Commencement Any% Practice Guide

Version 3.0

This is a guide to setting yourself up to practice Commencement (also referred to as The Moon), the 6th and final stage you visit in Any%.

# Setting up a modded client

We use a mod called Debug Toolkit to help us practice the moon combined with custom config files (.cfg) to help us practice the moon efficiently.  To run this mod, you will need to mod your installation of Risk of Rain 2, with specific instructions depending on what version of the game you are running on.  For Any% it is recommended to run on version 1.0.0.6 of the game for maximum potential time save, so this guide will assume that version.  To downpatch your game, please consult [the Risk of Rain 2 downpatch guide](https://www.speedrun.com/ror2/guide/43koa).

If you have already downpatched, it would be best to make a copy of your depot within your downpatch folder and rename it to "modded downpatch" or something similar.  This new copy will be the downpatch folder you will be modding.

First, you will need to grab the Downpatch Mods zip file from the [resources](https://www.speedrun.com/ror2/resources) tab on this page.  Once downloaded, open the zip file and extract the contents of the DownpatchMods folder into your modded downpatch folder.  You should be extracting a folder called "BepinX" alongside a config file called "doorstop_config" and a .dll file called "winhttp.dll".  These files should be extracting into the folder where "Risk of Rain 2.exe" is located.  Once done, your downpatch should be modded.

It is recommended to make a shortcut to the exe in the modded folder by right-clicking on the exe and hitting "Create Shortcut", and putting the shortcut on your desktop so that you can run it easily.

# Practicing the Moon

Once you have your modded downpatch set up, you are (almost) ready to start practicing the moon.  As previously mentioned, we will be using debug toolkit which will require opening the developer console within Risk of Rain 2.  To do so, press CTRL+ALT+~ (or if you have an alternate keyboard, whichever character is to the left of your 1 key) and the developer console will open.  To close the console (and to re-open it for the rest of the session!), press ~ again.

With debug toolkit, we have access to a few helpful commands that help us practice the moon.  The command give_item lets the player give themselves items.  For example, to give yourself 10 razorwire you can simply type give_item wire 10.  For equipment, you will want to use the command give_equip.  To get Helfire Tincture in this way, you can use the command give_equip tincture.  Note that the command parameters are fairly forgiving with what you call the item you want.

You can also move yourself to different stages using the command next_stage which takes a stage name as an argument.  The command next_stage moon will move you immediately to Commencement, while acting as a stage increase.  This will cause your difficulty to move up as if you had just completed the previous stage normally.  This will happen every time you use this command.  For obvious reasons, this is unwanted behavior but luckily we have more commands for that.  fixed_time will allow you to set what the in-game timer is, and run_set_stages_cleared will allow you to tell the game how many stages you have completed so far.  In this way, to fix your difficulty each time you start a practice instance you can run this command: fixed_time 0; run_set_stages_cleared 7.  

You can also set what level you are by using the command team_set_level, which takes two arguments:  The player to increase the level of, and what level to set them to. Most runs tend to get to Mithrix at level 9 so you would use the command team_set_level 1 9.

It is clear at this point that executing these commands each and every time you need to reset a practice attempt is a major hassle.  To make this one hundred times easier, we have one more trick up our sleeve:  Config files.

# Config Files

In the context of Risk of Rain 2, a config file is a file that lets you run a batch of commands all at once within the developer console.  To practice the moon, we make use of these configs to reset practice attempts quickly by running a single command: `exec config` where 'config' is changed to whatever the name of the actual config is.  

To set config resetting up, you will first need to obtain a practice config.  A zip file containing common practice configs can be obtained [here](https://www.speedrun.com/resourceasset/n6ji1).  Contained within are the following files:
* huntress.cfg: A file for practicing huntress on the moon (may be outdated compared to current strats).
* pod.cfg:  A file for practicing loader pod strats on the moon.
* reset.cfg:  A file for resetting regular runs for Any% (not used for practice).
* tincture.cfg:  A file for practicing helfire tincture razorwire strats.
* generate_config.py:  A python file written to allow a user to generate their own custom practice config file (requires python 3.10 or better).

To use these files in-game, you will need to navigate to your Risk of Rain 2 installation (for practice, it will be the same folder as "Risk of Rain 2.exe" is in like before.).  Open "Risk of Rain 2_Data" and then "Config".  The practice configs will be placed inside this Config folder.

To use the practice configs in-game, head to the character select screen and choose the character you want to practice with.  Then, open console as before (CTRL+ALT+~) and then run the command exec config where config is the name of the file you want to use.  E.g. to run the tincture.cfg practice config, you would run`exec tincture. 

If you fail a practice attempt, simply re-execute the file. (HINT:  you can use the up arrow key to select the most recently ran command).

# Using the Python Script

To use the generate_config.py script, you will first need to have [Python 3.10](https://www.python.org/downloads/) or better installed.  Then, you will need to navigate to the file on the command line.  To open the command line, go to your search bar on your computer and type "CMD" and press Enter.  This should bring up the command prompt.  You should see something like C:\Users\Your Name>.  To navigate to a folder such as your Desktop, enter the command cd Desktop.  For ease of use, you can place the python script on your desktop and access it from here.  To run the python file, run the command python generate_config.py and follow the script text prompts.  Your final generated config will be placed inside a folder called "generated configs".  Open this folder and your custom config will be here.

# You're Done!

At this point, you should have a modded downpatch version of the game, with a custom config (or configs) installed to be used to reset quickly.  

If you have any questions, you can reach out to me on Discord at Gothrand#9375 (or come check out the speedrunning discord for the Risk of Rain speedrun communities)!

Downpatch Guide

Currently useful manifests are as follows:
- 9204909284884878595 - 1.0.0.6 - Old moon patch 
- 4163843425391060582 - 1.1.1.2 - Dissonance bug patch

# Downpatching through steam:
This method works as of the time of writing, but Steam has disabled it in the past.

1. Open the steam console by pressing Win+R and typing in **steam://open/console**
2. In the console type in **download_depot 632360 632361** *manifest*
3. There will be no indication of the download progressing in the console, but it will say when it's done. Be patient. The files will be downloaded to path/to/steam/steamapps/content/app_632360

# Downpatching through DepotDownloader
This is a 3rd party app you'll need to put your steam account details into. It's the best option in case Steam breaks downpatching through their app.

1. Get DepotDownloader here https://github.com/SteamRE/DepotDownloader/releases
2. Unpack it somewhere and then open cmd, easiest done by searching for "cmd" in Windows.
3. in cmd, go to the place where you unpacked DepotDownloader. You can navigate cmd by using the **cd** *destination* command, or do **cd ..** to go back a level. To change the drive you're in simply type in the drive letter followed by a colon like **E:**.
4. Type in **dotnet DepotDownloader.dll -app 632360 -depot 632361 -manifest** *manifest* **-username** *your_steam_username* **-password** *your_steam_password*
The files will be downloaded to the directory where you unpacked DepotDownloader

If you get an error saying "'dotnet' is not recognized as the name of a cmdlet", make sure you have .NET Core installed. You can get it here:
https://dotnet.microsoft.com/download/dotnet/current

How to Time Travel (Seeding Prismatic Trials)

Getting a specific prismatic trial can be invaluable for unlock-based categories like 100%. In order to not have to wait for a good trial, and then only have a limited time to actually do runs of the category, we allow seeding the trials. To do this, you'll need RunAsDate, available here: https://www.nirsoft.net/utils/run_as_date.html

How to actually seed the trial:
1. Force-close steam with task manager
2. Go into your firewall settings and create an outbound rule for steam.exe that blocks all connection.
3. Use RunAsDate to run steam with the date corresponding to the trial you want. (If you set up the firewall correctly, steam should say it can't connect to the internet. Log in offline.)
4. From here you're all set, start up Risk of Rain and the trial should be the one from the date you set.

When you want to go back online on steam, disable the firewall rule in windows and restart steam.

Huntress Any% Guide

Loader Pod Any% Guide

This guide will explain how to set-up, practice, and learn how to do the Loader Pod Strategy for the Risk of Rain 2 Any% Speedrun. (MAINLY CURRENT PATCH)

# Set-up

To begin with, you should make sure, depending on the version, you should downpatch your game. If you want to downpatch your game, follow [rythin's downpatch guide](https://www.speedrun.com/ror2/guide/43koa).

If you want to play on the current patch, you don't need to downpatch your game.

Another guide to follow to make your runs faster would be [Gothrand's config guide](https://www.speedrun.com/ror2/guide/n936x).

One last thing to do is downloading a pod profile, a pod profile is a profile specifically editted to have no lunar equipments unlocked. You should download this file [here](https://www.speedrun.com/resourceasset/jb9wt) and put it into "*Program Files (x86) > Steam > userdata > (user-id) > 632360 > remote > UserProfiles.*"

Make sure you set this file to read-only in the file properties so that once you do get an achievement, it will not be saved to your profile.

# Practicing

For practice Loader movement, specifically for practicing commencement, you should follow [Gothrand's Commencement Guide](https://www.speedrun.com/ror2/guide/sm2bb). If you are on current patch, change the line with *set_scene moon* to *set_scene moon2* in the pod file. That will update it to current patch moon. For learning the loader movement, I recommend [this](https://youtu.be/zeRRJGfzuSw) video to better understand how loader movement works.

# Build

The Loader loadout that you should be using is:

- **Spiked Fist**
- **Charged Gauntlet**
- **M551 Pylon**

This loadout is the best for movement based goals such as general movement, commencement, starting stages, and more.

As far as artifacts go:

- **Glass**
- **Enigma** *(not used in downpatch)*
- **Command**

**Glass** is for high damage and not having to go get a Shaped Glass in bazaar.

**Enigma** is for trying to get a Volcanic Egg so you can clip through the Mithrix Arena during p4 skip.

**Command** is for picking items that teleporter drops and chests drop.

One last thing I recommend doing, is turning off the DLC. This gets rid of void cradles, maps, items, and enemies which makes the speedrun more simplified.

# Strategy

You want to roll for a stage you are comfortable with, this means you know where newt and teleporter can spawn. You want to roll until you get a newt pod/pods. You should always be using your equipment until you get a Volcanic Egg. (If you can't roll it, a backup strat is getting an equipment barrel, but this is slower.)

On downpatch, you want to go for a capacitor, I recommend watching the strat for yourself because it has a couple of layers to it.

# Items

The items you should pick are as follows:

- **Focused Convergence**-
0 *90s*
1 *69.2s*
2 *56.2s*
3+ *47.3s*
3 is ideal for runs and should be your first priority in a run.

- **Purity**-
You want to get a run with 3 or 4 purities depending on how confident you feel in your movement. 4 is ideal for runs.

- **Kjaro's and Runald's Bands**-
You want to get 1 Runald's band and all the next green items should be Kjaro's bands. This is because Runald's bands stack 250% per band while Kjaro's stack 300% per band.
Typically, you get 1 Runald's Band and 4 Kjaro's band.

- **Backup Magazine**-
Backup Magazine is good when combo'd with the purities. It helps you make your movement fluent and ideally you only get 1, but if you aren't confident enough you can get 2.

- **Crowbar**-
Crowbar is good for the charged punch and it helps when killing enemies in p2 and killing Mithrix. Ideally you get 1, but if you have a backup magazine already, I recommend stacking as many crowbars as possible.

- **Genesis Loop**- (if you get a boss item)
You are already low health so if you get hit enough, you can clear all enemies around you.

Note: if you get a recycler mid run, recycle once of the green/yellow teleporter drops, it doesn't hurt the run as much but it is an inconvenience.

# Stages

**Stage 1**-
Distant Roost is faster, but Newt Pod spawns are harder to see. Titanic plains is slower but easier to see Newt Pods, I typically reset for Titanic plains, because it's easier to route for pods in my personal opinion.

Get Newt Altar and try to get a seed with 2 or more Newt Pods (1 is good for practicing.) Complete teleporter and enter the blue portal.

**Bazaar**-
Grab all lunar items and make sure none of them are equipment lunars, and you should end up with 3 Focused Convergences and 3 or 4 Purities (Newt Pods are common during other stages so its alright to get the 4th Purities before Commencement.)

**Stages 2-5**-
Do teleporter as fast as possible and follow the item guide. Make sure you know how to spot the teleporter from afar and learn the maps. Ideal maps are Abandoned Aqueduct > Rallypoint Delta > Siren's Call.

**Moon**
After practicing pillar skip as loader, this should feel like muscle memory. You should however study some speedrunner's Mithrix fights. To do the Volcanic Egg Clip, the closest ramp to the rescue ship is the only ramp you can clip through. This [clip](https://youtube.com/clip/Ugkx-Ysodwz8AIAMbmOhWUkQHqGuUy6NZYeZ) by me shows the ideal outcome of doing the clip. You should position yourself to hit Mithrix while launching towards the ramp. While this is happening you should P4 skip, and you will be diving towards the ship.

# Studying

I recommend watching people do runs such as @_Wig, @ConfusedBTW, @MeaFreya, and me ( @snekuru ). Some of them stream and some of them you can watch their speedruns. I would recommend trying to see where they could improve their times at and trying to practice getting better at it. Seeing the small issues they make and working on improving them in your own gameplay will help you improve your skill and time as a speedrunner.

#Summary
Pod runs will make you stay on stage 1 for a long time until you get the Newt Pods. After you do, don't let the pressure break you and your run. If you do, let it go and maybe take a break. It's important to only do runs if you are enjoying it and remember it's still all in fun. If you need help, visit the Risk of Rain 2 Speedrunning [Discord](https://discord.gg/RWkNrGW) and ask for help. Goodluck to everybody who plans on running pod and best of luck to you. <3

Quick Config Reset

This guide describes how to reset in Risk of Rain 2 using a config file.  This allows runners to reset incredibly quickly compared to exiting a run manually and navigating back to the character select menu and restarting a run.  This method should work regardless of what patch the runner is using.

What's a config file?  In short, a config file is just a file that the game can see from the in-game console that contains a bunch of commands that are ran together in order.  In the config file we have created, we primarily use two commands:  "run_end" and "pregame_start_run".  We have the config set up in such a way that these commands can be ran without worrying of computer loading times using the "transition_command" command.

Here is how to install and run the config:

1.  Download the config reset zip file from the resources tab on this page.  This zip file contains the config itself.
2.  Navigate to your configs folder that you'd like to add the config to.  This folder will be located at the place your Risk of Rain 2 is installed.
 - For current patch, you can navigate here by right clicking on Risk of Rain 2 in steam, Manage, Browse Local Files.  In the file explorer, the config folder will be under "Risk of Rain 2_Data".
- For downpatches, you can navigate to the config folder of the downpatch by navigating to your downpatch folder, "depots", "632361", (some numbers, different for everyone), and finally "Risk of Rain 2_Data".
3.  Unzip the config file you downloaded previously into the config folder.  Alternatively, unzip the config file anywhere you'd like and drag and drop the file into the config folder.

To run the reset script, go in game and open the in-game console, CTRL+ALT+~.  On non-american layout keyboards, do CTR+ALT+`.  The ` key just needs to be whatever key is directly to the left of the "1" key on your keyboard.

You can now open and close the console by pressing ~ or ` at any time without using CTRL+ALT.

Go into character select and start a run.  Open the console, and type "exec reset".  This will tell the in-game console to execute the config called "reset" present in the config folder.  To execute the command again, hit the Up Arrow on your keyboard to select the previously ran command.

You should now be set up to quickly reset in Risk of Rain 2.  Good luck on your runs!

Risk of Rain 2 Tincture Strategy Guide for Any%

rythin

Gothrand

CorvusScribe

snekuru

Risk of Rain 2

RuddyCub

MeaFreya

GoGeng

MonkeGamin25

LordAgent

wollywog

Solo

Co-op

Loader

MUL-T

Huntress

Mercenary

Artificer

Acrid

Captain

Engineer

Bandit

Multiple

Dupeless

Unrestricted

Commando

A Moment, Whole

Planetarium

Co-Op

Railgunner

Void Fiend

4 Char

Current Patch

Void Fields

Frog

Random Portal

No DLC 1.1+

SotV

SotS

No Time Travel

Time Travel

Solo / Co-op

Version

Character

Duping

AHR Ending

Solo / Co-Op

Gauntlet Category

Patch

Void Access Method

Seeing as most everyone was for this change, the Gauntlet category will now accept runs performed on an unmodded version of the game. Using the mods is still allowed, with the Fogbound Lagoon stage now being optional - allowed, but not required.

Vanilla runs still submit their IGT from the results 

Namn	Författare
Commencement Any% Practice Guide	Gothrand 2 years ago
Downpatch Guide	rythin 2 years ago
How to Time Travel (Seeding Prismatic Trials)	rythin 11 months ago
Huntress Any% Guide	CorvusScribe 1 year ago
Loader Pod Any% Guide	snekuru 10 months ago
Quick Config Reset	Gothrand 2 years ago
Risk of Rain 2 Tincture Strategy Guide for Any%	Gothrand 3 years ago