Hello everyone!

I am a new osu! player, I recently fell in love with this game so I started to edit my own beatmaps because of the lack of english music that I like.

I read the FAQ about getting my beatmaps approved for ranked, but I still have some questions about the process.

- It's my understanding that I need to get my map "modded" by other mappers. But I don't understand how much people have to mod my map before I get a chance to get it approved? Also, is it an obligation to get it modded, or is just better to do so?

- Two difficulties are a minimum to get a beatmap ranked, but is it better to have even more, what is the optimal?

- Overall, what are my chances, as a new member of the community, to have one of my beatmaps modded and approved? I'd really love to see it happen but I don't want to waste my time if my chances of actually getting a beatmap ranked are too low.

- What are some useful tips for beginners in editing? I find the editor pretty easy to use, but maybe there are some tricks I could help.

Thanks in advance for your answers and long live osu!

There is no real number. However, you need 12 star priorities to get a map bubbled. You can increase it by modding maps yourself and using the kudosu on your beatmap or by getting mods/stars from other people. I'm sure though that there is next to no MATs/BATs who is willing to bubble a map with no mods even if there is 12 star priorities unless your beatmap is amazing. I doubt this for a new mapper and I'm sure they'll still ask to try to get some mods on it before moving on with the ranking process. .

If you want to map an Insane, you need atleast 3 diffs as you're not allow to have a difficulty jump and you must have a diff which newer players can play. (Hard/Insane is unrankable, Normal/Hard is fine, Easy/Hard is also unrankable, Easy/Normal is also fine assuming the song is really calm). More diffs will mean more people will enjoy your beatmap, but it also means more stuff to mod so it's harder to get it mod and rank as well. The "optimal" is hard to say, but 4 diffs is good for most cases.

It all depends on how much effort you're willing to put. There's next to zero chance that someone will randomly mod your map unless you are mapping a popular song/popular mapper. The three ways of getting mods are modding queue (mainly luck based, but take not much effort), mod4mod (I recommend practicing your modding first on other newbie mapper's map, or doing m4m with other newbie modders), asking through pm (I notice quite a few modders accepting mod request via pm, it doesn't take much effort at all to ask people, just try to keep a list on who accept and you can get yourself easy mods). There is also the mod request channel in chat, but I find the chances that you get a mod from it next to zero. There may be some people who can give some pointers in mod help (chat channel as well) through, but don't expect much.

Aside from getting mods, improving your beatmap yourself is also important, the more you work on it, the more likely that it'll be good. Lastly, getting MATs/BATs to look at it. You should only try if you think your beatmap is absolutely ready (mods can help you decide this, are people saying they can't find much?). I cannot give a reliable way to get them to check. Having a really high star priority will help. Modding queue, if you can catch them will guarantee a check (but not a bubble). Pming is the last way (ask them for their modding policy if they do not specify on their signature or userpage). You can view the groups here ucp.php?i=167.

Your chances depends on three factors. Luck, effort, and natural talent. You can see how luck helps with what I mention above (modding queues). If you put a lot of effort into your beatmaps and getting mods, it's safe to say you have quite a good chance of getting your beatmap ranked. Natural talent is basically, how good your first beatmap will be and how much work is needed to get it to rankable quality.

For a newbie mapper trying to get their first beatmap ranked, I'll be frank, it takes as lot of effort, but it gets easier as you go on. I won't really say your chances are low. It all depends on your effort really. If you don't give up easily and is motivated, you will get a beatmap ranked eventually. For your last point, I don't have any advice to give you for the editor, sorry.

Hope this helps!

Optimal # of beatmap difficulties is 4 to get an ideal spread, but you can go with 3 for longer songs.

Getting your map modded is mandatory. This is especially true if you're a newbie mapper. Just keep on getting it modded until modders are having trouble finding things that aren't really minor.

Your odds of getting your map ranked? Well, if you stick with it it should get ranked eventually, but it may take a while.

Tips for beginners? Shortcut keys are your friend.

Thank you both for answering! I'll try to do mod4mod with other beginners as soon as I have time for it. Also, shortcuts keys are, indeed, not my friend YET, I'm gonna have to work on that ^^

Btw, if anyone would take a look at my maps, here they are:

The Strokes - Someday: http://osu.ppy.sh/s/67563
The Strokes - New York City Cops: http://osu.ppy.sh/s/67417

Don't be afraid if it takes as much as a year for your maps to make any progress. If you feel stuck for ideas, then take a break and find some good maps. Note that people's ideas of "good maps" differ wildly, but try not to copy other people's gimmicks--it's debatable that they even work in popular maps and it'll almost certainly screw up your own maps.

Don't be afraid to talk plenty in IRC, even if people start to get at you for saying a lot of seemingly dumb things. The social side of this game is very important and you'll have a much easier time if you can endear yourself towards staff members. I'm not suggesting that you PM everybody of importance and try to start conversations, because that would be awkward and transparent. Hang around some channels and do your best to fit in, learn to take honest advice and don't be afraid to remap everything if you have to.

The most important thing to remember is that this is only a game, with a community of very distant people. Don't let it bring you down like it has done to many others. Take a good break from the game if it starts to cause you a load of stress.

While I wouldn't want you to pester people just to try to butter them up, be outgoing and don't hesitate to PM people for questions if they seem like they could help you. Not everybody has the time nor the patience to give you a blow-by-blow analysis of how you can improve, but many people are kicking around who will be flattered that you asked.