difficulty

[abstl]

Hello,

I'm new to the game, started my first league, i'm controlling the St. Louis Cardinals but using an all fictional league. I did the inaugural draft and everything. Well, i've started out the season and gone about 15-4 already. Is this game too easy, or did I just get lucky with good scouting and draft picks?

[bp_]

I haven't played enough to say for sure but I recently just started a fictional MLB setup and made the WS in my first year with my team. I didn't make any trades and made only a few waiver moves. I guess you could say it was luck of the draw with my team.

In the old version of OOTP, after I got used to the game, I found it extremely easy to build perpetual playoff teams. Some people implement "house rules" to not take advantage of the AI. I don't like to do that. I think you get your best challenge from playing OOTP in an online league. I'd recommend you check one out in addition to your solo play.

[1998 Yankees]

Originally Posted by abstl

Hello,

I'm new to the game . . . Is this game too easy, or did I just get lucky with good scouting and draft picks?

Welcome to the forums!

Hmmm. I remember going 15 years in OOTP 6.5 before "winning it all," but maybe you and bp_ are naturals (or I stink). Anyway, I don't have enough experience with OOTP2006 yet, but I have read of several ways to toughen up the AI and give yourself more of a challenge. Try these, but not all at once:

1) You mention good scouting. Do you actually have the scouting system turned on or are you looking at actual player ratings, which is the case if you have scouting off? If so, turn it on (Game Setup, Game Options, Use Complete Scouting System). Nothing like general managing "in the dark" (my experience with incompetent scouts who take too long with their assignments for my tastes). Make decisions based only on scouting reports and player performance, not actual player ratings.

2) Make sure you also have Use Complete Coaching System turned on as well. Finding and managing the talent for those positions also adds difficulty to the game.

3) Set the Trading Frequency to Low or Very Low, and the Trading Difficulty to Hard or Very Hard. AI will not offer as many trades and when it does, you will not get any "no brainer" deals this way.

4) As a last resort, you could sign on as a commissioner, go to your team's Home, Options & Ballpark page, and reduce market size, fan loyalty, and fan interest settings for your team (you may want to backup your game first).

I agree with bp_, however in that you should avoid things like refusing all trades, not signing free agents, etc. because this negates the realism of the game. He's also right IMO about the ultimate challenge: online leagues.

You say you only played a small portion of one season so far . . . I have a feeling that you will be knocked off your throne shortly. Then you will be wishing for the "good old days."

[abstl]

Thanks for the replies. I've probably just had a hot start and will come back to earth midway through the season (much like the real Cardinals this year). I've been looking for online leagues, but it's hard to find one that I like that isnt already full.

[abstl]

I definitely jinxed myself. Since posting this, my team has come crashing back down to earth. Much like the actual St. Louis Cardinals this year, my starting pitching has fallen apart.

[darkenigma510]

Soon you'll be posting the game is too hard

[Vezna31]

I achieved my first championship with V2006 in my 3rd season of my fictional league.

In V6.5, it took me 5 seasons to get to the championship and took me until my 8th season to finally win it. Then I went on a streak and won 14 in a row and 16 out of 17.

In another 6.5 fictional, I took the worst team in the league and finished in first place by the 3rd season and won the championship by the 5th season.

Each game is difficult in the beginning, but the more you play, the more you get a feel for what you need to do to win and it becomes easier.

[1998 Yankees]

Originally Posted by Vezna31

Each game is difficult in the beginning, but the more you play, the more you get a feel for what you need to do to win and it becomes easier.

Yes, but I would rather have it this way than the reverse. Imagine the game being so difficult that you feel like the Washington Senators of 1934-1960?

Winning does become boring after a while, but there are ways of making the game more difficult as I outlined above plus other more subtle methods of handicapping yourself. It does not take much for this game to assert itself again and teach you a lesson in humility.