diff --git a/osu.Game.Rulesets.Osu/Mods/OsuModTraceable.cs b/osu.Game.Rulesets.Osu/Mods/OsuModTraceable.cs
index d7582f3196..bb2213aa31 100644
--- a/osu.Game.Rulesets.Osu/Mods/OsuModTraceable.cs
+++ b/osu.Game.Rulesets.Osu/Mods/OsuModTraceable.cs
@@ -6,6 +6,7 @@ using System.Linq;
 using osu.Framework.Bindables;
 using System.Collections.Generic;
 using osu.Framework.Extensions.Color4Extensions;
+using osu.Framework.Graphics;
 using osu.Game.Configuration;
 using osu.Game.Rulesets.Mods;
 using osu.Game.Rulesets.Objects.Drawables;
@@ -38,20 +39,25 @@ namespace osu.Game.Rulesets.Osu.Mods
 
         protected void ApplyTraceableState(DrawableHitObject drawable, ArmedState state)
         {
-            if (!(drawable is DrawableOsuHitObject drawableOsu))
+            if (!(drawable is DrawableOsuHitObject))
                 return;
 
-            var h = drawableOsu.HitObject;
-
             //todo: expose and hide spinner background somehow
 
             switch (drawable)
             {
                 case DrawableHitCircle circle:
                     // we only want to see the approach circle
-                    using (circle.BeginAbsoluteSequence(h.StartTime - h.TimePreempt, true))
-                        circle.CirclePiece.Hide();
+                    applyCirclePieceState(circle, circle.CirclePiece);
+                    break;
 
+                case DrawableSliderTail sliderTail:
+                    applyCirclePieceState(sliderTail);
+                    break;
+
+                case DrawableSliderRepeat sliderRepeat:
+                    // show only the repeat arrow
+                    applyCirclePieceState(sliderRepeat, sliderRepeat.CirclePiece);
                     break;
 
                 case DrawableSlider slider:
@@ -61,6 +67,13 @@ namespace osu.Game.Rulesets.Osu.Mods
             }
         }
 
+        private void applyCirclePieceState(DrawableOsuHitObject hitObject, IDrawable hitCircle = null)
+        {
+            var h = hitObject.HitObject;
+            using (hitObject.BeginAbsoluteSequence(h.StartTime - h.TimePreempt, true))
+                (hitCircle ?? hitObject).Hide();
+        }
+
         private void applySliderState(DrawableSlider slider)
         {
             ((PlaySliderBody)slider.Body.Drawable).AccentColour = slider.AccentColour.Value.Opacity(0);
diff --git a/osu.Game.Tests/Visual/Gameplay/TestSceneDrawableStoryboardSprite.cs b/osu.Game.Tests/Visual/Gameplay/TestSceneDrawableStoryboardSprite.cs
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..9501026edc
--- /dev/null
+++ b/osu.Game.Tests/Visual/Gameplay/TestSceneDrawableStoryboardSprite.cs
@@ -0,0 +1,65 @@
+// Copyright (c) ppy Pty Ltd <contact@ppy.sh>. Licensed under the MIT Licence.
+// See the LICENCE file in the repository root for full licence text.
+
+using System.Linq;
+using NUnit.Framework;
+using osu.Framework.Allocation;
+using osu.Framework.Graphics;
+using osu.Framework.Testing;
+using osu.Game.Rulesets;
+using osu.Game.Rulesets.Osu;
+using osu.Game.Skinning;
+using osu.Game.Storyboards;
+using osu.Game.Storyboards.Drawables;
+using osuTK;
+
+namespace osu.Game.Tests.Visual.Gameplay
+{
+    public class TestSceneDrawableStoryboardSprite : SkinnableTestScene
+    {
+        protected override Ruleset CreateRulesetForSkinProvider() => new OsuRuleset();
+
+        [Cached]
+        private Storyboard storyboard { get; set; } = new Storyboard();
+
+        [Test]
+        public void TestSkinSpriteDisallowedByDefault()
+        {
+            const string lookup_name = "hitcircleoverlay";
+
+            AddStep("allow skin lookup", () => storyboard.UseSkinSprites = false);
+
+            AddStep("create sprites", () => SetContents(
+                () => createSprite(lookup_name, Anchor.TopLeft, Vector2.Zero)));
+
+            assertSpritesFromSkin(false);
+        }
+
+        [Test]
+        public void TestAllowLookupFromSkin()
+        {
+            const string lookup_name = "hitcircleoverlay";
+
+            AddStep("allow skin lookup", () => storyboard.UseSkinSprites = true);
+
+            AddStep("create sprites", () => SetContents(
+                () => createSprite(lookup_name, Anchor.Centre, Vector2.Zero)));
+
+            assertSpritesFromSkin(true);
+        }
+
+        private DrawableStoryboardSprite createSprite(string lookupName, Anchor origin, Vector2 initialPosition)
+            => new DrawableStoryboardSprite(
+                new StoryboardSprite(lookupName, origin, initialPosition)
+            ).With(s =>
+            {
+                s.LifetimeStart = double.MinValue;
+                s.LifetimeEnd = double.MaxValue;
+            });
+
+        private void assertSpritesFromSkin(bool fromSkin) =>
+            AddAssert($"sprites are {(fromSkin ? "from skin" : "from storyboard")}",
+                () => this.ChildrenOfType<DrawableStoryboardSprite>()
+                          .All(sprite => sprite.ChildrenOfType<SkinnableSprite>().Any() == fromSkin));
+    }
+}
diff --git a/osu.Game.Tests/Visual/Gameplay/TestScenePlayerLoader.cs b/osu.Game.Tests/Visual/Gameplay/TestScenePlayerLoader.cs
index 888a2f2197..9b31dd045a 100644
--- a/osu.Game.Tests/Visual/Gameplay/TestScenePlayerLoader.cs
+++ b/osu.Game.Tests/Visual/Gameplay/TestScenePlayerLoader.cs
@@ -265,6 +265,26 @@ namespace osu.Game.Tests.Visual.Gameplay
             AddUntilStep("wait for current", () => loader.IsCurrentScreen());
 
             AddAssert($"epilepsy warning {(warning ? "present" : "absent")}", () => this.ChildrenOfType<EpilepsyWarning>().Any() == warning);
+
+            if (warning)
+            {
+                AddUntilStep("sound volume decreased", () => Beatmap.Value.Track.AggregateVolume.Value == 0.25);
+                AddUntilStep("sound volume restored", () => Beatmap.Value.Track.AggregateVolume.Value == 1);
+            }
+        }
+
+        [Test]
+        public void TestEpilepsyWarningEarlyExit()
+        {
+            AddStep("set epilepsy warning", () => epilepsyWarning = true);
+            AddStep("load dummy beatmap", () => ResetPlayer(false));
+
+            AddUntilStep("wait for current", () => loader.IsCurrentScreen());
+
+            AddUntilStep("wait for epilepsy warning", () => loader.ChildrenOfType<EpilepsyWarning>().Single().Alpha > 0);
+            AddStep("exit early", () => loader.Exit());
+
+            AddUntilStep("sound volume restored", () => Beatmap.Value.Track.AggregateVolume.Value == 1);
         }
 
         private class TestPlayerLoaderContainer : Container
diff --git a/osu.Game.Tests/Visual/Ranking/TestSceneStarRatingDisplay.cs b/osu.Game.Tests/Visual/Ranking/TestSceneStarRatingDisplay.cs
index d12f32e470..d0067c3396 100644
--- a/osu.Game.Tests/Visual/Ranking/TestSceneStarRatingDisplay.cs
+++ b/osu.Game.Tests/Visual/Ranking/TestSceneStarRatingDisplay.cs
@@ -18,13 +18,13 @@ namespace osu.Game.Tests.Visual.Ranking
                 Origin = Anchor.Centre,
                 Children = new Drawable[]
                 {
-                    new StarRatingDisplay(new BeatmapInfo { StarDifficulty = 1.23 }),
-                    new StarRatingDisplay(new BeatmapInfo { StarDifficulty = 2.34 }),
-                    new StarRatingDisplay(new BeatmapInfo { StarDifficulty = 3.45 }),
-                    new StarRatingDisplay(new BeatmapInfo { StarDifficulty = 4.56 }),
-                    new StarRatingDisplay(new BeatmapInfo { StarDifficulty = 5.67 }),
-                    new StarRatingDisplay(new BeatmapInfo { StarDifficulty = 6.78 }),
-                    new StarRatingDisplay(new BeatmapInfo { StarDifficulty = 10.11 }),
+                    new StarRatingDisplay(new StarDifficulty(1.23, 0)),
+                    new StarRatingDisplay(new StarDifficulty(2.34, 0)),
+                    new StarRatingDisplay(new StarDifficulty(3.45, 0)),
+                    new StarRatingDisplay(new StarDifficulty(4.56, 0)),
+                    new StarRatingDisplay(new StarDifficulty(5.67, 0)),
+                    new StarRatingDisplay(new StarDifficulty(6.78, 0)),
+                    new StarRatingDisplay(new StarDifficulty(10.11, 0)),
                 }
             };
         }
diff --git a/osu.Game/Beatmaps/Formats/LegacyStoryboardDecoder.cs b/osu.Game/Beatmaps/Formats/LegacyStoryboardDecoder.cs
index 269449ef80..e2550d1ca4 100644
--- a/osu.Game/Beatmaps/Formats/LegacyStoryboardDecoder.cs
+++ b/osu.Game/Beatmaps/Formats/LegacyStoryboardDecoder.cs
@@ -48,6 +48,10 @@ namespace osu.Game.Beatmaps.Formats
 
             switch (section)
             {
+                case Section.General:
+                    handleGeneral(storyboard, line);
+                    return;
+
                 case Section.Events:
                     handleEvents(line);
                     return;
@@ -60,6 +64,18 @@ namespace osu.Game.Beatmaps.Formats
             base.ParseLine(storyboard, section, line);
         }
 
+        private void handleGeneral(Storyboard storyboard, string line)
+        {
+            var pair = SplitKeyVal(line);
+
+            switch (pair.Key)
+            {
+                case "UseSkinSprites":
+                    storyboard.UseSkinSprites = pair.Value == "1";
+                    break;
+            }
+        }
+
         private void handleEvents(string line)
         {
             var depth = 0;
diff --git a/osu.Game/Online/API/IAPIProvider.cs b/osu.Game/Online/API/IAPIProvider.cs
index d10cb4b6d2..cadc806f4f 100644
--- a/osu.Game/Online/API/IAPIProvider.cs
+++ b/osu.Game/Online/API/IAPIProvider.cs
@@ -11,11 +11,13 @@ namespace osu.Game.Online.API
     {
         /// <summary>
         /// The local user.
+        /// This is not thread-safe and should be scheduled locally if consumed from a drawable component.
         /// </summary>
         Bindable<User> LocalUser { get; }
 
         /// <summary>
         /// The current user's activity.
+        /// This is not thread-safe and should be scheduled locally if consumed from a drawable component.
         /// </summary>
         Bindable<UserActivity> Activity { get; }
 
@@ -40,6 +42,10 @@ namespace osu.Game.Online.API
         /// </summary>
         string Endpoint { get; }
 
+        /// <summary>
+        /// The current connection state of the API.
+        /// This is not thread-safe and should be scheduled locally if consumed from a drawable component.
+        /// </summary>
         IBindable<APIState> State { get; }
 
         /// <summary>
diff --git a/osu.Game/Overlays/Toolbar/ToolbarUserButton.cs b/osu.Game/Overlays/Toolbar/ToolbarUserButton.cs
index 9417224049..db4e491d9a 100644
--- a/osu.Game/Overlays/Toolbar/ToolbarUserButton.cs
+++ b/osu.Game/Overlays/Toolbar/ToolbarUserButton.cs
@@ -58,7 +58,7 @@ namespace osu.Game.Overlays.Toolbar
             StateContainer = login;
         }
 
-        private void onlineStateChanged(ValueChangedEvent<APIState> state)
+        private void onlineStateChanged(ValueChangedEvent<APIState> state) => Schedule(() =>
         {
             switch (state.NewValue)
             {
@@ -72,6 +72,6 @@ namespace osu.Game.Overlays.Toolbar
                     avatar.User = api.LocalUser.Value;
                     break;
             }
-        }
+        });
     }
 }
diff --git a/osu.Game/Screens/Play/EpilepsyWarning.cs b/osu.Game/Screens/Play/EpilepsyWarning.cs
index e3cf0cd227..dc42427fbf 100644
--- a/osu.Game/Screens/Play/EpilepsyWarning.cs
+++ b/osu.Game/Screens/Play/EpilepsyWarning.cs
@@ -2,8 +2,6 @@
 // See the LICENCE file in the repository root for full licence text.
 
 using osu.Framework.Allocation;
-using osu.Framework.Audio;
-using osu.Framework.Audio.Track;
 using osu.Framework.Bindables;
 using osu.Framework.Graphics;
 using osu.Framework.Graphics.Containers;
@@ -18,11 +16,7 @@ namespace osu.Game.Screens.Play
 {
     public class EpilepsyWarning : VisibilityContainer
     {
-        public const double FADE_DURATION = 500;
-
-        private readonly BindableDouble trackVolumeOnEpilepsyWarning = new BindableDouble(1f);
-
-        private Track track;
+        public const double FADE_DURATION = 250;
 
         public EpilepsyWarning()
         {
@@ -77,26 +71,15 @@ namespace osu.Game.Screens.Play
                     }
                 }
             };
-
-            track = beatmap.Value.Track;
-            track.AddAdjustment(AdjustableProperty.Volume, trackVolumeOnEpilepsyWarning);
         }
 
         protected override void PopIn()
         {
-            this.TransformBindableTo(trackVolumeOnEpilepsyWarning, 0.25, FADE_DURATION);
-
             DimmableBackground?.FadeColour(OsuColour.Gray(0.5f), FADE_DURATION, Easing.OutQuint);
 
             this.FadeIn(FADE_DURATION, Easing.OutQuint);
         }
 
         protected override void PopOut() => this.FadeOut(FADE_DURATION);
-
-        protected override void Dispose(bool isDisposing)
-        {
-            base.Dispose(isDisposing);
-            track?.RemoveAdjustment(AdjustableProperty.Volume, trackVolumeOnEpilepsyWarning);
-        }
     }
 }
diff --git a/osu.Game/Screens/Play/PlayerLoader.cs b/osu.Game/Screens/Play/PlayerLoader.cs
index fae0bfb295..42074ac241 100644
--- a/osu.Game/Screens/Play/PlayerLoader.cs
+++ b/osu.Game/Screens/Play/PlayerLoader.cs
@@ -55,6 +55,8 @@ namespace osu.Game.Screens.Play
 
         private bool backgroundBrightnessReduction;
 
+        private readonly BindableDouble volumeAdjustment = new BindableDouble(1);
+
         protected bool BackgroundBrightnessReduction
         {
             set
@@ -169,6 +171,7 @@ namespace osu.Game.Screens.Play
 
             if (epilepsyWarning != null)
                 epilepsyWarning.DimmableBackground = Background;
+            Beatmap.Value.Track.AddAdjustment(AdjustableProperty.Volume, volumeAdjustment);
 
             content.ScaleTo(0.7f);
             Background?.FadeColour(Color4.White, 800, Easing.OutQuint);
@@ -197,6 +200,11 @@ namespace osu.Game.Screens.Play
             cancelLoad();
 
             BackgroundBrightnessReduction = false;
+
+            // we're moving to player, so a period of silence is upcoming.
+            // stop the track before removing adjustment to avoid a volume spike.
+            Beatmap.Value.Track.Stop();
+            Beatmap.Value.Track.RemoveAdjustment(AdjustableProperty.Volume, volumeAdjustment);
         }
 
         public override bool OnExiting(IScreen next)
@@ -208,6 +216,7 @@ namespace osu.Game.Screens.Play
 
             Background.EnableUserDim.Value = false;
             BackgroundBrightnessReduction = false;
+            Beatmap.Value.Track.RemoveAdjustment(AdjustableProperty.Volume, volumeAdjustment);
 
             return base.OnExiting(next);
         }
@@ -331,18 +340,16 @@ namespace osu.Game.Screens.Play
                     {
                         const double epilepsy_display_length = 3000;
 
-                        pushSequence.Schedule(() =>
-                        {
-                            epilepsyWarning.State.Value = Visibility.Visible;
-
-                            this.Delay(epilepsy_display_length).Schedule(() =>
+                        pushSequence
+                            .Schedule(() => epilepsyWarning.State.Value = Visibility.Visible)
+                            .TransformBindableTo(volumeAdjustment, 0.25, EpilepsyWarning.FADE_DURATION, Easing.OutQuint)
+                            .Delay(epilepsy_display_length)
+                            .Schedule(() =>
                             {
                                 epilepsyWarning.Hide();
                                 epilepsyWarning.Expire();
-                            });
-                        });
-
-                        pushSequence.Delay(epilepsy_display_length);
+                            })
+                            .Delay(EpilepsyWarning.FADE_DURATION);
                     }
 
                     pushSequence.Schedule(() =>
diff --git a/osu.Game/Screens/Ranking/Expanded/ExpandedPanelMiddleContent.cs b/osu.Game/Screens/Ranking/Expanded/ExpandedPanelMiddleContent.cs
index 5aac449adb..30747438c3 100644
--- a/osu.Game/Screens/Ranking/Expanded/ExpandedPanelMiddleContent.cs
+++ b/osu.Game/Screens/Ranking/Expanded/ExpandedPanelMiddleContent.cs
@@ -7,6 +7,7 @@ using osu.Framework.Allocation;
 using osu.Framework.Graphics;
 using osu.Framework.Graphics.Containers;
 using osu.Framework.Localisation;
+using osu.Game.Beatmaps;
 using osu.Game.Graphics;
 using osu.Game.Graphics.Containers;
 using osu.Game.Graphics.Sprites;
@@ -51,7 +52,7 @@ namespace osu.Game.Screens.Ranking.Expanded
         }
 
         [BackgroundDependencyLoader]
-        private void load()
+        private void load(BeatmapDifficultyManager beatmapDifficultyManager)
         {
             var beatmap = score.Beatmap;
             var metadata = beatmap.BeatmapSet?.Metadata ?? beatmap.Metadata;
@@ -138,7 +139,7 @@ namespace osu.Game.Screens.Ranking.Expanded
                                     Spacing = new Vector2(5, 0),
                                     Children = new Drawable[]
                                     {
-                                        new StarRatingDisplay(beatmap)
+                                        new StarRatingDisplay(beatmapDifficultyManager.GetDifficulty(beatmap, score.Ruleset, score.Mods))
                                         {
                                             Anchor = Anchor.CentreLeft,
                                             Origin = Anchor.CentreLeft
diff --git a/osu.Game/Screens/Ranking/Expanded/StarRatingDisplay.cs b/osu.Game/Screens/Ranking/Expanded/StarRatingDisplay.cs
index 4b38b298f1..ffb12d474b 100644
--- a/osu.Game/Screens/Ranking/Expanded/StarRatingDisplay.cs
+++ b/osu.Game/Screens/Ranking/Expanded/StarRatingDisplay.cs
@@ -22,29 +22,30 @@ namespace osu.Game.Screens.Ranking.Expanded
     /// </summary>
     public class StarRatingDisplay : CompositeDrawable
     {
-        private readonly BeatmapInfo beatmap;
+        private readonly StarDifficulty difficulty;
 
         /// <summary>
-        /// Creates a new <see cref="StarRatingDisplay"/>.
+        /// Creates a new <see cref="StarRatingDisplay"/> using an already computed <see cref="StarDifficulty"/>.
         /// </summary>
-        /// <param name="beatmap">The <see cref="BeatmapInfo"/> to display the star difficulty of.</param>
-        public StarRatingDisplay(BeatmapInfo beatmap)
+        /// <param name="starDifficulty">The already computed <see cref="StarDifficulty"/> to display the star difficulty of.</param>
+        public StarRatingDisplay(StarDifficulty starDifficulty)
         {
-            this.beatmap = beatmap;
-            AutoSizeAxes = Axes.Both;
+            difficulty = starDifficulty;
         }
 
         [BackgroundDependencyLoader]
-        private void load(OsuColour colours)
+        private void load(OsuColour colours, BeatmapDifficultyManager difficultyManager)
         {
-            var starRatingParts = beatmap.StarDifficulty.ToString("0.00", CultureInfo.InvariantCulture).Split('.');
+            AutoSizeAxes = Axes.Both;
+
+            var starRatingParts = difficulty.Stars.ToString("0.00", CultureInfo.InvariantCulture).Split('.');
             string wholePart = starRatingParts[0];
             string fractionPart = starRatingParts[1];
             string separator = CultureInfo.CurrentCulture.NumberFormat.NumberDecimalSeparator;
 
-            ColourInfo backgroundColour = beatmap.DifficultyRating == DifficultyRating.ExpertPlus
+            ColourInfo backgroundColour = difficulty.DifficultyRating == DifficultyRating.ExpertPlus
                 ? ColourInfo.GradientVertical(Color4Extensions.FromHex("#C1C1C1"), Color4Extensions.FromHex("#595959"))
-                : (ColourInfo)colours.ForDifficultyRating(beatmap.DifficultyRating);
+                : (ColourInfo)colours.ForDifficultyRating(difficulty.DifficultyRating);
 
             InternalChildren = new Drawable[]
             {
diff --git a/osu.Game/Screens/Select/BeatmapInfoWedge.cs b/osu.Game/Screens/Select/BeatmapInfoWedge.cs
index 2a3eb8c67a..bdfcc2fd96 100644
--- a/osu.Game/Screens/Select/BeatmapInfoWedge.cs
+++ b/osu.Game/Screens/Select/BeatmapInfoWedge.cs
@@ -39,6 +39,11 @@ namespace osu.Game.Screens.Select
 
         private readonly IBindable<RulesetInfo> ruleset = new Bindable<RulesetInfo>();
 
+        [Resolved]
+        private BeatmapDifficultyManager difficultyManager { get; set; }
+
+        private IBindable<StarDifficulty> beatmapDifficulty;
+
         protected BufferedWedgeInfo Info;
 
         public BeatmapInfoWedge()
@@ -88,6 +93,11 @@ namespace osu.Game.Screens.Select
                 if (beatmap == value) return;
 
                 beatmap = value;
+
+                beatmapDifficulty?.UnbindAll();
+                beatmapDifficulty = difficultyManager.GetBindableDifficulty(beatmap.BeatmapInfo);
+                beatmapDifficulty.BindValueChanged(_ => updateDisplay());
+
                 updateDisplay();
             }
         }
@@ -113,7 +123,7 @@ namespace osu.Game.Screens.Select
                 return;
             }
 
-            LoadComponentAsync(loadingInfo = new BufferedWedgeInfo(beatmap, ruleset.Value)
+            LoadComponentAsync(loadingInfo = new BufferedWedgeInfo(beatmap, ruleset.Value, beatmapDifficulty.Value)
             {
                 Shear = -Shear,
                 Depth = Info?.Depth + 1 ?? 0
@@ -141,12 +151,14 @@ namespace osu.Game.Screens.Select
 
             private readonly WorkingBeatmap beatmap;
             private readonly RulesetInfo ruleset;
+            private readonly StarDifficulty starDifficulty;
 
-            public BufferedWedgeInfo(WorkingBeatmap beatmap, RulesetInfo userRuleset)
+            public BufferedWedgeInfo(WorkingBeatmap beatmap, RulesetInfo userRuleset, StarDifficulty difficulty)
                 : base(pixelSnapping: true)
             {
                 this.beatmap = beatmap;
                 ruleset = userRuleset ?? beatmap.BeatmapInfo.Ruleset;
+                starDifficulty = difficulty;
             }
 
             [BackgroundDependencyLoader]
@@ -190,7 +202,7 @@ namespace osu.Game.Screens.Select
                             },
                         },
                     },
-                    new DifficultyColourBar(beatmapInfo)
+                    new DifficultyColourBar(starDifficulty)
                     {
                         RelativeSizeAxes = Axes.Y,
                         Width = 20,
@@ -226,7 +238,7 @@ namespace osu.Game.Screens.Select
                         Shear = wedged_container_shear,
                         Children = new[]
                         {
-                            createStarRatingDisplay(beatmapInfo).With(display =>
+                            createStarRatingDisplay(starDifficulty).With(display =>
                             {
                                 display.Anchor = Anchor.TopRight;
                                 display.Origin = Anchor.TopRight;
@@ -293,8 +305,8 @@ namespace osu.Game.Screens.Select
                     StatusPill.Hide();
             }
 
-            private static Drawable createStarRatingDisplay(BeatmapInfo beatmapInfo) => beatmapInfo.StarDifficulty > 0
-                ? new StarRatingDisplay(beatmapInfo)
+            private static Drawable createStarRatingDisplay(StarDifficulty difficulty) => difficulty.Stars > 0
+                ? new StarRatingDisplay(difficulty)
                 {
                     Margin = new MarginPadding { Bottom = 5 }
                 }
@@ -447,11 +459,11 @@ namespace osu.Game.Screens.Select
 
             private class DifficultyColourBar : Container
             {
-                private readonly BeatmapInfo beatmap;
+                private readonly StarDifficulty difficulty;
 
-                public DifficultyColourBar(BeatmapInfo beatmap)
+                public DifficultyColourBar(StarDifficulty difficulty)
                 {
-                    this.beatmap = beatmap;
+                    this.difficulty = difficulty;
                 }
 
                 [BackgroundDependencyLoader]
@@ -459,7 +471,7 @@ namespace osu.Game.Screens.Select
                 {
                     const float full_opacity_ratio = 0.7f;
 
-                    var difficultyColour = colours.ForDifficultyRating(beatmap.DifficultyRating);
+                    var difficultyColour = colours.ForDifficultyRating(difficulty.DifficultyRating);
 
                     Children = new Drawable[]
                     {
diff --git a/osu.Game/Screens/Select/Carousel/DrawableCarouselBeatmapSet.cs b/osu.Game/Screens/Select/Carousel/DrawableCarouselBeatmapSet.cs
index 703b91c517..93f95e76cc 100644
--- a/osu.Game/Screens/Select/Carousel/DrawableCarouselBeatmapSet.cs
+++ b/osu.Game/Screens/Select/Carousel/DrawableCarouselBeatmapSet.cs
@@ -140,7 +140,7 @@ namespace osu.Game.Screens.Select.Carousel
                 LoadComponentAsync(beatmapContainer, loaded =>
                 {
                     // make sure the pooled target hasn't changed.
-                    if (carouselBeatmapSet != Item)
+                    if (beatmapContainer != loaded)
                         return;
 
                     Content.Child = loaded;
diff --git a/osu.Game/Storyboards/Drawables/DrawableStoryboard.cs b/osu.Game/Storyboards/Drawables/DrawableStoryboard.cs
index ec461fa095..4bc28e6cef 100644
--- a/osu.Game/Storyboards/Drawables/DrawableStoryboard.cs
+++ b/osu.Game/Storyboards/Drawables/DrawableStoryboard.cs
@@ -15,6 +15,7 @@ namespace osu.Game.Storyboards.Drawables
 {
     public class DrawableStoryboard : Container<DrawableStoryboardLayer>
     {
+        [Cached]
         public Storyboard Storyboard { get; }
 
         protected override Container<DrawableStoryboardLayer> Content { get; }
diff --git a/osu.Game/Storyboards/Drawables/DrawableStoryboardAnimation.cs b/osu.Game/Storyboards/Drawables/DrawableStoryboardAnimation.cs
index 72e52f6106..97de239e4a 100644
--- a/osu.Game/Storyboards/Drawables/DrawableStoryboardAnimation.cs
+++ b/osu.Game/Storyboards/Drawables/DrawableStoryboardAnimation.cs
@@ -2,18 +2,16 @@
 // See the LICENCE file in the repository root for full licence text.
 
 using System;
-using osuTK;
 using osu.Framework.Allocation;
-using osu.Framework.Bindables;
 using osu.Framework.Graphics;
 using osu.Framework.Graphics.Animations;
 using osu.Framework.Graphics.Textures;
 using osu.Framework.Utils;
-using osu.Game.Beatmaps;
+using osuTK;
 
 namespace osu.Game.Storyboards.Drawables
 {
-    public class DrawableStoryboardAnimation : TextureAnimation, IFlippable, IVectorScalable
+    public class DrawableStoryboardAnimation : DrawableAnimation, IFlippable, IVectorScalable
     {
         public StoryboardAnimation Animation { get; }
 
@@ -115,18 +113,13 @@ namespace osu.Game.Storyboards.Drawables
         }
 
         [BackgroundDependencyLoader]
-        private void load(IBindable<WorkingBeatmap> beatmap, TextureStore textureStore)
+        private void load(TextureStore textureStore, Storyboard storyboard)
         {
-            for (var frame = 0; frame < Animation.FrameCount; frame++)
+            for (int frame = 0; frame < Animation.FrameCount; frame++)
             {
-                var framePath = Animation.Path.Replace(".", frame + ".");
+                string framePath = Animation.Path.Replace(".", frame + ".");
 
-                var path = beatmap.Value.BeatmapSetInfo.Files.Find(f => f.Filename.Equals(framePath, StringComparison.OrdinalIgnoreCase))?.FileInfo.StoragePath;
-                if (path == null)
-                    continue;
-
-                var texture = textureStore.Get(path);
-                AddFrame(texture, Animation.FrameDelay);
+                AddFrame(storyboard.CreateSpriteFromResourcePath(framePath, textureStore), Animation.FrameDelay);
             }
 
             Animation.ApplyTransforms(this);
diff --git a/osu.Game/Storyboards/Drawables/DrawableStoryboardSprite.cs b/osu.Game/Storyboards/Drawables/DrawableStoryboardSprite.cs
index d8d3248659..7b1a6d54da 100644
--- a/osu.Game/Storyboards/Drawables/DrawableStoryboardSprite.cs
+++ b/osu.Game/Storyboards/Drawables/DrawableStoryboardSprite.cs
@@ -2,18 +2,16 @@
 // See the LICENCE file in the repository root for full licence text.
 
 using System;
-using osuTK;
 using osu.Framework.Allocation;
-using osu.Framework.Bindables;
 using osu.Framework.Graphics;
-using osu.Framework.Graphics.Sprites;
+using osu.Framework.Graphics.Containers;
 using osu.Framework.Graphics.Textures;
 using osu.Framework.Utils;
-using osu.Game.Beatmaps;
+using osuTK;
 
 namespace osu.Game.Storyboards.Drawables
 {
-    public class DrawableStoryboardSprite : Sprite, IFlippable, IVectorScalable
+    public class DrawableStoryboardSprite : CompositeDrawable, IFlippable, IVectorScalable
     {
         public StoryboardSprite Sprite { get; }
 
@@ -111,16 +109,18 @@ namespace osu.Game.Storyboards.Drawables
 
             LifetimeStart = sprite.StartTime;
             LifetimeEnd = sprite.EndTime;
+
+            AutoSizeAxes = Axes.Both;
         }
 
         [BackgroundDependencyLoader]
-        private void load(IBindable<WorkingBeatmap> beatmap, TextureStore textureStore)
+        private void load(TextureStore textureStore, Storyboard storyboard)
         {
-            var path = beatmap.Value.BeatmapSetInfo?.Files?.Find(f => f.Filename.Equals(Sprite.Path, StringComparison.OrdinalIgnoreCase))?.FileInfo.StoragePath;
-            if (path == null)
-                return;
+            var drawable = storyboard.CreateSpriteFromResourcePath(Sprite.Path, textureStore);
+
+            if (drawable != null)
+                InternalChild = drawable;
 
-            Texture = textureStore.Get(path);
             Sprite.ApplyTransforms(this);
         }
     }
diff --git a/osu.Game/Storyboards/Storyboard.cs b/osu.Game/Storyboards/Storyboard.cs
index b0fb583d62..e0d18eab00 100644
--- a/osu.Game/Storyboards/Storyboard.cs
+++ b/osu.Game/Storyboards/Storyboard.cs
@@ -1,9 +1,14 @@
 // Copyright (c) ppy Pty Ltd <contact@ppy.sh>. Licensed under the MIT Licence.
 // See the LICENCE file in the repository root for full licence text.
 
+using System;
 using System.Collections.Generic;
 using System.Linq;
+using osu.Framework.Graphics;
+using osu.Framework.Graphics.Sprites;
+using osu.Framework.Graphics.Textures;
 using osu.Game.Beatmaps;
+using osu.Game.Skinning;
 using osu.Game.Storyboards.Drawables;
 
 namespace osu.Game.Storyboards
@@ -15,6 +20,11 @@ namespace osu.Game.Storyboards
 
         public BeatmapInfo BeatmapInfo = new BeatmapInfo();
 
+        /// <summary>
+        /// Whether the storyboard can fall back to skin sprites in case no matching storyboard sprites are found.
+        /// </summary>
+        public bool UseSkinSprites { get; set; }
+
         public bool HasDrawable => Layers.Any(l => l.Elements.Any(e => e.IsDrawable));
 
         public double FirstEventTime => Layers.Min(l => l.Elements.FirstOrDefault()?.StartTime ?? 0);
@@ -64,5 +74,19 @@ namespace osu.Game.Storyboards
             drawable.Width = drawable.Height * (BeatmapInfo.WidescreenStoryboard ? 16 / 9f : 4 / 3f);
             return drawable;
         }
+
+        public Drawable CreateSpriteFromResourcePath(string path, TextureStore textureStore)
+        {
+            Drawable drawable = null;
+            var storyboardPath = BeatmapInfo.BeatmapSet?.Files?.Find(f => f.Filename.Equals(path, StringComparison.OrdinalIgnoreCase))?.FileInfo.StoragePath;
+
+            if (storyboardPath != null)
+                drawable = new Sprite { Texture = textureStore.Get(storyboardPath) };
+            // if the texture isn't available locally in the beatmap, some storyboards choose to source from the underlying skin lookup hierarchy.
+            else if (UseSkinSprites)
+                drawable = new SkinnableSprite(path);
+
+            return drawable;
+        }
     }
 }