Playmakers CFB 26 Varsity Sliders (Hybrid 0 Default set & advanced Difficulty set)

[Playmakers]

I apologize for the delay of the Updated set. The more I test on Varsity the more things I seem to uncover.

And example of this is Ball Security in which I've been sharing information on the Main Forums.

If I told you this RB was boosted to 65 Ball Security and yet still fumbled that would probably be hard for most of you to believe. But the crazy part of this play wasn't that he fumbled. It was the Tackle Slider that was being used and I'll just say it was extremely lower than most other tackle sliders on the forums.

I haven't figured out how to embed videos so here's the link

https://youtu.be/O6UNbU6jcgQ?feature=shared

[mikemck09]

Awesome find!! Always attributed 'ball security' to HB efficiency when utilizing evasive moves.

[Playmakers]

Awesome find!! Always attributed 'ball security' to HB efficiency when utilizing evasive moves.

I'm up to 70 now because that seems to be the lowest vision rating amongst RB'S.

They do a really good job of planting their feet and then you see them cut or accelerate.

So I believe the Ball Security is tied into their Carry, Vision, acceleration and COD ratings. I think the tackle slider triggers their spin and Juke moves. I've also seen them hurdle defenders as long as the tackle slider isn't too high which causes suction.

I have to reevaluate Run Block now. I'm not sure if it still needs to be high or if it can be lowered to balance out a low tackle slider. Pass Block actually holds up much closer to default when you slow down Pursuit by the DEFENSIVE Line

[mikemck09]

I commend you for the work you do - nothing but gratitude from my end! I am still rolling with the OP Varsity set.

[Playmakers]

So we are going to flip the switch this year. The 70 Ball Security is going to be the driving force of the run game.

That represents the avg vision rating of EA'S RB's this year. It helps their ability to navigate. The Run Block Slider unlike in previous years seems to actually work best set lower for this setup.

The new setting is going to be 55 the lowest rating for All Offensive Lineman in Run Block Footwork.

This is good and bad news. The good news is it does a better job of bringing the CpU running game to life. The bad news is 0 Tackling will no longer work eliminating the Hybrid 0 plans. But I will save that formula for a potential CPU vs CpU slider setup.

The 1st video is going to show Ohio St James Peoples who has the East/West Playmaker Archetype

https://youtube.com/watch?v=FDKOW9vBTMk&feature=shared

2nd video will be their Elusive Bruiser Jayson Ball finishing off the drive with a inside power run for a TD

https://youtu.be/y2xAx5-D0mM?si=uAZLD6uL-NPjgGAL

[Cmh1992]

Hello,

following both this is set and the AA set you have. Was just curious what was your preferred set and which may be seeing the more consistent gameplay?

[Playmakers]

Hello,

following both this is set and the AA set you have. Was just curious what was your preferred set and which may be seeing the more consistent gameplay?

I love both levels but I think on Varsity the ÇPU play calling is a little watered down. It seems like EA makes the offenses less aggressive oñ the lower levels.

Then when you reduce QBA it tends to compound the situation. They turn into noodle arms and can't stretch the defense. Last year I actually had the CPU QBA at 40 and they attacked all parts of the field.

I mentioned this before I believe because Awareness is a bigger part of the Qb play thus year. Lowering the slider not only hurts their throw power but it also effects their pocket Awareness which is why the pass block slider is being increased so high. I think I've also found a sweet spot for that as well between 45-55. It gives the CPU sort of a timer as to when they need to release the ball.

[Baron681]

Have you all played with the coach adaptive AI setting? There are a bunch of new ones this year. I've used System Coach and reactive schemer, and it seemed to make a noticeable difference. Both offenses seemed to move the ball better with the schemer one, which seems counter to the way I understood EA saying these should work.

Thx for the work on the sliders. Used and loved the '25 ones too. I'm a cpu vs cpu slow sim watcher. Always build my teams and playbooks to be rushing juggernauts, and am really struggling in '26 to have an effectiverushing game, much less a dominant one.

[Cmh1992]

I love both levels but I think on Varsity the ÇPU play calling is a little watered down. It seems like EA makes the offenses less aggressive oñ the lower levels.

Then when you reduce QBA it tends to compound the situation. They turn into noodle arms and can't stretch the defense. Last year I actually had the CPU QBA at 40 and they attacked all parts of the field.

I mentioned this before I believe because Awareness is a bigger part of the Qb play thus year. Lowering the slider not only hurts their throw power but it also effects their pocket Awareness which is why the pass block slider is being increased so high. I think I've also found a sweet spot for that as well between 45-55. It gives the CPU sort of a timer as to when they need to release the ball.

Yea I did some testing with QBA. It definitely impacts their awareness more than any accuracy. Had it at 0 with QBs still hitting 80% completions and having zero off target throws.

Excited to give the varsity set a run once they're updated.

[Helios12787]

If you are able to figure out the run game even slightly, that's the biggest reason I haven't played much so far lol.

Everything else is good enough for my continued enjoyment. But the run game just feels so off in every slider set I've tested.

[Playmakers]

I'm finally going to release this set today. I just have to test 1-2 more games for CPU Qba to get rid of noodle arm throws. Run game might surprise you despite the run block being dialed back.

[Baron681]

You da man with the ball security tip. Cranking it up cracked the nut with my cpu vs cpu rushing woes. Finally have a running game. Thx so much for that!

The save/game I test with, ive played it over 20 times and only broke 100 yrds rushing a few times. And most were from the qb scrambling on break downs. I've put up over 240 yards rushing the past 2 games. 5 rushing TDs in one.

[mikemck09]

Appreciate your efforts, PM.

[Playmakers]

ADVANCED DIFFICULTY SET UPDATED 08/04/25

BASE SET 2nd version

CLASSIC PASSING

***(SLIDERS BUILT ON NO SWITCH DEFENSIVE RULE)***

CAMERA SETTINGS OPTIONAL (I Personally prefer Wide camera on Offense and Defense)

PRECIPITATION SCALING
Catch - 55
Pass accuracy - 55
Pass strength - 60
Broken tackle - 40
Kick accuracy - 55
Kick strength - 60
Movement - 60

WEAR & TEAR SETTINGS. (Remains at Default until further notice. Utilizing the Injury & fatigue Sliders to dictate subs when needed)
Normal Tackle Impact 50
Catch Tackle Impact 50
Hit Stick Impact 50
Cut Stick Impact 50
Defender Tackle Advantage 50
Sack Impact 50
Block Impact 50
Impact Block Impact 50
Per-Play Recovery 50
Per-Timeout Recovery 50
Between-Quarter Recovery 50
Halftime Recovery 50
Week to Week Recovery 50
In-Game Healing Reserve Pool 50

GAME SETTINGS
Difficulty: VARSITY
Quarter Length: 12 Minutes
Accelerated Clock: On
Minimum Play Clock Time: 20 Seconds
Defensive Ball Hawk: ON
Defensive Heat Seeker Assist: ON
Injuries: 50.......................(Wear & Tear Default settings has generally kept this around 2-3 Minor injuries per game)
Fatigue: 85.........,............(This has led to good rotations at RB)
Player Speed parity Scale: 20 *** (New Adjustment )***

PENALTIES
Offside: 45
False State: 85
Offensive Holding: 70
Facemask: 45
Defensive Pass Interference: 85
Offensive PI ON
Kick Catch Interefernce ON
ILLEGAL BLOCK IN BACK 70
Intentional Grounding OFF ***(Make Sure SET To Off)***
Roughing The Passer 51
Roughing The Kicker ON
Running Into The Kicker OÑ
Illegal Contact ON

PLAYER SKILL
QB Accuracy: 20
Pass Blocking: 45
WR CATCH 40
Run Blocking: 5
Ball Security: 40
Reaction Time: 15
Interceptions: 50
Pass Coverage: 35
Tackling: 0 ***(If you are getting gashed on the ground increase this Slider to 10)

CPU SKILL
QBA: 30
Pass Blocking:55
WR Catching: 40
Run Blocking: 70
Ball Security: 65
Reaction Time: 45
Interceptions: 50. ***(I will not punish the CPU for your mistakes)****
Pass Coverage: 50
Tackling 55

SPECIAL TEAMS
FG Power 40
FGA 35
Punt Power 40
Punt Accuracy 65
Kick Off Power 55

AUTO SUBS (Using Fatigue Setting To Control Subs)

Site was causing me some issues. I got these updated now. The Hybrid 0 set is now going to be reserved for just CPU vs CPU Gameplay.

A couple of key notes:
Threshold is at 20. I wanted 0 but that works best for CPU vs CPU mode.

The CPU QBA is 30 as I could no longer tolerate the noodle arms on deep throws. This gives them the ability to hit the WR in stride if they have good deep ball accuracy. Truth be told they seem to just simply function smarter with awareness tied into the Qb"s much more this year then in previous versions.

The Reaction Sliders being lowered will help stop the LB'S from instantly recognizing a Run play. This is tied into their Play Recognition rating which is why you see them often on the USER side sniff out a CPU run play right away. On Varsity it's worse because the USER defenders have such an advantage over the CPU. It didn't matter if you put Run Block at 100 without lowering this Slider the USER was always going to still Stuff the run leading to high TFL stats.

If You struggle to Run on the USER Side a slight bump up to 10 Run Block should get you going. I personally use 0 for the added challenge.

I use 0 Tackling as well but the Base set will be 5. If by chance you are getting gàshed on the ground you can always bump this up to 10. This Slider will also effect the CPU's Top WR'S run after catch ability as I was seeing too many instances where they couldn't get any rack yards.

if any issues arise with drops you can always set either side to 45 Catching. I honestly don't see a need to go 50 on Varsity level because then you start seeing guys warp to the football and that's just as bad as seeing suction Tackling on defense.

Lastly my reasoning for not going too far away from Default 50 for the CPU is try to keep them closely within their base ratings as possible.

I didn't like seeing a DB with 40 tackle rating get his attributes boosted to tackle like a LB all game. 60 might be the highest you would need from them especially with a low run block.

[Playmakers]

Update coming is supposed to reduce pass rush effectiveness on lower levels which is good imo.

So I'm hold tight at 55 Pass Block and work from there if needed. Right now there's no brick wall feeling with it at 55 you get a actual push by DL and sometimes you'll see the CPU blocker get knocked off balance.

definetly trying to avoid the higher settings this year to keep things more closer to ratings

[snaz16]

Fingers crossed on how the coming update affects the sliders.