this question is mainly for EA. did you fix the player AI defense so that they don't play like 5 yr olds on the ice and actually play defense like the NHL. if not PLEASE DO SO. I'm sick and tire of have to play defense (or make a defensive player) all over the ice and can't play my position because the AI defense lets the offense crash the net and stands there like statues. even when I play as a defenseman, my other D-man lets them come straight in on my goalie or he gets burned. I sure hope you fixed this.

Its done like this so you dont rely on the AI, in versus guys try not to play defense and let the AI do the work. In club the idea is for more humans,

I hope so too; I don't need them to be insanely good, it'd just be nice to not immediately think "game over" when i'm not there right away

I won't speak for jprovo1 , but here's a few of my "favourite" AI gaffs from NHL 24. Hopefully the changes to AI in NHL 25 can fix at least some of these.I won't claim there's perfect human defence in these clips, but I don't think any of the AI behaviour on display is acceptable regardless of what else is happening on the ice.The AI seems to think there's some existential threat behind the net on a somewhat regular basis. In this particular play it probably doesn't change the outcome, but what is the AI doing drifting into the goalie and then behind the net when the puck is at the blue line? When it's just me and a buddy playing club one of the cardinal sins is to lose the defensive zone faceoff on the right side. The AI winger seems to think there's something to cover on the far point and makes a beeline for it every time. And then there's plays like this where the offensive player with the puck skates right at the AI, but the AI has places to be and can't be bothered to make a defensive play.And lastly there's the ever popular "we can trust our AI to cover theirs right?" mistake.

But for people who play BAP and Franchise mode, the AI is pretty important

I mean for BaP (which is all I play, mainly). I can try and get a video. but what I mean is just the other day I had a 2 on 2 (me defending). me (LD) and my RD started skating backwards towards my goalie. I took the guy to my left (which is what I'm supposed to do) and he was in front of the other guy (who had the puck). as we entered our offensive zone. my RD kept skating backwards to my goalie and all of a sudden, he just skates more right, letting the guy with the puck go 1 on 1 with the goalie. never tried to poke check, stand him up, nothing. just veers right and was like "go ahead and score". the guy never deke, nothing, just went straight on to the goalie. thank the Lord the goalie saved it. nearly every time I have that 2 on 2 at their goalie I get pummeled when I get even close to their goalie, even when I pass to my other player. that is just one in a thousand times that has happened and that's just the start. if I play a winger it's even worse cause I'm not near the net to help defend it. if I do and they score, I get gigged big time for 'being out of my position'. I would say it's about 85% of the time my D lets them shoot on my goalie without doing anything. sometimes they play right in a game but it's usually me having to play every position just to win. that's just not realistic. I like playing my position even when I'm a defenseman which means I don't have to score every game to get good coaches score (especially an enforcer). I have an enforcer and had like 20 or more hits in a game and they only scored less than 5 goals, and only scored about 2 while I was on the ice, but I did not score a goal or have an assist and they thought I was the most horrific player that hit the ice. change that too please. sorry but had to throw that one in there.

AI defense | EA Forums

11 Replies

TTZ_Dipsy
Hero+
8 months ago
I hope so too; I don't need them to be insanely good, it'd just be nice to not immediately think "game over" when i'm not there right away
cogsx86
Seasoned Adventurer
8 months ago
Its done like this so you dont rely on the AI, in versus guys try not to play defense and let the AI do the work.

In club the idea is for more humans,
Bahamuta
New Ace
8 months ago
But for people who play BAP and Franchise mode, the AI is pretty important
cogsx86
Seasoned Adventurer
8 months ago
Can you provide some video clips? Would love to see what your talking about
Bahamuta
New Ace
7 months ago
jprovo1you have any videos?
PlayoffError
Hero
7 months ago
I won't speak for jprovo1 , but here's a few of my "favourite" AI gaffs from NHL 24. Hopefully the changes to AI in NHL 25 can fix at least some of these.
I won't claim there's perfect human defence in these clips, but I don't think any of the AI behaviour on display is acceptable regardless of what else is happening on the ice.
The AI seems to think there's some existential threat behind the net on a somewhat regular basis. In this particular play it probably doesn't change the outcome, but what is the AI doing drifting into the goalie and then behind the net when the puck is at the blue line?
When it's just me and a buddy playing club one of the cardinal sins is to lose the defensive zone faceoff on the right side. The AI winger seems to think there's something to cover on the far point and makes a beeline for it every time.
And then there's plays like this where the offensive player with the puck skates right at the AI, but the AI has places to be and can't be bothered to make a defensive play.
And lastly there's the ever popular "we can trust our AI to cover theirs right?" mistake.
KlariskraysNHL
Hero
7 months ago
Lol that 1st clip once that player touches his goalie he's like I'm out don't worry about me running into or screening you.
As for the 2nd clip it seems more like the AI is going to their supposed position instead of going to the player who they should be going to.
3rd clip... I'm guessing #20 was a defensemen that cared more to get into what should be their position instead of just covering the man incoming.
Last clip I feel like there was no pressure on the puck passer and they had a clear passing lane. If you pause at the 8 second mark you see the pass is off the stick going to the player in front but the AI is still facing the skater not knowing it's coming. It's not until the puck is already halfway there that the dman sees it coming but of course will be too late to respond. I think if they let the AI tie-up and/or shove in front of the net there before a pass happens that it would solve that problem.
Overall lots of AI faults but I feel it's from them simply following their script sadly. I can't see them wanting to give the AI more tools as then people will resort back to skillzoning again. But as people have said for offline that doesn't help their cause when the AI should be more aware and adaptive.
PlayoffError
Hero
7 months ago
In clip 3 #20 is an AI winger, which makes his desire to drive to the net really odd. Other than that I think you're spot-on on everything else.
KlariskraysNHL
Hero
7 months ago
I take it you were playing 3's in the clip? If yes I would assume the winger wants to play defense over the center.
EA_Aljo
Community Manager
7 months ago
Appreciate you sending the clips over. Hopefully, we won't see so many issues with the improved AI in NHL 25.