Need help with my 2K difficulty conundrum

[TexasRyan]

My issue: I play this game on Pro bc it's the only mode where I feel like I can get clean looks. But I'm winning every game by like 30-40+. In old 2K's I could play on Superstar and get slightly more competitive games. But this year if I go on all star the defense gets way too tight and while I could probably still win games comfortably, it takes the fun out of game bc A. I can only hit 3's if I'm wide open and B. step backs and etc. are a no go.

My problem with using sliders: For the most part, my biggest issue is I just can't find a set of sliders that are somewhat simple. Every set of sliders I have looked at wants to change to real shooting % for shooting and/or free throws (I have tried it in the past - it's another thing that just takes the fun out of the game for me). Other sliders call for having certain camera settings (I like playing on broadcast or whatever the one from the side is) or running plays. Again, I just don't have a super fun experience running plays. I like to use my playmakers and take guys off the dribble. It gives me 4 basic options: 1. get to the basket and finish, 2. get to the basket and kick it to the open shooters, 3. dribble move, step back (or to the side) and shoot, and 4. pass it around and take somewhat contested shot/feed the post and go from there. That's just how I enjoy running the offense.

So in conclusion, I'm really just looking for all the help and suggestions I can get. I like playing this game somewhat casually, which is why I run the offense the way I do. I'm just looking for more competitive games against the computer for MyNBA or at least a variety of them. I'm considering editing the sliders from all star/superstar or even HOF just for the defense so the CPU is more of a threat to score. Bc most games I'm probably scoring 120-140 on Pro, which may be a little high, but I'm OK with it bc of the feel of how offense works compared to higher difficulties. I'd just like the other team to play me more competitively. I'd really like suggestions for things I can try given all the info I included. I'm open to even trying slider sets if I don't have to really change the way I play the game. And honestly I've tried that in the past, I just don't enjoy myself at that point.

[m29a]

Re: Need help with my 2K difficulty conundrum

I feel the same as you in terms of how I like to play. I like a challenge, but I also like freedom of choice in playing how I want to play and not having to do certain things over and over just to get the win.

The simplest solution is to either play on Pro sliders with the AI/CPU shooting increased or play on the higher difficulties with the AI/CPU defense decreased. Play games and further tune to your liking.

Edit: I'd lean towards custom Pro. In my experience the defensive sliders don't make as big of a difference as I'd expect in terms of physicality/psychic reactions, and I think (not 100% sure) that higher difficulties especially SS/HOF make timing more strict. So if you are happy with your offensive performance on Pro, then you just need to make AI/CPU shots go in more frequently. Years ago the AI used to play with "full logic" only on higher difficulties, but I recall they adjusted it previously so that all levels the AI plays with full capability -- it just depends on the shooting sliders.

No need to follow some extended slider set that changes many things.

[TexasRyan]

Re: Need help with my 2K difficulty conundrum

I feel the same as you in terms of how I like to play. I like a challenge, but I also like freedom of choice in playing how I want to play and not having to do certain things over and over just to get the win.

The simplest solution is to either play on Pro sliders with the AI/CPU shooting increased or play on the higher difficulties with the AI/CPU defense decreased. Play games and further tune to your liking.

No need to follow some extended slider set that changes many things.

Spot on. It'd be nice if someone could share specific sliders that would be conducive to that. I've never messed around with the sliders on my own so it's hard for me to really know what to try.

[howardphillips214]

Re: Need help with my 2K difficulty conundrum

All-star is where I've been most of the year but this last patch I've kicked it up to Superstar and I play My career only so I don't get sliders.

Currently up 10 on the Thunder 3 minutes into the 2nd. I'd probably be up by 15-20 if I was on All-star. Defense seems a little Chucky on Superstar. Not as bad as it was pre-patch but it's like they're hand checking out here. Even when my shooters are coming off screens the D recovers a lot better than AS.

I was also blowing out teams by 30-40 every game, often up by that much by halftime so it's just a longevity thing. Now that I can get whatever I want on offense I need to challenge myself to play better D.

[vetmin]

Re: Need help with my 2K difficulty conundrum

Spot on. It'd be nice if someone could share specific sliders that would be conducive to that. I've never messed around with the sliders on my own so it's hard for me to really know what to try.

I can't give you 2K24-specific guidance, but generally speaking it's always a good idea to try mixing and matching slider settings from different difficulties. For instance, if you're playing Pro and like how it feels for you on offense, then don't touch any of the CPU's defensive sliders, but try changing the CPU offensive sliders to what they are for the CPU on higher difficulties. I've sometimes had good results simply using 'all-User Pro' or 'all user-Superstar' (in other words, edit the CPU's sliders so that they're identical to the user's in both cases).

[tc020791]

Re: Need help with my 2K difficulty conundrum

My issue: I play this game on Pro bc it's the only mode where I feel like I can get clean looks. But I'm winning every game by like 30-40+. In old 2K's I could play on Superstar and get slightly more competitive games. But this year if I go on all star the defense gets way too tight and while I could probably still win games comfortably, it takes the fun out of game bc A. I can only hit 3's if I'm wide open and B. step backs and etc. are a no go.



My problem with using sliders: For the most part, my biggest issue is I just can't find a set of sliders that are somewhat simple. Every set of sliders I have looked at wants to change to real shooting % for shooting and/or free throws (I have tried it in the past - it's another thing that just takes the fun out of the game for me). Other sliders call for having certain camera settings (I like playing on broadcast or whatever the one from the side is) or running plays. Again, I just don't have a super fun experience running plays. I like to use my playmakers and take guys off the dribble. It gives me 4 basic options: 1. get to the basket and finish, 2. get to the basket and kick it to the open shooters, 3. dribble move, step back (or to the side) and shoot, and 4. pass it around and take somewhat contested shot/feed the post and go from there. That's just how I enjoy running the offense.



So in conclusion, I'm really just looking for all the help and suggestions I can get. I like playing this game somewhat casually, which is why I run the offense the way I do. I'm just looking for more competitive games against the computer for MyNBA or at least a variety of them. I'm considering editing the sliders from all star/superstar or even HOF just for the defense so the CPU is more of a threat to score. Bc most games I'm probably scoring 120-140 on Pro, which may be a little high, but I'm OK with it bc of the feel of how offense works compared to higher difficulties. I'd just like the other team to play me more competitively. I'd really like suggestions for things I can try given all the info I included. I'm open to even trying slider sets if I don't have to really change the way I play the game. And honestly I've tried that in the past, I just don't enjoy myself at that point.

Try just matching your shot success sliders with the CPU and they will probably put up more points without making the game feel much different. For example, I believe user shot success sliders are at 54 for user on Pro, make the CPU’s 54 as well.

[TexasRyan]

Re: Need help with my 2K difficulty conundrum

Try just matching your shot success sliders with the CPU and they will probably put up more points without making the game feel much different. For example, I believe user shot success sliders are at 54 for user on Pro, make the CPU’s 54 as well.

What I am testing right now is pro default but USER defense superstar sliders and CPU offense superstar sliders

I swear CPU defense is tighter on me too. Idk what is causing it but I'm having a harder time offensively.

[KTBFFH]

Re: Need help with my 2K difficulty conundrum

So a little quirk about the defense sliders in 2K since they removed the “sim” and “arcade” options. The user and CPU defense sliders are swapped. Eccentric Meat did a whole thread about this several years ago. I think it can be found in the sliders subforum or by searching. These sliders also SIGNIFICANTLY impact fouls.

I played on all star last year but find the CPU defense overpowered this year. The Schnaidt1/SGN sliders are pretty decent this year but they are made for Real FG %. Most of the slider makers say that user timing is over powered but I haven’t found that to be the case since around 2k20. Mike Wang seems to regularly change the shot timing mechanics with every daily update and the green zone moves around depending on the defense anyway.

The defense impact and shot timing impact sliders are very weird sliders. They can have a dramatic impact in both directions and are difficult to balance.

Good luck with finding the right “sim” balance. 2K’s gameplay is all over the place every year.

[VDusen04]

Re: Need help with my 2K difficulty conundrum

The original issue sounds very similar to my own. I just dived back into 2K about a week or two ago, after the latest patch, and I've experienced some level of success by upping the CPU shooting sliders a good deal beyond what feels right to do.

[simbayless]

Re: Need help with my 2K difficulty conundrum

Yea I was thinking about playing 2k23 again for this very reason hof starting out cool until the patches hit and now idk what level to play on for the first time in 2k history


I'm also torn that they finally made the AI competitive
So I'm juggling between Fun or competitive🤔🤔
2k nailed that aspect in the PS4 era

[topwater]

Re: Need help with my 2K difficulty conundrum

Yea I was thinking about playing 2k23 again for this very reason hof starting out cool until the patches hit and now idk what level to play on for the first time in 2k history


I'm also torn that they finally made the AI competitive
So I'm juggling between Fun or competitive🤔🤔
2k nailed that aspect in the PS4 era

Unfortunately the only real competitive difficulty level is superstar or HoF. Playing on either is not fun (for me) because regardless of sliders or roster edits defense is absolutely the most ridiculous style of play I've seen in many, many years. The most realistic style of play as far as the cpu not mind reading and reacting as you input controls is rookie. Even on Pro you'll see a player with his back to the play, literally react to a drive or a pass as it happens.


There are other under the hood/bugs/factors at play also. For example I am one of the people that really complained a lot in the perimeter defensive thread and came to realize that despite having updates, roster changes, etc my game is playing much differently than what I see in vids and clips. I've actually had it play pretty decent and then, utter crap. Since the last update defense has been toned down, as has the warping and defensive sliding and other nonsense. It even played pretty well for me, but it's reverted back to not being able to move. Currently on default rookie, roster edits with everyone having every single drive, offensive badge and 25 ratings for defense abilities I can't blow by a single person without it taking up half the length of the court. If I get by a guy on a pick, he'll warp from 7 feet behind me to strip me mid layup or float in mid air, in front of me to attempt a block. I've uninstalled it 3 times and only once has it been ok, but I get roster updates and then it's beyond horrible again. There's also speed issues. The game, even without being online at all, will play differently from last time you turned it off. Last I played I had speed, acceleration and anything movement related set to so low it's alarming and it still played fast as hell. Tried reinstalling last night because I have time off for the holidays and default speeds is playing slower than the other day when I had everything down to next to nothing.


The game game is a mess. For lack of better terms, the 'base defensive model' is horrible. Individually most NBA defenders are at a pretty severe disadvantage because, well that's how life works. Defenders have to react and can't break physics to compensate. In NBA 2K24 defenders are just absolute psychic, physics-defying titans, even with ratings as low as they can be. In the NBA a guy who gets the ball on a fast break doesn't slow down despite telling his legs to run as fast as they can, and when a defender sees him break he doesn't warp in front of him and essentially cut off forward momentum.


Just play 23. It's a better game, objectively. It has much. much better player movement and ball movement. Simple plays like a quick screen or pick and roll actually play out pretty quickly. The level of physicality is toned down in a much more realistic manner. All of the cool dribbling is awesome in 24, but if you're like me and have a version where despite updates sliding and defensive absurdity is still present, they are essentially useless. Pretty looking, and fun to use in 2KU, but in game it's just another animation to play out while your defender just mirrors your movement.

[m29a]

Re: Need help with my 2K difficulty conundrum

In my experience, spamming PNR for any type of opening is the primary solution to deal with the physical defense and higher difficulty levels. I've come to the conclusion that it's better to work around this than to expect big changes in design philosophy. 2K ball can still be enjoyable despite occasional frustrations and that realization has helped me have decent games on HOF default.

I'll also say again I don't really believe there are changes behind the scenes with defense. I think it's more about people playing against different teams with different players and badges/ratings can make impressions swing rapidly.

[simbayless]

Re: Need help with my 2K difficulty conundrum

The post play took a step back this year
I can be shaq vs 69 rated center that's out of position and it's still called being contested with no hands up smh
That should be BBQ Chicken more then not

[topwater]

Re: Need help with my 2K difficulty conundrum

The post play took a step back this year
I can be shaq vs 69 rated center that's out of position and it's still called being contested with no hands up smh
That should be BBW Chicken more then not

That's the defensive philosophy this year. Everything is contested. By hook or by crook.

[BitTexas]

Re: Need help with my 2K difficulty conundrum

If you're playing on MyERA (I am playing Modern), I read in one of the threads here to remove the Badges. True enough it made my experience HUGE improvement. Just FYI, after drafting for your next season, you need to remove the badges again. I play Superstar btw in this mode with no changes in terms of setting except put 12 min needs approval for trades.