BuzzerBeater Forums

I can see now why training C/PF is easier for newer users :) More training
regimes that focus directly on those positions!

Definitely. The game engine also used to favor teams with strong inside games, so it was pretty much a no-brainer. However, when outside tactics were given more of an emphasis, people who had been training guards could make a ton of money. I haven't been too active on the market lately, but I assume that great guards will still command more money than great inside guys.

Switching to a skills vs tactics question: at what point is it good to decide which way to play the ball (outside focus or inside focus)? What are the criteria for deciding?

I think it's probably similar to deciding whether to play AOW, AIM, or normal in hattrick. If you've got a significant advantage in one sector, then you can focus there to maximize that.

Is it better to play normal focus if there really isn't a significant advantage one way or the other?

I'm not really sure. If you play an outside focus offense, for instance, that will help your outside ratings and hurt your inside ratings. And vice versa. Thus, if, for instance, your team's offensive ratings are identical to your opponent's defensive ratings, then maybe it makes sense to focus inside or outside to strengthen that particular area? I think it's hard to say, especially without knowing more about how the game engine actually works. Others may disagree.

And finally, how do I evaluate what tactics to use against an opponent?

Well, at its most basic, if your opponent's offense is strong in one sector and weak in another (relative to your defenses), then I'd play a tactic to support your defense in his strong sector. And if your opponent is particularly strong in a defensive sector, then I'd focus on attacking the other sector. There are also matchups to think about - if you've got a shutdown defender, maybe try to play him against the other team's big scorer.

Is there a particular upcoming opponent that you're trying to decide on tactics for?

Is there a particular upcoming opponent that you're trying to decide on tactics for?

Yeah, my next opponent, never lose (53413). It's one of the few human teams in the league. I think it's a new team, but his flag collection would hint otherwise.

He plays a 2-3 zone for defense, has high rebounds, and plays push the ball. He's got a really strong center and a few decent PFs. He gets an outside scoring rating of pitiful (high) and an inside scoring rating of awful (medium). I'm wondering if maybe I should play a 2-3 zone to shut him down on the inside.

My next match following is a bot, so I'm wondering if I should play this one with normal intensity and then TIE the next match. My enthusiasm is at 8 right now.

The flag collections are kind of screwed up - they don't always erase the previous owner's flags.

He's a new team. Hasn't logged in since either of the games he's played. I would assume that he'll play the exact same lineup and get similar ratings. (They'll be a bit different with new game shape, but not radically different. They'll also be a bit different with him being away instead of home.)

I'd say that he's pretty much equivalent to a bot. (I'm too lazy to check, but he might have players playing out of position - like a PG in at C - just like bots often do.)

thanks, I thought he was :)

I'm still going to go after him pretty strongly though, putting out some good players to shut him down. I think I might try an outside focus for offense. With several skill pops I've got some SF and SGs with respectable jump shot and jump range. In one of my matches I was able to get an inept outside scoring and inside scoring rating, so I might change my mind.

Should I TIE this one since I have homecourt advantage?

Should I TIE this one since I have homecourt advantage?

Hard to say. In my first season, I lost to my fair share of bots. :)

With some enthusiasm in the bank and home court, I think that you're probably safe with a TIE. No guarantees, though. Bots here aren't as easy to defeat as they are in hattrick.

yeah, I noticed that they were a bit harder :)

mate - building up enthusiasm is pretty easy and doesnt have to be done early season (especially if you are out of the cup)

remember enthusiasm always gravitates towards 5 so in your tougher games you may as well normal now.

with about 3 weeks to go before the playoffs either TIE or like they do in the NBBA mutual TIE (I assume you guys still have these pacts?!) so that you enter the playoffs with 10/11..... even if you were to TIE all the way from now you would be talking a fraction difference so if you think the win is going to hinge on your team effort just go normal.

thanks for the advice. Which is more important, winning the league or the playoffs?

Just to make sure that I am reading this correctly, you are suggesting play normal now until about 3 weeks out from the playoffs? Sorry for the ridiculous question, but when do the playoffs start?

You play 22 games in a season.. then the playoffs..

You can finish 4th in regular season action and still win the playoffs (and get promoted). Winning the league gives the advantage of playing at home and winning the overall conference (best record out of Big 8 and Great 8) gives you Home court advantage throughout the whole playoffs (if you progress from your side of the draw.)

So... really is down to you... if you check season 3 of the JBBL. I as a new manager lost a few games and my squad only took place towards the end of the regular season. With the major signings i made ahead of the playoffs I was able to overcome the fact i was the away team.

With the new trainers available that could give you a boost (national appeal) you can see where you are on the leadup to the playoffs and then this could be an interesting time to change your trainer. Nowadays it is more important to try and obtain HCA but in your situation if you have the financial power to add 1/2 quality signings (assuming your main rival(s) can't) then finishing 2nd a one off game away isnt unusual.

With the new trainers available that could give you a boost (national appeal) you can see where you are on the leadup to the playoffs and then this could be an interesting time to change your trainer. Nowadays it is more important to try and obtain HCA but in your situation if you have the financial power to add 1/2 quality signings (assuming your main rival(s) can't) then finishing 2nd a one off game away isnt unusual.

Sorry, I'm not sure that I completely understand a few things. What's national appeal and HCA? And which signings are you referring to, players or trainer?

@ everyone

More questions (sorry!):

I currently have a level 3 trainer. Should I upgrade soon?

At which point should I upgrade my arena? I've sold out the last two home games in my 5000 seat arena. I just boosted the prices a bit for next month.

There doesn't seem to be any arena upkeep cost. Is there no penalty or drawback for having a massive arena? (not that I'm planning on building one, just curious)

What areas does enthusiam particularly influence? My guys played their best tonight (most areas except for offensive flow was inept, up from awful) even though I TIEed it. My enthusiasm is up at 10 now.

When should I hire a better PR and doctor?

my next match is a cup match against a bot (100952)

according to the last couple of box scores that they have, they have good inside scoring. Since they are a bot, they are not necessarily looking inside for shots, but playing normal. Would it be worth it for me to play a defense that is tighter on the inside to shut this down? Or should I continue to play man to man? With a 2-3 zone, how much of a change in my defense ratings would I expect to see?