Is it just me or are some of the "beginner" files lying to me?

[FinnChap]

Hi all, I wanna start this out by stating that I'm the very definition of beginner in StepMania. I started playing the game about a week ago and I've downloaded some packs which I hoped would contain some really easy songs.
This brings me to my point... many of the beginner and easy files are very slow, but filled with notes that just mess with my head. There are many files that are truly easy though, so there are some songs I can play.
So am I just so bad or are some of the songs just judged by some supergod and thought it was beginner-level stuff?

[Walrusizer]

the difficulty ratings in most packs doesnt mean much

also i would like to note that the term "beginner" is completely subjective so what may be considered "beginner" to one person would be considered "professional ermehgerd le best in the worrrrrld ppls cant do dis yo" to another person

[cedolad]

May as well just call the game subjectivemania

owait

[psychoangel691]

Yeah Stepmania's packs are kinda all over the place in terms of ratings. I started with FFR so I unfortunately don't have much I can recommend in terms of SM packs. By the time I went to SM I was a little beyond beginner stuff.

[MarioNintendo]

http://stepmaniaonline.net/index.php?page=downloads

I suggest you take a look at the ''Stepping Stones of Stepmania'' packs, which are usually seen as some good beginner packs that manage not to be boring. Alongside that, I can't help myself from also recommending you check out StepMix packs. This is how I got started...

Basically, if you are a super beginner, try out ''pad'' packs. Sure, these are meant to be played with an actual pad with your feet, but they're good practice for playing with a keyboard, too.

[Gundam-Dude]

Does no one here actually use my stickied thread, which I've spent hours/days compiling and frequently editing? smh fam



Look for packs with a blue star (★) next to it. These have several files with multiple charted difficulties for beginners and players that aren't quite as adept in skill. Packs with three blue stars (★★★) are highly recommended.

Originally Posted by FinnChap

This brings me to my point... many of the beginner and easy files are very slow, but filled with notes that just mess with my head. There are many files that are truly easy though, so there are some songs I can play.
So am I just so bad or are some of the songs just judged by some supergod and thought it was beginner-level stuff?

I think I understand the issue in which you're experiencing, and it all comes down to how people in the past used to create "edit" difficulties which were basically harder versions of the main heavy and/or challenge charts.

Many people would glance/scroll past a file without even realizing this edit difficulty existed since StepMania 3.9 and 3.95 do an absolute terrible job displaying it in the default theme. There was also the fact that both StepMania 3.9 and 3.9 had issues with correctly loading edit difficulties, with the former having to load the edit difficulty at least once in order for it to save into the cache, and the latter with editing charts with the in-game editor. As a sort of workaround solution, people started changing and labeling the harder "edit" difficulty to "beginner", since the vast majority of simfiles at the time only had 1 or 2 charted difficulties on either heavy or challenge (e.g. Toph's The A La Menthe, dondon's Scarlet in the Dream, etc.). Frankly, it was a shitty and outdated workaround solution to the edit difficulty thing, but it was a trend that quickly caught on in the past—this isn't done very often in present day.

[Dynam0]

If you're a complete beginner even the Stepping Stones packs could be too much to handle at first. I started out playing DDR charts (like 4 footers), but you'll quickly be able to take on tougher stuff week by week.

edit: gundamb dude is right holy crap that thread is a gold mine

[gold stinger]

How do you guys not have Gundam-Dude's thread stickied, guys, really.

But real talk, I do recommend clicking through charts that are officially created whether for itg, or DanceDanceRevolution, or what be it. Many people have been able to move those over, and they have some of the more basic core steps, but may be a bit boring. However, are some of the most memorable due to high competition in the Pad gaming scene of things. Like others have said, Pad files are better geared to beginners as they have less of a fill and can teach fast patterns rather quickly, just be prepared for the invasive amount of 'jumps' when you switch to Keyboard charts.

[MinaciousGrace]

don't listen to these idiots there's a sinister cabal that dedicates itself to making the stepmania new user experience as terrible as possible through deliberate deception and calculated confusion

[Mahou]

Before I started playing Stepmania, I already had a background in FFR/ITG/PIU/DDR. Maybe try one of those games as well? Also, the first pack I ever downloaded on my Stepmania client was Puritanical Penis Pack 1 and 2.

[Klaius]

I was a complete beginner and I started with DDR songs (Dance Dance Revolution 1st Mix, 2nd Mix, DDR Supernova 1 & 2, etc. on stepmaniaonline.net. Stuff like that.) and random touhou pad packs. Maybe DDRMAX or something too. I don't really remember exactly what I started with but I'm certain DDR Supernova 1 & 2 was one of them.

Basically, you want to start with pad packs then transition into Stepping Stones/Otaku's Dream/FFR Community stuff.

[FinnChap]

Originally Posted by Gundam-Dude

Does no one here actually use my stickied thread, which I've spent hours/days compiling and frequently editing? smh fam

I actually do look for packs from your thread and it's a very good thread indeed. The first packs I got were "Stepping Stones for StepMania 2" and an anime pack called something like "EDSM Pack" or something along those lines. After that I downloaded one of the FFR community packs and one that calls itself a beginner pack.
There are some very good songs in those packs that I can complete with an A or higher rating and some where I can only get to a B or C.
I'm getting better and better by the day and I can memorise some of the a-bit-harder patterns and I can already play some songs in normal insted of beginner.
As for other games, I do play FFR from time to time and I play a game called Cytus on my phone which is fun too.

[Wayward Vagabond]

Just play my files

[MinaciousGrace]

chipscape beginner must have been a rude awakening

[Potato030]

Try turning up the scroll speed, if its too slow. Some of the notes that are messing with your head might be because they are too close together.

[Wayward Vagabond]

Also don't use cmods on like any files

[MinaciousGrace]

also, don't forget to set mines to "additive" and mirror is literally illegal

[YoshL]

default noteskin as well

[CaptainAhab]

I'd highly recommend the Stepping Stones of Stepmania packs. They're good for beginners. I'm a beginner too and I'm slowly making my way through them.