Mana Games

[anrox335]

I have a suggestion. Add a regular-speed deep shot with the same or greater risk as the acceleration shot. You previously said that if there's a basic manual way to hit deep (e.g., press a button, put the stickup, etc.), then an unrealistic amount of shots will be too deep. But what if it is as risky or even riskier than the acceleration shot?
It would be a good way to force the error instead of aiming for the winner, as seen in the video
https://youtube.com/clip/Ugkx3XUWr1iMmt ... 2Acu8AnUAO

[manutoo]

Hello,

the "coach" explanations in that video aren't great, but he's right when he states that depth is the most important factor to put pressure on your opponent. That's why it's very hard to balance it and integrate it in a realistic way into the game.

It'd be a bit long to go into all the theory, so to make it short, a long shot isn't really a risk shot ; it's more of a situational shot and/or a muscle memory shot, or just a somewhat mishit shot (and it can be very hard to make the difference between the 3 cases).

ie: it's not aiming for more net clearance, as explained in that video ; the net clearance is the consequence, not the cause, or else every pro would play very long all the time, which is clearly not the case.

[anrox335]

I think this would have been a good addition to the game, especially for the serve return.

That's why it's very hard to balance it and integrate it in a realistic way into the game.

One way of doing this would have been making this shot as bad as the acceleration when not well prepared, while making it only usable to force the error rather than hitting a winner when well prepared. If the opponent does not read this, then they are forced an error but if they read it well or have good speed/positioning stats, then they are able to counter it. Moreover, if a player overuses the deep shot, the opponent will position accordingly and the potential to force an error will be lost.

basically, just follow this rules will result in balanced game:
Good positioning:
Regular shot has low winner potential, low chances of forcing the error
Deep shot has low winner potential, high chances of forcing the error
Acceleration shot has high winner potential, medium chances of forcing the error,

Bad positioning:
Regular shot has low chances of self error
Deep shot has high chances of self error
Acceleration shot has high chances of self error

Another thing it would do is make the opponent guessing between positioning for acceleration or deep shot.