ammo or runes. There are a number of other glitches, many of which do not benefit the speedrun. However a glitch which can sometimes be useful is the glitch where you can move during cutscenes and inside your inventory. The cutscenes where this works in are the opening cutscene and the ending cutscene. It is possible to begin moving as soon as the player's hotbar appears, despite the screen being completely black. In the final cutscene, it is also possible to move however this works all throughout the cutscene, utilizing the map to know where the player is located.
Tunnels: The tunnels within the caves are an essentially part of the speedrun as you need to obtain a set of symbols and runes. To find your way through the tunnels just use one trick: stick to the left wall. If when you enter the main cave, you turn right into the right-side tunnels and then stick to the left wall, you will quickly come across the runes and the symbols. When leaving the cave: stick to the right wall until you find your way back to the main cave. Using these tricks you will never get lost in the caves, however the full map of the tunnels can be found below:
AI Manipulation: There are multiple ways in which the Wendigo AI can be manipulated into doing what you want. The best way to do this is by understanding the game's AI system for certain events.
The most important system, in my experience, is the Wendigo's "hunting" state. The "hunting" state is triggered when the Wendigo knows where you are and is moving to your location. This state will bypass the rule saying that the Wendigo cannot leave the cave during the day; meaning if it knows where you are, then it will leave the cave to come get you. The best way to do this is to fire into the air a few times when somewhat close to the cave. If you can time this correctly, then the Wendigo will leave the cave right as you are approaching the entrance. At which point, you can fire upon the Wendigo to make it run away. This is important because once it is out of the cave, it wont go back inside; making it significantly easier and safer to traverse the tunnel system.
Another of the Wendigo's states would be the "Cave Exit" state, which triggers when the time hits 7:00pm, usually resulting in the Wendigo actually making it outside at around 7:30pm. Because of the way the AI is constructed, the "Cave Exit" state is higher on the priority list than the "Hunting" state which causes the Wendigo to walk right past the player if it hasnt exited the cave yet while it is trying to do so. This could potentially be used during a Glitcheless run as bear traps are a limited resource and are very useful if you have to confront the Wendigo. Bear traps are also very useful to stop the Wendigo at the ruins when you are placing the runes if you have brought the Wendigo with you, so saving bear traps for that during a glitchless run would be smart. Edit: After further testing, it has been discovered that the Cave Exit state does not reset the AI's hunting when it ends (like the "Flee" state does) so the Wendigo will remember seeing you enter the cave after it has exited meaning it will then follow you back inside; causing this to not be a viable strategy however it is still noteworthy.
The MOST useful piece of AI manipulation is not a manipulation of Wendigo AI states but a manipulation of the NavMesh. This can be done at the ruins next to a small fountain. If you walk through a broken piece of wall at a specific point, the Wendigo cannot follow you and must then walk a long distance around the ruins in order to get to your location. The ruins layout can be found in the following image alongside the broken wall (circled in red):
Strategies: There are generally two strategies for a solo game: what I like the call the "Bear Trap method" and what I call the "Preparation method".
The Bear Trap method is as follows: after exiting the cave, ensure the Wendigo follows you to the ruins by shooting in the air while running there. The best way to stay safe while doing this is to place bear traps down behind you as run there, this will only hold them off for a limited period of time however. Enter the ruins through the broken wall to gain even more time. This will cause the Wendigo to run around to the North Entrance. Place down 8-16 bear traps in a straight line along the North-entrance to hold the Wendigo in place while you place down all of the runes and symbols. This method will require 3 or 4 stacks of bear traps in order to work, meaning this is only a viable method outside of the Glitchless category.
The Prep method is similar to the Bear Trap method but without the bear traps as this is more suited to Glitchless runs. The Prep method is the same except you will attempt to sneak past the Wendigo while you run to the ruins. This is done best by walking instead of sprinting, however, can be done by running as well (just make sure you don't shoot). This is done to make sure you can safely place all of the runes. After placing all of the runes, walk back closer to the caves and begin firing, then sprint back to the ruins shooting in the air while you do this to ensure the Wendigo can find you there. Another way of doing this would be to shoot right before you enter the ruins so the Wendigo gets there right after you finish the runes, however this is unreliable in my opinion, but untested so it may be better.
Other info:
- During the day, the Wendigo takes two shots to scare off, however, during the night it can take anywhere from 3-8 shots to scare him off.
- There are a total of 14 runes around the map, but only 12 symbols so you can skip two (I recommend skipping the two in the main cave entrance).
- There are only three symbol sheets, meaning you need only three pieces of coal and three torn out pages. The gun crosshair is slightly to the right of the exact centre of the screen, so shooting without ADS is unreliable.
- There are two possible spawns for the Wendigo: upper caves and lower caves, and which one you get determines when the Wendigo will leave the cave if you fire into the air while outside.
- The spawn positions of the wolves are random, and they always howl when they are about to attack so listen out for them as they can easily end a run.
