The Holy Trinity of Hitting Options

[Willis135]

Re: The Holy Trinity of Hitting Options

I'm really not sure what to do this year. I really like the new analog, but I'm having some issues with it. Too many times, I try to check swing, and it goes for a bunt. It happens enough to me that it has cost me a couple games already (bunting accidentally with two strikes in a key situation).

I've always been a zone hitting kind of guy, so I'll probably go back to that for best results. Personally, I know I'd find timing hitting way too easy. Every game, I'd have at least 12+ hits.

I might be wrong, but I am pretty sure there is an option to use analog hitting and another option to use classic bunting. I think its a choice right after you select analog, zone or timing for batting. I think it allows you to use triangle for bunting

[merchant1874]

Re: The Holy Trinity of Hitting Options

Is analogue not a matter of timing aswell all be it a different mechanic. If you get the timing correct then surely the attributes kick in as there is also no pci on this mode?

I've probably only Played about 20 games but I'm averaging about 8 hits a game with analogue. Maybe my timing just sucks but as in real life I can be on form one game to totally losing it the next.

[DJ]

Re: The Holy Trinity of Hitting Options

Switched from Analog to Timing and in my first game, I blasted 5 HRs with Baltimore @ Camden Yards against the Cubs. This was on default All-Star. It was fun, no doubt (my first win this year, 9-7) but I'll have to keep my eye on the power numbers as time goes on.

I will be sticking with Timing going forward, though. I like Analog, but think it will be better served for me in RTTS, where I'm only having to worry about MY step and swing and not 12 or 13 guys on my team that I use in Franchise.

[jmik58]

Re: The Holy Trinity of Hitting Options

The original post- which isn't yours.

"Perhaps this is an option for RTTS players. If your player isn't that great yet, control his PCI and get better contact more often. But, I don't want results beyond sim in my franchise so this batting option is out."

If you get better contact more often, your inflating his abilities. My point was the variation to over or underachieve at this function is greater with zone but by no means is controlling the PCI a given for better contact.

I probably am just being anal on the wording he used. I just didn't think it was that accurate of a description.

The point with zone hitting is that a player who is good with the sticks can place the PCI on target more often than what is average for any particular batter based on their attributes.

Of course if someone sucks at zone hitting then they're hurting their chances.

I pointed out that zone hitting is good for anyone who is trying to achieve better than typical results. This goes for an up-and-coming RTTS player or a poor team (group of players) in franchise mode.

This is in direct opposition to timing, which you can only max out the abilities of the player in the game. With good timing you do what the batter is capable of.

Remember though, my original post was not a manifesto in support of any one method of hitting. This thread is for informational purposes to help gamers decide what option may be best for them.

I didn't say zone hitting "will" produce better results.

I said that it's a method where you can utilize your stick skills to override lackluster batter attributes. I assumed it was understood in that statement that it requires skill to achieve these results.

I mentioned from the opening lines that zone hitting is a challenging method. I don't feel there is much I can say to be more accurate. The reader has to be able to deduct from information given and supporting statements that follow.

If you suck at Analog hitting, then it probably won't be "fun", but do I have to put that in there for accuracy?

If your timing sucks then you're not going to be any good at "timing" hitting and your results won't be sim-like...but no one is asking for clarification on that.

I don't believe there was anything misleading in there, but if so, at least we've obtained clarification.

The bottom line of this thread, however; is that we have three options for hitting and I set out justification and purpose for all three of them.

[jmik58]

Re: The Holy Trinity of Hitting Options

Is analogue not a matter of timing aswell all be it a different mechanic. If you get the timing correct then surely the attributes kick in as there is also no pci on this mode?

I've probably only Played about 20 games but I'm averaging about 8 hits a game with analogue. Maybe my timing just sucks but as in real life I can be on form one game to totally losing it the next.

Every mode has a PCI, it's whether or not you have to control it.

Zone requires you to set the PCI with the left stick.

Timing sets the PCI automatically.

Analog requires you to swing towards the pitch location, so it is more than just timing.

All of this is laid out in the original post.

[rickymets1975]

Re: The Holy Trinity of Hitting Options

I see several threads floating around about all of the different options for hitting in MLB 11 The Show and it's starting to scramble my brain.

In the hopes of condensing and simplifying the three main options I've broken it down in my own view in the following way and hopefully this helps a lot of you decide what is best for you:

1. Analog hitting

Use the right stick to pull back to load the swing (do this just prior to the pitcher releasing the ball) and then move the right stick upwards and in the general direction of the horizontal location of the pitch location. Preload the type of swing you want by pushing "O" for contact, "X" for normal, or "[]" for power.

This requires a lot of movement and precision from your thumb in a short amount of time. It's difficult to move the stick up and towards the inside or outside corner.

This method of hitting places the batter's eye (PCI) on the ball based on your stick skills and on the attributes of the batter.

I would sum this option up as a "fun" way of playing baseball. It's something I will use in exhibition or online. I'll definitely use this in homerun derby.

2. Zone hitting

This requires you to move the left analog stick so that the batter's eye (PCI) is covering the location where the ball will cross the hitting zone. You also then must push a button "O" for contact, "X" for normal, "[]" for Power to execute the swing.

This is a challenging method of hitting in the game because of the number of actions required to hit the ball solidly. This factors in the attributes of the player, but this method can actually use your stick skills (placing the PCI) to improve/override the attributes of the batter.

For example, if you have a below-average hitter, his attributes may not allow him to make solid contact on a given pitch. However, if you are crafty enough with the left stick, you can place the PCI on the pitch location and improve the chance of solid contact.

This is something I would use if I'm playing with a team or players that aren't that great and I need results that are above what their attributes allow. For sim results, this isn't the way to go. Keep in mind this requires you to be very good at zone hitting. If you can't get the left stick in the right place, you're potentially hurting the batter as well. But the potential is there to inflate the results.

Perhaps this is an option for RTTS players. If your player isn't that great yet, control his PCI and get better contact more often. But, I don't want results beyond sim in my franchise so this batting option is out.

3. Timing hitting

The third and final option is the most simple of the three. Push "O", "X", or "[]" for the desired swing type. All you are required to do as a gamer is get the timing right. If the timing is right, then the batter's attributes kick in.

This is the best way to get sim results. The PCI is placed automatically based on your timing and the players skill. You can't move the batter's eye (PCI) artificially. This lets the players be who they are and you're only able to max their potential, not make them better than reality.

This method may not be as "fun" as analog, or as "challenging" as zone, but for effectiveness and sim-like results, this is the way to go.

Timing hitting is what I will use, and recommend, for my franchise for the sake of realism and consistency. I can't make the players any better than they really are, yet pushing a button at the right time is simple enough that I shouldn't screw up their production too
much either.

I agree Tuesday and Wednesday i went through the whole frustration thing because i though there was something wrong with pci until i saw that its placed based on player ratings and timing. Once i saw that posted i stuck with it and had a breakthough last night. I dont even check pitch feedback . I hope they keep the timing option every year as now it feels like a true sim every game is different sometimes i win big sometimes its close sometimes i lose big some times its close. Feels very realistic. Im wondering though as i play franchise and certain players excel and certain players faulter will their ratings change? Just
Wondering

[fishepa]

Re: The Holy Trinity of Hitting Options

I like the timing option best. I tried analog and ended up swinging at everything.

[nemesis04]

Re: The Holy Trinity of Hitting Options

Every mode has a PCI, it's whether or not you have to control it.

Timing sets the PCI automatically.

Technically the PCI should not even show up in the swing analysis on hitting modes where you can't physically alter its location. It needs to run behind the scenes for the hitting engine but not seen. The swing analysis for timing should just be giving you feedback on how well you timed your swing and possibly the quality of the contact. Also, the feedback it seems to be giving at the current moment is a little off at times.

[ImTellinTim]

Re: The Holy Trinity of Hitting Options

Technically the PCI should not even show up in the swing analysis on hitting modes where you can't physically alter its location. It needs to run behind the scenes for the hitting engine but not seen. The swing analysis for timing should just be giving you feedback on how well you timed your swing and possibly the quality of the contact. Also, the feedback it seems to be giving at the current moment is a little off at times.

At least give us the option to keep it on. Even though I don't have any control over it, I still like to see what's going on behind the scenes.

Now, if it's inaccurate, that's another story.

[NDAlum]

Re: The Holy Trinity of Hitting Options

I like to see it as well...wouldn't kill me if they took it out though.

I was in a Spring Training game and swung with perfect timing with a power swing with Pujols on a strike. He swung under the pitch and whiffed

I love the variability

[SHanna34]

Re: The Holy Trinity of Hitting Options

Im not sure if this is the correct spot to post this. Anyway this is my 5th year of the show and was having some problems with analog hitting, I am hitting on All-star also. I went to training and turned on PCI on and practiced. It helped(timing), but the thing I found most help-full was the fact that you dont have to pull all the way back(R stick) to load the batter's swing. At first I was pulling all the way back(like golf w/ analog), and it would almost cause a pause of sort human wise. When I don't pull the R stick all the way back, it tends to keep my thumb in more of a fluid/active motion causing faster reaction with less era to cover analog stick wise. It sound like a minor thing but it worked for me. I hope this helps someone.

[jmik58]

Re: The Holy Trinity of Hitting Options

I like to see it as well...wouldn't kill me if they took it out though.

I was in a Spring Training game and swung with perfect timing with a power swing with Pujols on a strike. He swung under the pitch and whiffed

I love the variability

I had the same thing happen with the same man. I think you hit it on the head with the bold word above. Just like real life, there is variability even in predictable moments.

[jmik58]

Hitting Styles - Three Options Explained

To add one thing to this... the simplest and most effective way to adjust the difficult of hitting is to raise or lower the pitch speed. This goes for all three of the hitting options.

[bkrich83]

Re: The Holy Trinity of Hitting Options

I like to see it as well...wouldn't kill me if they took it out though.

I was in a Spring Training game and swung with perfect timing with a power swing with Pujols on a strike. He swung under the pitch and whiffed

I love the variability

This!!

10 char..

[TyRanT-22]

Re: The Holy Trinity of Hitting Options

Timing sounds so boring IMO...