diff --git a/patches/ips/escape.ips b/patches/ips/escape.ips
index 14c924830..f80451da6 100644
Binary files a/patches/ips/escape.ips and b/patches/ips/escape.ips differ
diff --git a/patches/ips/escape_items.ips b/patches/ips/escape_items.ips
index 0c1a28af8..0c832380f 100644
Binary files a/patches/ips/escape_items.ips and b/patches/ips/escape_items.ips differ
diff --git a/patches/ips/item_count.ips b/patches/ips/item_count.ips
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..77ea3c437
Binary files /dev/null and b/patches/ips/item_count.ips differ
diff --git a/patches/ips/new_game.ips b/patches/ips/new_game.ips
index 5328994b3..6662e8f98 100644
Binary files a/patches/ips/new_game.ips and b/patches/ips/new_game.ips differ
diff --git a/patches/rom_map/Bank DF.txt b/patches/rom_map/Bank DF.txt
index e4411ab9c..22dceb1a9 100644
--- a/patches/rom_map/Bank DF.txt	
+++ b/patches/rom_map/Bank DF.txt	
@@ -2,13 +2,16 @@ D4DF - D761: ; credits.asm
 D91B - DF0A: ; credits.asm
 E000 - E127: ; credits.asm
 E200 - E212: ; alternate_door_colors.asm
-E212 - FEEF: [free]
+E212 - E2B4: ; item_count.asm
+E2B4 - FEEF: [free]
 FEF0 - FEFF: seed name (null-terminated ASCII string)
 FF00 - FF03: display seed / internal seed hash
-FF04 - FF04: [FREE]
+FF04 - FF04: [free]
 FF05 - FF06: randomizer settings:
   - bitmask $0001: walljump-boots item enabled
   - bitmask $0002: split speedbooster item enabled
 FF07 - FF08: number of frames of artificial lag to add to the unpause black screen
 FF09 - FF0D: randomizer settings: skill/progression/qol/objectives/maplayout (autotracker use)
   - stored as single byte ordinal numbers, if a setting has a custom option then byte is set to 0
+FF0E - FF0F: sum of unplaced / nothing items (used for item credits fractional display with stop item placement early)
+FF10 - FF11: sum of starting items ; written by patch.rs. (added to collection % during new game)
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/patches/rom_map/RAM.txt b/patches/rom_map/RAM.txt
index 97a1939d0..202a1a9d7 100644
--- a/patches/rom_map/RAM.txt
+++ b/patches/rom_map/RAM.txt
@@ -2,10 +2,10 @@ $95: temporary variable (unused debug location) - used by extended messageboxes,
 $9B: decompression.asm
 $CF: vanilla_bugfixes.asm (used by crash dialogues to prevent unpause from resetting gamestate.)
 $09EC: number of disabled ETanks (saved to SRAM)
+$09EE: collected item_count (saved to SRAM)
 $0A1A: previous reserve health (reserve_hud.asm)
 $1F5B: map area (like $079F)
-$1F5D: items collected before getting them all for free at hyper beam (to use in "rate for collecting items"
-       after credits). This is a snapshot of $09A4, captured in `escape.asm`, at the time of getting hyper beam.
+$1F5D: [free] - previously used as escape items snapshot.
 $1F60: fast_reload.asm
 $1F62: map area backup in pause menu (like $079F)
 $1F64: escape refill complete
diff --git a/patches/src/escape.asm b/patches/src/escape.asm
index e195f1974..4e5a0d152 100644
--- a/patches/src/escape.asm
+++ b/patches/src/escape.asm
@@ -650,17 +650,17 @@ assert pc() <= !bank_a7_free_space_end
 
 
 ; Include walljump boots and split-speed in item collection count post-credits
-org $8BE65B
-    LDX #$001A
+;org $8BE65B
+;    LDX #$001A
 
-org $8BE661
-    BIT item_bits,x
+;org $8BE661
+ ;   BIT item_bits,x
 
-org !bank_8b_free_space_start
-item_bits:
-    dw $0001, $0020, $0004, $1000, $0002, $0008, $0100, $0200, $2000, $4000, $8000, $0400, $0040, $0080
+;org !bank_8b_free_space_start
+;item_bits:
+;    dw $0001, $0020, $0004, $1000, $0002, $0008, $0100, $0200, $2000, $4000, $8000, $0400, $0040, $0080
 
-assert pc() <= !bank_8b_free_space_end
+;assert pc() <= !bank_8b_free_space_end
 
 org $82E026
     jsr enemy_gfx_load_hook
diff --git a/patches/src/escape_items.asm b/patches/src/escape_items.asm
index 75ea62033..2f82244a0 100644
--- a/patches/src/escape_items.asm
+++ b/patches/src/escape_items.asm
@@ -6,8 +6,8 @@ org $A9CD12
 org $A9FB70
 get_hyper_beam:
     jsl $91E4AD   ; run the hi-jacked instruction
-    lda $09A4
-    sta $1F5D   ; take a snapshot of items collected, to use in "rate for collecting items" percentage after credits.
+   ; lda $09A4
+   ; sta $1F5D   ; take a snapshot of items collected, to use in "rate for collecting items" percentage after credits.
     lda #$F72F
     sta $09A2   ; all items equipped (including WallJump = $0400)
     sta $09A4   ; all items collected
@@ -20,43 +20,43 @@ get_hyper_beam:
     jsl $809A3E   ; Add x-ray to HUD tilemap
 
     rtl
-warnpc $A9FC00
+assert pc() <= $A9FC00
 
 ; hi-jack item percentage count
-org $8BE62F
-    jsr fix_item_percent
+;org $8BE62F
+;    jsr fix_item_percent
 
 ; free space in bank $8B
-org $8BF760
-fix_item_percent:
+;org $8BF760
+;fix_item_percent:
     ; restore snapshot of items collected to their state before getting them all with hyper beam (except that
     ; any items collected during the escape also count).
-    lda $1F5D
-    sta $09A4
+    ;lda $1F5D
+    ;sta $09A4
 
-    ldx #$0008  ; run hi-jacked instruction
-    rts
-warnpc $8BF770
+    ;ldx #$0008  ; run hi-jacked instruction
+    ;rts
+;warnpc $8BF770
 
-org $848902
-    jsr escape_collect_item
+;org $848902
+;    jsr escape_collect_item
 
-org $848929
-    jsr escape_collect_item
+;org $848929
+;    jsr escape_collect_item
 
-org $848950
-    jsr escape_collect_item
+;org $848950
+;    jsr escape_collect_item
 
 ; free space in bank $84
-org $84F300
-escape_collect_item:
-    sta $09A4   ; run hi-jacked instruction
+;org $84F300
+;escape_collect_item:
+;    sta $09A4   ; run hi-jacked instruction
 
     ; add collected item to snapshot, to count toward item collection percentage
     ; (this only matters for items collected during escape)
-    lda $1F5D
-    ora $0000, y
-    sta $1F5D
+;    lda $1F5D
+;    ora $0000, y
+;    sta $1F5D
 
-    rts
-warnpc $84F380
\ No newline at end of file
+;    rts
+;warnpc $84F380
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/patches/src/item_count.asm b/patches/src/item_count.asm
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..9cf9d1b0d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/patches/src/item_count.asm
@@ -0,0 +1,258 @@
+; Modify plms to increase a new collected items variable upon item collection.
+; address is automatically saved / loaded to the save file
+;
+; overwrites unused routine $848821 set the boss bits [[Y]]
+;
+; $09ee contains number of collected items.
+;
+; credits % is displayed as a fraction if every item isn't placed.
+; nn_357 / StagShot
+
+; !escape_seed = $dfff04        ; overwritten in patch.rs
+!starting_items_count = $dfff10 ; overwritten in patch.rs, also referenced in new_game.asm
+!unplaced_total = $dfff0e       ; overwritten by patch.rs, contains the sum of 'nothing'
+!item_count = $09ee
+
+org !unplaced_total
+  dw $0000
+  
+; org !escape_seed
+  ; db $00
+
+org $848821 ;;; $8821: Unused. Instruction - set the boss bits [[Y]] ;;; New routine - Update sum of items collected. preserves [A] unnecessary?
+item_count:
+  pha
+  lda !item_count
+  inc
+  sta !item_count
+  iny
+  iny
+  pla
+  rts
+assert pc() <= $84882D
+
+;; $88B0: Instruction - pick up beam [[Y]] and display message box [[Y] + 2] ;;;
+org $8488F0
+  jmp item_count
+assert pc() <= $8488f3
+
+;;; $88F3: Instruction - pick up equipment [[Y]] and display message box [[Y] + 2] ;;;
+org $848917
+  jmp item_count
+assert pc() <= $84891a
+
+;;; $891A: Instruction - pick up equipment [[Y]], add grapple to HUD and display grapple message box ;;;
+org $84893e
+  jmp item_count
+assert pc() <= $848941
+
+;;; $8941: Instruction - pick up equipment [[Y]], add x-ray to HUD and display x-ray message box ;;;
+org $848965
+  jmp item_count
+assert pc() <= $848968
+
+;;; $8968: Instruction - collect [[Y]] health energy tank ;;;
+org $848983
+  jmp item_count
+assert pc() <= $848986
+
+
+;;; $8986: Instruction - collect [[Y]] health reserve tank ;;;
+org $8489a6
+  jmp item_count
+assert pc() <= $8489a9
+
+;;; $89A9: Instruction - collect [[Y]] ammo missile tank ;;;
+org $8489cf
+  jmp item_count
+assert pc() <= $8489d2
+
+;;; $89D2: Instruction - collect [[Y]] ammo super missile tank ;;;
+org $8489f8
+  jmp item_count
+assert pc() <= $8489fb
+
+;;; $89FB: Instruction - collect [[Y]] ammo power bomb tank ;;;
+org $848a21
+  jmp item_count
+assert pc() <= $848a24
+
+;;; $E627: Instruction - draw item percentage count ;;;
+
+org $8be627
+  php
+  phb
+  phk
+  plb
+  rep #$30
+  phx
+  phy
+  lda !unplaced_total         ; everything placed?
+  beq .check_100
+  cmp !starting_items_count   ; nothing count = same as starting items? (seed has starting items / escape seed)
+  beq .check_100
+
+  bra .fractional             ; seed has more nothings than starting items (desolate / small map / stop item placement)
+
+.check_100:
+  lda !item_count
+  cmp #$0064
+  bne .not_100
+.is_100  
+  lda $e745                    ; 100% completion
+  sta $7e339c
+  lda $e747
+  sta $7e33dc
+  lda $e741
+  sta $7e339e
+  lda $e743
+  sta $7e33de
+  lda $e741
+  sta $7e33a0
+  lda $e743
+  sta $7e33e0
+  bra .percent_symbol
+
+.not_100
+  ldx #$0002
+  jsr .digit2
+  bra .percent_symbol
+
+.fractional
+  jsl load_fractional_tiles   ; transfer custom '/' tile to VRAM
+  lda #$0064
+  sec
+  sbc !unplaced_total
+  beq .is_100                  ; if you set enough starting items / higher difficulty nothing will be placed, this can result in a xx/00, in which case just display 100%.
+  sta $14                
+
+  lda !item_count        
+  ldx #$0000
+  jsr .digit2
+
+  lda $14                 
+  ldx #$0006
+  jsr .digit2
+
+  lda #$3888                  ; add custom '/' tile to tilemap
+  sta $7e33a0             
+  lda #$3898
+  sta $7e33e0
+  bra .finished
+
+.percent_symbol
+  lda #$386a
+  sta $7e33a2
+  lda #$387a
+  sta $7e33e2
+.finished
+  ply
+  plx
+  plb
+  plp
+  rts
+
+.digit2
+  sta $4204
+  sep #$20
+  lda #$0A
+  sta $4206
+  nop #6
+  rep #$20
+  lda $4214
+  asl a
+  asl a
+  tay
+  lda $e741,y
+  sta $7e339c,x
+  lda $e743,y
+  sta $7e33dc,x
+  lda $4216
+  asl a
+  asl a
+  tay
+  lda $e741,y
+  sta $7e339e,x
+  lda $e743,y
+  sta $7e33de,x
+  rts
+
+assert pc() <= $8be741      ; Tilemap values for decimal digits:
+
+;8BE6ED
+
+org $dfe212
+
+load_fractional_tiles:
+
+    php
+    sep #$30
+WaitVB:
+    lda $4212
+    and #$80
+    beq WaitVB
+
+    lda #$80                ; top_slash → $4880
+    sta $2115
+    lda #$80
+    sta $2116
+    lda #$48
+    sta $2117
+
+    lda #$01
+    sta $4300
+    lda #$18
+    sta $4301
+    lda.b #top_slash
+    sta $4302
+    lda.b #top_slash>>8
+    sta $4303
+    lda #$DF
+    sta $4304
+    lda #$20
+    sta $4305
+    stz $4306
+    lda #$01
+    sta $420B
+
+    lda #$80                  ; bottom_slash → $4980
+    sta $2116
+    lda #$49
+    sta $2117
+
+    lda.b #bottom_slash
+    sta $4302
+    lda.b #bottom_slash>>8
+    sta $4303
+    lda #$20
+    sta $4305
+    stz $4306
+    lda #$01
+    sta $420B
+    
+    plp
+    rtl
+
+top_slash:
+  db $00, $07, $02, $0D, $06, $09, $06, $09 
+  db $0C, $13, $0C, $32, $18, $26, $18, $24
+  db $00, $00, $00, $00, $00, $00, $00, $00
+  db $00, $00, $00, $00, $00, $00, $00, $00
+
+; db $00,$00,$00,$00,$00,$00,$00,$00
+; db $00,$0F,$06,$19,$0C,$33,$18,$26
+; db $00,$00,$00,$00,$00,$00,$00,$00
+; db $00,$00,$00,$00,$00,$00,$00,$00
+     
+bottom_slash:
+  db $18, $64, $30, $4C, $30, $C8, $60, $98 
+  db $60, $90, $40, $B0, $00, $E0, $00, $00
+  db $00, $00, $00, $00, $00, $00, $00, $00
+  db $00, $00, $00, $00, $00, $00, $00, $00
+
+; db $18,$64,$30,$CC,$60,$98,$00,$F0
+; db $00,$00,$00,$00,$00,$00,$00,$00
+; db $00,$00,$00,$00,$00,$00,$00,$00
+; db $00,$00,$00,$00,$00,$00,$00,$00
+
+assert pc() <= $dfe2b4
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/patches/src/new_game.asm b/patches/src/new_game.asm
index 6bc8eefef..762f804ca 100644
--- a/patches/src/new_game.asm
+++ b/patches/src/new_game.asm
@@ -36,6 +36,10 @@ incsrc "constants.asm"
 !initial_max_power_bombs = $B5FE66
 !initial_save_map_coords = $702602
 !spin_lock_enabled = $1F70
+!starting_items_count = $DFFF10 ; overwritten in patch.rs
+
+org $dfff10 ; starting items count.
+dw $0000
 
 ;;; Hijack code that runs during initialization
 org $82801d
@@ -82,6 +86,8 @@ startup:
     sta $1F5B
 
     ; Initialize items/flags collected/equipped:
+    lda !starting_items_count
+    sta $09ee
     lda !initial_items_collected
     sta $09A4
     lda !initial_items_equipped
diff --git a/rust/maprando/src/patch.rs b/rust/maprando/src/patch.rs
index a05f7ea5f..553bad69a 100644
--- a/rust/maprando/src/patch.rs
+++ b/rust/maprando/src/patch.rs
@@ -487,6 +487,7 @@ impl Patcher<'_> {
             "fix_dust_torizo",
             "fix_choot",
             "resource_collection_hudcap",
+            "item_count",
         ];
 
         patches.push("new_game");
@@ -839,6 +840,7 @@ impl Patcher<'_> {
     }
 
     fn place_items(&mut self) -> Result<()> {
+        let mut nothing_count: isize = 0;
         for (&item, &loc) in iter::zip(
             &self.randomization.item_placement,
             &self.game_data.item_locations,
@@ -848,6 +850,7 @@ impl Patcher<'_> {
             let new_plm_type = item_to_plm_type(item, orig_plm_type);
             self.rom.write_u16(item_plm_ptr, new_plm_type)?;
             if item == Item::Nothing {
+                nothing_count += 1;
                 let idx = self.rom.read_u16(item_plm_ptr + 4).unwrap() as usize;
                 self.nothing_item_bitmask[idx >> 3] |= 1 << (idx & 7);
 
@@ -859,6 +862,7 @@ impl Patcher<'_> {
                 }
             }
         }
+        self.rom.write_u16(snes2pc(0xdfff0e), nothing_count)?;
         Ok(())
     }
 
@@ -2317,6 +2321,22 @@ impl Patcher<'_> {
         .into_iter()
         .collect();
 
+        let mut starting_item_count: isize = 0;
+        for x in self.starting_items {
+            if x.count == 0 {
+                continue;
+            }
+            match x.item {
+                Item::Missile | Item::ETank | Item::ReserveTank | Item::Super | Item::PowerBomb => {
+                    starting_item_count += x.count as isize;
+                }
+                _ => {
+                    starting_item_count += 1;
+                }
+            }
+        }
+        self.rom.write_u16(snes2pc(0xDFFF10), starting_item_count)?;
+
         for x in self.starting_items {
             if x.count == 0 {
                 continue;
@@ -2419,7 +2439,6 @@ impl Patcher<'_> {
             // Use Tourian load station 2, set up in escape_autosave.asm
             self.rom.write_u16(initial_area_addr, 5)?;
             self.rom.write_u16(initial_load_station_addr, 2)?;
-
             // Set all bosses defeated:
             self.rom.write_n(initial_boss_bits, &[7, 7, 7, 7, 7, 7])?;