MLB The Show 21 Check Swings - Love it or Hate it?

[Jay Cee]

What else can I say but wow, this is impacting both myself and the AI but check swings are called for a strikes DRAMATICALLY more often this year to the point it’s a problem. Strikeouts on both sides are way up and walks are way down as compared to usual. Please tell me one of you slider gurus can control from this really bad programming bug.


Sent from my iPhone using Operation Sports

[knucklecutter]

Re: Check swings

For both myself and the cpu I'm seeing good realistic strike out numbers and walks, but you're right that the check swings for both humans and cpu are almost always considered to have gone around.

[Dolenz]

Re: Check swings

I believe they made this change because online players complained that it was too easy and unrealistic to see players check swing regularly 3 or 4 times in a single at bat.

I feel like they overcompensated with the fix though

[Potatoes002]

Re: Check swings

I noticed in the Xbox One beta test literally every check swing resulted in a strike for me.

Playing the XSX version, I have seen a lot go the other way and it is definitely more balanced. Not sure why that is...

[NYJin2011tm]

Re: Check swings

It was def too easy in past years. I like where it’s at right now. I’m getting a good mix of not checking and checking successfully.

[RainOnTim]

Re: Check swings

Before when it was a mix of player ratings and user input it felt random, this year I feel like I know whether I went or not before the appeal.

It's definitely harder to check swing this year but I don't think it's broken the game in any way.

[bo_jax2000]

Re: Check swings

There is a player quirk that deals with walks and check swings. Has anyone had more success while using those players with the quirk?

[JoshC1977]

Re: Check swings

What else can I say but wow, this is impacting both myself and the AI but check swings are called for a strikes DRAMATICALLY more often this year to the point it’s a problem. Strikeouts on both sides are way up and walks are way down as compared to usual. Please tell me one of you slider gurus can control from this really bad programming bug.

It's not a bug first of all. That was a design decision (one I wholeheartedly agree with now having played with it). Yes, I think it's a hair overdone, mainly on the CPU side as I definitely noted the same uptick in K-rate for the CPU (and myself).

I raised foul frequency to 6 for both sides and that helped the CPU without jacking-up the balance. Raising user pitch control to 6 also helps the CPU batters play more intelligently....as usual.

[countryboy]

Re: Check swings

When the check swing changes were announced I was a little hesitant on how the changes would play out, although I thought something had to be done because check swinging in previous years was far to easy to successfully execute.

This is another one of those small adjustments that makes a significant impact on the game and how it plays out, and its for the better.

Feels good to fool a hitter into a check swing and seeing the 1st/3rd base ump ring him up for the strikeout.

[RainOnTim]

Re: Check swings

It also made pitches in the dirt ALOT more effective. I felt like in previous years, in strike-out counts you still had to make a borderline pitch to get a swing. Now I'm finding that burying curveballs and change-ups is more viable because you can draw check swings. Same with sliders away.

[Rmiok222]

Re: Check swings

I honestly love this change. It’s making it way more realistic in my eyes.


Sent from my iPhone using Operation Sports

[tabarnes19_SDS]

Re: Check swings

I have not played enough to really digest the changes, but the 15-20 games I have played I don't like it.

I feel like it is more catered to prevent online and head to head manipulation that hurts the offline experience. Similar to bunts IMO.

Sent from my SM-N986U using Tapatalk

[dubplate]

Re: Check swings

I honestly love this change. It’s making it way more realistic in my eyes.


Sent from my iPhone using Operation Sports

I am okay with a change, but it isn’t realistic when it gets called a strike 95% of the time. May as well just remove the mechanic altogether.

[Grey_Osprey]

Re: Check swings

The vast majority of my check swings result in strikes. It can get frustrating at times, but I think I'll eventually adjust. Got a chuckle while watching a stream and seeing a cpu pitcher execute a check swing. I mean if a cpu pitcher can do it, surely I can to with higher DISC rated players....

Sent from my SM-S205DL using Operation Sports mobile app

[HustlinOwl]

Re: Check swings

loving the change for online h2h as in years past you could check swing 10+ times per at bat