best way to play?

[bschr682]

I wouldn't exactly say this is a beginner question but its a good place to put it for future reference so I'll ask it here.

Would someone kindly explain the difference and the way to implement a league that is purely stat based (no ratings) vs a league that is current ratings only (no potential ratings). I have dug around and seen these two types of leagues come up often when discussing a better (and possibly more difficult) way to play since the AI tends to suck when evaluating talent using the in game scouting system.

I ask this question both because I am a bit confused on the difference between the two (and which way to play) and i ask it in hopes it will put a lot of good information into one spot. Digging around on the forums has only gotten me more confused regarding these ways to play and maybe I'm the only one but maybe I'm not.

[Bluenoser]

In league setup:

Actual Ratings Scale & Potential Ratings Scale.

Setting potential to none gives you current only. Setting both to none gives you stats based only.

[bschr682]

thats the implementation part i was looking for. Anyone care to elaborate on the pros and cons of playing these ways?

[Bluenoser]

There aren't really any pros or cons, it just depends on how you enjoy playing. Lots of people play with stats only and enjoy it very much. Others like having the ratings there and also enjoy it very much. It's personal taste really.

[bschr682]

I see your point. Along the same lines, under AI options in league setup for AI player evaluation is it wise to put a 0 for ratings and have the AI also base everything only on stats? Does that affect AI player development in a negative way?

[Bluenoser]

Originally Posted by bschr682

I see your point. Along the same lines, under AI options in league setup for AI player evaluation is it wise to put a 0 for ratings and have the AI also base everything only on stats? Does that affect AI player development in a negative way?

It shouldn't have any affect on development, but my reccomendation is once you've set the league up, make a copy and run a few test seasons to be sure you're getting the results you want.

[RchW]

Originally Posted by bschr682

I see your point. Along the same lines, under AI options in league setup for AI player evaluation is it wise to put a 0 for ratings and have the AI also base everything only on stats? Does that affect AI player development in a negative way?

No but the value of some players may be skewed. If you want AI Eval on stats only I would turn off ratings (and potential). That would stop you from seeing poor ratings on some players who had good stats by pure chance and wondering why? You will catch this when the AI wants to trade a 40 40 40 pitcher making $11,000,000/yr to you. Playing without ratings is a challenge.

There is no wrong way to play. However you cannot get, nor should you expect any settings to generate the results you want right away. I'd suggest 3-5 seasons, perhaps more, with tweaks to tilt the results where you want to go.

FWIW I sim 15-20 seasons to generate stats, a history and refine league totals (every 3-5 seasons) before my "real" start. That may not appeal to everyone, but. ... ...

Oh if you want a stat based league and player eval, you need to correct and apply league totals modifiers. Speaking strictly about fictional leagues here, the default modifiers are not really close. If the league totals are off, player stats will be difficult to judge. I hope this doesn't scare you off.

Check out some of the quick start leagues. Sky Dog's league has a complete explanation of his rationale including AI eval, player creation and league totals.

[bschr682]

I will do that