Minecraft Speedrunning: How to Improve Your Time and Join the Community

Minecraft speedrunning has become one of the most exciting and competitive aspects of the Minecraft community. Players around the world attempt to complete the game as quickly as possible, using a variety of techniques and strategies to beat their own records and even challenge the best in the world. If you’re interested in speedrunning Minecraft, this guide will give you the basics to improve your time and become part of the speedrunning community.

What is Minecraft Speedrunning?

Minecraft speedrunning involves completing Minecraft as quickly as possible, typically with the goal of finishing the game’s main objective: defeating the Ender Dragon in The End dimension. However, there are many different categories of speedruns, ranging from any% (finishing the game with no restrictions) to glitchless runs (where players must complete the game without exploiting any game-breaking glitches).

Speedruns are usually timed, and the best runs are posted on leaderboards where players can compete for the top spots. You can track your progress using various tools, such as LiveSplit, a timer that is popular within the speedrunning community.

How to Improve Your Minecraft Speedrun Time

Improving your Minecraft speedrun time takes practice, precision, and an understanding of the game mechanics. Here are some essential tips to help you get started:

1. Master the Basics

Before you dive into advanced techniques, it’s essential to understand the core mechanics of Minecraft. Familiarize yourself with movement mechanics, crafting recipes, and combat systems. You don’t need to master everything, but a strong understanding of the game’s fundamentals will help you execute strategies more effectively.

2. Learn the “Any%” Strategy

The “any%” category is the most common Minecraft speedrunning category. In this category, players complete the game by any means necessary, including using glitches and skips. Some of the key strategies in any% runs include:

• Getting to the Nether quickly: You’ll need to find a lava pool to create a portal to the Nether early in the run. The faster you complete this, the better your time will be.
• Trading with Piglins: In the Nether, trading with Piglins for Ender Pearls can significantly speed up your run. Mastering this trading mechanic is crucial for improving your times.
• Finding a Stronghold: Once you have enough Ender Pearls, you’ll need to locate the Stronghold, which contains the End Portal. Speedrunners use various techniques to quickly locate the Stronghold using Eye of Ender throws or precise movement.

3. Practice Advanced Techniques

Once you’ve got the basics down, it’s time to learn advanced techniques. These methods require perfect timing and precision but can make all the difference in shaving off precious seconds.

• Block Duplication Glitches: In certain categories, players can exploit glitches to duplicate blocks. This can help with building structures or crafting valuable resources.
• Fast Ender Dragon Kill: Defeating the Ender Dragon quickly is the final hurdle in most Minecraft speedruns. Learning how to defeat the Dragon quickly using beds (which explode upon use in The End) is a common strategy.

4. Watch Top Speedrunners

One of the best ways to improve your Minecraft speedrunning skills is to watch experienced players. You can learn a lot by observing their strategies, execution, and decision-making. Popular speedrunners like Illumina, Dream, and Sapnap are excellent resources for inspiration and tips. Watching live streams on Twitch or recorded runs on YouTube will give you insights into the methods used by top players. Why Minecraft is still one of the most popular games in 2025, read the answer at this link.

5. Participate in Speedrun Communities

Speedrunning isn’t just about improving your own times—it’s also about being part of a community. The Minecraft speedrunning community is active, supportive, and full of opportunities for learning and competition. To connect with other speedrunners:

• Join Speedrun.com: This is the go-to site for all speedrunning leaderboards, tutorials, and discussion forums.
• Engage on Discord: Many speedrunning communities have Discord servers where you can interact with other players, ask questions, and share tips.
• Participate in Events: Regular speedrunning events such as Games Done Quick (GDQ) feature Minecraft runs, where top players showcase their skills and raise money for charity.

Minecraft speedrunning is an exciting way to experience the game and challenge yourself. Whether you’re just starting or looking to refine your skills, there are plenty of resources and communities to help you improve your times. With practice, persistence, and a bit of luck, you’ll be able to join the ranks of the top Minecraft speedrunners.

For more detailed guides and updates, check out the Minecraft Wiki.

Happy speedrunning!