Pokemon Super Mystery Dungeon Speedrunning Notes

UPDATES: 3/15/2016

Hey guys, just a heads up that this guide is DEFINITELY not dead. I just need to confirm the route and try out new stat boost patterns!
Some things to confirm:
1) Time gain/loss compared to "Give Up" strategies
2) Consistency of non-forced missions to get Bronze Rank

[[PSMD ROUTING]]

TECHNICALS
Rank Points (RP) Attainment
>> Any mission completed BEFORE obtaining the true Expedition Badge in C12 will not count towards RP
>> Mission RP is calculated by (10 * (D + MF)), where D = Dungeon Difficulty and MF = Mission Floor Clear
>> Dungeon RP is calculated by (10 * (D + DF)), where D = Dungeon Difficulty and DF = Dungeon Floors Explored
>> Rank Points roll over to subsequent ranks
>> Normal Rank attained at 200 RP, which requires 2 days at minimum regardless of optional missions taken
>> Bronze Rank attained at 700 RP after Normal Rank, which can be met before C14 expedition at Fire Island Volcano begins
>> Silver Rank attained at 1500 RP after Bronze Rank, but is insignificant
>> Gold Rank attained at 3000 RP after Silver Rank, which allows for a 48-item bag (Gold might not be necessary)
>> ALL OTHER RANKS ARE NOT NEEDED
Stat-Up Vitamin Usage
>> Prioritize Sp. Atk on Charmander, Atk. on Chespin (Def. and Sp. Def. are safety, Speed for accuracy)
>> Do NOT use any permanent stat-boost items until defeating Cobalion and grabbing the Water Looplet
Move Order - Charmander (assume no WM's)
>> Replace Tackle with Ember at LV. 7
>> Replace Ember with Flamethrower at C12 if possible
Move Order - Chespin (assume no WM's)
>> Replace Defense Curl with Bite at LV. 8
>> Replace Tackle with Bulldoze at C12 if possible

PRE-RUN
Pokemon Choice
>> Main Charmander, Partner Chespin
If WM's Allowed (Reset and Get)
>> REQUIRED:	Bulldoze x1			(4948Y0FX | XMK5JQQM)	Needed for Chespin, replace Defense Curl
>> SAFETY:		Flame Charge x1		(HK5R3N47 | FSHH6SR0)	Optional for Charmander, replace Scratch
>> SAFETY:		Sitrus Berry x2		(3R62CR63 | WCJT275J)	Optional Charmander HP-Boosting
>> REQUIRED:	PP-Up Drink x1		(MCCH6XY6 | SFSJWK0H)	For Charmander Flamethrower
>> REQUIRED:	Power Drink x1		(Y9911412 | CNTSN2F1)	For Charmander Flamethrower
>> REQUIRED:	Accuracy Drink x1	(27JSR0PF | H6W7K262)	For Charmander Flame Burst/Dragon Rage (preference)
>> SAFETY:		Life Seed x2		(WJNTY478 | SH8XMF1T)	Optional Charmander HP-Boosting
>> SAFETY:		Blast Wand x20		(3TWJMK2C | CFSH962H)	Optional path-opening, enemy clearing
>> REQUIRED:	Guiding Wand x20	(SK5P778R | 0R7910P7)	For staircase-locating
>> SAFETY:		Petrify Wand x20	(TY26446X | 8QXR93P5)	Optional boss-fighting

C1
Open Pass
>> Charmander: Focus training on Flame Burst, Bite is secondary
Lush Forest

C2
Foreboding Forest

C3
Drilbur Coal Mine
>> Chespin: Focus training on Pin Missile/Vine Whip, Bite (when learned) is secondary
>> Can bring Blast Seeds (x2)
>> Can remove all Reviver Seeds and be defeated

C4
School Forest
>> Need to test being defeated
Glittering Mountain
>> Need to test being defeated

C5
Nectar Meadow
>> Can defeat...
>> Or be deafeated (bring no Reviver Seeds)
-> Sell Perfect Apple (500)

C6
Poliwrath River
>> Cannot use Blast Seeds, so don't bring any
Sylveon (Foreboding Forest)
Vulpix (Cave of Training)
Axew (Lush Forest)
>> Bring Blast Seed x3 + Petrify Wands
Raichu (Cave of Training)
>> Optional
Pachirisu (Uprise Range)
>> Optional

C7
Emolga/Munchlax (Cave of Training)
>> Optional
Cubone/Whiscash (Uprise Range)
>> Optional

C8
Ancient Barrow

C9
Picking Teammate
>> Shelmet  - ???
>> Pancham  - ???
>> Goomy    - ???
>> Deerling - Whirlwind Wand (x5)
>> Espurr   - Silver Spike (x5)
Mr. Mime (Uprise Range)
>> BRING STAYAWAY/PETRIFY WANDS
>> Optional
Vaporeon (Odd Field)
>> Optional
Revelation Mountain

C10
Whimsicott (Odd Field)
>> Optional
Talk to All Plaza Pokemon:
>> Kangaskhan (pick up all items)
>> Kecleon (buy/sell stuff)
>> Magnezone
>> Raticate
>> Deerling
>> Goomy
>> Hawlucha
>> Pancham
>> Shelmet
>> Lombre
Drowzee/Ralts (Stone Field)
>> Optional

C11
Sheer Mountain Range
>> Pounce Wands (continually warp and check for stair location)
Gentle Slope Cave
Lively Town (Entrance)
>> Make sure to remove all Reviver Seeds for upcoming Jirachi fight

C12
Jirachi (Expedition Society)
>> Just lose
Lively Town (Intermission)
>> IF WM'S ALLOWED - If you have 4 Gold Bars, grab Flamethrower TM and teach to Charmander, replacing Flame Burst
>> IF WM'S BANNED  - If you have 2 Gold Bars, grab a Bulldoze TM and teach it to Chespin, replacing Tackle
Zorua (Electric Wasteland)
>> Might have some trouble with this one - Dragon Rage is EXTREMELY useful to get rid of Claydol/Machoke
Pokemon Nexus Restored
>> Need 200 points to attain Normal Rank and 650 to attain Bronze Rank - this is important to get the 40-item bag and access to Cobalion
*** DAY 1
Rampardos (Lively Town)
>> Optional
>> Accept mission to give letter to Cinccino
Petilil (Peewee Meadow)
>> Dragonite is useful vs. Cobalion
>> Completing mission gives 70 RP (6F)
>> Completing dungeon gives 80 RP (7F)
*** DAY 2 - Any mission will do:
Wynaut (Longfield Cave)
>> Bring a Truant Wand and Reviver Seed to force Final Gambit from Primeape
>> Completing mission gives 50 RP (3F)
>> Completing dungeon gives 80 RP (6F)
Mankey/Quagsire (Odd Field)
>> Completing missions gives 110 RP (4F/5F)
>> Completing dungeon gives 70 RP (6F)
Sneasel (Electric Wasteland)
>> Completing mission gives 100 RP (8F)
>> Completing dungeon gives 120 RP (10F)
Bayleef (Nectar Meadow)
>> Completing mission gives 90 RP (9F)
>> Completing dungeon gives 90 RP (9F)
Lillipup (Poliwrath River)
>> Completing mission gives 90 RP (9F)
>> Completing dungeon gives 90 RP (9F)
*** Day 3 - Any mission from the past set will do:
Normal Rank (Expedition HQ)
>> Upgrade to Normal Rank (Bronze will require 650 RP afterwards)

C13
Rank Points
>> Testing: Petilil -> Wynaut -> Mankey/Quagsire gives 470 RP remaining
Lapras
>> If possible, accept mission from Smeargle (Sheer Mountain Range) in Cafe
Rampardos (Baram Town)
>> Optional
>> Give the letter to Cinccino in the Cafe
Mystical Forest
*** DAY 1 - Any mission will do (first recommended, new ones listed):
Snorlax/Smeargle (Water|Sheer Mountain Range)
>> Snorlax on 9F gives 100 RP (needs Apple)
>> Completing mission gives 130 RP (12F)
>> Completing dungeon gives 140 RP (13F)
Wobbuffet (Air|Mysterious Plains)
>> Completing mission gives ?? RP (2F)
>> Completing dungeon gives ?? RP (?F)
Flareon - (Air|Forest of Bounty)
>> Completing mission gives ?? RP (?F)
>> Completing dungeon gives ?? RP (?F)
*** DAY 2 - Any mission will do (first recommended, new ones listed):
Pansear (Water|Peewee Meadow)
>> With Snorlax/Smeargle completed, 100 RP left, so Escape Orb at 6F (can keep going for Gold Rank, but that's SUPER unlikely)
>> Completing mission gives 30 RP (2F)
>> Completing dungeon gives 80 RP (7F)
Carnivine (Air|Small Sand Dune)
>> Completing mission gives ?? RP (3F)
>> Completing dungeon gives ?? RP (?F)

C14
>> MAKE SURE TO RANK UP TO NORMAL RANK (40-Item Bag!)
>> OPTIMIZATION: Can immediately talk to Dedenne - Deposit Box exists at the site (selling items optional)
Fire Island Volcano
>> BRING GUIDING WANDS
>> Pit stop after 6F - you need Reviver Seeds for the Magmortar fight (estimated 6)
Magmortar Fight
>> Turn 1: Alliance attack bottom right
>> Turn 2: Petrify Wand Magmortar
>> Continue Alliance barrage
>> Fainting here sends you back to the pit stop
Entei Fight
>> Phase 1 (Safety): Defeat him as usual
>> Phase 1 (Risky): Remove your Reviver Seeds and lose
>> Phase 2: Fainting here sends you ALL the way back to the pit stop, so DO NOT LOSE
*** DAY 1 - COBALION TIME:
Cobalion (Water|Pledge Hill):
>> BRING TRUANT/PETRIFY WANDS
>> Metal Burst OHKO's Dragonite upon damage reflect - bring Reviver Seeds
>> Defeating Cobalion gives 150 RP (10F, Difficulty 5)
>> Completing dungeon gives 150 RP (10F)
*** DAY 2 - STAT-BOOSTING TIME:
>> Gallade in the Water Cafe (Letter to Roserade) is optional
>> PULL ALL REWARDS FROM THE CAFE
>> EQUIP WATER LOOPLET + GRAB ALL STAT-BOOSTING ITEMS
>> Any mission is fine - fastest is with Aurorus on Air Continent
>> Gengar (to Banette [Grass]) and Munna (to Gigalith [Mist]) in the Air Town are optional
>> Wobbuffet mission (Air|Mysterious Plains) recommended for 2F clear
Aurorus (Air|Mystical Forest)
>> Completing mission gives ?? RP (6F)
>> Completing dungeon gives ?? RP (?F)
*** DAY 3 - SKIP (Escape Orb)
*** DAY 4 - SKIP (Escape Orb)

C15
Showdown Mountain (11F)
*** DAY 1 - SKIP (Escape Orb)

<Routing: Charmander LV21 57/34/58/38/39>
<Routing: Chespin LV20 57/37/55/32/32>

C16
Revelation Mountain (13F)

C17
Abyssal Badlands
>> Pit stop after 7F - Water Looplet is NOT usable due to story quest
Cave of the Deep
>> WATCH THE DITTO ITEM SPAWNS

C18
Calm Craggy Area
>> Pit stop after 4F, boss after 7F
Reverse Mountain (9F)
>> Bring Elixirs for Spiritomb Pressure
>> Pit stop after 6F, boss after 9F
>> BRING PETRIFY WANDS
Mega Tyranitar + Mega Gengar
>> Left x3 + Petrify Wand on Tyranitar
>> Spam Alliances against Shadows + Mega Gengar (Left), Suicune takes care of Mega Gengar (Right)

C19
Expedition Society HQ
>> STORE ALL REVIVER SEEDS FOR UPCOMiNG BEHEEYEM FIGHT
Beheeyem Fight
>> Just lose lol

C20
Lively Town + Lapras
>> You can use Lapras to reset the Kecleon Shop items
>> Not very useful to repeatedly use Lapras, except for Escape Orbs
Prehistoric Ruins