New to MP .. Strategies question(s)

[DougW]

I've been playing FOF, since - well v1. Never really given any play to MP - but now I'm in.

I know the two types of games are much different - and I think I "have alot of growing up to do" .. as in my solo games, I flew through seasons - often letting scouts/coaches recommend my gameplan; as I was able to grab good enough talent to not worry about such things.

I've read here quite a bit over the years, and remember bits and pieces - so I was going to give myself a refresher over the intricacies of the game that I haven't really needed to enjoy in solo play.

That said, is THIS (http://www.operationsports.com/fofc/showthread.php?p=1288830#post1288830) the best place to get started ? As i said, I've read most of it over the years, but a refresher is needed. Also, most of it seems geared toward 2004 ... is most information still applicable ?

If not found there (or in addition to), is there another post/thread that has assembled all of the (newer) fine research & testing work done by the "brains" of this community - or is using the search feature my best approach ?

Thanks for reading - and all of you for your contributions. I've previously wondered "Why do these guys give up their secrets ?" - the answer is it clearly benefits everyone. Sure, people could keep things to themselves (and I'm sure no one offers up ALL their "secrets") - but in sharing, the community and competition is bettered .. and the game more enjoyable to all.

Again, thanks.

[jkat]

Besides that thread the Coaches Corner Archive might have some of what your looking for. I think it's mainly links to various threads but there should be a variety of information in those threads.

Feel free to ask questions on the particular aspects you're concerned with or anything that you can't find the answers to. While people may not tell many specifics about what they do in multiplayer, as far as gameplans etc, you'll probably get answers to anything more general.

[DougW]

Aargh.

Well, I thought I had re-read enough - and went to test my new knowledge. I just finished up with about 80 years of testing (10 year chunks), and I seem to have no more of a grasp than I did when I started.

Defensive gameplanning will be hard I think, as I'd like to change my D up a little depending on opponent .. but that takes away the ability to fast sim to the end of the season for long term results of gameplanning changes. So .. I focused on offense.

While I could see differences in extremes - or obvious changes .. that's all I was able to see. Just the differences (pass more, run more, etc.) As far as success, my plans didn't seem to play much of a role. [edit : it did appear to me that extreme gameplans were no good] At this point, I am beginning to feel that I'm just as well to let recommend do my plan. I am going to do more studying - well reading - here .. and then give it some more application - I know my testing sample size is a little light ... and I'm really hoping I'm wrong.

But, it brings me to a question ...

Has anyone found this to definately not be true ? That a good gameplan CAN make a big improvement on your team vs. letting Rec. do it ? Possibly even be able to consistently produce winning seasons with average to below average talent (even vs. the AI) when using Rec yields poor results ?

Answered question myself with some reading.

[gstelmack]

In 2k4 in my office league, myself and one of the other GMs felt we had a great handle on gameplanning, and could definitely see the in-game effects and the advantage it gave us over the other 3 GMs.

In 2k7, I mostly let the game do it for me. Too many things to adjust, and I can't always see the impact in-game. The AI does a pretty good job, and I've found it very difficult to top. Others have spent more time and seem to squeeze more out of it, but I'm not one of them.

[Hammer]

If you have average or below average talent, playing to your strengths and opponents weaknesses will certainly help. As in real life, a team with a strong roster AND a good gameplan, will probably win it all.

In single player its also possible to consistently outperform recommend, especially if your talent lies in particular areas, and your team arn't all rounders. Further to that, perhaps its best to build a team with a gameplan in mind. You will be lucky to have players fall on your lap that all point towards the same strategy. As you have already found out, you certainly need some degree of balance in your attack.

[DougW]

Just an update (as if anyone cares lol).

This MP has me gameplanning, and I think I've learned quite a bit over the past couple weeks offensively - scoring .. 10, 16, 17, 20, 23, 31 & 31 in my 7 games. So, I've improved every week (exception standing pat this week at 31). I'll take it .. no doubt.

Defensively. I haven't ANY idea - and as a result (I think this is to blame) I am 1-6. I have the Panthers with '07 rosters, so the D should be "decent".

I'll keep tinkering, a little testing - hoping I can catch on to this defense planning, or I may be looking for a D coordinator ! lol.

edit : and oh. Any suggestions for testing defense ? Offense is easy, as you can plug in a plan & run 10 seasons in just a few minutes and research results. Defense - well, seems a little harder because I feel like you need to change up a little depending on opponents tendencies.

[Icy]

Just an update (as if anyone cares lol).

This MP has me gameplanning, and I think I've learned quite a bit over the past couple weeks offensively - scoring .. 10, 16, 17, 20, 23, 31 & 31 in my 7 games. So, I've improved every week (exception standing pat this week at 31). I'll take it .. no doubt.

Defensively. I haven't ANY idea - and as a result (I think this is to blame) I am 1-6. I have the Panthers with '07 rosters, so the D should be "decent".

I'll keep tinkering, a little testing - hoping I can catch on to this defense planning, or I may be looking for a D coordinator ! lol.

edit : and oh. Any suggestions for testing defense ? Offense is easy, as you can plug in a plan & run 10 seasons in just a few minutes and research results. Defense - well, seems a little harder because I feel like you need to change up a little depending on opponents tendencies.


Defensive gameplanning keeps being a mystery to most of us. On offense i can have my team doing more or less what i want, on defense i have no clue.