Hyper Light Drifter 99% No Major Glitches Speedrun Notes

HYPER LIGHT DRIFTER | 99% NMG ROUTE

Original Concept + Route by CaptainnPorky

Minor route edits + Grenade Strats + upgrade route by Aurorious

If you find a consistent strat that saves time, send a twitch clip and I'll add it!

Useful resources:
http://i.imgur.com/yaNzu3w.jpg Full collectibles map
http://anishlr.github.io/HyperLightDrifterLocator/ If you're missing a bit, upload your save and it'll tell you what you're missing.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CCNcRBZTZ-c Fully loaded Boss Rush tutorial.  With the exception of Toad (where we don't have tools) and Reaper (where it's illegal) (UPDATE: Reaper cheese is now legal in NMG) boss strats are same as the ones here.  Considering how many additional tools we get in this run this allows for very fast bosses, take the time to learn strats better than any% ones!
============================================

In total in the entire game, there are:

6 Guns
12 Equipment Sets
16 Keys
16 Monoliths
32 Modules
186 Gearbits

WHAT WE DON’T GET:
Dash Challenge Bit
Dash Challenge Outfit (Purple)
Town Arena Outfit (Black)
NG+ Outfit (Pure Black)


--
(If I say something like 'Head West', it doesn't mean Warp. I specify when to Warp to a location)

I include bit counts periodically.  Numbers are assuming you follow my upgrade route.  If you choose not to follow my upgrade route, I include total numbers as well. Shop prices are as follows so you can do the math.

All Sword/Dash upgrades: 3 whole bits.

All Ammo Upgrades: 2 whole bits.

Grenade upgrades: 2 for first, 3 for second.

Extra Health Packs: get better at the game.

While I include an upgrade route, all of it is optional in a 98.5075% run except for chain dash.  Feel free to make your own upgrade decisions.  There are 3 arena's in particular that grenades save a significant enough time to be worth it, I include clips of those.  They're useful in a lot of mob fights though, so feel free to experiment.

I say when to equip rifle to hit rifle pylons, but when it's unequipped doesn't matter.  Use your judgement.

Route assumes you know where everything is when mentioning bits.  Use the map or the bit locator if you're having trouble.  Look for the little squares!

Begin the game
Collect the Pistol (Gun 1/6)
Collect the Map
Activate Town Warp
Head North out of Town, Collect 2 Bits (2/185)
Continue North, In Hiker Room Collect Monolith (1/16) and 2 Bits (4/185)
Continue North Past Village Room
Continue Through Cliffs, Head to Sad Bird Cave
In Sad Bird Cave, Collect 1 Monolith (2/16) and 2 Bits (6/185)
Continue on the Main Path
In Drifter Room, Talk to the Pink Drifter and Collect 2 Bits (8/185)
Head S/W to Tiny Module Room, Activate Module (1/32)
Continue to Cave Room, Collect 2 Bits (10/185) and 1 Key (1/16)
Continue to Next Room, Collect 2 Bits in Flag Room (12/185) Consistent Setup for enemy bit: https://clips.twitch.tv/PiliableHealthyCaterpillarPrimeMe
Continue North Past Arena, Activate Warp
Warp Back to Town
3 Whole bits

Buy Chain Dash (Costs 3, 0 left)
(In a Full 100% Run, now is when you would collect the Dash Shop Bit and Outfit)
Leave Town East
Collect 2 Bits (14/185) and Continue to the Next Room
Collect 2 Bits (16/185) and Continue to the Next Room
Collect 1 Bit (17/185) and Head Down the Elevator
Activate Module (2/32) and Head Up the Elevator
After Elevator, Head West, Collect Hand Bit (18/185)
Activate East Warp

Continue East, Head Down Elevator
Fight Plants, Head through North Pink Door
Directly After Pink Door, Head East for Hidden Bit (19/185)
Fight Sniper for Bit (20/185)
Activate Module (3/32)
Head Through South Pink Door
Activate Left Switch
Head Towards Right Switch, Kill Sniper for Bit (21/185)
Activate Right Switch
Head South/East of the Right Switch
Shoot the Off-Screen Gun Switch, Head East to Mini-Arena Bit (22/185)
Go Back to the Middle Bridge, Head Down
Complete Dash Challenge, Collect Bit (23/185) Faster strat for exiting dash challenge: https://clips.twitch.tv/GoldenEncouragingDolphinChocolateRain
Continue on the Main Path and Head Down the Elevator
Fight the Arena, Collect 2 Bits (25/185) One from the enemy, other is in upper left past the door.

Enter Key Room
Collect the Hidden Entrance Bit to the Left (26/185)
Get to the Bottom of the Room, Activate Module (4/32)
Head South/East on the Secret Path, Collect Orange Outfit (1/8)
Go back up, then West and Collect Bit Past Floor Traps (27/185)
Leave Key Room, Head North, Use Elevator

Head Right, Collect Bit (28/185)
Talk to the Pink Drifter
Activate the North/West Monolith (3/16)
Get back on the Main Path, and Head North
Activate the Switch to Lower the Barricade
Enter the Left Door and Use the Elevator

Get to the First Cluster of Enemies and Head South
Head West, Press the Hidden Button, get to the Bit and Collect it (29/185)
Head South, Get Bit (30/185) and Hidden Key (2/16)
Exit Through East Elevator

Head North/East of the Purple Frogs and Get Hidden Bit (31/185)
Head Up, Go East of the Health Kit to Press the Hidden Switch
Go all the way to the Bit you just unlocked towards the Eastern Part of the Room (32/185)
Continue To Module in the Center of the Room (5/32) (S+Q)
Exit Through Northern Elevator

Head North in the Middle of the Room, Collect Bit (33/185)
Hit the Hidden Switch to the East, and Travel North for Key (3/16)
Exit South
Head East Over Lilypad and Get Bit (34/185)
Head Past the Bloody Water, Go West to Hidden Elevator
Complete Falling Block Arena
Activate Module (6/32)

Exit North, Head to the South Part of the Room
Fight the Enemies, Head West and Collect Bit (35/185)
Leave South
On the Western Wall, Get Hidden Monolith (4/16)
Enter 3 Module Door South of the Warp

Go to the South/West Part of the Room, Collect Bit (36/185)
Right Before the East Exit, Go South for Hidden Bit (37/185)
Leave through the East
Fight all the Enemies, Collect the 2 Bits (39/185)
Go Through the West Wall and Get Hidden Bit (40/185)
Continue to Pre Boss Room

Fight Arena, Head West
Get to the Switch, Head East of It for Hidden Key (4/16)
Open Key Door Right before the Room Exit
Head East, Get 2 Bits (42/185)
Head Past the Northern Crushing Block
Get Bit in the Middle of the Water (43/185)
Continue to Module (7/32)
Head all the way to the Boss Door
Head West of Boss Door, Get 2 Bits (45/185)
Head East of Boss Door, Get Monolith (5/16) Dash pattern over the platforms is dash twice, walk for a bit, repeat till horizontal part and chain dash rest.  Sample video: https://clips.twitch.tv/ThankfulCredulousCheddarGivePLZ
Fight Emperor (East Boss), Collect His 3 Bits (48/185)
Enter Pillar Room, Activate Pillar
Head West, Get Shotgun (Gun 2/6)
Leave South, Get Module (8/32) and Continue South for Hidden Bit (49/185)

Leave West, go to Red Door toward the North/West
Go west and around building for Hidden Bit (50/185)
Go Through the Red Door
Head All the Way to the Big Fountain
Head South of Fountain, Do the Dash Challenge to Get Bit (51/185) and Hidden Module (9/32)
Head North of 8 Module Door, Use Elevator
Head to the South of the Room
Complete the Mini Dash Challenge, Get 2 Bits (53/185)
Go all the Way to the North/Eastern part of the room for Hidden Bit (54/185)
Continue to the Arena Room, Fight the Arena
Head West and Get Bit (55/185) and the Diamond Shotgun (Gun 3/6)
Leave through the Elevator, Go West and Get Monolith (6/16)
Head East, Continue on the path and Get Bit (56/185)
Warp to Town

11 Whole bits (14 total without buying)

Buy Charge Slash (3) + 2 grenades (5) + Phantom Slash (3) 0 bits left

Phantom slash is necessary for fast reaper and is just generally useful throughout the run.
It is also the only way your dash can go through enemies so is a good panic button.
With more refined strats it really helps with West 8 door, highly recommend getting it.

Warp north
This highlight basically gets a perfect north as far as combat goes, as well as a basically perfect north boss (it's possible to end in the bottom corner but not realistic in rta).  Use it as a guide for how to optimize fights https://www.twitch.tv/videos/179569079
Head West of Pillar Room
Use Mini-Warp, Head Down Elevator
Fight Birds, Collect Bit (57/185) (Throw grenade below pillar so it gets far birds, plink closer one)
Head North, Use Mini-Warp
Collect Hidden Key South of Block Crushers (5/16) (second block, it's obvious on the wall)
Use Mini-Warp and Head South Over the Invisible Path
Collect Hidden Bit to the West (58/185) (Another good grenade place) Note, the walls will come back up if enemies reenter the arena, but if you chain dash after last kill you'll usually make it out.
Leave the Room through the East Exit
Get Through the Room, Use Elevator
Leave the Room through the East Exit
Get Through Room, Right Enemy for Bit (59/185)
Leave Through North Door
Break Left Box, Get Bit (60/185)
Get to Bird Arena, Get Bit (61/185)
Collect Module (10/32)
Warp to North

Head West of Pillar Room
Continue all the way to the Main Elevator
After the Elevator, Head East and Get Hidden Bit (62/185)
Continue Through the Room As Normal
Fight the Arena, Get the Bit (63/185) and the Hidden Module (11/32) (Good grenade arena)
Continue Through the North Door
Go up to the Enemies
Get the Hidden Bit through the East Wall (64/185) and Continue through the Door
Fight Sniper by the Door, Get his Bit (65/185) and Continue
Fight the Hand Arena, Collect Bit (66/185) and Module (12/32)
Warp to North

(note, it does not matter which order you do those preceding 2 sections.  I personally switch them)

Get Module in Pillar Room (13/32)
Head East of Pillar Room
Head into the 3 Module Door and Use the Elevator
Go North, then Follow the Western Hidden Path to Bit (67/185)
Continue North
Fight Enemies, Pick up Bit (68/185)
Activate Hidden Module (14/32) and Continue North
Climb 3 Staircases, Head through the West Secret
Go South for the Mini-Warp
Break the Books for a Bit (69/185)
for Monolith (7/16) and south for a  Bit (70/186)
Take mini-warp back.
Head North for Bit (71/185) then use Hidden Mini-Warp for another Bit (72/185) (Good grenade place)
Head back to the Main Path, Climb up One Staircase and Head through East Exit
Continue East and Get Bit (73/185)
Continue to the Boss Room
Fight the Boss, Collect 3 Bits (76/185) https://clips.twitch.tv/HomelyIgnorantPepperPlanking
Collect the Rifle (Gun 4/6)
Activate Pillar
Warp to Town

Return to town with 5 whole bits.  Buy Shotgun Upgrade (2) and Diamond Shotgun Upgrade (2)

Leave Town out the West Exit
Collect Hidden Bit to the South (77/186)
Leave the Room through the West
Go through the South Secret, Get a Bit (78/195)
Continue West, then Go South and Use the Secret Elevator
Activate the Module (15/32) and Use the Elevator
Continue West
Head North, Ruin the Campfire Party and Kill Dirk for Bit (79/185) (double grenade place)
Continue Onwards, Go through South Secret and Collect the Well Room Bit (80/185)
Head North, Go through the Key Door
Activate Monolith (8/16) and Leave through Key Door again
Head through the East Secret, then North for Bit (81/185)
Leave and Go East for Bit (82/185)
Continue on the Main Path Westward
Head South/West for Bit (83/185)
Continue on Main Path, Go North Exit
Head North Past the Tree House for Bit (84/185)
Continue on Main Path and Use the Elevator
Head South
Fight Left-Sniper for Bit (85/185) and Leave South (recommend using grenade here to deal with other enemies)
Head South, Activate the Switch, Collect 2 Bits (87/185) (one south, one a bit north east)
Head East through the Trees, Activate the Module (16/32)
Leave through West Exit, But On the Way out Kill a Samurai in the North for Bit (88/185)
Activate the West Warp
Get Dog Room Module (17/32)

Head North and Use the Elevator
Go South, then West for Bit (89/185)
Go South, Hit Switch and Continue on Main Path
Equip Rifle
Get to the Area with the Snipers, Hit Rifle Switch, Get Bit (90/185)
Continue through West Secret, Get Key (6/16)
Head out through the Elevator
Continue Until the First Jail Cell, Open the Door and Execute a Dirk for Bit (91/185)
Continue On to the 3 Jail Cells, Open the Left One for Bit (92/185)
Continue to the Bridge, Jump off West for Bit (93/185)
Get to the 6 Jail Cells, Open the Top-Middle One for Bit (94/185)
Open the Top-Right Jail Cell, go through East Wall and Continue to Module (18/32)
Continue Onwards on the Main Path
Fight the Crystal Golem Arena, Get Bit (95/185) and Use the Elevator
Follow the Main Path Until you are Outside
Go West, About Half-Way on the Bridge, Follow the South Secret
Get the Key (7/16) and Get Back on the Main Path to the Pink Drifter
Talk to the Pink Drifter and Head East for Bit (96/185)
Leave through the North Door
Head North, then East, then South for Hidden Elevator
Break the Boxes and Activate the Hidden Module (19/32)
Leave Poker Room, Get Northern Bit (97/185)
Head North/West, Get 2 Bits (99/185)
Get Back on the Main Path, Go West
Head North/West to the Drop Down, Get Bit (100/185) (grenade kills the 2 small guys as well as breaking bit box, you can ignore samurai)
Go to the Top-Right, Get Bit (101/185)
Go South of the Bit, Kill Samurai Gunner for Bit (102/185)
Go South/West, Grab Bit Below West Exit (103/185)
Go Through the South/West Exit
Travel Through to the Module and Activate it (20/32)
Get Hidden Bit in the Room (104/185) (suggest doing after module, guards for the bit will usually follow you away from it)
Head back through the way you came
Activate Southern Key Door, Press the Button
Head to where you opened, Get Bit (105/185) and Hidden Key (8/16)
Continue to the Pre-Boss Room
Get Hidden Bit on the Way to Boss (106/185)
Kill the Boss, Collect 3 Bits (109/185) and the Zaliska (Gun 5/6)
Leave North, Get the Pillar and the Hidden Bit to the North/East (110/185)
Leave East, Traverse the Dark Room and Activate the Hidden Monolith (9/16)
Warp to West

9 1/2 bits (27 earned, 18 spent)

Warp to East

Head through the South Exit
Equip Rifle
Shoot the Hidden Rifle Switch and Do the Dash Challenge
Collect the Bit (111/185) and the Key (9/16)
Warp to East

Go South, Head through Red Door to the Left
Travel through the Room North/East, Get to the Key Door and Collect the White Outfit (2/8)
Go South, Collect the Bit (112/185)
Warp to Town


Enter the House, Equip the White Cape

Do Soccer Kid (113/185)

Soccer Kid Strat: https://www.twitch.tv/videos/137696247  This DOES work with controller, might take a bit of practice.



If you struggle with sky factory dashes, optional to buy Dash Reflect upgrade
More upgrades are also optional, but currently there's no strats for them besides reflect slash, but it's not worth the time to grab unless you're there anyway.

Head South
On the Road to South, Collect 2 Bits (115/185)
Head South
Talk to the Pink Drifter, BibleThump, Collect Pink Outfit (3/8)
Head South, Activate South Warp
Use the Western Elevator, then head East
Get the Hidden Monolith through the West wall (10/16) and Head South
Head South, Get Hidden Bit to the Left (116/185) and Continue South
In the Next Room, Grenade Strat for turret arena: https://clips.twitch.tv/NeighborlySleepyCourgetteTheThing
Continue down.
Collect the South/West Hidden Key (10/16) and Eastern Bit Past the Crusher (117/185)
Continue on the Main Path Until Module-Boss
Fight the Boss, Pick up 3 Bits (120/185)
Head North, Get Module (21/32) and Head North past the Hidden Path for Bit (121/185)
Warp to South

Use the Western Elevator, Go through the 1 Module Door
About Halfway on the Bridge, go Down for Bit (122/185)
Before Pink Door, Kill Security Bot for Bit (123/185)
Go North, Activate the Module (22/32)
Get the Hidden Bit to the North/East (124/185) and Use the Elevator
Head West through Secret for Monolith (11/16)
Head East, Get the Hidden Bit (125/185) and the Hidden Module (23/32)
Mecha Armor Arena Grenade Strat https://clips.twitch.tv/WittySmilingNewtUnSane
To note, extra dirks spawn a set amount of time after the dirks die, however extra rocket guy spawns a set amount of time after upper right one aggro's to you.  Hitting him does nothing to advance the timer, he just has to want to shoot you.
Leave North, Go North of the Bridge and Get the Hidden Bit (126/185) and the Hidden Key (11/16)
Leave through the North Door
Fight and Kill the Boss, Collect the 3 Bits (129/185)
Head North, Activate the Module (24/32)
Use the Elevator and Head East
Get the Bit (130/185) then Head North and Activate the Monolith (12/16)
Warp to South 14.5  bits if no upgrades bought after west (32.5 total)


Head to the Eastern Elevator and Use it
Head South, Follow the Path Until you hit the next Room
Equip rifle.  Recommend Rifle + pistol.
Collect the 3 Bits in the Room (133/185) and Head East
Collect 1 Bit From the Security Bot and 1 Bit through the South Secret (135/185)
Before Using the Elevator, Go through the Right Secret for a Key (12/16)
Continue to the Boss Room
Fight and Kill the Boss, Collect 3 Bits (138/185)
Head West, Activate the Module (25/32)
Warp to South

Head to the Eastern Elevator and Use it
Head East, Kill the Security Bot for a Bit (139/185)
Head South Through the Secret Path, Activate Monolith (13/16)
Continue on to the Next Room
Get to the Turret, Head East over the Hidden Path and Activate Module (26/32)
Get the Top-Right Bit (140/185)
Towards the End of the Room, Follow another Hidden Path for Bit (141/185)
Enter the Next Room
Head West, Break the Boxes for Hidden Button, Ride the Lift and Get the Bit (142/185)
Head North, Get the Hidden Bit on the Floating Island (143/185)
Continue North, Hit the Security Switch and Head East
Head through the North/East Pink Door for Module (27/32)
Head to the North Exit, Kill the Left Security Bot for Bit (144/185)
Go Through the Door, Head North for Hidden Bit (145/185)
Go through the Door, Kill all the Enemies for a Bit (146/185)
Fight Archer Boss, Pick up 3 Bits (149/185)
Activate the Pillar
Warp to South 19 1/4 bits

After this point (or maybe before this point) you have enough bits that it's too slow to count.  Just hope you have them all.

Head North
Enter the Secret Exploding Barrel Room in the Drifter Room
Collect a Bit (150/185) and a Key (13/16)
Warp to South

Head South/West
Complete the Hidden Dash Challenge
Activate Module (28/32)
Warp to South

Head South/East
Go Through the 8 Module Door
Head Up, Get the Bit (151/185) and Use the Elevator
Progress through the Sky Factory
Fight the Sky Factory Arena (Tutorial https://www.twitch.tv/videos/233604427)
Collect the Rail Gun (Gun 6/6)
Warp to West

Head West to the Next Room
Head South down the Secret, Collect Bit (152/185)
Continue South to the Next Room
Collect the 2 Bits in the Room (154/185)
Go Back to the Main Path
Head North/West past the Spiders for a Key (14/16)
Head to the Middle of the Room, Kill Dirk for Bit (155/185)
Continue to the Next Room
Use the Gun Switches to the West to Collect 2 Bits (157/185) (you can dash next to the first bit very close to the entrance, it's free in 60 fps and virtually impossible in 30 fps for some reason)
Head through the 12 Key Door
Collect Bit (158/185) and the Gold Outfit (4/8)
Head Back on the Main Path and Use the Elevator
Unlock the Jail Cells, Collect the Bit (159/185)
Get the Hidden Module (29/32)
Head North/West and Collect the Hidden Bit (160/185)
Continue through the Elevator
Head South/West, Collect the Bit (161/185)
Head North/West to the Next Room, Activate the Module (30/32)
Head Back, Collect the Northern Bit (162/185)
Head North, Activate the Hidden Monolith (14/16)
Warp to West

Head South, Go through the 8 Module Door
Progress through the Room, Collect 2 Bits (164/185) and Monolith (15/16)
Warp Back to West, reenter 8 Module Door
Head to the Crystal Dash Challenge
CDC explanation https://clips.twitch.tv/ExquisiteFaithfulPassionfruitSeemsGood
Do phantom slash and just hold sword, you'll get a charge slash before a dirk can attack every time.
(Legacy Strat if you're curious
CDC Grenade Strat https://clips.twitch.tv/PopularPuzzledMuleCoolCat
Setup explanation: If you look at the crystals closely the have 2 different patterns forming stripes.  Dash down second stripe from far right, then dash left into room.  Throw grenade down (exact angle isn't too specific, aim for middle of the wall), immediately shotgun plink upwards (toward center of the room), throw a grenade toward center of the room, and usually there will be a bit of cleanup based on enemy movement RNG, but it's manageable. End Legacy Strat)
Complete the Crystal Dash Challenge, Get the Blue/Green Outfit (5/8)
Warp to Town

Head North until you hit the 10 Key Door in North
Enter the 10 Key Door
Collect the 2 Bits (166/185) and the Dark Blue Outfit (6/8)
Exit the Key Room and Head East
Collect the 2 Bits (168/185) and Enter the Dark Room (one on top of the building, hit a switch inside, the other in a dirk, grenades are fast)
Traverse the Dark Room, Collect 2 Bits (170/185) (one near entrance, one in bottom of wall after last kill block) and Activate Module (31/32)
Warp to North

Leave through the South Exit
Get to the Flag Room (Right Before the Cave)
Shoot the Railgun Switch, and Cross the Gap
Dash through the Birds, Try not to Panic, Get to the Bit (171/185) and enter the Eastern Cave
Activate the Module (32/32)
Warp to North

Head East of Pillar Room
Go through the 8 Module Door and Use the Elevator
Get the Hidden Bit (172/185) and Continue to the Next Room
Collect the 3 Bits (175/185) and Continue to the Next Room
Collect the 2 Bits (177/185) and the Key (15/16) (1 in enemy, the other hit the pylon with your pistol while getting the key, through far wall)
Exit through the North Door
Fight the Waterfall Arena, Collect the Bit (178/185) and the Monolith (16/16)
Warp to North

Head West of the Pillar Room
Head South, Collect the Bit (179/185)
Continue South, Collect the Bit (180/185)
Continue South, Travel all the way to the Monolith Room
Be Happy you Don't Have to Do MRE Skip, Collect Bit (181/185), Collect the Key (16/16), Collect the Ochre Outfit (7/8)
Use the Mini-Warp Pad
Collect the Northern Bit (182/185)
Head East in Town, Collect the Bit (183/184)
Head South/East in Town, Collect the Bit Behind the Key Door (184/185)
Warp to South

Head down the West Elevator
Head to the 16 Key Door
Collect the Bit (185/185) and the Fuchsia Outfit (8/8)
Warp to Town

At this point if your total doesn't match up, it is legal to plug in your save to the bit locator mid run to find what you're missing and

Head Down the Main Elevator and Finish the Game!