A Displaced Load Zone, or DLZ, is a method for activating certain triggers (particularly loading transitions) from a distance, subject to certain conditions. This allows access to several areas early, leading to major skips within all Unrestricted runs.
Two general notes:
The name “Displaced Load Zone” is a misnomer that stuck from the early days of the glitch, when occurrences were essentially random and it was theorized that load zones somehow displaced themselves.
Our current understanding of DLZs is due in large part to Lane and the vast majority of the DLZ setups below are due to Lufex.
DLZ Basics
DLZ Requirements
In order to activate a DLZ, any party member must be placed in a very precise position. There are two main conditions:
They must be in the negative y-direction from the trigger to be activated. Note: In-game maps are sometimes rotated, so that the y-axis is not always the vertical axis for that map.
Their x-coordinate must be exactly the same as a corner of the trigger area.
Under these conditions, the DLZ will occur and the trigger will activate. The first condition is fairly simple, but dependent on the layout of each individual module; some modules have multiple useful DLZs, while others do not have any. The second condition can be extremely difficult, and understanding why requires an understanding of how KotOR tracks party member position.
Position in KotOR
A party member’s position is kept in three coordinates: x, y, and z. Each of the coordinates is not updated continuously; rather, it is updated on every frame. Thus, even when moving slowly in a constant direction, certain values of each coordinate are skipped over in the time between frames.
In order for the second DLZ condition to be met, the x-coordinate must match at machine precision; that is, the bits storing the x-coordinate must contain the same values as the bits for the position of the trigger you want to activate. Thus even the small gaps in the position values between frames are enough to sometimes skip over the desired x-coordinate.
General DLZ Techniques
Basic DLZ Technique
The execution of all DLZs boil down to three main things:
Find a wall or other object to run against that intersects with the x-coordinate for the trigger you want to activate.
Move against the wall at a small angle, so that you slide sideways against the wall.
Look for a DLZ-specific visual cue for the DLZ you are performing, and try to line your character up with that.
Oftentimes, you’ll have to move back and forth past the visual cue several times before the DLZ will trigger.
Improving DLZ Consistency
There are two broad things that can be done to improve the consistency of DLZs: move as slowly as possible, and increase the frame rate as much as possible.
To move more slowly:
If possible, make sure Adrenal Alacrity and Force Speed are not active.
Move along the wall at as small an angle as possible.
Hold down the Walk hotkey to walk instead of running.
“Tiptoe” by tapping the Move Forward key while holding the Walk hotkey.
Use Stealth Mode to sneak along the wall.
To increase the frame rate:
Disable V-Sync in the Options -> Advanced Options menu. With V-Sync on, the game is capped at 60 FPS; disabling it allows for 150-300 FPS depending on hardware.
For most DLZs, runners will be walking with no movement buffs at a small angle with V-Sync disabled. Tiptoeing and Menu Method can be used to try to enhance consistency if desired, while Stealth Mode is difficult to use in a speedrun, as it requires a stealth belt and points in Stealth skill.
Menu Method for DLZs
The Menu Method for DLZs uses the Anywhere Menu Glitch to move while a menu is open; having V-Sync off and a menu open greatly increases the game’s frame rate, moreso than disabling V-Sync alone. To perform the Menu Method:
Ensure V-Sync is disabled
Line up your party member so you are close to the DLZ spot and moving slowly towards it.
Activate AMG via a Quick Save, then open a menu (usually the Map)
Cancel the pop-up and unpause the game
Move slowly behind the menu until the DLZ triggers
Even using Menu Method, it is still possible to miss the DLZ. The downside to Menu Method is you cannot see your movement, and thus cannot always tell if you have gone past the required x-coordinate. Because of this, most runners do not use Menu Method; but it is a viable method if you want more consistency or if your hardware doesn’t yield high enough frame rates with just V-Sync off.
NOTE: While this video shows KotOR 1, the same princible applies
DLZs Used in Speedruns
DLZs are used extensively in Unrestricted speedruns. This list contains all DLZs used in speedruns and what they skip. Included are links to sections below with information about each specific DLZ.
Fuel Depot DLZ - to enter the Fuel depot early on Peragus
Ravager DLZ - to enter the Ravager without Visas or Mandalore
Each section below will include the modules the DLZ goes from and to, location(s) and visual cues for the DLZ, valid x-coordinates for the DLZ, and a short video of the DLZ in action.
