Ascension Speed Show: Recent Episodes
Ascension Speed Show
The show's purpose is to help people play Kingdom of Loathing's ascension game more efficiently and perhaps introduce players to speed ascension.
Captain Scotch, TES, and Lyft talk about the intricacies of navigating through the Wildfires of Loathing during the Fall Challenge path of 2021.
Discord Invite link: https://discord.gg/tbUCRT5
Zack from Asymmetric joins our cast to discuss some of the recent changes KoL saw in January 2022 as well as answer some player submitted questions.
We're also joined by the Kingdom's player devs:
Aenimus, Cannonfire40, The Dictator, and Gausie.
Lyft is there too.
Discord Invite link: https://discord.gg/tbUCRT5
Join Cannonfire40, Captain Scotch, and Lyft as they discuss the Quantum Terrarium challenge path.
QT Resource Page (Including Gold Commendation Run Logs)
https://tinyurl.com/QT-Commendation
Discord Invite link: https://discord.gg/tbUCRT5
Lyft, Captain Scotch, and Phillammon discuss the amazing 1/1111 stunt run that happened during the Robot challenge path. Learn how Phill managed to break Ronin in a single day!
Robot Resource Page (Including the 1/1111 Ascension Log):
https://tinyurl.com/Kogmind
Discord Invite link: https://discord.gg/tbUCRT5
Lyft, Ricardos, Captain Scotch, and TES cover the Spring challenge path of 2021. We'll be giving an overview of the "You, Robot" path dynamics, general routing, and some of the nuances with running both paths at their highest level.
You, Robot Commendation Run Logs (and Resource Page!)
https://tinyurl.com/Kogmind
Discord Invite link: https://discord.gg/tbUCRT5
Lyft, Captain Scotch, TES, and Bean cover the Summer and Fall challenge paths of 2020. We'll be giving an overview of path dynamics, general routing, and some of the nuances with running both paths at their highest level.
Low Key Summer Commendation Run Logs:
https://tinyurl.com/LKS-Commendation
Grey Goo Commendation Run Logs:
https://tinyurl.com/Goo-Commendation
Discord Invite link: https://discord.gg/tbUCRT5
This episode has been a long time in the making! Lyft and Aenimus are joined by Asymmetric's CDMoyer!
Many moons ago, Asymmetric employed CDM as a programmer for KoL. That means there's probably no one better that knows the inner workings of KoL. He's also the mastermind behind many beloved IotMs and mechanics, and getting them to work!
KoL Resource Repository: https://tinyurl.com/KoLResources
Discord Invite link: https://discord.gg/tbUCRT5
Aenimus and Lyft are joined by player dev, Mr Bill!
Mr Bill has been a player dev for 13(!) years and has been around since before ascension existed. Needless to say, there'll be some interesting topics to discuss!
KoL Resource Repository: https://tinyurl.com/KoLResources
Discord Invite link: https://discord.gg/tbUCRT5
Podcast Episode 17:
Aenimus, MaxxMaxx, and Lyft cover the following:
- High-level discussion of Path of the Plumber, the Spring 2020 Challenge Path
- Brief impressions of Low-Key Summer
- Thoughts on May and June IOTMs, the Left Hand Man and Guzzlr
Interested in seeing logs of the top handful of Plumber runs on each side of the board? They can all be found here: https://tinyurl.com/PotP-Commendation
Huge congrats to all the players earning commendations for the first time! Special shoutout to Maxx and Burrows for getting on both the hardcore and softcore board in silver or higher!
maxxmaxx (Gold HC, Silver SC )
burrows (Silver HC, Silver SC)
OgreCrusher (Silver HC, Bronze SC)
Zdrvst (Silver SC, Bronze HC)
The_Dragon (Silver)
idk anything (Bronze)
Dr Ragon (Bronze)
fredg1 (Bronze)
worthawholebean (Bronze)
Roibeard (Bronze)
Ordog (Bronze)
Sacez (Bronze)
Katarn (Bronze)
gizmofinch (Bronze)
GodOfEverything (Bronze)
Sawyer's streams KoL at https://www.twitch.tv/arsawyer84/videos
Check out his latest streams which include topics like how to maximize Kramco encounters and his 1 turn Defiled Cranny challenge (can you run enough monster level in HC unrestricted to get all 25 evil beeps in a single turn?)
Standard 2020 Pull List:
https://tinyurl.com/KoL-PullList
Discord Invite link: https://discord.gg/tbUCRT5
Podcast Episode 16!
Aenimus, Sawyer, and Lyft discuss the following:
- General overview of the first three IOTMs from 2020
- The updated Standard 2020 pull list (and some Plumber specific pulls)
- Generic Summer Holiday
Sawyer's Mushroom Garden Evaluation (Twitch VOD):
https://www.twitch.tv/videos/571264381
Standard 2020 Pull List:
https://tinyurl.com/KoL-PullList
Discord Invite link: https://discord.gg/tbUCRT5
Podcast Episode 15!
- Sawyer, Dictator, and Lyft talk about Crimbo 2019, challenge paths, and the last few Item of the Months!
"We'll put a link to that in the show notes" - Whoa, we didn't forget!
Sawyer's 2019 IOTM Review (Twitch VOD):
https://www.twitch.tv/videos/512468102
Saywer's Standard 2020 Item Drop Calculator:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1MXR7rg37jvAyPE-lXEEhvM2S9JIxLVT3eDY8HDqslOg/edit?usp=sharing
Sawyer's Phyla Tracking Spreadsheet:
https://tinyurl.com/SawyerKoLPhyla
Aen's Python Simulator:
https://github.com/Aenimus/Pythonic-Simulators/blob/master/Palindome_Simulator.py
Online Python Compiler:
https://www.onlinegdb.com/online_python_compiler
Two Crazy Random Summer - Commendation Run Logs:
https://tinyurl.com/2CRS-Commendations
Kingdom of Exploathing - Commendation Run Logs:
https://tinyurl.com/KoE-Commendation
Dark Gyffte - Commendation Run Logs:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1yq__J7Ter-xpNTUkrfCjh1SU4lYv5xWpEq0iJg2LXX8/edit?usp=sharing
Discord Invite link: https://discord.gg/tbUCRT5
2CRS Resources
Captain Scotch has created some very helpful reference documents for the 2CRS challenge path:
- 2CRS Effect Cheatsheet - An easy to read reference document. This provides a quick overview of a handful of the most impactful effects and where to find them in your seed:
https://tinyurl.com/y6dl8g3m - 2CRS Items of Interest - A more in-depth look at the relevant gear and potions. This spreadsheet lists all easily obtainable gear, potions, and IOTM derivatives for each seed in 2CRS:
Version 1: https://tinyurl.com/y3t9pg25
Version 2: https://tinyurl.com/yyv5muxw - 2CRS Q&A w/ Lyft & Scotch! - A 'Frequently asked Questions' document:
https://tinyurl.com/y6ds92vw
Podcast Episode 14!
- Captain Scotch joins us to chat about the Summer 2019 Challenge Path: Two Crazy Random Summer (2CRS)
- Highlights from the 2019 June and July IOTMs.
- PvP Season 44: Numberology!
Discord Invite link: https://discord.gg/tbUCRT5
A special bonus podcast! Aenimus and Gausie talk about a 1 day Hardcore run (completed without Feast of Boris!)
Unrestricted Run Planning and Resources:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1yH6Dsu7exzRh5CeOnVSyJat0bBUnq0x1j-OBeR8onIU/edit#gid=411969463
Discord Invite link: https://discord.gg/tbUCRT5
Edit: Lyft accidentally used the wrong audio file for the intro music! If it sounds worse, that's because it was the rough first draft of the theme song! Sorry!
News
It's been a while! But we have been busy, and there are lots of awesome things coming soon! Here is a bit of the latest news:
- Dark Gyffte Run logs from Aenimus, Lyft, and Monsieur Bob:
https://tinyurl.com/yywkyy8q - The Summer challenge path, Two Crazy Random Summer, is here, and plasticlobster and cdrock have been working hard with the ASS/general KoL community to bring you a database for all 54(!) seeds. Check it out at http://plasticlobster.com/summer/
- There are also query-able versions for items and effects:
http://plasticlobster.com/summer/items.php
http://plasticlobster.com/summer/effects.php
Podcast Episode 13!
- Monsieur Bob has recently returned to KoL after a long break. Despite that, he completed two very speedy ascensions, earning himself a Gold and Silver Commendation in Softcore and Hardcore respectively (yet to be distributed)! We will discuss what planning and preparation went into this incredible feat, and how other returning players can compete with the rest of us!
- Nerfs. Jick (finally) bombs green smoke bombs. What does this mean? What does this change? Why did this happen?
- Discussion about April's IotM: PirateRealm, and its optimal use for both aftercore and in-run (we were waiting for the signal puzzle, but we will just cover that when it comes, if need be).
- Discussion about May's IotM: Fourth of May Cosplay Saber, and its optimal use for both aftercore and in-run (and how this may change!).
- How does speed ascension and routing develop? How do we plan runs, and how are gold runs decided? How did the community work together to do this? We'll discuss both generally and from the perspective of Dark Gyffte.
Discord Invite link: https://discord.gg/tbUCRT5
The Ascension Speed Show talks with KoL creator, Jick!
Jick created KoL and West of Loathing and he's graciously agreed to appear live on the show! The episode is devoted to asking questions; anything goes--not just speed ascension!
Jick also gave us 3 copies of West of Loathing (+DLC) to give away! Congratulations to:
akira_the_noob (WoL)
PlasticLobster (DLC)
Just Eyes (WoL)
Twak (DLC)
Kingdom of Loathing - Official Podcast:
http://radio.kingdomofloathing.com/
Dark Gyffte IOTM Tier List
Discord Invite link: https://discord.gg/tbUCRT5
- Violetinsane will be walking us through the never seen before Glitch season and how we can best get our hands on the new PvP item, which still remains unimplemented. If it ends up becoming ascension relevant, we'll all want one!
- Phillammon is a prime example of a new and improving listener of the podcast who is learning all the important mechanics of the game. Phil has been making incredible progress on his journey to speeding, and the only things slowing him down are a lack of permanent skills and niche knowledge that comes with years of play.
- Phil has made a zone simulator for the 8-Bit Realm. We'll be talking a little bit about that, and perhaps how this could be extended to other areas of the game.
Spreadsheet with Phil's findings - March's IotM: the vampyric cloake!
- In depth discussion of Dark Gyffte. Expect tricks, tips and routing that builds upon last episode's brief overview!
- Discussion of resource management, particularly limited-per-day skills, such as banishes, as well as "sniff skills" (producing "queue copies").
What else is new?
The Ascension Speed Show talk with KoL creator, Jick on April 13th! Submit your questions for our special guest in the #Jick-Questions channel on Discord.
Bonus Podcast: In preparation for the resource management section of the podcast, The Dictator and Aenimus held a short broadcast to remind people what the "queue" is, and what we mean by "queue copies"; i.e., using "sniffs":
Full version Twitch, YouTube;
Special turn generation and resource allocation spreadsheet for Dark Gyffte. It also has loads of resource planning, courtesy of The ErosionSeeker and others. Check it out!
The ErosionSeeker's latest infographic on how to Ensorcel a Spant!
Dudemcbob's Chasm NC Cheat Sheet (Updated!)
Discord Invite link: https://discord.gg/tbUCRT5
We're pleased to have acclaimed speeder and spader Chameco with us on the late February show! Chameco has been on the ascension boards for quite some time, and is quick to spade mechanics (both new and old) for the community.
- Kramco revisited - Some of the goblin encounter ceilings still require further spading. The numbers presented in the show are not final. The community is still working hard gathering data and testing. There's still much to learn about January's IOTM!
- Analysis of February's IotM: Lil' Doctor(TM) Bag.
- A brief look at Dark Gyffte (the Spring Challenge Path). Expect a bonus episode in the future to cover the path in greater detail!
- How do we optimize the Shen's snakes, Copperhead, and the protestor quests? Can we speed these up and what mechanics are in play? We take a look at these "new" quests in great detail.
What else is new?
PlasticLobster (#1919839)'s Kingdom of Loathing Skill Tracker Analysis
PlasticLobster has made an incredible tool to assist players keep track of which skills they have perm'd. This webpage and associated mafia script crossreferences the Ascension Speed Show's Perm Tier List and gives a summary of which relevant skills you are missing!
Find it here: http://www.plasticlobster.com/
With lots and lots of help from The Dictator, the Ascension Speed Society has launched an Ascension Turn-generation Planning Sheet. It needs to be updated for Dark Gyffte, but it has most things you would expect for a run. We'll eventually support it for aftercore, but it's mostly already there. This is a fantastic resource where you can just alter checkboxes and drop downs, and the spreadsheet does everything else for you! If you have any questions, just ask.
Lyft finished updating the Standard Pull List reference spreadsheet for 2019! We will continue updating this reference throughout the year.
Discord Invite link: https://discord.gg/tbUCRT5
Other links:
- Hardcore/Softcore Perm Tier List + Decision Flowchart
Special guest, Cannonfire40 joins us to share tales of his escapades in the Kingdom of Loathing.
If the game can be broken, either Cannonfire40 has done it, or it's not possible. His constant (ethical) breaking and spading of the game were two of the large reasons that he earned a place in /dev! Cannonfire40 will be discussing a number of hilarious participates and KoL-related anecdotes and stories.
Upcoming 2+ billion prize competition:
We've preemptively announced a KoL speed ascension competition on Discord. With a current prize pool of 2+ billion meat (expected to reach 3-4 billion), there is something for everyone! This includes participation prizes; separate prizes for teams; and tiers based on number of perm'd skills a& IOTMs. Likely to happen around June 2019 (details to follow).
What else is happening this week?
- Quick overview of January's IotM: Kramco Industries packing carton. At the time of recording, this was still being spaded. Expect more in-depth analysis in a future episode!
- Discussion of the new changes, particularly from the angle of our guest, a dev and speedster. Perhaps some TPTB insight (with permission).
Discord Invite link: https://discord.gg/tbUCRT5
Other links:
- Hardcore/Softcore Perm Tier List + Decision Flowchart
This week, we’ll be joined by special guests The_Dictator and asawyer!
Both of our guests earned gold stars for their incredible runs during the most recent challenge path, Disguises Delimit. DD was known for throwing obstacles into carefully planned ascension strategies. We’ll talk about how they adapted and managed contingency plans during their runs.
What else is happening this week?
- State of Standard 2018 - We'll be talking about Standard in general: our favorite new mechanics, how routing evolved, and a summary of the 2018 IOTMs.
- Overview and analysis of December’s IOTM, Boxing Day care package.
- Looking ahead to 2019 - Thoughts about next year's Standard and our hopes for design space moving forward.
- We answer listener questions, including how to approach the desert and oasis during the level 11 quest.
Remember that you can ask any and all podcast questions HERE!
Discord Invite link: https://discord.gg/tbUCRT5
Other links:
- Hardcore/Softcore Perm Tier List + Decision Flowchart
- Softcore 2018 Pull Tier List
- Battlefield Spading Data! A special thanks to KingBobson for spading this, and also donating all the stench jellies he accrued in the meantime! That means we have 1000 of those to give away, among other prizes!
Aenimus, Sawyer, and Dictator are joined by Dryhad to discuss and advise his run log! Dryhad is comfortably managing 3 day HC runs. We are going to try and pull some key points from his log so that he can break 2 days!
EDIT: Dryhad has already saved over 50 turns since this episode! Way to go!
Useful Links:
-
Discord Invite link: https://discord.gg/tbUCRT5
-
How to order your free fights optimally: https://redd.it/9hcm6e
Special thanks to MrBlonde07#1737 for editing the bonus episode!
Our first guest is Violetinsane, a prominent and celebrated PvPer. She will be discussing how to approach PvP optimally and also how to maximize your swagger in PvP.
Our second guest will once again be KoL developer Yojimbos_law! "Slaw" will be telling us how he approached the massive amount of spading data for The Battlefield, and what this means for speed ascension. Expect leaks of some top secret tips and strategies that we've been devising.
Slaw gives us the wriggly and slimy of Tentacore; how to be bleeding-edge optimal in Softcore runs by extensively using the effect known as "Eldritch Attunement"!
The Battlefield spading data can be found here!
Sample Eldtritch Attunement Consumption Plan (2017)
https://pastebin.com/t9zGuJnT
Eldritch Snap Wiki Page
Voting Booth Mafia GCLI commands:
set trackVoteMonster = free
(This only prompts for free fights)
set trackVoteMonster = true
(Mafia prompts for every voting booth wanderer)
Useful Links:
- Discord Invite link: https://discord.gg/tbUCRT5
- Twitch
-
YouTube
-
Hardcore perm tier list and decision flowchart
- Softcore pull tier list
Steam group and Tabletop Simulator Shenanigans:
We now have an Ascension Speed Society Steam group! We will be playing Tabletop Simulator after the show! Discord for details!
We're joined once again by our favorite robot, Cheesecookie! Cheesecookie recently won a PvP competition and will be discussing his approach to PvP, and why it might matter for ascension (hint: it does!).
You can ask any and all podcast questions HERE!
What's happening this week?
- PvP, why it matters for ascension and how to do it efficiently.
- The latte lovers member's mug--what do we think of it and how should it be used in run? In-depth analysis!
- Monster Level (ML): What is there, and how can we deal with it?
- Announce the winner of the run log analysis competition!
- Miscellaneous giveaways and other fun stuff as usual.
- Tabletop Simulator board games after the show.
If there's time:
- Viewer/listener questions
As mentioned in the episode, here is the link to Ben Bloom's DA Chart.
Useful Links:
- Discord Invite link: https://discord.gg/tbUCRT5
- Twitch
-
YouTube
-
Hardcore perm tier list and decision flowchart
- Softcore pull tier list
Steam group and Tabletop Simulator Shenanigans:
We now have an ASS Steam group! We will be playing Tabletop Simulator after the show! Come join us play board games (expect spooky Halloween games among other favourites like Secret Hitler, Red Dragon Inn etc.)! Discord for details!
We're joined by KoL Guru, The_Ersoionseeker (#1937905) and he'll be discussing with us how YOU can shave a bunch of turns off the Level 13 quest!
Don't leave for registration at the tower without TES's amazing Lair Test guide!
After many (seriously, this took forever) hours of work, we have finally finished...
The Hardcore Standard Perm Tier List!
Special thanks to The Dictator and The Erosionseeker, who both contributed invaluably!
After perming the skills on the 'essentials' tab of the spreadsheet, start consulting our flowchart. (Make sure to fullscreen it.)
---
Join the Steam Group and play some tabletop games with us: https://steamcommunity.com/groups/AscensionSpeedShow
Discord link: https://discord.gg/tbUCRT5
Aenimus (#2273519)
Lyft (#3045223)
Special thanks to Quinton_Flynn for help with guest audio track sound engineering.
Apologies for the postponed episode; it's been a hectic few weeks for both Lyft and Aenimus, but we're glad to be back! We're joined by speedster and Kingdom of Loathing Developer* yojimbos_law.
*technically a beta-tester, because CDMoyer still has a restraining order against one or more of us :)
Slaw, as he will henceforth be affectionately nicknamed, will talk to us about the Non-Combat and Combat queue! Slaw understands the queue and how to manipulate it better than most anyone in the kingdom and is here to share the answers to the following questions (and more):
- How likely am I to see X encounter?
- Why do I see X encounter more/less than X encounter?
- When should/shouldn't I use a banish?
- Should I always skip useless NCs?
- How does olfaction work?
Please note Slaw can't give out information that is not currently public. No leaks. Maybe some leeks.
Other topics covered:
- September's IotM, the Neverending Party
- The Fall Challenge Path (Disguises Delimit)
- Audience Q&As
We're once more delighted to announce a new special guest! This time we will be joined by multiple Gold-medal-getter and general speedy speedster asawyer (#2175563)! We will be talking about 1-day softcore runs and how you can plan pulls for softcore runs and challenge paths!
Check out this episode's companion reference for softcore pulls!
Other topics we cover:
- Updated thoughts on August IotM (briefly revisited now that we've had a few weeks to test)
- 1-day softcore--the basics and the complexes!
- Generic Softcore pull tier list
Are you a newer player and in need of a Slimeling familiar? Visit all-around great guy DonPablo's (#3061994) profile page for information on the "Slimeling for Newbies Foundation"
Ezandora's Thanksgarden Calculator - Thanks to ungawa for spading cornucopias.
asawyer's Twitch Profile
Join the Ascension Speed Society Discord server!
We're delighted to be joined by Cheesecookie (#2355952), one of the most prolific scripters, botters and robots around in KoL!
This episode we're going to talk about the strange, wonderful mechanic called "superlikelies" and why you should care what they are.
Other topics we will cover:
- We chat with Cheesecookie about his KoL history and work on the ascension script "cc_ascend"
- A brief look at the August 2018 IotM, Bastille Battalion (aka Cheesecookie War Machine)
- Updated thoughts on the cat burglar
Wiki link about Encounter hierarchy.
(Lyft also modified the chart found on the above Wiki page to remove non-standard encounters. Here is the edit.)
Lyft's infographic to clarify the Nuns Trick.
Infographic made by The Erosionseeker (#1937905) explaining the Pokegarden/Thanksgarden interaction.
Join the Discord server!
The very first episode of the Ascension Speed Show!
This episode features:
-
Introduction from Aenimus & Lyft
-
Overview of the July 2018 IOTM, the Cat Burglar
-
Turngen Basics
-
Zone Delay
-
Audience Q&A
Join the Discord server: Ascension Speed Society Discord Server
Cat Burglar Wiki Page: Cat_Burglar
Cobb's Knob Semi-Rare: Lunchboxing
AFH Queue Manipulation Forum Post: http://alliancefromhell.com/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=6496
Digitize Counter Script: https://pastebin.com/1BVqFddF