Speed

[Drool]

Thanks to SGDQ, I recently re-fired up Wasteland to see how fast I could go. Not counting character generation, I managed about 27 minutes, but I know I can go faster, even with generation. The real problem is Needles where a random encounter will kill you. That said, here's my general thoughts on how to do it:

• Delete starter party
• Make three characters with clip pistol, rifle, and a specialty skill (min IQ: 11?)
  • Character 1 skill: Perception
  • Character 2 skill: Lockpick
  • Character 3 skill: Gamble
• Go to Needles
• Sell everything but Rope and Canteens in the Boutique
• Get Superloot in Acapulco club
• Equip with NAME AC, Red Ryder, sufficient missiles, shovel, 7.62 ammo
• Go to Citadel, get 4 keys and Secpass B
• Go to Vegas, grab Sonic Key, build Max
• Cochise
• Get Vax for Funny Rooms and to be your 4th
• Win Game

Needles is really the risky part. In my 27 minute run I got the Quartz superloot. It doesn't have NAME AC or Red Ryders, but it has Psuedo-Chitin armor which eliminates any risk Jerks could pose, but that seems a huge time sink. But if you skip that and go straight to Needles, then you risk having to start all over when a Leather Jerk wipes your party.

Still, I think this is about as streamlined as it gets. Thoughts?

[Zombra]

I have nothing to contribute except my impressed reaction! Wow!!

[Drool]

Did a little poking around today after work. Sadly, Thrasher from the original party has Gamble, but he's the one you'd want to toss. Also, unless you want to monkey with climbing on the roof, shooting enemies, blowing up a pod, and throwing down a rope, you're going to need Secpass B. I'm not sure which is going to be faster, but I wager a macro for the portcullis will be faster than trying to climb. Plus, if you're going with IQ14 characters, you likely won't have room for Climb.

[Drool]

For those interested, I managed to get under 20 minutes: https://youtu.be/joyz528ntAQ

[paultakeda]

You're insane. But it's the good kind. :p

[Drool]

Not insane enough!

According to speedrun.com the record is 16 minutes. Pretty sure I can top that with a bit of work.

[phimseto]

Damn...that's astounding, esp. remembering my own struggles with that game back in 1988.

[Drool]

Thanks. I've made myself a sewer map, and am plotting how to do it without getting Vax and only making 1 character, but that might be a bridge too far. Especially since Vax's most likely replacement (Dr. Mike Scott) isn't particularly useful.

[Lord of Riva]

nice work Drool

EDIT: dont be so annoyed by yourself, seeing the run was amazingly fast, even if you made mistakes its quite the achievement.

[Nexus]

And here I was proud revisiting the game on my still working c-64 around 1995-96 doing a semi-completionist run in about 4 hours....

[Drool]

Don't feel bad: this is anything but completionist. I only visit 4 places.