Increase the goalie screen effectiveness EA

[IBYCFOTA]

Many people including myself feel that the AI goalies right now are too strong. One option is to reduce the goalie reaction time, but after playing offline enough I can say with confidence that the goalies would be too easy if that slider were to be reduced at all.

I think the best thing EA can do is increase the slider that determines the effectiveness of screens. They're moderately effective as it is, but I'd like to see it increased a little bit to add more variety to goalscoring. In real hockey screens are extremely effective - even partial screens. It takes a lot of skill and teamwork to successfully set up a screen and then shoot through it. Increasing the effectiveness of screens can only help. I was messing around in practice mode with it maxed and really enjoyed the added goal variety it produced, and it was pretty realistic as well with how effective it was.

[baa7]

All they need to do is scale back player ratings in all catagories. I lowered goalie ratings and the difference is like night and day. And now the goalie sliders and slider adjustments work fine.

[Flyermania]

Increasing the goalie screen effectiveness slider while at the same time lowering the goalie reaction slider can be a very effective solution to a lack of scoring --- if you haven't tried this already.

[Stranius]

I'm pretty sure OP is talking about EASHL, or online play in general.

Maybe the AI goalies are bit too good overally in EASHL, it doesn't encourage teams to use human goalie. Our team uses human G in every game possible though.

This is quite dangerous matter, soon people will also have better players with more shot power etc, if they make the goalies much worse we might end up with serious scoring fest in month or two.

There is already some strange screen effects, for example someone tries to poke check when other team is taking a shot and only the stick is enough to create screen so your goalie doesn't save the shot.

Overally human goalies aren't used in EASHL as much as I would've liked to see. Thought new controls would introduce tons of new goalies and more teams using goalie but the AI goalie indeed might be bit too solid for it to reasonable for most, at least for now.

[Qb]

I managed to get some offline games in finally thanks to a few days off since my work closed due to G-20. I have screen effect maxed and reaction lowered; I've even tried it at zero. I didn't see anything too crazy with GR @ 0, but it was only a few games and I'm using full manual passing, so I can't exactly tic-tac-toe. And I allowed 4, 2, and 0 goals in three games this morning with 6/0 for both human & AI goalies.

I actually like it with reaction so low, as it forces you to really focus on defense since your goalie can't bail you out as much. I still saw Toskala make a few crazy saves for the CPU, including one a perfectly set up one-timer from relatively close range that he made a great flashy glove save on.

But I agree that nerfing the goalies for EASHL play probably wouldn't be a good idea, aside from encouraging more people to get between the pipes. I think screens could be more effective online, but it's a delicate balancing act. Redshirt told me they're looking at eventual goalie fixes, possibly by tuning in the short-term and likely by patch in the future. He didn't get into any specifics, just said they're looking to fix "a couple of weak spots in the goalies and CPU goalies (and maybe goalies in general) being too good..."

[Vikes1]

I've been tempted to adjust the cpu goalie sliders.

My "Goals for" average has fallen from 2.4 to 1.28 in the last dozen games or so. I'm actually starting to believe the learning AI is possibly the reason. Or at least I hope so.

I kinda hate the thought of giving myself an advantage vs the cpu with the goalie settings. Because I know myself enough to know, that it'll cheapen the feel of getting a goal. Not saying others should feel the same...but I'm pretty sure thats how I'd feel. I think I'll just keep trying to get my GF back up again. As talked about before...I just gotta learn to mix things up more.

[buzzguy]

I agree with you Vikes. Don't want to mess-around with sliders too much, either. I got robbed by impossible saves a couple of times this morning, but I feel like I'm taking the "easy way out" by adjusting the goalie AI sliders too much.
Maybe I just need more practice.

[Vikes1]

Quote: Originally Posted by buzzguy

I agree with you Vikes. Don't want to mess-around with sliders too much, either. I got robbed by impossible saves a couple of times this morning, but I feel like I'm taking the "easy way out" by adjusting the goalie AI sliders too much. Maybe I just need more practice.

Yep Buzz...I'm just so pleased that with NHL, I don't feel the need to constantly screw around with the sliders. I'm pretty sure with other sports games, it's been a "Me thing" more than the game...but damn, I'd spend as much time playing with the sliders...as I did the game.

I think you hit the nail on the head Buzz, about more practice. As long as the freezing issues I've read about, aren't a wide spread problem...or EA Canada patches the problem...I'm in for the long haul with this game. And I don't mind a few losing seasons while I learn. Like you Buzz...yeah, if one day I make the playoffs, I would like to feel as though it's because of me...not the sliders. Much more rewarding.