What level are you playing on?

[Walt Frazier]

Trying to find the right level...

Tried superstar and liked the challenge the CPU defense gave me...but on offense they go nuts. Played the Cavs and even Jose and Channing Frye would pass up open Js and drive the hoop like they were suddenly the Greek Freak reincarnated.

Anyone recommend a perfect level for balance? Challenging CPU defense combined with realistic offense...

[Calvenn]

Re: What level are you playing on?

I would suspect All Star, but I personally play on Superstar. I will say that there are methods and strategies you can employ at this level to encourage the cpu to distribute the ball more judiciously and to cycle through players ultimately yielding more mid range jump shots, step backs, elbow shots, etc, etc. As long as you haven't modified any sliders, you can dictate how the cpu approaches the game from the onset or opening periods of the game. As you may know, as has been the case with Live for some time, the cpu will typically follow the path of least resistance and if it detects that you aren't able to keep it from exploiting or capitalizing on available space allowed between it and the human player, it will continue to return to the proverbial "well" for buckets!

If you can manage to crowd the cpu, on ball and off ball, that elicits a re-calculation by the cpu and can unlock a more balanced and rewarding game, but forgive me for digressing. To your question, I would think All Star with some slider mods (be careful with game speed adjustments) could do the trick.

[Walt Frazier]

Re: What level are you playing on?

I would suspect All Star, but I personally play on Superstar. I will say that there are methods and strategies you can employ at this level to encourage the cpu to distribute the ball more judiciously and to cycle through players ultimately yielding more mid range jump shots, step backs, elbow shots, etc, etc. As long as you haven't modified any sliders, you can dictate how the cpu approaches the game from the onset or opening periods of the game. As you may know, as has been the case with Live for some time, the cpu will typically follow the path of least resistance and if it detects that you aren't able to keep it from exploiting or capitalizing on available space allowed between it and the human player, it will continue to return to the proverbial "well" for buckets!

If you can manage to crowd the cpu, on ball and off ball, that elicits a re-calculation by the cpu and can unlock a more balanced and rewarding game, but forgive me for digressing. To your question, I would think All Star with some slider mods (be careful with game speed adjustments) could do the trick.

Good post

What speed are you playing on?

[Calvenn]

Re: What level are you playing on?

Good post

What speed are you playing on?

The default 80 speed in my case. You may be able to adjust speed to your liking and perhaps get good results, but I believe you will have to be a lot more precise and balanced with the other slider settings and we all may not have time for that right? From my observation, it's easier to leave the speed at 80 and modify other physical sliders like jostle v blow by, on ball collision, etc, to slow down the game while retaining a semblance of a mid range game among other things.. Also, reducing the speed too much neuters certain players moves. For example, cpu Kyrie may no longer use specific signature moves you will only see at the higher speed, etc.

[The 24th Letter]

Re: What level are you playing on?

I'm on Superstar too.

My experience is similar. I don't see much offense run by the CPU. Seems like most possesions I'm knocking back their drives until they take a contested shot or they throw it in for a quick hook. Sure, if I completely back off of them, they'll shoot a jumper but I'm not a huge fan of playing like that.

I do like their aggressiveness in transistion though...

Sent from my SM-G955U using Operation Sports mobile app

[Walt Frazier]

Re: What level are you playing on?

I'm on Superstar too.

My experience is similar. I don't see much offense run by the CPU. Seems like most possesions I'm knocking back their drives until they take a contested shot or they throw it in for a quick hook. Sure, if I completely back off of them, they'll shoot a jumper but I'm not a huge fan of playing like that.

I do like their aggressiveness in transistion though...

Sent from my SM-G955U using Operation Sports mobile app

That is pretty much ‘all’ I see.

Charge into the back, knocked back, repeat or shoot a three...

There are basically no plays at all run

[Walt Frazier]

Re: What level are you playing on?

I have all the jostle sliders very low as I hate the bump back animations ...

Guess I will have to raise them high though as everyone on the cpu can get to the rim right now...

[GisherJohn24]

Re: What level are you playing on?

Trying to find the right level...

Tried superstar and liked the challenge the CPU defense gave me...but on offense they go nuts. Played the Cavs and even Jose and Channing Frye would pass up open Js and drive the hoop like they were suddenly the Greek Freak reincarnated.

Anyone recommend a perfect level for balance? Challenging CPU defense combined with realistic offense...

I play on All Star and I lowered the CPU shooting sliders (for all categories from 30 to 35 or so. I seem to have some pretty good matchups.

[seanhazz1]

Re: What level are you playing on?

Also, reducing the speed too much neuters certain players moves. For example, cpu Kyrie may no longer use specific signature moves you will only see at the higher speed, etc.

I agree with this at all difficulty levels and I'm playing NBA Live 18 on both SS and AS difficulty levels.


But....


What if player fatigue had more impact (lowering slightly speed, strength, and agility), then the overall speed sliders could be left alone, where the game is balanced, as the desired speed effects (dribble move sets, shot rating, running speed, jostling, substitutions, etc.) would happen organically at the SPD/STR/AGI attrition points in the animation and shot success rate calculations.


Also, to get a more organic flow, we might have to switch up the way we play, just like we desire the cpu AI to do, to get a different result.


Sometimes when guarding try not letting the "arcs" touch, (or using the LT except in the post), but just stay close and play the angle. The CPU WILL deviate. Also, you might have to go off ball sometimes, if only to fix a matchup, but it matters in what you see on the court from play to play, if you maintain the whole court and not just whats in front of you in a 5-on-5. If you play the same way over and over, it is not the CPU's fault for figuring you out.


On defense, try playing as just one player, who is not against the PG or primary ball handler, for part or most of the game and watch how differently it plays in 5-on-5. The whole path of least resistance Calvenn mentioned comes more into play, as the ball cycles, and rotates much more frequently, as the AI searches for a mismatch, or a hole to attack the rim, usually its you even if you go off ball.


On the bump back animations thing, you get a lot of that when you play "bully ball" style, when you just keep trying for the drive to the rim, using the wrong angle, instead of setting up the move, looking for cutters, or swinging the ball for an open attempt or sometimes letting the play develop for your offense....and sometimes the D is just that good in the moment, be it momentum or whatever.


Perhaps they could add the physical mismatch level or mismatch descriptions, (height, str, spd, agi, etc.) as appropriate and relevant to the matchup, as a toggle in the player overlay in the future. It might encourage people to play a bit differently, and help those who aren't as good at recognizing the mismatches, similar to how Madden does it but LIVE style.


Although lacking in some parts, Its still a solid purchase, and best amount of content and support for the price in sports gaming this yr, IMO.

[JayhawkerStL]

Re: What level are you playing on?

I’m playing All-Star, default everything. I usually stick with default everything for as long as possible. I always assume the devs balance ratings and sliders based on default. If I change them, it’s hard to expect the devs to balance the game for me.

Once a game has several patches out, it’s easier to see if I need to tweak anything. Mostly, as someone that was a total sliderholic in all sports games, I’ve found that stopping that obsession has made the games more enjoyable, and, in the end, more realistic. Once you begin the process of adjusting sliders, it just seems to throw everything out of whack and makes it impossible to play a game without looking for issues.

I feel like I’m getting competitive and realistic results. I definitely do not dig down to verify every player is getting exactly the right results, just if it’s in the realm of reality.

But this is the most fun I’ve had with a basketball game in years.


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[xCoachDx]

Re: What level are you playing on?

Playing on All-Star and the CPU pretty much decides whether or not it’s going to let me win. The CPU constantly forces shots inside. Some games, my help defense shuts them down. Other games, they just go right through me. Some games, screens are effective in getting guys open. Other games, the CPU gets through everything. It’s a complete dice roll in several areas of the game (blocking shots and passing especially). It’s very EAish and not very enjoyable. It’s so frustrating to see, because everything the CPU does looks much more natural. The help defense they bring is very effective at the appropriate time. It’s just not the same when the user does it. Very similar to what you see in Madden as well. EA just fails to implement difficulty properly. They’ve never succeeded in this area.


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