https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLZawIL4qSegoz4l5759suS2gWjfifnamf&si=PUNpFH-aBeFTGC7E
Below are optimal and consistent strats for all Any% NMG non-minion fights. "Optimal" here is subjective - for example sometimes speed is sacrificed for the sake of safety, or a negligible timesave is sacrificed for the sake of elegance. However, a lot of time was spent making the strats as good as possible for an RTA run done by a human.
S = Sword
E = Elika
J = Jump
G = Gauntlet
' = Block/Parry/Cancel
; = Knock enemy into wall/ledge
B0 = JSSS
B1 = EJSSS
B2 = EEJSSS (best dps unblockable combo)
B0* = JESEE
B1* = EJESEE
B2* = EEJESEE
X^y = X X X X ... X (y times), e.g. B2^3 = B2 B2 B2 = EEJSSS EEJSSS EEJSSS
_x = dash forward x times
. = wait
.. = move forward slightly
... = move forward a lot or until can no longer move
These are designed to be viewed during the run. It is recommended to copy-and-paste them to a text editor like Notepad and have it opened throughout the run.
Fight 2 SSSJSSS _2
Dad 1 SSJSSS 'SSSJSSS _2
Cavern B2^5 _0
Cauldron JJ EGG; _? (parry if close)
King's Gate B2^5 _1..
Construction Yard GG; _1
Machinery Ground B2^2 B2* _2
Reservoir B2^3 B1 B2* . _1...
Dad 2 SSJSSS 'SSSJSSS _2 (no spam)
Sun Temple 1 B1 B2^2 . _1...
Sun Temple 2 'JGJG; _2...
Martyrs' Tower B1 B0 B2^5 _1..
Marshalling Ground 'B0 EGS; _1...
Windmills B2 B0 B2^6 _1..
Hunter 1 B2^2 B1 _1..
Hunter 2 B2^2 B1 _0..
Hunter 3 'B2^3 _2...
Royal Gardens B0^4 B1 B2^3 _0
Royal Spire B0^3 B1 B2^4 _0..
Spire of Dreams B1 B2^6 _0
Coronation Hall B2 B0 B2^6 _0...
Concubine 1 B2^2 B1 _0...
Concubine 2 B0^6 _0.. (down-right)
[elika up] B0^3 B2 B0 _0..
Concubine 3 'B2^3 _?...
Dad 3 'B1 B2 B2* _?... (judge parry)
Heaven's Stair 'JGJG; _1
Alchemist 1 B1 ... B2^4 _0
Alchemist 2 B1^2 _0
Warrior 1 'JS; _-?
[black aura] EJ' 'EEE; _-? (judge)
[blue aura] SJ' 'EEE; _-? (judge)
Warrior 2 _-?
Dad 4 'B1 B2^5 B1 _2...
<aside> ‼️
Important: You should read the guide on Chaining Combos & Aura Avoidance to be able to execute these fights!
</aside>
Moreover each of the above fights has an accompanying video, so that you can see the notation in action. Each video also contains more details in the description, including tips and tricks for the runner, as well as strat-hunting notes such as rationale behind the strat. It is encouraged for a runner to watch all of the videos (they are very short) and skim through the descriptions. You should compare what you see in the video with the notation above to make sure that you understand it. Once you get used to this, doing it this way should be both easier and faster for most fights, compared to blindly spamming combos and hoping for good RNG.
https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLZawIL4qSegoz4l5759suS2gWjfifnamf&si=PUNpFH-aBeFTGC7E
To practise these fights, you can find the saves for each fight below which contain precisely the same conditions as every fight in a real NMG run.
https://www.speedrun.com/pop_2008/resources/x9jgu