Pure Analog pitching, throwing strikes, and a possible "meter difficulty" option...

[Bobhead]

For example, I want to make Pure Analog pitching "harder" in terms of executing my pitches, but i don't want to get a buffed AI, more home runs, or any of the other shenanigans that come with increasing the difficulty level.... my BAA and other such stats are already spot on... I'd like to decrease my accuracy without affecting everything else (and I already have both pitching sliders at 0/0).

Before you say this is some sort of human input issue (I'm not trying to throw enough balls, I'm just lobbing pitches in, etc...) I've tried pitching on Hall of Fame, and the accuracy is perfect. Unfortunately, the CPU also scores like 100 runs an inning against me, and it's not very fun overall.

If I could get the accuracy of Hall of Fame, but the CPU AI of All-Star, I'd be set... hence my wish... it would be great if we could control this pitch meter accuracy/difficulty independent of the game's difficulty level (or if the sliders for pitching were more powerful)

...At the heart of this matter is that it's still far too easy to throw strikes with Pure Analog pitching, at least on All-Star difficulty.

Has anyone else gotten realistic ball/strike totals on All-Star, with Pure Analog pitching?

[ericwbolin]

Re: Pure Analog pitching, throwing strikes, and a possible "meter difficulty" option.

I'm at about 63-37, strikes-to-balls. I don't usually *try* to throw balls unless I'm trying to get them to chase.

But I was at about 80-20, or higher, until I tweaked the computer's hitting sliders (it was a while back, so I don't remember which one I did or how much I upped it) to where it made me try to paint the corners and throw balls out of the zone or else I'd get raked.

About 1/3 of the way through my season and, yes, I'm first-place in BBs allowed - as in I have the fewest, but somewhere around 7th for ERA and 10th hits allowed. It's about as close to realistic I can get it without getting the problem you do: the computer straight raking on me.

[saintjimbo1885]

Re: Pure Analog pitching, throwing strikes, and a possible "meter difficulty" option.

I would suggest switching the strike zone off, then making sure that you are pitching from a camera view where the imaginery strike zone is small (definitely not one of the views from behind the plate), so that you can't locate your pitches that easily.


Then I would reduce the size of the analog pitching meter, so that you can't execute your pitches perfectly.

[Heroesandvillains]

Re: Pure Analog pitching, throwing strikes, and a possible "meter difficulty" option.

I'm at about 63-37, strikes-to-balls. I don't usually *try* to throw balls unless I'm trying to get them to chase.

But I was at about 80-20, or higher, until I tweaked the computer's hitting sliders (it was a while back, so I don't remember which one I did or how much I upped it) to where it made me try to paint the corners and throw balls out of the zone or else I'd get raked.

About 1/3 of the way through my season and, yes, I'm first-place in BBs allowed - as in I have the fewest, but somewhere around 7th for ERA and 10th hits allowed. It's about as close to realistic I can get it without getting the problem you do: the computer straight raking on me.

Nice post.

The element of fear will have a direct impact on your accuracy, Bobhead. I know you don't really want to "buff up" the CPU hitters, but I personally walk a lot more players when I fear them.

If you think of an MLB level pitcher, and specifically look at 3-0 counts, it' so pretty clear that most guys can throw a strike when they need to. On 3-0, there's a good chance even the best hitter will take.

Strike percentages increase around 5% 3-0. Coincidence?

http://www.sportsonearth.com/article/60054582/why-its-good-to-swing-away-on-3-0-counts#!byYgtS

And also, look at the MLB walk leaders. They generally have excellent power. Power equals fear.

With all that in mind, I completely understand how you'd like it to occur organically. I haven't used Analog in a while, but since it's introduction, I'd agree that it at least was far too accurate for my tastes.

Ultimately I'd love to see SCEA change the plate width on the meter depending on the pitcher's BB/9 rating. Imagine how cool it would be if the zone was cavernous for Cliff Lee but the width of a razor blade with Carlos Marmol?!

If I were you I'd look into either boosting the CPU offense on As or knocking it back on HOF. If you're smart and fear the hitter, your command over the zone will naturally come down.

[Jgainsey]

Re: Pure Analog pitching, throwing strikes, and a possible "meter difficulty" option.

I've been going through the same thing ever since analog controls were introduced.

I've always felt like HOF difficulty was right in line with my skill level, more or less, going back to '08. Though I would inevitably wind up zeroing out my control/consistency sliders at some point.

Most of my stats would end up falling into an acceptable range of realism for me, but I have never been able to walk the CPU at a consistently realistic rate. My overall strike % has always been a tad high, but nothing crazy... High 60's to 70. I just chalked it up as a small quirk in the game's difficulty, at least as it relates to my overall skill level and approach.

This year's game started out about the same for me, but after 70 or so test franchise games, it became clear that I wasn't going to be able to settle in to my usual HOF sweet spot. I was dominating both pitching and hitting, and my stats were getting out of control in several important categories.

Honestly, I've grown tired of messing with sliders. Especially, when it comes to baseball and sample size issues. At a certain point, a video game is just a video game, and difficulty levels are there for a reason.

It may feel like an artificial boost at first, and I certainly had my *** handed to me for a good week or so when I made the jump to Legend. But for me, the improvement in competitive balance was apparent and refreshing. And after I started to get a handle on the learning curve for a new difficulty, The improvement in my gameplay experience felt much more organic than another round of slider changes.

HOF and Legend are probably not a 100% perfect fit for many, but if you have at least average stick skills and a smart baseball approach, chances are you're going to outgrow the AI at one difficulty level or another.

There are definitely some things that concern me about the AI and my current performance at Legend. But I'm naturally walking batters again in a way that I haven't in a while, and it feels good. User walks(for both pitching and hitting) really are a BIG part of the game, and I was surprised how many other things fell into place once that aspect of the game was corrected.

Anyways, sorry to ramble on... Just keep in mind that sometimes a whole sale difficulty change can be the answer when sliders come up short. I had the exact same issue, and for the time being, the move to Legend has really worked out.

[turty11]

Re: Pure Analog pitching, throwing strikes, and a possible "meter difficulty" option.

i put on quick counts and im walking anywhere from 1-4 guys a game.

prior to quick counts if i walked anyone it was a stroke of miracle.

have you tried quick counts?

also, try turning the pitching mete off...? (not sure if this is doable)