This Discovery Broke DARK SOULS Speedrunning

Sometimes new strategies being discovered in speedrunning might spark anger. Other times, there is a discovery which completely breaks the game's speedrun but receives universal praise. It is exactly such groundbreaking yet praised Dark Souls discovery this video details.
You should watch me live on Twitch for more Dark Souls speedrunning:
/ catalystz
The main glitch is called Prompt Swap. Merchant Purchasing, Negative Duping and Quantity Using are all different types of its application.
Special thanks to Kahmul for explaining how the game most likely handles dropping items and to Cadarev and rythin for providing valuable feedback during the production of this video ❤️.
Music List:
bit.ly/CatalystzMusicList
Second Channel
↳ / @catalystzvodz
Twitch
↳ / catalystz
Twitter
↳ / catalystz_
Discord
↳ discordapp.com/invite/4W3v2EF
Chapters:
00:00 Introduction
01:43 Basic Explanation
02:43 Merchant Purchasing
06:31 Negative Duping
13:21 Quantity Using
#catalystz #DarkSouls

[@Swampdragon102]

6:30 I love how he is like "the world record improved from this to that" and doesn't even mention that both records are his

[@Eddie2P]

theres no upside to bragging

[@Eshtian]

When his name comes up it feels like bragging and I love it

[@WICK_3D]

Two different kinds of people

[@crazyfriend50]

He probably jjst thinks that what he did wasnt good enough and he wants to improve it

[@thefallenwatermelon3495]

@@Eddie2P he did brag but in a cooler more humble fashion

[@Pantagana]

That sword with the weight of 500 swords is so funny. It's like it was forged from the core of a star.

[@capperbuns]

Lmao true

[@Bluecho4]

*Metal*

[@EnsignEpic]

Beware the power of the megaton dagger.

[@Soup0066]

It clearly means that andre forged the sword

[@joshuamedina6807]

Mjolnir sword edition you were not worthy

[@jerrycool5638]

I love it when a game’s top runners are also the game’s biggest advocates and historians. The time commitment of running alone is wild. But to be a true scholar of the game and presenting it so professionally on top of that is so admirable.

[@1337ofDiscreet1]

Tanslation: *_"I like it."_* 🤣👍🍻🍻

[@ecoterrorism_liker7251]

facts

[@stardustbanana1464]

I agree, a lot of runners are super dedicated to the game. Another example of this is Fireborn with the hollow knight community.

[@demonicheed]

This is such a good comment, great observation

[@NokoFace]

And some people really have the audacity to say speedrunners hate the game they run because they "Want to finish it as fast as possible."

[@Taolan8472]

Your use of in-game render stills, glorious scene-text, and all the other fantastic cinematographical tricks... This is some top-shelf stuff, my dude. Holy hell. Also probably the mechanically and technically most complete single explanation of the prompt-swap-item-dupe family of exploits in DS1/DSR.

[@TheMoogleKing93]

Always love the content Cata! Love all the casual "and then someone broke the world record by 100 million minutes" whilst it was you.

[@Chewbrocalli]

The editing in this is so great - so simple but really enhances the production value. Big fan!

[@Soul._.Seeker]

Its sure changed everything gliched speedruns normally take 30 to 40min. But before when they used glichless speedrun it normally took 1 hour or so. Just think about it how do people find these gliches its just amazing.

[@aurllcooljay]

Funny thing is some of these findings are a complete accident. For example the current method of getting into the Kiln of the First Flame area to fight Gwyn without lord souls was discovered by someone reporting getting stuck there.

[@griffinmackenzie]

glitches*

[@Laezar1]

@@aurllcooljay Well they aren't exactly accident. They are accident that prompt researching into what happened which then lead to understanding the bug and making it usable in a run. That research part is also very important to the process.

[@roosterbooster6238]

I prefer glitch free speed runs.

[@aurllcooljay]

@@Laezar1 I was referring to how the discovery was made by accident.

[@MMenyan]

the glitch works when done with only one device though on a dualshock controller, you can do r1 at the same time as x for example and it'll do the job

[@Eddie2P]

you sure?

[@Dr_Andracca]

@@Eddie2P On PC just using a controller I can get prompt switch to work really easily, I've never been able to get it done with mouse+controller though. So I imagine it'd work on consoles too, especially since the tutorial I originally found was geared towards consoles. Found the tutorial in question: kzbin.info/www/bejne/aGaWpXd-d75rj9k

[@LamiiBunny]

@@Eddie2P I have a short video showcasing the glitch using just a controller. kzbin.info/www/bejne/hpWpXnqsjKmqmLs I mostly recorded it to show it off to friends, but here's proof. There's no mouse/keyboard input on these prompt swaps.

[@TheHogfatherInvades]

I love the fact that the route uses magic as it's main source of damage, so I guess I owe that to this glitch!

[@GamersWeekend]

Not only a master at the game, but a masterful explanation of it's mechanics as well. Your content never disappoints Catalystz, keep doing what you're doing :)

[@goosbouwsma7464]

You yourself are not so bad

[@applesauce9982]

I love game breakdowns like these. Easy to follow info graphics but also showing the inner working of the code behind the game. Reminds me of Decinos Doom videos. Your production quality is really slick too.

[@Shadowgenisis]

seriously love how much effort you put into all of these Souls explanation videos. keep up the amazing work dude!

[@NightNinja540]

I can't believe this is the first time I've ever seen your channel. This tier of quality deserves way more subs!

[@Inverted88]

Your explanations actually made this easier to understand than I was expecting. Great stuff.

[@Pod28]

The quality of your script writing and video editing is phenomenal and I was not expecting it for this topic

[@sekirosshadow9319]

This glitch allowed me to do an enjoyable ranged build from the beginning. E n j o y a b l e Best glitch ever

[@DeepVoicedDude]

Was this patched out of the remaster? I've been trying to make it work with mouse, arrow keys, home/end etc. but I just can't get 2 menus to come up simultaneously.

[@drakeeroks1582]

@@DeepVoicedDude nope, i can still do it till this day, at least on my xbox

[@Element-rb6ez]

@@DeepVoicedDude I don’t think they’ve updated the game for a long time so I’m sure it still works. Still works on the switch version for me so maybe you need to practice it

[@superbaas8822]

@@DeepVoicedDude the last versions with the souls was actually only made possible BECAUSE of the remaster

[@DeepVoicedDude]

@@superbaas8822 I guess I'll just keep trying? I can do the infinite soul pop glitch no problem on the PTD Edition to pop boss souls over and over again, so I don't understand why it's so hard to just press two buttons at the same time for this one.

[@IndupitabLee]

please dont ever stop making dark souls content. my heart will break if you do. you are the greatest, love you

[@mrrixel28]

I love this kind, they make watching dark souls speedrunning more enjoyable.

[@arifzahiruddin5602]

Very well explained! I'm not even a fan of the DS series, but all the glitches were explained so well I found myself watching the entire video

[@fromthegamethrone]

I just want to say thank you for your excellent highlighting and editing. Makes it way more simple to follow

[@Definitely_Not_Vlad]

Cata these videos are absolutely amazing, great writing, great editing, very informative while also entertaining. Great work!

[@Chara_the_god]

Yeah I was just taught the brightness glitch recently. I am now on my first run of dark souls 1. Specifically remastered. And using some souls given to me, I'm like level 200 now. Jeez us.

[@argo8407]

Please keep making videos like these!!!!! I love them so much and theyre so informative

[@fedeposada]

Your editing is so solid, I love these videos!

[@viniciustavolaro]

really fun to discovery how the glitches works from the inside perspective, great video

[@jimbaloni1877]

The wonderful editing just made this video even more enjoyable to watch

[@dbdanny]

Excellent video! Making a 16 minute-long "history of glitches" video interesting and informative isn't a trivial task. Subbed

[@nocomment9532]

Awesome to see the progression from the BKH RNGesus strat, Thanks Catalystz for the time and effort you put into these videos

[@RxAxIxNxBxOxW]

All your videos are so enjoyable!

[@Easyflux]

Awesome vid! Love speedrunning and glitch discoveries, you got a sub mate.

[@cainemattison109]

Great stuff dude keep it up! Your videos are so fascinating and informative, and the editing is on point!

[@CarlWidegrip]

Sweet production quality! Impressive

[@rolfknappmann]

The items duplication glitch is brilliant! I never tried it, because the tutorials required to purchase actual 500 units of whatever. But, being able to buy just ONE item and overload is absolutely incredible. I'll try that later

[@KrazyKaiser]

I love how you talk about the "all bosses speedrun world record going from 1:06:37 to 1:05:20" without even mentioning that those are both your record lol

[@cristian-bull]

I'm dumb for clicking that time stamp

[@halfpint5877]

It literally says his name under each time

[@PeppySweetheart]

I love your editing, dude. It's great. I'm definitely gonna watch more of your stuff just because of the cool letters at the start of the video.

[@Fanta0846]

Great video and everything, but the best part was hearing Mechanism 8 in the background from Unreal Tournament again, I had forgotten about that song for quite a while, so thank you for that!

[@rig4O4]

makes me feel old, but also very satisfied for being able to play it on its peak back there lol

[@VileLasagna]

Huh, it's been a little while since the algorithm brought me to one of your vids and... I must say... oh, wow.. Your content was always great stuff but now you have the pacing and scaffolding down just right and the presentation is just incredible. Truly amazing, congrats

[@koval3899]

Absolutely amazing video, everything explained "like i am 5", quality on 10/10

[@johnnyvalient]

Incredible editing and information great video👍

[@forwardspiral9745]

Amazing stuff cata!

[@Luna0wl]

This video was great I really love when someone is explaining how these bugs appear

[@Azizi_5423]

Excellent content really. Keep up the good work!

[@Markooz-GamesNostalgia]

Awesome content! I wonder how many secrets still will be revealed in Dark Souls!

[@wyattmorelock5832]

Just found your channel, I'm now going through and watching all your videos!

[@are3287]

Before that close up of fall control (hush/spook) I never realized the icon was a boot lol

[@SCDJMU]

Great video. Really enjoyed it. Please make more.

[@mmedina]

Subscribed. Great video and excellent explanation!

[@LilAggy]

another banger video, cata. insanely high quality stuff my dude 😎

[@shmshare3868]

Hello aggy (:

[@xpavpushka]

Thanks for the music list. That qube ost is quite good.

[@jacklucy8745]

My life has been better since discovering you Cata, keep rolling !

[@jimmyjams694]

Very high quality video!!

[@youraveragemfdoomenjoyer5513]

Yo your awesome thank you for contributing so much to the community

[@TheBitishDragon]

Thanks for this, I did not know about negitive duping and now I kinda wanna try it,

[@gabenvandenbrink9114]

Awesome vid, subbed

[@joshspinney]

Great video as always!

[@grizzlydroidy]

Keep up the great content, Cata!

[@albino5995]

Excellent video, thank you sir!

[@aleena2121]

The necrodancer music near the end of the video makes me happy. Those tracks are really recognizable lol, can't fool me.

[@Lennynz]

this was really well edited

[@utubeThesugi]

love this kind of video ^^

[@finalfantasyVII2]

This is kinda similar to a glitch in Dark Cloud. Get super weapons hella quick by messing with merchants

[@catalystz]

I actually watched some of the Wrong Warp stuff in Dark Cloud recently! Fascinating how that game is broken.

[@theftking]

Now _this_ is a great video title. Good job!

[@Teedalo]

Cadence of Hyrule music at the end of the vid. Nice!

[@actl8832]

Stunning Video and Presentation!!! May I asked what programs you used for editing and also for the camera sequences?

[@spiritzion]

this video is great. i love having speedruns explained, and you do it both easily and have a great voice. def a sub

[@gabrielwears1778]

Absolutely adore cata’s way of talking to me like I know absolutely nothing but not making me feel like an idiot. Masterful teaching, and one of the absolute best dark souls KZbinrs/streamers out there

[@darkmanmaggot]

reminds me of the morrowind glitch where you would swap between your weapon and a bound weapon and it would cause the level of the bound weapon to increase. usually played with a marksmen level of 300.

[@A.C_B.]

The production value on this video is insane.

[@martk647]

I like how Andre won't stand for that item duplicate like he is a spy sent by Miyazaki.

[@floq6693]

Thank you very much for sharing with passion all this esoteric knowledge ! I think this is what speedrunning is all about : searching for incredibly difficult, complex and stupid mechanics and strategies to fullfil a performance absolutly pointless appart for her inherent beauty. I feel Speedrunning like a crossover between art and sport with the absurd spirit of the Monthy Pythons. Bonne continuation !

[@T3ddyBoy33]

Cata! I just came across this video randomly and I realized it was your voice after like 30 seconds xD Keep it up!

[@ajflink]

I'm a little annoyed that no programmer thought that having more than one means of navigating and selecting options in menus could be done simultaneously at From Software.

[@sofija1996]

And QLOC also failed to catch this glitch (as well as introduced a new iteration with quantity use) even though they fixed things like move-swapping by clearing the input queue on menu opening.

[@LilacMonarch]

DS1's pc port was notoriously bad in almost every way, for a long time requiring fan-made patches to even work well. I'm not surprised simultaneous controls were overlooked there. But with DSR you'd think it would be different.

[@spikepsych]

I used to watch you run TLOU way back, this video was very interesting and well made I hope you're good man.

[@catalystz]

I hope life has been treating you kindly as well, spike! And of course, I remember you 😉🙏

[@spikepsych]

@@catalystz thank you I am good man

[@Akirasip]

How did you manage to do all of these editing tricks in this vid? Was it an external program like after effects, or did you add stuff within the game itself?

[@luv-lost]

15:31 that screenshot gives me shell-shock

[@johntitor4606]

Cool video. What camera mod did you use for those cinematic shots?

[@Pharthrax]

“Generate frustrations” white showing Ahady doing Wolf Clip is pretty good LUL

[@catalystz]

I thought it was pretty accurate, yeah 😂

[@Zularak]

Did you make the transitions and graphics in this video or did you buy them from somewhere(if so where)?

[@catalystz]

All made in-house, sir!

[@ZioName]

Great content as always. P.S: don't think I didn't notice that Super Meat Boy music =P

[@keziahavila4827]

For once a Speedrun strat I knew about before a catalystz video on it

[@StyleshStorm]

this is true dedication.

[@lethalButters]

Aside from speed running, I’ve been playing Dark Souls since the 360 days, early 2012, the prepare to die edition on pc, remastered pc, and remastered switch. These glitches are fantastic for me to do quest lines or experiment with weapons and strategies even on the switch. I don’t really play online anymore so I’m not trying to abuse it but it’s great for casual runs where I want to get things in 1 play through.

[@sun332s7]

I’m gonna have to try this a bunch cause I would love to make this.

[@dropkickedmurphy6463]

1:07 I would say the hover glitch in the Jak series would be an example of both a praised discovery and a disliked one. People didn't like it for both difficulty reasons and just ruining the old any%'s skill. However, it was also praised because of what such a glitch could skip.

[@rig4O4]

I love to see the the Unreal Tournament 99 BGM being used (5:28 for those old school boys that may be here, like me)

[@formal4029]

You might be one of my favorite speedruners period not just dark souls, the commitment to everything is amazing. Much love cata

[@RandomGuy0987]

Great video

[@MOTHERHUMPS101]

You ain't going to get me to miss that unreal tournament soundtrack

[@kyleken8383]

Finally... I got the info I needed. Never have I ever seen anyone say that loading screens are how the runners get their 99. Ive been trying to work out how to get the estus flask to be dropable to get a quantity menu up haha. Now the only info I need is how to get negative values on ps4 to dupe the twinkling titanite to get BKH +5 before sens gate skip, and I'm on my way to being the #1 dark souls runner on ps4!

[@tonycost3llo]

if anyone’s wondering,The quantity usage glitch works great on console

[@ProtomanWasTaken]

How do you get away with the initial swap from arrows to swords on a controller? I can't seem to get it to take both inputs.

[@catalystz]

Prompt Swapping as showcased in the first two glitches (Merchant Purchasing and Negative Duping) does not work on console, as it requires a cursor. Quantity Using is possible by opening the 'Brightness' menu and pressing R1 shortly after. A nifty tutorial is here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/aGaWpXd-d75rj9k

[@ProtomanWasTaken]

@@catalystz dang it. Thank you.

[@norikoteiko3791]

I used that glitch like more than a year ago on PS4 to boost my PvE coop mage to the next level it's a pretty old glitch but a good explanation

[@ChuckleBrryFinn]

I like your still frames and editing

[@EleazarCed]

Excellent presentation sir. Would you mind demonstrating these item dupe glitches a bit slower please in a new video. I am amazed. When ever I think all is discovered with this game, something wlse comes along.

[@Foobin_Lera]

Cadence of Hyrule, huh? Nice ending song

[@CUBEoneVX]

this multy menu thing reminds me of PSO, you could do the same thing talking to an npc while accessing a shop menu at the same time. By doing that, you could dupe in PSO and equip multiple weapons at the same time.

[@YahamM]

As a developer, this things are really, really amazing to me!

[@Bongohan]

This is my favorite science channel. I fell so educated.

[@agnel47]

Does this work on the Rematser, because I just can't go back to the old version due to its performance.

[@rickdot4902]

Duping the soul items quickly became my favorite glitch once I got the hang of it. I use a slightly different version of it. But get the same result. kzbin.info/www/bejne/eYK4fIidjbuliaM This has made it super convenient when I feel like doing specific builds. Let's say I want to play as a Silver Knight: Once I get the armor set, shield, sword, and spear, I'd need seventy twinkling titanite. Without killing any lizards or clams, that's 560,000 souls you'd need to spend to the Giant Blacksmith. Then an extra 2,000 for each individual upgrade. Another 70,000. 630,000 for the Blacksmith's materials and labor. Before knowing the glitch, you'd probably spend some time farming those slug guys in the Painted World until you've got the souls. Then carefully make your way out of the place; and to the blacksmith. Now you can pop a soul of a nameless soldier (800 souls) right in front of the blacksmith using this glitch and you're golden.

[@rickdot4902]

Also there's just leveling up insanely fast. I made two max level characters from scratch using this method. One sorcerer and Silver Knight. Both maxed out before NG+5

[@marioplumber3378]

@@rickdot4902 that sword weight thing is interesting to me, i wonder if its possible to glitch out the item weight so i can be a fast-rolling havel

[@catalystz]

It's great to see you having fun with it! Here is a better tutorial for Quantity Using as you described it: kzbin.info/www/bejne/aGaWpXd-d75rj9k

[@tripslord9029]

Saving this for when I play dark souls again