The Index...

is where the challenging maps are ranked.  To get on the index, a map must have have a non-TAS UV-Max demo of the map hosted on DSDA.  This is to both bar impossible maps from getting on the index,  and to prove that at least someone knows approximately how difficult a map is to complete 100%.

The maps are split into 7 difficulty tiers, and each tier is assigned point values as part of the system of competition.  The tiers are defined as follows:

• DOOMED  -  The hardest maps only,  "You are DOOMED!!!"
• Legendary  -  Extremely hard maps,  takes considerable effort and skill from very skilled players
• Elite  -  Hard maps,  may take a lot of effort for really skilled players,  might not for the best handful of players
• Jaded  -  A middleground for players who are looking to challenge themselves beyond the previous tiers,  but are not quite ready for the hardest maps
• Veteran  -  Your average Kaizo-Doom map,  nothing too insane for very skilled players
• Marine  -  Maps that will scare casual doomers,  and are quick work for good players
• Fairweather  -  Your standard challenging map for most players...represented by early/mid E3 of Sunlust

In addition,  there are also tags given to each map,  that add extra info about the type of map it is with regards to its difficulty.  The tags are defined as follows:

• Length  -  self-explanatory,  darker shades represent longer maps
  • Short  =  0-10 minute estimated UV-Max
  • Medium  =  10-30 min estimated UV-Max
  • Long  =  30-60 min estimated UV-Max
  • Very Long  =  60+ min estimated UV-Max
• Platforming  -  present if the map has a notable platforming section of any kind
  • Easy  -  simple SR40s or W-key platforming,  allows you to take your time, otherwise low penalty for failure
  • Medium  -  may require some line-up jumps,  or be strict with timing,  or punish mistakes harshly,  or map contains lots of platforming
  • Hard  -  may require lots of line-ups and SR50,  harsh penalties,  tightly timed sequences
• Tricks  -  the map requires and/or is nigh impossible to beat without them.  Includes avjs,  glides,  wobbles,  rocket jumps,  zero presses,  etc.

You may also have noticed some maps have dashed borders instead of solid ones...these are rotational maps for wads where nearly all the maps are uniform in difficulty and style.  Standout maps in these wads are displayed like any other map,  but the rotational maps are only in for a single competition before being swapped out for others in the same wad for the next competition.

The placement of maps are fluid,  so maps can move between tiers based on community appraisal.  Maps will be added and removed off the index prior to every new competition,  to give recently released hard maps a chance to make the list,  and to rid old hard maps that now lack players' interest in being run.  These old maps are then moved to the legacy list,  where they are stored for historical purposes,  with their point value still counting toward a player's total accumulated points.