Poke Check

C'mon, can we make it in any way shape of form being functional and an asset to us players. It's downright NOT WORKING. And bevor DJ Ajioly chimps in here.... NO, you won't get any video from me... j...

discussion

EA_Aljo

Community Manager

20 days ago

Poke checks are working. I use them in every game. They could use a boost, I won't argue that. However, I can knock the puck loose with poke checks at least several times in every game. Along with my teammates. So, let's see where you're struggling. Can you get videos showing pokes not working?

thegarden94

Seasoned Ace

19 days ago

Didn't people already provide clips about the poke checks already and on the stick lifts ,how long are they're going to investigate them both its been two months

EA_Aljo
Community Manager
19 days ago
If you want to raise more attention to this, more videos would help. We've been investigating poke checks. I don't have an update though.
- Monopolized1
  Rising Traveler
  18 days ago
  I think one of the major issues is that while the stick does function, it an overwhelming amount of cases the puck doesn't get "knocked away" any meaningful distance and the attacking player is simply able to pick the puck back up in one motion and continue with speed.
  
  Also, and I will look to get some clips of this but attempt to pay attention while in game to the amount of time a d-man's stick is essentially in the air and not touching the ice, seems to be related to certain backward skating animations and the "stick check" animation comes out with the blade off the ice, this usually ends up with the stick getting caught up in the attacking player geometry.
  - EA_Aljo
    Community Manager
    18 days ago
    Great. Clips will really help. Just post links to them when you have them.We have to see this to understand what's happening. Here's my personal take though. I play WoC. Pretty much exclusively and always defense. I'm an atrocious hitter. Always have been so poke checking and taking away lanes/space are my main tools for defending. Every single game I have several or more pokes where the puck is separated from the player without being picked up by them again. I try to make my first poke matter the most. Which is also why I use DSS a lot. Spamming the poke is going to give diminishing returns. So, make the first one count. I am also using Stick 'em up so that is going to help some.
    
    Player ratings and positioning also help determine who picks up a loose puck. If you have a defender spamming poke checks or not making good contact and there isn't much separation, a forward in good position, while the D man is recovering from the poke, is going to have a better chance at picking it back up.
    
    I still think poke checking could use a boost though. Poke checks work very well when they're timed right and aren't spammed. It should take some skill rather than just mashing the poke when you're within the general vicinity of the puck.