Understand hit factors and what it takes to reach each classification level
These are approximate ranges based on typical classifier HHFs. Actual classification is based on your best classifier scores compared to each stage's specific HHF.
Hit factor rewards the balance between accuracy and speed. A stage with all alphas but a slow time can score lower than a faster run with a few charlies. Find your optimal balance.
A single mike (-10 points) on a 12-round stage drops your points from 60 to 45 (after the miss + penalty). That's a 25% point loss. On a 7-second run, your HF drops from 8.57 to 6.43 — potentially dropping two classification levels.
On a stage with 60 points available: shooting all alphas in 8 seconds (HF 7.50) beats shooting 54 points (2 charlies) in 8 seconds (HF 6.75). But shooting 54 points in 7 seconds (HF 7.71) beats both. Speed with acceptable accuracy wins.
Classifiers are short stages where every split matters. Focus on clean draws, smooth transitions, and zero mikes. A clean but slightly slower run almost always beats a fast run with penalties.
See how changing one variable affects your hit factor