In the unforgiving world of Dark Souls 2 speedrunning, where every step can spell doom, one player came agonizingly close to etching his name in history. Using nothing but an electric saxophone as his controller, he navigated the game’s brutal challenges without taking a single hit—until the final boss room betrayed him with a deadly pit. This near-triumph underscores the creativity and precision demanded in modern speedrunning communities.
The Allure of Hitless Runs in Dark Souls 2
Dark Souls 2, released in 2014 as part of FromSoftware’s iconic series, is notorious for its punishing difficulty. Hitless runs—completing the game without any damage from enemies, traps, or environmental hazards—represent the pinnacle of mastery. These challenges demand pixel-perfect movement, flawless timing, and an encyclopedic knowledge of enemy patterns.
Speedrunners elevate this by racing against the clock, often in categories like Any% (fastest completion) or All Bosses. A hitless variant adds layers of tension, as even a momentary lapse can reset hours of progress. In Scholar of the First Sin, the enhanced edition, pitfalls, ambushes, and redesigned boss fights make it even more grueling.
- Key challenges: Invisible enemies in Black Gulch, poison pools in Shaded Woods.
- Common pitfalls: Misjudged jumps in Grave of Saints, trap-laden Shrine of Amana.
- Record times: Standard Any% hitless around 2-3 hours for elites.
Communities on platforms like Speedrun.com track these feats, fostering competition and innovation.
Dr. Doot: The Saxophone Speedrunning Pioneer
At the forefront stands Dr. Doot, a streamer whose unconventional approach has captivated audiences. Armed with a Roland Aerophone AE-10, an electric MIDI saxophone, he maps notes to game inputs: one for movement, another for attacks, and so on. Each ‘doot’—a playful term for saxophone blasts—translates to precise actions.
This setup isn’t just gimmicky; it requires relearning muscle memory. The saxophone’s breath control demands steady lungs for sustained inputs, while fingerings handle jumps and rolls. Dr. Doot’s prior successes include hitless completions of Dark Souls 1, 3, and even Elden Ring using the same instrument, culminating in a full Souls trilogy no-hit sax run.
| Game | Run Type | IGT (In-Game Time) | Achievement Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dark Souls Remastered | Sax% Hitless | 2:10:09 | January 2026 |
| Dark Souls 2 SOTFS | Sax% Hitless (Successful) | 2:58:11 | June 2025 |
| Dark Souls 3 | Sax% Hitless | N/A (Completed) | Prior to 2026 |
His Dark Souls 2 attempt pushed boundaries further, aiming for a world’s first hitless saxophone any% run.
Mapping the Saxophone: From Music to Mayhem
Configuring the Aerophone involves MIDI software linking notes to keyboard presses. A low note might trigger forward movement, a high one for dodge rolls. Combat demands rapid sequences: attack combos become saxophone riffs, parries turn into trills.
Challenges abound. The instrument’s responsiveness lags slightly compared to standard controllers, punishing imprecise breaths. Environmental hazards like pits require ultra-precise jumps, amplified by the sax’s analog feel. Dr. Doot spent months grinding personal bests, often one-hitting entire sections before faltering late-game.
- Input mapping example: C-note for jump, E-flat for light attack.
- Breath control: Sustained notes for holding shields or charging spells.
- Audio feedback: In-run sax melodies add immersive flair to streams.
This fusion of music and gaming creates hypnotic VODs, blending jazz improvisation with soulslike precision.
Builds and Strategies for Saxophone Hitless Glory
Optimal builds prioritize mobility and range. Dr. Doot favored agility-focused setups with light armor for i-frames on rolls. Weapons like the Silverblack Spear offered pokes to safely aggro foes.
Route optimization skips unnecessary fights, beelining to bosses like The Lost Sinner or Old Dragonslayer. Glitches, such as clip-through walls in Earthen Peak, shave seconds but risk death.
- Early game: Farm souls in Things Betwixt for quick leveling.
- Mid-game: Pursuer skip via cumberside jump.
- Late-game: Throne Watcher frame-perfect dodge sequences.
Practice routines involve segment-by-segment grinding, with sax-specific tweaks for note accuracy.
The Fateful Final Boss: Nashandra’s Deadly Arena
Nashandra, Dark Souls 2’s queenly finale, guards the throne in a pit-riddled room. Her phases escalate: sweeping scythes, dark magic barrages, and homing orbs demand constant motion. The central death pit looms as a constant threat.
In the doomed run, Dr. Doot aced prior phases flawlessly. Hours of no-hits led to overconfidence. A miscalculated dodge sent him saxophone-screaming into the abyss—right as victory beckoned. Stream chat erupted in shock, memes flooding instantly.
“Perfect… until it wasn’t.” – Live stream reaction
This ‘PB1 hell’—personal best with one hit—had plagued him for months, but the pit proved ultimate nemesis.
Community Reaction and Speedrun Legacy
The fail went viral, inspiring tributes and challenge runs. Fellow runners like Frybeat, a piano no-hit veteran, hailed the innovation. Speedrun.com leaderboards now feature ‘Sax%’ categories, validating the feat.
Dr. Doot bounced back, securing successful runs post-fail, including the 2:58:11 IGT world first. His trilogy completion cements saxophone controllers as viable, pushing boundaries for dance pads, rock bands, and more.
Why Unconventional Controllers Matter in Gaming
Alt-controller runs democratize accessibility while showcasing skill ceilings. They highlight gaming’s artistic side, merging performance art with esports. From piano Dark Souls to saxophone elden Ring, these feats inspire newcomers and veterans alike.
Risks include physical strain—sax runs tax endurance—but rewards are communal hype and personal growth.
Technical Breakdown: Roland Aerophone in Action
The AE-10’s keys mimic sax fingering, with breath sensor for velocity. Paired with JoyToKey or MIDI translators, it emulates XInput. Latency hovers at 10-20ms, manageable for pros.
Customization via apps allows remapping mid-run, adapting to boss quirks.
Future of Musical Speedrunning
Expect guitar hero no-hits, flute FromSoft marathons. Dr. Doot eyes Sekiro sax hitless next. Communities evolve, with tournaments for alt-inputs.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a hitless run in Dark Souls 2?
A completion without damage from foes, traps, or environs—pure dodge mastery.
How does the saxophone control the game?
Notes map to inputs via MIDI; blow for actions, finger for precision.
Did Dr. Doot ever succeed after the fail?
Yes, with a 2:58:11 world’s first shortly after.
What’s the hardest part of DS2 hitless?
Environmental deaths like pits, invisible foes in DLCs.
Can anyone try saxophone speedrunning?
With an Aerophone and software, yes—but mastery takes hundreds of hours.
References
- Dark Souls 2 speedrunner was on the cusp of a World’s First hitless saxophone run — GamesRadar. 2026. https://www.gamesradar.com/games/dark-souls/dark-souls-2-speedrunner-was-on-the-cusp-of-a-worlds-first-hitless-saxophone-run-right-until-he-walked-into-a-death-pit-in-the-middle-of-the-final-boss-room/
- Dark Souls II Sax% Hitless Run (World’s First — IGT 2:58:11) — YouTube (Dr. Doot). 2025-06-20.
- Dark Souls Sax% Hitless (World’s First — IGT 2:10:09) — YouTube (Dr. Doot). 2026.
- I give up: They’re doing no-hit Souls trilogy runs with a saxophone now — PC Gamer. 2026. https://www.pcgamer.com/games/dark-souls/i-give-up-theyre-doing-no-hit-souls-trilogy-runs-with-a-saxophone-now/