Possible to fix X factors?
I think most of us agree X factors are pretty poorly implemented, and it's only gotten worse. The idea of incorporating them isn't bad imo.. but what we currently have and the level of difference they make is too extreme.
Ankle breaker- imo not xfactor should make the opponent worse. If i don't get tricked by a deke why would my skater be forced to? If we want a deke ability then just boost dekeing and open up the window for lacrosse goals.
Backhand beauty- this is already a great ability without added speed on backhand shots. This boosting accuracy on shots and passes off the backhand IS exactly what an Xfactor should be, it boosts something that attributes can't and separates skaters with it from skaters without it. It will fit some playstyles but not others.
Big Rig- honestly never used it..
Big Tipper- Someone without the xfactor can already tip extremely well. An Xfactor needs to differentiate. In NBA 2K they have a rebound ability that can tell you where a loose is going to go. Maybe this needs to be mixed with that eclipse ability but have an indicator saying exactly how much we are blocking the goalie vision then maybe a green cone showing where we are set to tip.
Born leader- never used it
Elite edges and Wheels- there are already attributes for these.. increasing speed, agility, and acceleration is just always going to be too good. The devs knew that in the last game, then forgot?
Hipster- good, balanced, differentiates a player.
No contest- good, balanced, differentiates a player.
One T- differentiates.. maybe a little on the high end of effectiveness though?
Pressure+ - this would be okay if players didn't just skate in and throw it on net and get the meter so high. I would get rid of this.
Quick pick- good, balanced, differentiates a player. I think this could use a boost. I feel like I get less interceptions when I have this on and see more deflected passes instead.
Quick release- just like with speed, this is just going to be too good. No way for this to be balanced. Shot power is already an attribute. This is unnecessary.
Rocket- similar to ankle breaker, having abilities that make another player worse (in this case the goalie) is bad.. also rebounds are already too good. Offensive players are just holding up on the right stick hoping to get one, and they will be drawn into the puck, while D has to get to it first.
Second wind- endurance is already an attribute.. doesn't differentiate.. bad.
Send it- honestly I don't hate this one..
Spark plug- why would it give a speed boost after a hit? What player in hockey gets a boost to speed after a hit?
Stick em' up- good, balanced, differentiates a player.
Tape to tape- good, balanced, differentiates a player.
Truculence and unstoppable force- both far too effective. Truc players stay down for too long, auto targeting too effective, window of time to make a hit after they get rid of the puck is too big. I'm fine with the ability existing, but just give a targeting buff we have attributes for hit power, maybe also add some type of alternative animation unique to truc users / players with high enough discipline that keep them from boarding or something. Unstoppable force, I've seen players run around reverse hitting people over and over.. they try to poke or just get into position and get hit.. I can understand if the player they're doing this to is a 5'10 160 sniper it would still look a bit silly with how it currently works but if they're making contact totally cool with reverse hitting working.. I would remove the ability for anyone without the xfactor and make it very sitautional/ only use it vs smaller players for people who do have it.
They tried to balance these by using points.. but when they added EA builds, and grudge matches we see how that isn't the fix. They are supposed to differentiate players but everyone is using the same small handful of these even with the points added. I know EA needs xfactors in all their games, and NHL only has so much they can do to differentiate players. We gotta get rid of game breaking xfactors and unbalanced ones even if it means having less..
Xfactors to consider?
Enforcer- the option to fight is given when when the opposing team takes a penalty against their team, they get a boost to fighting, if they win the fight not only will their team gain energy but the opposing team loses a significant amount due to a drop in morale. Currently enforcers can't even be enforcers. (This being said I also think clean hits should NOT mean we can be forced into a fight, if female characters can't fight, allow me to have my male character not fight)
Refresh and reset- having this xfactor will slightly increase stamina of team when taking a draw in offense or defensive zone, it will also significantly reduce the pressure meter/ get rid of full pressure when taking the draw in the defensive zone (if not after an icing call)
DSS master- no speed penalty when using DSS, very low chance of penalty when poking stick out/ sweeping the DSS.
Human shield- defensive player will get in front of a high danger shot if in the vicinity of its path.
Loose puck psychic- shows best angle to retrieve any loose puck, including rebounds (this would be a line on the screen)
Deke on a dime- if you successfully pull off a deke you get a limited time boost to agility and acceleration.
Back net magician-faster speed on lacrosse goals and bigger window of success, more speed on passes/ and some auto sauce when passing from behind the goal line.
Rat- if hit after the whistle there will be a penalty. This player can hit others, pester, shoot on opposing net without having to answer the bell or getting a penalty of their own. If someone challenges them to a fight they can choose not to answer and have the other skater sit for enticing it.
Just think about the different NHL strategies or the different archetypes in the NHL and what skills those would entail.
