NHL 09 Patch Released (360/PS3) -- Impressions here please

[Steven547]

Re: NHL 09 Patch Released (360/PS3) -- Impressions here please

To those of you expressing concern with the CPU offense after the patch, are you playing with AI Learning lowered? It seems that many people were playing with it down from the maxed-out default, some even had it at zero. I haven't been able to play an offline game since the patch so I don't know for myself, but it might be worth a try to see if it makes them "smarter" or at least more aggressive.

The consensus seemed to be that the AI was too overpowered with it at 6 prior to the patch, hence lowering it to balance things out. Now people are saying the AI is underpowered, so perhaps turning it up (assuming it's still low) would have the reciprocal effect.


PS - I just wanted a reason to use reciprocal. Too bad I couldn't work reciprocity in there too...

Hey QB,

I had my AI Learning at 0 PRE PATCH. Post patch, I saw more goals by the CPU and my team as well (position lock), but the CPU shots were down drastically. I haven't had much time to play (at work now), but I did increase it in one game, to 1. It seems that the CPU, as you suggested, is "underpowered" with the AI learning lower now, as opposed to pre patch. Example: I was playing Detroit with the AI at 0...they had 19 shots on goal, but scored 5 goals. I then raised it to 1, and Detroit had 30 shots on goal and roughly 5-7 goals. I'll test more when I get home, but I think the sliders have more affect or maybe work the way they should now post patch. The higher AI learning might equal a more aggressive CPU offense.

[Qb]

Re: NHL 09 Patch Released (360/PS3) -- Impressions here please

I never changed AI learning from 6.

Ha, there goes that idea... I need to get some offline games in to investigate this myself. I've still probably only played 20-25 games offline since release as my EASHL teammates also seem to catch me when I try to sneak a few in. They need me 'cause all I do is score goals... well, not really, but Ivan Drago has been known to put a few biscuits in the basket in addition to being the best darn high/passive forechecker this side of Moscow...

[draven085]

Re: NHL 09 Patch Released (360/PS3) -- Impressions here please

Anyone who is playing with aggressiveness lower than 6 isn't going to see the best the CPU has to offer, IMO. With aggressiveness maxed the CPU does a much better job of pressuring the puck in their own end and work hard to create scoring chances in the offensive zone. In early games with aggression lower the AI was far too passive in all zones and it made generating scoring chances far too easy.

I don't think anyone can say with any degree of certainty what the AI Learning slider does but I'm coming around to the argument that it is a slider for 'CPU Cheapness', for lack of a better term. With the slider set higher the CPU's poke checks and stick lifts seem more effective and they are definitely able to corral loose pucks more effectively relative to the ability of the human controlled team to do so. Post-patch I have moved to superstar difficulty but have lowered my AI Learning slider from six to three and may consider dropping it to two as I found the AI's ability to control loose pucks unrealistic in my test games last night.

[celtic78]

Re: NHL 09 Patch Released (360/PS3) -- Impressions here please

im playing and for some reason in one game, post patch, ive yet to get a powerplay against the cpu on all star halfway through the third...yesterday i had a couple of games where i got 3 and 4....weird.

[kerosene31]

Re: NHL 09 Patch Released (360/PS3) -- Impressions here please

I forgot to add, all my sliders were default except for fatigue for realistic line changes.

[Fiddy]

Re: NHL 09 Patch Released (360/PS3) -- Impressions here please

well i just bumped the agressivnes slider from 2 to 6. i got tore up by the Flyers 7-0. (7 min periods). i outshot them 33-27, they were 4-5 on the PP and i was 0-5. bah lol.. i had my chances and didnt really feel cheated, they just outplayed me this game.

[renatus]

Re: NHL 09 Patch Released (360/PS3) -- Impressions here please

oh boy thanks for the always up controls..i could never get a slap shoot off going down screen....

[Matt Diesel]

Re: NHL 09 Patch Released (360/PS3) -- Impressions here please

Its nice for OTP to see player attempting money goals over and over only to be denied while teams that play a good cycling game dominate. I only played a few games online last night, but I can tell the money shots are greatly reduced.

I am loving the new height for the dumps as well as the no checking with the vision control held down.

[bad_philanthropy]

Re: NHL 09 Patch Released (360/PS3) -- Impressions here please

I never had my AI learning or agression lower than 6 before the patch and haven't changed it. Bottom line is that the cpu isn't as capable. I've been trying to mess around with sliders to no avail yet, but I'm not going to give up.

Also, just to make it clear that I really like all of the other changes that have been implemented with the patch. QB, would it be possible to send off an email to the community rep expressing concern? At least after you get some more single player games under you. I'm pretty sure you'll draw the same conclusions as others here.

[nyr30]

Re: NHL 09 Patch Released (360/PS3) -- Impressions here please

Anyone who is playing with aggressiveness lower than 6 isn't going to see the best the CPU has to offer, IMO. With aggressiveness maxed the CPU does a much better job of pressuring the puck in their own end and work hard to create scoring chances in the offensive zone. In early games with aggression lower the AI was far too passive in all zones and it made generating scoring chances far too easy.

I don't think anyone can say with any degree of certainty what the AI Learning slider does but I'm coming around to the argument that it is a slider for 'CPU Cheapness', for lack of a better term. With the slider set higher the CPU's poke checks and stick lifts seem more effective and they are definitely able to corral loose pucks more effectively relative to the ability of the human controlled team to do so. Post-patch I have moved to superstar difficulty but have lowered my AI Learning slider from six to three and may consider dropping it to two as I found the AI's ability to control loose pucks unrealistic in my test games last night.

I totally agree with you here, when the CPU dumps the puck in even if you get there first the CPU will always come out with the puck. Loose pucks are the same the CPU will always seem to come up with the puck when there is a battle going on its just not realistic and what it does is just frustrate the hell out of me.

The way the CPU can control the puck when its bouncing its so much faster than the user, with the CPU its like bounce and bang its under control but with the user its bounce and bounce over the stick which leaves you flat footed and basically under pressure.

Even on the big checks when you hit someone watch where the puck goes probably about 75% of the time, it goes straight to a CPU player. I posted in another thread that i could be done with the game all-star too easy superstar just to frustrating.

All of a sudden i cant score its like every game is 1-0, 2-1 and the shot count is still the same, usually pretty even. i mix up my plays but its like whenever i get a sight of goal the slightest nudge and i am off the puck but when the same happens on the CPU its hardly effects them.

I am at the stage where i dont know what too do

[bad_philanthropy]

Re: NHL 09 Patch Released (360/PS3) -- Impressions here please

I totally agree with you here, when the CPU dumps the puck in even if you get there first the CPU will always come out with the puck. Loose pucks are the same the CPU will always seem to come up with the puck when there is a battle going on its just not realistic and what it does is just frustrate the hell out of me.

The way the CPU can control the puck when its bouncing its so much faster than the user, with the CPU its like bounce and bang its under control but with the user its bounce and bounce over the stick which leaves you flat footed and basically under pressure.

Even on the big checks when you hit someone watch where the puck goes probably about 75% of the time, it goes straight to a CPU player. I posted in another thread that i could be done with the game all-star too easy superstar just to frustrating.

All of a sudden i cant score its like every game is 1-0, 2-1 and the shot count i still the same and i mix up my plays but its like whenever i get a sight of goal the slightest nudge and i am off the puck but when the same happens on the CPU its hardly effects them.

I am at the stage where i dont know what too do

I have sort of noticed this as well. My guys just can't seem to settle a puck down with the same effectiveness as the cpu. I'm even sure to make certain that I'm not trying to get possession of it while going too fast. They also come out of battles for it as the loser most of the time.

It hasn't hurt me so far though post-patch, which is the thing, with as much as the cpu is able to turn loose pucks over on me they should be able to generate some offense I even bumped the shot accuracy all the way up to five fore them.

[nyr30]

Re: NHL 09 Patch Released (360/PS3) -- Impressions here please

I have sort of noticed this as well. My guys just can't seem to settle a puck down with the same effectiveness as the cpu. I'm even sure to make certain that I'm not trying to get possession of it while going too fast. They also come out of battles for it as the loser most of the time.

It hasn't hurt me so far though post-patch, which is the thing, with as much as the cpu is able to turn loose pucks over on me they should be able to generate some offense I even bumped the shot accuracy all the way up to five fore them.

I also upped shot accuracy to 3 with shot power at 3 but its still pretty bad, i love the fact more pucks miss the net and EA have done a good job of getting rid of the cheese goals but for me shooting seems like it has a dead feeling to it now.

I am on superstar with catcatch's sliders and everything is pretty even the shots, penalties, faceoffs and even my time of attack is always a minute or two higher but battling for a 1-0 or 2-1 is fun every few games but it shouldnt be that way every game.

EA did the right thing getting rid of the cheese goal but i feel it has come at the cost of some of the flair the game had.

[ohyeahbaby123]

Re: NHL 09 Patch Released (360/PS3) -- Impressions here please

LOL I must suck... I just lost a game where I gave up 4 goals.

[Brian Gee]

Re: NHL 09 Patch Released (360/PS3) -- Impressions here please

If you are giving up goals, just control one of your defensemen whenever the other team has the puck. All of my goals allowed were because I was pulling my wings and centers out of position...Since I've committed to the defensemen, I'm 6-0.

[zudatron]

Re: NHL 09 Patch Released (360/PS3) -- Impressions here please

I would caution against making any generalizations after playing only one game with the patch or new slider settings. That will just breed confusion.

I played four games in my dynasty with the patch and lost three of them (all star level). Those were my first losses in 15 games.

The AI feels a lot more like 08. It's hard to get the puck from them in the offensive zone and they make some very nice passing pays. I believe it has to do with the less effective stick lift, which was OP before, but was the only way to get the puck. Also they do less one timers which means they set up more in the zone. For the first time their time on attack was equal or greater than mine.

I found it really hard to score, so perhaps defense has been improved.

Online was funny because of how much the cheese shots were missing the net.

So it's definitely better than before the patch.