Paul T

Shortly after I wrote the initial post I did some research between teams who had Heroic WI and teams that had bad or just OK WI.... and.... I couldn't find anything that would solve the mystery.  Over the last week I acquired 3 players.  There was nothing special trait-wise about these players, but it has increased my WI to Heroic and subsequently knocked my Teamwork down a few rungs, although still Harmony.  So.... I still have no idea.
What I do know is that the two teams facing off in the S3 GHL Finals do not have Heroic WI.  One is just OK and the other is Strong, but seems to border more on OK than Heroic.  I'm sure WI has an impact, but it seems like having talented players has the most impact on winning and losing.

If there's one thing that is a complete mystery in GPHM it is how to raise your team's Winner Instinct (WI).  Although I thoroughly enjoy the fact that the Admins have only shared a fraction of the information, leaving managers to figure it out for themselves... I also enjoy the conversations it creates - so why not try to crack the code together... or use the information contained here to crack the code on your own and keep it to yourself 😜
I feel like getting this value perfect is like piecing together a puzzle.  There are many factors and you need the perfect balance of those factors, including: Big Games trait, Ego Trait, Team Captains, Reputation of Players & Certain attributes of players. 
 
Below are the "official" notes from the Help Files.
http://forums.gmgames.org/topic/10834-team-spirit-done/
http://forums.gmgames.org/topic/10844-roster-captains-and-lineup-done/
 
Here's what I gather from the two links above:
- WI is mostly impacted by the Big Games trait.  You need quite a bit of Heroic/Determined players, but not too many as it will create disputes within your team.  You will also need some Anxious/Nervous, but not too many.
- In line with the above, you also need some Arrogant/Cocky players to boost your WI, but too many will negatively impact your Teamwork.
- Team Captains have a large influence on WI.  From other help files, it is known that Player Reputation and the Spirit Attribute factor into the Captains influence on a team, so if your Captains have a larger influence on your WI, then those values may also have an impact on your team's WI.
 
Other personal observations, related to the above:
- I always struggled with WI (couldn't get it above a blue rating) as I mostly focused on Teamwork being Harmony (Friendly/Compassionate players).  It wasn't until I acquired some Arrogant & Cocky players that my WI rose to a green rating. (Others have shared this opinion - see links below).
- When I have more Stars (players with higher reputation) on my team, my WI is higher.
 
Below are some other links to various conversations around WI that have been created over time.  As you can see... if you are confused about this rating, you are not alone!  There are some interesting opinions in these threads, so if you are truly interesting in this topic, be prepared to do some reading.
http://forums.gmgames.org/topic/7564-q-about-winner-instinct/
http://forums.gmgames.org/topic/7400-teamwork-winner-instinct/
http://forums.gmgames.org/topic/9702-improve-winning-instinct/
http://forums.gmgames.org/topic/7242-winners-instinct/
http://forums.gmgames.org/topic/10669-trait-preference/
http://forums.gmgames.org/topic/7461-winner-insticnt/
http://forums.gmgames.org/topic/8247-traits/
http://forums.gmgames.org/topic/7957-team-spirit/
http://forums.gmgames.org/topic/9702-improve-winning-instinct/
http://forums.gmgames.org/topic/8759-so-nervous-i-peed-a-little/
 
Below are a few opinions from the link above that stood out to me.  I can't confirm whether they are true or not.  They could be 100% correct or way off.
- Captains with Heroic or Determined Big Games trait increase WI.
- Only players in the immediate lineup impact WI, not affiliate or scratched players.  In another thread, the exact opposite was also stated.
- Big Games of Goalies factor more than Skaters.
- Don't worry about WI at all.  It is not required to be successful.
- WI is established over time as players get to know each other.
- Big games is overrated.  An Anxious/Nervous player can be just as clutch as a Heroic/Determined player.
- Line placement matters (i.e. 1st line players impact more than 2nd line and so on).
 
Personally, the questions I keep asking are "when does WI come into play?" and "how much does it even impact gameplay?".  I have seen nervous goalies play lights out in the playoffs and win it all.  I have also seen team's with Heroic WI get relegated.  But I am sure the opposite happens much more, so it is yet to be known exactly how much this rating matters overall.  As with most things in this game, it is chance based, so I'm sure it does have an impact.  Managers just need to figure out for themselves how much emphasis to put on getting the perfect team chemistry.
Enjoy.
 

Shortly after I wrote the initial post I did some research between teams who had Heroic WI and teams that had bad or just OK WI.... and.... I couldn't find anything that would solve the mystery.  Over the last week I acquired 3 players.  There was nothing special trait-wise about these players, but it has increased my WI to Heroic and subsequently knocked my Teamwork down a few rungs, although still Harmony.  So.... I still have no idea.
What I do know is that the two teams facing off in the S3 GHL Finals do not have Heroic WI.  One is just OK and the other is Strong, but seems to border more on OK than Heroic.  I'm sure WI has an impact, but it seems like having talented players has the most impact on winning and losing.

Its hard to even answer as good thread as this is. I have kept reading this post many times and wondering things around this topic. Thanks for Paul using so much time for this good thread, very good job!
Every season i have had WI on green, so I cant compare really from season to season this. One thing I could raise above others from my experiences is goalies big games. For me clearly better goalie on paper has been always worse option than the ”worse” one with with good big games and traits overall. Also spirit can have positive effect on this but that is only speculation.
Few other points I have given value, but again this is only my opinion to things and only thing that supports it is very good WI and ok team succes.
- Captains have very large impact to winner instinct so not only the leadership but the whole profile and spirit is valuable.
- Continue for latest. Is your captain more commander or true leader? How about other captains? Other players? Does they match? Difficult to make perfectly when building team but might be big factor.
-Older players are important and could effect more with good traits and also reputation
- Profile and big games of your star players
 
Some mumbling from my experiences. You should approach this as a reasearch as there are not many season yet exprienced this.
 
 

So I may have had a rather busy Friday and forgot to put up a match up preview for the finals. Oops. Well your getting one late anyways.
 
#3 Sheshegwaning Dragons vs #2 West Chicago Hawks
Regular season series: 2 wins Dragons
 
I think this is likely to be a close series even though one game has already been played. The Dragons have the better offensive team talent wise while the Hawks play a more complete team game that emphasizes strong defensive play. If the Dragons had a goalie I felt like I could trust I would say that this is the match up of the two best teams in the league. Outside of the net it certainly is in my mind. I am really looking forward to seeing how this series plays out.
 
Honest confession: I'm pulling for the Hawks in this one for the simple fact that he has his entire team playing in a way I wish I could get my team to play. Either way, best of luck to both teams.

Definitely like those suggestions.  I've had Slivovice, and I definitely know the experience of having too much of it.  Been a while since I've had either though, so may have to hop back on that bandwagon haha

Good European absinthe (I like German, i.e. Eichelberger) - or Slivovice (Czech plum liquor).

Fair warning - either is not for everyone. You drink a little cup, then another little cup, and very suddenly (and irreversibly) your night becomes a lot more interesting.

We need more off-topic posts around here. 
I am pretty boring when it comes to booze, tbh.  My tastes are similar to what you listed above.  My typical go-to is American whiskey/bourbon or beer.  I've been getting away from beer recently as I tend to like the darker, hoppy beers, but recently drinking one of those feels like I just ate a 32 oz. prime rib on top of a pound of pasta.  My biggest decision is usually whether to drink the bourbon with coke, ginger ale or straight.  If I want to mix things up I'll have a vodka and sprite - or vodka and red bull.
If made right, an Old Fashioned is really good.  I just never have all the ingredients and don't like spending more than 15 seconds preparing my drink.  If no one is looking, I'll add a splash of cranberry and wedge of lime to my vodka-sprite.  And maybe once a month I'll have a glass of red wine with a meal (but not something I would drink without food and I don't think this is what you're going for).
Tequila and rum are also good, but haven't had either of them in years.  Amaretto, Sambuca and Drambuie are really good, but after a few shots you get sick of em.  The only things I absolutely would not drink are gin and white wine... or something fruity with umbrellas in it, unless I'm on a tropical island somewhere, in which case it would be the first thing I ordered.

Ok, as a slut for drinking, I'm getting tired of drinking the same stuff... and I drink a lot of different liquors.  Not related to GPHM really... at all tbh, but what's a mixed drink or straight drink that you can give me??? 
I know enough straight liquor that I have literally died from and mixed drinks that are really good, so give me a less common go to drink you like!!!
I need something to subside me from drinking home-brew and vodka/ whiskey lately.   Give me suggestions on great mixed or straight drinks that make you have a good time!!!  
 
(looking at you Deadwing and Paul specifically, but everyone is encouraged to participate)... Need something new to be an alcoholic to hahah!!!
 
Hope you all contribute (no fireball, Vodka,  or Bailey's though, I have drank enough to know what it is good with lol).  Cheers y'all!!!!

That's what she said.

My teams needs to score and thats the only way for me to reach the finals.
They can do that and they did it so far. I tweaked my line-up after first game against Stealheads and its working, to my surprise.
As for Bears... I really struggled against them in regular season. Even managed to get worse franchise loss (1-6), few days before playoffs started.
Despite that, I would put both Red Tide and Paul's Stealheads above Battlin Bears in my rankings, but that doesn't speak much.
I would say that biggiest thing in my favor would be home ice advantage, in a season where I am, for some reason, heavy home team.
Lets see if we can live up to that and go to finals. Which would be, after I shipped off Real, incredible result.

Prairie Stars vs. Hawks is becoming a true rivalry. We have faced in the same situation in S1, but both teams were not so dominant in the previous series, especially Hawks after 2 exhausting 3-2 wins were simply tired to take out the best team in the league, considering talent. 
This is going to be nail-bitter, I hope. I know i'm capable of blanking Prairie Stars, but they start home and are incredibly strong. 
At least I hope there will be SC champion from West for once :-P

Conference Finals
 
East: #3 Sheshegwaning Dragons vs #4 Sault Ste Marie Battlin Bears
Regular season series: 1 win Dragons, 2 Wins and 1SO win Battlin Bears
 
On paper this seems like a rather lopsided match up. The Dragons have incredible offensive and defensive depth. Their one concern is goaltending. This team is currently looking a lot like the 09-10 Philadelphia Flyers as a result. On the other side is the Battlin Bears. A team where no player really jumps out at you yet it is a solid overall team. Its playoff run is being pushed along by excellent play by its defensive core. I think this series is going to be decided by the goalies. Neither team has an all star starter but both of them still have a capable #1 option. Whichever #1 outplays the other is going to very likely decide the series.
 
West: #1 Kegashka Prairie Stars vs #2 West Chicago Hawks
Regular season series: 3 wins Prairie Stars, 1 win Hawks
 
Both teams swept through the opposition in the prior rounds to get to this match up. The Prairie Stars have gotten here off of the play of their best players who have been dominant. The Hawks have gotten to this point through their entire team dominating the other team. The Prairie Stars are more top heavy talent wise but have more top end offensive talent to show for it. I think this series is going to come down to if the team effort by the Hawks can be enough to beat the effort of the best players of the Prairie Stars.

Kudos to the following teams:
- Trojans (formerly Union) and Red Thunder... both managed to stay in GHL this season despite going the majority of the season managed by the computer.
- Kamikaze for avoiding relegation after having just promoted from SHL.
- Masons... who get a special kudos for avoiding relegation after just promoting from SHL - and it also being their first time in GHL.  This is no easy task.
Wait, I thought this was a trash talk thread.

Per the "Current Road Map" post, there is apparently a new release coming this month with a new Scouting feature.

Wow, so the regular season series between all the current match-ups was 2-2.  These quarterfinals should be very close.  I agree that the Dragons and Red Tide are the two best teams in the East - and will be for quite some time.  They are starting to get a little rivalry going, which is great.  The Prairie Stars and Hawks have been the two best teams out West and I don't see that changing any time soon either.  But we all know that anything can happen in the playoffs, which is what keeps it exciting. 
And rainsilent - great season for you despite the early playoff exit.  I was impressed with what you were able to accomplish with a team without much super star power.  Taking nothing away from the Nightmares as Tyrod always puts together a solid team (think they are much better than 8th place btw), but the OT and double SO losses were a rough way to end it - and I still think the fact that we can't edit our SO lineup makes it frustrating at times.  On paper this was more like a 3/6 or 4/5 match-up.
Good luck to all remaining.

The Hawks and Prairie Stars are both on #@*k!&g fire and about to collide!  🔥💥

I'm still against having S/O in the playoffs all together, and thank you for your flattery it means a lot coming from other top managers. i had a pretty slow start to the season as i was (and still am) retooling/Rebuilding as most of the top players are unobtainable at the moment, But of all the playoffs we've had since season 1, this one stacked up in my favor the most (Considering i played the Dragons and Red Tide in the 1st round in the first 2 seasons.)
 
 

Per the "Current Road Map" post, there is apparently a new release coming this month with a new Scouting feature.

The full stats thing was my #1 suggestion here:  http://forums.gmgames.org/topic/17642-a-few-suggestions/
 

Wow, so the regular season series between all the current match-ups was 2-2.  These quarterfinals should be very close.  I agree that the Dragons and Red Tide are the two best teams in the East - and will be for quite some time.  They are starting to get a little rivalry going, which is great.  The Prairie Stars and Hawks have been the two best teams out West and I don't see that changing any time soon either.  But we all know that anything can happen in the playoffs, which is what keeps it exciting. 
And rainsilent - great season for you despite the early playoff exit.  I was impressed with what you were able to accomplish with a team without much super star power.  Taking nothing away from the Nightmares as Tyrod always puts together a solid team (think they are much better than 8th place btw), but the OT and double SO losses were a rough way to end it - and I still think the fact that we can't edit our SO lineup makes it frustrating at times.  On paper this was more like a 3/6 or 4/5 match-up.
Good luck to all remaining.

Wow, so the regular season series between all the current match-ups was 2-2.  These quarterfinals should be very close.  I agree that the Dragons and Red Tide are the two best teams in the East - and will be for quite some time.  They are starting to get a little rivalry going, which is great.  The Prairie Stars and Hawks have been the two best teams out West and I don't see that changing any time soon either.  But we all know that anything can happen in the playoffs, which is what keeps it exciting. 
And rainsilent - great season for you despite the early playoff exit.  I was impressed with what you were able to accomplish with a team without much super star power.  Taking nothing away from the Nightmares as Tyrod always puts together a solid team (think they are much better than 8th place btw), but the OT and double SO losses were a rough way to end it - and I still think the fact that we can't edit our SO lineup makes it frustrating at times.  On paper this was more like a 3/6 or 4/5 match-up.
Good luck to all remaining.

Wow, so the regular season series between all the current match-ups was 2-2.  These quarterfinals should be very close.  I agree that the Dragons and Red Tide are the two best teams in the East - and will be for quite some time.  They are starting to get a little rivalry going, which is great.  The Prairie Stars and Hawks have been the two best teams out West and I don't see that changing any time soon either.  But we all know that anything can happen in the playoffs, which is what keeps it exciting. 
And rainsilent - great season for you despite the early playoff exit.  I was impressed with what you were able to accomplish with a team without much super star power.  Taking nothing away from the Nightmares as Tyrod always puts together a solid team (think they are much better than 8th place btw), but the OT and double SO losses were a rough way to end it - and I still think the fact that we can't edit our SO lineup makes it frustrating at times.  On paper this was more like a 3/6 or 4/5 match-up.
Good luck to all remaining.

Kudos to you!

Tried to start playoff run little too late, and my guys just didn't have the endurance to do it.
But i achieved my goal, no relegation matches for this guy  

Round two: No regular season stats anymore because it is the second round of the playoffs.
 
#2 Red Tide vs #3 Dragons
Regular season series: 1W and 1OTW Red Tide, 2W Dragons.
 
The two best teams in the East face off. It was a close series in the regular season and it will likely be close in the playoffs so long as the goaltending for the Dragons holds up. If it doesn't this is very likely to be a short series.
 
#4 Battlin Bears vs #8 Nightmares
Regular season series: 2SOW Battlin Bears, 2W Nightmares.
 
The two wins by the Nightmare were the last two meetings between these two teams and the games weren't close. I still think this is going to be a close series though however the Battlin Bears are the underdogs in my mind as I think the Nightmares have the better team.
 
#1 Prairie Stars vs #5 Wolverines
Regular season series: 2W Prairie Stars, 2W Wolverines
 
The regular season series between the two was a split and the entire series was actually close. The Wolverines has the offense to keep pace if it becomes a scoring race. The real question is if the Prairie Stars can take control of the games with their more complete team.
 
#2 Hawks vs #6 Tomahawks
Regular season series: 2W Hawks, 2W Tomahawks
 
Another series that was split however the series was rather lopsided with a win for each team that wasn't close at all. The Tomahawks were a great 5 on 5 scoring team while the Hawks struggled to score 5 on 5. I think this is going to be another close series determined by whatever team happens to play better 5 on 5.