Hey Wiz, just gave your new set a trial run and played several games. Overall, I like how the game plays at normal speed. The run game is dialed in for both user and cpu.
My only issue is the CPU passing game and USER Pass Rushing. I just cannot get the CPU to pass the ball efficiently or effectively. I've played games with this set where the CPU QB just plays awfully, though I have seen some good drives by the CPU. I've had 2 10+ USER sack games with this new set. Aldon Smith has two 4 sack games so far, but he is rated 99. My rookie LOLB and LE are playing like beasts, though they're only rated in the high 70's. They've both had multiple 3+ sack games.
So in an attempt to tweak your set, I wanted to improve CPU pass blocking, as well as improve the CPU passing game overall. Here's what I'm working with:
6/85
9/40
48/60
0/0
0/47
75/75
33/26
20/21
0/0
10/75
10/75
55/55
I increased QB Accuracy to 85. I really don't think this affects much, but I do notice fewer blatant miss throws, like when the CPU QB throws it out of bounds to a WR on an out route. I still see many overthrows, so I might increase to 100. QB's are still having trouble breaking 60% completion or 200 yards a game.
I increased CPU pass blocking to 40 to reduce the number of USER sacks and improve the CPU passing game. Might increase to 45, as I'm still seeing at least 4 sacks per game.
I increased USER Pass Defense Reaction Time from 26 to 33, to improve CPU passing. Not sure how this works, but you suggested increasing this to improve CPU passing.
My problem is I'm still not having challenging games. Although I tamed the USER sack issue I was having, I still don't see CPU QB's break 200 yards or 50% completion. In fact, the CPU has achieved this only twice in 7 games.
Any advice on how to strengthen the CPU passing game?
Here's a box score from my most recent game against the Bears with all of the tweaks I made. The game started off very realistically. The first quarter was a great back and forth defensive tug-o-war. But it gradually became a blowout, as Chicago had no answer on offense. They finished with 2/15 on 3rd down I think. The CPU pass rushing did well, recording 7 sacks against me. But that barely slowed me down, as I was still able to pass with ease. Btw, the Bears have Matt Ryan at QB (rated 90), while Cutler (rated 87) rides the bench. And they just picked a QB in the first round, rated 80. Lol Madden AI.
| Chicago Bears at San Francisco 49ers |
| Jan 1, | 1ST | 2ND | 3RD | 4TH | SCORE |
| Chicago Bears () | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 7 |
| San Francisco 49ers () | 0 | 16 | 21 | 24 | 61 |
| Team Stats Comparison |
| CHI | SFO |
| Total Offense | 192 | 624 |
| Rushing Yards | 34 | 203 |
| Passing Yards | 158 | 421 |
| First Downs | 9 | 26 |
| Punt Return Yards | 6 | 115 |
| Kick Return Yards | 63 | 21 |
| Total Yards | 261 | 760 |
| Turnovers | 1 | 1 |
| 3rd Down Converstion | 2 | 8 |
| 4th Down Conversion | 0 | 0 |
| 2-Point Conversion | 0 | 0 |
| Red Zone Touchdowns/Field Goals | 100 | 87 |
| Penalties |
|
|
| Posession Time | 21:03 | 38:57 |
| Chicago Bears | | PASSING | C/A | YDS | TD | INT | | Ryan | 19/38 | 181 | 1 | 1 | | RUSHING | ATT | YDS | AVG | TD | | Forte | 14 | 31 | 2.2 | 0 | | Stephens-Howling | 2 | 3 | 1.5 | 0 | | RECEIVING | REC | YDS | AVG | TD | | Simpson | 5 | 57 | 11.4 | 0 | | Forte | 4 | 39 | 9.8 | 0 | | Green | 4 | 47 | 11.8 | 0 | | Marshall | 3 | 24 | 8.0 | 1 | | Barnes | 2 | 12 | 6.0 | 0 | | Kendricks | 1 | 2 | 2 | 0 | | DEFENSE | TACK | SACK | INT | TD | | Briggs | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | | Wright | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | | Siler | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | | McCarthy | 6 | 1 | 0 | 0 | | Lieuget | 4 | 2 | 0 | 0 | | Williams | 3 | 2 | 0 | 0 | | Upshaw | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | | Waters | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| | San Francisco 49ers | | PASSING | C/A | YDS | TD | INT | | Kaepernick | 25/35 | 483 | 6 | 0 | | RUSHING | ATT | YDS | AVG | TD | | Hunter | 31 | 121 | 3.9 | 1 | | Kaepernick | 7 | 80 | 11.4 | 0 | | James | 1 | 2 | 2.0 | 0 | | RECEIVING | REC | YDS | AVG | TD | | Davis | 10 | 235 | 23.5 | 3 | | Manningham | 5 | 57 | 11.4 | 2 | | Hunter | 4 | 62 | 15.5 | 0 | | Crabtree | 3 | 59 | 19.7 | 0 | | Walker | 3 | 70 | 23.3 | 1 | | DEFENSE | TACK | SACK | INT | TD | | Willis | 9 | 1 | 0 | 0 | | Bowman | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | | Smith | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | | Battles | 3 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
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How would you recommend I improve the CPU passing game? Pumping up QB ACC doesn't seem to do much. Should I increase USER Pass Reaction even more? Should I tweak any penalty sliders? I don't understand how I'm not having realistic games with the CPU pass settings you created. I literally don't play defense. I "Ask Madden" and pick the most conservative play (usually Cover 2 zone with 3 or 4 pass rushers), and sit and watch. I don't user control or nano blitz or cheese or anything. However, my inside linebackers are probably the best coverage LB's in the game, with Willis and Bowman rated in the 90's for Zone and mid 80's Man coverage. Even Aldon Smith is rated in the mid 80's, though he rushes on most pass plays.
How would you recommend I improve the CPU pass defense? Should I increase CPU INT or reduce CPU Pass Reaction? Vernon Davis is too good in this game. He's like a cheat code. The CPU defense needs help. I've already dropped USER Catching to 48, to reduce his ability to catch in traffic, but that adversely affects other receivers that aren't as overpowered. For example, Crabtree kind of sucks when you lower USER catching, since he's a possession receiver, and hardly gets open.
Basically I want to strengthen the CPU in several areas, and I'm willing to give up some realism (DB mirroring, etc) for a more challenging experience. Can't have my cake and eat it too, I suppose.
Thanks again Wiz, I appreciate your time and effort on these sliders.
EDIT: So I'm thinking that maybe my team CCM is too overpowered. I over-upgraded my players, especially my LB's coverage abilities. I'm going to start a new CCM today with an updated roster, which will hopefully alleviate some of the issues I've been seeing.