Then why would they adopt the cheesy star system for composing teams? To divide the continuum of player skills into four discrete categories is just plain silly. I know they want to make the game simpler and faster, but this is just silly.

I was comparing the Bagwell and Chavez blackbase (2 star) charts. Clear advantage Chavez, not to mention better defense.

I would hope someone out there with a lot more time than I have could come up with a player point value system akin to last year, and to every other WizKids click-based game.

I most heartily agree.
In 2004, the RPs were among the lowest price figs. Rivera and Gagne are both ***! It's cheaper to take another good SP instead.
And, what's with Dunn? From * to **** ? Is there really that big a difference?

I agree with both of you guys. 4 categories of players is not enough range to classify these guys.

Chaves and Bagwell play different positons so you really can't compare them.

Bagwell tends to hit more into left field so he can't advance a runner on second that well but he becomes more of a power hitter with Deep Fly and a power of 7 later on.

Wait, are you saying that the star system is somehow based on position? The position A player is going to be better than the position B player just because he plays position A?
All we have to compare is Def., Speed and some numbers in colored boxes.

And what if you play Chavez on Bagwell's position?

His defense will drop by 1. So Bagwells higher batting values and different intangibles even that out.

Right!!!

Some people just don't seem to get your point, AstroLover.

Again, Bagwell is a power hitter and has the deep fly ball intangible, his chances to hit the ball out of the park are much higher then Chaves are.

Yeah, I agree with you Bret...the start system is nice and simple, but it definetly has its flaws. I think there's a few problems:

1) I don't really like that the only consistent difference between a 1* and a 3* is that the 3* has more cliks. Since it seems that clicking up can be tougher in the '05 version (since you can only click up one at a time), the benefit of these 3* players is often wasted. Yes, the 3* player usually has some better ratings, but often times the difference isn't that great. Heck, look at Johan Santana compared to some 3* pitchers...

2) As in your example above, I don't like that there are 4* uber-versions of players available...Dunn being the primary example. One minute, he's crummy 1* Adam Dunn...but then he can turn into superslugger 4* Adam Dunn? I can't really articulate what my problem is with this system, but it just feels a bit off.

3) Lastly, sometimes I have to wonder what the heck was going on when WK divvied out the stars. Johan Santana is a 2* after winning the Cy Young? Victor Martinez has one of the truly great offensive seasons for a catcher and is a 1*? Jody Gerut is even worthy of a figure?!?

All-in-all, I liked the point system more than the star system...but I get that WK did this to make it simpler for kids without great mental-math skills to build a team. The one nice thing about the star system is that there's a little ambiguity in who really IS the better player and you can find some "bargains" to put in your lineup (Casey & Santana at 2*, for example), whereas with the old point system you knew exactly who was better.

Yes indeed, people ARE missing my point.

2004 Bagwell: .266 avg .377 OBP .465 slug .842 OPS (320 points in MLBshowdown 2005 card)

2004 Chavez: .276 avg .397 OBP .501 slug .898 OPS (360 points in MLBshowdown 2005 card)

for that matter, apples-to-apples with another 2-star first baseman who blows both of them away

2004 Casey: .324 avg .381 OBP .534 Slug .915 OPS (430 points in MLB showdown card)

What more evidence do you need? Casey has the same defense value as Bagwell but a better set of die adds in his starting slot and all the way up the line.

Bagwell starting Casey starting
5 5
5 7
4 5

Bagwell hottest Casey hottest
7 6
5 8
5 6
Leadership Spray Hitter
(NOT deep fly)

Also consider leadership, unless it is used at the end of the game to click up the next guy in the lineup is a net ZERO benefit to your team's strength, whereas spray hitter will help Casey drive in runs or get on base at any time.

No contest.

My point will be evident when people start checking around and all end up playing the same lineup at tournaments!

As for 3rd base vs 1st base- Chavez' 6 defense will be a much better benefit to balls hit to the left side by the (majority) righty batters! It's all fungible, since you can load up on the best hitters for the star "price."

Right, it's SportsClix, Jr..Get them started on 2005.....

I posted this a few days ago on another site. There are certain parts that apply to the star rating system vs. each figure having a specific numeric value. I don't like it.....but you can read what I wrote if you want....

Well, I have a few comments, as I just played my first real game against myself.

1) The thing I don't like most is that pitchers don't click down until they give up a run. This one went 12 innings and Randy Johnson (bronze) and Jason Schmidt both went all 12 innings. Final score was 1-0. Based on the discussion here, its ironic that * Adam Dunn had the walk-off double to score the runner from second....and he was on Power (red die)

2) Actually, I miss the strategy of last years game in team building. I broke down all players by position and amount of stars. In some cases, there is no reason to play certain players, unless you just want them on your team. Just look at the **SP's.....After Santana and Clemens, are any of the other **guys really even close to these two. I liked crunching the numbers last year to come up with a team.....per the standard rules....it was tough to get what I wanted.

3) This wasn't as much fun as my first game last year, but it is MUCH simpler for the "geniuses" who couldn't figure out last years version. Actually too much simpler, but I still will play it.

4) If you roll red die with someone like Johnson vs. red die with someone with 7+ power, you will win most battles. However, it only takes one time for that person to roll the right die and win the game for you. Good players don't get hits every at bat, and they don't hit HR's or 2B's every at bat. Actually, that's the part I like....I didn't have a game of 15-12. To me, that is less exciting than the 2-1 games that make every decision critical.

5) Some figures just flat out stink and I REALLY dislike the star system. Yes, you don't need a calculator and its easier, but there is quite a disparity between certain equal star value players.

6) I miss the ability to create unique stadiums with differing fence depths. That was also part of the strategy when team building or decision making.

But after all my criticism of things I don't like, its still ok.

Things I miss the most:

1) Pitchers clicking down after each inning.
2) Batters not clicking up enough to even reach the "hot" click.
3) No accounting for Right, Left, or Switch-hitting players....and pitchers. That was a strategic decision in my eyes when creating a lineup.
4) Each figure having its own value, and not having some value lumped in to a certain range of values....makes several figures unplayable.....completely unplayable. Last year, I could save 10 points here and there to use some other player. This year, a great ** player is better than this lower end ** player. Not fond of this at all.

Biggest Complaint: Why would they even consider making Ken Harvey when they could have made Mark Teixeira????:confused:

lol...I think Ken Harvey and Jody Gerut have relatives that work for WK :)