Do we have to let the timer tick on the initial character select screen when punching the telephone box to go back to character select to pick the character we need? Or will the time only start upon selection of that character? (Example: I want to run as Mai)

Edit: The only reason I ask is because I just need clarification, I did read the rules but I just want to avoid a rejection for starting time incorrectly.

If I remember when you pick a secret character it brings you back to the character select screen right ? Sorry I barely played the secret characters . I think the best would be you do all what you need for the secret , timer is not start . Once everything is done and its time to pick Mai, your time starts there like the others . What do you think is the best ? Thank you for bringing this up I completely forgot how the secret character work !

I was thinking that would be the best way to do it, yes. All you have to do is punch the telephone at the very start of the first screen, then walk left to bring the character select back up. It doesn't take very long, but I still wanted to ask to make sure I am starting the timer correctly.

Thank you for the reply! I look forward to trying a run of this soon!

No problem , I will update the rules . Thank you so much for posting in the forum !

Ok I just saw something about the secret characters . I think we will have to add 2-3 seconds additional instantly . I notice that secret character skip the animation of the first boss laughing . Normal Characters spawn in , you have to wait for him to laugh then wait for go character does defensive special then you can move . What you think ? Im gonna calculate exactly how much it is and we just add it instantly .

That was part of the reason I initially asked the question -- I knew that going back to character select skips Damnd's laughing animation (even though you have to sit through it before you can move and go back to character select). I believe that is the only instance in the whole game where a scripted scene is different based on character choice.

It is certainly a tricky topic, at least to me. On one hand, you have to consider the fairness of time starting for normal characters vs secret characters. On the other hand, it is easy to lose over a second or more extra in the menu going for your secret character. Your idea to calculate the time and just add it when the run finishes seems like the simplest fix.

Yeah I think I will calculate exactly how much time it takes for the laugh and we just add it at the end if you play a Secret character . Like that it doesn't matter if secret character skip the laughing we just add it at the end . If you agree with this I think most people would be okay with it , seems fair play for everyone . This game isn't even close to being optimize speedrun wise so for the moment I think we could go with that . If it gets really tight we will take a look into it better with more runners if it gets that point . Thank you so much again , tell me if you have any other ideas I am open to listen !

I think that's probably the easiest option for now, because other than that it would be probably the starting time for all characters (normal or secret) would have to be changed to when you actually gain control vs selection -- and I can see that being a little messy too since the secret characters have control the moment the screen changes from select to stage 1.

So whatever you mods decide on that for now, I will make note of that! ^_^

Yeah for the moment we gonna do that . Just do your run and start the timer when you pick the secret character you wanna play and I see what I do next .