Agahnim

Phases

Agahnim has three attacks and he follows a specific pattern for using them:

1. Energy ball attack
2. 50% chance energy ball attack, 50% blue ball attack
3. 50% chance energy ball attack, 50% blue ball attack
4. 50% chance energy ball attack, 50% blue ball attack
5. Lightning attack

The cycle then repeats.

Each of these phases takes 6s. So any blue balls is a time loss of around 6s. By getting more than 2 blue balls, you will also get extra lightning attacks, which loses additional 6s. This happens at 3, 7, 11 and 15 blue balls.

You can use the following formula to calculate your time loss: (bb + ((bb - 3) / 4 + 1)) * 6

Strategy

1. Stand to the left or right of him and use spin attacks to deflect his energy balls back at him. Straightforward fight.
2. Blue balls are unable to be reflected back at him. You have to wait for the required number of energy ball hits (6) to end the fight. This is random and unable to be manipulated in real time speedruns.
3. By standing outside of Agahnim, you can recoil him towards the center of the room after deflecting his energy ball attacks. This reduces the average length of his warps, which saves some time on average.

External resources

• Andy's NMG Tutorial
• Runnerwatcher's NMG Tutorial
• Screevo does it. 15bb in a run.