Team Strategy (Or Overall Strategy)?

[congokurtz]

Just started playing with version 16, played with version 14 prior to that. They've changed the way the overall or team strategy features work, but they did not update their manual with the changes, It appears the manual still has instructions for older versions. I think I know how to use it but my question is did they omit some situations? Also, an all times and an all score setting does that override the other situations? With version 14, and I think 15, they had score situations where you were leading or trailing by 3 or 4 runs or more. In 16 they just have close situations, +-3 or +-1. So to be clear, did they omit mop up type situations? And lastly, the defensive substitutions pulldown menu options in the overall strategy page shows options of score situations in the 7th through the 9th of leading by 1 to 5 runs or less. Shouldn't there be a situation of leading by 1 to 5 runs or more? So for instance, if the team is leading by 3 runs or more in the 7th I'd like to see a defensive replacement, but if leading by 2 runs or less I wouldn't want to see a replacement. The way it looks now if I were to choose the option of leading by 3 runs or less in the 7th that I'm influencing the AI to make a defensive replacement even with a 1 run lead.

Any explanation would be appreciated.

[Déjà Bru]

The fine-tuning choices are all still in there - look for the buttons on the top right. Whatever you set for ALL TIMES and ALL SCORES will, of course, override whatever you set for those special situations. Also, if you are managing and you ask your bench manager for his strategies, those will override as well. Finally, the STRATEGY PRESETS will override everything, too. So, start by setting the overalls, then fine-tune the special situations to your satisfaction.

[RonCo]

Perhaps I'm missing something.

"All Times" seems useless here, since the other three time categories cover the entire spectrum of the game itself. In other words, "All Times" never applies except for the moments before the umpire calls out "play ball."

"All Scores" seems to basically mean +/- four runs, or "blowout."

Am I missing something there?

Also, this system seems less useful than the previous system, which allowed differentiation between being behind and being ahead by these scores--which seems necessary. I may well have different ideas on playing my infield in if I'm up 3 runs than if I'm down three runs, for example. Or I may came more about the platoon advantage, or my hook of starting pitchers, or ... whatever.

Again, what am I missing?

[congokurtz]

Deju, thanks for replying. If by the buttons on the top right you mean the inning situations of (early 1st-6th), late (7th & 8th), last (9th) and the scoring situations of close, closer and tied, I understand how to use those to fine tune, but it seems you can't fine tune for mop up situations, which you were able to do in prior versions. In your post you say the settings for ALL Time and All Scores override those special situations. Shouldn't it be the other way around? If that's not the case how would one go about unsetting the All Time All scores. Now if special situations override all times-all scores then RonCo may have helped me find my answer to addressing mop up situations. I could use the All Time, All scores as a mop up. And like RonCo said, If I understand the new system correctly, I too like the older system better which gave you more control over specific situations, such as separating being ahead by 1 to 3 runs or behind by 1 to 3 runs. The new system lumps them together. Also, I'm still befuddled by the defensive substitutions pulldown menu on the strategy page. I would like to see a leading by 1,2,3,4 runs "or more" situation. So for instance if leading by a run in the 7th I don't want to take out my big hitter for defensive purposes but if leading by 2 runs or more I would. As it is now it's all 2,3 or 4 runs "or less" situation. Then again, maybe I'm misunderstanding how it works. It would help if they updated the manual to reflect the current version.

Thanks for all your replies.

[Déjà Bru]

Originally Posted by congokurtz

Deju, thanks for replying. If by the buttons on the top right you mean the inning situations of (early 1st-6th), late (7th & 8th), last (9th) and the scoring situations of close, closer and tied, I understand how to use those to fine tune, but it seems you can't fine tune for mop up situations, which you were able to do in prior versions. In your post you say the settings for ALL Time and All Scores override those special situations. Shouldn't it be the other way around? If that's not the case how would one go about unsetting the All Time All scores. Now if special situations override all times-all scores then RonCo may have helped me find my answer to addressing mop up situations. I could use the All Time, All scores as a mop up. And like RonCo said, If I understand the new system correctly, I too like the older system better which gave you more control over specific situations, such as separating being ahead by 1 to 3 runs or behind by 1 to 3 runs. The new system lumps them together. Also, I'm still befuddled by the defensive substitutions pulldown menu on the strategy page. I would like to see a leading by 1,2,3,4 runs "or more" situation. So for instance if leading by a run in the 7th I don't want to take out my big hitter for defensive purposes but if leading by 2 runs or more I would. As it is now it's all 2,3 or 4 runs "or less" situation. Then again, maybe I'm misunderstanding how it works. It would help if they updated the manual to reflect the current version.

Thanks for all your replies.

It seems to me that when you hit one of the ALL buttons and set a strategy, it applies to all times or all scores. Then, if you set a slightly different setting when one of the specific button is pressed, it applies only to that PARTICULAR time or score. That's what I see when I monkey around with it.

I also see what you are saying about the defensive substitutions settings. "Leading by 5 runs or less" means leading by 5, 4, 3, 2, or 1 run. I guess the way it was designed was to ask "what lead do you feel safe with that you do NOT need to do defensive substitutions?" Below this number, or if you are losing, you are expected to want to leave your offensive (but defensively-challenged) batters in the lineup.

Yes, the logic is restrictive. When you say "if leading by a run in the 7th I don't want to take out my big hitter for defensive purposes but if leading by 2 runs or more I would," I don't think you can get there with these selections! If you choose "Leading by 1 run," then the guy comes out which is not what you want. If you choose "Leading by 2 runs or less," then the guy comes out anyway, since you are winning by either one OR two runs.

Long story made short: I think if you want more flexibility with these strategy and defensive substitution settings, you will want to look for a OOTPB 17 suggestion thread.

[congokurtz]

Thanks Bru for the reply. I'll post something on the suggestion thread for OOTPB 17

[RonCo]

Here's a simpler and more robust approach, I think. One could have a separate tab for each major grouping of strategy settings. In this view, it's quite easy to see how you've changed your approach over the course of a game.

[Bluenoser]

Originally Posted by RonCo

Perhaps I'm missing something.

"All Times" seems useless here, since the other three time categories cover the entire spectrum of the game itself. In other words, "All Times" never applies except for the moments before the umpire calls out "play ball."

"All Scores" seems to basically mean +/- four runs, or "blowout."

Am I missing something there?

Also, this system seems less useful than the previous system, which allowed differentiation between being behind and being ahead by these scores--which seems necessary. I may well have different ideas on playing my infield in if I'm up 3 runs than if I'm down three runs, for example. Or I may came more about the platoon advantage, or my hook of starting pitchers, or ... whatever.

Again, what am I missing?

"All Times" is a very useful tool - it's gr8 for people who only want one general setting and prefer not to tinker with the finer intricacies. Not everyone likes to micro-manage.

[endgame]

Originally Posted by RonCo

Here's a simpler and more robust approach, I think. One could have a separate tab for each major grouping of strategy settings. In this view, it's quite easy to see how you've changed your approach over the course of a game.

Yeah, I like this. And in addition, having some to none of these available for influence dependent on manager style would be good, too, as goes the manager strategy page. Of course commish mode would override. I like the presentation, though. Crisp and straightforward. Even if one were to micro-manage, I don't think this setup would take that long to complete.

[Bluenoser]

Originally Posted by RonCo

Here's a simpler and more robust approach, I think. One could have a separate tab for each major grouping of strategy settings. In this view, it's quite easy to see how you've changed your approach over the course of a game.

This is what we just got rid of, and I for one was glad to see it go. There was a fair bit of discussion on this during Beta when it was revamped.

That stuff is already there and it's much more streamlined now. That, plus the many presets available now have been a huge improvement imo.

[endgame]

Originally Posted by Bluenoser

This is what we just got rid of, and I for one was glad to see it go. There was a fair bit of discussion on this during Beta when it was revamped.

That stuff is already there and it's much more streamlined now. That, plus the many presets available now have been a huge improvement imo.

Yes and no. The old system wasn't nearly as clearly laid out as RonCo's presentation. You had to flip from one setting to another, unable to do any comparisons. Not saying this should replace the current system, but I do see the merit in its interface for those who would desire to more specificity in their strategies.

[Bluenoser]

Originally Posted by endgame

Yes and no. The old system wasn't nearly as clearly laid out as RonCo's presentation. You had to flip from one setting to another, unable to do any comparisons. Not saying this should replace the current system, but I do see the merit in its interface for those who would desire to more specificity in their strategies.

Man, "specificity" is hard to pronounce after a doobie


I agree with the layout - the old system was just terrible, and RonCO's is certainly easy to decipher. I just feel like what's there now offers both options. You can select a preset from the dropdown, or do the micro management if so desired. I just am liking the new layout now and am used to it I guess.

[Déjà Bru]

Originally Posted by Bluenoser

"All Times" is a very useful tool - it's gr8 for people who only want one general setting and prefer not to tinker with the finer intricacies. Not everyone likes to micro-manage.

Originally Posted by Bluenoser

This is what we just got rid of, and I for one was glad to see it go. There was a fair bit of discussion on this during Beta when it was revamped.

That stuff is already there and it's much more streamlined now. That, plus the many presets available now have been a huge improvement imo.

I'm with BN. The current setup is a vast improvement with the "All" settings and the canned strategies. These more than suffice for my needs whereas tinkerers can micromanage to their heart's content.

I think all OP was looking for in this regard was the restoration of the distinction between being up or down by X runs, not just +/- 3 runs, etc. This perhaps can be restored by added a few more special situation buttons but overall, I like the way the team strategy page works now.

[RonCo]

Originally Posted by Bluenoser

This is what we just got rid of, and I for one was glad to see it go. There was a fair bit of discussion on this during Beta when it was revamped.

That stuff is already there and it's much more streamlined now. That, plus the many presets available now have been a huge improvement imo.

I find this system I've proposed much more streamlined than what we have in v 16, and different from what was in V15.

[RonCo]

Originally Posted by Bluenoser

Man, "specificity" is hard to pronounce after a doobie


I agree with the layout - the old system was just terrible, and RonCO's is certainly easy to decipher. I just feel like what's there now offers both options. You can select a preset from the dropdown, or do the micro management if so desired. I just am liking the new layout now and am used to it I guess.

There's no reason the pre-sets would need to go away. This proposal merely gives the tinkerers a complete picture of each setting in each screen at all times without having to toggle anything to see their changes across all game times.

In all seriousness, this layout would dramatically reduce the work it takes to "tinker."

[NoOne]

i think it was mentioned but this makes it simple if used correctly.

set an overall first, which will apply to the most possible combinations (inning/score).

then you go into each inning section and edit based on score if you want to be more aggressive/conservative based on the situation.

done.

one note, the overal strategy page is missing a slider or two that a coach's strategy page has. make sure to compare if you intend to force a particular strategy.

[RonCo]

After spending another 30 minutes fiddling with this today, I seriously wish for a screen like I laid out back thataway a few posts.