Hey guys. We all now that 2k12 has its flaws. I experimented a bit and it seems that there could be some workarounds. But you must give some control to the AI.
Here is what I would adjust until the patch hits:
- turn ON auto fielding and auto baserunning:
Yes. I know user control for those two things are part of the game. But user control causes some animations that will cause flaws. Turn on auto fielding and auto baserunning and those animations will be limited. Why? Can't tell you. I can only tell you that the AI acts somehow differently. Auto fielding and baserunning looks way more smooth than when it is user controlled.
- set AI and User baserunner speed to 45:
As far as I can tell it seems to me that the CPU has an advantage when the sliders for baserunner speed are set at the same value for CPU and user. E.g. when you set it to 50 for both you will have accurate speed for user runners but CPU controlled runners are a tick faster. WHen you set it to 45 and turn on auto baserunning a AI controlled baserunner will need about 4 seconds from homeplate to 1B. This is quite accurate compared to real life. When you turn it to 50 it takes only a little more than 3 seconds, which is too fast.
Since I don't know if AI controlled baserunning is also influenced by the user speed slider or not, I would suggest to set it to 45, too. Safe is safe.
- turn outfield and infield running speed to 0:
Really. Try it. Test it 4-5 games. And you will notice that those 4-5 miracle plays per game are gone. Those where the infielders dive 4-5 times per game after balls they never would get to in reality and steal you safe basehits.
And you will see other things you didn't see before, too. You will see hits over outfielders' heads. You will see ground rule doubles. You will see a fair amount of doubles and triples. But you also will see that lame players like Konerko will still have trouble to make doubles since they are so slow (look at the baserunning slider).
You will see 3B with fast players like BJ Upton, Michael Bourn, Jose Reyes, etc.
But you will see only doubles with players like Ortiz, Konerko, Fielder.
If you have set the outfield speed higher than 0 the fielding will be simply unrealistic. It seems that the AI is coded in a way that every player knows right from the moment when the batter hits the ball where the ball will land. Because of that the AI outfielders always have an easy time catching flyballs. Set the slider to 0 and do not give the AI such an easy time. With 0 it is way more realistic IMO. Players in reality do not always estimate balls correct. Ingame it is not possible. But make it more difficult for them to reach balls.
- set outfield throw to 55 and infield throw to 40:
this helps for the points above.
- set pitcher composure influence at least to 25 for AI:
I see a lot of people complaining that they have trouble with hitting with RISP. Yeah, some teams in real life have those problems, too. But ingame it seems way too difficult. Set this slider to at least 25. In reality a pitcher's composure (of the most pitchers at least, we all know there are ice cold beasts out there) goes down when he is giving up a hit with no out. It even goes more down when a walk follows. Two guys on base with no out are a run in many situations. In 2k12 it doesn't seem so. Why? Cause the AI controlled pitcher does not care. Doesn't matter if he is an ace or a mediocre pitcher.
But you should make composure count. Set it to 25 or (would be even better) 30. And you will see an increansed chance to drive in runs.
- work the pitch count:
Lots of people swing and swing and don't hit anything. Be patient. Look for meatballs or at least hittable balls. Learn pitcher's pitch trends. Use your inside edge. The more pitches you take the better the chance you get a hittable ball. Do not always swing at the first pitch unless it's a ball right into the middle of the zone.
- use mound visits:
When you are pitching and you give up two hits to start the inning don't be afraid of using the mound visit to refresh the composure. This game is designed in a way that you need to use those tools. So do it. Otherwise you will get rattled and more rattled and the AI will hit and hit and hit.
- warm up several bullpen guys at one time from the 6th inning or so ongoing:
YOur starter can get rattled, can get exhausted and start to struggle. As far as you use an active bullpen you should warm your guys up preventive.
EDIT:
- set hit n run tendency to 60, set baserunning aggression to 65, set steal aggression to 30:
should help that players like Ortiz, Napoli or Sandoval don't try to steal bases all the time. Lowering one of those sliders won't be enoug, I can promise.
User and cpu batting as well as user and cpu pitching are more kind of skill based, so no certain hints for this.
Nevertheless I would suggest classic batting. Way more hit variety and not only bombs.
I know that some of those things are basic but many guys don't use those options. Try them. Until the patch arrive the things noted above have helped me getting a more realistic game. Perhaps they help you, too.
I know that there are more flaws beside of animations, silly outfielders paths, etc.
E.g. way too much flyballs over groundballs. I try to adress them tomorrow. Already have a possible conclusion in mind which could help.
Here is what I would adjust until the patch hits:
- turn ON auto fielding and auto baserunning:
Yes. I know user control for those two things are part of the game. But user control causes some animations that will cause flaws. Turn on auto fielding and auto baserunning and those animations will be limited. Why? Can't tell you. I can only tell you that the AI acts somehow differently. Auto fielding and baserunning looks way more smooth than when it is user controlled.
- set AI and User baserunner speed to 45:
As far as I can tell it seems to me that the CPU has an advantage when the sliders for baserunner speed are set at the same value for CPU and user. E.g. when you set it to 50 for both you will have accurate speed for user runners but CPU controlled runners are a tick faster. WHen you set it to 45 and turn on auto baserunning a AI controlled baserunner will need about 4 seconds from homeplate to 1B. This is quite accurate compared to real life. When you turn it to 50 it takes only a little more than 3 seconds, which is too fast.
Since I don't know if AI controlled baserunning is also influenced by the user speed slider or not, I would suggest to set it to 45, too. Safe is safe.
- turn outfield and infield running speed to 0:
Really. Try it. Test it 4-5 games. And you will notice that those 4-5 miracle plays per game are gone. Those where the infielders dive 4-5 times per game after balls they never would get to in reality and steal you safe basehits.
And you will see other things you didn't see before, too. You will see hits over outfielders' heads. You will see ground rule doubles. You will see a fair amount of doubles and triples. But you also will see that lame players like Konerko will still have trouble to make doubles since they are so slow (look at the baserunning slider).
You will see 3B with fast players like BJ Upton, Michael Bourn, Jose Reyes, etc.
But you will see only doubles with players like Ortiz, Konerko, Fielder.
If you have set the outfield speed higher than 0 the fielding will be simply unrealistic. It seems that the AI is coded in a way that every player knows right from the moment when the batter hits the ball where the ball will land. Because of that the AI outfielders always have an easy time catching flyballs. Set the slider to 0 and do not give the AI such an easy time. With 0 it is way more realistic IMO. Players in reality do not always estimate balls correct. Ingame it is not possible. But make it more difficult for them to reach balls.
- set outfield throw to 55 and infield throw to 40:
this helps for the points above.
- set pitcher composure influence at least to 25 for AI:
I see a lot of people complaining that they have trouble with hitting with RISP. Yeah, some teams in real life have those problems, too. But ingame it seems way too difficult. Set this slider to at least 25. In reality a pitcher's composure (of the most pitchers at least, we all know there are ice cold beasts out there) goes down when he is giving up a hit with no out. It even goes more down when a walk follows. Two guys on base with no out are a run in many situations. In 2k12 it doesn't seem so. Why? Cause the AI controlled pitcher does not care. Doesn't matter if he is an ace or a mediocre pitcher.
But you should make composure count. Set it to 25 or (would be even better) 30. And you will see an increansed chance to drive in runs.
- work the pitch count:
Lots of people swing and swing and don't hit anything. Be patient. Look for meatballs or at least hittable balls. Learn pitcher's pitch trends. Use your inside edge. The more pitches you take the better the chance you get a hittable ball. Do not always swing at the first pitch unless it's a ball right into the middle of the zone.
- use mound visits:
When you are pitching and you give up two hits to start the inning don't be afraid of using the mound visit to refresh the composure. This game is designed in a way that you need to use those tools. So do it. Otherwise you will get rattled and more rattled and the AI will hit and hit and hit.
- warm up several bullpen guys at one time from the 6th inning or so ongoing:
YOur starter can get rattled, can get exhausted and start to struggle. As far as you use an active bullpen you should warm your guys up preventive.
EDIT:
- set hit n run tendency to 60, set baserunning aggression to 65, set steal aggression to 30:
should help that players like Ortiz, Napoli or Sandoval don't try to steal bases all the time. Lowering one of those sliders won't be enoug, I can promise.
User and cpu batting as well as user and cpu pitching are more kind of skill based, so no certain hints for this.
Nevertheless I would suggest classic batting. Way more hit variety and not only bombs.
I know that some of those things are basic but many guys don't use those options. Try them. Until the patch arrive the things noted above have helped me getting a more realistic game. Perhaps they help you, too.
I know that there are more flaws beside of animations, silly outfielders paths, etc.
E.g. way too much flyballs over groundballs. I try to adress them tomorrow. Already have a possible conclusion in mind which could help.
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