Matrix Games Forums

Maybe I need to get another hobby, but I think I might have found something that will speed up setting the depth charts. I need more people to test this and let me know if it works for them. Of course, I'm using R3. Here goes:

Instead of using the graphical in-game depth chart (aka FORMATION VIEW), chose the ROSTER VIEW. Again, this is when using the in game depth chart. If you use the arrows on the right to move players in the following order, it will put them in the correct positions in ALL formations. It was killing me having to re-do the depth charts for each position. Anyway, put your starters in the following order on the roster view, starting with the top and working down:

Offensive Line: Center, LT, LG, RG, RT
QB's: Starter first, backup second, etc
Running Backs: Halfback, Fullback, all others
Receivers: WR1 (will line up on left on default formations) WR2 (lineup on right), all others
Slot backs/TEs: same as receivers, 1st SB/TE will be on left, 2nd on right

Defensive Line: Right Defensive End, Right Tackle, Left DE, Left DT, all others
LineBackers: Right Outside, Middle LB, Left Outside, then the guy that comes in for the 3-4 defense, then remaining LBs
Defensive Backs: Right Corner, Right Half (CFL), Free Safety, Left Half (CFL), left Corner, all others

After putting the players in order, when you hit AUTO FILL they all should be in the right position for all formations!

See picture for the ROSTER VIEW that I'm talking about.

The MF manual does say that when you use AUTO FILL for the depth chart, the players are selected based on the order that they are found in the Roster View.  I didn't see where it said the order.  Maybe that page was ripped out of my ebook.  Hope my post will help.

i`ll have to try that and see if it works . Sure be helpful and fast

looks good so far , it moved at lease 99 percent to right position , usually one player not in right spot . But must say its a heck lot easier that way

Do you remember what position was wrong?  Maybe I wrote something down wrong in my post.

looks like more positions not right . Seems like the def has prob in positioning Here what i found .Using 4-3 def my left de left def tackle were switched .ROLB WAS PLAING MLB ,MLB WAS AT ROLB , DEF BACKS, , on this def RC WAS only one set right . On offense it looks perfect . Just wondering , if you having your league to cfl , and one i did for nfl might be the cause . Now on almost all def guys were out of position .Ill try and re arrange using your ideals later .See what happens if i change order then auto fill

I double-checked and the CFL is right.  I've done a couple of CFL teams and they are all in the right place.  I have not tried it on the NFL.  Since there is one fewer player on each side of the ball, I bet the order is a little different for the NFL/American football.

I've noticed there seem to be some differences in the stock formations/plays (11-man US style)

In most of the plays, 1st 2 DBs are the safeties, 3 & 4 are the corners.
But, with the stock 4-3 base formation, those are reversed, so if you set up your roster with your best 2 cover guys at the corners, they'll end playing safety in the base 4-3.
In the stock nickel D, you get DBs 4 & 5 at the corners (I think - I'll have to check, not at the machine with MF installed at the moment)

The DLs seem to vary from formation to formation in the stock plays.

I've started to replace stock formations & plays with my own versions, but am holding off until the next public beta.

As marcntx suggests, the O seems to be consistent (there is one slight oddity in that the PDS shows RBs as HB & FB, but there's no distinction in the players positions within the game - you just need to make sure Tomlinson is listed as number 1 & Lorenzo Neal as #2, or whatever[:)])

The other slight issue I have is that after using AutoFill, you end up with all your starters playing special teams. I'd like to see separate auto-fill buttons for Offense, Defense & special teams. Also, even if you have specialist KRs on your roster, they don't necessarily get filled in those positions on kick returns.

David has fixed a couple of issues in this area, I believe, so lets see what the next beta brings.....