EHM The Blue Line

Pwal wrote:

Semjuel21 wrote:Are the Tactics from EHM 2007 viable in the new EA version ?

It's still early in my season, but I'm having a good run with the good old Slapshot tactic with the Habs. It's not perfect, but I think it's a good starting point.

What exactly is 'the good old Slapshot Tactic' ?

Duranium wrote:What exactly is 'the good old Slapshot Tactic' ?

I did a search, and this thread seems to explain it http://www.ehmtheblueline.com/forums/vi ... hot+tactic

And here's another tactic thread that came up in the search http://www.ehmtheblueline.com/forums/vi ... =17&t=4348

Tactic success completely depends on a million things. Guys claim one set of tactics is the bestest EVAH...but if you have smurfs and use a crash and bang tactic it will suck. ETc. etc

So in general which individual settings do you guys NOT touch for personal tactics.

I've been using personal tactics for everything except tempo and dumping the puck, but I've also been letting in 4 goals a game, so maybe I'm out to lunch.

umwoz wrote:So in general which individual settings do you guys NOT touch for personal tactics.

I've been using personal tactics for everything except tempo and dumping the puck, but I've also been letting in 4 goals a game, so maybe I'm out to lunch.

Batdad gave some great defensive play tips last Friday in the current Challenge Thread http://www.ehmtheblueline.com/forums/vi ... 5&start=75

nino33 wrote:

umwoz wrote:So in general which individual settings do you guys NOT touch for personal tactics.

I've been using personal tactics for everything except tempo and dumping the puck, but I've also been letting in 4 goals a game, so maybe I'm out to lunch.

Batdad gave some great defensive play tips last Friday in the current Challenge Thread http://www.ehmtheblueline.com/forums/vi ... 5&start=75

That's very interesting... Never once thought of having dumping the puck as an individual setting. I guess it makes sense, I'll probably try it as a defenseman only thing.

EDIT: I suppose it makes sense, if you'd rather not have that player passing/carrying at the blue line, it makes sense to have him dump it in instead.

I don't want to create a new topic but maybe receive an answer here. Does tactics saved in file from EHM 2007 works on EHM:EA? I ask about loading file correctly not winning games thanks for an answer.

No...you need to do them over in EHM EA. Reset on your own. However...the results are pretty much the same.

Anyone had success with your head coach setting the tactics? I have fired several head coaches, but my results are still very poor

Just need to play around a ton. THere is alot to learn and alot of resources here on the site. And yes I have had success that way. Need a good tactic guy for sure.

batdad wrote:Just need to play around a ton. THere is alot to learn and alot of resources here on the site. And yes I have had success that way. Need a good tactic guy for sure.

Thx for the tip will give it a new try

I found that in my Challenge game I had to cover up for having a bad goalie by making sure all my forwards were backchecking hard. The D core can only do so much if the opposition is allowed to skate freely in your zone. I think Voracek was the only player I gave an exception to this rule. That and don't be afraid to set your checking forwards to a defensive mindset, they're built for it.

How often do you guys change tactics to make sure opponent doesn't know yours. And what do you change? I read somewhere in this topic that you should give tactics at least 10 games in a row a chance..

Any tips on how to up the goal production from your center?

Basically change nothing in my first 10 games or so, except line combos and whether normal or equal use. AFter that do it every 5 games or so alot of the time, but varies depends on how guys are playing. Nothing set in tone.

As for the other question...set to shoot preference, maybe barrage, maybe carry puck....but in reality...move him to the wing.

Koekenbakker wrote:How often do you guys change tactics to make sure opponent doesn't know yours. And what do you change? I read somewhere in this topic that you should give tactics at least 10 games in a row a chance..

I'm not so much a tactics changer as a lines-tinkerer. My take is that a line change is as good as a tactic change based on the skills of the players you are switching.

I'm constantly reviewing performance and to see if there's any "chemistry" between players. I'll move a guy(s) up/down every few games or so if I notice a pattern. I'll even do it mid-game if performances aren't up to scratch. Recent example: My first line was rated a 6 after 2 periods with barely any shots on goal. I figured I was getting line-matched. The score was tied 2-2. I swapped the wingers with my 2nd line (who weren't doing much better tbh) and it changed the complexion of the game and I went on to win 4-2.

batdad wrote:Basically change nothing in my first 10 games or so, except line combos and whether normal or equal use. AFter that do it every 5 games or so alot of the time, but varies depends on how guys are playing. Nothing set in tone.

As for the other question...set to shoot preference, maybe barrage, maybe carry puck....but in reality...move him to the wing.

Do you frequently use carry puck? I've never had any long term success even with super skilled players using that option.

Hardly ever use carry puck. Once in a blue moon someone with great deking and stickhandling. Guys like Pavel Bure, Alex Semin got it sometimes...but not all the time.

batdad wrote:Hardly ever use carry puck. Once in a blue moon someone with great deking and stickhandling. Guys like Pavel Bure, Alex Semin got it sometimes...but not all the time.

Only Crosby and Malkin here..

Thanks for the tip guys!

On the topic of personal instructions, does any alter the shooting regularity specifically for a player? You might set your line to "barrage" for example, but a particular player to "selective" in personal tactics.

I've bee considering changing my snipers to "selective" to ensure they take the best shot every time, as opposed to just whacking it on net. Any thoughts on if that would work? Or would it work in the reverse whereby they are hesitating too much before shooting and thus not scoring?

I tend to set shooting for every single player. Maybe I'm in the minority and that's why I don't dominate in this game(although I tend to hold my own) but you have the balance correct. Selective for elite snipers(especially on the powerplay) can help them wait for the best quality shots.

Absolutely I alter the shooting individually different from line and team tactics. And I change it at times during the season for that player as well. Giroux for me has gone selective, super selective (or whatever the big one is) heavy and barrage all in one season. Voracek the same, and Streit has been moved up and down the slider as well. Raffl just shoots all the time over and over and over.

I finally got some tactics that have me winning. Found out I've been playing too defensive with the Penguins (1-4 and 1-2-2) with hard backchecking and stuff. Changed it to easy backchecking and high forecheck with heavy pressure and the wins are coming. PK/PP is still shite but yeah... one thing at a time.

I have just finished my first year and the season was a little disappointing, after a good start the team faded(though I did trade a lot). I am having a lot of trouble with tactics, the amount of times I have seen some basic skill errors or the goaltender not following the puck for an easy goal for them. My question is tactics, I am coming from a FM background and I can understand tactics in the setting, but ice hockey is a mystery. So, what are some basics for a rookie, zonal seems the best for defence, line matching also seems like a good idea, is there anything else I can do to stop some of these easy goals, pressure and checking, closing down? Any help would be appreciated.

@umwoz & batdad - Thanks for the response. Think it's something I'm definitely going to spend some more time on. As I read your responses I considered that I might have been asking my playmakers to shoot too often (even if they are on "pass first") by leaving them on the default shooting tempo. Switching them to selective or normal, by sniper to selective or "super selective" and leaving my power forward/other on default might be a good place to start.

That said, I'm not exactly struggling to score right now so if aint broke, don't fix it! (maybe!)