Speedrunning Techniques

Welcome, aspiring speedrunners! Human: Fall Flat, with its wonderfully wonky physics, offers a surprising depth for those looking to shave seconds off their completion times. This section will delve into advanced movement and interaction techniques crucial for competitive speedrunning. Mastering these will transform your wobbly walk into a precise, physics-defying ballet.

Core Movement Exploits

The foundation of any good Human: Fall Flat speedrun lies in exploiting the game's unique movement mechanics. Forget walking; we're going to fly (metaphorically, mostly).

The Climb-Jump (CJ): This is your bread and butter. While hanging from a ledge with both hands, release one hand (usually the one closest to the direction you want to go), then immediately jump and re-grab with the released hand. This propels your Bob upwards and forwards, allowing you to scale walls and cross gaps much faster than standard climbing. Practice the rhythm: grab, release, jump, grab.
Head-Bouncing: A more advanced technique, head-bouncing involves using Bob's head as a spring. By positioning Bob's head against a surface (like a wall or ceiling) and repeatedly jumping, you can gain significant height or horizontal momentum. This is particularly useful for bypassing intended climbing sections or reaching high ledges. The key is precise timing of your jumps as Bob's head makes contact.
Momentum Storage: Human: Fall Flat retains a surprising amount of momentum. If you're falling from a height, you can often grab a ledge at the last second, and the stored downward momentum will slingshot you horizontally. This is level-specific but incredibly powerful for skipping large sections. Experiment with different fall heights and grab points.

Object Manipulation for Time Saves

Objects in Human: Fall Flat are not just props; they are tools for traversal. Learning to manipulate them efficiently is paramount.

Propulsion with Objects: Heavy objects, when pushed or pulled correctly, can launch Bob. For instance, in the 'Train' level, using the large train cars to propel yourself across gaps can save significant time compared to traditional platforming. Grab the object with both hands, lean back, and then push forward while jumping.
Grapple-Swinging: Any object you can grab can potentially be used as a grapple point. This is especially effective with hanging ropes or chains. Instead of slowly climbing, grab the rope, swing Bob back and forth to build momentum, and then release at the peak of your swing to launch across gaps. The 'Castle' level's drawbridge chains are a prime example.
Stacking for Shortcuts: While often slower than pure movement exploits, strategic stacking of smaller objects can create shortcuts to otherwise inaccessible areas. This is less common in competitive speedruns but can be a valuable backup strategy if other techniques fail or for routing new skips. Always look for crates, boxes, or even small rocks that can be moved.

Level-Specific Skips and Strategies

Each level presents unique opportunities for speedrunning. Here are a few examples to get you started:

Mansion

Early Balcony Skip: Instead of navigating the entire first floor to reach the balcony, use a combination of Climb-Jumps and Head-Bouncing on the wall to the left of the initial entrance. Aim for the small ledge above the archway, then CJ up to the balcony. This bypasses the entire living room and dining area.
Chandelier Launch: In the grand hall, instead of using the intended path, grab onto the chandelier. Build up a strong swing, then release to launch Bob directly onto the upper platform leading to the next section. This requires precise timing to avoid falling.

Water

Boat Launch: After reaching the first boat, instead of slowly paddling, position Bob at the very front of the boat, grab the edge with both hands, and repeatedly jump. This will often cause the boat to lurch forward at an accelerated rate. Maintain the jump rhythm for maximum speed.
Waterfall Climb: In the section with the large waterfall, instead of using the moving platforms, attempt a series of precise Climb-Jumps up the rock face to the left of the waterfall. This is a high-risk, high-reward skip that can save a substantial amount of time if executed perfectly.

Mountain

Cable Car Bypass: Instead of waiting for the cable car, head to the right of the station. Utilize Head-Bouncing against the sheer rock face to gain height, then transition into Climb-Jumps to scale the mountain directly to the next platform. This is one of the most challenging skips but offers immense time savings.
Snowball Catapult: In the final section with the large snowballs, position yourself carefully behind a snowball. Grab it with both hands, then use a strong push and jump to launch yourself forward, using the snowball's momentum to cross the final chasm.

Remember, practice is key. These techniques require significant muscle memory and understanding of Bob's physics. Good luck, and happy speedrunning!