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ghostwolfwarrior's avatar
2 months ago
Solved

CFB Dynasty Depth Chart Bug

So I have played 8 seasons in my dynasty and everything has been working fine. I just started the 9th season however and I have ran into a game breaking glitch with my depth chart. I run a base 3-4 defensive scheme. On my basic depth chart this means my two middle Linebackers should be the first two Mikes on my depth chart. The starting Will and Sam should be out there as well in 3-4 situations. The problem i am running into is instead of my Will and Sam being out there it is my starting Edge rushers. My D line is all my DTs and not my Edge rushers on the ends. This should not be happening and in my previous 8 seasons it hasn't been an issue. Is anyone having this problem, or have a suggestion to fix it??? As of now I can't even play my Dynasty!

  • d8f206b17ac48ea0's avatar
    d8f206b17ac48ea0
    2 months ago

    IRL, the 3-4 does not field any DEs, just 3 DTs. To compensate for the lack of edge rushers, you frequently try to generate pressure by bringing a backer or safety (or two) on  a blitz from an unexpected direction.

    That's not to say you don't need DEs on your roster. The Nickle formations will will use your rush DEs (which is a separate depth chart position than your regular edges, look towards the bottom of the list of positions in your depth chart). That's where your very best pass rushing DEs should go in the depth chart. That way they're on the field any time you call Nickle.

    But that brings up a great point. If you put your OLBs into your regular EDGE depth chart positions to fix the regular 3-4 formations, you create another problem.  Those same edge positions are used in GOAL LINE formations, and you definitely want your EDGES in there (preferably your best run stopping EDGES), so you'll probably want to use formation subs to be sure those EDGES are on the field in goal line formations (and not your OLB you put at EDGE in the depth chart)..

    If EA hadn't borked the regular 3-4 formations none of this would be necessary, but it is what it is.

    I do recommend you take a look at Mill's spreadsheet (on the 3-4 tab). Which depth chart position is on the field at every position for every formation is very clearly laid out there. https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1w0Fvvs2fZTLLHUOmvFOxvTpTgPw0mgCkWktGFSUGSZ8/

    Once you know exactly which positions are on the field by default for all of the different formations, you can then tailor your depth chart (first) and formation subs (second, to do any formation specific overrides), then you can have exactly who you want on the field at any given time.

7 Replies

  • Not sure if it's a "works as designed" (as infuriating as that would be) or a bug. See Mills' excellent video on recruiting and play calling for the different defensive positions for more details (and his helpful free spreadsheet): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jUHiTu0MRB4

    The solution, if you want to run a proper 3-4 in this version of the game is to put OLBs in the Edge spots on your depth chart (don't change their position, literally put OLB's players in the depth chart  at Edge).

    I'm pretty sure they will take a moderate awareness penalty for playing out of position (there is a mental trait that helps with this if you can find it on an OLB), but it's better than playing a "3-4" that fields 5 defensive linemen. At any rate, the awareness penalty will be far less bad than the broken mechanic of constantly asking your edges to drop back into pass coverage as many of the plays in the 3-4 call for.

    At least there's a semi-reasonable work around for this one, which so many other issue with this game lack.

  • ghostwolfwarrior's avatar
    ghostwolfwarrior
    New Novice
    2 months ago

    Omg thank you so much I’ll try that out. Any solution or suggestion where to put my actual starting edge rushers so they are on the line? It’s just so weird I haven’t had this issue until my current season I’m on. Anyways thanks!!!

  • d8f206b17ac48ea0's avatar
    d8f206b17ac48ea0
    New Traveler
    2 months ago

    IRL, the 3-4 does not field any DEs, just 3 DTs. To compensate for the lack of edge rushers, you frequently try to generate pressure by bringing a backer or safety (or two) on  a blitz from an unexpected direction.

    That's not to say you don't need DEs on your roster. The Nickle formations will will use your rush DEs (which is a separate depth chart position than your regular edges, look towards the bottom of the list of positions in your depth chart). That's where your very best pass rushing DEs should go in the depth chart. That way they're on the field any time you call Nickle.

    But that brings up a great point. If you put your OLBs into your regular EDGE depth chart positions to fix the regular 3-4 formations, you create another problem.  Those same edge positions are used in GOAL LINE formations, and you definitely want your EDGES in there (preferably your best run stopping EDGES), so you'll probably want to use formation subs to be sure those EDGES are on the field in goal line formations (and not your OLB you put at EDGE in the depth chart)..

    If EA hadn't borked the regular 3-4 formations none of this would be necessary, but it is what it is.

    I do recommend you take a look at Mill's spreadsheet (on the 3-4 tab). Which depth chart position is on the field at every position for every formation is very clearly laid out there. https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1w0Fvvs2fZTLLHUOmvFOxvTpTgPw0mgCkWktGFSUGSZ8/

    Once you know exactly which positions are on the field by default for all of the different formations, you can then tailor your depth chart (first) and formation subs (second, to do any formation specific overrides), then you can have exactly who you want on the field at any given time.

  • BTW, you probably already know a much or all of this. I went into more detail just in case it will be useful for anyone else who reads this.

  • Just a matter of preference but I would rather have DEs in those outside positions rather than DTs. More versatility and athleticism on the field. 

  • d8f206b17ac48ea0's avatar
    d8f206b17ac48ea0
    New Traveler
    2 months ago

    Absolutely a matter of preference. In football there's a million ways to crack an egg. 

    But remember that in this game DE's can not improve pass coverage. The low MAN and ZONE ratings they come into your program with as true freshmen, they will leave with as redshirt seniors. They really  can't cover. So there's a hard cap on how much pass coverage you can get on the field with DEs in the outside positions in a 3-4 formation (is it really still a 3-4?, more like a 5-2) and you need to be pretty selective in play calling to keep from dropping your DE into coverage too often if ever (i.e. ask them to do a job they are eminently ill equipped to do). 

  • ghostwolfwarrior's avatar
    ghostwolfwarrior
    New Novice
    2 months ago

    Oh no I meant playing them as true Defensive Ends in a 3-4. Meaning having two DE and a Nose tackle on the defensive line. Btw the suggestion you shared worked thank you!!!

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