Small Only 15 exit route

Introduction

This tutorial will focus on the basics on the 15 exit route for Small Only, also known as Low%, this route is the fastest to complete the run and it takes a big step up in strats and risks overall.
Unlike the switch palace route tutorial this time we will assume the reader has a better understanding on mechanics and movement in the game, so it will be less detailed and focus more on the options available to the player. In case the information you are looking appears to be missing please check the switch palace route tutorial or the IL pages for the level, either case checking out the ILs is heavily encouraged.

The rules for the category are:

• Time begins the frame Mario appears in the opening cutscene. This is 2.2 seconds after selecting 1 player game.
• Time ends on the frame that Peach appears outside of Bowser's Clown Car.
• No Arbitrary Code Execution.
• No Powerups allowed (Mushroom, Midway Points, Fire Flower, Cape).
• No Yoshi.
• Penalties:
  • If any power-up is obtained, or Yoshi is ridden, die as soon as possible without utilizing it.
  • If a mushroom is gained by taking an item through the goal tape, die as soon as possible.
  • If you grab a checkpoint, take damage as soon as possible, finish the level, and then redo that same exit.

Route

• Yoshi's Island 2
• Yoshi's Island 3
• Yoshi's Island 4
• Iggy's Castle
• Donut Plains 1 secret exit
• Donut Secret 1 normal exit
• Donut Ghost House
• Donut Plains 3
• Donut Plains 4
• Morton's Castle
• Vanilla Dome 1 secret exit
• Vanilla Secret 1 secret exit
• Star World 2 secret exit
• Star World 3 secret exit
• Star World 4 secret exit
• Front Door

Levels

Donut Plains 1 Secret exit

This is the first big obstacle of the run and maybe the first reset point for many, to get the secret exit with small Mario a midair shell jump is required, even when it can be done with wall shell jump it seems to be luck based and overall slower than doing a midair shell jump which is the prefered strat.
To get the shell stomp the second green Koopa on the way, run to the left to get p speed, grab the shell and jump over the blue pipe.
There are various factors that affect if you get a midair shell jump or not, from doing the inputs in the right moment to getting a good sprite interaction frame rule, given the nature of this trick more in depth tutorials will be linked.
Going to Donut Plains 2 is still an option if the shell jump fails.

• Midair shell jump explained

Refer to the flick midair shell jump section of this tutorial, still this is a great resource for different kinds of midair shell jumps.

Video: Midair shell jump tutorial Source: tjb

Video: Donut Plains 1 secret small over pipe Source: Zapplex

Video: Donut Plains 1 secret small no midair shell jump Source: Zapplex