I have noticed that both "the perfect slider set" and "DrUrsus sliders" both have CPU pitcher control at 5 (default) but the CPU pitcher consistency is at 4 and 3 respectively...But when i play w/ consistency on 3 i'm getting sometimes 3 or 4 batters per game getting hit by pitches, which is unrealistic for me...and w/ the CPU pitcher consistency at 4 I find it very hard to get any walks...so i guess the question is why does no one lower the CPU pitcher control from defualt? The explanation for CPU control is kinda vague in the game (other than that you should turn down your "contact" slider to compensate)....so basically i'm just looking to see some more balls per at bat without getting so many HBP's and passed balls. I'm a patient hitter so that's not the problem, some games w/ DrUrsus sliders i drew as many as 5 or 6 walks, but the amount of HBP's and passed balls made it feel unrealistic. Maybe CPU control makes them throw more cookies? i don't know, but that's the last thing i want, so that's why i ask you guys. thanks
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Re: CPU pitcher control vs. consistency
I have both CPU Pitcher Control and CPU Pitcher Consistency at +2 (7/10).
Reason for CPU Pitcher Control at +2:
This slider merely adjusts how many meatballs come down the middle of the plate. Therefore, lowering the slider will yield less walks as you'll be getting more strikes down the middle, which leads to less balls and more hittable pitches. You'll be swinging and making contact more often by lowering this slider. So, I don't see how lowering this slider will increase walks whatsoever.
Reason for CPU Pitcher Consistency at +2:
There are way too many hit-by-pitches, pass balls, and wild pitches at default so I don't see why you would want to lower this slider. At +2, HBPs, pass balls, and wild pitches occur at a realistic clip. Raising this slider allows a pitcher to miss his intended location spot by less. Therefore, when a pitcher intends to throw a ball, he will be more likely to throw a ball. This combined with Pitcher Control slider increased allows for the pitcher to miss out of the zone more instead of missing over the middle of the plate.
Then, lastly, I have Strike Frequency at -2 (3/10) as the pitcher will pound the strike too much with the other 2 slider adjustments. I see no other slider philosophy as lowering pitcher control yields less balls and more hittable pitches while lowering pitcher consistency leads to far too many HBPs, pass balls, and wild pitches. -
Re: CPU pitcher control vs. consistency
I have experimented with 4 on going franchises and 4 different cpu pitching sliders sets to see how a disciplined player like yourself can draw walks and maintain a reasonable offense without hitting over .300 as a team.
Slider set 1. CPU (only): Control 4, consistency 4, strike % 1
Slider set 2. CPU only: Control 1, consistency 4, strike% 1
Slider set 3. CPU.... 5 4 1
Slider set 4 CPU.... 1 4 1
I use the Rangers for set 1, the D'Backs set 2, the Twins set 3 and the Astros set 4. In all 4 sets I have user contact at 3, power at 7 and solid hits at default. I play on HOF.
I played 15 games for each set and I'm about to mix up the slider set and play another 15 games to see how each franchise fares with tweaked sliders.
First off, there is no walk slider and no slider will give you a guaranteed number of walks. It depends on the cpu pitcher, his confidence level, your hitter's ability in the discipline and vision area along with how the hitter is doing in the game. You can tell immediately who your "hat trick" victim will be when the cpu throws 3 tough pitches for strike 3! If the cpu challenges your hitter, be prepared to be more aggressive at the plate.
Without boring you with stats, I concluded you can draw 3 to 4 walks per game with the right approach to the plate and your willingness to adjust to the cpu.
If the cpu is pounding the corners for strikes and has great control, don't stand there and take the first and only decent pitch to hit and complain the cpu isn't allowing you to walk.
Conversely, if the cpu is struggling with control, don't swing at borderline pitches.
Unfortunately, this game is about if the cpu wants to walk you and not actually drawing walks. What I mean is there are many scenerios where the cpu simply refuses to throw ball 4 even when its down 3-0. Many ball 4's are too close to take and therefore either an incredible eye is needed or you're at the mercy of the ump calling ball 4.
Knowing full well, that a strike 3 call enhances the cpu's confidence thus ensuring less walks in future innings, you tend to swing at the close ones.
I find that walks are in the game no matter what slider scenerio (within reason) but there are slightly different approaches.
Lowering the cpu control even to 1 (on HOF) does provide enough walks whereby the user with good discipline will end up in the top 5 teams in BB's. It also lowers strikeouts per the user as I see the cpu will pitch more to contact rather than strikeout.
Lowering cpu control to 1 will not become a HR or hit fest like some argue. I have been shut out and one hitted more times with the cpu control at one then any other set. You do get more pitches to hit but they are rarely down the middle of the plate, they are more towards the "fringes" of the PCI zone vs. "meat" pitches.
For those who never use the L stick and X only (I use it as a preload when ahead in the count but not when the pitcher releases the pitch) I highly recommend lowering the cpu control slider. If you're frustrated and are striking out 10X per game with 2 walks to show for it, this is a viable approach.
When lowering the cpu control well below default I see the following more than at default or above, but not consistently:
Lowering cpu control "may" (not an arcade style game folks) lead to more 4 pitch walks (cpu pitches around the hitter) more walks on 3-1 counts less walks on 3-2 counts. The reason is the cpu will pitch more to contact on 3-2 rather than throw ball 4.
You still see plenty of 3-0 counts become 3-2 and from there, anything can happen. You may see ball 4 off the plate or you may have to protect on borderline pitches.
You don't, I repeat see meat pitches all game long that makes you clobber the cpu, it is very much an overstated outcome that people have erroneously concluded. As a matter of fact, I see more pitches down the middle on 3-0 with the cpu control at higher levels.
By the way, if the cpu throws a pitch down the middle on 3-0, don't expect to draw a walk. It will battle back with precision. If you want to draw an extra walk or two, swing at those pitches, it will alter the cpu's approach the next time it is 3-0.
Higher cpu control does not lead to more walks just different approaches. At a higher set, (I did play alot of games with it on 6) you will draw more walks (potentially) on 3-2. I feel, at higher levels you earn your walks more than at 1. You see less pitching around the hitter and you see less walks during the 1st few innings. It requires you to work deeper into the counts and be prepared to battle more for your walk.
This to many may be more realistic and I agree. But! be prepared for more user strikeouts, more classic 10 pitch at bats and longer games which I've become tired of personally. I prefer a fast paced game.
With control at higher levels, I could draw 7 walks but strikeout 11x! This is accurate. A team that walks alot also strikes out alot.
The reason why I stopped playing the game with cpu control at 6 was not because I couldn't hit, (I was getting the same 6-9 hit games as I am with lower control settings) It was because all my games were 3-2, 2-1, 6-5. Low scoring. The only blowouts was when the cpu blew me away.
Now better players who have command of the L stick will experience better results. I wasn't. So I started lowering this slider to see if I could get more variety of scores, walks, strikeouts instead of the same 3-4 walks, 6-8 hit games that the game seemed to settle in.
Consistency does indeed result in more HBP and silly wild pitches at lower settings, but set it too high and you better have great L stick skills. The description, and I'm paraphrasing: may lead to pitches not intended is true. It's unfortunate they even have this slider. Who the heck wants to tweak HBP and passed balls? Certainly not at the expense of drawing a few more walks. I wouldn't go below 3 and personally prefer it at 4 or default.
It certainly helps at higher levels but I was swinging at too many ball 4's above default. The balls were too close, too many times.
Consistency again, is not a walk slider. If you want to reduce HBP and passed balls you have to raise it but the game does get a bit harder IMO.
All in all, the game plays very real for the most part at even low levels. Pitcher control down to zero won't create an arcade style game where you walk 10x per game and hit 3 HR's per game.
These sliders are not like the old MVP. As a matter of fact, if you want to draw more walks, get to the cpu quicker and lower his confidence, I think that has more affect.
But, a lower cpu confidence may have different consequences based on the slider. A shattered confidence may lead to more hits as the cpu will pitch to contact rather than pitch around. Here is where a higher control level may or may not come into play.
Also, I strongly believe in Corey's HOF theory that cpu pitch control is more of a slider geared towards the user contact. They are dependent and not mutually exlusive. Your contact ability with aces vs. 5th starters is affected by the degree of variance between these sliders. Want to have a tougher time making good contact, raise cpu pitch control and lower user contact.Comment
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Re: CPU pitcher control vs. consistency
Wow thanks a lot!! Those are two of the most educational posts I have ever read on this board. But it seems like you two agree to disagree on the results of the control slider.
Do you guys lower your contact to compensate for lowering CPU control like it says to do?
I usually approach the game from a small ball standpoint...drawing walks, bunting, then hitting, etc. And i get into A TON of 3-2 counts but i still sometimes may only get 2 or 3 walks, so i'm just trying to squeeze out a few more walks if possible by getting balls on 3-2 counts that are no doubters if you will, but i also know i still have to take what the pitchers give me and just play. i'm averaging 1 HBP per game so far which is way too many over the course of a season. And also 1.82 walks per game which is WAY low. So based on those two stats where do you guys think i should put my CPU control/consistency sliders? right now i'm using control-5 and consistency-4
Thanks again very helpful, but two diverse opinionsComment
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Re: CPU pitcher control vs. consistency
I see more walks with cpu control at 1 and consistency at 4 from the cpu here are some stats:
rangers with control at 1, consistency 4:
game 1: user walked 5x, k'd 8x 4 hits
2: walked 2x, k'd 10x 8 hits
3: walked 4x (swung at ball 4 a 5th time) k'd 8x, 4 hits
4: walked 6x, k'd 8x (swung at ball 4 2x) 7 hits
Now this was against the Twins (who I also play with because they are a national league team playing in the AL) The twins don't normally walk alot of hitters. They have good pitching. As you can see, those are good walks per game.
Now the Rangers with cpu control at 4 and cpu consistency at 4
Game 1. BB's 0, k's 7 hits 8
2. BB 8, ks 7 hits 14
3. BB 2 ks 4 hits 6
4. bb 7 ks 8 hits 4
5. bb 2, ks 9, hits 9
6. bb 5 ks 7 hits 10
7 bb 2, ks 9, hits 9
8 bb 3, ks 3 hits 17
9 bb 2, ks 11 hits 7
10 bb 2, ks 9 hits 9
11 bb 3, ks 8 hits 8
12 bb 3, ks 8, hits 8
As you can see, you can draw walks with the right approach either way. What I like about control at 1 instead of 4 or 5 is that you tend to draw more walks per game while at higher levels you get that one game where you walk 7x to raise your walks per game average.
Here's some more stats with cpu control at 1, consistency at 4 with the Dbacks
game1. bb's 4, k's 4, hits 6
2. bb's 6, k's 6 hits 8
3. bb's 4, k's 6, hits 3
4. bb's 3, k's 6, hits 5
5. bb's 7 ,k's4, hits 15
6. bb's 2, k's 7, hits 5
Same sliders but with the Twins:
game1. BB's 0, k's 6, hits 11
2. bb's 6, ks 2, hits 10
3. bb's 4, k's 6, hits 10
4. bb's 2, k's 4, hits 7
5. bb's 5, k's 6, hits 14
last, the Astros with sliders cpu control at 4 and consistency at 4, so slightly higher cpu control:
game 1: bb's 9, ks 7, hits 7
2; bb's 3, k's 8, hits 16
3: bb's 3, ks 5, hits 8
4: bb's 3, k's5, hits 10
5: bb's 2, k's 8, hits 8
6: bb's 3, k's 5, hits 9
7: bb's 0, k's 7, hits 8
8: bb's 1, k's 6, hits 9
9: bb's 0, k's 5, hits 8
many folks will argue there is not enough population to draw conclusions and I certainly am no statistician.
You have to take into consideration the opposing team, pitchers and your individual team.
However, if you're averaging less than 2 walks per game don't make the mistake that you will draw more walks by lowering the control or consistency slider:
It takes plate discipline by the user mostly IMO. Here are some tips:
Look at the cpu pitchers hat when he delivers. (I got this from daveWin as a tip) You will increase your ability to judge pitches breaking out of the zone, offspeed vs. fastball much better and draw more walks as well as hit for extra bases.
study your cpu pitchers confidence level and individual confidence per pitch. Layoff all pitches that are on the black early in the count and all breaking pitches early in the count unless they "hang" over the plate.
manage the PCI zone. ONly swing at pitches that capture a good piece of the zone. This will enable you to drive the ball better.
Drawing walks isn't about taking alot of "good" pitches and getting to 3-2 counts. Your walks will decline on 3-2 counts. Most hitters do not reach base on 3-2. The major league average on 3-2 is amazingly low.
Its what you do on 2-0 and 3-1 counts that place you in better position IMO. If the cpu throws a strike on 2-0 but the strike is on the black, alot is determined if you swing, foul off, check swing or layoff the pitch.
If the cpu is nibbling on the corners, you need to be very selective and wait for your pitch. If the cpu is Josh Beckett or Santana, well than, there's not much you can do but struggle (lol)
All I'm saying is you can draw more walks with the right approach vs. tweaking sliders. I happen to think, lowering cpu control can lead to some great bb's and yes, lower your contact if you want your hits to be in line.
Try control at 4, consistency at 4 and don't go up to the plate and work the count to draw walks but to get a pitch you can hit....the walks will come.Comment
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Re: CPU pitcher control vs. consistency
Ok i see what you're saying and all that makes a lot of sense about the teams, who's pitching, who's on base, etc...i have also noticed the CPU will 99% of the time give you a walk if you allow them when you have a runner at 2nd w/ 1 or 2 outs...
To test i played a game with CPU control-4 and consistency-4 w/ the blue jays vs. tampa bay. I never play w/ the jays ( I have a season going w/ the braves) I drew 6 walks, 1 HBP, 8 strikeouts, and 6 hits...and lost 10-3.
But i really liked the way these played...still a HBP, but maybe this won't happen every single game.
I also played a game in my season w/ the braves today (vs. the mets) w/ CPU control-5 and consistency-4, and i won 5-1...i drew 6 walks, 1 HBP, 6 strikeouts, and 8 hits.
I know it's just one game I played, but with CPU control at 4 In the game i played w/ the blue jays I could tell that i was getting a lot more hittable fastballs up in the zone, but that doesn't mean i was crushing the opposition (like you said in your post that doesn't always result in a win) I actually hit 3 balls during the game that went all the way to the fence (but no homers) and I mean ALL the way to the fence (b.j. upton climbing the wall to get one) And i play w/ user power on 8, so like I say it's just two games, but i think i like the control at 4 because i need to start hitting more homers in my season. That's actually why i have my user power at 8...I also lowered the contact 1 tick to compensate for loss of CPU control, and maybe that's why those balls didn't get outta the park, who knows...but good convo. I guess the assumption i've come to is i'm almost good enough to draw at least 3 or 4 walks per game w/ no problem.
The reason my average walks per game is so low is because the first 30-40 games of my 'chise i maybe got 10 walks (LOL) in that period. I was just swinging away and striking out a lot w/ default sliders (since then after lowering pitch speed etc. I'm having much more success)
so i'm almost in a way trying to compensate for all those walks that i missed out on early in the season. and trying to get my BB stats a little more accurate. Based on my calculations if i keep averaging 4 walks per game, i will end up about like the SF giants by the end of the season stat wise...which we all know the giants are last in walks for the last two seasons (i believe) So i'm just trying to make up for lost time, but i also enjoy playing the game the right way, playing small ball, etc. like i said beforeComment
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Re: CPU pitcher control vs. consistency
Yes, I see more Hr's as well. Part of it is that I'm better at hitting stuff above the waist and I'm laying off low pitches unless they lack movement. If cpu control goes above 5 then I get streaks where I'll go 4 games without a HR and then hit 4 in one game.
The same happens with walks. They seem to come in streaks at higher control. That's why I like it at 4 and will even keep one of my franchises playing at 1.
Interesting point about a man on 2nd with one or two outs. I'll have to really work the count when this happens. Perhaps the cpu is shooting for a double play or force out to end the inning. If they want to walk me, I'll take it!
thanks for the tipComment
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