Zone vs Directional

[RC3]

TL DR - directional used to be the most realistic for me but way too many good pitches with good timing ahead in counts are duds, thinking of switching to zone and not moving stick (waiting on middle pitches and letting ratings take over on other swings/pitch location).

I've played the Show long before it was even the Show so I'm a very experienced player... when I first started out I played with zone and default guess pitch and dominated at the plate and the game got pretty boring as it was too easy.

That is when I discovered this site and begin to play with guess pitch off and moved to directional hitting and started using the slider sets. Last year this game was the best most realistic ever in all aspects this way.

This year it seems to be way different for me. I have been using directional but I get a ridiculous amount of good timing swings ahead in the count on balls around the middle of the plate that are just plain duds. I've got well over 60 games played and lead in HRs but last in BA and doubles.

I feel like switching over to zone because I'm losing my love for the game because of this. It's beyond frustrating to work counts and get good timing on a perfect hitters pitch game in and game out.

Any advice? I think I'm starting over and going back to zone without moving the stick and seeing if that helps.

[Syce]

Re: Zone vs Directional

you can turn off the pci with zone so it will still feel like directional.

[RC3]

Re: Zone vs Directional

you can turn off the pci with zone so it will still feel like directional.

Yeah when I play with zone I always turn that part off. Thabks for the feedback though, im frustrated as all hell right now so any advice is giid advice.

Switching back I'm wondering too how and which sliders if need to adjust. I've seen many people lower hitting stats when using zone vs Directional but I've also seen others go the opposite way.

[TheWarmWind]

Re: Zone vs Directional

Lol Center swinging on zone used to be my JAM! I actually got frustrated with that and made the switch to Directional.

You might want to try messing with sliders before committing to a switch if you want to stick with the directional style. Human solid contact slider is your friend. I've got mine set at 7. Keep in mind this isn't cheating, balancing all the different interfaces in one engine is crazy, that's why the sliders exist.

It's funny though, last year I felt like you do now, and had to pump the slider all the way to 10. This year I actually feel like it's much better (hence 7).

[ps3veron]

Re: Zone vs Directional

Zone!

PCI On, classic.

And while you're at it pick the Nationals (this is coming from a Mets fan).

You're welcome

[RC3]

Re: Zone vs Directional

Lol Center swinging on zone used to be my JAM! I actually got frustrated with that and made the switch to Directional.

You might want to try messing with sliders before committing to a switch if you want to stick with the directional style. Human solid contact slider is your friend. I've got mine set at 7. Keep in mind this isn't cheating, balancing all the different interfaces in one engine is crazy, that's why the sliders exist.

It's funny though, last year I felt like you do now, and had to pump the slider all the way to 10. This year I actually feel like it's much better (hence 7).

Yeah I didn't really think to do that as it does feel like cheating to me, but maybe it's a route I would go. I don't mind zone hitting at all but just seemed to be pretty easy in the past. Summers almost here, I'll have time to do both! Thanks

[RC3]

Re: Zone vs Directional

Zone!

PCI On, classic.

And while you're at it pick the Nationals (this is coming from a Mets fan).

You're welcome

I know I wouldn't like the pci on but I'll give zone a go...
I play with the Angels and they kind of suck, maybe that's the whole problem. Lol

[wcu25rs]

Re: Zone vs Directional

I made the switch to zone last week, and I doubt I'll ever go back. Like OP, I was getting frustrated squaring up 3-1 down the middle fastballs and getting lazy pop ups or weak grounders all the time. I switched to zone, but leave the PCI in the middle and wait for a pitch in that zone. You gotta have decent plate discipline but if you do, you can crush pitching.

[Dolenz]

Re: Zone vs Directional

TL DR - directional used to be the most realistic for me but way too many good pitches with good timing ahead in counts are duds, thinking of switching to zone and not moving stick (waiting on middle pitches and letting ratings take over on other swings/pitch location).

Honestly I play the way you are describing. Zone but I don't move the stick and wait for mistakes (I really only play CPU games).


I also feel like the pitcher could throw the same exact pitch on a 0-0 count and on a 3-2 count and I time things exactly the same and I will pop up the 0-0 pitch and smash the 3-2.


At times it definitely feels like there is some coding that penalizes you for swinging early in the count.

[RC3]

Re: Zone vs Directional

I made the switch to zone last week, and I doubt I'll ever go back. Like OP, I was getting frustrated squaring up 3-1 down the middle fastballs and getting lazy pop ups or weak grounders all the time. I switched to zone, but leave the PCI in the middle and wait for a pitch in that zone. You gotta have decent plate discipline but if you do, you can crush pitching.

This is my new plan i think.
Do you use any slider set? What difficulty level? What do your stats look like through how many games? HRs, Doubles, Average, etc. Thanks

[RC3]

Re: Zone vs Directional

At times it definitely feels like there is some coding that penalizes you for swinging early in the count.

I also only play computer games...

Would be interesting to see if there is any confirmation on this theory. I have often thought the same thing, although some of my best no doubters have been first pitch jacks!.. but usually a pop up or weak hit with the very occasional HR.

[killaxxbearsxxx]

Re: Zone vs Directional

Right now I'm switching from using zone with buttons to zone w/ analog flick. With analog flick I'm thinking I'll be able to cover the corners a lot better. My thinking is that if I can square pitches up on the corner, the game will reward the pitcher for making a good pitch and me for squaring a good pitch producing more hard hit balls at people or in gaps, vs my only squaring up bad pitches and hitting way more home runs than extra base hits.

I know you guys are leaving the PCI in the middle, I'm just detailing my current adjustments just in case someone needs it.

Also I definitely feel the punishment for swinging early in counts and I really love it. That plus playing on higher difficulties where they aren't in the zone as much makes for a very enjoyable game for me

[TheWarmWind]

Re: Zone vs Directional

I REALLY think you should try sliders before switching to center swinging on zone. I know you think it's cheating but think about it: they have only a month or two to do bug testing and balancing on multiple interfaces. Giving the users sliders can lead to cheating, but in reality it's to help balance the game.

Here's what I suggest: Go into batting practice with a batter and a pitcher you are familiar with. Keep hopping in and out using the same two and adjusting the sliders until the results feel good to you (ie what you would expect in that matchup). This is a good place to start. Make sure to adjust your sliders in the mode you are using (sliders can be mode dependent) to match the sliders you made from batting pratice, then make small adjustments to any issues you see with a wider data pool.

I know it takes more initial effort, but trust me when I say that the results will be worth it.

[ROTTEN]

Re: Zone vs Directional

If you dont like directional try pure analog. The pci actually moves when using pure analog and its far less random. Dont center swing when using zone just practice and react to each pitch. It takes a while, but once you get used to it ............. ownage.

[wcu25rs]

Re: Zone vs Directional

This is my new plan i think.
Do you use any slider set? What difficulty level? What do your stats look like through how many games? HRs, Doubles, Average, etc. Thanks

im not playing right now, so I'll have to go off memory. I hit on Veteran. I was using Armor and Swords slider set but that was when I was using directional and wasnt getting any pop on the ball. So right now, all human sliders are default. I think Ive got pitch speed at 5 and offspeed at 8. CPU pitcher consistency and control are at 4. Fielder reaction and fielder speed is at 3 IIRC. Keep in mind I play RTTS 85% of the time, and Franchise 15% of the time(I believe in Franchise I use a slightly tweaked version of Armor and Swords though on Veteran hitting...plays well). Anyways, I was in my first full MLB season and was hitting around 220ish on Veteran directional and got sent down. Started using Zone in Triple A and after 30ish games, I think my average is 350 or 360, and hitting for decent power too(nothing outlandish....about on par for what my power attributes are at...thinking maybe 10 HR's right now). Ive thought about tweaking sliders to make it a bit more challenging, but I'll wait til I get called up again as there is a distinct difference in MLB pitching and Triple A pitching.