How have you guys learned stepcounter? I found one guide to it and tried to follow it, but don't know if i keep messing up with the steps or something, because it doesn't work for me the right way. If you have any tips on how to learn step counting, it would be highly appreciated :).

It depends on which platform you want to run the game, for example on PC stepcount is pretty much easier than on PS2 since you are pretty much always ahead, it's all about having good movement overall. Also stepcount is not needed to finish the run you can easily finish the run without it ;)

Ah sry, forgot to mention the platform :D I'm running on ps2. And yea i could run it without stepcount, but i'd like to learn it just for fun :D I still have lot learn on all those skips and such :p

I've watched a lot of videos to learn in the PC Category. SevenS1ns has a good video for the midgar section, but i'm not sure if it translates from the PC version to PS2.

The step count for midgar is exactly the same for both ps2 and pc, the only difference is pc gives you more leway to work with and you have to adjust accordingly if you get too far ahead.

To learn step count, I recommend watching a run and seeing exactly where people walk while following along with the step count guide. https://docs.google.com/document/d/1maFA0NCzZuBoC9NQz4goWfsBfs2gEf9rLZKi5yR9c1g/pub

Eventually youll see a pattern to where they walk and how many steps they actually take to get a feel for what your supposed to do. If you take too many or too little steps in a spot, you can mess up the entire step count so walking is fairly precise. Your pathing needs to be optimal because any extra steps can set you on a path that you wont be able to make back up on ps2.

You'll see that most of us take the exact same path everytime we do a run to ensure we get the same step pattern, the best thing to do is just practice.

Good to know about the midgar step counter if I decide to run a different category. Thanks!

New to attempting this speed run. Using mainly the Any% No Slots guide by CreativeEly. I've heard several people comment that you don't HAVE to do step count, and even some recommend not worrying about it while new to the run. My question is, if I choose to ignore it how to I handle the unaccounted for random battles, especially attacks from both sides? No one has really commented on how to proceed if you aren't doing step count. Also, if I don't want to focus on step count yet is there a better guide/video to use for learning the run?

Thanks!

Yeah unfortunately the handful of times I've tried it, it doesn't seem to even last out of sector 5 (I assume because my non-walking steps aren't consistent). So prior to Rocket Town if I get pincer just have to fight until I can escape yeah? (without blowing limits I assume)

Something to note about steps is Cloud will always step first with his left foot to help you keep track of where you are.

There are a number of things to consider with step count. Best advice I can give is choose whatever route you are going to learn and figure out what step options you have, using the fastest video of that route as a reference. For example, Kart's Any% No Slots step route is different to Luzbel's. Likewise, Any% and Any% No Slots can differ in steps.

The next most important thing is being consistent in counting steps. As Arithium has said, Cloud will always start walking with his left foot. However, if you start walking by letting go of X from a run, he will walk with his right. Barret starts with his right from still etc. Know what the steps look like and be consistent. Also worth mentioning is understanding how steps work. The first visible step on the screen does not account for a full step as far as step counting goes. So, where Kart's step guide says 24 steps at the start, it is 24 physical steps and only 23 full steps. Some runners count these differently, so make sure you know what is what. Like I said, be consistent.

There are ways to recover your stepcount if you get behind, and sometimes you will need to walk extra if you are too far ahead of your stepcount. Ask knowledgeable runners is your best bet. Do your best to learn it, and become proficient. The better movement, the better the run anyway. Don't be afraid to ask people and learn from things. If it goes wrong, ask someone to have a look at it. My biggest recommendation would be to ask Meesbaker. He has more knowledge of steps in FFVII in terms of runners than anyone I know.

Stick at it, don't panic and do well!!

I've been practicing PC Any% and step count recently. I'm learning it by doing a bit more of it properly each run. I started trying just to get the encounters right in the first reactor. Now I'm at the point where I've got step count memorized almost up to the end of Midgar. Just keep practicing, you'll get it.