Re: World of CHEL Skater Build Strategy Discussion

In NHL 21 I only used two builds which both suited my style of play.  I play 6’s only.  

A 5’7, 169 lbs Sniper for RW and after successfully killing so many penalties and playing effective defensively with this build I decided to create another Sniper build for my RD with a few tweaks.  I increased my height to 5’10 and weight to 185 lbs for this one.  I generally used the same traits and specialities for both.  Booming slap shot, back checking and PK specialist and sometimes one timer instead of PK a for my RW Sniper.  

These two builds allowed me to keep pace and not get beat by the opposing small Snipers which so many often used.  I don’t often throw hits and don’t need to to play effect D so I didn’t need the hitting and strength although these builds were weak while holding the puck which I try not to do too much.  I’m more of a quick pass, get open, pass, shoot, one timer player anyway.  I had no issues with passing either whether it was in the offensive zone or quick and long breakout passes to my forwards.   Defensively I didn’t have many issues with either build.  It was like using a hybrid between the Puck Moving and Offensive Dman builds. My biggest strength was my slap shot.  I could rip both slap shots and one timers pass goalies from anywhere in the offensive zone. 

For NHL 22 I’m basically going to try to recreate both builds but with the customization back and the other new aspects I’ll tweak this build to add to my areas of strength and decrease/improve my areas/categories of weaknesses.  

Would be interested but you can’t finish a game with it glitching out.

I play primarily threes eliminator and trying to fine tune a build.  What do Offensive and defensive awareness actually do?  they require a lot of points for defensive so I assume it does something but changing them I don't really notice a difference.

@WolveroudyDefensive awareness impacts your ability to intercept/disrupt passes and get loose pucks in your end.  Offensive awareness impacts your ability to get loose pucks in the offensive zone as well as receiving passes from teammates.

Given the nature of Eliminator, I wouldn't worry about putting anything in either of those attributes.

My Defense "Build of the Week" LOL

Based on some recommendations I am going to tweak this a bit tonight to bring down strength to 85, shot blocking to 90 and boost hand-eye as much as that allows.

Or people just doing one timers and glitch shot from the slot, can't wait EA to fix these lame goals that everyone does

@Xxx_GaBoRiK_xxX 

Shots from the slot are always going to be dangerous. The best thing to do is not let those plays develop. Good human defenders are going to be watching for this and break up those plays before they happen.

I dunno, it seems like the x-factors and perks are kinda muddying the waters, like the number stats don't matter that much? Like drop your shooting accuracy and power to minimum, and then compensate with the one-timer, or up close x-factors... do they really factor that much? Then you crank your speed and acceleration to 90+ and dominate the ice? For goodness sake, I think I saw one power forward build with 90 speed and acceleration!🤭

Controlling your gap and closing down pass lanes is very difficult against zippy teams like this, and guess waht is the best or easiest way to do it? Yes, upping YOUR speed and accleration to 90+ as well. So this is what we have right now, at least on the European servers, everybody is fast as heck regadless.

I've said it for a long time now that this game has way too fast skating. in comparison to pass speeds etc.  And it's getting worse with builds like these. Passing the puck around after face-off was really slow in NHL18 etc., and even if passing is way faster and better now, it's still rather slow in comparison with the acceleration players can get. So you're often struggling to pass the puck before opponents get to you... and this is from standing still mind you!. The puck should move faster than the players surely.

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@EA_Aljo wrote:

@Xxx_GaBoRiK_xxX 

Shots from the slot are always going to be dangerous. The best thing to do is not let those plays develop. Good human defenders are going to be watching for this and break up those plays before they happen.

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I appreciate that.... but it *appears* that if someone's zone/superstar ability activates, there is literally nothing you can do - I have never been able to tie up the stick of/intercept a pass to someone who has close quarters on for example.

@IceLion68 

I use the tie-up very frequently. The player you're attempting to tie up needs to be almost standing still. I always use the stick tie-up since it's easier than using the body. Intercepting passes hasn't been much of an issue as long as I'm in good position and not making contact with another player. As always, if you have any video of passes you think should be intercepted or any other issues defending in front of the net, we'll review it.

@Sgt_Kelso 

I believe my speed/accel is around 87. I tend to play relatively conservative defense so I'm usually far enough back and don't get beat by those speedy forwards. Not that it never happens though. There are certainly times I get beat, but that's usually from pinching or a bad turnover. Regardless, I'm not saying the system is perfect. I've had to adapt because as you mention, CQ is a dangerous ability as well as the high speed on forwards. This is the first year of this new system so we'll have to see what adjustments are made in the future. The feedback is definitely appreciated.

High speed/acceleration is also very hand with forechecking. Often these kind of players are VERY aggressive, counting on three guys swarming on all your passing lines before slow old you can make the pass.

I feel this is way OP considering what tools you have to defend the traditional (real hockey?) way, handling the puck and making passes. No wonder everybody is going for these builds. Best defence is attack?

@Sgt_Kelso 

It's definitely tough going up against high pressure like that. If your teammates are aware of opponents playing that way, they should look for more opportunities to be a good option for a pass. I know I like to try to keep an open lane to myself when I see one of my teammates breaking out so they have another option to move the puck instead of potentially turn it over. There's always the dump and chase as well. So much of this is dependent on chemistry with your teammates.

Unless you've gone to a minimum 90 speed with elite edges, I wouldn't recommend the dump and chase, at least not in the traditional sense where you want the puck behind the net.

In 3's mode, if the other team has an AI defender it's actually better to chip it to the corner, infront of the red line - the AI for whatever reason always tends to curl back towards the goalie/net in a panic and is prime for a takeaway