Breaking this Game Down on AllStar ,group effort

[DrUrsus]

Re: Breaking this Game Down on AllStar ,group effort

No, still same sliders...

Well, unless you count the Wind slider, lol...I turned that down 2 nothes because I noticed the winds were always in the +12mph range

pbz, why did you go down to 2 on pitch consistency?

Thanks guys for this thread. This is saving me A LOT of time working on sliders this year. I agree with you The Chef, I HATE working on sliders, but its a necessary evil.

I cannot play my real franchise until I find some sliders, get Knights final rosters, and then I try to stick with those sliders the whole season. The tough thing for me is to find sliders where I win at a realistic clip and lose as well. I love playing Veteran for fun, but then I end up with 20-3 records and stuff like that. Stats don't work out, and I win too much. I could probably play veteran with the Nationals though, lol.
I was playing default AS, but I definitely will use your guys pitch control, the fielder adjustments, and will try out the CPU hitting.

[pbz06]

Re: Breaking this Game Down on AllStar ,group effort

pbz, why did you go down to 2 on pitch consistency?

Thanks guys for this thread. This is saving me A LOT of time working on sliders this year. I agree with you The Chef, I HATE working on sliders, but its a necessary evil.

I cannot play my real franchise until I find some sliders, get Knights final rosters, and then I try to stick with those sliders the whole season. The tough thing for me is to find sliders where I win at a realistic clip and lose as well. I love playing Veteran for fun, but then I end up with 20-3 records and stuff like that. Stats don't work out, and I win too much. I could probably play veteran with the Nationals though, lol.
I was playing default AS, but I definitely will use your guys pitch control, the fielder adjustments, and will try out the CPU hitting.

Honestly, I turned it down one more just to try it out. I don't see much difference really. I just played a game, I was Detroit (Verlander) going against KC (Davies).....it played awesome once again. Davies was in the 65% strike range, I had 3 walks, and knocked a couple of hits to get him out by the top of the 6th inning when I made it 3-0 but made him work his pitch count a bit.

Final score I won 3-1. KC had about 7 hits, I had 12 hits. No errors from either team, although KC bobbled two grounders but still got the outs.

I had a homerun with Magglio, a double from Guillen, and a triple from Cabrera on a perfectly placed looper in the gap.

KC had 2 doubles as their only XBH, and I got 2 double plays (I didn't hit into any).

Solid overall game.

[pbz06]

Re: Breaking this Game Down on AllStar ,group effort

Why is pickoff set to 2? Is it so the computer stops constantly throwing over, or is it because stealing is a problem otherwise? I wonder because I play with the Cubs and Red Sox, and I don't steal a lot, but when I have, it has worked out anyway.

Basically, yea. I can't even take a 1 step lead without getting a throw. It's annoying...sometimes it cheats too. It would throw automatically as soon as I push the L2 button to steal, even when I don't take any steps.

[pbz06]

Re: Breaking this Game Down on AllStar ,group effort

I just played a test game using Knight's latest roster release and the sliders you posted a few pages back, pbz06.

Some really interesting results. I went with the Braves vs. the Marlins, at Atlanta. #2 vs. #2 for both teams.

Their guy struggled through the whole 5 innings he was in the game, walking three and giving up six runs. Somewhat alarmingly, though, he plunked 4 batters (not kidding) and had two passed balls. I'm hoping that's just a severe aberration.

That aside, I loved how these played. Their starter actually threw below 50% strikes (48 to be exact), but the reliever was able to throw 63%, which just shows that average starters on a bad day can perform down to real-life standards for struggling pitchers.

I only struck out once--that's my all-time low by a wide margin. I was seeing the ball well that game as the starter had a very plain delivery, but I could tell that the fouls slider helped me stay alive a couple of times and gave a handful of extended at-bats. The cool thing, though, is that there were 2 or 3 times when I fouled a pitch off but got a weak pop to the C, 1B, or 3B, so upping that slider didn't translate into cheap hits.

I really like the balance between timing, power, and contact for both CPU and human. HanRam ripped a triple off of a ball I left in the happy zone, but I felt like it was more possible and realistic the way that the CPU wasn't always all over everything, and I also liked how when they hit the ball it could be weakly hit and wasn't always a scorcher.

I think fielder speed and reaction are perfect. Like I said, I gave up a triple, and I got a nice double with McCann that would have never split the CF & RF on default.

Nice work!

If the bean balls and passed balls do remain an issue, do you think consistency is the thing to adjust?

I think The Chef mentioned he has seen maybe 1 hit by pitch per game, along with a passed ball or two.

I haven't been seeing those at all lately, so I don't know what to say. I thought maybe at first it was because I wasn't paying attention, but I made sure to keep an eye out for it the last 3 games or so that I have played. I haven't been hit by the CPU once, and I've only gotten 1 passed ball.....so I don't know, and I'm actually playing with CPU Consistency at 2 right now.

Just keep playing and take note if it's too alarming. You might have to decide what you can live with more. Either better strike ratios and walks from the CPU, or maybe one too many hit batters or passed balls per game. Right now for me it's not an issue though, so we'll see.

But yea, that would be the CPU Consistency that you might need to raise.....but see if you can stick it out a bit more.

[pbz06]

Re: Breaking this Game Down on AllStar ,group effort

One more thing, are you guys seeing errors from the User? CPU?

I haven't had any errors (throwing nor fielding) in a while...and I don't remember the last time the CPU did either.

I'm wondering if we should bump those up a bit?

[DrUrsus]

Re: Breaking this Game Down on AllStar ,group effort

One more thing, are you guys seeing errors from the User? CPU?

I haven't had any errors (throwing nor fielding) in a while...and I don't remember the last time the CPU did either.

I'm wondering if we should bump those up a bit?

I am not really seeing alot of errors on either side compared to MLB 08 and MLB 07. They seem really toned down this year.
I have also booted some balls in the OF (twice) where they did not count it as an error (and it really should have been a can of corn).

I am going to try to get even more games in before I make a decision though.

[The Chef]

Re: Breaking this Game Down on AllStar ,group effort

Im seeing errors here and there for the CPU as they had 2 in the last game but Im not getting many errors on my side. The biggest problem is they dont register errors correctly on this game at all, Ive seen times where the catcher air mails the guy at second when Im trying to steal and it isnt counted as an error. Ive seen them boot a routine grounder and its not counted as an error. Basically in the end if they arent air mailing a throw to first then it doesnt seem to be counted as an error at all, hell, the other game Ethier botched a routine fly ball and it wasnt counted as an error and the hitter was given a triple, figure that one out?

[DrUrsus]

Re: Breaking this Game Down on AllStar ,group effort

Im seeing errors here and there for the CPU as they had 2 in the last game but Im not getting many errors on my side. The biggest problem is they dont register errors correctly on this game at all, Ive seen times where the catcher air mails the guy at second when Im trying to steal and it isnt counted as an error. Ive seen them boot a routine grounder and its not counted as an error. Basically in the end if they arent air mailing a throw to first then it doesnt seem to be counted as an error at all, hell, the other game Ethier botched a routine fly ball and it wasnt counted as an error and the hitter was given a triple, figure that one out?

Yes, I have booted two "can of corns" in the OF that were not counted as errors. I didn't know if these were isolated incidents or not. But, it sounds like this happens more than I would like.
The CPU definitely makes more errors than I do. It seems like a majority of the errors I see the CPU do are throwing errors. I should try maxing out errors for a while and see what that does. I hate doing this though. Man, sliders are a pain. I am glad you guys have done a lot of experimenting already .

[Howie75]

Re: Breaking this Game Down on AllStar ,group effort

After careful deliberation, I have realized that I don't need to tweak sliders at all.

The game is perfect as is on All Star....

I can't hit, and pretty much get shelled even while pitching with my ace, Roy Oswalt. My average game is 3-1, 5-2, 4-0 and with some real blowouts like 12-0 and 9-1 mixed in. Even the Nationals shelled me. I usually get about 3 hits a game (singles).

That's exactly like the real 2009 Astros!!!

[bcruise]

Re: Breaking this Game Down on AllStar ,group effort

Basically, yea. I can't even take a 1 step lead without getting a throw. It's annoying...sometimes it cheats too. It would throw automatically as soon as I push the L2 button to steal, even when I don't take any steps.

On this point, can I ask you something? Have you tried the RTTS baserunning practice mode? Basically, it shows how big your lead is when you take it - Average is the default (no steps), 1 step is considered "aggressive", and anything more is "dangerous". It's the same system in a regular game of course, and I've never seen the CPU take more than a 1 step (+default) lead. I honestly think that's why people complain of getting picked off so much - because more than one step is simply too much.

I know what you mean about the throwovers with the pickoffs on default too, but if you mix it up - sometimes take 1 step, sometimes take none, you'll draw less throws. At least I do...

[The Chef]

Re: Breaking this Game Down on AllStar ,group effort

On this point, can I ask you something? Have you tried the RTTS baserunning practice mode? Basically, it shows how big your lead is when you take it - Average is the default (no steps), 1 step is considered "aggressive", and anything more is "dangerous". It's the same system in a regular game of course, and I've never seen the CPU take more than a 1 step (+default) lead. I honestly think that's why people complain of getting picked off so much - because more than one step is simply too much.

I know what you mean about the throwovers with the pickoffs on default too, but if you mix it up - sometimes take 1 step, sometimes take none, you'll draw less throws. At least I do...

Is the default lead where your runner is normally at prior to moving their lead more? If so then Im only taking one more step from there and guys arent getting back at times and its far too often. Now Ive taken an extra step one time by accident and gotten picked off but otherwise its normally where they have me by default plus one more step. If I dont take that extra step then its nearly impossible to steal as I will get thrown out 99/100. I will see if I can go further towards the base to see if Im indeed at +1 from default or +2 but Im fairly certain that Im only 1 step past default normally.

[bcruise]

Re: Breaking this Game Down on AllStar ,group effort

Is the default lead where your runner is by default normally? If so then Im only taking one more step from there and guys arent getting back at times and its far too often. Now Ive taken an extra step one time by accident and gotten picked off but otherwise its normally where they have me by default plus one more step. If I dont take that extra step then its nearly impossible to steal as I will get thrown out 99/100. I will see if I can go further towards the base to see if Im indeed at +1 from default or +2 but Im fairly certain that Im only 1 step past default normally.

Yes, the auto-lead they take is considered average. 1 more than that is "aggressive". I agree that it's hard to steal from an average lead, but it's not impossible - even on a fastball. Try taking Jose Reyes into the RTTS baserunning practice. Even if you suck at it like I do, you should get at least a few good or great jumps, and those are usually enough for him to get in safely. And I should point out that every pitch thrown in that baserunning practice is a fastball. If nothing else this may give you a bigger appreciation of how important the jump a runner gets is.

Now, that doesn't transfer over to the normal game so easily, because you don't manually control the jump. It's entirely dependent on the player ratings, and more specifically baserunning ability (which I believe may be mis-named "Steal ability" in the in-game strategy guide). If a runner has all-world speed but 50-ish baserunning abilty, he's not going to be very successful. I don't know who you're trying to steal with so I can't really say much more than that. Of course the pitch you're trying to steal on matters too - try to pick times when the pitcher is less likely to throw a fastball and you'll be able to steal much easier.

All I'm trying to point out is that there is some truth to what the slider description for pickoffs says - "lowering this can allow the user to exploit the CPU unfairly". If you haven't already tried it, you might also try raising the global baserunner steal ability (again, same as baserunning ability) slider to allow players to get better jumps.

Just some thoughts. This thread is a great read, especially for me since I mostly play on All-star.

[The Chef]

Re: Breaking this Game Down on AllStar ,group effort

The players Im attempting steals with are Furcal, Pierre, Martin, Kemp and Figgins so Ive got the speed to do it the problem is if I didnt take a 2 step lead, or +1 from default, I was getting thrown out at second on off speed pitches with Furcal. The reason for lowering the pickoff for me atleast was they would throw over so frequently and since Im on auto baserunning the guy wouldnt get back and was getting picked off at a unrealistic rate.

Now a solution I might have come across is the steal early button. If Im not mistaken you can press up on the control pad I believe to send your runner early where as before I was just pressing L2 which is just telling the runner to steal but not necessarily when to steal, if that makes sense. Does this sound right? Is it actually up on the control pad to steal early, or to send your runner automatically at that point? I dont have my manual in front of me right now.

[Millennium]

Re: Breaking this Game Down on AllStar ,group effort

After careful deliberation, I have realized that I don't need to tweak sliders at all.

The game is perfect as is on All Star....

I can't hit, and pretty much get shelled even while pitching with my ace, Roy Oswalt. My average game is 3-1, 5-2, 4-0 and with some real blowouts like 12-0 and 9-1 mixed in. Even the Nationals shelled me. I usually get about 3 hits a game (singles).

That's exactly like the real 2009 Astros!!!

Agreed. My only issue is Usser Drawn Walks, which I have fixed for myself.

Love the game otherwise.

[The Chef]

Re: Breaking this Game Down on AllStar ,group effort

Ok, so after starting another game and attempting to use the steal early feature Ive come to the conclusion that either it doesnt work or it wont work when using auto for baserunning. Has anyone using auto for baserunning gotten this to work at all? Ive tried pressing right and triangle to steal second early, up and triangle and nothing happens but if I simply press L2 they steal but I cant send them early at all, which is the entire reason I had to turn pickoffs down otherwise I couldnt take a one step lead form default without getting picked off constantly. If anyone can shed some light on this it would be much appreciated.