If Directional is So Easy...
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Why doesn't everyone use it?
A previous bold faced poster tried to argue that the directional interface is largely ignored.
It is.
If you're ignorant enough to think it's "just press x", I will enlighten you...Let's go fastball on the outside corner using directional.
If you're early and are trying to pull, it's a ground ball to the pull side. To drive this pitch you need to be just late, AND be pushing the joystick in that direction.
Same pitch with zone relies on one thing-- retical placement. Get the retical there and see what happensWhere directional really doesn't work is trying to pull an inside fastball. You have to be early to get to it, but the best you can do is pull it foul because the interface doesn't recognize that you need to be early. It ignores physics.
The up and in fastball? Forget it.
But sit there with zone and you hit moon shots.All-Star and above, don't even try using directional. The only thing you can hope to hit are mistakes.
Zone is all about user input, not card attributes. I've seen YouTubers pummel God Squads with all Bronze teams. The retical is all. Master it and you can hit HR's with relief pitchers.
I use zone by necessity, not choice.
The game has never been able to balance user input and card attributes. This is not a criticism of SDS. It's more about what the game is supposed to be.
Is it a simulator? Is it an arcade game like RBI back in the day?The most valued opinions should be from middle of the pack players. World Series guys are so good it doesn't matter what cards they use. I salute said players skills.
Bad players are bad, regardless.So this player (103-51, I think?) thinks there has to be a way for each interface to be realistic, fun, and usable at every level.
When two of those interfaces become unusable after a certain level, does it say more about the players skills or the game itself? -
Equality of opportunity, not equality of outcome, right?
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Directional is TOO RANDOM with it's results. even If 1 tries to influence hitting a fly ball, grounder, puling or going opposite filed, it does't always do that for you. Also with Direction you can ONLY get a Perfect swing with Timing. NOT a Perfect/Perfect with both Timing & dead centered PCI placement which give greater rewards. In essence it is easier to make contact on most pitches using Directional, but the results are way way too random. Most times being foul balls or being hit directly at a fielder within the INF or OF. With Directional you putting yourself at mercy with what the PC generates for you upon making contact pending the pitch & it's ending position after being pitched. I have already such a hard time trying to time my swings using Directional. My finger reflexes & dexterity is not what it was 10 to 20 years ago. I'm 51 now by the way. Using Zone slows me down even more because now i have to try to place the PCI recticle in the proper place & as well time my swing on time. Zone makes my hitting even worse. At least with Directional I make contact & get my share of hits, Doubles & Homers. But NOT at the same consistency & quality like those using Zone accurately.
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Good post. Not that I'm any authority, but I agree with just about everything you said... I'd used nothing but directional in well over 300 RS games last year and the first 100 or so this year, and found that without exceptional patience and a keen eye (the "one pitch, one spot" approach), you're doing next to nothing. I topped out in the low 700's using Directional, and found it extremely hard to stick around when I actually reached that HOF level.
It's funny that people say Directional is easy, and in the same breath go on to say that you won't find any success. Well, that's because it's hard. It's easy if you're getting a fair amount of meatballs like you do in moments (just wait out the other stuff) in the lower difficulties, which is likely why peole say it's easy, but it's actually very unforgiving when pitches start moving around a bit, even on All Star. I enjoyed it because it forced you to think about how you wanted to swing, not just when (the where obviously decided for you, unlike zone or even, to a degree, analog).
Personally, I hate the Zone interface, so I switched over to Pure Analog and have logged over 200 RS games using that this year; made it to 800 once, bounced immediately, but I can stick around in the 700s... I'm a pretty middling player, just about 40 games over .500, but I enjoy analog much more and have been having a better time playing because of it. I've found that there is a wider variety of hit types, and though I hit fewer HRs, I get more hits (so long as you pick the right third of the plate to swing at, it definitely gives you a better chance at contact than Directional).
While it likely doesn't make sense for SDS to invest a bunch of time into it as not many use it, it would provide for a better experience if you could reach all quadrants. Had I been able to get good wood on inside pitches and touch the high and inside, I'd probably still be using it.
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@the_joneser_psn said in If Directional is So Easy...:
Good post. Not that I'm any authority, but I agree with just about everything you said... I'd used nothing but directional in well over 300 RS games last year and the first 100 or so this year, and found that without exceptional patience and a keen eye (the "one pitch, one spot" approach), you're doing next to nothing. I topped out in the low 700's using Directional, and found it extremely hard to stick around when I actually reached that HOF level.
It's funny that people say Directional is easy, and in the same breath go on to say that you won't find any success. Well, that's because it's hard. It's easy if you're getting a fair amount of meatballs like you do in moments (just wait out the other stuff) in the lower difficulties, which is likely why peole say it's easy, but it's actually very unforgiving when pitches start moving around a bit, even on All Star. I enjoyed it because it forced you to think about how you wanted to swing, not just when (the where obviously decided for you, unlike zone or even, to a degree, analog).
Personally, I hate the Zone interface, so I switched over to Pure Analog and have logged over 200 RS games using that this year; made it to 800 once, bounced immediately, but I can stick around in the 700s... I'm a pretty middling player, just about 40 games over .500, but I enjoy analog much more and have been having a better time playing because of it. I've found that there is a wider variety of hit types, and though I hit fewer HRs, I get more hits (so long as you pick the right third of the plate to swing at, it definitely gives you a better chance at contact than Directional).
While it likely doesn't make sense for SDS to invest a bunch of time into it as not many use it, it would provide for a better experience if you could reach all quadrants. Had I been able to get good wood on inside pitches and touch the high and inside, I'd probably still be using it.
Well said.
Analog, huh?
I've never even tried it!
But thus old dog has enough trouble with the 1st two interfaces. -
@tonythetiger2k16 said in If Directional is So Easy...:
Directional is TOO RANDOM with it's results. even If 1 tries to influence hitting a fly ball, grounder, puling or going opposite filed, it does't always do that for you. Also with Direction you can ONLY get a Perfect swing with Timing. NOT a Perfect/Perfect with both Timing & dead centered PCI placement which give greater rewards. In essence it is easier to make contact on most pitches using Directional, but the results are way way too random. Most times being foul balls or being hit directly at a fielder within the INF or OF. With Directional you putting yourself at mercy with what the PC generates for you upon making contact pending the pitch & it's ending position after being pitched. I have already such a hard time trying to time my swings using Directional. My finger reflexes & dexterity is not what it was 10 to 20 years ago. I'm 51 now by the way. Using Zone slows me down even more because now i have to try to place the PCI recticle in the proper place & as well time my swing on time. Zone makes my hitting even worse. At least with Directional I make contact & get my share of hits, Doubles & Homers. But NOT at the same consistency & quality like those using Zone accurately.
Have you ever thought about zone hitting with analog input as opposed to buttons. And to make it even more challenging use that input with stride turned on. Now you have the most challenging hitting interface in the game. Give it a try a see what I mean.
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@KILLERPRESENCE4 said in If Directional is So Easy...:
@tonythetiger2k16 said in If Directional is So Easy...:
Directional is TOO RANDOM with it's results. even If 1 tries to influence hitting a fly ball, grounder, puling or going opposite filed, it does't always do that for you. Also with Direction you can ONLY get a Perfect swing with Timing. NOT a Perfect/Perfect with both Timing & dead centered PCI placement which give greater rewards. In essence it is easier to make contact on most pitches using Directional, but the results are way way too random. Most times being foul balls or being hit directly at a fielder within the INF or OF. With Directional you putting yourself at mercy with what the PC generates for you upon making contact pending the pitch & it's ending position after being pitched. I have already such a hard time trying to time my swings using Directional. My finger reflexes & dexterity is not what it was 10 to 20 years ago. I'm 51 now by the way. Using Zone slows me down even more because now i have to try to place the PCI recticle in the proper place & as well time my swing on time. Zone makes my hitting even worse. At least with Directional I make contact & get my share of hits, Doubles & Homers. But NOT at the same consistency & quality like those using Zone accurately.
Have you ever thought about zone hitting with analog input as opposed to buttons. And to make it even more challenging use that input with stride turned on. Now you have the most challenging hitting interface in the game. Give it a try a see what I mean.
I have tried this. Got the game a few weeks ago and didn't enjoy button hitting at all. I felt the stride really helped me with my timing and feels more intuitive (coming from NHL games which also uses the stick for handling and shooting).
I have also switched back and forth between zone and directional. Directional feels like it should be more realistic but it does feel very random. Whereas zone feels more rewarding but it's so easy to overshoot your left stick. My best tip is to practise low and high pitches and only hitting the high and ignore Lower ones. Just to try and get used to the approach of sticking to one pitch and not chase everything.
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@Misfits_138_1_PSN said in If Directional is So Easy...:
Why doesn't everyone use it?
A previous bold faced poster tried to argue that the directional interface is largely ignored.
It is.
If you're ignorant enough to think it's "just press x", I will enlighten you...Let's go fastball on the outside corner using directional.
If you're early and are trying to pull, it's a ground ball to the pull side. To drive this pitch you need to be just late, AND be pushing the joystick in that direction.
Same pitch with zone relies on one thing-- retical placement. Get the retical there and see what happensWhere directional really doesn't work is trying to pull an inside fastball. You have to be early to get to it, but the best you can do is pull it foul because the interface doesn't recognize that you need to be early. It ignores physics.
The up and in fastball? Forget it.
But sit there with zone and you hit moon shots.All-Star and above, don't even try using directional. The only thing you can hope to hit are mistakes.
Zone is all about user input, not card attributes. I've seen YouTubers pummel God Squads with all Bronze teams. The retical is all. Master it and you can hit HR's with relief pitchers.
I use zone by necessity, not choice.
The game has never been able to balance user input and card attributes. This is not a criticism of SDS. It's more about what the game is supposed to be.
Is it a simulator? Is it an arcade game like RBI back in the day?The most valued opinions should be from middle of the pack players. World Series guys are so good it doesn't matter what cards they use. I salute said players skills.
Bad players are bad, regardless.So this player (103-51, I think?) thinks there has to be a way for each interface to be realistic, fun, and usable at every level.
When two of those interfaces become unusable after a certain level, does it say more about the players skills or the game itself?I use zone unless it’s a moment to hit a homerun or something to speed it up, but Directional hitting is an extension to timing only hitting. If you don’t push any direction, it’s identical to timing only. Just some random directional info for the chat
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I only play against the CPU, and I switch back and forth between zone and directional. I use directional for the HR moments, and I usually go with zone for conquest and mini-season unless I am really tired or my eyes are bothering me. My understanding is that you place the PCI with zone and you only influence the PCI placement with directional. The vision stat would influence the result with directional because a better vision is more likely to be able to adjust to a bad PCI placement. Does the vision stat influence the result with zone hitting, or is it all based on your placement?
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I use direction cause I mostly play on a tv so the screen and inputs are not as quick as it needs to be. for zone. I can sit in a zone and just hope that I can get to the ball and get hits but it isn't practical. Some swings work better for direction Votto's for me is one of them. Dude straight mashes with more power then other guys with higher power.
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@Orcin_NSW said in If Directional is So Easy...:
I only play against the CPU, and I switch back and forth between zone and directional. I use directional for the HR moments, and I usually go with zone for conquest and mini-season unless I am really tired or my eyes are bothering me. My understanding is that you place the PCI with zone and you only influence the PCI placement with directional. The vision stat would influence the result with directional because a better vision is more likely to be able to adjust to a bad PCI placement. Does the vision stat influence the result with zone hitting, or is it all based on your placement?
If you pause during any game go into the controls/strategy guide part of the pause menu and under strategy guide click batting. They’ll have 8-10 pages that explains everything almost perfectly and you’ll love it
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@Lookattherhino_MLBTS said in [If Directional is So Easy...]
If you pause during any game go into the controls/strategy guide part of the pause menu and under strategy guide click batting. They’ll have 8-10 pages that explains everything almost perfectly and you’ll love it
Thanks! I didn't know this existed.
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Please stop resurrecting old threads.
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@Bob_Loblaw1984 said in If Directional is So Easy...:
Please stop resurrecting old threads.
When it helps others then I’ll do what I want. So stop your complaining man my god lol
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and it really did help me...
I will post the answer in case others are interested. Vision has the same effect in all modes. High vison helps the batter make contact even with bad timing and/or bad pci placement (auto or manual), resulting in fewer misses (but maybe more popups and groundouts).
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@Lookattherhino_MLBTS said in If Directional is So Easy...:
@Bob_Loblaw1984 said in If Directional is So Easy...:
Please stop resurrecting old threads.
When it helps others then I’ll do what I want. So stop your complaining man my god lol
That’s a very adolescent and dramatic response to a reasonable request.
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@Bob_Loblaw1984 said in If Directional is So Easy...:
@Lookattherhino_MLBTS said in If Directional is So Easy...:
@Bob_Loblaw1984 said in If Directional is So Easy...:
Please stop resurrecting old threads.
When it helps others then I’ll do what I want. So stop your complaining man my god lol
That’s a very adolescent and dramatic response to a reasonable request.
How old are you? Do you know my age? And when you put yourself into a situation like this you bring everyone down by complaining
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@Lookattherhino_MLBTS said in If Directional is So Easy...:
@Bob_Loblaw1984 said in If Directional is So Easy...:
@Lookattherhino_MLBTS said in If Directional is So Easy...:
@Bob_Loblaw1984 said in If Directional is So Easy...:
Please stop resurrecting old threads.
When it helps others then I’ll do what I want. So stop your complaining man my god lol
That’s a very adolescent and dramatic response to a reasonable request.
How old are you? Do you know my age? And when you put yourself into a situation like this you bring everyone down by complaining
One does not need to be an adolescent to
behave like one. -
@Bob_Loblaw1984 said in If Directional is So Easy...:
@Lookattherhino_MLBTS said in If Directional is So Easy...:
@Bob_Loblaw1984 said in If Directional is So Easy...:
@Lookattherhino_MLBTS said in If Directional is So Easy...:
@Bob_Loblaw1984 said in If Directional is So Easy...:
Please stop resurrecting old threads.
When it helps others then I’ll do what I want. So stop your complaining man my god lol
That’s a very adolescent and dramatic response to a reasonable request.
How old are you? Do you know my age? And when you put yourself into a situation like this you bring everyone down by complaining
One does not need to be an adolescent to
behave like one.Let me guess you’re about 38, probably like the Chicago bulls and just annoy people on here?
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@Lookattherhino_MLBTS said in If Directional is So Easy...:
@Bob_Loblaw1984 said in If Directional is So Easy...:
@Lookattherhino_MLBTS said in If Directional is So Easy...:
@Bob_Loblaw1984 said in If Directional is So Easy...:
@Lookattherhino_MLBTS said in If Directional is So Easy...:
@Bob_Loblaw1984 said in If Directional is So Easy...:
Please stop resurrecting old threads.
When it helps others then I’ll do what I want. So stop your complaining man my god lol
That’s a very adolescent and dramatic response to a reasonable request.
How old are you? Do you know my age? And when you put yourself into a situation like this you bring everyone down by complaining
One does not need to be an adolescent to
behave like one.Let me guess you’re about 38, probably like the Chicago bulls and just annoy people on here?
You seem awfully worked up over me asking someone else to not revive nearly year old threads.
I truly hope things get better for you.
