Warrior General Games

Welcome to the Rhode Island Red Wolves Blog! In this blog, I will discuss my plans and strategies as I attempt my goal of bringing a team all the way up from BBB back to USA PRO...with only my own players!! Just to be absolutely crystal clear - every player on my team is owned by ME!! Nothing to hide here...

A Brief History of the Red Wolves

I purchased the team as a CPU gutjob near the middle of Season 2. Back then, your team did not auto-fill with CPU! I had a total of 2 players on the roster...one of which asked for a trade a soon as I bought the team. (As a side note, the other player, Hank Gilmore, stayed with me from that day up until I dropped the team back down from PRO at the end of Season 8!). I spent the better part of two straight days filling up the team with whatever I could get, using the bit of cash I had from the gutting to make trades to fill the team. We hung on by a thread for Seasons 2 and 3, narrowly avoiding relegation before I was able to start landing quality recruits and began putting up a fight. Despite some promising rosters and excellent players, we were never able to make the playoffs in PRO (we fell a missed XP short in Season 6), but were always a threat to steal a game. Although I fielded what I thought was my best team ever in Season 8, we sported one of the worst records as a team. So I decided to combine the best players from my team with K-zoo, and drop down the Red Wolves to BBB to rebuild with the goal of eventually returning to USA PRO.

What Is the Point of All of This?

In some ways this is a grand GLB experiment - can one user ever know enough about this game to take an entire team of players from BBB to USA PRO using only his own strategies and experience? I've been a part of GLB since Season 1, but didn't really get addicted until Season 2. Owning a team will do that for you! In that time, I've made some good friends here, and watched a ton of replays, read a ton of forum posts, and traded a ton of PMs with some of the best players of this game in an attempt to learn as much as possible about player building and the AI. Being a self-confessed control freak, I figured the best way to ensure everything went according to my masterplan, I decided to go at it alone. The plan is to get back to USA PRO as soon as possible.

Don't You Have a Major Advantage?

In most ways, no. I had several excellent GLB players offer to make players for me, the same agents that I learned from in the first place. So I could have stocked the team with a variety of agents, but chose not to. The same thing for any chemistry advantage (when it recovers!) or recruiting (loyal agents means never really having to recruit). I do have an advantage in that my stadium is already filled, so EQ money will always be available to my players.

However, since Bort reshuffled the leagues in Season 9, I will always be up against similarly leveled competition. So in theory, I should always be up against fair competition.

So What is the Point of This Blog?

Since I am a team of one, my team forum will be non-existent. So I am going to open up the conversation to my fellow league members, and to any other GLB member who happens to find this thread. So many GLB'ers have been giving of their time to help the general community, and I will try to do the same. I'm not going to open any builds, or post detailed gameplans or AI, but I will discuss with some detail what I'm doing, which anyone can feel free to comment on either the strategy, or result, of. In this way, I'm totally transparent and you may feel free to adopt any of these strategies for yourself (or steer far far away from them!)

So begins the journey of the Red Wolves! Join me as I discuss my strategies in bring a team up from the ashses back to PRO!!

Player Building

All of my players (save for my K and P) are level 10s. I would have been better served starting them around Day 24 of the season before in order to get them to level 13 before this season, and that's how I would recommend another team do this.

Rolling New Players

It is critical that you accomplish solid opening rolls with your new players. I used the GM re-roll script to help me. Not only was I trying for the highest possible primary stat roll (NOTE - the wiki is horribly misinformed on maximum rolls), but also to make sure that I achieved as many 8s in non-applicable stats (like KCK for a guard). In addition, I tried to account for weight/height, even though that might play only a minimal roll in a player's performance in the SIM. I will readily admit that I did not achieve all perfect rolls for my players, but when you are rolling 40+ guys, you do alot of settling in order to keep things moving.

Early Development

I firmly believe in using d-leagues for what they are meant for - DEVELOPMENT. I did not care about my players performance, I only cared that they were achieving max XP so I could accrue SP. This brings up an important point - make sure you sign to a team where you will get significant playing time. The d-leagues are pretty barren now with Pee Wee teams and Casual Teams, so there is no reason to be the 5th DT on one team when you can be the starting DT on another. Don't waste your cash on EQ either - train on normal (bonus). Your salary will be so low on d-league you cannot afford the $2500 expense of EQ. You don't need it yet anyway.

I am basically using slow building techniques in building my players, except I am concentrating on building the primaries up higher than usual. When considering how to use SP or TP, the key question for you should be VALUE. The quicker you reach softcaps, the more valuable the auto points become. Conversely, the lower your other attribute values are, the better return you get on training. SP distribution starts dropping in frequency from level 1 (meaning the longer you will wait time-wise for level ups), so you need to take advantage.

There are two things I'm being careful of when applying SP and TP - getting as close to the softcap as possible to maximize SP value. That means getting as close to 48.06 and getting the training bar over 90%. That 90% bar will be very valuable when you reach a fourth cap and only 1 or 2 days of training nets you the equivalent of 5 SP. That's a level up! Even if I had to wait 1 or 2 levels to get closer, I did. Again, there is no point in making your player productive in these early stages. You will only hurt yourself down the road.

Boosting

I will not be boosting in Season 8. And I am strongly considering not boosting in Season 9, unless I am convinced it is the only chance I have at promotion. In the long run, I will lose 1 level by not boosting this season. I can live with that given the FP expenses. However, I will absolutely lose the 3 levels by not boosting in Season 9. So why wouldn't I do it? Well, I am taking a very long term approach to this, and I spoke before about value. Continuing to train in between level ups could prove to be beneficial. It's a ways off, so I haven't made any firm decisions, but it will likely depend on my retirement situation.

Advanced EQ

There are some slim pickings of Adv. Eq. at this level from the store. However, now that everyone got a bonus and soon will be drawing daily salary, I can afford to start building up bonus tokens. Below is what I considered the best available from the store by position:

QB - Pass Quality +2%
RB - Fake chance +2%
FB - Hold Block +2%
WR/TE - Catch Chance +2%, Sticky Hands +1
OL - Run Block, Hold block +2%

DE - Break Block +2%
DT - Break Block +2%, Make Tackle +2%, Wrap Up Tackle +1
LB - Make Tackle +2%, Wrap Up Tackle +1
CB/S - Deflect Ball +2%, Swat Ball +1, Intercept Chance +2%, RS +1

K/P - Calm Nerves +1

It's very possible there are slightly better ones, but I didn't want to keep wasting TPs on tokens when there isn't much there to begin with.

With the early start I'm getting, I'm hoping to have almost two full pieces of quality Adv. Eq. by level 40.

Custom EQ

In all honesty, Custom EQ is probably the least cost-effective use of FP in the game. +6 costs you 600 FP, which is a full season boost of any player type except for the glamour positions (and even then it's two boosts!). I'm not saying it's not valuable, but people don't tend to use it the right way (just sticking it onto a primary stat) getting it way over 100 and really minimizing it's effectiveness. I am guilty of this too, I assure you. If I do get custom at some point, it will be used to raise the second primary (like AGL) rather than the first.

Roster Considerations

Players

I have a pretty classic roster:

1 QB
2 RB (1 elusive, 1 power)
2 FB (1 blocking, 1 rushing)
2 TE (1 receiving, 1 blocking)
2 C
4 G
4 OT

4 DE (2 speed builds, 2 agility builds)
4 DT (2 NTs, 2 DTs, one speed build, one agility)
5 LB (3 OLB, 2 MLB)
5 CB (incl. 1 Return Specialist)
2 FS
2 SS

1 K
1 P

Depth is a strong asset but also a potential burden, as I will discuss below.

I may decide to build a pure rushing QB should Bort ever decide to make QB2 a depth chart position (and with the new formation settings, I think we are headed that way).

Setting Up the Depth Chart

Since most of my players are virtually similar by position, the natural question is "who starts"? Even on a 99/0 sub ratio, the starter will tend to play more. You must also factor in STM sapping ST play.

Right now, the listed starter is either 1) the slightly better build (at the moment) or 2) got lucky and hit his adv. eq. early. But for the most part, there's nothing all that significant.

I will be monitoring levels and XP closely, and where one player is ahead of another of the same position, he'll get swapped to backup or moved up to starter on ST. This should help balance out development.

Setting Up the Special Teams Depth Chart

New for Season 9 is the slotted ST depth chart, a welcome addition. Here's how I set up mine:

KR

OU1 - CB
OU2 - SS
OU3 - LB
Ou4 - LB
Ou5 - FS
OU6 - CB
IN1 - DE
IN2 - DT
IN3 - NT
IN4 - DE

KO

OU1 - WR
OU2 - FB
OU3 - TE
OU4 - WR
FW1 - G
FW2 - LB
FW3 - G
BW1 - T
BW2 - C
BW3 - T

I chose to put a LB at FW2 because they get .25 added to BLK at level up, which is fairly useful for things like this!

Punt

LT - LB
LG - LB
LS - DT
RG - LB
RT - LB
SE1 - CB
SE2 - CB
SB1 - S
SB2 - S
PP - NT

Punt Return

SE1 - WR
SE2 - WR
ER1 - G
ER2 - G
DL1 - OT
DL2 - C
DL3 - TE
DL4 - OT
PP1 - FB
PP2 - LB


My logic for ST starters is pretty simple - add the guy at the position who is NOT the starter on the primary depth chart. So the backup LDE is the starting IN1 ST'er. I also put the starter as the ST backup. Also running in a 99/0. This should help even playing time out among positions.

Coming Soon

- Builds as they develop
- SAs - when to add, which ones
- Adv. Eq.
- EQ strategies
- AI and Playbooks
- Q&A
- and much more!!!!!!!

Player Build Updates

04/26/2009 - I decided to dump SP into all G BLK before the first game since they had enough to reach the the cap. All guards dumped to 49.0x at the +1 SP level. Training bar isn't as close to full as I'd like, so I'll have to be super careful about not training it over. Team blocking rating jumped from 33 to 36. I chose to dump now because all of my players will level today and I didn't want to wait two more levels to get back to where I was. At this point, Gs (10), Cs (10), DTs (10) and P have all reached at least the second cap on the first primary and softcapped the second primary.

04/28/2009 - Cs (11) have reached third cap in STR, DEs (11) have now softcapped second primary with first double capped.
K has reached third cap in KCK (9), and TE (11) has reached second cap in BLK. All players are begining to fill out Adv. Eq. with bonus tokens. I anticipate being able to dump into most WR, CB and OT before the next game.

05/02/2009 - Two CBs (12) softcapped AGL. Waiting for rest of CBs to more completely fill the AGL training bar before applying SP. Moving onto different training combo. OLB (12) also reached softcap of AGL. Switched training combo. Other LBs are close to having SP dumps into AGL. FS (12) reached softcap of AGL. Switched training combo. QB (11) was able to dump into VIS to softcap. Dumped earlier than I wanted to (Training bar is only at 10%) but I didn't want to miss being able to dump VIS to 49 at the cost of only 1 SP per. WRs (12) reached softcap of AGL. Switched training combo. Overall went from 33 to 36. Passing bar went from 39 to 45. Pass Defense went from 30 to 33.

05/04/2009 - Two LBs (12) and All WRs (12) now to second cap AGL. Training combos have changed. Waiting for remaining LBs to more completely fill their AGL training bars. SS (12) to AGL softcap and training combo switched. HBs (12) both reached second attribute softcap. Training combo switched.

05/06/2009 - K (11) reached softcap of CNF. Switching training combo to STR/JMP. Will wait until KCK hits 73 naturally before getting to fourth cap with SP. Another LB (12) finished AGL to the softcap. Another CB (12) finished AGL to the softcap. Training switched on both (LB STR/TCK, CB JMP/CTH). FS (12) also finished AGL and switched training to JMP/CTH.

05/08/09 - TE (13) reached softcap in AGL. Training combo changed to VIS/CTH. Will work both to softcap via training while continuing to invest SP in SPD/AGL. Final CB (13) reached softcap in AGL. Training combo changed to VIS/JMP. SPD will be taken to the third cap before working on VIS to cap with SP. G (13) partial dump of SP into BLK, saved enough SP to get STR to third cap at next level up. FB (13) reached softcap in AGL. Training changed to CAR/STR.

05/12/2009 - DE (14) reached third cap of AGL. Training remains at STR/TCK, will continuing training both to the cap while working on SPD/AGL with SP. G (14) reached third cap of STR. Training remains at SPD/AGL, will continue training both towards the cap while working on STR/BLK with SP. C (14) reached second cap of BLK. Training remains at AGL/VIS. DT (14) reached third cap of AGL. Training remains SPD/TCK, waiting for SP to dump into SPD to softcap. WR (14) reached third cap in SPD. Training remains VIS/CTH while is applied to AGL. Overall bar turned green. Pass defense increased to 39.

05/18/2009 - WR (15) have hit the third cap in SPD. Training remains CTH/VIS while SP is applied to AGL. CB (15) have hit the third cap in SPD. Training remains JMP/VIS while SP is applied to AGL. FS (15) have hit the third cap in SPD. Training remains JMP/VIS while SP is applied to AGL. SS (15) have hit the third cap in SPD. Training remains JMP/VIS while SP is applied to AGL. Pass defense bar turned light green.

05/20/2009 - P (18) reached softcap in STR. Switching training to JMP/VIS. SP will continue to be applied into STR. K (15) reached second cap of CNF. Will continue to train STR/JMP until STR dump. RB (15) has reached the third cap of SPD. Training STR/CAR while applying SP to AGL. The entire team has now upgraded Adv. Eq. twice. Will shop again in the offseason to try and improve pieces. Overall is up to 42. Kicking bar is up to 60.

05/24/2009 - C (16) reached fourth cap of STR. Training remained AGL/VIS until BLK is brought to the third cap, then shifting SP to AGL. NT (16) reached second cap of AGL. Training remains SPD/TCK until AGL to third cap, then shifting SP to TCK. LB (16) reached third cap of SPD. Training remains STR/TCK while SP is switched to AGL. G (16) reached second cap of BLK. Training remains SPD/AGL. TE (16) reached second cap of BLK, holding onto SP until AGL can be capped, or STR can reach third cap. Training remains SPD/AGL. Receiving bar has improved to 30. Blocking bar has improved to 48.

Reserved 2

Red Wolves News Updates

Red Wolves have unveiled an updated logo and new stadium grass!

http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c196/l33tpr0ducti0ns/RedWolves.jpg

http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c196/l33tpr0ducti0ns/RedWolvesField.jpg

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Interesting point on the CE Josh.

So, if I'm understanding the point, loading up one primary attribute to the fullest has less reward than adding +6 to a lesser developed primary attribute?

Will you be using 2 sets of interchangeable equipment for your players...(Power or Speed for LB's as an example)?

Based on my understanding, it's a sliding scale at higher value levels. So the 6 difference in 100 to 106 would have less overall effect than say 73 to 79.

I'm seeing better results on a lineman with 100 STR and 80 BLK, than 108 STR and 72 BLK. Same thing with an NT, 100 STR and 80 AGL rather than 110 and 70.

I'm starting to use Custom on the second primary attribute and liking the build a little bit more.

As for two sets of EQ...probably not, I'll be looking for the most effective combination.

Quite an interesting read cwru.

Nice write up man, you put a lot of work into it. Will you be posting a total cost of running your own team? Also what are you going to do to keep your morale up? I have got bored with the game a ton since my team started in Season 2 and my loyal group of friends have slowly left out of bordem. There is a still about 6 of us who are still playing and we are hoping the fresh start will get us back into the game but I fear it won't. I know owning a whole team yourself has some huge advantages but don't you think you will get to a point where your like why am I spending $$$ a month to play this game?

Originally posted by logicbomb
Nice write up man, you put a lot of work into it. Will you be posting a total cost of running your own team? Also what are you going to do to keep your morale up? I have got bored with the game a ton since my team started in Season 2 and my loyal group of friends have slowly left out of bordem. There is a still about 6 of us who are still playing and we are hoping the fresh start will get us back into the game but I fear it won't. I know owning a whole team yourself has some huge advantages but don't you think you will get to a point where your like why am I spending $$$ a month to play this game?

Sure I can do that. I think the costs will be minimized some as my older players are forced into retirement. So that recycled FP should help. Retirement wasn't so tough this season as it has been, I think, like you this new idea reinvigorated me. I was also becoming bored with the game, watching unrealistic builds beat teams 120-6 and teams using I slam every play. That stuff is what got me wondering why I was spending the money more than anything.

Originally posted by cwrujosh
Originally posted by logicbomb

Nice write up man, you put a lot of work into it. Will you be posting a total cost of running your own team? Also what are you going to do to keep your morale up? I have got bored with the game a ton since my team started in Season 2 and my loyal group of friends have slowly left out of bordem. There is a still about 6 of us who are still playing and we are hoping the fresh start will get us back into the game but I fear it won't. I know owning a whole team yourself has some huge advantages but don't you think you will get to a point where your like why am I spending $$$ a month to play this game?

Sure I can do that. I think the costs will be minimized some as my older players are forced into retirement. So that recycled FP should help. Retirement wasn't so tough this season as it has been, I think, like you this new idea reinvigorated me. I was also becoming bored with the game, watching unrealistic builds beat teams 120-6 and teams using I slam every play. That stuff is what got me wondering why I was spending the money more than anything.

Yeah I retired players to make my new ones too. I have always wanted to run my whole team, after being an owner for 6 season it gets old having to tell everyone to make adjustments every game and then hoping they did as you asked. I just did not want to spend that kind of money and I figured I would get bored quickly.

Originally posted by logicbomb
Originally posted by cwrujosh

Originally posted by logicbomb


Nice write up man, you put a lot of work into it. Will you be posting a total cost of running your own team? Also what are you going to do to keep your morale up? I have got bored with the game a ton since my team started in Season 2 and my loyal group of friends have slowly left out of bordem. There is a still about 6 of us who are still playing and we are hoping the fresh start will get us back into the game but I fear it won't. I know owning a whole team yourself has some huge advantages but don't you think you will get to a point where your like why am I spending $$$ a month to play this game?

Sure I can do that. I think the costs will be minimized some as my older players are forced into retirement. So that recycled FP should help. Retirement wasn't so tough this season as it has been, I think, like you this new idea reinvigorated me. I was also becoming bored with the game, watching unrealistic builds beat teams 120-6 and teams using I slam every play. That stuff is what got me wondering why I was spending the money more than anything.

Yeah I retired players to make my new ones too. I have always wanted to run my whole team, after being an owner for 6 season it gets old having to tell everyone to make adjustments every game and then hoping they did as you asked. I just did not want to spend that kind of money and I figured I would get bored quickly.



No joke bro! That's one of the most aggrivating things about this game when you spend hours in preparation, and people don't change tactics.