So, the general route has a few difficult strats to it. One is the descent into the Sinkhole. I know that with Any% (Custom) that the runner can just get to the second portion, aggro the skeletons, and run down the stairs tanking their way to the boss. But, without those changes, the average runner will probably take damage. Even after I practiced the descent down myself, I've taken fall damage. It isn't easy but I know there aren't really a lot of other ways around it. I think the stair strat could work for Any% (Civilized) if the runner remembers to bring enough aloe with them.

As for the rest, I've considered these two possibilities: level up to level 20 and get the silverback gorilla at Hanuman's Grotto. 20 is a more ideal level as it opens the runner to more advanced weapons and better stats to even start the dungeons. As for the gorilla, I think an early pet that can both tank and take damage for us the runner will be very beneficial. Though, the down side is that there's a detour to the Unnamed City to fight a mini boss which can take a while and it will require daggers also. But, their health isn't so bad in my opinion compared to the world boss croc. All together, I think it can easily be fifteen minutes to complete with death warps and skilled killing of the mini boss in the Unnamed City. The good trade off is that we can deal out more damage to enemies with said pet at a better level of doing it.

Just some things to consider.

I think we are so hung up on the idea of Any% needing to be started with a new game. Granted, that was how the original rules were set before I became moderator. I am leaning on eliminating that all together. I would much have the player get what they need for our runs rather than bust their butts to have a huge barrier at the beginning. Though, all due respect to those who have. This is just an idea though and only an idea.

Currently it has been difficult to find a bug in the world bosses to get a legendary weapon, for the "civilized" mode. their AI is getting smarter. I'm still training to get a good run in this mode.

And with the way the devs patch things, the moment that anyone finds a bug, it'll be patched before most of us are able to run with it. As for the smarter AI, it will just be more difficult to run the non custom routes, requiring more skill to defeat them. I was wanting to remove it all together but no other idea has really been proven to be good one way or another. Either just as hard or a complete time waste. The compromise though is to having a New Game+ sort of run where you can be leveled up with a proper set up including level, thralls, pets, mounts, armor, and weapons among other items crafted to run this game. Only way to really remove that barrier and still have an interesting, true to the game, experience.