Improving at StepMania

Here's the story. I have StepMania and a USB mat. I also have some DDR games for the PS2, along with the mat. I can play songs 11 and under on the new rating system (8 and under on the old) with ease. But when I play with my fingers, I find I can play up to 13's and 14's. I think I just have problems moving my feet fast enough. Is there something I can do to get better at moving my feet faster?

I think the best way is just getting fun while you play and to play hard songs xD

On the other hand, if you're using a foam dancepad I'd recommend you to buy a metal pad since it will be easier to improve with it (Or at least, I'm not able to pass something over 9 unless I play on a metal pad)

And, of course, the stepfiles that you play are important too, I'd recommend you the packs called StepMix Winners and Finalists and ITG1 and 2

Yea, there's only so much you can do with a foam pad before you start drifting away or at least modifying it with a solid surface attached underneath (though this will eventually lead to tearing).

Back when I could actually move fast enough, I recall pulling off MAX 300 on Heavy on a foam mat with a C and being completely and utterly destroyed because I was more concerned about the mat staying put than the arrows. You get used to a regular mat that doesn't drift so much and has a lot more feedback than plastic...you'll usually get results. The problem is cost and getting one in a manner that putting it out and storing it isn't inconvenient.

The rest is just your own dexterity - if the pad isn't the concern then it's a body thing and that requires actual work away from the dance pad and running in place.

Fingers are almost always gonna be better then your feet fwiw. If you wanna get better on pad, get a pad that doesn't suck (slip around, break down after a month, etc), focus on improving your technique (videos of higher level players can help), and most of all just gotta keep practicing.

All of the suggestions telling you to get a better pad are definitely on the money. You're not going to improve on low quality equipment -- metal pads are durable, have better reactivity, and will rarely slip and slide around. As with any game, you'll only get better through practice. Refine your technique by playing on files that are lower in difficulty, and remap your muscle memory so that you move less around on the pads.

I duct-taped my DDR pad on a piece of masonite (thin wooden board) so it doesn't fold or move around, and I also have cut up some foam pieces to put under the arrows so I can figure out where they are. There is also a SUPERNOVA 2 machine at a nearby arcade that I go to quite often. I figured out that stamina has a lot to do with it too. I can pass a song easily on my first go, but after 3 or 4 songs, I am not as good. I also need to work on my crossovers, which would make Pluto Relinquish Standard much easier.

Well, thanks for the replies and I hope I can get better.

Darkanine

That did solve the "saving where I was at" problem, thank you :^). Suppose I can live with dividing things up by groups instead of by the alphabet :^).




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