Speedrunning Celeste is all about precision, speed, and control. To climb Mount Celeste as efficiently as possible, players must master a variety of advanced movement techniques. This guide breaks down the core mechanics and key tricks used by top runners—like Zcat, the current world record holder.

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Core Mechanics

Madeline’s movement is built around three fundamental abilities:

• Jump
• Dash
• Grab

By combining these core actions, players can perform advanced maneuvers to maintain momentum, conserve stamina, and even skip large sections of levels.

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Essential Speedrunning Techniques

1. Super Dash

• How to Perform: Dash forward on the ground, then jump immediately.
• Effect: Preserves dash momentum and covers significant horizontal distance.
• Variants:
  • Extended Super Dash: Delay the jump until Madeline’s hair turns white to retain an extra dash mid-air.
  • Reverse Super Dash: Jump in the opposite direction of your initial dash.
  • Extended Reverse Super Dash: Combines both of the above.

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2. Hyper Dash

• How to Perform: Dash diagonally downward and jump before the dash ends.
• Effect: Produces faster horizontal movement with a lower jump arc, ideal for tight spaces.
• Variants:
  • Extended Hyper Dash: Delay the jump to increase distance.
  • Reverse Hyper Dash: Executed in the opposite direction of the dash.

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3. Wave Dash

• How to Perform: Jump, dash diagonally downward, then jump again immediately upon landing.
• Effect: Provides quick, compact movement across flat terrain.
• Variants:
  • Extended Wave Dash: Time it to allow a dash reset.
  • Reverse Wave Dash: Executed in the opposite direction.

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4. Demo Dash

• How to Perform: Dash downward in mid-air, then quickly release the down input.
• Effect: Shrinks Madeline’s hitbox by forcing her into a crouch, letting her pass through tight spaces.
• Application: Notably used in Chapter 3 skips that bypass multiple rooms.
• Tip: Use the Crouch Dash keybind (available since version 1.4.0.0) for easier execution.

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Wall-Based Techniques

5. Wall Bounce

• How to Perform: Dash upwards near a wall, then jump at the peak.
• Effect: Grants a strong vertical boost, useful for reaching higher platforms.

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6. Neutral Jump

• How to Perform: Jump off a wall without pressing left, right, or the grab button.
• Effect: Allows vertical climbing without consuming stamina.
• Application: Crucial for sustained climbs, especially in Chapter 6 skips.

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7. Spike Jump

• How to Perform: Execute a Neutral Jump on a corner covered in spikes.
• Effect: Spikes won’t hurt Madeline if she moves with their direction during the jump.
• Practice Location: Chapter 4 features an ideal room to train this technique.

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Screen Transition Abuse (STA)

• How to Perform: Dash upwards right before a screen transition, then dash again after entering the next screen.
• Effect: Grants a free additional dash, useful for vertical progression.
• Application: Often used in Chapter 3 to obtain the entrance key quickly.

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Incorporating Techniques into a Speedrun

Top speedrunners seamlessly chain these tricks together to optimize every section of the game. Watching high-level gameplay footage can help you learn timing, rhythm, and execution. Practice each move individually, then start combining them in real runs.

With persistence and precision, you’ll see your times improve and your mastery of Celeste deepen. Good luck—and happy climbing! ⛰️✨