So we're back to the stick lift being the automatic penalty button again...

Question

Before this recent patch, the stick lift was FINALLY a useful defensive tool. Just like in real life! Go figure! So what did EA do? Screwed it up with the most recent patch so that is almost completely worthless again, just like in NHL 24.

What was the reasoning behind this? Too much complaining from streamers and "influencers" who don't actually bring anything to the game, despite what you think back there at the home office? They having trouble abusing the glitchy goals and doing their nonsensical figure skating ballerina garbage all over the ice? You know... the stuff that would get your head taken off in any league that allows contact? Or that would cause the player to lose control of the puck when trying that garbage 99% of the time when a halfway competent defender is nearby, let alone engaging with them?

In real life, the stick lift is one of the most used and essential tools that players use to... and get this... PLAY DEFENSE. I know it isn't sexy or fun to discuss and certainly doesn't make highlight reels or stupid clips people post online. But it is a critical aspect of playing hockey.

Funny part? I don't play as a defenseman either. Just a center. But I'm out here championing the cause for you defenders and two way style players (like I am.)

Would love to hear why this was nerfed... nay... made almost useless and punishing to players.

Disclaimer: I LOVED the way the game played upon early release. Almost everyone online with whom I interacted felt the same. And we voiced that in forums far and wide, myself included.

Yet here we are... back to EA doing EA things that the majority of the player base did NOT request or complain about to appease the few whiners and gripers who prefer their ridiculous arcade-y nonsense to actual hockey.

Thanks, EA! Never stop never not letting me down ever!

sirjuggeth · Answer

I don't have this problem, but my friend has this problem with every version of the game and still does.

It's your gameplaying style and your timing. It's not the game itself.

If anything, since last year I've noticed how I can get away with using the stick lift button a lot more now and not get any penalties. To the point where I'm actually surprised that I got away with what I was trying lol and that I can use it to hook a guy instead of smack the back of his legs and get a tripping penalty.

kidshowtime1867 · Answer

I think what you're seeing is the base skill-level in online environments beginning to creep up. This means more people are becoming more skilled at the game and habits you formed during early days won't work against more skilled opponents. As the META evolves, more and more claims of EA changing things start coming out. We all have our problems with how EA does some things, but one thing we can say for sure is that they're always forthright about any gameplay adjustments.

The stick lift button in '25 has become an effective tool when you gain body positioning on a puck carrier and want to strip them of the puck. There's a method to using stick lift that will result in 0 penalties. You just need to become skilled enough with the mechanic to know when the animation will interact with the player model before it interacts with the stick.

If you execute a stick lift and your stick comes into contact with the puck carrier's body before it contacts the stick, the probability of a penalty being called goes up significantly whereas if you execute a stick lift and you only come into contact with the stick, it will never be called a penalty.

ea_aljo · Answer

Hey there. Nothing changed with stick lifts in the update.

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So we're back to the stick lift being the automatic penalty button again...

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