Changes

These are tips that apply when speedrunning Knuckles's stages in [[Sonic Adventure]].

These are tips that apply when speedrunning Knuckles's stages in [[Sonic Adventure]].

'''Random pieces will end a lot of runs from the start.''' There are 20 possible piece locations in each level. They're separated by piece number (a spot that holds piece #1 will always be #1, never #2 or #3), with one piece getting 11 of the locations, one getting 6, and one getting 3. For speed purposes, one of the locations for each piece (usually the closest) will be the "best" one, the only one worth playing once you're aiming for a record. This means that a given run has a 1-in-198 chance of being the best layout. These levels will require you enter and leave quite a few times just because the piece layout isn't perfect, and nothing you do can get you the record on this layout. It's tough, but it's something you have to put up with on Knuckles stages.

'''Random pieces will end a lot of runs from the start.''' There are 21 possible piece locations in each level. They're separated by piece number (a spot that holds piece #1 will always be #1, never #2 or #3), with one piece getting 12 of the locations, one getting 6, and one getting 3. For speed purposes, one of the locations for each piece (usually the closest) will be the "best" one, the only one worth playing once you're aiming for a record. This means that a given run has a 1-in-216 chance of being the best layout. These levels will require you enter and leave quite a few times just because the piece layout isn't perfect, and nothing you do can get you the record on this layout. It's tough, but it's something you have to put up with on Knuckles stages.

'''When you get just the right layout, you get to keep it.''' In the sequel, piece locations changed with every life, so if you missed a piece when it was in the right spot you might not see it again for a few dozen tries. Not so here. The pieces stay in the same spots after a restart; you have to quit and re-enter to change the layout. I wouldn't necessarily call it better than SA2's system, or worse; but rather just "different" (you did have to put up with re-entering the stage over and over until you hit your 1-in-198 shot to get to this point, right?) Once you have the right pieces, you can take as many tries to get them as you want, making sure your lines are completely flawless, and the pieces will still be there each time.

'''When you get just the right layout, you get to keep it.''' In the sequel, piece locations changed with every life, so if you missed a piece when it was in the right spot you might not see it again for a few dozen tries. Not so here. The pieces stay in the same spots after a restart; you have to quit and re-enter to change the layout. I wouldn't necessarily call it better than SA2's system, or worse; but rather just "different" (you did have to put up with re-entering the stage over and over until you hit your 1-in-216 shot to get to this point, right?) Once you have the right pieces, you can take as many tries to get them as you want, making sure your lines are completely flawless, and the pieces will still be there each time.

'''Restart locations can be good or bad.''' After getting a piece, if you die, or pause and choose restart, you don't necessarily go back to the beginning. Each piece has a designated restart point, where you pick up on a new life after getting that piece. It tries to be as close to the piece as is safely possible (for a piece that's inside an enemy, it can't respawn you on top of that enemy for obvious reasons). For some pieces, though, you'll get moved a considerable distance in some direction from the piece to start subsequent lives. This can be beneficial for a speedrun, as in Sky Deck, or it can be detrimental, as with piece #3 in Speed Highway. Take note of where pieces drop you off, and if it's good, then by all means just restart. If it's bad, then you have to be careful, as you only get one shot at the next piece without blowing your chances at a record.

'''Restart locations can be good or bad.''' After getting a piece, if you die, or pause and choose restart, you don't necessarily go back to the beginning. Each piece has a designated restart point, where you pick up on a new life after getting that piece. It tries to be as close to the piece as is safely possible (for a piece that's inside an enemy, it can't respawn you on top of that enemy for obvious reasons). For some pieces, though, you'll get moved a considerable distance in some direction from the piece to start subsequent lives. This can be beneficial for a speedrun, as in Sky Deck, or it can be detrimental, as with piece #3 in Speed Highway. Take note of where pieces drop you off, and if it's good, then by all means just restart. If it's bad, then you have to be careful, as you only get one shot at the next piece without blowing your chances at a record.