Ori and the Will of the Wisps Speedrun: Master the Fastest Strats

Speedrunning Ori and the Will of the Wisps is one of the most rewarding challenges in the Metroidvania genre, demanding precision, patience, and a deep understanding of its fluid movement engine. Whether you are aiming for a sub-20-minute Any% finish or simply want to optimize your casual playthrough with sequence breaks, mastering the Ori and the Will of the Wisps speedrun requires a blend of mechanical skill and route knowledge.

This guide explores the essential techniques, optimized routing strategies, and community-proven shortcuts that define modern competitive play. By leveraging high-level movement tech and exploiting specific game mechanics, players can shave massive chunks of time off their personal bests.

Essential Movement Tech for Competitive Play

Movement is the backbone of any successful run. Because the game rewards momentum, mastering how to chain abilities is vital. Players often prioritize "Sentry Jumps"—a technique that provides significant verticality—to bypass obstacles that would normally require later-game abilities.

Core Movement Techniques Explained

The Grounded Sentry Jump is arguably the most important skill to learn for an Ori and the Will of the Wisps speedrun. By pressing Sentry and Up Slash on the exact same frame, Ori gains massive upward momentum, allowing you to sequence-break through areas like the Hornbug fight without waiting for intended progression.

Understanding the Patch Differences

Community documentation highlights that route viability often depends on your game version. While the World Record has historically been set on "Patch 2," the current "Patch 3" offers unique advantages, particularly with advanced Launch movement tech.

Version Comparison Table

For players starting out, it is recommended to check the Speedrun.com community leaderboards to see which patch matches your preferred playstyle. Patch 3 allows for "Shop Anywhere" glitches and new movement tech that can make late-game segments significantly faster if mastered correctly.

Mastering Mandatory Skips

To achieve a competitive time, you must become proficient in several key skips. These are non-negotiable for an Any% run. According to community reports, players who struggle with these should use Debug Mode to practice the collision-heavy movements involved.

Key Skips Checklist

1. Hornbug Skip: Use a high Sentry Jump to bypass the boss trigger.
2. Silent Swim: A sequence break that allows early access to Silent Woods.
3. Ku Skip: Uses frame-perfect inputs and game lag to reach the Ku section as Ori.
4. Feeding Grounds Skip: Bypasses the stealth segment entirely by Down Slashing off the skeleton.

The "Silent Swim" is often cited by players as the hardest trick in the early game. It involves swimming through poisoned water and utilizing Bash on projectiles to maintain invulnerability frames. Community experts advise using Keyboard + Mouse for this specific trick, as it allows for more accurate Bash aiming compared to a controller.

Tip

Controller vs. K+M Setup Many top runners swap to Keyboard + Mouse for precise sequences like the Silent Swim, then switch back to controller for general movement. Don't feel forced to stay on one peripheral for the entire duration.

Optimizing Resources and Combat

In an Ori and the Will of the Wisps speedrun, managing Energy and Spirit Light (SL) is a constant balancing act. You don't have time to explore every nook and cranny for upgrades, so you must prioritize specific pickups.

Recommended Resource Path

• Opher (200 SL): Purchase Sentry as early as possible.
• Twillen (1200 SL): Focus on Overcharge and Vitality shards to survive high-damage segments.
• Health/Energy: Only collect what is strictly necessary to perform your scheduled Sentry jumps and dashes.

Effective players minimize combat. If you aren't forced to fight a boss, don't. The "Fast Shriek" strategy at the end of the game is a prime example of high-level optimization; by damaging her during the escape sequence, you can end the final phase in a single cycle.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: Is a controller viable for an Ori and the Will of the Wisps speedrun? A: Yes, absolutely. While some tricks like the Silent Swim are easier on K+M, many world-class runners use controllers for the majority of the game.

Q: Why is the game locked to 60 FPS in speedruns? A: Many movement mechanics are tied to the frame rate. Locking to 60 FPS ensures a level playing field and consistent physics for all players, regardless of hardware.

Q: Where can I find practice saves? A: Using the "moon" folder method to enable Debug Mode allows you to load custom scenarios. You can find community-made practice packs on the official Speedrun.com guide pages.

Q: What is the most important skill for a beginner? A: Master the Grounded Sentry Jump. It is the fundamental movement tech used throughout almost every major segment of an Ori and the Will of the Wisps speedrun, and your run will be significantly slower without it.