In Stage 08, we can avoid picking up the Nikita Launcher and visiting the 2nd floor entirely. This saves several minutes and is a key point in the run. Detailed in this page are the multiple methods to perform the skip. Strategy will depend on Rank and difficulty.

As you return to floor 1 in the elevator, equip a ration (unless you intend on a no ration setup) and a gun to start. After exiting the elevator, fire the unsuppressed gun to perform the camshot glitch. This prevents turrets from shooting you during the sequence.

Hold downright in the hallway leading to the area before the first electric floor. This is important to setup movement after the mandatory codec with Chris. For many setups, this is how the beginning is.

This is the fastest and most consistent version of the Nikia skip. Unless ammo resources or health is a concern, this is the recommended skip.

• Position the C4 somewhere along this line, running directly down afterwards into 3 possible distances.

• No gap between Snake's shadow and the tile line will work

• One pixel gap between Snake's shadow and the tile line will work

• Two pixel gap between Snake's shadow and the tile line will work

• Detonate the C4, knocking Snake into position to hold down and abuse i-frames to skip the first floor.

• Along the wall, Snake's head does create a gap in the tile

• Off the wall, Snake's shadow overlaps with the light green panel

• Along the wall, Snake's head does not create a gap in the tile

• Off the wall, Snake's shadow lines up with the light green panel

What happens next depends on difficulty and rank. If aiming for rank 1, you will want to maintain the alert between the skips so it is one continuous alert.

There are no guards along the way. On Any%, this makes navigation simple. On Rank 1, make sure to toss grenades to maintain the alert. You can pick up the grenades in the corner.

One guard appears. On Any%, whether they spot you or not changes the line. On Rank 1, make sure to shoot in earshot or throw a grenade to maintain the alert.

• Recommended approach for consistent speed and Rank 1, maintains the alert and prevents the Evasion guard from spawning
• The timing to shoot within earshot is tight

• If you do not shoot, the guard may spot you and force you to dodge

• If you do not shoot, the guard may not spot you and force you to dodge the evasion guard

• Plant at bottom corner, this is the shortest distance possible

After blowing up the wall, move towards the 2nd electric floor. There are three options, depending on rank and resource management.

This is the fastest and recommended setup for Any%; the goal is to knock Snake diagonally into the northern wall by placing a Mine along the edge of the floor. Run towards the door frame to push Snake perfectly to the left.

• Notice that Snake's head lines up with the vertical tile line after bumping the door frame, this is the proper X axis position

• Place the mine when Snake is above the horizontal tile line. Don't be so close that when you zigzag afterwards you run into the electric floor
• Afterwards, zigzag so that Snake clips the corner of the mine, launching him diagonally into the northern wall.
• Continue to hold upright and complete the electric floor 2 skip.

This is the 2nd fastest setup for Any%; the goal is to knock Snake diagonally into the northern wall by placing a C4 in a particular spot.

Place the C4 along the bottom wall, using Snake's shadow as a visual cue. The shadow should fit perfectly between the left shadow and the vertical tile line. Run diagonally upright and then detonate.

This is the 3rd fastest setup for Any%; the goal is to knock Snake horizontally along the southern or northern wall by placing a C4 in the southwest or northwest corner. This is not recommended compared to the diagonal setup.

Place the C4 in either corner to setup the detonation; run directly right into 3 possible distances. You can use Snake's shadow or his head as a visual cue - the shadow should be roughly split in half.

• Snake's head is split in half by the vertical tile line

• The left edge of Snake's head lines up with the vertical tile line

• Snake's head is just past the tile line

Detonate the C4 and hold right to complete the electric floor 2 skip.

This is the least damaging setup but the least consistent due to guard RNG