plays great defense ....

[Steady Eddie]

..... and shows good discipline.

I have to believe this is true because the coaching adjustment screens between periods tell me this ... or maybe I'm just being a little naive ?

anyway , I've been giving this game some serious time from mid-week to now and just when I think I've got it ... then it happens , I'm sure you know what I mean.

no amount of 'plays great defense' or fiddling about with sliders to even things up (or slightly advantage myself) can seemingly overcome the CPU AI 3rd period comeback scoring juggernaut.

I've logged what's taken place in the last 6 games I've played - here's some examples :

I'm playing as NJD vs WSH - it's a tight game but after 2 periods I'm leading 2-0 - TOA and shots on goal slight favour WSH but I've played with great discipline and defense (the coach screen told me so) ... enter period 3 and it's like a different NJD have hit the ice - passes now miss more , suddenly my great defense isn't so , suddenly my GK doesn't see shots like he should - 10 mins into period 3 I'm now losing the game 2-3 ... the usual stuff - a piss weak shovel backhand shot from an acute angle for goal #1 - a streaking winger who has come flying off the bench picks up a pass and toe drags & dekes his way thro the slot (evading everything) at speed for goal #2 - a hopefull point shot that falls kindly on rebound to the guy stood next to the crease for goal #3.

Unfazed I keep my sense of discipline on offense and look to carve out some quality chances that saw me take the 2-0 lead in the first instance .. but it's now in vain it seems - the guy who is stood in the low slot with all the goal to aim at (as the GK is flat on his arse after making a miracle save) rings his shot off the crossbar

I lose the game 2-3 ... maybe it's a one off and I'll put it down to bad luck 'eh ?

Next example - I'm COL vs EDM ... this should be a walk in the park I think - after all , EDM aren't any great shakes are they ?

Usual stuff - after 2 periods I'm more than comfortable - 3-0 lead and should have been more really (bar some miracle saves from the CPU GK) ... enter period 3 and what do you know some out of body force has assumed control of my game pad again - suddenly it seems like it sticks or doesn't react when I need to take control of a player - EDM decide they're not such a crap team after all and take me to the cleaners for 4 goals ! ... usual stuff again - I see that miracle toe drag & deke on a dime once more , you'd think after seeing it so often you'd be able to stop it - can you balls ! ... your D man just can't react at the same speed or turn as tight as the CPU AI ... result = goal.

seems like my bad luck continues 'eh ?

want another example ? - try this ....

I'm playing as OTT vs TOR ... local rivals - this should be good !

close game , very balanced , I squeak a goal in at the end of period 2 , my discipline has been great , my passing has been delicious , I'm feeling optimistic to send it to them in period 3.

TOR find what appears to be 5 extra gears in period 3 (not just the 1) - I can't get near them and as a result they jump to an instant 2-1 lead - as ever the goals are soft and should be defendable but for some reason my sound defense that's always been to the fore in the games I play for 2 periods yet again goes AWOL in period 3 - strange that ??!!!

I do manage to tie things up at 2-2 and the game looks set for OT ... but no , with 10 secs left the TOR centre pops an optimistic shot from the blue line that bounces around my GK's shoulders before it rolls down his back and over the line

**** happens I guess ?

whilst I'm on a roll let's see what happens next ....

I decide MTL look a decent prospect vs DAL ... sure enough I'm out the blocks fast here , 3-0 after period 1 becomes 4-1 at the start of period 3 ... I'm in control , or thought I was ... long story cut short , 4-1 becomes 4-4 and then DAL who are full of momentum score on their 2nd shot in OT ... you'd never seen that coming !

it's enough to turn you to ....

.... and the way my defense (by some odd miracle) deserts me in games during period 3 you'd believe they've all been on the piss the night before.


1-2-3 ... and relax

I'd like to add more but right now I'm off to go and play some 'great defense'

[BleacherCreature]

I can't believe I just wasted 2 minutes of my life reading this.
I can only blame myself.

[Steady Eddie]

Quote: Originally Posted by BleacherCreature

I can't believe I just wasted 2 minutes of my life reading this. I can only blame myself.

it isn't Shakespeare , Keats or Byron I grant you that .....

consider it some light humour for this thanksgiving weekend

[BleedsBlack&Gold]

Hey man, just thought I'd pop in and throw ya my way..try the sliders I have posted. The pro skill level might scare ya, but give it a try. if its easy, up the difficulty slider. one at a time. give it a couple games, you may be pleased with the results. I personally know exactly what you are talking about, and was ready to be done with the game, and since I worked these sliders out, the 'comebacks' have virtually disappeared, barring human defensive error. If you play well, you'll win. If you make defensive mistakes, you'll lose. I'm simply amazed at the results I've seen.

[Steve Danger]

I know exactly what the OP is talking about. The supposed non-existent comeback AI doesn't necessarily make the CPU better, it just makes your team worse. Suddenly your goalie can't make simple saves, suddenly your players can't hit the net (but become amazingly adept at hitting goal posts and crossbars) and suddenly your d-men can't bodycheck, pokecheck or just flat out defend.

It's a silly game, this one.

[BleedsBlack&Gold]

Trust me, I've definitely seen it. It CAN, though, be remedied with sliders. I saw the comeback BS every game for two weeks. I started over, from default, on every skill level, and since I got to where I am now with settings, I have not seen ONE BS game since. That's in 25+ games now. It has been nothing but fun, back and forth, skilled hockey.

[Steve Danger]

Quote: Originally Posted by BleedsBlack&Gold

Trust me, I've definitely seen it. It CAN, though, be remedied with sliders. I saw the comeback BS every game for two weeks. I started over, from default, on every skill level, and since I got to where I am now with settings, I have not seen ONE BS game since. That's in 25+ games now. It has been nothing but fun, back and forth, skilled hockey.

I`m a skeptic and I find that hard to believe on Pro, but I`m going to give your idea shot. I won`t use your sliders exactly because I like to play 20 minute periods but I`m going to try to go down to Pro and work from there using your sliders as a guide.

[BleedsBlack&Gold]

I'll be the first to say that with 20 minute periods, you may see issues with shot totals. My only suggestion would be turn down your Hum. shot accuracy slider. I've see at 9 minute periods, I'm getting 30-40 SOG a game, while the AI gets 25-40. Any more time and the shots get outrageous.

I've seen that the way you play heavily affects the sliders, and how they work. If you shoot a lot, the AI will get more aggressive. If you start hitting a lot, the AI will too. The non-mentioned 'intimidation' factor is there, but it doesn't affect things as much as people seem to think it does. I've also seen, the AI sees every mistake you make, and WILL capitalize on it. Remember smart, defensive hockey. Don't take chances in your own end. It will NEVER end well. Remember, you not only have poke check. You can stick lift, and remember L1/LB, for the stick drag. These are key. Use every control you are given. On offense, remember the LS click button. The 'speed burst/hustle' button. From what I've seen, you won't win without it. The AI uses the hell out of it.

Hope you have some luck with these, trust me, I'm almost embarrassed to be using Pro level sliders, but for the first time in 2 years of this NHL franchise, I've found the balance, and I'm absolutely thrilled with how it plays now.