Synchronization strats for Pokemon manips

Most RNG manipulations in Pokemon are time-based. This means you execute the input(s) to initiate the manipulation at the same time you start a timer. The timer is set to a negative number, and when it hits 0, you execute the input(s) necessary to complete/continue the manipulation. For example, to RNG manipulate a Mudkip with amazing stats in Pokemon Sapphire. you want to select Mudkip 11.40 seconds after a soft reset (A + B + Start + Select). So set a timer to -11.40, start it as soon as all four buttons are pressed, then select Mudkip at 0.00.

Hitting 0.00 -- or however close to it your manipulation allows -- can be difficult. But this is only half the difficulty. The other half is making sure you accurately synchronize your reset input(s) with the input to start the timer (usually a keyboard key). Pokemon speedrunners have done tests to show that human error is a major factor here. Even if you focus really hard on executing the inputs simultaneously, they'll often be 1 frame or more apart. The further apart they are, the lower your success rate for the manip.

However, you can eliminate this human error by using the same key/button for both inputs -- the reset input and the timer input. This is trivial to set up on emulator, and theoretically possible on console (although quite inconvenient). Using this setup gives an enormous competitive advantage, as RNG manipulations are generally the most important execution-based parts of a Pokemon run.

It could also be considered cheating, since you are connecting the game to external software (the timer) via the controller. However, there is no practical way to stop runners from doing it, since speedrunning is not nearly at the point where controller cams are necessary to prove a run's validity. So runners will likely take advantage of it in the near future. I think it's sketchy, and I understand why someone would think it's cheating, but current technology makes it more practical to use it than to abstain.