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 most of the setups, this is how the beginning is.

This is the fastest, most consistent and least damaging 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 and the tile line will work

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

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

• 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