Quote:
Originally Posted by Rookee
I have a question regarding your google doc in the main post, the screenshot and "attribute combinations". Is the information available in the screenshot able to weighed as a measurement on how to deploy the player as well? I ask because I see a value for Active defense, passive, physical and enforcer. That would make me to assume - let's use the first two players, Weber and Dumba - that Weber is best deployed with a low tempo (Low quickness & sprint) UNIT in mind + a more physical based personal tactics (higher pressure + hitting & perhaps aggression) and make him pass right away whereas Dumba is better utilized on a higher tempo UNIT & higher pressure + lower aggression personal tactics and allow him to keep the puck a bit more to distribute. Would any of this be correct?
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1) Those ratings are examples. I'm sure weights of attributes are not optimal and will change depending on engine version. Their key value is to give understanding & scale. So you have to practice to be able to "work" with them.
2) Main use of ratings for me is to get floor(worst acceptable level)/cap(more than enough) or to get tiers. Tiers help with "moneyballing" and with unique situations that will appear when you start combining abilities(attribute combos). F.e. active defense only works at very good level. Defenders in FHM6 need physicals, but even with physicals you only want to play active defense after certain floor of ability...
3) ...that's because there is fouling & opposition added to the mix. Below floor players will foul more & against elite puckhandlers even best defenders might struggle in long run. So top center in the league (elite passing+puckhandling+scoring) will punish active defenders that leave position. No passing on opp's Center and all of the sudden it's much better idea. He might keep puck well but his scoring will be shut down.
But you still might want to actively defend even vs McDavid...
4) ...because there are tactical considerations. That's where player-unit & vice versa dynamic relationship is created. That's why I tried to provide examples, because there are 100 moving parts and you can't provide formulas for success or rules in most cases.
Sometimes you just have to gamble to have shot at success(playoff series win). Sometimes there's no other way to defend as unit, so "best for particular player" becomes irrelevant. Yes, Weber won't be able to play with tempo, he will be trailing behind the play because of weak skating.But it doesn't mean his attacking should be decreased, or others should wait for him to arrive. Pick tactics to keep him deep (safety on forecheck, blueline shot taker in OZ etc) and let quick puckhandler+scorer Centers attack w/o him. If quick attack or counter fails he will be there for 2nd wave shot opportunity. That's why Caufield+wing playmaker+Weber worked great for me in MTL save. Even though Caufield & Weber played on almost opposite tempos. Aggression & physicality described before.
Main difference for Dumba will be better effectiveness of active def (skating, but rating accounts for it if I remember correctly) and tactical options available for him. Descriptions of breakouts & NZ entry have info about this, so he will be able to help during quick attacks (playing with similar tempo as forwards) and execute demanding breakout/NZ options. He won't be easy target for pressure from opponent, so you use him tactically and make him pass less as you mentioned. For pressure on defense again unit needs & tactical considerations (don't forget opponent) first. Dumba himself will be good for it, it's logical. But what's the point of being lone pressurer? Or what's the point of pressuring McDavid w/o physicality? No matter how fitting Dumba is for active def, McDavid will deal with it. So think about unit needs. In Minny I tried pairing him with Spurgeon, it worked great as "active"&mobile unit vs Edmonton. But then SJS bruisers & imbalanced defenders overloaded slot and I lost every time after Koivu retired and I couldn't play sagging zone with him being better slot defender than actual defenders.
Hope that explains it. Think more about player-unit relationship, always about opponent (what he/you will be able to do) and tactical options. Tactics are described with examples, so first two should be a priority.