[Restrictions] No Major Glitches ruleset (02/March/25)

This post should cover the rules applied to any No Major Glitches runs.

## No Major Glitches

The following glitches or tricks are banned:

- Rope Storage [(video)](https://drive.google.com/file/d/1e6_d9JFcs2wyj79-HrNMqyLeWzjljZVv/view)
- Ledge Storage [(video)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IArsaGHN7O4)
- Swift Blade wall storage and infinite climbing [(video)](https://drive.google.com/file/d/1SKDFrXMrBMcTBoPDYMLNv2S2JiUEpU4X/view?usp=drive_link)
- Any type of Hovering [(video)](https://drive.google.com/file/d/1AukNNmeNDt-bvCxQYGKJaLSfCPqGTuOs/view?usp=sharing)
- Ghost Glitch [(video)](https://drive.google.com/file/d/1cSkj5-kDQJfYHYLCkWtW85LzVuDFtY5h/view?usp=drive_link)
- Low Gravity [(video)](https://youtu.be/z9JpcTQ_eQM?si=h1o_7HCj-Be_MfMV&t=140)
- Any type of boss phase skip [(video)](https://drive.google.com/file/d/16tKPJ12txhMbs1_7py_vHHVkjMb5vpYd/view?usp=drive_link)
- Any type of duping (this includes [Purchase Duplication](https://youtu.be/R7nyyuvsLBU))
- Nymph State glitch [(check the tricks doc)](https://docs.google.com/document/d/1LSTBIZvvADmFRNJw7fiJ2E1k3yf_b268WkaZyITLWik/edit?tab=t.0#heading=h.44kxkl6ro9xw)
- No Menu Glitches ([TP Storage](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2WiOH2FQD-E), Purchase Dupe, or Jade Storage)
- Any movement that results in out of bounds, or skips that rely on out of bounds movement. [(see W&O Synth boat skip)](https://drive.google.com/file/d/1FlnGB1QBKBB6_COUC9tfA9WdwRZvyC_F/view?usp=drive_link)
- Any type of sustained invulnerability (for example [Bow Invulnerability](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nUl-XJvSJjE) through NSS or room transition, Ghost Glitch)

Any trick or glitch that might be deemed too powerful will most likely be banned, even if not yet included in this list.

Runs have to be done in Standard Mode. Changing to Story Mode in the middle of the run is not allowed.

[Setup] Downpatching and Steam Beta

Most restricted and unrestricted categories make use of glitches that were patched out (most notably, rope storage and i-frame on damage triggers).  The most optimal patch currently (21th september 2024) is **Ver [20240618xxxx.7fa8f8e6](https://steamdb.info/depot/1809541/history/?changeid=M:6612779001335543972)**, which has Static Rope Storage, and added Jade Storage. You can find patchlists on the [Tricks document](https://docs.google.com/document/d/1LSTBIZvvADmFRNJw7fiJ2E1k3yf_b268WkaZyITLWik/)

There's a few methods to downpatch the game:

# Downpatching

For the steam version of the game, you can download old patches by using the Steam Console (or Depot Downloader in case the latter doesnt work), or by using the Steam Beta feature.

### Steam Beta (speedrunner patch)

The lovely devs have made a steam beta branch we can downpatch to (and recently updated it to an optimal patch, thanks devs again). This branch updates us to the patch where Jade Storage was introduced. (18th June patch **[7fa8f8e6](https://steamdb.info/depot/1809541/history/?changeid=M:6612779001335543972)**)

To access this version, open the game properties in Steam

![](/static/blob/pzmwpkxe.png)

Enter the 'Betas' tab, and in Private Betas insert this code: **speedrun20240618**

Check code and opt in for the speedrunner branch

![](/static/blob/yzrow7gz.png)

This will now enable the speedrunner branch as an option in Beta Participation. Choose the one you'd like to use

![](/static/blob/5ngdjm4n.png)

# 

### Using Steam Console (for other patches)

To access the Steam Console, you can open it by using this command in the browser, or on the Run Program (Win+R) feature in windows

```
steam://open/console
```

![](/static/blob/7e9jo43n.png)

Inside the console, we'll be using the **download_depot** command to access previous versions of the game.

You can check the old versions in **[[this link]](https://steamdb.info/app/1809540/depots/)**, by going into the respective Depot for your OS (windows or mac), then into Manifests and checking the patch dates. We also have a **[list of patches](https://docs.google.com/document/d/1LSTBIZvvADmFRNJw7fiJ2E1k3yf_b268WkaZyITLWik/edit#heading=h.qbu4l8fsdrpd)** where important tricks or glitches were removed inside the **[[Tricks Doc]](https://docs.google.com/document/d/1LSTBIZvvADmFRNJw7fiJ2E1k3yf_b268WkaZyITLWik)**.

The command will be something like this (patch download commands might also be found in the tricks doc):

```
download_depot APP (1809540) DEPOT(Win/Mac) MANIFEST(patch)
Depot IDs: (1809541 for windows) (1809542 for mac)

For example:
download_depot 1809540 1809541 7607609690383614330
```

This should redownload the game files into a new folder located in "\Steam\steamapps\content\app_1809540\depot_(your OS referenced above)". When it finishes downloading and installing it will show in the console something like "Depot download complete: (game folder route here)"

![](https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/1232094127965868123/1260385605687447612/image.png?ex=668f2111&is=668dcf91&hm=c787a51548662cfb27ba798c46e4257c977e00d0e39e65df3000759b528cf084&=)

After this, you can rename the folder (in case you want to download another patch later), then refer to the "Adding the game as Non-Steam Game" section.

### Using Depot Downloader

Check [this guide](https://docs.google.com/document/d/1XgicBAqBvXbMnviRYvr6XiXax_I21ecxM-TaDmD_R7Y/edit) by BigNoNo (thanks)

After this, refer (again) to the "Adding the game as Non-Steam Game" section.

In case Steam Console stops working (again)

# Adding the game as Non-Steam game

To make sure the previous options dont try to auto-update the game on opening, make sure you add (inside the downpatched game folder) a .txt file called "steam_appid.txt".

Inside that text file, just put the app number -> **1809540**

This should allow the version to be opened without any issues. (You can maybe also make a copy of the speedrunner branch like this question mark)

After this you can add the game as a Non-Steam game inside the Steam Client for easier access to older versions.



## Removing the version info on the top right

On some shipped versions, the debug version info on the top-right is still present, and this might not be wanted. You can remove this text by entering your game folder by editing config.json file inside the NineSols_Data/StreamingAssets/Config/ folders (with notepad or your text editor of choice), and emptying out the "Version" value (leave just a space), or changing it to something descriptive of the version.

![](/static/blob/xzdp75qz.png)

![](/static/blob/1n5360mz.png)



[Setup] FPS Display and Settings

From today on, Capped runs will require an FPS display to be verified.

# OBS Settings

First of all, in case you're using OBS as recording software, you'll want to make sure the game capture is also including the FPS Display overlay.

If you're capturing the game through the Game Capture option, you should check the Capture third-party overlays setting. Window Capture does this by default usually.

# ![](/static/blob/oeog24kn.png)

# FPS Display through Steam

Steam has a native FPS display that can be used for runs.

To activate it, first make sure you're either playing on the latest version through Steam, or have the game added as Non-Steam in case of downpatched versions.

![](/static/blob/5e14p06e.png)

While inside the game, press the hotkey to open Steam Overlay (usually Shift+Tab), press the Settings option (the gear icon). Inside the In Game menu, select any option under the In-game FPS counter dropdown. As long as you reopen the game through Steam, the fps counter should show up.

![](/static/blob/qzp7m4xz.png)

# Installing Rivatuner Statistics Server (RTSS)

This software will provide both an FPS display you can use for runs, and options for hotkey to change FPS mid-run. You can obtain it **[here](https://www.guru3d.com/download/rtss-rivatuner-statistics-server-download)**: https://www.guru3d.com/download/rtss-rivatuner-statistics-server-download

## Setting up FPS display

Add the game application on the bottom-left, then select the option Show Own Statistics, this should add the display on the top-left of the screen. You can also drag the number display to move it wherever you'd like.

![](/static/blob/pzmw804e.png)



# Limiting FPS through game

The game has a built-in FPS limiter functionality. Since patch d6707277 (31th Dec 2024) the game also includes the option to swap between Unlimit, 60 Hz, 90 Hz, and 120 Hz options.

To set it up, simply enter options and check the Limit FPS option, and select whatever FPS you want to limit to. In speedrun patch, this caps your FPS to 60. This also requires VSync deactivated, since having VSync on with Limit FPS will cap your FPS to whatever your monitor refresh rate is.

[Setup] How to load lvl 0 True Eigong save.

1. download the saves from here: https://www.mediafire.com/file/u3b5aac7i50sf3c/lvl_0_true_eigong_saves.zip/file

2. go to C:\Users\USERNAME\AppData\LocalLow\RedCandleGames\NineSols and replace both "saveslotX" and "saveslotX_BeforeNoReturnPoint" with the corresponding file in the saves folder, saveslot0 being the first slot, saveslot1 being the second, saveslot2 being the third and lastly saveslot3 being the fourth. If not all the save files are present, simply paste in the new save.

3. replace the "X" in "saveslotX"  and "saveslotX_BeforeNoReturnPoint" that should now be in the folder with the number of the save that was just replaced. or an unused save slot in the case not all the save files are present.

4. load the save, and hit confirm.


[Setup] Practice Tool Installation - Debug Mod

# Overview 

Debug Mod and Debug Mod Plus are the two primary practice mods used to make the learning process faster. Debug Mod gives access to a long list of commands such as infinite Qi, health, money, etc., and Debug Mod Plus gives access to savestates, console, map warp, and a built in timer. This guide is going to cover manually installing these instead of using r2ModMan or Thunderstore. At the time of writing this they currently work, but if they ever don't manually installing is best.

![](/static/blob/3ekdvl5z.png)

## Getting Started

Before installing practice tools, make sure you have at least one, preferably two installs of your preferred patch of Nine Sols ready to go. The second install will be your vanilla copy so you don't have to remove mods when you want to do runs. If you don't know how to downpatch or setup multiple installs follow this guide: https://www.speedrun.com/nine_sols/guides/vvjn3

![](/static/blob/xz0dox1e.png)

Remember, if you dont have the steam_appid.txt file, Steam will only launch the default install, so make sure you add that (also make sure its not **steam_appid.txt.txt** !!!)

![](/static/blob/kzwokgje.png)

If you don't have room for multiple copies of Nine Sols on your drive, it's less convenient to swap between modded and vanilla installs but it's not mandatory to have separate modded and vanilla installs.

### Now is also a good time to backup your saves! 

They should be unaffected by the modding process, however since the location is shared between all copies its a good idea to backup your casual saves if you haven't yet and care about the. The save folder location is:

```
C:\Users\***YOURUSERNAMEHERE***\AppData\LocalLow\RedCandleGames\NineSols
```

**AppData is a hidden folder, you will need to change that setting ->**

![](/static/blob/ynlxvl3n.png)

You can just copy everything inside the save folder, or copy the specific saves you want (stored as saveslot folders).

## Installation

We're going to be using BepInEx as our mod loader, once that is setup we'll install Debug Mod and Debug Mod Plus.

### BepInEx

[Direct Download
](https://github.com/BepInEx/BepInEx/releases/download/v5.4.23.2/BepInEx_win_x64_5.4.23.2.zip)[
](https://github.com/BepInEx/BepInEx/releases/download/v5.4.23.2/BepInEx_win_x64_5.4.23.2.zip)

Download BepInEx 5 from the direct download above (Windows 64 Bit) or get it from the official repository https://github.com/BepInEx/BepInEx

![](/static/blob/7e9wlq5z.png)

Unzip the files and place them in your Game Folder for your modded install, where the game files are located. The default install for Steam Games is:

```
C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common
```

Your game folder should look like this before you place the BepInEx files:
*note that if your NineSols.exe file just says NineSols, your steam_appid.txt file should read steam_appid, please check this EVERYONE messes this up*

![](/static/blob/qnygw13n.png)

and then it should look like this afterwards:
*DID YOU CHECK steamapp_id.txt ???????????*

![](/static/blob/4zjqv8le.png)

**Make sure you have copied ALL of the files from the zip folder into this game folder**

If anything is missing the game might crash or not launch BepInEx properly, so go back and check each of the files if you're having issues, and also verify once again you have **steam_appid.txt** in there named properly with the numbers correct.

Once you've double checked and dragged the files, go ahead and double click NineSols.exe to launch the game. The game should launch normally, and you can go ahead and close it. This will initialize BepInEx so its ready for us to place mods in.

Let's go back to the game folder for our modded install, and open up the BepInEx folder. If it's initialized we should see a folder that looks like this:

![](/static/blob/3nvmxr8n.png)

If your folder does not look like this, and instead looks like this:

![](/static/blob/dz4wd0ke.png)

then you have made one of a couple mistakes:

1. You did not copy and paste all of the files into the right location from BepInEx download. Try redownloading BepInEx and copy and pasting all of the files from the zip folder into the game folder. Verify your installation looks like the provided screenshots, with no files missing.
2. You did not launch the correct version of the game. Make sure you're using the executable in the folder that you're trying to mod, and that the steam_appid.txt file is named correctly with the correct information.

If you still can't get things looking right, feel free to ask for help in the Speedrunning Discord.

### Debug Mod, Debug Mod Plus, and Configuration Manager

Assuming BepInEx is now initialized, we're ready to install the mods themselves. I've linked the latest versions at the time of this mod, but you should ask if there are any updates and check [#community-resources](https://discord.com/channels/963458486686077070/1256525212820832297) if you want the latest versions and features.

**Debug Mod by Kreon** - [Discord Link](https://discord.com/channels/963458486686077070/1256525212820832297/1344412116270059640)

This mod is old and doesn't have an existing Github Repository, and doesn't get updates often, latest version is always in [#community-resources](https://discord.com/channels/963458486686077070/1256525212820832297) channel at the Nine Sols Speedrunning Discord.

**Debug Mod Plus** **by Dubi Steinkek** - [Discord Link](https://discord.com/channels/963458486686077070/1256525212820832297/1344418532787486865)

This mod gets more frequent updates, and has two main contributors, Dubi Steinkek and CC (myself). Once again, latest version is always in [#community-resources](https://discord.com/channels/963458486686077070/1256525212820832297) channel at the Nine Sols Speedrunning Discord. You can also find releases and source code here:

Dubi's Github - https://github.com/jakobhellermann/NineSols-DebugModPlus/releases

CC's Github - https://github.com/ace9653/NineSols-DebugModPlus/releases

*This mod was also formerly known as the "other" debug mod so there may be confusion when looking at old resources*

**Configuration Manager** - [Github Link](https://github.com/BepInEx/BepInEx.ConfigurationManager/releases)

This mod allows a simple UI to change hotkeys and other settings. While not required, the alternative of editing the config text file can be a bit tedious at best.

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Once you've downloaded the three mods, place all four .dll files and the ConfigurationManager folder into your BepInEx/Plugins folder inside your modded game folder. It should look like this:

![](/static/blob/xz0d014e.png)

If you launch your modded install now, you should see that the Logo and intro stuff is skipped. If you load into a save, and press F1, you should see a whole bunch of stuff pop up.

![](/static/blob/1n536djz.png)

Your game is now officially setup for speedrun practice! Unless the game didn't launch of course. If that happened, try grabbing a different release of Debug Mod Plus, making sure to also grab the corresponding NineSolsAPI.dll.

## Using Debug Mod and Debug Mod Plus

Now that you have everything installed, you'll need to learn how to use the mod.

### Hotkeys

The full list of hotkeys for Debug Mod can be viewed [here](https://pastebin.com/zSt9Zs0v)

Debug Mod Plus hotkeys can be edited in the settings / config files, the defaults are

```
Ctrl + . open console, run `user-commands` or `all-commands` to see possible commands
```

```
Ctrl + , open debug toggles
```

```
Ctrl + M shortcut for the freecam
```

```
Ctrl + B  shortcut for the hitboxes
```

### Settings

With Configuration Manager Installed you can edit the settings of each mod by pressing F1, which will pull up this menu:

![](/static/blob/kzwo3pre.png)

**Make sure to check the boxes on the top for Normal Settings, Advanced Settings, and Keyboard Shortcuts to see all the options!**

Alternatively, each debug has it's own config file, which can be found in the **BepinEx/Plugins** folder.
![](/static/blob/oeo0v8je.png)

You can edit these files with Notepad or your preferred software of choice.

The settings / config file for Debug Mod Plus lets you set your own hotkeys. Some features aren't available unless you setup your own hotkey.

### Tips

1. Savestates are very powerful, you an access them with the Debug Mod Plus toggles or set hotkeys for them
2. If you ever softlock you can open the Debug Mod Plus console and type QuitToMenu to get to the Main Menu without restarting your game
3. The built in timer for Debug Mod Plus can be accessed by setting binds in the config file. It has the same logic as the autosplitter built in so it can be used for loadless timing.
4. Escape will skip cutscenes using Debug Mod.

# Final Setup

### Single Install Setups

Remember that **for official runs you will need to be on a vanilla copy** so make sure to swap over. If you don't have multiple installs setup, you have two options:

1. Delete the extra files added by BepInEx. If you're not sure which is which, you can just delete everything that isnt in a folder, and then Verify Integrity of Files through Steam
2. Delete everything, and fresh install from Steam. This is slow and not ideal
3. **For practice purposes only:** you can rename the BepInEx folder to something else. This gives you an effective vanilla install, however, its not run legal since there's still a bit of modded code running at the start.![](/static/blob/1n535xvz.png)

### Multiple Install Setups

Getting to your modded folder can be tedious, so setting up some shortcuts can help.

**Steam:**

You can add your modded copy of Nine Sols as a Non-Steam Game to your library. ![](/static/blob/3ekdv85z.png)![](/static/blob/xz0doq1e.png)

Choose the NineSols.exe file in your modded install, and rename the game to whatever you want. You can now launch through Steam and get basic overlay support, like the FPS Display

**Windows:**

You can go to the Game Folder, right click on Nine Sols -> Show More Options -> Create Shortcut and add that to your desktop. You can also pin the modded install to your taskbar by right clicking the icon while its open.
![](/static/blob/kzwok8je.png)![](/static/blob/xzdpvo9z.png)

[Setup] Timing and LiveSplit setup

# Load Remover setup

For the run submissions, we require using a load time remover included in the LiveSplit autosplitter.

You can find LiveSplit here: http://livesplit.org/downloads/

Inside LiveSplit, right click on the window and press Edit Splits

![](https://www.speedrun.com/static/blob/3ekxoy3n.png)

Choose Nine Sols as the Game Name, and proceed to activate the Autosplitter functionality on the right. You can also check its settings for further options, like auto-start. **Make sure you open LiveSplit after opening the game and being on the main menu to ensure it works.**

![](https://www.speedrun.com/static/blob/xz05kgmn.png)

To ensure the Load Remover is working, you'll need to have the timing method set as Game Time. To do this either go to Edit Layout -> Layout Settings -> Timer, and change the timer method to Game Time.

![](/static/blob/xzd4955z.png)

Or you can select Current Timing Method, and change it from the main window like here:

![](/static/blob/1n57r0qe.png)



### **For the Load Remover to fully work, make sure to open LiveSplit after the game, ideally when on the main menu. There's also an issue currently where you also might need to load any save first so the autosplitter fully detects certain game classes.**

-

# Start options

In the autosplitter settings, you can check the Start option to autostart the run. There's two methods of autostart included:

## From New Game

Make sure to have "*Start from Existing Save*" option unchecked. The timer will autostart when the intro cutscene starts playing (a second after confirming the game mode).

## From existing save

Runs that start by skipping Intro area (with an already existing savefile like entering Apeman Facility), will require a timing offset to compensate for the intro skip. You can add this offset manually after submission, but LiveSplit has an option to start the timer at a certain point.

![](/static/blob/kzwrl68e.png)

You will want to use Start from Existing Save autostart here.

-

# Manual retiming

For manually retimed submissions, we'll want a rundown of every load time. The autosplitter currently considers a load the first moment the loading icons appears, up to when a level finishes loading (only the latter in certain cases like the intro). If using YouTube, you can use [[this tool]](https://slashinfty.github.io/yt-frame-timer/)

The intro loading start and end is considered as:

- The first frame the save selection box shrinks (in case of existing save) or the first frame where the game mode selection box highlights to white (new save).
- The first frame where the save selection gong fades out (in case of existing save) or the first frame where the background noise starts while screen is black after skipping the intro video (new save).

For most room transitions, loads are counted as:

- The first frame when the screen starts fading to black before the transition
- The first frame when the screen finishes fading in after the transition

Soulscape in particular has 5 spots where it loads the next segment, then a few islands later another trigger adds that segment into the map. The latter freezes the game in most cases, so we'll be counting these times as loads to. In these cases, we consider the first frame after the movement has frozen, until the last frame before the next movement frame starts.

For reference, these 5 segments are:

- A -> B: In the middle of an island, with two trees (trigger is on the first tree)
- B -> C: On a small island that has a Tai-Chi eye in the middle (after the Tai-chi section starts)
- C -> D: In the middle of a memory island (after the spikey zone)
- D -> Miniboss: Right before the invisible spectre fight (reference is the island with a tree in the background)
- Miniboss -> Butterfly: On the small island after activating the memory hexagons, after killing Huanxian

### Extra random notes

If you would like to not see the split window in game, you can have it running in the background by going into Layout Settings, and checking out the Always on Top feature, so you cant see it but it still gets recorded by the recording software.

[Tech] Known trick repository

A recopilation of tricks and glitches known so far, though most of the strats have been moved to the community discord.

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1uf8iQPKLE0nSsQh4Q5pbvGnYMxyb7Glk-JWwQmuUkYE/edit?gid=0#gid=0





link to the previous document: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1LSTBIZvvADmFRNJw7fiJ2E1k3yf_b268WkaZyITLWik/edit?tab=t.0#heading=h.q75gbtdlanhc

Juanba

ConstructiveCynicism

nebulaaax

Nine Sols

Memories of Battle: Jiequan

Memories of Battle: Eigong

Lefty2t

Raivals

p0chi_LgA

StormyIV

Any%

Boss Challenge

No Bow

w/ Jades

None

Demo

Playtest 1

Playtest 2

Playtest 2 - Primal Power Well

Playtest 2 - Agricultural Region

Restricted

Unrestricted

Console

No Major Glitches

Standard

Story

20240614.e554ba4e

20240608.fe684f4d

20240602.41db9c37

Speedrun Branch

20240624.64af447d

20240718.ad9d9939+

Capped

Uncapped

All Sols and Seals

Water Flow

Qi Blast

Full Control

True Ending

100%

Any 

50 FPS (Archive)

Max Tao Fruits

Demo Subcategories

Jades

Demo Categories

Glitch Restriction

Subcategory

Game Mode

Patch

FPS Cap

Spell Style

Abilities 

MoB Escape

Tao Fruits

Hi, once again FPS shenanigans.

As you may notice (for full game runs), Capped leaderboard has been archived for now, since more discoveries have been made that make low FPS more relevant in the run vs uncapped fps. This means that a high FPS cap will no longer be necessary for runs (with the excep

Nome	Autore
[Restrictions] No Major Glitches ruleset (02/March/25)	Juanba 3 months ago
[Setup] Downpatching and Steam Beta	Juanba 10 months ago
[Setup] FPS Display and Settings	Juanba 6 months ago
[Setup] How to load lvl 0 True Eigong save.	nebulaaax 6 months ago
[Setup] Practice Tool Installation - Debug Mod	ConstructiveCynicism 2 months ago
[Setup] Timing and LiveSplit setup	Juanba 10 months ago
[Tech] Known trick repository	Juanba 10 months ago