l-Furyan-l

April 8

FALUN COAL MINERS [ECL PRO]

Since ECL '25 Winter, we've said goodbye to three of our players...

Eliekamel_ -> Nordic Nosebleed

Supremski -> Retirement (🫡)

McSavid -> Golden Buffalos

... and, in turn, recruited an additional two hardhat-wearing workers to the Mine 👷‍♂️

A warm welcome to RD @Wadde95 & G @benuh_ ⛏️

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March 6

28 minuter sedan, sopulii04 säger:

Just gonna make one observation about this topic: the confirmation bias on both sides is like insane 😂

It seems like the people who are for banning all abilities have a blindspot for anything negative with the change, while the opposite is true for anyone against the change.

(Examples: anyone who thinks "this will make the gameplay just forces and tips" is going to have that experience, because this is what they look for and go for all the time - even though the change isn't quite that radical. Anyone who thinks "this gameplay will be awesome" will just completely ignore the obvious fact that shots, especially one timers, are now COMICALLY bad. I think I've seen like 2 or 3 one timer goals in 10+ games from further out)

The more I think about it, the more I think the right solution is probably somewhere in the middle (only silver abilities for ECL Spring...?)

While I agree with the general gist of your post, I was curious about the part I bolded above.

Just for reference sake, have you tried playing with Snipers (or other "shooting" builds) that are able to raise their slapshot pow/acc up to... say 94/94? Or at the very least 90+ on each? Because we have, and we're seeing plenty of One-Tees from further out go in.

Like... at least one a game, pretty much. At the very least a lot more than what you are describing with the 2/3 One-Tee goals in 10+ games.

I think a key part with fully embracing the no-traits meta (or, at least giving it a proper chance) is realizing that you can no longer rely on having a build that is "good but not great" across the board, like the PMD, and then have attributes like passing, poke-check or shooting at around 85, expecting them to be as effective as they were with the traits on. You need to actually commit and boost the attributes you value up to 90 or over to get the proper effectiveness, sacrificing other attributes in the process.

I'm not saying you haven't tried this, my point is not to question any one individual or team.

My point is a general one: if teams are trying to run the exact same meta as they did when they had traits, with similar builds and point distribution, then that will inevitably lead to disappointment. This is a great opportunity to branch out and really try and push what this NHL gameplay can be. That is how I am approaching it, at least.

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23 minuter sedan, Mikka säger:

I know reading comprehension levels worsen year by year in the society, but holy hell

For my confused finnish bretheren, I recommend googling some information about ”vertauskuva” or ”satiiri”, for example.

Oh yeah, we were talking about NHL traits and I’m totally making it a society-wide issue again, sorry (😢).

Let me start with a small reminder of what Kenu himself said:

As I’ve tried to point out earlier as well, simply posting ”ban x but not y because everything is good right now” copy&pasted 5 times in a row is not constructive nor well-reasoned.

Just write something in any language you feel you can get your point across with, and then you’ll have an actual chance to affect something. Spelling doesn’t matter, the content of your message does. The things you’re actually trying to say.

Anyways, that’s enough about that for now.

I have personally found the game a lot more fun with the abilities banned, not being able to poke behind your back & teleport a few meters into a 1T animation. It has felt like you actually need to use your brain more in regards to how you position yourself and so on, as a few others have said here.

That being said, I somewhat get the point about 1T forcing teams to defend more aggressively. Banning only the golden abilities could be a fine compromise like some have suggested here. Still, I’d first like to see some actual competitive games to really see the effects, as we now will with these national leagues.

I know I’ll get misunderstood more or less intentionally by some, but let me cap this tirade off with another Kenu quote:

From what I’ve gathered (feel free to correct me if I’m wrong), a good portion of the top players currently (still) refuse to practice (or at least play drafts) without abilities, even though they have registered for FCL.

I know you have probably tried a few games here and there & have a lot of expectations and ideas about what the gameplay will be, but come on now.

Give it a proper try, and then come back here with your informed opinion.

Every time the meta changes, playstyles take a little while to evolve. Just think about the beginning of every NHL that has seen a noticeable change in gameplay.

Finally & lastly,

posting screenshots where the opponent is clearly fooling around is useless, get some real gameplay from proper games and then make your case – or don’t. Writing this has once again been way too time consuming for the amount of care I have for whether there are any bans or not – all options are tolerable, even though I do currently enjoy the bans the most.

Fantastic post. No notes. 10/10.

March 6

10 minuter sedan, xDoumi säger:

”This rule change across the board is based on community requests”

To be fair (and I think it is always important to be exactly that when arguing different viewpoints) there were pages upon pages of people writing in "BanThemAll +1" before the last ECL.

We're talking up to almost 100 different posts of people saying exactly that. That was easily the most vocal group at the time and the group that were the most organized in getting their opinion across. Go back and check somewhere around Page 6 to like Page 10. This was something that was definitely requested by a lot of people.

And this is coming from someone who was initially against banning all traits.

Let's be fair, let's stick to facts and let's try to engage with the opposing parties best argument, not their worst ( = Swedes bad, no Finns bad, no Swedes bad etc.).

March 3

Yeah, I have to say, after playing quite a few games completely without traits: damn, what an improvement in terms of gameplay!

No more unrealistic pokes, no more unrealistic hits... you actually have to make an effort to play proper defense now. Less relying on ability-driven RNG, more relying on proper body- and stick positioning.

To me, the game feels a lot better now. Since teams can't line up on the blueline as effectively with the "five-man Stick 'Em-stack" now, the game has opened up as well. Tons of more penalties now as well due to errant pokes, leading to more powerplays and more goals.

My team is trying to combat the increase in penalties by adding a "PIM Tax", might be something others want to try as well? 😁

February 8

21 minuter sedan, Mozjayh säger:

It's not about prefering certain group of players. If we want to play the game the most competitive way possible then we just have to make those certain changes.

I understand and respect that you feel that way. You have the right to that opinion. But it is just that, an opinion. Not a fact.

To give you an example of the difference, part of your earlier argument was this:

Citat

Also to Sopuli, I think that u don't get the main idea of banning truculence since it just ruins the gameplay experience in competitive level which has been covered in this topic a long time ago. Also without stick em up u can't really poke check but without truculence u can still hit fairly well without problems. But these are just a few things to consider.

Even though this was presented as a fact on your part, I just could not disagree with this more.

In my opinion, nothing in NHL 25 has been "worse" for the competitive gameplay experience than the overuse of Stick 'Em Up. It has completely defined the current meta where five guys defend by poke-spamming at the blueline (with an unrealistic amount of success). You absolutely can pokecheck without Stick Em, just like you can hit without Trucu. Difference is; one is used by literally everyone (at least 90% or more) in this game, whereas the other is used by about 50% of the players - at most.

You tell me which one is more gameplay-defining?

You dislike Truculence and think it ruins the game. I dislike Stick 'Em Up and think it ruins the game. None of us are wrong, none of us are right. We just have different preferences and ideas on what makes for "better" gameplay. Which, by the way, isn't always the same as more entertaining gameplay.

My point is, our opinions on this matter aren't facts. Let's get a discussion going instead of just "telling people" what is right or wrong.

February 8

Yeah, for me: either keep it as it is (only Big Tipper banned) or go with all abilities/traits banned, as SG currently seems to be doing. At least based on what has been confirmed in the World Cup, WECL and SCL, thus far.

Arbitrarily banning 3-4 specific traits in order to create a specific play style preferred by specific players? That ain't it.

January 27

Hello again.

Just checking back in here with the same humble request I had back in September of last year:

Citat

All I ask is that, whichever way this goes, there is a definitive, non-reversible decision from League Administration (on bans/no bans) at least a few weeks out from when the first official tournament is set to begin.

Give us a fair chance to practice for a reasonable amount of time under game-like conditions.

Now updated with regard to the upcoming National Cups (SCL, FCL, GCL etc.) and ECL '25 Spring.

Is there a direction in which LA/SG is leaning this time?

We already know the SG World Cup will have no perks/traits, thanks for an early heads-up there!

January 11

FALUN COAL MINERS (SCL & ECL ELITE/PRO)

Hello boys, girls and bots - the Coal Miners of Falun are looking for reinforcements!

After recently having our starting RD and G move on (thank you for your service Söder & Elie! 🍻), we are on the hunt for, you guessed it, a starting RD and G.

We'll be participating in the SCL first and then ECL Elite or Pro, depending on how we fare in the Elite Relegation Series.

*****

RD

We are looking for a two-way defender who is comfortable with the puck and has a good eye for the game, but also knows how to cover for their D partner. This is important. Also important to be able to listen to instruction and execute plays and systems when called upon. Swedish-speaking preferably, but if you absolutely blow us away with your play you can speak Klingon for all we care. Pro-level experience is required, at a minimum.

G

We are looking for a sharp goaltender who excels at reading & anticipating the play and is quick laterally (cross-crease movement). Pro-level experience (or higher) is encouraged, but not a deal-breaker if your gameplay is at a higher level than your current division. Swedish-speaking preferably, but if you stop the puck and get along with the group, language isn't as big of a barrier as with the defender.

*****

Contact me & @Buffy here (please include both of us in the message) through DM if you're interested.

October 27, 2024

I'd like to reiterate a couple of points I made earlier. This was way back in early September:

På 2024-09-06 på 22:11, l-Furyan-l säger:

All I ask is that, whichever way this goes, there is a definitive, non-reversible decision from League Administration (on bans/no bans) at least a few weeks out from when the first official tournament is set to begin.

Give us a fair chance to practice for a reasonable amount of time under game-like conditions.

We got that definitive, non-reversible decision when @Kenu & LA on October 15th announced the following:

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"After deliberating, and weighing the pros and cons of instituting X-factor bans, the League Administration has decided to NOT ban any traits or abilities for the upcoming season. We appreciate the desire for some traits like Big Tipper to be axed, but we first want to see how the meta develops and what teams end up favoring.

As such, we will monitor your feedback and the Pre-season tournament, the first ECL season of the year, as well as any changes that EA makes by adjusting tuners and/or in patches. Last year especially they were making changes quite frequently - so we believe tying ourselves to a blanket ban would be a misstep at this point."

This was later adjusted, albeit slightly, when Kenu & LA on October 22nd announced that, based on community feedback Big Tipper (Gold and Silver) would be banned.

Citat

After further deliberation and seeing the unanimous motion for the ban of the Big Tipper ability, the League Administration has decided to ban Big Tipper (both Gold and Silver) from the ECL ’25: Winter season. The change will take effect in the Warmup Season from Sunday, October 27th and will also apply to the ECL Qualifiers.

The discussion continued at a brisk pace, and some good points were raised. Two ideas seemed to take off, both quite radical; the banning of all traits and the "one player type for each skater"-suggestion. The banning of all traits seemed to be the more popular one, and it is a suggestion I'd probably support myself (under the right conditions).

However, I once again highlighted the importance of foresight and consistency:

På 2024-10-23 på 07:09, l-Furyan-l säger:

I do think if something quite radical like that, meaning "Ban all abilities" (or for that matter the "1 Player Type per Skater"-suggestion voiced earlier), were to be put in place, I would urge SportsGamer to lock in that decision WELL ahead of time - like say announcing now that this will be the prerequisites for the Spring ECL.

With just days to go until the first official tournament of NHL 25 (Qualifiers), I would like to emphasize foresight, consistency and structure one final time.

LA laid out the proposed structure of the upcoming tournament back in early September. They confirmed the prerequisites and structure for the upcoming tournament in mid-October. They confirmed the tournament structure a second time about a week later (with one small adjustment, that had about a 99 percent approval rating).

To completely rip up everything and start over from scratch at this point would be a disservice to SportsGamer, the League Administration and to the competitive structure of the ECL as we know it. Knowing that we can trust what is said in official statements and rulings from LA and SportsGamer, should (and must) be a core tenet of this league.

If we don't have that core tenet, if every decision made and communicated is up for suggestion and is subject to change with the proper lobbying, then the rules, trust and structure built over the years are essentially worth nothing.

Not to mention the fact that for a radical change like the one suggested - and let's be frank here, it IS a radical change when compared to every other tournament ever played on the website - there should be:

- a proper period of time for the topic to be discussed,
- a proper period of time for various different official suggestions (on competitive structure) to be drafted,
- a proper period of time for these official suggestions to be voted on by the community,
- a massive effort made to make sure that as many people in the community as possible get involved and get to have their voices heard (perhaps by way of an official news story, social media posts and emails sent out to all members)

We're talking about a process here that could, and honestly probably should, take months. And a process that should be completely transparent all the way, allowing all members - regardless of how active they are on these forums or the website in general - to understand what is going on and to have their voice heard.

My personal philosophy has always been that change and innovation works best when applied by the proper amount, with the proper support, over a proper period of time - so yeah, I might be biased. But on this topic, based on the points I've argued, I really believe that it is the only reasonable way to move forward.

October 24, 2024

1 timme sedan, Kenu säger:

If you had to prioritize, which ones would you want to know the most? (This is an open-ended question for anyone to weigh in on). I doubt I can get a full list in the short term.

First of all, I think it's great that you - and by extension the gameplay producer in question - are able to supply us with this type of information. Even though one might argue they should've just released all of this information by themselves (like, years ago....), they haven't and probably never will. So, kudos to you for getting to a position where you can get a 1-on-1 with the gameplay producer on our behalf.

Anyway, the traits I'd like to know about are not the obvious ones. The eye-test already tells me/us certain abilities work reasonably well. I'm probably in the minority, but I'd like to know more about the abilities that aren't as popular. Mostly to see if we've been overlooking them, for whatever reason.

So, I'd like to know about:

- Shutdown (does three things; accuracy for pokes against momentum or at speed in 1 on 1's, buffs shot blocking and buffs hitting strength in 1on1s' - but I'd like to know by how much?)

- Quick Pick (what's the buff for interceptions and range of interceptions?)

- No Contest (what's the buff for likelihood of winning puck battles?)

- Unstoppable Force (what's the buff for strength with the puck and holding on to the puck when off balance?)

- Thunder Clap (what's the buff for power and accuracy for point slap shots - does it include one-timers?)

- ...and my personal favorite: Spin-O-Rama (what's the buff for speed and puck control in the spin, and whats the buff for shot and pass accuracy coming out of it, and for how long does that buff last?)

October 24, 2024

23 minuter sedan, Kenu säger:

I had a chat with the gameplay producer at EA and they gave me the following facts about truculence tuning for NHL 25:

Gold Truculence provides a 25% boost to stamina drain on a shoulder check hit (NHL 24 it was 30%)

Silver Truculence provides a 0% boost. (NHL 24 it was 20%)

Truculence also increases the power of a Shoulder Check, which would naturally drain a bit more stamina than a non-truculent Shoulder Check.

The X-Factor should only trigger on Shoulder Checks (not push checks).

I would pay cold, hard cash (more than I'd admit) for a similar breakdown of all the traits and abilities currently in the game.

October 23, 2024

7 timmar sedan, sopuli04 säger:

Banning abilities = changing the gameplay = changing the meta

Therefore I think banning Truculence, while keeping Stick em up would be quite a radical decision if you ask me. That would just benefit teams that hit less.

I think banning all abilities would be the only consistent way to go about it. After all we're trying to figure out who's the best at *playing NHL 25* , not who's the best at *playing NHL 25 but no hitting, only stick checking*

If we go the route of "banning abilities just to make gameplay nicer" I'm voting for banning everything except puck on a string, spin-o-rama and ankle breaker 👍

^ Imo doing that has the same problem as only banning Truculence. Who gets to decide what gets banned and what doesn't? Who's "ideal gameplay" is the "correct" one?

TLDR: banning only some abilities favors certain team - therefore banning them all is probably the most consistent way to go

I don't agree fully with your post, but you argue your point well and I can definitely see the internal logic behind it, essentially: ban everything (or ban nothing) to make it fair.

I do think if something quite radical like that, meaning "Ban all abilities" (or for that matter the "1 Player Type per Skater"-suggestion voiced earlier), were to be put in place, I would urge SportsGamer to lock in that decision WELL ahead of time - like say announcing now that this will be the prerequisites for the Spring ECL.

Finally, I would like to add that I think you hit the bullseye with the segment I bolded in your post. It summed up this entire topic quite nicely, tbh.

October 20, 2024

1 minut sedan, saaggssy säger:

So you think some kinda stick lifting, what can maybe one procent of teams take in to overpowered advantages is more worth to ban, then abilities, what every no matter how good or bad player you are, you can easy boost up your skill and and realy easy score goals without even actual skill? its already was last year but it was not so overpowered like this year, i never saw goalie stop close quarters, if goal happens there is close quarters involved, and no matter how good goalie is there.

Agree to disagree 🤝

October 20, 2024

21 minuter sedan, saaggssy säger:

Lol, are you serious now, please tell me which atribute for goalie is op, and i gonna use it. there is no goalie trait what actualy matters to keep, i think if we play without abilities, game will be more fun then its right now anyway. but because there is this overpowered skaters abilities, we goalies need to atleast try to counter something.

I was mostly kidding, mirroring the words you used, haha 😊

I just disagree with you, is all. Big Tipper is the only attribute worth banning and it is not even close, IMO.

If I were forced to add another attribute to that list, I'd be Stick 'Em Up. If you were to look at all the opposing players you face in an evening, the one trait (Silver or Gold) that would used by more than 90% of the players (defenders and forwards) it wouldn't be BT, QC, OT, TRUC or UF... It would be SEU. And that includes 3/5 players on my team, we use it too.

The amount of errant poke- and stick checks that players get away with right now is hilarious.

But still not worth banning, IMO.

October 20, 2024

6 minuter sedan, saaggssy säger:

Why even to bother not be banned abilities and need this abilities? is that so hard to score if goalies dont trip, and do stupid shits and score on selfs? all this close quarters, one timers abilities makes goalies just unnatural let in shots, so if you all agree that this need to be there for sake of gaming experience, so i assume you all cant score without ea helping you thats all... Close quarters and no timers is just too op, yeah tippers also i got like now some teams who always tips, but tippers is on d, if d plays good dont let attacker alone to tip without challenge, then all is good, but close quarters boost your shot no matter what, if you in face of goalie you are close quartered. one timers is so freaking fast, that you cant even blink and get scored on. no matter how good you read, this one timer boost is so fast, that goalie cant even move in time, and is that fun? i think yes if you all decided to keep close quarters and one timers abilities aviable for ECL.

Well, this is of course anecdotal, but I have seen plenty of goalies stop both Golden CQ and OT... quite a few they had no business stopping, if you ask me.

Perhaps we should ban certain goalie traits? Is it so hard to save without them? 😉

October 20, 2024

3 timmar sedan, Sakkem säger:

I definitely agree that Big Tipper should be banned. It's hard to defend against because tying up sticks in front of the net isn't as effective as it used to be. However, I don’t understand the reasoning behind banning the other two. Do you really think UF is overpowered? Bumping seems really ineffective, and everyone is just using stick checking on defense. Why would people waste an ability spot on UF if nobody is relying on body checking? Also, Trucu has already been nerfed, and I don’t think it’s overpowered anymore. There are better abilities available than that.

It feels like people are demanding the UF ban just because it used to be too strong, but in my opinion, that’s not the case anymore.

That said, if I had to choose between banning all three or banning nothing, I’d choose to ban all three, because the Big Tipper ban is absolutely necessary.

Agree with essentially all of this, except the last sentence. UF and Truc (or any of the other abilities in 25, for that matter) aren't game-breaking enough to be banned, IMO, and shouldn't be lumped in with Big Tipper "just because".

But that's almost exactly what you said, so 😄

However, I have come around fully on banning Big Tipper. It does change the entire dynamic of the game and it does rely almost solely on RNG. If LA were to compromise and change their "No Ban"-stance to "No Bans, except BT", I don't think anyone would shed any tears.

October 18, 2024

3 timmar sedan, Beniittto säger:

Do you really think top players aren't aware of the differences in builds? The reason the top players use the builds that they use is because they are the best builds, atleast for the ways top teams like to play, if you think you can outplay top teams with power forwards or any other non meta build, i wish you good luck.

Regarding the world finals the builds NA players used weren't much different than eu builds, apart from using gold one tee and 1 inch shorter builds to get "better animations", the bigger difference was in tactical approach to the game, where Tunnel vision had a much slower play style where as Entourage played much faster and it had nothing to do with the builds.

So change od for twf, woah what a difference

"Do you really think top players aren't aware of the differences in builds?"

At no point in my post did I insinuate this.

The reason the top players use the builds that they use is because they are the best builds, atleast for the ways top teams like to play,

But that's... exactly the point I was trying to make? So, we agree with one another? Look here, this is what I wrote, word for word:

Yes, for a team of five top-tier Elite players, maybe the 4 PMD's + 1 PLY is the absolute best setup possible to maximize their skill, but that doesn't have to hold true for everyone else. One does not have to copy everything from the top teams, even if I understand the psychology behind it (Hint: The top teams are top teams mainly because of their individual and team skill, not their player builds).

I was mainly talking about everyone else, not the 7-8 best teams in Europe, or the 50-60 players that play on these teams. My point was that the Meta these teams create, does not have to be the Meta everyone else uses, as very few teams can match the pace, style and skill of the absolute top teams.

if you think you can outplay top teams with power forwards or any other non meta build, i wish you good luck.

At no point in my post did I insinuate this.

What I did insinuate was that the lower level teams, which from your perspective would be every team below Elite, might (and I am saying "MIGHT" here, not "WILL") have a better chance to keep up with the top teams if they decided to break free from the Meta that's been specifically created by the top teams to match the way they like to play (like you yourself said), and instead tried to build their own meta with player types, builds and a style that better suits their strengths.

I also said I personally would enjoy watching an Elite broadcast if a team decided to break free from the typical Meta and play something like a PWF with Gold UF. But that was just my personal opinion (in this case as a viewer of the product).

Regarding the world finals the builds NA players used weren't much different than eu builds, apart from using gold one tee and 1 inch shorter builds to get "better animations", the bigger difference was in tactical approach to the game, where Tunnel vision had a much slower play style where as Entourage played much faster and it had nothing to do with the builds.

That's fair, I respect your perspective. You obviously competed at the same level as teams involved and would know what to look for.

What I would argue, and this is more of a general argument, is that the fact that they did use Gold One-Tee and 1 inch shorter builds (something very, very few EU teams if any did at this point), played a major part in why they decided to use the faster play style. It's like arguing what came first, the chicken or the egg. I would argue that these two factors (the different traits/builds and the playing style) at the very least had an impact on each other. Saying "it had nothing to do with the builds", I would argue is incorrect.

October 18, 2024

18 minuter sedan, Beniittto säger:

Using different builds wouldn't change top tier gameplay at all, most teams would just go with snp-ply-od as forwards and pmd-twd as defensemen, so do you really think that makes a difference since the builds are almost identical in terms of size and speed, 99% of viewers wouldn't notice any difference between the builds and if the only reason to have this rule is just for the sake of variety, it already fails at that.

Yes, I really think it would make a difference. And yes, I really think viewers would notice a difference. I also think there'd be a lot more variety than you'd think. We haven't seen anyone try something like this yet, so how would we really know, right? Best we can do is make assumptions of how it would look.

You are arguing this hypothetical rule would fail at creating variety, I am arguing it would be successful in creating variety. Chances are neither of us will ever find out if we were correct. However, I get where you're coming from. And I think you can see my point as well.

Anyway, the main point of my entry wasn't to argue this "rule" NEEDED to happen, it was to pitch the idea and also to encourage teams to actually try using different player types, builds and playing styles instead of being beholden to a Meta that is pretty much exclusively set by 7-8 teams at the very top.

For an example of how "using unusual builds and playstyles" can create a new and different viewing experience, one need not look further than the World Finals, where the NA Meta - which was quite different from the EU Meta - made the World Finals a lot more fun to watch than the 6v6 EU finals right before that. At least in my opinion.

October 18, 2024

This might not be the place, but I'm already like five paragraphs into this so screw it.

I'd like to delve deeper into the "each player type only used once per team" idea. Now, it might never get the traction it needs to actually become a rule, but I'd like to challenge teams and players to try it anyway.

After thinking about it, I soon realized we actually run this exact setup on our team. We run a PMD-PLY-SNP, OFD-DFD lineup, meaning five different player types, and we've been doing something similar for the past two tournaments (SCL, ECL) we've participated in as well.

And while I don't know if a setup like that will ever be viable at the Elite level (I hope to find out!), it is definitely viable as high up as the top tier of Pro - as evidenced by last season.

It does require some extra effort in adapting your playstyle, both as a team and as individuals, but it can also yield some unexpectedly positive results. What I mean to say is that, the "Meta" doesn't have to be as all-encompassing as people make it out to be. Yes, for a team of five top-tier Elite players, maybe the 4 PMD's + 1 PLY is the absolute best setup possible to maximize their skill, but that doesn't have to hold true for everyone else. One does not have to copy everything from the top teams, even if I understand the psychology behind it (Hint: The top teams are top teams mainly because of their individual and team skill, not their player builds).

In short, I'd like to encourage players and teams to try something different in order to see if it works for you. And if someone doesn't like your personal playstyle or the way your team plays...? Who gives a shit, haha. My frenemy Pardy has been ruining my life as a defender for going on ten years now, yet I wouldn't want to see anything other than a 173 cm, 72 kg "speedy boi" coming down my wing when I play TIKI Talk.

Variety is the spice of life and I can't be the only one who still remembers players like Kriketski, Maise and Alex28 using strong, powerful builds at the Elite level. Krike with his 6000+ hits as a Grinder (I think?) during his time with JYP, Maise as the tall, lanky Grinder center you couldn't take the puck away from and Alex as the massive Powerforward using golden Truculence and hitting everything in sight on the forecheck.

I, and I think many others in this community, still remember these players and their builds to this day for one simple reason: they dared to be the different. And they didn't just do it as a gimmick to be special and different, they did it in a way that made them incredibly effective for their teams - and forced other teams to adapt to their style.

Hell, why NOT a PWF winger with Golden Unstoppable Force at the Elite level? I for one would love to see someone try it and force all the other teams to adapt to their unique playing style. Personally, that would be enough to get me to tune into a broadcast. People are arguing that certain traits would make the games unwatchable, and they might have a point with a few of them (mainly Tipper), whereas I'd argue that it has become so goddamn boring to see the exact same builds and traits being used by literally everyone.

October 18, 2024

10 timmar sedan, Keuschemisch säger:

Absolutely agree on this one. I think if certain abilities need to be banned it is Big Tipper. Truculence does not seem to be as strong as in the previous games. Can't say too much about Unstoppable Force, also because of the "Meta Builds" which rarely include that ability.

Also want to bring one more idea to the table which has been stated several times by a few players during the last couple of years:

That each Playertype can only be used once per team. That would also bring some kind of variety to the Gameplay experience.

Personally I love this idea that Keusch mentioned (the bolded). Even if it would just end up being the default/safe option of TWF-PLY-SNP, PMD-TWD, it would still bring a LOT of variety and encourage teams to try new things. Count me in for this idea rather than any bans etc.

--

On the main topic, I am on team "No Bans", with the exception of maybe Big Tipper (at least the Golden variety) as I can see the arguments for it equalizing the playing field in a way that is detrimental to the gameplay experience.

However, Truc (and it's dumb cousin UF) certainly aren't the powerhouses they are made out to be - not in NHL 25. To me, there is a clear difference compared to how it was when they were at their "worst".

And banning One-Tee? Come the fuck on, haha. The OFD is FINALLY vaguely useable in NHL 25 (but just barely) with Elite Edges being taken out and the extra 80+ points added in certain categories, and now people are asking for the one strength it has to be taken out? I guess some really do hate variety in player types and just want to see the same "4 PMDs + 1 PLY"-meta we've been seeing for literally YEARS now...

If people are just throwing shit to the wall and suggesting banning traits they seem to personally dislike, I'd like to introduce banning Stick 'Em Up and Shutdown to the mix. Let's see how well people can stick-check each other without having training wheels, crutches and aim bot on their sticks.

I am kidding in the sense that I don't actually want Stick 'Em Up and Shutdown banned... but if there is ONE trait that has been comically overused and is comically overpowered in NHL 25, it is Stick 'Em Up. At least, that is my personal opinion. Which is all we really have here in this thread.

On that note, some people really need to learn the difference between presenting their opinions on a matter, and stating something as a "fact" when it really isn't.

October 17, 2024

I asked myself, what could possibly be worth reviving this topic for?

The answer is this video. Everyone, we bid you... Welcome to Falun.

Put together by Coal Miners co-founder Pontus @LastMandalorian Duvefelt, with the utmost respect and admiration for the hit FX show 'Welcome to Wrexham' ⛏️🥰

Don't forget to sing when you win

October 15, 2024

30 minuter sedan, Kenu säger:

Thanks for flagging this @l-Furyan-l!

After deliberating, and weighing the pros and cons of instituting X-factor bans, the League Administration has decided to NOT ban any traits or abilities for the upcoming season. We appreciate the desire for some traits like Big Tipper to be axed, but we first want to see how the meta develops and what teams end up favoring.

As such, we will monitor your feedback and the Pre-season tournament, the first ECL season of the year, as well as any changes that EA makes by adjusting tuners and/or in patches. Last year especially they were making changes quite frequently - so we believe tying ourselves to a blanket ban would be a misstep at this point.

Thanks for the clarification, appreciate it!

Does this mean the "unique" loadouts ( = Deepfreeze etc) will also be allowed? Obviously not appearance-wise, but loadout-wise?

October 15, 2024

På 2024-09-06 på 22:11, l-Furyan-l säger:

All I ask is that, whichever way this goes, there is a definitive, non-reversible decision from League Administration (on bans/no bans) at least a few weeks out from when the first official tournament is set to begin.

Give us a fair chance to practice for a reasonable amount of time under game-like conditions.

We are rapidly getting to that point now. About two weeks until qualifiers and four weeks until ECL. Is there an update? @Kenu

As I understand it, the preseason tournament will have no bans. On the one hand, I understand this decision, but it does make me wonder: will the preseason tournament be used as a testing ground, with a decision on bans/no bans to be made once that tournament is over? If so, it is my understanding that tournament is over on November 11th, less than a week before the season is set to start and AFTER the qualifiers begin.

That's... quite a tight deadline. And exactly what I, and those who agreed with my post, requested to not have happen. With the various qualifiers set to begin soon, we as a community really could use a definitive decision on bans/no bans before then.

TLDR, a direct question: Can we expect "No Bans" to be the decision for ECL '25 Winter?

October 14, 2024

Small update to this:

Something we've been having a little bit of success with lately is something @imosi mentioned: switching the room leader. And doing so quite quickly.

We've set a cap of around 45 seconds to cycle through room leaders. If the first guy searching doesn't find a team within 45 seconds, we switch to the next player. We also change one of the Allow Drop-In Skater/Goalie option to Yes every time we do this. It's probably just placebo and not necessary, but the idea is to force the matchmaking engine to recognize two things: 1, a new player is now room leader and 2, the search parameters have been re-set.

Anyway, next player searches for a maximum of 45 seconds and if no game found, we shift to the next (change one of the drop-in options to Yes, one to No), etc.

We've been doing this the last two nights and we usually find a game on the 2nd or 3rd search. Mind you, it's not always matchups we want, but on average we seem to be at least FINDING teams quicker.

October 13, 2024

Starting a new topic so this doesn't just get buried in the general chat.

Okay, so what are the best matchmaking hacks people have found for EASHL 6v6 in NHL 25 thus far? EA taking their sweet time fixing the matchmaking mess they've created, so listening to any and all advice if anyone has figured out a workaround. We legit couldn't get a playable game for 45 minutes yesterday, just non-ECL teams we'd never heard of from like... Slovenia. Just a brutal way to spend an hour supposedly committed to gaming.

Enough is enough, send help plz.

First of all, is anyone having success in finding 6v6 games quickly or consistently?
We doing Crossplay: Enabled or Disabled?
We doing Allow or Don't Allow on the Drop-In player option?
Any "designated searchers" on your teams having more success?
When not finding games, are we rebooting the 6's lobby?
Or are we rebooting the game entirely ( = "Close Application")?
Are people just doing privately setup BO3s or BO5s?
Are people using a set password to search Private games within a limited pool of teams?
If so, what general codes are we using for those Private games (there seems to be a few different ones out there)?

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