Just curious how you guys treat your franchises. Do you exploit everything you can to make the team better, or just some things? Do you simulate or play games (all, some or none) and stuff like that? Do you change any settings?
Really anything you feel is important when you go into a new franchise mode.
I'll write about my thoughts too, but I'll save it for later and not in the first post.
OMG Idk if anyone plays as much Franchise as I do. For the last three seasons, I make a player, add to the team, and start a franchise. When I create a player, he is is franchise potential but I always start his rating at 81-83. I tried different builds, different styles, positions, just to get the experience. Sometimes I get a fit that I like, sometimes I don't, but I go with it for the learning experience. I've started at least 20 franchise modes in the past 3 years. I try to go at least 10 years each, to build a "franchise". I usually only play the first game of the season, maybe one or two during the year, and all playoff games. I play preseason at PRO, season at All-Star, and SUPERSTAR for the playoffs. I do almost everything, meaning scout players, edit pro lines (not minors) look for players, watch contracts, find coaching fits to my franchise players, and constantly look to upgrade, or when to bring up players. I enjoy building my team with what I have, make smart signings, trade when I'm ready for a playoff run, extend players i like and fit style, and try to win at least one cup in ten years. I have tried half the teams. Oddly with a Pens and a Philly team, I won 4 cups. With one Hawks team, it 11 years to win a cup! Why I do it? I love the building of a team aspect
I usually simulate the first 2 periods and if the game is close then I will play the 3rd period. I play with “realistic sliders” and 8 minute periods so it feels like a real NHL game.
I usually don’t do the coach-player conversations (maybe 1 or 2 per season) because I feel that it makes my team too overpowered after a couple seasons if I keep giving everyone attribute boosts. Does anyone else feel the same way?
For me it really depends on what my motivation to start a franchise is. More often than not I pick a team trending downward with a bare prospect cupboard and I try to build it from scratch as realistic my as possible.
I always get carried away with draft picks and get too attached to some of my guys so I end up giving away prospects ready to make the jump to the NHL just so they’re not needlessly buried in the AHL.
a big gripe I have with the game is as the years go on the draft picks get worse and worse. You’ll have guys with a defensive awareness in the low 70’s, but they’re good everywhere else. Or you’ll get guys with an 81 acceleration and 71 speed. I usually give up my franchises after around 8-10 years and then start fresh with a new team or a new concept for the same team.
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