HLD NMG Rule Clarifications

No Major Glitches Rule Clarifications:


There are 3 cases where the player cannot control the drifter:
A) When the game's physics is not updating, e.g. module cutscenes or pausing the game;
B) When another object takes control of the drifter, e.g. monolith/pillar/dog cutscenes;
B) When the drifter's current state ignores certain inputs, e.g. victory sword twirl or bonking;
In case A, the only way to perform actions is to disable the physics pause, such as by opening the map.
In case B, the object will have a certain requirement (usually a fixed timer) for the cutscene to end. At both the start and end, the drifter will be set to a fixed state (exception: the cough animation already has a fixed length, so it is not reset by the cutscene itself).
In case C, the sets of inputs or interactions which will affect the drifter depends on the specific state. For example, sword bonks ignore all inputs except heal and sit. In any vulnerable state except a dash bonk, taking damage will set the drifter's animation and allow control.
Cases A and B are considered 'cutscenes' and case C 'animations' in the definition of the rules.


Cough cutscenes are ground triggers that set the drifter's animation, so healing or bonking on the same frame the trigger would apply will stack both, and the cough will be overridden. Also, healing can be used to delay the activation of the cutscene and buffer dashes to cross it. Both of these cases involving healing are banned, however bonking is okay. Also, passing over the trigger entirely in a single action is allowed.


Ledge clips are a side effect of being able to drop down ledges while keeping horizontal momentum, which is itself a minor glitch. Hence, horizontal ledge drops are allowed so long as the drifter lands in a position they could reach by walking from the bottom of the ledge.


When the map is open during some type A cutscenes, physics updates as normal. Repeatedly opening and closing the map to buffer inputs is disallowed, as it allows movement during a cutscene. However, simply leaving the map open is okay, as is changing equips, so long as no inputs are performed when closing it. Continuing interactions that were started before opening the map is also allowed.