Perfect Draft Impressions

[ScottyB]

I haven't played since ootp 15,so all this perfect stuff is new to me.

First few perfect drafts, I took my time and analyzed as much as I had time for. Lost, lost, lost.

Then I realized that teams are essentially close to even and it's mostly luck.

So I've been blowing through the drafts in just a few minutes, usually selecting the highest rated players overall with respect to filling every position. Let the AI handle the rest.

And I've started winning!

Not sure it's a viable strategy but spending 5 minutes and winning now and then is better than spending 20 minutes and losing.

[HemBear]

There have been a few times when I tried to draft when things didn't break my way and I was stuck taking what was left. Those teams seem to have done better for me than those i am super excited about because things break for me.

The teams do feel very even.

[SpacePope]

I don't think there's any issue with teams getting too lucky too often in the draft. Which is great.

However, drafting the top rated guys at positions you need is kinda almost always the best strategy after the first couple rounds. Which is a little boring.

I think both the perceived luck of the draft issue and the real kinda boring drafts issue can be resolved the same way: group players within 5 points of each other instead of 10.

[daves]

Is any Perfect Draft based on the same pool of players for all teams in the tournament. To see who can draft better vs. who had a luckier draw?

[ROY_Angel_Berroa]

Drafted my team last night for the Weekly Jackpot (50 K PP reward) and only ended up with one C - not sure I'm going to make it to the top of 128 teams.

[getalife1798]

Originally Posted by daves

Is any Perfect Draft based on the same pool of players for all teams in the tournament. To see who can draft better vs. who had a luckier draw?

No....different users get a different pool of players to pick from.

[sketchy1]

I've seen multiple teams with like 5-6 relievers on their roster. Is this a viable strategy or did they just have bad luck with their draft?? I did beat these teams so I'm guessing the latter, but since i saw it like 3 times I had to ask.

[Boomcoach]

Is it true that each draft will offer the same number of each position each time? More SP and RP that position players, but the numbers I have seen bandied about are 10 of each position player and about 30 each of SP and RP. These numbers feel right and I have been trying to pay attention during the early rounds of drafts.

If I am offered multiple 1B in the first few rounds, for instance, and I do not pick one, I keep that in the back of my mind that I need to grab one pretty quick.

[daves]

Originally Posted by Maddox

I got a round 1 perfect Tim McCarver so I took your advice. We'll see how it goes.

What makes McCarver so good?

[Will_L]

Only done about twelve PD's so far and enjoying it, the occasional #1 starter making consecutive starts has hit me a couple of times, realized that every time it happened to me I was watching the replay of the first game of the tourney.

[llcmac]

You should be able to see the quantity and quality of players left in the draft, based by position.

Also, IMO, there needs to be an extra layer of strategy. Baseball is random and OOTP does its best to embrace that. The problem is that the randomness works itself out over a season (mostly). But during a tourney, 100 rated SP goes 0-2 with an 11.72 era against a team who's diamond players couldn't hit his handiness. I just spent days waiting on that tourney, all for that. Maybe there could be a condition attribute, like form in the soccer games. Or randomize hotstreak/coldstreaks. Just spitballing, I don't have the best answer. But getting something extra out of it would make the team-builder in me play this mode almost exclusively.

It'll get there, it's off to a good start.

[neugey]

Just won my first 5000PP prize from Perfect Draft. Now I like it even more

I struggle to even think of a way to improve it. Maybe alter or add more Daily Perfect Draft slots? (those 32 x 4 spots seem to fill up almost instantly)

[Torgonius]

This might be hard to code, but before each of the rounds, let the player designate up 2 two spots that are guaranteed a position be offered.

Now, the card that comes is only guaranteed to be eligible for that position. It may be sub-optimal, but when you go into round 10+ needing a catcher, and none show up the rest of the way, at least you can get a warm body.

And, if you choose a position, there may be other cards that come out and fill that position, as well, meaning you wasted a chance at a possibly useful player in that guaranteed spot.

And make it so you can only designate a position 1 time per draft, after round 3 (start with gold cards).

[daves]

There are some drafts that I thought I nailed it, but didn't get far enough. then I blew a recent draft by drafting only one Catcher (not suggested) and somehow won a 5000k tourney. Go figure.

[Quinta]

I generally enjoy PD but it is a 15 minute time commitment. I have been somewhat successful and one team won 3 tournaments in a row. This is a rather interesting comeback in game 7 of a final (I feel for the other team):

[Abnerdoubleday]

A suggestion: Pick 2 cards for every round, rather than 1 in the first three rounds and 5 in the last

[Redleg39]

Originally Posted by SpacePope

I don't think there's any issue with teams getting too lucky too often in the draft. Which is great.

However, drafting the top rated guys at positions you need is kinda almost always the best strategy after the first couple rounds. Which is a little boring.

I think both the perceived luck of the draft issue and the real kinda boring drafts issue can be resolved the same way: group players within 5 points of each other instead of 10.

I think that's a real good idea, the more I've played it.

[Redleg39]

Originally Posted by Quinta

I generally enjoy PD but it is a 15 minute time commitment. I have been somewhat successful and one team won 3 tournaments in a row. This is a rather interesting comeback in game 7 of a final (I feel for the other team):

Poor Bamberg...

[shiplore]

I love this format - it to me is perfect - I love the balance of having to build a team - the different approaches and getting to use cards I'll never get in the regular league. even if for a 3-5-7 game series.

Drafting is FUN. Should you grab a back up catcher in the last bronze or hope there's an Iron there for emergencies? uncertainty and decision making are fun for me.

there's a couple of arch type teams that seem to work - but regardless you will end up with some clunkers and that's fun!


Way to go with this format - I can't think of anything I'd change.


EDIT:
HOLY CRAP I've been a forum lurker since 2003 and this is my 3rd post - I must like it!

[Quinta]

Originally Posted by shiplore

I love this format - it to me is perfect - I love the balance of having to build a team - the different approaches and getting to use cards I'll never get in the regular league.

Drafting is FUN. Should you grab a back up catcher in the last bronze or hope there's an Iron there for emergencies? uncertainty and decision making are fun for me.

Way to go with this format - I can't think of anything I'd change.

I probably was not very clear above I think the format is fun as well. There are some interface things to make things easier (allow look at card with double click instead of "right click and select") but I like it even when I make bad decisions. I am saying even though I have not been as successful lately (maybe I was just lucky earlier).