I like to play Zone/Button with PCI on. However, default Veteran is too easy, and I found default All-Star to be a bit too hard. And you know, sometimes, as much as I like the PCI, it can be a distraction. Sometimes it obstructs the view of the ball and, for me, it can be difficult to make fine adjustments with. So I tried something different, and have been very pleased with the results, now having played around 15 games with the settings.
Hitting Difficulty: Veteran
Hitting Interface: Zone
Input Type: Buttons
PCI: Off
Strike Zone: Off
Pitch Speed Slider: 100%
No, you can't see the PCI anymore. And that's ok, because with Veteran, the PCI is bigger, so it's more forgiving. But, the game becomes too easy now since pitch speeds at Veteran are pretty slow. So, max out the pitch speed slider.
I ran a test with a stopwatch while watching some real baseball on TV. On average, 90+mph pitches travel about .3 seconds. 80+mph pitches about .4, and 70+mph pitches about .5 seconds. Maxing the pitch speed slider brings the pitch speeds in MLB 15 very close to this. And the added challenge of the speed does make up for the larger (though invisible) PCI.
Also, for camera, I use an even more zoomed-in version of Catcher 3. I center the strike zone as much as possible to the middle of the TV screen. Then I zoom it in so that all you see of the plate is the top edge; just enough to let you know where it is. For most batters, all you will see is the parts of their bodies closest to the plate.
So, here's how I approach my at-bats for each new batter, since I no longer have a PCI, and I have no visible strike zone:
1. Pull R2 to see the strike zone, and find something in the middle as a reference point.
2. Take pitches until something comes down the middle. If one comes, swing with X only. No stick.
3. After strike 1, pull R2, note the boundary of the upper-half of the strike zone. If something tasty comes in that area, swing. If not, take.
4. After strike two, confirm strike zone with R2 again and, of course, swing at anything close.
I don't use hot/cold zones or guess-pitch, either, but that's just my personal preference. I like my batting to be simple and visibly unobtrusive, yet still challenging. And with this setup, I've found that for me.
So, if you're looking for something new, and you haven't tried something like this before, give it a whirl. Feedback is welcome.
Cheers.
Hitting Difficulty: Veteran
Hitting Interface: Zone
Input Type: Buttons
PCI: Off
Strike Zone: Off
Pitch Speed Slider: 100%
No, you can't see the PCI anymore. And that's ok, because with Veteran, the PCI is bigger, so it's more forgiving. But, the game becomes too easy now since pitch speeds at Veteran are pretty slow. So, max out the pitch speed slider.
I ran a test with a stopwatch while watching some real baseball on TV. On average, 90+mph pitches travel about .3 seconds. 80+mph pitches about .4, and 70+mph pitches about .5 seconds. Maxing the pitch speed slider brings the pitch speeds in MLB 15 very close to this. And the added challenge of the speed does make up for the larger (though invisible) PCI.
Also, for camera, I use an even more zoomed-in version of Catcher 3. I center the strike zone as much as possible to the middle of the TV screen. Then I zoom it in so that all you see of the plate is the top edge; just enough to let you know where it is. For most batters, all you will see is the parts of their bodies closest to the plate.
So, here's how I approach my at-bats for each new batter, since I no longer have a PCI, and I have no visible strike zone:
1. Pull R2 to see the strike zone, and find something in the middle as a reference point.
2. Take pitches until something comes down the middle. If one comes, swing with X only. No stick.
3. After strike 1, pull R2, note the boundary of the upper-half of the strike zone. If something tasty comes in that area, swing. If not, take.
4. After strike two, confirm strike zone with R2 again and, of course, swing at anything close.
I don't use hot/cold zones or guess-pitch, either, but that's just my personal preference. I like my batting to be simple and visibly unobtrusive, yet still challenging. And with this setup, I've found that for me.
So, if you're looking for something new, and you haven't tried something like this before, give it a whirl. Feedback is welcome.
Cheers.
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