FOF 2004 - "lock" button useless

[Sun Tzu]

I have a running back that I would like to by my starter, so I place him in the starting position and check the "lock" box next to him so the CPU wont automatically "readjust" the depth chart and make him the backup. I want to keep the CPU readjusting on, but have him be the starter. The help file is telling me that that is what the lock box is for. Is it broken? It seems like the CPU puts him back into the backup position no matter how many boxes I check.

[FargoFreez aka fof playa]

Are you having scouts reset your depth chart prior to each game??

[GoSeahawks]

Yes it is broken. I've tried locking QB's as starters, but it never works. I eventually gave up on it.

[Sun Tzu]

Originally Posted by FargoFreez aka fof playa

Are you having scouts reset your depth chart prior to each game??

Yes I have the "scouts adjust depth chart prior to each game" set to yes so I don't have to go and adjust to minor injuries 16 times a year.

Here is what the help file says for FOF 2004.

Use the lock buttons to lock a player in place when selecting the Scout Recommendations button.

It seems to me that this option just plain doesn't work.

[FargoFreez aka fof playa]

I'm testing them right now and see no signs of them being broken. You've got me confused.

[FargoFreez aka fof playa]

Well then, that's why. You don't seem to have a grasp on what the lock boxes are really for.

[Sun Tzu]

Ok go into your game. Select a backup or 3rd string QB as your starting QB, and check the lock box next to him. Make sure in options that the "scouts adjust depth chart prior to each game" option is set to yes. Simulate one game, and check the stats. You'll see tha the QB that you set to starting didn't play a down of football, and the default "Scouts adjustment" QB was the one that got the start. Then go into your depth chart. The lock box is still checked, but the QB you put as the starter is back to his original spot as backup or 3rd string.

[FargoFreez aka fof playa]

The lock boxes only use is so you can hit the scout recommend button while keeping players locked into certain roles. Take "scouts adjust depth chart prior to each game" off and the feature will work as advertised.

[yabanci]

Originally Posted by Sun Tzu

Here is what the help file says for FOF 2004.

Use the lock buttons to lock a player in place when selecting the Scout Recommendations button.

The lock buttons don't apply when you have global options set to scouts adjust depth chart. When the help file talks about locking a player in place when selecting scout recommendations button, it's referring to the scout recommentations button on the depth chart screen, not the global options. So the locking mechanism is working the way it's supposed to, just not the way you were expecting it to.

[GoSeahawks]

Originally Posted by FargoFreez aka fof playa

Are you having scouts reset your depth chart prior to each game??

I thought that was the reason for having the lock button?? So you have the ability to override your scouts opinion.

Edit: Okay, I understand now

[Sun Tzu]

I understand. That's actualy a bit of a bummer...you would think otherwise. Anywhoot.

Thanks for explaining in such a timely manner.

[cthomer5000]

I'm fine with the way they work now (as I manually set my depth charts anyway), but I see no reason not to expand them for use when the scouts set the depth chart.

Also, i would like to have the ability to "unlock all" with one click.

[Maple Leafs]

On this subject, has anyone else had this issue when using the lock box: "locked" players still appearing elsewhere in the depth chart for that position? For example, place your second string QB in the #1 spot and lock him. Hit the Scout Recommendation button. The second string QB stays in the #1 spot, but also appears in the #2 spot.

Not hard to adjust, but just seems odd.

[Castlerock]

This feature was (possibly) the number one reason I bought FOF2k4. I expected that it would work exactly as Sun Tzu expected. I was disapointed to find that it works as
yabanci described. As a result, I don't use the feature.

[QuikSand]

Originally Posted by cthomer5000

I'm fine with the way they work now (as I manually set my depth charts anyway), but I see no reason not to expand them for use when the scouts set the depth chart.

Also, i would like to have the ability to "unlock all" with one click.

I agree with both comments... I wish it worked this way, also.

[Hurst2112]

I find that the lock button works exactly the way i wanted it to.

I think the biggest issue would be from people who don't want to adjust their depth charts prior to each game.

I have always done this. It is a good way to keep my players familiar to me. I don't mind trying to make a injury-riddled team play each week. I don't mind having to look at my depth chart 16 times each year.

Another thing the lock button is good for is keeping players that are pissed off, happy. It's nice to be able to lock in a rookie who is "angry" for 3 or 4 games just so he doesn't whine in the future (or hold out?).

It seems to be one of those features that work for half of us, and comes up short for the other half.

More detailed global settings would be a nice addition in future releases.

Rock on

[corbes]

Originally Posted by Hurst2112

I find that the lock button works exactly the way i wanted it to.

I think the biggest issue would be from people who don't want to adjust their depth charts prior to each game.

I have always done this. It is a good way to keep my players familiar to me. I don't mind trying to make a injury-riddled team play each week. I don't mind having to look at my depth chart 16 times each year.

I was going to say, "Set the chart yourself! Don't be a sissy!"

This was more eloquent.

[Hurst2112]

Originally Posted by corbes

I was going to say, "Set the chart yourself! Don't be a sissy!"

This was more eloquent.

Hehe, I pride myself on a low flame count.

[amdaily]

Add me to the list as well. This was one of the primary reasons I spent money to upgrade. Prior to actually playing the game, one would assume it was designed to work for when you have the "let scouts set depth chart" option on.

Jim has previously said this could be included in a patch, but would invalidate saved games. Is it worth the sacrifice? As far as I'm concerned, absolutley.

[FargoFreez aka fof playa]

Originally Posted by Hurst2112

I find that the lock button works exactly the way i wanted it to.

I think the biggest issue would be from people who don't want to adjust their depth charts prior to each game.

I have always done this. It is a good way to keep my players familiar to me. I don't mind trying to make a injury-riddled team play each week. I don't mind having to look at my depth chart 16 times each year.

Another thing the lock button is good for is keeping players that are pissed off, happy. It's nice to be able to lock in a rookie who is "angry" for 3 or 4 games just so he doesn't whine in the future (or hold out?).

It seems to be one of those features that work for half of us, and comes up short for the other half.

More detailed global settings would be a nice addition in future releases.

Rock on

Yes.