This does nothing but encourage 95% of players to make their character 5' 3", 120 lbs and exploit this to death. This is not a skill issue, literally anyone can do it, meaning it is actually a lack of skill issue with the game.
Any team in WoC or any player in HUT/OVP that actually knows how to play defense in hockey will stop this 99% of the time. Those who understand defending know that stopping your opponent starts as soon as they have the puck.
If your opponent is able to take straight-line routes in order to obtain the speed necessary to blow by your defenders, this is a defensive posturing problem by you and/or your team.
Why can't defense shove in front of the net? How are they expected to play defense if you can't clear the net?
As EA_Aljo mentioned, this is entirely possible. It's to the point of it almost being comical how much you can shove a player at the net-front with no penalty.
The goalies have been so nerfed that goal/shot totals of 4/8 or 3/5 are most common and then teams quit.
Too many people get in their heads about the goalies and how they believe EA 'nerfs' them. In a mode like WoC where AI goalies are the same across every game and every team, it's hilarious seeing teams decide they got the 'bad' goalie in any given mode because they've given up four or five 2-on-0's the goalie didn't stop. Yea... totally the goalie's fault lol
Dumping the puck has been nerfed to create more offense. It continues to make the game feel less realistic
This makes no sense. Dumping the puck works great now. Last year it took longer to build up power and this year there's still some responsibility to generate power but with less frames. Meaning you can more quickly get a high-and-out dump.
That said, EA didn't want you to be able to simply hold R1 and flick up with zero repercussions to null out a full pressure by your opponent. Clearly, they identified that being a possible exploit and worked to nerf it. From a gameplay balance it makes sense but I can also see the other side of the argument that players should be able to perform a quick high-and-out dump.
I would say - nerf the high-and-out dump while pressure is full, much like skating/passing is nerfed under the same circumstances. If pressure is building but not yet full, players should still be able to alleviate pressure with a very quick high-and-out with slightly quicker power generation than we see now.
X factors. The game is decided based on x factors. This only encourages the individualism of this game. Take note of College Football 25, it has "x factors" and it does not in any way take over a game.
X factors don't 'take over a game' in NHL either. If a player with a certain X-factor is dominating you and your team, you need to adjust to squash it. 'Close Quarters' causing problems? Instruct your team to collapse to the net in order to quickly kill any chances in close range. 'Truculence' got you down? Communicate that with your team and ensure everyone knows quick passes are the name of the game.
X factors give visual cues as to what action/area of the ice players are more apt to work for. These should also be defensive indicators if you're a smart defender.
A piece of advice, make the cpu players good. Make the defense good. Make the goalies good. Make people actually play as a team.
