Breaking this Game Down on AllStar ,group effort

[DrUrsus]

Re: Breaking this Game Down on AllStar ,group effort

I know you werent asking me but him and I have had quite a bit of conversation about the sliders so we are on the same page for the most part. Im also using the pitching sliders for the CPU that you mentioned and they are working perfectly, Manny is tied for the league lead in walks with 19 through 28 games and pitch counts are spot on in terms of strike/ball ratio.

In terms of RP Stamina, I found it was a mixture of what you mentioned. The bigger culprit of the two for me was the CPU wanting to use the same reliever over and over again with no real effect on stamina from game to game, not to mention having setup guys throw 2 innings and then be back at full strength the next day and pitching again. Here is what Im running with currently, for comparison purposes only...

GLOBAL
Fielder Run Speed (0)

USER
RP Stamina (0)

CPU
Contact (3)
Power (6)
Timing (4)
Solid Hits (4)
RP Stamina (0)
Pitcher Consistency (3)
Strike Frequency (0)
Pickoffs (2)

Anything not listed is default (5). I honestly havent played with the changes to the CPU's hitting as of yet as it was just mentioned to me by pbz tonight and I will be testing this out, although I was already using the CPU's contact at 3 previously. Here are where I stand currently on the key stats...

Batting Average (.280, 4th)
Runs (133, T-8th)
Hits (272, 16th)
Doubles (33, 29th)
Triples (8, 1st)
Homeruns (23, T-23rd)
RBI (124, 14th)
Steals (19, 9th)
Walks (92, T-16th)
Strikeouts (177, 5th)
Slugging % (0.401, 17th)
OBP (0.346, 4th)
Total Bases (390, 22nd)

ERA (4.13, 19th)
Hits Allowed (305, 30th) *Dreadful, this is why Im lowering CPU's hitting sliders*
Runs Allowed (124, 20th)
HR Allowed (22, T-5th)
Walks Allowed (36, 1st)
Strikeouts (197, 14th)

As you can see the CPU gets a ton of hits off of me, Ive now played 29 games and a simple division of the numbers shows that I give up roughly 10.52 hits per game, thats insane. Here are the stats broken down further, the CPU is hitting 305/1030 on the season for a average of 0.296, if I reverse that and had a team hitting 0.296 they would be ranked 1st in batting average which means Im basically the worst pitching team in terms of batting average against. The scary thing is my stats could be worse since there are at minimum 4-5 times per game where the CPU kills a pitch but hits it right at someone, so Im not dominating anyone right now. Over the course of the last 10 games Ive given up 53 runs and my teams ERA has been 5.24 in that time span and this was against SF (2), SD (4), Arizona (2) and Washington (2) so I wasnt facing any extremely tough offensive teams either.

Apologies for being so long winded but I felt like stats would show where certain things are done well and where certain things really need to be saved by slider adjustments. Its weird that I started the season on completely default sliders at All-Star and was pitching so well that I thought I was pitching way better then I should but now for the better part of the last 20 games Ive been getting my *** handed to me on a damn near routine basis.

Like I said, I know you werent asking me but hopefully some of this post has answered some questions and shown you what type of stats Im getting using the sliders I was using, minus timing, power and solid hits for the CPU as I had those at default for all the results you see above.

Chef, thanks for the info. And I do appreciate the stats, and added informaton.
I was wondering if that is what it was with the relief because in my short time playing seriously now in a "franchise" (I know I will start over, lol), I have seen some of those things. I hope 0 alleviates it?
Your approach to hitting (taking strikes, working counts) sounds very similar to mine. What was frustrating me at default is that I would always get something good to hit at some point or strike out, so I wasn't walking at all. Psychobulks pitch sliders had the pitches so close to the strike zone that I had a hard time laying off if the count was 3-2 especially, so therefore, less walks. I have only been getting 1 walk a game with default AS. I used to have a pretty good eye in this game, but I am out of practice. I should get up to speed after a few more games, I hope.

I think that MLB 07 was the best out of all of them for walks (with slider tweaks). What do you think?

[pbz06]

Re: Breaking this Game Down on AllStar ,group effort

Got a question for you pbz, you said your using Psycho's sliders for the CPU's hitting but failed to mention where you have the CPU's Fouls slider at? He has it at 7 and I figure that if your lowering their timing window that you may need to up the fouls slider otherwise you may not only get too many strikeouts but your pitch counts will be all messed up since the at-bats wont be as long and drawn out as normal thus driving up the pitch counts.

Lastly, do you honestly think that the timing window helps control the CPU's offense? In my mind I keep thinking that the solid hits slider accompanied with the contact slider will effect their offense more then the timing slider would but I figured you had more hands on experience with this and would be able to give more specific feedback in this regard.

Oops I wasn't clear enough. Yea, I have the Contact/Power/Timing/Fouls/solid hits all at Psycho's sliders for CPU....User sliders are also used with what Psycho has them. So yea, Fouls is at 7.

I'm still playing with CPU Strike Frequency at 0 (I can't justify raising it at all...it plays best for me like this). I'm actually also playing right now with CPU Consistency at 2 (-3). So far I haven't seen any wild pitches from the CPU or any hit batters...so I'm checking it out and so far I like the results still. I lowered it one more click because when I play against a Peavy or Halladay, it's just too hard. I also love being able to work lower tier pitchers a bit more. They're not in the 55%-65% strike range, while the elite pitchers still in the 65%-72% strike range. I got 3 walks last game, while also striking out twice on Ball 4, which is a habit for me.

I think the timing plays a big role actually...I only felt dominated in one game with his sliders, that was the 9-6 loss to Toronto. By lowering the CPU contact and Timing, and also raising the User Control and Consistency, it sort of balances it a bit more.

Going back and forth I sometimes might not be clear and hard to follow (I even forget what I mentioned or not), so here's a recap (mostly Psycho and/or Blzer, with some of my own tweaks). Bolded numbers are key changes for me:

All-Star

Global
Pitch Speed 5
Fielding Errors 6
Throwing Errors 4
Fielder Run Speed 0
Fielder Reaction 3
Fielder Arm Strength 3
Baserunner Speed 5
Baserunner Steal Ability 5
Baserunner Steal Frequency 6
Wind 5
Injury Frequency 0 (I don't like injuries, they seem to happen to star players too often). This is obviously optional.

User
Contact 4
Power 6
Timing 5
Fouls 7
Solid Hits 5
Starter Stamina 5
Reliever Stamina 0
Pitcher Control 6
Pitcher Consistency 6

CPU
Contact 3
Power 6
Timing 4
Fouls 7
Solid Hits 4
Starter Stamina 5
Reliever Stamina 0
Pitcher Control 5
Pitcher Consistency 2
Strike Frequency 0
Manager Hook 6
Pickoffs 2

Right now I'm also playing with Classic pitching, and I'm digging it...it helps eliminate user error on the accuracy meter, and resorts to pitcher attributes and ratings. I think the Confidence/accuracy plays too big a role this year and helps with the CPU being able to bash you around, especially with their sliders at default settings.

I also use L-stick (as you know, the chef). I also turn off all the jazz like strike zone, guess pitching, ball cursor, fielding meter etc.

I have now played 7 games with the above sliders, and have had fantastic results. I haven't felt as cheated like before. Play around with the CPU sliders that I have above and let me know what you guys think.

[The Chef]

Re: Breaking this Game Down on AllStar ,group effort

Wow, those sliders are nearly identical to Psycho's sliders. Im not at the point yet where I want to start messing with my own hitting sliders as Im not dominating technically since my team is ranked 4th in hitting ratings wise and Im 4th in batting average, 8th in runs scored and 16th in hits so my ratings say I should have a good squad anyways and I fall in line with that. My pitching is ranked 16th per the ratings, and while Im close considering Im 19th in ERA, its too over the top as my team is benefitting from my early success so if it wasnt for that I would be much lower then I am.

Im going to run with the sliders I posted above, which is basically changing the CPU's hitting sliders to what Psycho has and see what happens. I will say that Im really dumbfounded how for the first 6-8 games I was pitching well, almost too well for that fact, and then all of a sudden it was like a switch was turned on and the CPU's offense has been killing me ever since, minus the occasional solid outing from either Kershaw or Schmidt.

EDIT- I might just lower their contact another notch first actually since it says that the contact slider controls the batting averages so maybe lowering this further is the ticket. I feel stupid after talking about changing to what Psycho has, and I still may, but Im getting strikeouts at a reasonable rate, as evidenced by being 14th in strikeouts, so if I can get the batting averages down it would solve all of my problems at once. I will let you know how it plays with just lowering this one slider instead of the major changes I was going to be making initially.

[pbz06]

Re: Breaking this Game Down on AllStar ,group effort

Wow, those sliders are nearly identical to Psycho's sliders. Im not at the point yet where I want to start messing with my own hitting sliders as Im not dominating technically since my team is ranked 4th in hitting ratings wise and Im 4th in batting average, 8th in runs scored and 16th in hits so my ratings say I should have a good squad anyways and I fall in line with that. My pitching is ranked 16th per the ratings, and while Im close considering Im 19th in ERA, its too over the top as my team is benefitting from my early success so if it wasnt for that I would be much lower then I am.

Im going to run with the sliders I posted above, which is basically changing the CPU's hitting sliders to what Psycho has and see what happens. I will say that Im really dumbfounded how for the first 6-8 games I was pitching well, almost too well for that fact, and then all of a sudden it was like a switch was turned on and the CPU's offense has been killing me ever since, minus the occasional solid outing from either Kershaw or Schmidt.

EDIT- I might just lower their contact another notch first actually since it says that the contact slider controls the batting averages so maybe lowering this further is the ticket. I feel stupid after talking about changing to what Psycho has, and I still may, but Im getting strikeouts at a reasonable rate, as evidenced by being 14th in strikeouts, so if I can get the batting averages down it would solve all of my problems at once. I will let you know how it plays with just lowering this one slider instead of the major changes I was going to be making initially.

Yea, it basically is psycho's sliders for the most part...except for my pitching changes, and a couple of them were from blzer (depending on what i agree or not).

You can probably keep what you have already (like CPU Strike 0, CPU Consitency 3 etc.), but change:

CPU
Contact 3
Power 6
Timing 4
Fouls 7
Solid Hits 4

see how that works out for you.

[The Chef]

Re: Breaking this Game Down on AllStar ,group effort

Yea, it basically is psycho's sliders for the most part...except for my pitching changes, and a couple of them were from blzer (depending on what i agree or not).

You can probably keep what you have already (like CPU Strike 0, CPU Consitency 3 etc.), but change:

CPU
Contact 3
Power 6
Timing 4
Fouls 7
Solid Hits 4

see how that works out for you.

I dont know man, these sliders are messing with my mind at this point. Here is how I see things...

Contact = Effects batting averages and strikeouts to a degree.

Power = Makes those weaker hit ground balls scoot through the infield quicker and makes things like hits down the line go further and faster.

Timing = Effects strikeout totals and pitch counts.

Solid Hits = Effects the batters ability to get solid wood on a pitch so depending on whether or not you raise it you will get either more weaker hit balls in play or harder hit balls in play as the sweet spot of the bat either grows or shrinks depending on this slider.

Now, if my main problem is the CPU's batting averages and their ability to basically hammer the ball around the yard why wouldnt I just lower the one slider that specifically says it effects batting averages? Im somewhat thinking out loud but also describing where my confusion comes from. Second to change would be the solid hits slider since they arent dinking and dunking me with hits, they are hitting screamers constantly, but at no point would logic tell me to change the timing slider and thats why Im so confused right now. Im not discounting how its playing for you, Im just openly wondering why if I want to get one reaction am I not changing only the slider that would seem to give me that one reaction without hurting anything else.

EDIT- By the time I fire this game up tomorrow I wont know what the hell Im doing. Im either going to just lower contact one step further or Im going to be running with the sliders you mentioned above. I love sports games to death but I hate tweaking sliders so damn much.

[Howie75]

Re: Breaking this Game Down on AllStar ,group effort

I notice a lot of slider sets have fouls set to 7.

Does this increase the computer fouling off pitches they might miss otherwise and reduce your strikeouts?

[pbz06]

Re: Breaking this Game Down on AllStar ,group effort

I dont know man, these sliders are messing with my mind at this point. Here is how I see things...

Contact = Effects batting averages and strikeouts to a degree.

Power = Makes those weaker hit ground balls scoot through the infield quicker and makes things like hits down the line go further and faster.

Timing = Effects strikeout totals and pitch counts.

Solid Hits = Effects the batters ability to get solid wood on a pitch so depending on whether or not you raise it you will get either more weaker hit balls in play or harder hit balls in play as the sweet spot of the bat either grows or shrinks depending on this slider.

Now, if my main problem is the CPU's batting averages and their ability to basically hammer the ball around the yard why wouldnt I just lower the one slider that specifically says it effects batting averages? Im somewhat thinking out loud but also describing where my confusion comes from. Second to change would be the solid hits slider since they arent dinking and dunking me with hits, they are hitting screamers constantly, but at no point would logic tell me to change the timing slider and thats why Im so confused right now. Im not discounting how its playing for you, Im just openly wondering why if I want to get one reaction am I not changing only the slider that would seem to give me that one reaction without hurting anything else.

EDIT- By the time I fire this game up tomorrow I wont know what the hell Im doing. Im either going to just lower contact one step further or Im going to be running with the sliders you mentioned above. I love sports games to death but I hate tweaking sliders so damn much.

The developers have constantly said that a lot of the sliders are tied together....just try it out, lower the CPU ones to what I just mentioned in my last post and play with them. Check it out.

[The Chef]

Re: Breaking this Game Down on AllStar ,group effort

The developers have constantly said that a lot of the sliders are tied together....just try it out, lower the CPU ones to what I just mentioned in my last post and play with them. Check it out.

Will do, I hate to change too much but at this point Im willing to try most anything. How are your strikeout totals for your pitchers? Are you getting into too many battles at the plate? Back when I had the CPU's contact at default I remember getting into constant battles with the pitcher at the plate which drove me nuts so hopefully that doesnt happen with the fouls slider so high. Thanks for the tips and feedback.

[pbz06]

Re: Breaking this Game Down on AllStar ,group effort

Will do, I hate to change too much but at this point Im willing to try most anything. How are your strikeout totals for your pitchers? Are you getting into too many battles at the plate? Back when I had the CPU's contact at default I remember getting into constant battles with the pitcher at the plate which drove me nuts so hopefully that doesnt happen with the fouls slider so high. Thanks for the tips and feedback.

I get strikeouts. I think around the 5-6 range or so....I've had more when I'm on. Lowering the Contact seems to help too. Raising the Fouls seems to help too because it allows for early strike fouls.

[The Chef]

Re: Breaking this Game Down on AllStar ,group effort

I get strikeouts. I think around the 5-6 range or so....I've had more when I'm on. Lowering the Contact seems to help too. Raising the Fouls seems to help too because it allows for early strike fouls.

Sounds good, Im about to get a game going finally and I will let you know how it plays out. Im just going to be using your CPU hitting sliders but keep everything else Ive been using the same and we will see what happens.

[RAZRr1275]

Re: Breaking this Game Down on AllStar ,group effort

What are you guys using for pitch control, strike frequency, consistency, and aggressiveness? I can get a pitcher to go 3-1 or 3-0 occaisionally with what I'm currently using but they always fight back to 3-2 and never walk me.

[The Chef]

Re: Breaking this Game Down on AllStar ,group effort

What are you guys using for pitch control, strike frequency, consistency, and aggressiveness? I can get a pitcher to go 3-1 or 3-0 occaisionally with what I'm currently using but they always fight back to 3-2 and never walk me.

Im using..

Pitch Control (5)
Strike Frequency (0)
Pitcher Consistency (3)

Not sure what aggressiveness is so unless Im forgetting something I dont believe there is an aggressiveness slider. My settings above are the same ones pbz is using since he was the one who turned me on to them in the first place. In my most recent game I walked only once but the game before that I walked 5 times so they are out there if your patient using my sliders listed above.

[RAZRr1275]

Re: Breaking this Game Down on AllStar ,group effort

Im using..

Pitch Control (5)
Strike Frequency (0)
Pitcher Consistency (3)

Not sure what aggressiveness is so unless Im forgetting something I dont believe there is an aggressiveness slider. My settings above are the same ones pbz is using since he was the one who turned me on to them in the first place. In my most recent game I walked only once but the game before that I walked 5 times so they are out there if your patient using my sliders listed above.

Oh yeah I forgot that they got rid of aggresiveness from lasst year

I'll try those out.

[The Chef]

Re: Breaking this Game Down on AllStar ,group effort

Ok pbz06 I just finished my first game using those hitting sliders and I liked what I saw, granted its only one game but I liked them anyways. I won the game 5-3 over the Giants, here are a few stats...

Giants- 11/35, 0.314 Average. 1 Strikeout and 1 Walk issued. Their batting average was high still but I was pitching more to contact then usual since it was the Giants and they dont have squat for power in that offense, so I was trying to force them to beat me with small ball and they werent really able to do that.

Dodgers- 10/34, 0.294. I was really doing well off of Randy Johnson but when he was pulled after only going 4 innings and giving up 3 ER on 9 hits their bullpen of Lowry/Affeldt held me to 1 hit for the rest of the game as I didnt score at all (2 runs on Johnson were unearned).

I struck them out 8 times and walked them twice, everything felt so much better as the CPU wasnt just drilling the ball all over the yard while I was forced to just cross my fingers on every pitch. I also raised the manager hook slider to what you have and that played much better as normally they would leave guys in there for far too long at times so it was nice to see them pull Johnson early as it became obvious he didnt have his best stuff.

I will continue to report back as I play more games but so far so good. For the record, there are the exact sliders Im using, everything not listed is default...

GLOBAL
Fielder Speed (0)

USER
RP Stamina (0)

CPU
Contact (3)
Power (6)
Timing (4)
Fouls (7)
Solid Hits (4)
RP Stamina (0)
Pitcher Consistency (3)
Strike Frequency (0)
Manager Hook (6)
Pickoffs (2)

[The Chef]

Re: Breaking this Game Down on AllStar ,group effort

Oh yeah I forgot that they got rid of aggresiveness from lass year,

I'll try those out.

Just be forwarned that you may see more beaned batters then usual as thats what Ive been seeing but this is tied into the consistency slider. If you raise this back to default then you have to lower control but that will lead to more fat pitches to hit and not more walks anyways. Its a tough thing to deal with at times, and outside of global pitching edits to hopefully turn down the CPU's problem with hitting the batter.