Edit: Updated 25th January 2021
Played for a few months now and settled on these updates. The game was still in favour of the human player (due to it being on Pro and 'easier'). Bumping the CPU goalies evened that out slightly. Games seem competitive now and plenty of penalties keeping it realistic!
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NHL 19 was perfect on All Star and provided a perfect level of challenge for me but since NHL 20 (and 21) All Star has altered to an AI opponent full of robots. With myself having children I want something that will challenge me but not need incredible levels of concentration (ignoring everyone in the room for 30 mins +) just to stay in the game.
Moving to Pro seemed the solution but it was always too easy. There's almost a need for another level in between. I like to have decent stats that look realistic so I've come up with something that will suit players who want something between Pro and All Star and want games to be around 30 minutes in real time.
I'm only listing changes so if something isn't listed leave it on default.
Updates in BOLD
Settings:
Game Style: Custom (I rename my saved style NHL21)
Post Whistle Rules: Authentic
Fighting: 2/2
Injuries: On
Penalties: 4/4
Period Length: 6 minutes
Difficulty: Pro
Penalty Time Scaling: 0/6
Coincidental Scaling: 0/6
I've kept time scaling low as you will se an accurate number of powerplays per game.
General
Game Speed: 0/6
Injury Occurrence: 65
Brings game speed down to something more realistic. Injuries is something I'm monitoring. I want to see realistic amounts.
Cover Frequency: 50
Goalie Cross Crease Reaction: CPU 90/Human 80
Goalie Save Reaction Time: CPU 90/Human 80
Goalie Deflection Reaction: CPU 90/Human 80
Goalie Screen Effect: CPU 50/Human 50
Goalie Screen Persistence: CPU 50/Human 50
Makes goalies a little better than 'Pro' and reduces goals slightly. I've made CPU goalies better than Human goalies to make it more even.
Shooting:
One timers down to 40 for human and cpu
Slap shot down to 35 for human and cpu
Penalties
CPU Penalties: 90/100
CPU Teammate: 95/100
Tripping: 90/100
Slashing: 90/100
Elbowing: 90/100
High Sticking: 90/100
Cross Checking: 90/100
Boarding: 90/100
Charging: 90/100
Delay of Game: 65/100
Holding: 90/100
Hooking: 90/100
Interference: 90/100
You should see anywhere between 1-7 powerplays per game giving realistic totals compared to AI stats. Shorter time scaling reduces the amount of goals scored on the PP to realistic levels.
AI
AI Learning: 6/6
CPU Difficulty Adjustment: 6/6
CPU Adjustment Strategy: 6/6
User Adjustment Strategy: 6/6
Bumps up Pro to make it a challenge. Strategy up to 6 letting the AI change tactics/pull goalie etc for you in game.
Let me know what you think!
Played for a few months now and settled on these updates. The game was still in favour of the human player (due to it being on Pro and 'easier'). Bumping the CPU goalies evened that out slightly. Games seem competitive now and plenty of penalties keeping it realistic!
--------------------------------------------------
NHL 19 was perfect on All Star and provided a perfect level of challenge for me but since NHL 20 (and 21) All Star has altered to an AI opponent full of robots. With myself having children I want something that will challenge me but not need incredible levels of concentration (ignoring everyone in the room for 30 mins +) just to stay in the game.
Moving to Pro seemed the solution but it was always too easy. There's almost a need for another level in between. I like to have decent stats that look realistic so I've come up with something that will suit players who want something between Pro and All Star and want games to be around 30 minutes in real time.
I'm only listing changes so if something isn't listed leave it on default.
Updates in BOLD
Settings:
Game Style: Custom (I rename my saved style NHL21)
Post Whistle Rules: Authentic
Fighting: 2/2
Injuries: On
Penalties: 4/4
Period Length: 6 minutes
Difficulty: Pro
Penalty Time Scaling: 0/6
Coincidental Scaling: 0/6
I've kept time scaling low as you will se an accurate number of powerplays per game.
General
Game Speed: 0/6
Injury Occurrence: 65
Brings game speed down to something more realistic. Injuries is something I'm monitoring. I want to see realistic amounts.
Cover Frequency: 50
Goalie Cross Crease Reaction: CPU 90/Human 80
Goalie Save Reaction Time: CPU 90/Human 80
Goalie Deflection Reaction: CPU 90/Human 80
Goalie Screen Effect: CPU 50/Human 50
Goalie Screen Persistence: CPU 50/Human 50
Makes goalies a little better than 'Pro' and reduces goals slightly. I've made CPU goalies better than Human goalies to make it more even.
Shooting:
One timers down to 40 for human and cpu
Slap shot down to 35 for human and cpu
Penalties
CPU Penalties: 90/100
CPU Teammate: 95/100
Tripping: 90/100
Slashing: 90/100
Elbowing: 90/100
High Sticking: 90/100
Cross Checking: 90/100
Boarding: 90/100
Charging: 90/100
Delay of Game: 65/100
Holding: 90/100
Hooking: 90/100
Interference: 90/100
You should see anywhere between 1-7 powerplays per game giving realistic totals compared to AI stats. Shorter time scaling reduces the amount of goals scored on the PP to realistic levels.
AI
AI Learning: 6/6
CPU Difficulty Adjustment: 6/6
CPU Adjustment Strategy: 6/6
User Adjustment Strategy: 6/6
Bumps up Pro to make it a challenge. Strategy up to 6 letting the AI change tactics/pull goalie etc for you in game.
Let me know what you think!
Comment