Control help...

[KomicJ]

I asked basically the same questions last year, but couldn't find an answer that actually seemed to work. Eventually traded NHL 13 back halfway through the season, but now here we are again, and having the same problems...

a) When your opponent/cpu plays dump and chase, what's the easiest way to take control of a bouncing puck in the corner (by the way EA, come on...this ain't basketball...puck does bounce, but not like that). Is there a button I should press ? Seems like the CPU has no problem whatsoever, but when my players attenpt to stop the puck, it just bounces above my stick, and the forechecking opponent takes control of it.

b) I play on Superstar, with interceptions set at 4. Now whenever I try to make a pass cross the middle, chances are the CPU will intercept. But whenever the CPU does it, it just goes right through my players (doesn't matter if there 1, 2 or even 3 on my guys in the passing lane). What's the correct way ? I tried timing pokecheck, I tried the so-called intercept button (with the stick flat on the ice), tried to do nothing at all, nothing seems to work.

c) Just like the 2 previous years, pokechecks/lift sticks are driving me insane. The CPU can just skate through my defenders, with perfect control of the puck, whenever I try to poke. Lift stick doesn't work either...I either end-up in penalty box for high-sticking, breaking my opponent sticks, or just swing the air, with my opponent then beating me outside, leading to 2-on-1, or breakaways. So ANY help here, would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks.

[hooah212002]

I am intrigued to find some answers to this as well because I am plagued by these issues. There are times where the CPU seemingly spins in circles while I try to steal the puck almost as if to rub in the fact that he can do it and I cannot. I've also given up trying to intercept passes and instead rely on trying to just cut off the passing lanes, forcing them to take it in themselves which hopefully leads to a steal based on a bad move (or, less likely, good defense). As far as grabbing a puck in the corner: don't bother. I wait for it to come to the halfboards or line myself up to check the CPU when they get it in the corner.

[jyoung]

A) Hold the left trigger to corral and settle a bouncing puck.

B) Hold the left trigger and face the passer. Your defender should at least deflect the puck. You need good defensive awareness and hand eye ratings to intercept passes cleanly.

C) Try upping the human sliders for stick lift effectiveness and poke check effectiveness. If that doesn't help, you can always go for a body check. Hitting is super effective this year.

[jayenomics]

Guys...I don't know if you've ever played real hockey but...pucks do bounce like that when they get dumped they way they do in game. Ice is as hard as a rock, and pucks are just vulcanized rubber...they bounce pretty good.

[KomicJ]

Quote: Originally Posted by jayenomics

Guys...I don't know if you've ever played real hockey but...pucks do bounce like that when they get dumped they way they do in game. Ice is as hard as a rock, and pucks are just vulcanized rubber...they bounce pretty good.

I played hockey for 8 years...I'm not saying it should come flat on the ice, as it was a couple of years ago in the NHL series, but there's no way puck bounces all the way up to the glass part of the board, even on a soft dump. It's like the puck is hitting a huge chip on the ice every single time. I still see a difference between a puck made of vulcanized rubber, and a basketball, and to me, it looks more like the later.

[KomicJ]

Quote: Originally Posted by jyoung

A) Hold the left trigger to corral and settle a bouncing puck. B) Hold the left trigger and face the passer. Your defender should at least deflect the puck. You need good defensive awareness and hand eye ratings to intercept passes cleanly. C) Try upping the human sliders for stick lift effectiveness and poke check effectiveness. If that doesn't help, you can always go for a body check. Hitting is super effective this year.

Yeah, body checks are my only weapon right now...might even be a bit too effective sometimes I think. But I consider myself a pretty good position player (that was my strenght in real life as well, as I wasn't the best skatter). And it just pisses me off to play the position perfectly, but can't do ****. I have no problem if the CPU makes a saucer pass and it beats me, but when the puck is on the ice, I should at least be able to deflect it, and sometimes intecept it cleanly, which never seems to happen.

Blocked shots are working a bit better, although I had a puck going through my defender (could see it in the replay) a couple of times already. It just leads me to believe that Superstar level doesn't make your opponent better, it just allows it to cheat.

Edit: That being said, I'll go with your advice and see if I can make it work. Thanks !