How to Make an Atomic Bomb in Your Garden Speedrun Guide

Speedrun Overview: The Core Strategy

Speedrunning How to Make an Atomic Bomb in Your Garden is about efficiency, risk management, and perfect execution. Unlike a casual playthrough, where you can afford to be cautious, a speedrun demands that you balance speed against the threat of detection by neighbors and federal agents. The key is to prioritize actions that yield the highest progress per minute, focusing on the critical path to assembling your device.

Your primary goals are to secure funding, acquire rare parts, and construct the bomb without restarting. The fastest routes often involve high-risk, high-reward strategies, such as stealing from specific locations instead of earning money through minigames. For a complete overview of the game's mechanics, see our mechanics guide.

Phase 1: Optimal Starting Route & Funding

The first five minutes are the most critical. Your initial actions set the pace for the entire run. Start by immediately checking the garage for a crowbar and any loose change. Do not waste time exploring the house.

1. Secure Initial Capital

   Sell any non-essential items from your house at the pawn shop. Focus on jewelry, electronics, and tools. This should net you around $500. Do not sell items needed for later crafting.

2. Purchase Essential Tools

   Buy a lockpick set and a basic disguise kit from the hardware store. The disguise is crucial for later phases. Skip the shovel and other slow tools.

3. Initiate the First Heist

   Travel to the abandoned factory. Use your lockpick to enter through the side door. Inside, grab the "Enriched Sample" from the locked safe on the second floor. This is a key component that saves hours of searching later.

This route bypasses the slow early-game money-making minigames. For alternative strategies, check our beginner guide for more details on resource management.

Phase 2: Resource Management & Part Acquisition

Efficient resource management is the difference between a world record and a failed run. You must track your funds, inventory, and suspicion level simultaneously. The game's currency guide can help you understand the value of different items.

The key parts you need are:

1. Fission Core: Found in the research facility's basement.
2. Detonator: Purchased from the black market contact after completing a favor.
3. Shielding Plates: Crafted from scrap metal, but can be stolen from a construction site.

If you are detected by a neighbor, use your disguise kit to reset your suspicion level. A full guide on avoiding detection is available in our tips and tricks guide.

Phase 3: Stealth and Avoiding the Feds

Stealth is not optional; it is mandatory. Once your suspicion level reaches 100%, federal agents will raid your house, ending your run. The game's secrets guide contains many hidden tricks for evading capture.

Your movement speed is also a factor. Running in open areas increases suspicion. Always walk or use the sewers to travel between zones. The sewer network connects the factory, the university, and your backyard, making it the fastest and safest route.

Phase 4: The Final Assembly

With all parts collected, the final assembly is a delicate process. One mistake can cause a catastrophic failure. Ensure you have the crafting guide open for reference on the exact placement of each component.

1. Prepare the Workbench

   Clear your backyard of any loose items. Place the shielding plates first to create a stable base.

2. Install the Fission Core

   Carefully lower the core into the center of the plates. Use the alignment tool to ensure it is perfectly centered.

3. Connect the Detonator

   Wire the detonator to the core. Double-check the connections. A loose wire will cause a dud.

4. Final Check

   Perform a systems check. If everything is green, you are ready. Do not rush this step.

Advanced Speedrun Techniques

For those looking to shave off seconds, advanced techniques are essential. These include "clipping" through certain fences and "sequence breaking" to acquire parts out of order. The challenges guide has more information on these exploits.

Another advanced trick is the "Bank Heist" skip. If you can steal the "Bank Manager's Key" early, you can access the vault for a massive cash injection, bypassing the need for multiple smaller heists. This is a high-risk move, but it can cut your run time by over 10 minutes.

Common Speedrun Pitfalls

Avoid these common mistakes to ensure a successful run. Our walkthrough guide provides a step-by-step breakdown for beginners.

• Over-encumbrance: Carrying too many items slows you down. Drop anything you don't immediately need.
• Ignoring the Mailman: The mailman is a spy. If you see him, change your disguise immediately.
• Using the Phone: Calls can be traced. Only use payphones for critical black market deals.
• Saving the Game: In a speedrun, you do not save. Saving wastes time and creates a save file that can be corrupted.