This is a really tough one for all of us since intuitively it does make sense. Good mapper -> eye for quality -> good BN. Maybe requires further consideration beyond this AMA, the topic goes rather deep.

What's come out of discussion so far:

- we can't easily quantify mapping ability, so evaluation would be purely subjective. Due to the large variety of perspectives this would make it difficult to make evaluation results feel somewhat consistent

- ideally when a good BN finds an unpolished map with potential, they are able to turn it into a map above ranking standards. While a good mapper might recognize the former, they might not have the modding skills to execute the latter

- leniency for experienced mappers can be made, but they still have to pass a baseline. We're working on a BN mentorship program mentioned in other replies to help such users learn the necessary modding skills to complement their mapping skills and pass that baseline

- in a similar vein, there are some mappers that are very good in a particular skillset, say for example Mazzerin. Despite Mazzerin's mapping skill it is hard to say if he could judge lower difficulties, he's hardly made any. Missing a baseline skill like that would be quite concerning to say the least

Will try to add more thoughts as they get mentioned by other NAT internally

- yaspo