We need a total revamp of the special teams

Zkibu

First of all where is 1-3-1? That is basically the only powerplay system that teams have used since last 10 years. Umbrella is not the same thing, that is a system from the nineties. For shorthanded situations, the old boxes are mainly gone because the diamond or 3+1 counters the 1-3-1 powerplay. Also does anyone know what are the players default positions in ex. umbrella system? Who plays the point, which forwards goes in front of the goal? What about the diamond? In the future we should be able to setup players directly to formations and assign the faceoff guy or two.

KidShowtime1867

Good points.

Another issue with the powerplay that continues to plague this series year after year is the annoying habit the A.I. has to keep moving. Constantly. They're constantly moving. Constantly.

I mean - I can understand if you're bursting speed all the time with the puck carrier and the A.I. is busy adjusting.. I get that. In fact, I like that - I like that you have to be calm and controlled with possession in the neutral zone or else the A.I. gets craxy trying to fill open positions.

However, it still feels as if even though I slow things down and make passes to force the penalty killers to back up and give some space, the A.I. is just in the anxiety ridden state of 'oh man go cover that position, oh man go cover THAT one... puck? Where? Go cover that open position! puck? Naw. Open position go go go go!

Zkibu

Yeah their movement is sometimes weird. Feels like the engine is not compatible with powerplay systems.

HurricaneFza

In my opinion, they nerf the PP. When I get one my players become almost useless. Can't pass, can't pickup the puck, cant shoot, very weak with the puck, defensive awareness and very slow reactions to turnovers. As soon as the PP everything returns to normal.

I can't prove that's the case, just the feeling I get. I absolutely dread getting a PP. It's getting to the point where I'm gonna get a penalty on purpose to cancel out the PP. I'd rather skate 4 on 4 or shorthanded. Get way more shorties than PP goals.

Sega82mega

In PP the best option is to force your opponent 'in to the corner'. He got one wing open. Use your guy on that side and put pressure.

And take it cool, even if he rag.. Play wise.. I think many see there big chance in a man advantage and go to hard, that way the 'ragger' can use that space you open up in a too aggressive push. Take your time when you surround him.

maxikando

I completely agree this needs a major overhaul considering it is such an important part of the game of hockey. I would probably rate it 2 out of 10 at best. I made a post before about everything wrong with the PP (and PK) making the same points as mentioned above - stragies that don't match up, need to have the option of assigning strategies for individual players e.g a certain winger going to the front of the net, way to much player movement (and as a result players never been in the correct position). I think this was much better back in 15 as they did move around a lot less. So it's good others share this opinion but I don't think EA listens to anything constructive on this forum.

To me it should be easier to program as players on the PP have set positions both in possession but also out of possession when trying to recover the puck (for example, both defencemen will move toward their respective side of the boards to stop the PK chipping the puck off the boards and out of the zone).

If they did spend some time improving the power play then it would help improve the AI of the whole game in my opinion in terms of better player positioning and puck pursuit.

untouchable_BF1

I’m actually glad there’s not a ton of penalties, because I really can’t stand watching the special teams in this game. It is hideous. There’s no flow, no consistency, no logic, no urgency to pressure the puck as the team with the man advantage. It’s just not fun at all compared to how 5v5 feels.

maxikando

untouchable_BF1 wrote: »

I’m actually glad there’s not a ton of penalties, because I really can’t stand watching the special teams in this game. It is hideous. There’s no flow, no consistency, no logic, no urgency to pressure the puck as the team with the man advantage. It’s just not fun at all compared to how 5v5 feels.

Agreed. I can live with the 5v5 but on the PP or when pulling the goalie for an extra man is when you really notice the flaws in the AI as regards player movement /positioning and puck pursuit/pressure.