Playing a whole new way and enjoying it more.

PBateman said:

It absolutely is. There's a lot going on in the background with sliders being adjusted. 
I just played someone who's team was 10 times worse than mine. He even had 1-2 high 60s on his OL and all his skill players were significantly worse than mine. 
Let me tell you...It was a sweat fest for the 3 quarters. His line blocked everything, I couldn't get a shed with 86 and 87 guys across the line against gold and silver cards. 
He on the other hand got several insta-sheds and stopped runs in the backfield without run committing. 87 Quentin Nelson, 86 Saturday, 85 Glasgow got punked - again - by cards that were 5-7 OVR worse. DDA is "in the game" and everyone who doesn't believe it is either in denial or a clown at this point - or both.

100%....upgrading cards does not have the impact one would suspect.  I think EA does this for engagement...making games close in their mind makes it entertaining (while at the same time making folks think they are better then they really are...just a few high priced cards away from being a champion).  On the other hand it confuses me as it I would think this impacts spending.  I used to believe the numbers on the card represented performance...so...I would strive (spend) to upgrade my team and compete...this "pay to win" strategy of mine resulted in no noticeable increase in my win percentage, but darn sure added to my frustration (now my "big money" team was not performing).  So...late last year I stopped spending and have spent zero this year...my win percentage?  Exactly the same as it has been over the last many years...but now I enjoy it more as I have nothing invested...so I just sit back and wait on the sliders (EA's thumb) to swing my way...because it will.

von11 said:

100%....upgrading cards does not have the impact one would suspect.  I think EA does this for engagement...making games close in their mind makes it entertaining (while at the same time making folks think they are better then they really are...just a few high priced cards away from being a champion).  On the other hand it confuses me as it I would think this impacts spending.  I used to believe the numbers on the card represented performance...so...I would strive (spend) to upgrade my team and compete...this "pay to win" strategy of mine resulted in no noticeable increase in my win percentage, but darn sure added to my frustration (now my "big money" team was not performing).  So...late last year I stopped spending and have spent zero this year...my win percentage?  Exactly the same as it has been over the last many years...but now I enjoy it more as I have nothing invested...so I just sit back and wait on the sliders (EA's thumb) to swing my way...because it will.

What you describe here - realizing that spending money on all the best cards won't necessarily equal winning more games - presumes rationality. 
Spending (a lot of) money on in-game items that become irrelevant and worthless in weeks time doesn't make sense in and of itself and is therefore irrational. 
It works however because the game mode heavily plays on social comparison (look how much I spent on my team), envy (watching others with those shiny objects) and just plain consumerism. I think a lot of people will rather double down on the spending when the team doesn't perform the right way than giving up on it, next shiny cards are always just around the corner.

PBateman said:

What you describe here - realizing that spending money on all the best cards won't necessarily equal winning more games - presumes rationality. 
Spending (a lot of) money on in-game items that become irrelevant and worthless in weeks time doesn't make sense in and of itself and is therefore irrational. 
It works however because the game mode heavily plays on social comparison (look how much I spent on my team), envy (watching others with those shiny objects) and just plain consumerism. I think a lot of people will rather double down on the spending when the team doesn't perform the right way than giving up on it, next shiny cards are always just around the corner.

"Spending (a lot of) money on in-game items that become irrelevant and worthless in weeks time doesn't make sense in and of itself and is therefore irrational."...this is so true. I used to tell myself..."it's a hobby", but that was just a justification.  So last year when I stopped buying anything from EA (continuing this year) I take the money I used to "average" spending on packs each month...and put it into an Index fund...thus far instead of having a bunch of cards that sell for nothing real...I have actually made money by playing the game, but not playing EA's game.

OBIDOBI said:

Ok DDA is definitely there. It’s the ONLY explanation for some of the plays I’ve seen.  EA could be a little less obvious with it, but what do they care.

I was recently banned from MUT Reddit for mentioning DDA and i been playing so long I swear it’s in there.

EA doesn’t want it spoken about, I’m sure.  It’s in there.  1000%

I stopped champions and enjoy the ranked h2h myself. Champions is so annoying, and I'm not afraid to admit I might not be good enough to get 16 + wins a week. That has helped me enjoy it a bit more.

I do something similar.
I have a more competitive team that I build (Still NMS) and go for more of the higher end rewards, then I have a secondary account with a team that I only use for fun. I use only items I pull in packs/sets and just enjoy the game rather than sweating anything out. I don't touch the marketplace. I have MUCH more fun with my secondary team.

jcoppock5 said:

I do something similar.
I have a more competitive team that I build (Still NMS) and go for more of the higher end rewards, then I have a secondary account with a team that I only use for fun. I use only items I pull in packs/sets and just enjoy the game rather than sweating anything out. I don't touch the marketplace. I have MUCH more fun with my secondary team.

Sounds like a good bit of fun really. I like your second team pack players or rewards earned. Having fun is what it's all about.

J1Mech396 said:

I stopped champions and enjoy the ranked h2h myself. Champions is so annoying, and I'm not afraid to admit I might not be good enough to get 16 + wins a week. That has helped me enjoy it a bit more.

Hey your better than me I can hardly win a solo battle game on veteran mode. The struggle is real for my team. But it's been fun. Glad you found h2h to be more enjoyable and fun.

This game sucks