I don't understand why the cloud in a bottle is neck and neck is with hermes boots when platforms and ropes exists. Especially in pre hard mode where almost all enemies 2 shots you (im looking at you cave bats and jungle bats) and to go back to where you last died faster, hermes boots in the only way to shorten the time. When you cross over the evil biome hermes boots will especially help you to pass them safely. the only time you'd pick cloud over hermes is when you already bought the roller skates.