Version: 1.7 (9-7-23)
Overview Video
For more details on these sliders, to check out my own franchise, to make a donation, or just to say hello, find me here:
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This year, you're going to see we're very close to default Legend. The game is very well balanced, and there's no reason to force things or make changes for the sake of making changes. Hats off to SDS for having gameplay in a very strong place for us to start from.
FAQs
These will work fine on other difficult levels and whatever hitting/pitching/fielding settings you prefer. My official recommendations are zone Legend hitting, pinpoint Legend pitching, and manual fielding.
V1.0 is up in the Vault. Search for Mike Lowe. Keep in mind that the version in the Vault is not the most updated version. This thread has the most accurate updates.
The slider app still works and is available here:
https://simsportsgaming.com/mikeloweshowsliders/
I do move my cursor around, but also keep a simple gameplan in place for each at bat/situation, and try not to over-complicate my ABs.
I pitch on Legend and pitch for the edges to look to get the AI to chase, so walks, HBP, and Ks will happen.
The AI will throw some beanballs, but your HBP will be in-line with the rest of the simulated games.
You will get accurate sim stats too if you revert after a save/sim anytime you see your league totals for complete games going above a total of 6 per month (about 36 total for the entire season).
Introduction
Thanks for checking out my sliders for MLB The Show 23. This is my ninth season working on sliders for this game, which includes multiple seasons of 162 games where all games and all pitches were played. This slider set has been the most downloaded and highest-rated slider set in the MLB The Show Vault for a number of years now. Thank you!
I've been involved in game development as a freelance hobby for years, most recently as a beta tester for Out of the Park Baseball, and I'm heavily focused on details and accuracy of simulation, striving to have a slider set that matches modern-MLB output, but also across the simulated game spectrum.
Goals of this Set (approximates, and won't be every single game)
60% first pitch strikes
62% ball:strike ratio, but 65-68% for higher-end pitchers
.300 team BABIP (use a BABIP calculator)
15-18% foul balls per total pitches
21% swings and misses per total number of swings (misses plus strikeouts)
1.1-1.2+ HRs per game, per team.
HBP should fall in line with simulated games.
Depending on repertoire, varied flyball to groundball ratios.
The rest of your statistical accuracy will come from this output.
Nutshell Explanation
This set is based on accurate first-pitch strikes, ball-to-strike ratios, BABIP, foul ball %, swinging miss %, HR ratios, and groundball-to-flyball ratios. This is also the only slider I set I've seen over the years that will give you accurate HBP totals for played games.
Detailed Explanation
These sliders are designed for people who've found they're in need of a more challenging and realistic set for MLB The Show. I've been playing The Show since the game first came out, and I'd say I'm a good player. Most importantly, I love baseball and am always looking for ways to make The Show as realistic as possible, even if that means I don't win the division every year. I hope you find some value in these sliders.
It's important for you the gamer to take ownership of YOUR sliders and move beyond slider dependency/slideritis and learn how to comfortably tweak them without feeling as though the sky is falling or always needing my approval. I still recommend using the slider app linked above in the FAQ question as a tool to help yourself.
Dynamic difficulty is a brilliant idea, but it's too simplified--instead, take up the challenge to dynamically adjust your OWN difficulty (sliders/settings) as you go. I'm not a fan of "final" or "locked" sliders because you should always be evaluating and tweaking to adjust to your improved gameplay during the season; You're going to be better on game 162 than you are in game 1.
At the same time, this game is clean and balanced enough that you don't need to restart over and over just because you bumped a few sliders up or down. Just play and continually check yourself against the league stats and rankings, and keep sample size in mind.
The game plays well out of the box, and variety AND oddities are a part of baseball; Over the course of 162 games, it will level itself out just fine, and the cream will rise to the top. Don't worry if you're not the cream every season.
Use these sliders as a base and tweak because we ALL play differently and have our own unique skill sets. You don't need to wait to start a franchise to use these sliders, you don't need to start anything over, and you can tweak during your season as you won't be seeing anything out of the realm of possibility, and certainly nothing that won't stand the test of time over 162 games.
Staying locked into a bad slider set for 162 games is the only thing that will skew your results one way or another.
GAMEPLAY
DIFFICULTY
Gameplay Style - Simulation
Hitting Difficulty - Legend
Pitching Difficulty - Legend
Tutorial/New Feature Tips - Off
DECISIONS
Auto Fielding - Off
Auto Throwing - Off
Auto Baserunning - Off
Auto Siding - Off
Auto INF Jump Reaction - Off
Auto INF Dive Reaction - Off
Warm Up Relievers - On or Off
Defensive Shift - Auto (but adjust yourself too if need be. Auto just helps save time.)
RULES
Umpire Accuracy - Personalized
Injuries - On
Ejections - On
Balks - Off (AI will never have one)
Umpire Close Plays - Average
Check Swing Appeals - On
MISC
CPU Pitch Delay - Normal
Post Game Auto Save - Off
Hitting View – Catcher (or whatever non-zoom camera you prefer)
CONTROL
OFFENSE
Baserunning Interface - Analog Select
Swing Input - Buttons
Hitting Interface - Zone
PCI Anchor - Off
Plate Coverage Indicator - Off
Guess Pitch - Off
Vibration - Off
DEFENSE
Pitching Interface - Pinpoint
In-Play View Offense - Broadcast
Pitching Ball Marker- Off
Throwing Interface - Buttons
Accuracy Chevrons - Off
Throw Canceling - On (for manual fielding)
Catch Position Indicator - Drifting Ball
Dive/Jump - Two Button
CAMERA
Hitting View - Catcher
Pitching View - Broadcast
In-Play View Offense - Broadcast
In-Play View Defense - Broadcast
DISPLAY
Fielding Aids - On
Base for Play Icon - Off
Catch Position Indicator Accuracy - Variable
CPU Pitch Suggestion - Off
Route to Ball Indicator - Off
Strike Zone - Off
Hot Zones - Always Preview
Pitch Location - On
Pitch Select Displays - Pitch Descriptions
Confidence/Energy Bars - On
Pitch Feedback - On
Batter Control Display - Minimal
Swing Feedback - On
Off the Wall Ribbon - Off
Baserunning Diamond - On
Player Name Display - Off
Scorebar Display - On
PRESENTATION
Presentation Mode - Broadcast
Pitch Selection Cameras - None
Batter Walkup On
In-Game Ticker - On
SLIDERS
Human Contact 6
Human Power 5
Human Timing 6
Human Foul Frequency 5
Human Solid Hits 5
Human Starter Stamina 5
Human Reliever Stamina 5
Human Pitch Control 3
Human Pitcher Consistency 5
CPU Contact 6
CPU Power 6
CPU Timing 6 (+1)
CPU Foul Frequency 5
CPU Solid Hits 5
CPU Starter Stamina 6 (8 for simmed games)
CPU Reliever Stamina 5
CPU Pitcher Control 5
CPU Pitcher Consistency 5
CPU Strike Frequency 5
CPU Manager Hook 5 (8 for in-game bullpen and simmed games)
CPU Pickoffs 5
Fastball Pitch Speed 5
Offspeed Pitch Speed 5
Fielding Errors Infield 8 (+1)
Fielding Errors Outfield 5
Throwing Errors Infield 8 (+1)
Throwing Errors Outfield 6
Fielder Run Speed 5
Fielder Reaction 5
Fielder Arm Strength Infield 5
Fielder Arm Strength Outfield 5
Baserunner Speed 5
Baserunner Steal Ability 6
Baserunner Steal Frequency 5
Wind 5
Injury Frequency 6 (7 is more realistic but can create depth issues w only 90 players)
Trade Frequency 5
HOUSE RULES (Optional)
I recommend spending a little time balancing each organization's roster as this seems to prevent some of the horrid first month trades.
Try and keep LR spots open for AI teams. I scroll through the AI teams each day and move any LR guy down to an open MR or SU spot.
I would turn the CPU Strike Frequency to 0 when facing a knuckleballer.
Manager contracts - On
If you want the artist-rendition bio pictures, start your franchise with a fantasy draft, and then back out of it before the first selection is made. Rosters will still be intact.
Do not "visit mound" at the very start of an inning.
No going back to the bag on a steal attempt.
Assume the AI teams only want to deal primarily from their trade block and don't abuse the shop player feature.
No changing of coaching staff until the offseason unless AI team does so first.
04-09-2023, 07:31 PM
