CV4 Basics

Whip

• Simon can whip in 8 directions
• Unless it can't be avoided, always try to jump when you want to whip to prevent slowing down
• Holding the whip button allows your whip to go limp. In this state, the whip will do less damage. This can be useful in a few different scenarios.
  

Subweapons

• There are 5 subweapons: dagger, holy water (aka firebomb), axe, stopwatch, and the cross.
• It is worth noting that the holy water is very effective against many of the bosses. However, the cross is hands down the most useful subweapon for speedrunning.
• The cross acts like a boomerang and upon reaching the end of the screen it will reverse direction. By moving Simon forward, you can extend the cross' range and it also becomes twice as effective because it can hit enemies going forward and backwards.
  

Jumping

• Simon can jump over some enemies so long as they are moving forward.
• When you jump down from a ledge that's at least 2 blocks high, you are forced into a crouching state. You can avoid this by just jumping. Every time you jump means one less frame you would have to crouch. Walking off usually avoids this crouching state entirely, but wastes a couple of frames.
• It is possible to jump while using a subweapon. If you land while throwing one, you can jump immediately without losing any time.
• Stairs slow you down, therefore, as little time as possible should be spent on them.
  

Damage Boosting

• Simon can only move so fast, but the game will move him a bit faster whenever he takes damage
  

Powerups