++= Dragonforce Diffulty Rank and Rationale =++
(Difficulty assumes players do not bracket chart.)

++= 13 =++
Characteristics - Focus on higher speed bursts (190BPM+) or medium speed runs (170+). Difficulty may be derived from
jumps as well. Patterns involve less movement at higher BPMs. Chart includes either significant breaks or only short
sections of more advanced techniques.

(HARD)
Strike of the Ninja - Extremely short song with slow runs and simple jump patterns most of the chart. Only difficult
     sections are the longer 24th runs which are techniques more in the 14 range. Chart requires significantly less
     stamina than all other DF charts, running at less than half the length of the average DF song.
Above the Winter Moonlight - Almost no extended runs (until solo). Several breaks and a long slowdown. Chart is jump
     -intensive for difficulty. Most of difficulty derived from length of song.
Reasons to Live - Length of runs and song itself are main points of difficulty. The slower BPM makes the chart
     significantly easier than other DF charts. The overall stamina needed to pass the chart make this the
     most difficult DF 13 for players.

++= 14 =++
Characteristics - Songs are generally less forgiving in regards to breaks between longer stream patterns. Charts may
include more jump-intensive patterns, although not to the extent of 15s. Solos are more heavily 16th saturated. Some
charts may also have a specific section that is much harder than the rest, forcing the raised difficulty of the song
overall.

(EASY)
Evening Star - Running at a mere 185BPM, this is a nice simple DF chart to play to work your way up. Lacking any 
     excessively long streams, technical patterns, or fast bursts, this chart is simple and clean. Don't get too
     comfortable, though, as the remaining charts leave less room for rest.

(MEDIUM)
Heroes of Our Time - Chart consists of mostly burst patterns and is generous with breaks. Solo runs at 175, making
     what is generally the most difficult portion of DF charts far simpler. End "deathrun" bumps the chart up into
     the mid-14 difficulty range.
Heart of a Dragon - First half of the chart is quite streamy, but slightly slower BPM (195) makes it noticably 
     easier. Second half of the song is quite straightforward and void of any long runs. Chart is also light on 
     jumps.
Heartbreak Armageddon - Although the song contains a sizeable slowdown and only runs at 195BPM, the streams in the 
     chart are much lengthier than HooT and HoaD. The incorporation of more tower patterns keeps the song within
     the 14 range.

(HARD)
Revelations - Although this chart only runs at 190BPM, do not be mistaken - it is stream heavy. The chart does have a
     long slowdown which makes for a break. Without it, this chart would easily fall into the 15 range.
EPM - The song may only run at 190BPM, but the chart is somewhat technical. There are no slowdowns or long breaks,
     so the player is forced to stay alert the entire chart. The variability of the chart also increases the 
     difficulty because players that fall into a lull will be punished by changing patterns. The song also includes
     longer runs with more candles than the other 14s.
Prepare For War - The hardest 14 out of the DF pack, this song is as borderline 15 as you can get. The song is rather
     technical. The slowdown has some 24ths at 140BPM which are difficult to read. The solo is as hard as most solos
     in the charts that fit in the 15 category. I'd argue that the long slowdown and low step count (2600, at least
     400 of which is in the slowdown) make this the peak 14. This definitely will prepare you for later songs.

++= 15 =++
Characteristics - The majority of the Dragonforce charts fall within this difficulty range. Songs typically have
less breaks and more intense solos. Charts may include more difficult techniques such as 24th bursts, 8th jump
stream, and slow sections with dense patterns. Songs are also quite lengthy, not running less than 5 minutes.

(EASY)
Body Breakdown - The first half of the song, being densely packed with streams, is more characteristic of the mid-15.
     The second half of the chart (the solo) is much easier, falling within the 14 range. As such the song averages
     out to be an easy 15, perhaps even the base 15. The chart is not too jump heavy, and, after 40%, the 16ths come
     in short bursts, significantly decreasing the difficulty.
The Flame of Youth - Completely rewritten, this chart is now one of the simpler 15s. The first half is simple and dumbed down,
     containing very few runs of considerable length. The patterns are also nearly candle-less. The solo does pick up in
     difficulty, though, so try not to get too comfortable. There are no slowdowns are large break sections, so good pacing
     will help make this chart more doable.
Inside the Winter Storm - The chart has a lengthy middle section with serves as a nice break. The real difficulty in
     this chart comes when the solo picks up. It is more relentless than lower difficulty songs. The chart also 
     weighs in around the 3600 step mark, making it an endurance battle as well. This chart is another good base
     15 for players to focus on who prefer longer songs but need a break in between difficult sections rather than
     intense difficulty throughout a shorter song.
Disciples of Babylon - Another easy 15, this chart starts off somewhat difficult. There is a 170BPM slowdown that drops the overall
     difficulty of the chart considerable. If you can survive to the slowdown, you can pass the chart.There are some somewhat 
     technical aspects to this chart as well.
Through the Fire and Flames - Similar in intensity to Inside the Winter Storm, this chart also focuses more on short
     runs and constant 16th triple bursts. There is a slowdown around ~50% that serves as a quick breather. The new
     chart has been revised to reduce incorrect rhythms, candle steps, and inappropriate techniques (the hands in
     the beginning of the old chart).
The Fire Still Burns - Equally as difficult as TTFAF, this chart gets more intense the second half of the song. The beginning also 
     runs at 180BPM and almost unexpectedly jumps to 200, so be prepared. There is a short slowdown to catch your breathe before the
     solo kicks in.
Valley of the Damned - Getting closer towards the mid-15 difficulty, this chart does not have any significant
     slowdown sections. There are several longer tower runs used in the first half that should serve as "breaks" in
     comparison to the movement-heavy runs later on in the solo. The early section of the chart has holds following
     the guitar, which also serve as quick breaks in between sections of the chart. The defining difficulty of the
     chart comes at 50-60%, where there are long streams broken up with technical 12th note jack patterns. This
     occurrence before the solo, making the rest of the chart even more tiring. The final 10% runs at 130BPM and 
     incorporates 24ths which, at 2.75-3.25x speed mods, is difficult to read. If reading slow is your weakness,
     save this chart for later.
Operation Ground and Pound - The more difficult cousin to Through the Fire and the Flames, OGAP incorporates extremely
     similar techniques and patterns but with less breaks and longer runs towards the end of the song. The chart also
     has a few easy to learn stop gimicks, so this is perhaps less sightreadable in comparison to other Dragonforce
     songs.
The Warrior Inside - A very straightforward mid-15, this chart is light in regards to technical patterns. It is heavy as
     far as jumps are concerned. There are no slowdowns or breaks until the end. This chart is also one of the most
     roll-heavy charts in the pack, which makes for a slight aesthetic difference in play.

(MEDIUM)
Where Dragons Rule - Running at 195BPM, this chart starts off like a 9 footer until the guitars/drums kick in. The patterns
     are toned down. The 2nd half of the song is where it can be make or break, as the runs begin to lengthen and the patterns
     become more technical. The file ends with a piano slowdown just as it had begun.
Soldiers of the Wasteland - The longest Dragonforce song, clocking in at nearly 10 minutes. The chart has a very long slowdown
     which can be used to regain some energy spent on the first half. Immediately after the slowdown, the song kicks back in
     with a long deathrun and into a technical solo from there. There is a crossover in the last 12th section thrown in to catch
     players off-guard haha.
Scars of Yesterday - The only DF chart to feature bracket-runs, Scars of Yesterday plays a bit differently than any other song.
     There aren't too many areas to catch your breathe, so make sure you pace yourself. The patterns have almost no candles, so 
     with good foot technique, it shouldn't take too much stamina to pass. 
Cry For Eternity - One of the first Dragonforce charts I wrote, this file has some VerTex Beta inspiration with the 8th jump streams.
     The beginning is also a crossover-laden slowdown. Watch out for the slowdown into 100BPM 32nd note streams at the end. This is
     one of the longer DF charts, so if jumps and endurance are not your strong points, save this for later.
Storming the Burning Fields - The younger sibling to Fields of Despair, this file is short but incredibly intense. The patterns contain 
     a heavy amount of tower-runs, so energy conservation should be easier than if they were full blown candle-runs. 

(HARD)
My Spirit Will Go On - Clocking in at nearly 4000 steps, MSWGO is definitely a chart to be reckoned with. The file is jump-heavy
     and filled with technical 24ths and a 170BPM slowdown. The solo is also one of the most intense DF solos charted. This should
     likely be the first DF 15 you tackle from the (HARD) section.
Fury of the Storm - The first half of the chart seems relatively tame (although lacking any breaks). The song contains a deathrun that
     lasts over 10% of the chart, then dives right into a technical and relentless solo. The file also contains some tricky (and
     annoying) mines, so be light on your feet.
Once In a Lifetime - With a gargantuan deathrun before 30%, this song will kick your ass. The file also contains a jump-heavy chorus
     and a difficult solo with no breaks, so pacing yourself would be smart. 
Black Fire - Perhaps the most stream-intense Dragonforce 15, Black Fire does very little to give the player a chance to catch their breathe.
     There is a short slowdown, but don't be fooled - after the song picks back up, there are deathruns the last 15-20% of the chart.
Fields of Despair - The more difficult sibling to Storming the Burning Fields, Fields of Despair is more intense and less forgiving in
     regards to pattern construction. The song starts off immediately with some short runs, so there is no easy way to work your way
     into the chart. 
Black Winter Night - Completely unforgiving, Black Winter Night is arguably the hardest DF 15. The first half is very stamina driven. 
     Lacking any sort of slowdown or break section, Black Winter Night is a true test of stamina and endurance. If long streams and
     overall endurance are your weakness, save this 15 for last. I'd recommend passing this before moving on to the 16s - they 
     only get worse.

++= 16 =++
Characteristics - The songs in this category are relentless and include minimal breaks. Songs do not run below
200BPM. These charts include much longer stream patterns, intense jumps, and more candles than lower difficulty
songs. 

(EASY)
Lost Souls In Endless Time - This chart is the most stream-intensive of the Dragonforce charts. The patterns are not
     as full of candles as they could be, but there are no true breaks in the song at all. The solo also includes 
     24ths within 16th runs.The fact that this chart has the lowest world record speaks to its difficulty.
Cry of the Brave - The fastest Dragonforce chart. If footspeed is your weakness, this should be the last Dragonforce 16
     for you to tackle. Although the chart is only 3200 steps and 6 minutes long, the extra 15BPM more than makes up
     for that. The only break comes at 50%, which goes directly into a Strangeprogram-inspired drum section and 
     immediately into the solo from there (which is also relentless). Even after the solo ends there are several lengthy
     streams to play through, so there is no mercy until the song ends.  
Revolution Deathsquad - By far the most varied of the 16 charts, Revolution Deathsquad is arguably the most difficult
     Dragonforce chart. It has the most dense chart step-to-songlength ratio. The song is jump-heavy, stream-heavy,
     technical, and relentless. The first 3% of the song runs at 125BPM and has a 32nd trill. The song itself is also
     longer than most Dragonforce songs (clocking in at over 8 minutes), which taxes players' stamina even more than
     Soldiers of the Wasteland. 