Franchise mode approach

[coachmac75]

Ok, so here is my problem or issue for which i am looking for some insight

Franchise is the only mode i enjoy playing.
In franchise i really like playing each pitch of each game and handle rotation and injuries issues ( i usually play with a 9 injury slider).
I like to see the fatigue effect and force to rotate position players. ''baseball is an attrition game''...

The problem with such an approach (because there is a life outside of the show) is to really enjoy multiple seasons... If I take a roster like Marlins the first season is a promised disaster.

So how do you guys approach your franchise ? I mean how do you pick which game to play.

[Vmascarello]

If I’m doing a rebuild, I’ll always simulate the first two seasons. What’s the point of doing a rebuild with a bad roster if you don’t get a chance to actually rebuild it?

In the 3rd season, I play every 5th game but stagerred so I pitch with everyone in the rotation, in order. While quick managing the in between games. Sometimes I’ll jump in to a game that’s close late.

After the all star break, if we’re in the mix for the division or wild card, I’ll continue to play every 6th game unless we’re playing a team that we’re competing for a playoff spot against. I’ll play all of those games. At most, I end up plying 40-45 games. Which is enough to make me feel invested in my team and stats. But also allows me to play multiple seasons.

And then I play all playoff games if we get there.

I just feel if you sim the first two season, by the time you play the third, you feel like your fingerprints are on the roster and it’s your team.

[HozAndMoose]

Quote: Originally Posted by coachmac75

Ok, so here is my problem or issue for which i am looking for some insight Franchise is the only mode i enjoy playing. In franchise i really like playing each pitch of each game and handle rotation and injuries issues ( i usually play with a 9 injury slider). I like to see the fatigue effect and force to rotate position players. ''baseball is an attrition game''... The problem with such an approach (because there is a life outside of the show) is to really enjoy multiple seasons... If I take a roster like Marlins the first season is a promised disaster. So how do you guys approach your franchise ? I mean how do you pick which game to play.

For the majority of the year I play 1 game and sim the next 5. You use a different pitcher every time and I dont have as big of an effect on the season. I want the team to win because its a good team and not because im just better than the CPU.

I do stray from that here an there though. To start the season I play the first 5 games then move to the play 1 sim 5. Then do the same thing after the all-star break. If I call a big prospect up ill play his first game. If im in a battle for a playoff spot the last week ill play until im officially in or out. On the other end if the team is trash I might play a lot less if at all in September.

If im in the playoffs I play every game. I also dont play any Spring Training games. I sim all those and base my roster moves off of their stats.

[Caulfield]

Quote: Originally Posted by coachmac75

...the problem with such an approach (because there is a life outside of the show) is to really enjoy multiple seasons... If I take a roster like Marlins the first season is a promised disaster. So how do you guys approach your franchise ? I mean how do you pick which game to play.

I dont go in much beyond 1 season with any team (except for my carry-over Braves franchise). So a bad season for me with a team like Miami isnt a disaster - its about the journey, not the destination. I have played seasons where I struggled to win 70 & it was every bit as satisfying as winning a pennant

[coachmac75]

Quote: Originally Posted by Caulfield

I dont go in much beyond 1 season with any team (except for my carry-over Braves franchise). So a bad season for me with a team like Miami isnt a disaster - its about the journey, not the destination. I have played seasons where I struggled to win 70 & it was every bit as satisfying as winning a pennant

I could not agree more
My problem is not to loose, my problem is that it take so much time that if you play all games you cannot get the benefit of the rebuild

You can still port the save to the next version (the show is best franchise mode as it is) but i would like to find a balance
A game every 5 is not enough for me so i struggle to find the right balance

[Hayman19]

Quote: Originally Posted by Vmascarello

If I’m doing a rebuild, I’ll always simulate the first two seasons. What’s the point of doing a rebuild with a bad roster if you don’t get a chance to actually rebuild it? In the 3rd season, I play every 5th game but stagerred so I pitch with everyone in the rotation, in order. While quick managing the in between games. Sometimes I’ll jump in to a game that’s close late. After the all star break, if we’re in the mix for the division or wild card, I’ll continue to play every 6th game unless we’re playing a team that we’re competing for a playoff spot against. I’ll play all of those games. At most, I end up plying 40-45 games. Which is enough to make me feel invested in my team and stats. But also allows me to play multiple seasons. And then I play all playoff games if we get there. I just feel if you sim the first two season, by the time you play the third, you feel like your fingerprints are on the roster and it’s your team.

This is pretty much how I play. First 2 seasons I generally try to play 5 games, one for each starter to get a feel for the team and the players I might want to keep. I like to have a few "carry over" guys when doing a rebuild, usually them being bench guys and a few pitchers.

I agree 100% though, its hard to play when you know the team will be terrible and most of the players wont be around in a year or 2 anyways. Like you said, once the rebuild is complete it is more enjoyable to play with the guys you brought in.

[SFNiners816]

Quote: Originally Posted by coachmac75

Ok, so here is my problem or issue for which i am looking for some insight Franchise is the only mode i enjoy playing. In franchise i really like playing each pitch of each game and handle rotation and injuries issues ( i usually play with a 9 injury slider). I like to see the fatigue effect and force to rotate position players. ''baseball is an attrition game''... The problem with such an approach (because there is a life outside of the show) is to really enjoy multiple seasons... If I take a roster like Marlins the first season is a promised disaster. So how do you guys approach your franchise ? I mean how do you pick which game to play.

I've said it before but this is the scenario in which the year to year saves is just about the best thing ever.....Not gonna lie as a lifelong Cub fan, the addition of the Y2Y save got me thru the last couple of years of the real life 2011 bottoming out of the Cubs. I started on MLB 14 in th very the same situation you are describing here. In game, 2014 was a long season (72-90) and was year 1 for me but I did have the real life prospects sitting there. Long story short, 5 years later I have about 7 games left in my 11th season and My Cubbies are a legit Dynasty (10 division titles and 5 WS crowns). I've played every regular season game (I sim Spring Training). I have though used quick counts and have amazingly realistic stats. Its been a blast.

[GregNilles]

Good topic. I personally like to play every game I can, but if 162 is the goal, you gotta sim.

I've made it a new hope to play all Sunday games for my White Sox and any other game "as necessary"

This could be if my team is on a losing streak, great pitching matchup or any other reason I can come up with.

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