Subject: Newbie advice

I came here from another game where I played with friends, but they're kind of new to PPM as well. This game seems to have more learning curves than the other and I'm trying to figure out if I have everything right (this is primarily what I've been told plus some conclusions of my own).

First off, main facilities to upgrade are:
Training facility
HR
Sports Academy

with a higher emphasis on the Regeneration facility than the other facilities.

Second:
Arena is probably not important to upgrade right now, at least until I sell it out, this includes the first level upgrades to car park, ice, scoreboard, and whatever the last option is. When I do, I want to go for the maximum investment possible.

Third:
Avoid the market, except for staff when I can do so. Even then, I should probably avoid paying too much for them. Long term, players are too costly from the market considering the finances that most other teams have. Short term, the players I can buy will be cycled too fast.


So... those are the main points I've been told and kind of figured out on my own. Please confirm or offer your own advice.

Now, what I'm curious about is the arena. In this other game I've played, arena percentages are *absolutely important*. Are they the same way here? If I upgrade one area to a multifunctional whatever and leave the rest at small stand, will I be penalized besides the amount of upkeep required to run that one larger section?

Also, what other key points are recommended for new users for long term success? Besides getting highly trainable, long term youngsters (high CL, high AvQ), I'm not sure where to proceed from here besides facilities.

Thanks in advance.

You seem to have a pretty good grasp. Don't forget about scouting your players. That is key. I generally keep Training:Regen 1:1 for facilities but that's just me.

blance your players with training to 2-1-1 ratio

first attribute second attributes third attibutes

I use 4:3:2. 2:1:1 will build your team strength faster... but I have the best luck with 4:3:2. Anywhere between 4:2:2 and 4:3:2 and you can't go wrong.

Buahaha. I have successfully dragged him in!

But what they say above is good!

some good tips there..i guess i went the other direction, my arena is way too nice for my team.

Wow. You do have a sweet arena!

First being off/def/goa, then secondary being the second skill listed in the guide and tertiary being the last right?

I started scouting some of my players, but it's going at 6% per day right now. Obviously it goes up as the HR department is increased (working on level 3 right now I believe, 4 will be started after I receive next week's sponsorship or the playoff money, whichever comes first).

What about the arena? Each section can be built individually without harm to overall attendance right? Or should the arena be built pretty much evenly in general to keep maintenance costs down with attendance rates up? Max attendance I've seen possible is around 6k, but typically around 5k (which I'm a long way away from). Is there more benefits from upgrading unevenly besides skybox and more accessory options?

From what I know there is no harm to your rink if you build all one section and don't touch the others.

I personally upgrade evenly but I suppose that is mainly due to aesthetics and financial reasons. Many upgrade in large jumps but early on your $ is spent better on facilities.

I'm not worried about arena upgrades right now. I'll probably build the next level up next after I sell out games somewhat consistently, then start saving money for larger builds, one section at a time.

The one comment I would make is that avoiding the market isn't necessarily the best strategy. I was just knocked out of the playoffs by a team that has 0 Canadians playing for them. The facilities take a small hit, yes, but it's probably worth it for the OTR boost.

If I were starting over I'd put as much money as possible into the sports academy and training facilities and use the rest to buy veteran players off the market. Regen wouldn't be an immediate concern because my pulls probably wouldn't be good enough to crack the lineup. I would put 0 money into maintenance, med facility and education centre and I would upgrade HR as much as possible before the next contract offers come in.

Oh - and I would definitely upgrade the capacity of the arena and add food stands. It's money in the bank and will pay dividends.

hockeynation.mybbextra.co... - I made this little tips thread back in may. Its a mix of the guide, info I got from veteran PPM managers -mostly the guys who posted in this thread already- and my own knowledge.

If you do buy players or staff, try and go for the ones that are on the market until between 5pm and 6pm MST. That way, if you get the last big before 5pm and he is off at say, 5:30 you get him without going into a bid war. oh, try to avoid those