(World Record w/ Commentary!) Octopath Traveler (Galdera) Speedrun in

In this video, I explain the route used in my recent Galdera speedrun.
This category has come a long way. Cyrus used to be the main sorcerer, and some fights used to be longer. Eventually, we routed Ophilia to be the sorcerer to address some of the inconsistencies in the Cyrus route. And now, we have an updated Ophilia route that's even faster than before!
This is the first Galdera speedrun to feature these new strategies, including Force Shield skip, early H'aanit and Hang Tough Alfyn. It is also the first sub 3:50:XX on the Switch, a time that was thought of to be possible but nobody really knew how feasible it was.
I really hope that this video can encourage more people to pick up Octopath as a speedgame. Not only is it really easy to get into, but there are also a lot of categories to choose from. Galdera is definitely my favourite category. It is the category I have put the most time and effort into, and I would love to show it off at events.
Follow me on:
Twitch: / quadraaceps
Twitter: / quadraaceps

[@thenailsageofgeo4975]

Imagine being a dark god, locked away for centuries, patiently awaiting for your freedom, only to have a thief on the verge of death barge in, eat a few pomegranates, then shatter two weapons against you, killing you in a matter of minutes.

[@elzero4618]

It's destiny of all Dark Gods. 99.999% of time you are sealed in Deep Dark Ass and 0,001 of time you are beaten by overleveled munchkin mortals. Very masochistic.

[@shadycactus6146]

the really terrifying thing is that neither of those max dmg hits was even fully boosted… my boy is Cracked

[@MudFan]

"I am not made for such battles." ~ Ophilia

[@ipenty726]

This game is a gem and it is a shame that insane stuff like this has so few views... I discovered Octopath only recently, and today I managed to beat Galdera for the first time; as a speedrun lover and now an Octopath addict this is pure gold! Love your dedication for this game. Amazing job.

[@quadraaceps]

Thanks! Comments like these really keep me motivated :)

[@democratsarepedos]

Because it's not a speed game. It's an adventure.

[@Drag0nSl4yer18]

I just stumbled upon this game and ye, it is a shame. I can only blame the marketing team from Square. I recently played NEO: TWEWY and it was the same there - these games get lost because of bad/missing marketing and it is truly (!) a miserable move from Square.

[@cc4938]

Thanks for the run! I really enjoyed watching this. My highlight is just Olberic challenging people to a fair duel of muscle and glory. Then he promptly pays some old guy to kill them for him. Amazing.

[@jimmyzhang2860]

As a big fan of this game, I have read many guide articles and watched many walkthrough videos before, have to admit this Speedrun with your knowledgeable commentary is what I enjoyed the most. Every second of this 3 hour long video doesn't feel boring at all. I really like the fact that you explained your thought process (logic behind every optimized actions) and compared old boss-defeating strategies with your improved ones. (now I feel like my understanding of this game is at a new level thanks to your teachings) Can't imagine how much effort you put in preparation before this run, great work accomplished my friend.

[@quadraaceps]

Thank you so much!

[@democratsarepedos]

He also placed major luck into 3:49:39 with turn order.

[@elijahmasquelier1238]

Like that you mentioned the music. Square Enix literally cannot miss with their soundtracks. They consistently come out with some of the best game music there is.

[@thats4thebirds]

Killer as usual. Love the Galdera run. A bunch of cool speed running techniques. Little bit of RNG. A little bit of cheese. Great stuff.

[@samsungrefrigeratorcondens4354]

I love how you explained what you were doing the entire time so I knew what was happening. Amazing run!

[@ezekieldiamadaiii3763]

This is the video game equivalent of sitting in on Picasso painting Guernica

[@BruttiF27]

That's quite the comparison. And I completely agree with you.

[@jiabberwock]

I love how you call Ophilia Ophie 😭 Loved, loved this video even though I'm a bit late. Super well explained, and I loved your little comments on the characters, made me laugh. Rarely does a four-hour long video feel interesting and substantial like this. Thank you so much ✨

[@quadraaceps]

It's my pleasure, thank you :)

[@jackking1900]

Insane run. Beat the whole game in the time it took me to beat Galdera XD

[@littleredInano]

I really appreciate the commentary. Thanks for the great run!

[@sorisriskis3943]

This is amazing, I don’t how how someone can be this skilled. Incredible job man!

[@vdinh143]

Using Hired Help on 1v1 duels doesn't seem very honorable :>

[@Lockirby2]

Thanks for the commentary. This is one of the best explained runs out there IMO.

[@Pastrytime]

So glad I found this, an incredible run and extremely insightful commentary. I've always loved RPGs and been interested in speedrunning various games for awhile but have never completed one. This video and the resources you've put together alongside the rest of the Octopath community finally made me pick up Ophelia SS as a speedgame again. Hopefully that's just one step in going full Galdera one day as this run seems so awesome. Thanks again for everything, you're a fantastic runner to watch and listen to about games.

[@quadraaceps]

Thanks, even though this video is old I still get comments like yours and it makes me happy to be speedrunning.

[@sharkbaitcustoms6111]

OMG I love the game, and I love this speed run video. Thank you for uploading it.

[@Quakemzz]

Just finished this game recently with my girlfriend and we had so much fun with it! I was definitely curious how fast it could be done, since we took our time and put in about 120 hours to get everything. Thanks for posting this and also thanks for explaining your decision-making throughout the run. I actually learned several things about the game just by watching this.

[@quadraaceps]

Glad it helped!

[@alexterieur8813]

How did you play together

[@isabellebettin1652]

Such a great game, thanks for the thorough overview of this run! Looks like a great game to speedrun.

[@jacobthompson4444]

Very informative and entertaining. Thank you for making this video!

[@quadraaceps]

Thanks!

[@skepticalbutopen4620]

You are a beast my friend. You have broken this game. I just started playing last month and I’m hooked.

[@iamthesky1878]

I love watching these runs, and the thumbnails are super sick dude

[@quadraaceps]

Thanks! Looks like the effort is paying off :)

[@shayonmitra8337]

I have seen this video twice and I just love this so much

[@Krizzah47]

Amazing commentary. Love it ❤

[@tomxgeass]

Nice video, thanks for the commentary

[@simoncobian2816]

Super late to the party but just started replaying this on game pass to get ready for part 2 if only I could go this fast lol

[@Bulzeeb15]

Awesome run, can't wait for Octopath II

[@Wizardcleave]

I Died a little inside when you ran from the second Cait

[@gsofficial]

I understood why, as he wouldn't have had the spare soulstones to kill him, nor the spare money to use Hired Help - but i did shed a tear when he ran from the THIRD cait.

[@sonnitude]

Crazy how much you do using these set damage stones! I'm no speedrunner, But I Think I've managed to come up with a team synergy that once put together I think will be very solid. Team One: Tressa: Merchant + Rune Cyrus: Scholar + Sorc H'aanit: Hunter + War Olberic: Warrior + Alch Team Two: Therion: Thief + Hunter Ophilia: Cleric + Star Primrose: Dancer + Scholar Alfyn: Alch + Warrior Only thing I'm a bit woried about is Team One not having enough healing, but I'm hoping the sheer damage output can compensate for that.

[@kokchanchong1290]

Congrats on your best speedrun of Octopath on Switch, I have learnt very much from your commentary on each step and decision you take and also backup plan if the game doesn't go according to original plan. It is really an awesome playthrough and thank you very much for the effort you put in this commentary.

[@quadraaceps]

Thanks, that means a lot to me :)

[@lich5985]

took me 85 hours to get my characters sprawled out from lvl 30-65 and get promptly stomped by galdera. and you do it in less than 4 hours. i have no words.

[@imaperson8037]

Dude this is amazing I’ve almost never seen such skill and strategy for this run and this game goad your helping to keep the game fun for all

[@quadraaceps]

Thank you!

[@imaperson8037]

No problem man keep up the great work your speed runs are always great to watch when I’m bored

[@silence_ark]

Congrats in the Sub3'50 run Quadra!

[@quadraaceps]

Thanks!

[@shadycactus6146]

i like how “early” h’aanit still involves finishing multiple other characters’ stories before ever recruiting her lmao

[@HonkHonkGoose776]

This is sick

[@metex836]

Great Video Subscribed now

[@Randomphil_FS]

As a normal player, it took me 240 hours for Galdera 😅

[@freakymoejoe2]

I did everything in the game and i clocked out at like 80 or 90 total hours of playtime, how in the world did you hit the upper hundreds

[@handemorebattlelands4009]

@@freakymoejoe2 same, just beat galdera today

[@rhymeswithmoose228]

@@freakymoejoe2 Yeah, I grinded to capture a bunch of side bosses + finishing all the side stories and mine was about 80 hours, HOW

[@dreamtraveler6135]

@@rhymeswithmoose228 he afk'd on the god tier music

[@rhymeswithmoose228]

@@dreamtraveler6135 Understandable.

[@that_dude7268]

This game is my current addiction I already have 180 hours and I'm attempting to 100 percent it then I might learn the Speedrun route

[@dmitryk9977]

Its kind of strange that you met too many Cats. Really strange.

[@damonbaritaud454]

Insane dude ! I spent a lot of time at figuring how the game work and hidden mechanic but you learn me things i was not aware of ! really a superb commentary make this speedrun the most enjoyable i watch so far (and i watched a lot). Did you know exactly how speed works btw ? I read you need to have 20 % more speed than you party for going first for sure, but i'm not sure of this source.

[@quadraaceps]

Speed influences how likely your character is to act first. Unfortunately we do not have the formula and it is not a guarantee. But in a speedrun we try to put things in our favour. The other effect is reducing the chance of getting crit. Enemies also have this property, which is why we get the Flying Helm for Alfyn (so Amputation doesn't miss the crit on Dreissng).

[@juanpablohorn6642]

I really envy your ability in this game. This speedrun made me want to retry the Galdera fight, but sadly, I failed on the first phase. There is no way for me to make 30k damage per hit. So i was unable to touch Galdera. And also the turns in which my charaters attacked where way different from yours. This made it difficult to follow the strats. Anyways, great efford!

[@democratsarepedos]

3:49:39 - Pray. That's your strat. Luck. I'm so impressed.

[@quadraaceps]

It wouldn't be an RPG if everything was 100% consistent!

[@FranCo-eb2eu]

Awesome 😄

[@radiopijama5871]

thank god, someone how actually comments the freaking game and not just play it silently withouth any explanation.

[@warcatbattalion]

I just beat the game in 40 hours, level 50 ish before Galdera questline , all sidequests no grinding. Crazy that you did all this in 4 hours. I went to advanced job shrines AFTER I beat all 8 stories, which is a shame since after I unlocked advance jobs, the game got SO MUCH more fun with so many crazy ability combinations. It's a shame that there aren't much things to do once I unlocked advanced jobs and all enemies die too fast. Only Galdera is tough but that's just because the game is really unfair when it comes to level difference since you'll always get OHKO'd without Hang Tough. I should've challenged advance jobs before any of Chapter 4...

[@magicfield12]

Wow! Amazing! Maybe you can help me out with what I should run as a group. I’m a beginner and I’m loving it already. Im at chapter 2 and unlocked everyone. What setup is the most easiest way to beat the game or it doesn’t matter that much? Either way, awesome vid! ❤

[@hunterkillerai]

I finished Galdera at something like 80 hours. So I just need to make it 20x faster. No sweat.

[@AnimePigeon]

Great Run - I know it's not a World Record now, but I prefer to watch content with commentary (especially in English) :D I very rarely complete or finish games - but I love games like Fire Emblem, Triangle Strategy, Valkyria Chronicles, Bravely Default & Octopath Traveler. Just a shame it takes me 1 Hour to complete a Prologue and in that hour a speedrunner can complete 1/2 Characters lol 😂 Would love to become a speedrunner and I know I would be capable enough to learn a game and get good - but I love listening and reading the stories too much haha 😂

[@juanjesustorressalcedo7660]

6 turnos? que demonios!? como diablos hiciste para derrotar a dreisang en 6 turnos y porque tus mercaderes pegan tan duro ? que increible!

[@stevejurgens9985]

When are we going to get this high quality commentary for Octopath Traveler 2 ?

[@quadraaceps]

Currently writing the script. It’s going to be much higher quality than this.

[@stevejurgens9985]

@@quadraaceps can't wait to see it

[@richardryanegonzalez]

Im currently playing it.id love to know how you equipped your characters individually :(

[@quadraaceps]

Hope you're enjoying it! The speedrun is pretty different from casual play. In general, the best equipment for a magic user would be Adamantine Hat, Sorcerer's Robe, Elemental Augmentor and BT Staff/Bishop's Staff. For a Warmaster, give the best weapons you have for Winnehild's Battlecry. However, more important is arguably the Support Skills that you give. Surpassing Power and BP Eater are essential for damage. Physical Prowess/Elemental Edge give permanent damage buffs as well. Saving Grace can be useful for survivability, especially when combined with Dohter's + Rev Jam or Alfyn's Concocts.

[@richardryanegonzalez]

Wow!!! Id adjust my tactics and hopfully acheive your damages in the final boss... my highest damage output for therion sorcrer is 16000 to 20000 only. :(

[@ReliusKholin]

Is there a difference between a switch run and a pc run? Maybe like loading screen time or else?

[@quadraaceps]

Yup, the PC version has faster screen transitions, cutscenes and loading times, and battles go faster as well.

[@ReliusKholin]

@@quadraaceps ahh okay. Nice video btw, I really enjoyed it haha

[@Dreykopff]

2:39:00 Olberic the Wallet Warrior

[@Yuszaf]

Good video

[@Memphis_ritz]

@9:15 he ran from a cait while there was a score on the bottom showing 3/4 caits. I am confusion

[@evik1472]

Having a hard time seeing all the equipment and support skills on all the 8 characters for Galdera. Can you write it down? 😊

[@knalleballkalle8365]

How are they running so fast in the game? On my switch they seem to run slower, is it another version?

[@quadraaceps]

Digital version has faster loads than physical. Battles should be the same though.

[@knalleballkalle8365]

@@quadraaceps I meant the B button lol, I've played for what? 4-5 months and just now discovered you run faster pressing B button

[@bokuwatobi6492]

3:20:00 les équipements recule pour les autres

[@patrick35626]

You may have mentioned it, but I missed it. When getting items from npc's in towns, why do you purchase them with Tressa, instead of having Therion steal them?

[@quadraaceps]

Therion doesn't have a good chance to steal most of the good items we want since his level his low. Tressa is guaranteed to obtain them as long as you have the money.

[@patrick35626]

@@quadraaceps oh right on. That makes sense. Good video btw

[@padungpongchuthongchai7227]

How to set up equipment and sup skill for high damage? Thank

[@quadraaceps]

Surpassing Power, BP Eater, Elemental Aid (for magic users). For equipment go with Elemental Augmentors or Physical Belts. BT Blade for physical. Adamantine Hat, Sorcerer's Robe for magic.

[@ninjaprime2984]

When ever I play this game, is it normal for every batter to take like 10 minutes and almost 40 for a normal boss fight ?

[@quadraaceps]

Nah. Once you understand the battle system, you can actually finish most battles pretty quickly. Try to have a variety of weapon types and elemental attacks in your party for easy breaking, and remember to buff your main damage dealers. Save BP on your big damage dealers for when the enemy is broken. I recommend using a Scholar/Sorcerer to clear most random encounters easily.

[@ninjaprime2984]

@@quadraaceps I started over a week ago and I’m getting though much easier now. Amazing game

[@bokuwatobi6492]

3:33:00 ARMURES

[@bobstayoffthegrass8772]

wait the credits are HOWWWW many minutes long? they’ll put that damn number ANYWHERE in this game lmao

[@user-zg5zo9bi5h]

有全成就攻略吗？

[@juliofigueroa5567]

HOW CAN YOU DO THIS MARATHON OF A GAME IN ONLY 4 HOURS?!

[@Marika_ER]

Took me 80 hours to do what you did in 3 😢

[@a.s.5956]

how do you enconter so many caiths?

[@quadraaceps]

It's just luck, lol

[@dee6561]

How the f---

[@jprec5174]

Prob with this game is it’s a switch exclusive

[@quadraaceps]

Actually there's a PC version!