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

[ucas005]

I've played about 8 games post patch with my new offline franchise. What an improvement! The shooting and penalties were the most noticeable improvements. I had a realistic amount of missed shots mostly by 3rd and 4th line guys. I think Im averaging between 4-8 power-plays a game. I actually use the dump chase now. Overall the game feels awesome. The patch really improved this game. Im most impressed with the shooting. My last game I was up 3 going into the third, got a little stick lift happy and spent the first six minutes of the third a man down. The cpu went 2 for 3 on PP and then scored a late goal when Vanek actually deked me out on a one-on-one and went upper shelf. (That has never happened to me before so not sure if that was part of the patch. Still really cool) In OT my pass was deflected into center ice and I picked it up with a streaking Kessel, went in all alone and scored from the top of the circle with his mighty snap shot.

[Qb]

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...

[catcatch22]

I never changed AI learning from 6.

[Fiddy]

i to notcied the AI on superstar not being themselves like before the patch lol (superstar). i had AI Learning at 2 or 3, i bumped it back up to 6. i play 7 min periods, default speed, but all other sliders adjusted with the exception of shot acc and power, i leave them at 3.

i played Pens vs Flyers and won 5-2 but notcied the cpu being so much more in my face then before i made the AI learning adjustment. they out shot me 32-27, went 0-4 on the PP, while i went 4-6 on the PP.

i may bump shot acc up to 4, that could help IMO.. the only other thing i can think of doing is taking agressivness from 2 click up to 4 or even max it out and see what it does.

but overall i really like the patch.

[Steven547]

Quote: Originally Posted by Qb

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]

Quote: Originally Posted by catcatch22

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]

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]

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.