Warrior General Games

I notice in replays on pass plays that OL often shift from their original position for a double- or triple-team when it's not necessary. As of right now, there are no blocking assignments specified within the pass plays, so even though a G is lined up in front of a DE, he will shift over to double-team the NT rather than block the DE. Sometimes both Gs will do this, leaving two large gaps in the line. Currently the OC has no control over this. He's purely at the whim of the sim....unlike the DC.

If a script could be added to either the package creator or the AI editor that would allow OCs to specify blocking assignments, much like the defensive play creator allows coverage assignments, this could be very helpful. For instance, the OC could then choose which positions to double-team, or even choose no double-teams at all.

On the defensive side, the play creator already gives several options for DCs to overcome any new challenges by this change. In essence, choosing blocking assignments would simply reduce "cheap" sacks and hurries which have little to do with player ability or defensive strategy.

Also, despite any added script, the success of any blocking assignment still depends on the rolls and the ability of the individual players involved. So an altering assignments may provide the defense with another opportunity elsewhere along the line based on how the rolls play out. Just because an OC changes a blocking assignment - say....a OT is assigned to an OLB to guard against an outside blitz - doesn't necessarily mean the OT will make his Vision, Speed, or Agility roles to pick up the blitz. It just gives the OC the option to keep a man free in case of such a blitz.

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You could actually get everyone to slide across to pick up an overload blitz instead of somebody from the opposite side having to try to make the ground up.

Originally posted by Mike1709
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You could actually get everyone to slide across to pick up an overload blitz instead of somebody from the opposite side having to try to make the ground up.

Yup. I've caught my RG shifting over to support the LT....leaving the RT to get double-teamed himself. That's just sheer silliness. And it crowds the QB when he's trying to pass.

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DO we even know the logic on blocking? Blocking should follow= inside,head up and outside. If each linemen had this has a check down I believe some of the silliness could go away. If they do follow that assignment then something is wrong...

I'm no expert, but as far as I can tell, OL make a roll to pick up an uncovered blitz off the snap. After that, they make a check to see if another lineman needs help against the blitz. The problem is that in most cases, there does not appear to be any kind of delay or assignment in the OL logic. Therefore, if a defensive play calls for a dot to cover man or blitz, the OL doesn't pick up the blitz because of a slight delay as defensive checks are made.

While adding a double-check for OL might solve this, I prefer a blocking assignment editor instead. It keeps the math simple for Admin, and it gives the OC more control over how his linemen act on specific plays. Plus the OC would be able to change assignments from game to game if there is a particularly nasty DL he wants extra coverage on....just like in the NFL. Etc.

The thread Thread Revival: Blocking Assignments has been merged into this thread

Original thread (over 60 days old): http://goallineblitz.com/game/forum_thread.pl?thread_id=4871869http://goallineblitz.com/game/forum_thread.pl?thread_id=4871869

Despite adjustments make within the change log, I am still seeing OL move too far to the opposite side of the line rather than protecting their own side. As I result, I still think a blocking assignment editor would not only be invaluable to OCs, but would also enrich the game at a strategic level by reducing "cheap" sacks.

For instance, when a RG blocks an NT who rolls left, he ends up in the LG slot. Meanwhile, the C holds his position rather than blocking the NT which is actually his assignment. Against a 3-man front defense, I would rather choose the blocking assignment based on how I plan to use my blockers on a given offensive play than gamble on whether or not a G or OT is going to remain on his own side of the line.

Such gambles leave huge holes in the OL which are exploited by the defense on a regular basis, leading to not only an abnormally high number of sacks, but also a morale spiral which can remove a team from contention within the game, and possibly the season. Yet the OC has no control over this at all, while a DC can design a play, shifting starting positions and assigning blitzers. So, if a DC sees this trend on a particular team, he can shift his defense to exploit it while the OC remains helpless to do much about it.

-1 pressure defenses and blitzing are already just about useless, so allowing custom blocking assignments would make blitzing and pressure schemes pointless

OP wanted thread revived but didn't contact mod for post, merged old and new.

When I see a C doing NOTHING while an NT runs BEHIND him, and only the HB is left to make the block, something is wrong.

The way I see it, everyone is too concerned about defense, yet the DC has more control over plays than an OC. That means the defense has an edge no matter what. It all comes down to how well the DC uses that edge in designing plays and setting up the AI. Offenses should not be penalized for that.

Meanwhile, OCs cannot design plays or shift players at all. They simply have to do the best with what is handed to them. You can't win games without scoring - period. By nature of sports, offense needs to be a priority over defense. That's just the way it is.

Don't get me wrong - I'm big on defense myself - but defense usually does not win games. Offense usually does. There is more to defense than just rushing the QB, and other ways to stop a passing game or to contain the run. Meanwhile, like I said in the original post, dots still have to make their rolls to have success. So all I am really arguing for is the elimination of b.s. hurries and sacks due to veering off assignments or just plain doing nothing. Simply let the rolls decide the play based on a preset blocking assignment. If a bad roll is causing a dot to avoid a no-brainer assignment, something is very wrong.

Only way I give this a plus one is if Bort takes the shackles off the DPC.

Something I've wanted for a few seasons now. I also wanted the option of WHEN I wanted to use a particular archetype on which down. Whats the point in building a pass/rush blocker only to find them blocking on plays they are not designed for?

Your perception of defense having the upper hand is a bit naive.

But it has been suggested to Bort to build customized blocking assignments in order to combat the funky blitz's people make up to fool the blocking assignments currently given. However it seems it may be too much of a PITA to code. Not sure. I know Catch liked the idea but there was no official word from Bort on what he thought about it. Maybe something to ask him on the 7th during the QnA.