Defensive abilities

I think the general consensus is lurk artist might be the best ability on defense. I’ve heard mixed things about pick artist and the knockouts. So, what do you think is best and why? 

And if you’re stopping the run, one inside stuff is good to have, right? 

I had my AP set before I sold a few parts of my defense before blitz. Have bought back, but unsure which way to go now because I’ve heard some good things about KOs.

Inside stuff is good but inconsistent. Pick artist is the only way my guys get picks. 
 

I tried mid knockout and it wasn’t magical for me. Went back to PA+IS.

I‘ve heard good things about all the KOs and Acrobat but haven’t significantly tested them.

colbyzg said:

Inside stuff is good but inconsistent. Pick artist is the only way my guys get picks. 
 

I tried mid knockout and it wasn’t magical for me. Went back to PA+IS.

I‘ve heard good things about all the KOs and Acrobat but haven’t significantly tested them.

at this point I just got them blank, I didn't trust their update when saying players can catch the ball on defense they still have receivers play like db's on the db's (Lmfao) I never tried mid knockout cause it's stupid expensive to put on. 

I never tried inside shade since I run a hybrid but I PA should be 0 ap for all DB's personally.

they nerf defense like American idol host shutting down contestants.

theoriginalkbgames33 said:

at this point I just got them blank, I didn't trust their update when saying players can catch the ball on defense they still have receivers play like db's on the db's (Lmfao) I never tried mid knockout cause it's stupid expensive to put on. 

I never tried inside shade since I run a hybrid but I PA should be 0 ap for all DB's personally.

they nerf defense like American idol host shutting down contestants.

Yeah I still can’t consistently stop corner routes. If someone is actually decent it’s going to be a bad day for me. I used to love the defensive chess match but now they just throw it up since it’s not getting picked off 7/10 times.

Lurk Artist is really good

Inside Stuff is good

No Outsiders is good

Unpredictable is OK+

I have not used any KO abilities...but used everything else imaginable...the rest are garbage (yes...that include Acrobat).

sportswriter09 said:

I think the general consensus is lurk artist might be the best ability on defense. I’ve heard mixed things about pick artist and the knockouts. So, what do you think is best and why? 

And if you’re stopping the run, one inside stuff is good to have, right? 

I had my AP set before I sold a few parts of my defense before blitz. Have bought back, but unsure which way to go now because I’ve heard some good things about KOs.

I've been almost exclusively running PA across my DBs, but just this past ~week I made the leap to KOs to see what all the fuss was about. Zero regrets. My dudes still get picks, because they react to the ball significantly better with KO abilities, so they're actually in position to make these plays.

I'm currently running Deep Out Zone KO (x2) on my outside corners, with Deep In Zone KO on Ronnie Lott at FS. Had to give up Inside Stuff, but whatever. 90% of folks pass the ball, so I'm crafting my roster to defend against it. Not being able to stop the run is super frustrating, but defense is already hard enough this year. Gotta make some tough choices, I love it. 

Nothing is perfect, people that are competent can find holes in most zones, but this gives me the best chance to at least get a pass break up / knockout when otherwise many would be huge gains. BE SURE to individually back up your outside corners, especially if you press/pinch D.

There's also a new trick I'm trying to learn about manning up my USER on a receiver, which should help the AI logic better defend deep corner routes in Zone, I think it nudges Match coverage, improving dramatically (especially with Streak/Corner routes)... but I obviously haven't really absorbed this concept yet, still tinkering.

But yeah, 1AP LurkArtist for final 9th AP, i have it on Ted Hendricks. YMMV. I'd say it's time to give up PA for KOs. I'm also using +3 Zone Strategy item. Good luck, have fun!

Honestly, I think the KOs are worth experimenting with. I think most of the top MCS guys use some of them. In my own experience, they seem to be helping at least when the defender is close enough to contest the pass.

My set up is as follows and it works wonderfully:

CB1-xfactor (surtain)

CB2-deep out zone (woolen)

FS-deep in zone (lott)

SS-deep out zone (kearse)

Slot corner-xfactor (jackson)

SubLB1-xfactor (branch)

SubLB2-lurk artist (hendricks)

MrWhistler said:

My set up is as follows and it works wonderfully:

CB1-xfactor (surtain)

CB2-deep out zone (woolen)

FS-deep in zone (lott)

SS-deep out zone (kearse)

Slot corner-xfactor (jackson)

SubLB1-xfactor (branch)

SubLB2-lurk artist (hendricks)

What are those Xfactors? I was also wondering about which Xfactors to use on defense and offense. Right now I have dots on Aikman, freight train (I think) on Adrian and something on Moss. Can’t remember. Defense, I was using universal coverage.