Chrono Cross Speedruns and Techniques

Welcome to the Chrono Cross Speedrun and Advanced Gameplay Techniques section. Here, the Compendium aims to document the fastest Chrono Cross players alive and the techniques employed to achieve their low times. Other esoteric gameplay information will be presented in addendum, along with pressing issues and possibilities that may shave off even more seconds of playtime. Traditional speedruns are recognized by the Speed Demos Archive, and are videotaped on a console. Emulated speedrun listings also exist, called "tool-assisted speedruns." Emulators are also used for rapidly evaluating new skills and techniques for later application in a traditional attempt. Since a tool-assisted speedrun doesn't exist for Chrono Cross, and since a traditional speedrun has edged out the TAS for Chrono Trigger, the Compendium will cover traditional speedruns. Successful runs have been described as relying on two factors; the first is skill, "that which makes it possible," and the second is luck, "that which makes it happen." Other challenges are presented at end of this area. This page is co-authored by Molotov.

Current Record Holders[edit]

  • World Champion

Wesley 'Molotov' Corron on September 8, 2008

Bad Ending - 6:42:11
Good Ending - 6:48:19

  • Japanese Leader

Kimura Masa on April 22, 2000

Bad Ending - 7:16:01
Good Ending - NA

Molotov's World Record Commentary[edit]

Credits:

  • Nitrodon: I am NOT exaggerating when I say that the improvement run would've sucked without him. Simply put, I am horrible at planning. Nitrodon, on the other hand, is very good at it. He did so much planning work for this run that it would be easier to just note battles that he didn't plan (seriously).
  • Inichi: Quite a few of the battles (among other things) were planned by Inichi as well. He even managed to plan the FATE battle WAY in advance, which is pretty awesome.
  • Kimura Masahiro: Do I honestly need to say why? Though I've never heard from him, his record of 7:16.01 on Ultima Garden has served as a great inspiration to me.
  • Spikevegeta: Announcing a $50 bounty for a sub-7:16.01 run definitely gave my queue a jolt, and I thank him for getting me off my lazy butt (so to speak). Remember kids, money is a great motivation booster.
  • The Chrono Cross topic people: Sorry to bunch you guys into a large group, but I hope you understand. Thanks to all of you (unless you're one of those shady Trigger fanboys, that is). :P

Run comments:

First of all, I must apologize for the train wreck that was the previous run. That thing was downright horrific, and it's shameful that I actually submitted it (Sir VG was right to have doubts). You may (for some odd reason) think I'm overreacting about the level of suck, but after watching this run, you'll probably change your mind.

Now, I have to admit, this run does have its own moments of suck. By far the most blatant one occurs near the end of segment 19, and that is probably the one I'd describe as being the worst (completely my fault, no luck involved at all). It only cost me about 10 seconds or so, but it's really hard not to shudder when seeing it. More on that later though.

Anyway, I'm not completely sure what else to say here. My old run comments gave a rather lengthy description of the events leading up to the run, but there isn't much to say here. Basic details go like this:

  1. Started improvement run. Made it to MegaStarky.
  2. Hard drive died.
  3. I didn't have any backups.
  4. I am a moron.
  5. Motivation to do this run pretty much died.
  6. I planned to work on this run again after I completed a run of a different game.
  7. Spikevegeta offers money, and my priorities quickly change.
  8. Many ARGHs later, a run is completed.

Now to make point out a few things about some segments (note that there will be more detail in the audio commentary than there is here):

  • Segment 5: Ketchop's initial combo always targets the lead character, so Pierre is chosen as the victim (though I've seen him dodge all 3 before). This obviously leaves Serge in better condition for the battle, which is important. Stole a Power Glove from Ketchop as well.
  • Segment 6: That first battle went freakishly well, to say the least. My luck didn't really carry over in round two though.
  • Segment 7: 3/1 is a much better door code than 9/9, obviously. Grabbed the Dragoon Gauntlet in Karsh's room.
  • Segment 10: What an epic battle with the door at the end, huh? Not pretty.
  • Segment 13: Whoever decided to make Peppor's dialogue that slow should be punched. Repeatedly.

Also worth noting is that this is one of the few fights that I planned myself. If it sucks, you now know why.

  • Segment 19: Leena's magic was awful this time around. Not cool at all, obviously. Also, at around 22:52, you will see the mistake I mentioned earlier. I'll admit it: I'm lazy. This was such a horrible error to let slide, but the segment was amazingly painful to do...

TurnYellow was unnecessary, so add that to the pile of mistakes as well.

  • Segment 23: This segment has the only player character stat loss you'll ever see, and one of the only deaths. It was also a hellish segment to complete (100+ attempts, at least), so I let it slide. Also worth noting that WightKnight is awesome.
  • Segment 25: SHUT UP AND DIE, MIGUEL!
  • Segment 27: "Give mee Star Fragment!" "Nooo, it's heeeeere!!!" Grabbed the Plasma Pistol.
  • Segment 29: Fought a SpearFisher formation on purpose, as it is the only way to acquire the Magic Seal, which is useful later.
  • Segment 30: Painfully difficult "gauntlet" of boss fights. It didn't always go the way I wanted it to, but that's the RNG for you.
  • Segment 31: Rather rough Fire Dragon battle, but he's a biotch.
  • Segment 32: HellSoul had a use! Wow!
  • Segment 34: The Earth Dragon likes making the camera show Marcy's panties. What a pervert.
  • Segment 35: "Leave it to Beeba! Beeba drop dead!" Wingapede is probably the most amusing "boss" fight in the entire run, and it should be obvious why. Perhaps it's just me?
  • Segments 36 and 37: Gaia's Navel sucks, even in casual play. Luckily, I'm not there for very long.
  • Segment 38: Stole a Power Seal from Tyrano, and then he got dead.
  • Segment 39: The Green Dragon can screw you over in a variety of ways. FrogPrince returned the favor.
  • Segment 41: ARGH! Orlha is A FREAKING NINJA (a hawt ninja though). I settled on this segment.
  • Segment 42: "S! Put your pants back on, S!"
  • Segment 43: Vita was amazingly hard, and I had to redo the segment at least once. Mass element allocation isn't much fun.
  • Segment 44: "What the?! Everything is a critical! H4X!" Stone weapons auto-critical mechanical enemies. This makes PolisPolice wish he was a real boy about now.
  • Segment 45: Inichi planned the FATE battle...and it was sexy.
  • Segment 46: RoyalJelly just can't catch a break.
  • Segment 48: I planned Pyrotor, so yay me! Anemotor required 5 pounds of luck, as you can probably imagine.
  • Segment 51: The Lunar Dragon required HUGE amounts of luck. I got quite a bit of it right, but there's only so much you can do. I still think I can improve this fight, but I'm not going to try.

Also note the use of the Pendragon Sigils. This is important, since I didn't have the Mastermune/dual Einlanzer combo this time around.

  • Segment 52 (bad ending): Lavos is extremely annoying. I needed Carnivore to be the element she used (for Pendragon Sigil reasons, since Tornado is super slow), and often she would just sit there and do nothing at all. Glenn took out some of his frustration though, by landing a 1,167 damage critical in the first attack of the smackdown part.
  • Segment 52 (good ending): Lavos used Bushbasher. This is good.

Segment times and end points: 

Segment 1: 0:00.00 -> 0:05.20 (Before Lizard Rock)
Segment 2: 0:05.20 -> 0:15.15 (Before Cape Howl)
Segment 3: 0:15.15 -> 0:23.06 (Before Fossil Valley)
Segment 4: 0:23.06 -> 0:30.54 (Before Viper Manor)
Segment 5: 0:30.54 -> 0:37.38 (Viper Manor stable)
Segment 6: 0:37.38 -> 0:41.38 (Viper Manor basement)
Segment 7: 0:41.38 -> 0:52.58 (Before Shadow Lynx)
Segment 8: 0:52.58 -> 1:13.55 (Before the S.S. Invincible)
Segment 9: 1:13.55 -> 1:21.28 (After Fargo)
Segment 10: 1:21.28 -> 1:23.42 (After obtaining "the key")
Segment 11: 1:23.42 -> 1:24.50 (Before DeadHead)
Segment 12: 1:24.50 -> 1:30.41 (Before Mount Pyre)
Segment 13: 1:30.41 -> 1:34.43 (Before the Fire Dragon)
Segment 14: 1:34.43 -> 1:37.29 (After the Fire Dragon)
Segment 15: 1:37.29 -> 1:41.36 (Outside Fort Dragonia)
Segment 16: 1:41.36 -> 1:43.59 (After the Dragoon)
Segment 17: 1:43.59 -> 1:58.00 (Before SunOfAGun)
Segment 18: 1:58.00 -> 2:00.31 (After SunOfAGun)
Segment 19: 2:00.31 -> 2:24.08 (Before Radius)
Segment 20: 2:24.08 -> 2:33.37 (Before the S.S. Zelbess)
Segment 21: 2:33.37 -> 2:42.58 (After grabbing the Handle, and in cat form)
Segment 22: 2:42.58 -> 2:54.02 (Before the Isle of the Damned)
Segment 23: 2:54.02 -> 3:04.47 (Before Highwayman)
Segment 24: 3:04.47 -> 3:11.35 (Before Miguel)
Segment 25: 3:11.35 -> 3:22.32 (Outside El Nido Triangle)
Segment 26: 3:22.32 -> 3:24.58 (Before MegaStarky)
Segment 27: 3:24.58 -> 3:31.58 (Outside Fossil Valley)
Segment 28: 3:31.58 -> 3:40.36 (Viper Manor basement)
Segment 29: 3:40.36 -> 3:46.37 (Before Hell's Cook, Porre guards, Grobyc, and both forms of Guillot)
Segment 30: 3:46.37 -> 4:07.29 (Before dragon hunting)
Segment 31: 4:07.29 -> 4:17.46 (Before the Sidesteppa and Water Dragon)
Segment 32: 4:17.46 -> 4:25.15 (Outside Earth Dragon Isle, after putting the guys to work)
Segment 33: 4:25.15 -> 4:29.55 (Before the Earth Dragon)
Segment 34: 4:29.55 -> 4:35.22 (Before the Hydra Marshes)
Segment 35: 4:35.22 -> 4:40.21 (Hydra Marshes, before Gaea's Navel)
Segment 36: 4:40.21 -> 4:44.17 (Gaea's Navel, after winning three battles)
Segment 37: 4:44.17 -> 4:46.50 (Gaea's Navel, after winning three additional battles)
Segment 38: 4:46.50 -> 4:49.31 (After Tyrano)
Segment 39: 4:49.31 -> 4:55.48 (Before the Sky Dragon)
Segment 40: 4:55.48 -> 5:00.28 (Before Orlha)
Segment 41: 5:00.28 -> 5:10.19 (Before Dark Serge)
Segment 42: 5:10.19 -> 5:21.22 (Before Vita Unus)
Segment 43: 5:21.22 -> 5:24.37 (Before PolisPolice)
Segment 44: 5:24.37 -> 5:31.15 (Before the Combot and FATE)
Segment 45: 5:31.15 -> 5:44.44 (Outside El Nido Triangle)
Segment 46: 5:44.44 -> 5:50.18 (Terra Tower entrance)
Segment 47: 5:50.18 -> 5:57.27 (After Terrator and after knocking down the pillars)
Segment 48: 5:57.27 -> 6:07.04 (After Anemotor)
Segment 49: 6:07.04 -> 6:11.05 (After Luxator)
Segment 50: 6:11.05 -> 6:17.34 (After Aquator)
Segment 51: 6:17.34 -> 6:32.40 (After the Lunar Dragon)
Segment 52 (Bad): 6:32.40 -> 6:42.11 (After the credits)
Segment 52 (Good): 6:32.40 -> 6:48.19 (After the credits)

In a way, the "project" from late 2005 is now complete, so cue the huge sigh of relief.

Molotov's Old Route List and Notes[edit]

This is Molotov's route list. Route lists map out a speedrunner's path through a game and explore possibilities and difficulties. Elements listed here appear in singular form. Optional steps are marked with two hyphens.

To the Sea of Eden[edit]

  • An Ancient Fort - Chasing phantoms in one's dreams...
1. New game (default name, skip cutscene, change settings to my liking, and finish Fort Dragonia).
  • Arni Village - Where the tides start to turn...
2. Talk to Leena and leave the village.
3. Go to Lizard Rock and get the scales in counter-clockwise order (no elements in-battle).
  • Opassa Beach - A calling from beyond time...
4. Go to Opassa Beach and select "I don't remember/We'll never forget this day!"
5. Run through Lizard Rock.
  • Arni Village - Nothing has changed but everything!
6. Enter Arni Village and speak with Leena.
  • Cape Howl - A reminder of one's former self...
7. Go to Cape Howl.
8. Kill Solt, Peppor, and Karsh (in that order, using Kid's elements when possible). Don't attack until the speech is done. Decline Kid, recruit Leena.
  • Heading North - In search of some answers...
9. Enter Fossil Valley and kill Solt before Peppor. Wait for the speech to end before attacking.
  • The Port Town of Termina - The pride of the Acacia Dragoons...
10. Enter Termina, talk to statue cleaner, get Pierre as a "guide". Grab Profiteer Purse, equip Ivory Vest on someone, scrap Profiteer Purse and Ivory Mail, forge a Steel Swallow and equip it.
  • Viper Manor - Where lies the key to the past...
11. Charge the gate and focus on Ketchop. Team should be Serge, Kid, and Pierre.
12. Feed 10 dragons, get the key, and fall for the Viper Manor trap (0/0).
13. Kill the guards and hear Glenn's conversation. Grab the Dragoon's Honor before following him.
14. Grab the Revive element while you wait for him to examine the code. Check it and leave.
15. Go to the treasure vault and grab the Silver Pendant.
16. Kill the Neo-N-Bulbs, leave, and input the code.
--- Optional: Grab the Dragoon Gauntlet from Karsh's room and equip it on Serge.
17. Beat Marcy and use the elevator.
18. Beat Lynx's shadow and sit through boring dialogue.
  • Guldove - Where ripples become waves...
19. Choose not to help Kid, and leave Guldove.
20. Get Glenn and Macha and use them both.
21. Forge a Steel Sword for Glenn, and if possible, a Ladle Fe26 for Leena.
22. Go to Marbule, buy Turn elements of every color. Stock up on Capsules too. Allocate the Turn elements. Switch Macha to Leena to avoid swimming.
  • From Pirate Ship to Ghost Ship - A mariner's worst nightmare...
23. Board the pirate ship, run from the first fight, beat the bosses, and run from the Crossbones who enters the room.
24. Examine the door that needs "the key." Untested: Save the pirate with "the key" and use it. Tested: Speak to the key duty pirate, then save the right pirate.
25. Dodge everyone and head to the deck.
26. On deck, run from the forced encounter and kill Deadhead.
27. Go to Marbule and buy Magnify.
  • Fort Dragonia - Ancient dragons' dream in ruins...
28. Go to Mount Pyre and beat Peppor and Solt in that order. Aim for a Sky Djinn Ring drop. Equip it on Leena, if you get it.
29. Beat the Fire Dragon.
30. Beat the three Devas (Magnify/MagmaBurst Marcy, then focus on Karsh) and leave Mount Pyre.
31. Kill the Dragoon and do things in clockwise order starting from yellow. Grab AeroBlaster in green, if you wish.
32. Kill Sun-of-a-Gun with Magnify/FrogPrince, go up, and kill Bunyip too (Magnify/FrogPrince helps).
33. Beat Viper and Lynx, then hit your party with 3/3/1 so that they do more damage.
  • Temporal Vortex - Where lost souls wander...
34. Get Sprigg.
35. Get Harle, return to Hydra Marshes, and then leave.
  • Termina - Knight or day...?
36. Opassa Beach failed attempt.
37. Whip Radius with Lagoonate (TurnYellow) and leave the village.
38. Go to Termina and speak to the dock guard.
39. Go to Viper Manor, get Norris, and get in your new boat.
  • Marbule - The village of the demi-humans...
40. Go to Marbule, speak to Toma about the Dead Sea, and leave while he's speaking.
41. Go to the S.S. Zelbess (let Sage through, listen in, talk to Fargo, lose, Inn, Sneff twice, Handle, Sneff, Fargo, whip Sage with melee only). Use TurnBlack Lagoonate on the Sage.
42. Use the Fiddler Crab, listen to Radius, and go to Hermit's Hideaway.
  • The Masamune - The blood-stained sword of evil...
43. When told to wait for him, go up the ladder and wait really close to the door. Speak to him as soon as possible.
44. Go to the Isle of the Damned and fight the Will-O-Wisp (lure him to WightKnight). Fight WightKnight and let Sprigg finish him. Fight Garai with your newly acquired WightKnight. Leave afterwards.
  • The Dead Sea - A place forsaken by the gods...
45. Enter the Dead Sea and fight Highwayman.
46. Enter the Tower of Geddon.
47. Fight Miguel and sit through more dialogue.
  • A Portal Reopened - And the planet began to shake...
48. Go to Opassa Beach and change worlds.
49. Go to Termina and choose Karsh (don't use him).
  • Back to Viper Manor - A captive audience awaits...
50. Enter Viper Manor and speak to Norris.
51. Go down to the sewer, push the barrels (farthest first), tighten the valve, and climb the ladder.
52. Go back into the sewer from the kitchen entrance, grab the Magic Seal, cross the river, open the valve, open the gate, tighten the valve, and kill Roachster.
53. Beat Hell's Cook, guards, and Grobyc.
  • Surprise Attack!!! - Pursuers with heavy-hearts...
54. Fight Gulliot twice and choose "Hehehehe..."
55. Grobyc joins, but don't use him.
  • Route split: If you want things to be easier, go with the Mastermune. If you want things to possibly be faster (but MUCH more difficult), go without the Mastermune. Choose now.

With Mastermune[edit]

  • To the Sea of Eden - Through the hidden holes in time...
56. Go to Hermit's Hideaway, talk to Riddel (don't use her yet), and sit through dialogue.
57. Buy a ThundaStorm trap at Marbule and pick up the Black Relic while you're there.
58. Fill Harle's spot with Karsh and Sprigg's spot with Marcy, then go to the Isle of the Damned.
59. Kill Solt and Peppor (that order), trap ThundaStorm, and then change worlds.
60. Replace Karsh with Riddel, buy a few FirePillar (if you don't have about 3+ by now), buy about 30 AeroBlaster, allocate them all around (FirePillar at 3, AeroBlaster at 4 and above), and leave Termina.
61. Start the Dario fight and use Magnify-2 (2/2/Magnify-2). Use 2/2/2/FirePillar combos until you inflict Burns, then switch to 2/2/2/AeroBlaster combos until he's dead. Use 3/3/<element> if you want to risk missing.
62. Go to Earth Dragon Isle and make the NPCs work (switch Riddel for Fargo).
63. Kill the Water Dragon (fighting the SideSteppa in the way first).
64. Kill the Earth Dragon (two necessary Rockroaches).
65. Go to Gaea's Navel, kill 6 enemies, fight Tyrano (steal the PowerSeal and equip it on Lynx), and kill the Green Dragon.
66: Go to the El Nido Triangle and grab the Star Fragment.
67: Fight MegaStarky. Change worlds and go to Mount Pyre.
68. Kill the Red Dragon (making use of his counter pattern and Magnify/FrogPrince with Marcy).
69. Kill the Sky Dragon and go to Guldove.
70. Beat Orlha and get the Dragon Emblem.
71. Change worlds.
72. Go to Guldove to get Steena and the Dragon Tear.
73. Go to Fort Dragonia, kill Dark Serge, and get Serge back.
74. Replace Fargo with Glenn.
--. If you wish to add to your damage output by a large amount, do the FlagBearer trick 5 or so times right now. Equip 2 of them on Serge and 3 on Glenn. Keep in mind, this consumes a rather large amount of time, and may not be worthwhile. Do what you feel is best.
75. Change worlds and get Glenn's second Einlanzer.
76. Change worlds again and head to the Sea of Eden.
  • The Arbiter of Time - On whom the three Fates smile...
77. Insert disc 2 and fight Vita Duo (for the innate advantage).
78. Kill PolisPolice, disable the level 2 lock.
79. Take the elevator to the 4th floor, listen in, and talk to the ghost downstairs.
80. Go back up to the 4th floor and take the elevator down to the 1st floor.
81. Talk to the chief on the dock and go up to the 4th floor.
82. Get the Card Key (after fighting the annoying Combot) and head down to the basement.
83. Purposely "fight" one of the Combots as he turns in his patrol and run away.
84. Run past the moron and enter the Fate room.
85. Kill Fate and sit through more dialogue.
  • Terra Tower - Caught in an echo of time...
86. Kill RoyalJelly (one X-Strike) and head to Terra Tower.
87. Kill the elementals in your way (yellow, red, green, black, white, and blue).
88. Beat the Lunar Dragon and change worlds.
  • Chrono Cross - The point where destinies meet...
89. Get the Chrono Cross (-7) and use the Time Egg. IGNORE THIS STEP IF YOU WANT THE BAD ENDING.
  • For all the Dreamers - Our planet's dream is not over yet...
90. Use the Chrono Cross on Lavos.

If you want the bad ending, use the Chrono Cross element order anyway. After this, use 1/3/3 with Serge, 3/3 with Glenn, switch back to Serge, use 3/3 with Serge, and repeat until she dies.

Without Mastermune[edit]

  • To the Sea of Eden - Through the hidden holes in time...
56. Go to Hermit's Hideaway, talk to Riddel, and sit through dialogue.
57. Go to Marbule and grab the Black Relic.
58. Go to Earth Dragon Isle and make the NPCs work. Your team should be Lynx, Fargo, and Marcy.
59. Kill the Water Dragon (fighting the SideSteppa in the way first).
60. Kill the Earth Dragon (two necessary Rockroaches).
61. Go to Gaea's Navel, kill 6 enemies, fight Tyrano (steal the PowerSeal and equip it on Lynx), and kill the Green Dragon.
62: Go to the El Nido Triangle and grab the Star Fragment.
63: Fight MegaStarky.
64. Change worlds and go to Mount Pyre.
65. Kill the Red Dragon (making use of his counter pattern and Magnify/FrogPrince with Marcy).
66. Kill the Sky Dragon and go to Guldove.
67. Beat Orlha and get the Dragon Emblem.
68. Change worlds.
69. Go to Guldove to get Steena and the Dragon Tear.
70. Go to Fort Dragonia, kill Dark Serge, and get Serge back.
71. Replace Fargo with Glenn. Equip him with the Einlanzer.
--. If you wish to add to your damage output by a large amount, do the FlagBearer trick 5 or so times right now. Equip 2 of them on Serge and 3 on Glenn. Keep in mind, this consumes a rather large amount of time, and may not be worthwhile. Do what you feel is best. If you wish to do this, don't equip the Einlanzer until you've gotten the Dragoon's Glory. This saves a trip to the menu.
72. Head to the Sea of Eden.
  • The Arbiter of Time - On whom the three Fates smile...
73. Insert disc 2 and fight Vita Duo (for the innate advantage).
74. Kill PolisPolice, disable the level 2 lock.
75. Take the elevator to the 4th floor, listen in, and talk to the ghost downstairs.
76. Go back up to the 4th floor and take the elevator down to the 1st floor.
77. Talk to the chief on the dock and go up to the 4th floor.
78. Get the Card Key (after fighting the annoying Combot) and head down to the basement.
79. Purposely "fight" one of the Combots as he turns in his patrol and run away.
80. Run past the moron and enter the Fate room.
81. Kill Fate and sit through more dialogue.
  • Terra Tower - Caught in an echo of time...
82. Kill RoyalJelly (make use of X-Strike) and head to Terra Tower.
83. Kill the elementals in your way (yellow, red, green, black, white, and blue).
84. Beat the Lunar Dragon and change worlds.
  • Terra Tower - Caught in an echo of time...
85. Get the Chrono Cross (-7) and use the Time Egg. IGNORE THIS STEP IF YOU WANT THE BAD ENDING.
  • For all the Dreamers - Our planet's dream is not over yet...
86. Use the Chrono Cross on Lavos.

If you want the bad ending, use the Chrono Cross element order anyway. After this, use 1/3/3 with Serge, 3/3 with Glenn, switch back to Serge, use 3/3 with Serge, and repeat until she dies.

Advanced Gameplay, Possibilities, and Sequence Breaking[edit]

  • List of Mandatory Battles
As Serge: Komodo Pups (x3), Komodo Mama, Solt/Peppor/Karsh, Solt/Peppor, Acacia PVTs, Solt/Peppor/Ketchop, Acacia SGTs, Acacia PVTs, Neo-N-Bulbs, Marcy, Acacia SGTs, Shadow Lynx, Man-of-War group (run), Polly, Fargo, Crossbones (run), enemy group to save one pirate, Wraith (run), Deadhead, Solt/Peppor, Fire Dragon, 3 Devas, Dragoon, Taurosoid, GiantGloop, Sun-of-a-Gun, Bunyip, Viper, and Lynx.
As Lynx: Radius, Sage, Will-O-Wisp, Garai, Highwayman, Miguel, Roachster, Hell's Cook, Porre group, Grobyc, Gulliot (x2), Fire Dragon, SideSteppa, Water Dragon, Rockroach (x2), Earth Dragon, Beeba, Wingapede, Beeba, 6 enemy groups at Gaea's Navel, Tyrano, Green Dragon, MegaStarky, Sky Dragon, and Dark Serge.
As Serge again: Vita (whichever), PolisPolice, FATE, RoyalJelly, Terrator, Pyrotor, Anemotor, Gravitor, Luxator, Aquator, Lunar Dragon (Time Devourer form 1), and Time Devourer (form 2).
  • Access the Hydra Marshes Early (New Game +)

Start a New Game+, fight the final boss as soon as possible (Poshul is ok too, I think), get poisoned, and run away. Go to the Hydra Marshes and speak with the guy guarding the entrance. He should say you don't look so well and he'll cure your poison, if I remember correctly. Thing is, Serge steps past the man while doing this...allowing you to roam the Hydra Marshes quite early.

But wait, there's a catch: your path is blocked by two enemies. One is a dwarf on the first screen toward the left, who says some amusing things and you can fight him. He'll pass out when you defeat him, blocking your path in the process. The other enemy is a Beeba, who is in the second screen. If my memory isn't too fuzzy, he'll fight you and then say something about you being mean to him. Either way, he blocks your path.

Other than that, you are free to roam around in those spaces as much as you'd like. When you want to leave, just speak to the man guarding the entrance again (I think).

  • Enemies Don't Die from Poison

Simply put, enemies in Chrono Cross cannot die from Poison status. This may be a "duh" fact to some people, but if you InfoScope an enemy who is poisoned and let their HP hit 1, you'll notice it stops draining...even if you defend multiple times. The trick is to use an element (something harmless), which will drain the monster's HP by 7 points instead of 1. This causes the HP stat to rollover and display a totally ridiculous number: 4,294,967,292 or so. Nitrodon (a friend of mine) figured that out, so thanks go to him for that number.

The number is completely for show, since the enemy will still die in a single attack. You also cannot heal the enemy to 0 HP to make a kill, so there's a little fun taken away.

Radical Dreamer: Also, the large number thing is an issue with how C handles numbers. I'm assuming that they programmed the game in C, or a C like language, mind you. Numeric variables in C can be either signed or unsigned, meaning they can be positive or negative, or be only positive, but with a wider range. Since health is always going to be positive, they probably used an unsigned variable for enemy health, and insterted checks to insure that when it went below zero, it would stay at zero. Looks like they missed one.

Other Challenges[edit]

  • New Game + with Maxed Attributes

Kimura Masa on May 9, 2000

Bad Ending - 03:25:12

This time assumes that Kimura maxed out his characters in prior playthroughs. The drastic reduction in time is attributed to the Time Shifter's use; the internal clock of Chrono Cross does not account for the fast-forward function.

  • Defeating the Time Devourer in a New Game +

Kimura Masa on May 4, 2000

Developer's Ending - 00:06:09

This time assumes that Kimura maxed out Serge's strength and used a Spectral Swallow, Sunglasses, and two Power Seals.

  • One Element Game

On April 1, 2000, Kimura Masa attempted a game involving the use of one Element -- red, of course, to overcome RoyalJelly at some point. This means he would have to rely on physical attacks for most of the game. He maintained a journal of his progress, viewable here.

  • Maximum Damage Inflicted
  1. X-Strike on Aquator - 18573 (Kimura)
  2. X-Strike on RoyalJelly - 17887 (Kimura)
  3. X-Strike on RoyalJelly - 16,911 (Molotov)
  4. Z-Slash on Tutanshaman - 15965 (Kimura)
  5. X-Strike on Slash - 15498 (Kimura)

External Resources[edit]

From: Games