FHM2 Player Ratings

[dumbrabbit]

Hi Cole, anyone!

As I've said before, I'm not very knowledgable in hockey, however I'm planning on buying this game when it releases. I do have a few questions.

Will there be a beginner's guide to hockey any chance to bring new people in to the game? Perhaps make a beginner's quick start to introduce them to FHM. I think it'd be very helpful to get us started into the world of hockey.

Another question. I do not know very many names at all in hockey, so I'll have to rely on the player's attributes. How do I know what a good player's attribute is? Not trying to get secrets from the game. How should I balance a player's conditioning attributes with their physical, mental and offensive ratings?

One more question. I assume different positions will require different attributes, but how do I know what the threshold is to determining good players vs bad players, especially for someone who's new to hockey and doesn't know very many names? In OOTP I get confused by the ratings because even if I sign a guy who has 15(1-20 ratings), he more likely won't perform to his ratings, so I need to find someone who is better in other attributes. In soccer, Full backs require good Marking and heading, while strikers require good finishing, and midfielders require good pacing skills. So what will different positions need in FHM?

Thanks for the responses!

[Cole]

Originally Posted by dumbrabbit

Will there be a beginner's guide to hockey any chance to bring new people in to the game? Perhaps make a beginner's quick start to introduce them to FHM. I think it'd be very helpful to get us started into the world of hockey.

Hi there,

I am not sure if there will be anything like that created. A general game manual might help, but in terms of a hockey 101, I would say your best bet is how you have already done - just ask questions here! We are more than happy to help.

I would also say that in general, I think someone who doesn't know a lot about hockey getting into a text/management simulation of the sport would be very rare.. I would imagine it's much more the exception than the norm But that being said, again, feel free to ask anything here. We have tons of knowledgeable people on these forums!

Another question. I do not know very many names at all in hockey, so I'll have to rely on the player's attributes. How do I know what a good player's attribute is? Not trying to get secrets from the game. How should I balance a player's conditioning attributes with their physical, mental and offensive ratings?

The star ratings gives you a general overlook of how good a player is overall .. The star players generally will be in the 4 to 5 star range, while weaker guys are going to be around 3.. and fringe or guys who don't belong in the league will be lower. So that's a nice quick way.

But as you go along you will start to get familiar with what constitutes a good or bad rating. Generally speaking, I'd say you can rely on the color coding that exists in our ratings scales. Anything in the green/blue range is quite good rating wise, bright yellow is moderate but still decent.. darker yellow and red - not very good!

I would recommend that perhaps you consider getting involved in fictional play. That way not knowing names won't have a big impact, as every player will be new to discovered... And you will slowly form your own opinions on all the players and grow to become quite attached. Those of us who are ardent fictional players really really enjoy it!

One more question. I assume different positions will require different attributes, but how do I know what the threshold is to determining good players vs bad players, especially for someone who's new to hockey and doesn't know very many names? In OOTP I get confused by the ratings because even if I sign a guy who has 15(1-20 ratings), he more likely won't perform to his ratings, so I need to find someone who is better in other attributes. In soccer, Full backs require good Marking and heading, while strikers require good finishing, and midfielders require good pacing skills. So what will different positions need in FHM?
Thanks for the responses!

See above re: color coding.. As for what different positions need, I hate to give a vague answer, but it depends. In general, the "offensive ratings" that are grouped together are ones you want your forwards to be proficient in, while vice versa the "defensive ratings" are ones you would like your defenceman to be strong in.

But of course, some will be good in both (a two-way forward for example, or an offensive defensivemen), and some guys will still have value even though they don't have a lot of great ratings.. A big, strong, hard-hitting forward can still be of value on a 4th line even if he doesn't have good speed, or puckhandling or shooting, for example.

I hope that helps!

[dumbrabbit]

Grouped ratings are definitely going to help, as well as the color coded ratings. Sounds like I'll need to run a few fictional games before I start on a real game. Will I be able to create a fictional universe with real teams, instead of a completely fictional universe?

[Cole]

Originally Posted by dumbrabbit

Grouped ratings are definitely going to help, as well as the color coded ratings. Sounds like I'll need to run a few fictional games before I start on a real game. Will I be able to create a fictional universe with real teams, instead of a completely fictional universe?

Yes, you are free to name fictional teams whatever you wish - after real or made up teams.

[Smetana]

Unlike OOTP baseball, where just three or four basic ratings tell you how good a player is, a hockey sim is a bit deeper, as there are so many different types of players--and a good team will need a mixture of these types to be successful.

A forward might be a sniper with high shooting attributes, or a grinder (defensive or energy type) with higher defensive type numbers. There are playmakers who are better passers, power play specialists who are a liability if placed on the ice at even strength, agitators who specialize in causing trouble and getting the other team's stars off their game, enforcers who are looking for a fight when they enter the game, etc etc etc. The same with defensemen.

It would be quite a long guide if it were written. Only time will be your true ally, as you get more familiar with the sport's nuances.

[thirdsaint]

OOTP also has number ratings on a 20/80 scale, or even 1-100 if you wish. Will FHM 2 have that option as well? I never locked the star ratings as they are too vague and I prefer more precise ratings to see who the best of the best are.

[Cole]

Originally Posted by thirdsaint

OOTP also has number ratings on a 20/80 scale, or even 1-100 if you wish. Will FHM 2 have that option as well? I never locked the star ratings as they are too vague and I prefer more precise ratings to see who the best of the best are.

There's just the 1-20 for FHM.

[thirdsaint]

Originally Posted by Cole

There's just the 1-20 for FHM.

Ah, alright. That's better than 1-5 stars. Works for me!

[Smetana]

Originally Posted by thirdsaint

Ah, alright. That's better than 1-5 stars. Works for me!

Just so you're clear: It's 1-20 for attributes, but still the 1-5 stars for general overall player quality.

[thirdsaint]

Originally Posted by Smetana

Just so you're clear: It's 1-20 for attributes, but still the 1-5 stars for general overall player quality.

Ah... didn't take long for my bubble to burst... thanks for the clarification.

[Cole]

Ahhh, thank you for clarifying that. I had obviously misunderstood what he was asking.

[Simple Mathematics]

If anyone needs help rating players, let me know. For those of you who know me, you can confirm that I have some experience in this field.

[Mecza]

Originally Posted by Cole

There's just the 1-20 for FHM.

Any idea if other rating scales will be incorporated with a future update or future version? I realize it doesn't change anything with the game on a mechanical level, but I'm fond of the 2-8 or 20-80 scale and I know some hockey analysts like to use it as well. Everyone has their own preferences and it could help aid with the enjoyment of the game.

Just my 2 pennies on the topic