Breaking this Game Down on AllStar ,group effort

[DJ]

Re: Breaking this Game Down on AllStar ,group effort

Chef, you're not alone; I'm horrible at SB's too. I think I may need to tweak the pickoff and/or baserunning slider because I'm about 20% in my attempts so far.

Good news is that I've been getting some really good game results lately. Today I played 2 games; lost 5-0 (Corpas gave up 4 runs in the 9th, scrub) and won 1-0 (Cook threw a gem and Huston Street picked up the save).

The big thing for me is now I'm learning to be more selective with my pitches. I was giving up too many hits before b/c every pitch was in the zone. Now, if I walk 2-4 batters, it's OK because I'm throwing the ball where I want to and if the CPU doesn't swing, it's OK, I'll get the next guy.

[DrUrsus]

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...

I've been playing with pickoffs on default, but notice people have it turned down. I usually only take a 1 step lead and have been able to steal. It does get annoying when the CPU throws over forever it seems.
Here's my concern however. If I turn pickoffs down 2 (or whatever pbz had it at) will it be too easy to steal bases?

[DrUrsus]

Re: Breaking this Game Down on AllStar ,group effort

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

Love the game otherwise.

How did you fix user drawn walks? Better eye or sliders? If sliders, what are you using?

I am still trying to figure out why Blzer and Psycho have their pitch sliders where they have them. I like pbz's better so far. What is their rationale for having consistency up?

[pbz06]

Re: Breaking this Game Down on AllStar ,group effort

I've been playing with pickoffs on default, but notice people have it turned down. I usually only take a 1 step lead and have been able to steal. It does get annoying when the CPU throws over forever it seems.
Here's my concern however. If I turn pickoffs down 2 (or whatever pbz had it at) will it be too easy to steal bases?

I don't steal many bases in general, but I want to take a +1 lead once in a while without getting a throw from the pitcher EVERY time. I do it more for scoring from 2nd than to actually steal.

[DrUrsus]

Re: Breaking this Game Down on AllStar ,group effort

I don't steal many bases in general, but I want to take a +1 lead once in a while without getting a throw from the pitcher EVERY time. I do it more for scoring from 2nd than to actually steal.

Thanks. Yes, I see what you mean. I play with the Cubs, so I don't steal too much either which makes it hard to evaluate steals until I play a lot of games. But, yes, I also always like to take a +1 lead, and not have the CPU throwing over continuously. Scoring from second on balls hit where you should be able to score is key too.

Pbz, I noticed you have Global Fielder Reaction set at 4, Psycho has his set at 10 (quite a difference) and Blzer has his set at 3.

What did you think was better about it (Fielder reaction) around 4 as opposed to it at 10? You mentioned once that fielders are making too many plays that should go as hits. Do you happen to know why Psycho felt compelled to have it all the way up to 10? (I also asked him in his thread, waiting for response) I hope I am not coming off as looking down on anyone's sliders, I am trying to interpret these sliders.

Also, I noticed both Psycho and Blzer had Global Fielder run speed at 1, but you have yours at 0. Just curious, what did you see about 0 that was better than 1?

Blzer has his errors set at 8 (fielding) and his throwing errors set at 6. Have you tried that and were you getting too many errors? You were mentioning possibly upping the errors. Still thinking about that?

Thanks for all of your insight, it is greatly appreciated.

What do you think about these The Chef?

Anyone else with some thoughts on these?

[pbz06]

Re: Breaking this Game Down on AllStar ,group effort

Thanks. Yes, I see what you mean. I play with the Cubs, so I don't steal too much either which makes it hard to evaluate steals until I play a lot of games. But, yes, I also always like to take a +1 lead, and not have the CPU throwing over continuously. Scoring from second on balls hit where you should be able to score is key too.

Pbz, I noticed you have Global Fielder Reaction set at 4, Psycho has his set at 10 (quite a difference) and Blzer has his set at 3.

What did you think was better about it (Fielder reaction) around 4 as opposed to it at 10?

Also, I noticed both Psycho and Blzer had Global Fielder run speed at 1, but you have yours at 0. Just curious, what did you see about 0 that was better than 1?

Blzer has his errors set at 8 (fielding) and his throwing errors set at 6. Have you tried that and were you getting too many errors? You were mentioning possibly upping the errors. Still thinking about that?

Thanks for all of your insight, it is greatly appreciated.

What do you think about these The Chef?

Anyone else with some thoughts on these?

I'm with Blzer on this particular one (I thought I had mine the same as his). In my experiences, the infielders are way too quick and gobble up EVERYTHING in the infield. I wasn't getting many hits/singles through the infield gaps, barely any at all. Same thing with shots down the 1st and 3rd base lines (unless they were total lasers). By reducing it a bit, I have beein seeing choppers and regular hits go through up the middle now, which I feel is more realistic. I also see the occasional ball go down the line. I also now don't feel that every infielder plays like omar vizquel and ozzie smith.

As for Fielder Speed. I just feel that the fielders run way too fast in general, so I don't see why not lower it all the way. It's kind of annoying how the CPU fielders still seem a lot faster than the User, so I'd take any slow down I can get from the CPU, so that's why I maxed it to 0. It's just too hard having bloopers or high gappers fall on default. Lowering it to 0 helps. I'm sure having it at 1 is still a lot better than default, and probably not much different than 0. It's just one of those "why not lower it all the way" sliders for me

Errors are hard to get right, especially on a game to game basis. It's something that I would have to play with the same team for 162 games to really give you a solid answer, so I'm just trusting Psycho Bulk or Blzr on this one

At default, I was seeing too many User errors by overthrowing 1st base....while at -1 I haven't really seen any in a long time. Seems like the CPU only gets fielding errors, while the User only gets throwing errors, heh.

[The Chef]

Re: Breaking this Game Down on AllStar ,group effort

Thanks. Yes, I see what you mean. I play with the Cubs, so I don't steal too much either which makes it hard to evaluate steals until I play a lot of games. But, yes, I also always like to take a +1 lead, and not have the CPU throwing over continuously. Scoring from second on balls hit where you should be able to score is key too.

Pbz, I noticed you have Global Fielder Reaction set at 4, Psycho has his set at 10 (quite a difference) and Blzer has his set at 3.

What did you think was better about it (Fielder reaction) around 4 as opposed to it at 10? You mentioned once that fielders are making too many plays that should go as hits. Do you happen to know why Psycho felt compelled to have it all the way up to 10? (I also asked him in his thread, waiting for response) I hope I am not coming off as looking down on anyone's sliders, I am trying to interpret these sliders.

Also, I noticed both Psycho and Blzer had Global Fielder run speed at 1, but you have yours at 0. Just curious, what did you see about 0 that was better than 1?

Blzer has his errors set at 8 (fielding) and his throwing errors set at 6. Have you tried that and were you getting too many errors? You were mentioning possibly upping the errors. Still thinking about that?

Thanks for all of your insight, it is greatly appreciated.

What do you think about these The Chef?

Anyone else with some thoughts on these?

1. Fielder Reaction (5) I have this at default and dont have any problems with the reactions of the fielders at all. Ive gotten weak grounders through the hole, Ive even gotten weak grounders down the line so I didnt see any reason to lower this further and when your already 5th in the majors in batting average through 32 games there really isnt any reason to lower this further.

2. Fielder Run Speed (0) I have this set here because I absolutely love watching Manny struggle to chase down a blooper or a shot down the line while watching Juan Pierre cruise over and catch balls that Manny just cant get too, there really is a huge difference. Now would I be getting the same results with this at 1? Quite possibly but I went from default to 0 and I like what Ive been seeing so I have no reason to change it at this point.

3. All Errors (5) Im at default on everything because I got tired of seeing too many errors. I would rather have too few errors then way too many and half the time the errors arent even scored correctly.

Anymore questions then dont hesitate to ask pbz, myself or anyone else for that matter.

[pbz06]

Re: Breaking this Game Down on AllStar ,group effort

I'm a little worried now....everything was going good until I started my season (picked the Cardinals just because).

Is it just me or is Season mode a lot harder? I've been getting hit HARD so far as I'm 0-3.

I lost the first game 5-4. Things were looking really good the first 2 innings. I had Buherle struggling with his command (55% strike ratio), drew 3 walks within the first 2 innings and put together a couple timely hits and had a 4-0 lead that lasted up to the bottom of the 3rd. Then all of a sudden my offense disappeared the rest of the game and the Chi Sox spanked the ball around (mostly just laser singles). They scored 3 in bottom of 3rd, and 2 more bottom of 4th and that score held up. They finished with 16 hits, all but 1 as singles.

2nd game was much better, but my offense disappeared the whole game. I lost 2-1 to Cleveland and Carmona. I again got the early lead at 1-0 in bottom of 2nd but that was it. They tied it top of 3rd with Shopauch (spelling?) solo shot...and eventually scored again top of the 8th by manufacturing. They still finished with 12 hits though.

3rd game I lost to Detroit 12-3. I'm not going to say much because everything I was pitching was just getting pounded left and right. They had 22 hits! They hit 5 doubles, 4 homeruns, and 12 singles with a triple for good measure. I pulled Lohse after 2 innings, and nothing I did with the bullpen mattered. I used like 4 pitchers and each just gave up laser after laser.

I'm hoping this is a rut.

[The Chef]

Re: Breaking this Game Down on AllStar ,group effort

Tough times there man, I went through that when I was playing Colorado, everything I pitched seemed to get hammered all over the field but that was back before I dropped their hitting sliders to what you suggested. Stick with it man as Im sure things will get better.

[DrUrsus]

Re: Breaking this Game Down on AllStar ,group effort

I'm a little worried now....everything was going good until I started my season (picked the Cardinals just because).

Is it just me or is Season mode a lot harder? I've been getting hit HARD so far as I'm 0-3.

I'm not sure, it seems that way, but then you have their #4, and #5 pitchers you get to face. They seem to pick up their game in the season/franchise, but I couldn't say for sure.

What worries me is whether they will play harder in the playoffs like in a lot of games. I'm losing a lot for a video game as it is, lol. I could get swept like the real Cubs in the playoffs .

Speaking of Cardinals, Carpenter may be on the DL again. I was watching the game last night on MLB.TV and he left with a left rib strain. My educated guess (not examing him or knowing the severity) as a sports med doc is that he will probably end up on the 15 day DL so it has good time to heal, and you just can't pitch well with a rib strain.

Pbz, do you follow the real season and remove Carpenter for a while (with CPU roster control ON) (I usually play this way)? If so, that will make your season with SL even harder .

[BleacherCreature]

Re: Breaking this Game Down on AllStar ,group effort

I'm a little worried now....everything was going good until I started my season (picked the Cardinals just because).

Is it just me or is Season mode a lot harder? I've been getting hit HARD so far as I'm 0-3.

I lost the first game 5-4. Things were looking really good the first 2 innings. I had Buherle struggling with his command (55% strike ratio), drew 3 walks within the first 2 innings and put together a couple timely hits and had a 4-0 lead that lasted up to the bottom of the 3rd. Then all of a sudden my offense disappeared the rest of the game and the Chi Sox spanked the ball around (mostly just laser singles). They scored 3 in bottom of 3rd, and 2 more bottom of 4th and that score held up. They finished with 16 hits, all but 1 as singles.

2nd game was much better, but my offense disappeared the whole game. I lost 2-1 to Cleveland and Carmona. I again got the early lead at 1-0 in bottom of 2nd but that was it. They tied it top of 3rd with Shopauch (spelling?) solo shot...and eventually scored again top of the 8th by manufacturing. They still finished with 12 hits though.

3rd game I lost to Detroit 12-3. I'm not going to say much because everything I was pitching was just getting pounded left and right. They had 22 hits! They hit 5 doubles, 4 homeruns, and 12 singles with a triple for good measure. I pulled Lohse after 2 innings, and nothing I did with the bullpen mattered. I used like 4 pitchers and each just gave up laser after laser.

I'm hoping this is a rut.

Pbz I have been using your sliders the last 2 days, with great help from an earlier post by Dr. Ursus and his pitching strategies and have not yet seen the lopsided hits you're seeing. I was actually worried Ursus' tips might have been too good as I shut out the Rays to games in a row. Next game vs the O's I gave up 3 in the first and was kind of glad I did.
Hits for both sides have been really even.

[tonyfire2001]

Re: Breaking this Game Down on AllStar ,group effort

Could some one post the sliders or tell me that you are using...cause I am looking for a good sliders that I am not killing the ball in...thanks...

[BleacherCreature]

Re: Breaking this Game Down on AllStar ,group effort

Here ya go tonyfire.......

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

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

Also, read post #178 of this thread. It gives really good insight on how to pitch in this game.

[Bgreene01]

Re: Breaking this Game Down on AllStar ,group effort

Hey everyone, thanks for all the great insight into this game and its sliders. I had a question that I wanted to run by anyone who was willing to answer it. I play on All Star as well and I have noticed (as I know a few other people have mentioned in this thread) that while the CPU makes fielding errors, the human defensive players only appear to make throwing errors. Do you think setting fielding to "auto" fix this? Also, what are other peoples thoughts on the fielding errors by the human controlled players? Has anyone seen an reasonable amount of fielding errors by the human players on All Star?

Thanks so much for help with this and all the other aspects of the sliders!

[BleacherCreature]

Re: Breaking this Game Down on AllStar ,group effort

I've seen a few bobbles by my infielders, but they always recover in time to get an out.
I do take some bonehead routes to balls in the outfield though, which probably should be counted as errors but aren't.
The one thing I don't see any of this year are dropped easy fly balls. I don't remember if it was last year or the year before where there were way too many botched flies in the outfield.
There are some plays, usually on balls hit to the warning track, where my outfielder will do a 360 trying to catch the ball only to have it drop. The game counts that as a hit but should probably also be an error.
I do feel throwing errors happen too much also.