Any resources available to start learning spoiler logs efficiently?

[compact igloo]

Just like...basic things to think about in order and how to put together a route knowing exactly where you need to go?

[wicked seal]

Hi 🙂

First step to spoiler log racing is to find a basic text editor that you're comfortable with

I like Sublime Text because you can do a split window. You can have the log up on a tab, and take notes on the other tab:

Ctrl+F will be your friend

My first step is usually to mark crystals/pendants/medallions just so I know what all is required.

Second step is to locate the flute and boots. If these items are reasonably attainable (or required), then the sooner you can reasonably route them in, the better. They pay dividends.

Swords are usually my next step. I want to know all the swords I'm going to get and how soon I'm going to get them. This can affect how hard I try to route in safeties

Those are good general tips that I'd recommend to almost everyone. Everything beyond that is personal preference

I could share what I do, but everyone does it different and it's just a matter of what works best for you. I know people that put their entire route in the word processor similar to what I have above.

I know someone who uses pen an paper to plan their route.

Personally, I open up my rando tracker and clear all locations. As I'm planning my route, I put locations back on the map. For example: If I have progression in the Dam, then I "unselect" the dam location so that it shows as available. Once I've found all the progression I need for the seed, then I start planning my route. As I intend to find items, I select them on the tracker so that I can keep track of the logic as I'm planning my route (nothing worse that planning on a Mire dive but you forgot to route in the medallion).

I spend the last 30 seconds or so clearing the items off my tracker so I can use it as I race. I like this because I'm not great at visualizing the logic as I'm planning a spoiler seed. Others might dislike it because I do spend a lot of time working with a tracker and that time could be using for parsing the log.

It's really just a matter of what works for you

Last note: Don't forget about your resources. Zora means you need to route in rupees. Magic bat required early? Better make sure you grab some magic. You also won't have as many bombs as you do on a regular rando playthrough.

Just keep these things in mind.

[lethal mirage]

Sublime Text gang rise up, can't recommend it enough. Everything listed there is solid advice 👍

This might not matter if you're only looking at spoiler log routing as opposed to spoiler log racing, which typically gives you a timed study period before the race - but if you're looking into a potential race, one thing I can't stress enough is just sometime when you've got a spare 15 minutes, just gen a spoiler log seed and practice routing it out

I know of all people to be talking to, I don't have to stress the importance of lab time to you

My personal approach is to start with any items that are always required (gloves, hammer, pearl, swords, etc.) and then glance around the things that are near it in the log for other major things to pair it with

Like if I search the hammer and I see it's in the Kak well, maybe I'll also catch that somaria was in Blind's hut

By the time I'm done getting everything that's hard required, then I switch to the "required due to dungeon X" like flippers, ice rod, etc.

Then it becomes figuring out what order I need to get them, and attempting to catch things I may have not caught before in the process...stuff like, wait I knew this was an Aga seed, but I didn't realize the cape was hard required to do it

[charred ferry]

Visual Studio Code is also a really good editor with split panes if you don't want to pay for Sublime Text

[chrome pendant]

Personally the order I search for stuff is:

1. Boots
2. Pearl, hammer, both gloves
3. Swords
4. Anything else required to beat crystal dungeons
5. Key layouts for dungeons
6. Safeties or other comfort (cape, byrna, half magic, potions, bug net, etc)

I like figuring out what the dark world access is quickly since that already sets you up with a bit of a framework for how the route is going to look. For example, with mitts as your dark world access you can only really route the dark world in one direction anyway, so there's not as much route optimization to be done.

So my notes usually end up having 3 sections: pre-dark world access, post-dark world access, and go mode (for any remaining safeties, keys, silvers, etc)

[dim bison]

I include a Saha/Ped/Pyramid item check early in the process since that can really alter the clear requirements