Rhythm Game Progress (Nov 2024)

October, which was filled with events and preparations for them, ended, and before I knew it, it was November. I was swamped, but fortunately, my fundamental skills seem to be steadily improving. I'll summarize my current status here.
My previous article (from 2 months ago) is here.

IIDX/BMS

EPOLIS ended, and the version changed. BP counts were wiped, selectable charts in STEP UP were reset, I couldn't select ☆11 charts on the first stage, and Kaiden course became unavailable for a while. Despite the usual inconveniences, let's keep hitting the keys energetically.

Scratching

I've seen tremendous growth in my scratching skill. I'm experiencing the joy of rhythm games as I find myself able to do things I couldn't before. Regarding the ☆10 charts mentioned in the previous article, my progress is as follows. This is a dramatic change for me personally, as my scratching skill hadn't improved at all.

• Shakunetsu (H): BP70 -> BP32
• HEARTACHE: Not EX-HARD cleared -> EX-HARD cleared (single-digit BP)
• Shakunetsu Pt.2 (H): Not HARD cleared -> HARD cleared (BP34)

Also, I managed to get EASY clears on charts like Watch Out Pt.2 and The Chase. However, the BP count is high, and for this difficulty range, I should be aiming for HARD clears, so more training is needed.

In BMS, I'm working on clearing the Scratch Difficulty Chart (3rd). I don't have many charts, but it's fun to play various things, like being close to getting a Full Combo on ◎-1, or almost getting an EASY clear on ◎5 but not quite. For some reason, I even got an EASY clear on ◎8, and I'm developing the ability to spin the turntable consistently, although this probably won't be useful in the arcade version (AC).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7fw3_VssNnY

Overall, I feel my sensitivity to the number of consecutive scratches has improved, and I can now handle double, triple, and quintuple scratches correctly. I'll continue to practice scratching intensely to tackle higher-level scratch charts.

Speed Changes (Soflan)

I've been playing BMS with my Green Number doubled. Initially, I couldn't even get an EASY clear on charts equivalent to ☆8, but now I can basically EASY clear sl0 charts, and even HARD clear some of them. It seems humans can get used to anything if they try.

I also managed to HARD clear AltMirrorBell, one of the toughest ★1 charts. I'll keep practicing to defeat twinklesky as well.

In AC, I've achieved a HARD clear on POSSESSION and managed to retain a decent amount of gauge during the low-speed section of PARANOiA ～HADES～. Compared to before, my stability is worlds apart. However, as mentioned later, my ability is still insufficient for what's required, so more training is needed.

Scoring

Starting from barely getting a AAA on EDEN, I've now started getting good scores (like AAA) on easier ☆10 charts such as Sylvestre Président. Although I haven't tracked it accurately, my subjective feeling is that my overall scoring ability has improved. Perhaps it's more like the number of charts where I consistently score in the high AA range, though not quite AAA, has increased. My sense of hitting notes in time with the rhythm has developed, which might have positively influenced my scratching and handling of speed changes as well.

Doushite Inakunatte Shimatta no

Dense Patterns / Note Volume

There hasn't been any visible progress here. The saving grace is that I don't feel like I'm performing worse than before. Maybe I should increase my practice on high-density charts.

Others

I'm also making some progress on the Second Chord Stream Difficulty Chart and the Third LN Difficulty Chart.
The Blue Archive rhythm game had charts with difficulty surpassing double-digit levels on the LN difficulty chart, which is typical of Korean rhythm games.

Challenges

Kaiden Course Songs

Comparing the BP counts of the Kaiden course songs I played recently with the previous time (forgot to take pictures): (All played on RANDOM, so not very reliable, but used as a benchmark).

• Shakunetsu: BP233 -> around 210
• Himiko: BP187 -> around 160

Shakunetsu feels like it's on another level; it doesn't seem connected to the scratch charts I've played so far. I don't feel like I can clear it by just continuing what I'm doing, but since I haven't even cleared all the ☆11 scratch charts, I plan to continue similar training for a while.

Himiko's BP didn't change drastically, but I didn't make any mistakes during the mid-song low-speed section. On the other hand, I could barely hit anything in the final low-speed section, likely accumulating over 30 BP there, indicating my low-speed handling ability is still lacking. If I hadn't missed in the final low-speed section, my BP might have been in the 130s, potentially earning an EASY clear, which would put me at a level eligible to attempt Kaiden. I have no recourse if someone tells me the end of Himiko is overwhelmingly harder than the rest of the song. It seems the only way is to become able to handle the abnormal density of the middle part and then use a gear change.

Improving Clear Lamps

I'm also feeling a bit stuck with improving my clear lamps. Charts in the 1600-1700 CPI range are tough, and many charts give me 70-100 BP. It doesn't feel like my fingers can't keep up, so perhaps I'm not recognizing and hitting the notes accurately. Furthermore, the 1700 range feels like it requires another two levels of fundamental skill. According to CPI data, getting HARD clears on 1700-range charts is a flag for Kaiden potential, which really matches my experience. However, there are many charts where forget HARD clear, even EASY clear is questionable? It seems I still need to build more tolerance for high-density patterns.

https://riceplace.hatenablog.jp/entry/2020/12/18/185257

So, I'll continue training scratching and speed changes, while gradually tackling higher difficulty charts to raise the density I can HARD clear.

DDR

I'll also summarize my current status in DDR. I haven't been exercising much lately, and with winter coming, it's likely to get tougher, but I want to make an effort to play regularly for my health.

Playstyle

Currently, I'm not paying much attention to Flare Skill. Instead, I'm focusing on improving scores on mid-difficulty charts, aiming for Full Combos (FCs), and trying to clear high-difficulty charts.

With the WORLD version, it's easier to access EXTRA STAGE, and the LIFE4 restriction on EXTRA STAGE has been removed, making it easier to challenge difficult songs. Additionally, the powerful CONSTANT option has been added, increasing the number of high-difficulty charts I can clear, making it easier to see results. There are still many charts I haven't played, so I'll likely have more progress to report here.

Scoring

The highlight is definitely the MFC I got recently. Polaris no Uta is a new song, meaning the chart and sound aren't desynced (probably), and the kick drum is easy to hear, making it relatively easy to sync with the music. However, the ESP and CSP charts feel harder than their levels suggest. The BSP chart has all notes on bar lines, so there was no need to step on quarter notes.

May the universe be filled with Marvelouses

My current challenges are that I only have a handful of PFCs on Lv.12-13 and AAAs on Lv.14. As soon as some yellows (Greats) appear or the density increases, my accuracy drops, resulting in many Greats even when I easily get an FC. I don't know the cause right now, but I suspect my eyes might be too close to the judgment line, meaning I'm only relying on visual timing (me-oshi). I'm thinking of trying to increase my Hi-Speed and focus on stepping in time with the music.

High Difficulty

I have cleared 43 out of 87 Lv.18 charts. Since many charts are still locked, the actual number of uncleared charts is probably around 30. There are also many charts I haven't played since the WORLD update, so just choosing them seems to be the first challenge.
Playing one exhausts my stamina, making it hard to choose them frequently. I had a terrible time when I tried DIGITALIZER.

I don't understand anything

Stamina depletion is an issue of recognition ability, so it seems best to build up my recognition starting from Lv.16 charts.

Summary

Winter is a tough season because warming up takes longer, but let's continue to practice diligently.