Selecting Difficulty of Play

[RedsFanMan]

I am wanting to start a MLB league using the Hard Mode of play. When I start a league from the Main screen menu, I don't see where I can select the Hard Mode. I think I can choose Hard mode if I create a Custom league, but I really don't know how to go about setting up a MLB season through the Custom league area. I'm sure there is something easy that I am missing. Any help would be much appreciated. Thanks!

[Tony M]

I'll move this thread to New To The Game and someone in there will have the information you need.

[Afino]

Hard Mode:

- Turn trading settings to "Hard" and "Favor Prospects"
- Don't use waivers - too easy to rip the AI off
- Use scouting
- Use 1-10 or 1-5 ratings/potential scale
- Limit the amount of FA signings per year
- Limit the amount of trades per year or implement some house rules on who you can trade for or the type of trades you can make (only 1 for 1, for example)

That's what I've got off the top of my head.

[TribeFanInNC]

There are no mode of play settings in OOTP X, though I think adding this as a feature has been discussed. The few guidelines Afino gave are a pretty good start. I'd say the first one is a must. You also need ways to handcuff waivers and trading, which are sometimes ways to exploit AI deficiencies.

The way a lot of people increase the difficulty is to make 'house rules' that you abide by. The last 2 points Afino brought up are examples. I, for instance, handle waivers by leaving them on, but instead of claiming them, I trade for them. At least that way the AI team is getting something back.

A lot of it is just using common sense and having some restraint on what you do when dealing with the AI GMs. Try to make trades fair so they have a chance of working out for both parties.

If you have any specific questions on how to change these settings, let us know.