I've been looking thru the threads and have found some good info.



But I've got a favor to ask of you owners that have been playing for awhile:

What are 5 things that you must know and do when it comes to HBD?

You probably should have gone with more specific thread topics and/or worded your question differently. As it stands now, you will get a lot of different opinions (which will lead to arguments) and I doubt it will be all that beneficial to noobs

Rule #1: Don't do anything if you don't know what you're doing.

Rule #2: If you're not sure, don't do it.

Rule #3: Always abide by Rule #1 and Rule #2.

Rule #4(optional): Don't neglect defense.

Rule #5(optional): Don't build one dimensional teams because you'll be screwed if the engine is tweaked.

Caveat to Rules 1 and 2, ask a mentor/veteran owner directly via sitemail or something if you have a question(s). Preferably one not in your world to prevent any conflict of interests. I respect someone a lot more that tries their best and asks questions vs. the owner that just tanks and ruins teams playing trial by error. Then quits 2-3 seasons later.

The only problem with asking someone about the value of a player is that everyone values players differently. That's really something you have to learn on your own.

The same applies to building a team(which is why I put "optional" next to 4-5). People have different ideas on what needs to be done. And there are many different ways to go about getting it done.

Quote: Originally Posted By MikeT23 on 2/25/2010
The only problem with asking someone about the value of a player is that everyone values players differently. That's really something you have to learn on your own.

The same applies to building a team(which is why I put "optional" next to 4-5). People have different ideas on what needs to be done. And there are many different ways to go about getting it done.

Both good points, and why I have always encouraged n00bs to enlist the help of at least two or three mentors, to get differing ideas so that they can decide which of the many different viewpoints best fit how they want to run their team.

1. Read the F'ing Manual.
2. Read the Development Chat transcripts.
3. Get a mentor; someone experienced, not in your world, who is willing to answer questions and look over potential acquisitions and/or contracts.
4. Learn MLB's roster rules; the difference between Designate and Release, etc.
5. Spend most of your first off-season studying your own roster, protecting your own players from the Rule 5 draft and looking at the rosters of the teams that won more than 90 games the previous 3 seasons in your world. Figuring out how CURRENT ratings produce statistics is the single most important thing you can do in your first season.

Could we agree that at least asking one mentor is better than none at all and subsequently setting back a franchise 3-4 seasons?

No, I don't think I can agree to that. I've seen the mentor list. Some are dumb as dirt and will only provide dumb advice.

But, if you don't do anything until you're sure, you won't set the franchise back. The people who set their franchise back feel like they have to do something, RIGHT NOW!!!, and screw themselves. FWIW, I understand the desire to do something, there's a lot to do, but it's not always the best thing.

Anybody here willing to mentor me?

In what way?

I want somebody who knows how to win rob! :)

Again, at what?

HBD

1) Avoid trading early on. For some people trading is one of the most fun parts of the game but untill you understand the ratings system avoid it.

2) If you feel you must consider trading Do not accept any unsolicited trades without putting the player on the trade block and mentioning in the world chat that you may be willing to trade the player. If someone offers a newbie an unsoliceited trade there is a 99.8% chance their intentions are not good.

3) Find out what owners do not hate coach hiring. There is a reason they don't hate it. Ask them why.

4) Understand that ratings work together. For instance a 99 power does not mean that a player should hit a lot of home runs. If other ratings are low it could just mean that he hits a lot of really impresive Pop ups.

5) Total ratings do not mean much at all untill you understand the game better so do not use them for now. You can have a starting pitcher with an 81 total who is garbage and a closer with a 68 total who is a stud.