All-Pro Football 2K8: The Special Abilities
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Similar to Madden 08's weapons, APF 2K8 has its own set of "special abilities" for players. The complete list of them was recently revealed. These have essentially taken the place of player ratings so it will be critical to have an understanding of them.
Overall I like the concept, but I'm curious how well it will work given that APF doesn't use a traditional 0-100 type rating system. There are questions as to how you differentiate between players who have the same abilities. Does every player who is a "speed burner" at a specific position have the same exact speed? And if they don't, how will you be able to find this out when choosing your legends? Does every RB that isn't a "Speed Burner" have the same exact (low) speed also? If not, how can you tell what their speed might be on the field without a ratings system? Also how does a RB who doesn't have "Speed Burner" compare to a generic player?
Putting the concerns aside, this system does a good job of communicating what players excel in what areas. It is a lot easier to understand the strengths of an individual this way and know how to play to them. It will also come in handy for team building.
Click through to the full article to read the full list of "special abilities".
- Signal Stealer — Press X with our QB or defender to try to steal your opponent's plays.
- Scrambler — QB is talented at throwing the ball out of the pocket.
- Rocket Arm — QB has top-flight arm strength with QB charge.
- Quick Release — QB has a quick throwing motion.
- Pocket Presence — QB is at his best when in the pocket.
- Play Fake — QB's play action fake is great at fooling defenders.
- Pass Threat — QB's threat of passing makes draw plays more lethal.
- Laser Arm — Pinpoint accuracy with QB charge.
- Deception — QB's pump fakes are more likely to deceive defenders.
- Cadence — QB's cadence is good at drawing defenders offside.
- 4th Quarter Comeback — QB is at his best when trailing in the 4th quarter.
- Strength Bonus — Player has top-notch strength for his position.
- Stamina Bonus — Player doesn't tire easily.
- Speed Burner — Player has top-notch speed for his position.
- Secure Ball Bonus — Player is good at holding onto the football.
- Run Coverage — Player is good against the run and when pursuing ball carriers.
- Quick Feet — Player has top-notch agility for his position.
- Leadership Bonus — Player makes his teammates better.
- Hops — Player has excellent jumping ability.
- Durability Bonus — Player is resilient to injuries and very dependable.
- Acrobatic Catches — Player is able to make difficult circus catches.
- Branching Tackles — Player is good at shaking off tackles by tapping A.
- Break Away Burst — Player has an extra gear when running away from defenders.
- Bump Buster — Player is talented at beating bump and run coverage.
- Cutback Ability — Player is quick out of cuts.
- Deep Threat — Receiver is skilled at catching deep passes and draws extra attention from safeties.
- Mr. 3rd Down — Receiver is clutch in 3rd down situations.
- Possession Receiver — Receiver is particularly talented at running short routes.
- Return Specialist — Player is skilled at returning punts or kicks.
- Route God — Receiver is great route runner.
- Ankle Breaker — Player has a 2nd level charge juke move.
- Battering Ram — Player has a 2nd level charge shoulder charge.
- Spin — Defender has a 2nd level charge spin.
- Arm of Steel — Player has a 2nd level charge stiff arm.
- Stop on a Dime — Player has a 2nd level charge stop.
- Tough in the Middle — Receiver isn't afraid to get hit on catches in the middle.
- Workhorse — Ball carrier gets better the more he gets the ball.
- Soft Hands — Player has excellent hands.
- Special Team Demon — Player is talented at covering punts or kicks.
- Magic Feet — Player has the footwork and balance to stay in bounds on sideline catches.
- Brick Wall — Player has superior pass blocking skills.
- Bulldozer — Player has superior run blocking skills.
- Stonewall — Linemen is such a stalwart that the QB is extra composed around him.
- Clutch — Player's performance is best in all-clutch situations and games.
- Scissor Kick — Player has a scissor kick special move by using RS.
- Finesse — Player has a 2nd level spin and juke move.
- Power — Player has a 2nd level shoulder charge and stiff arm.
- Finesse and Power — Player has a 2nd level spin, juke, shoulder charge, and stiff arm.
- Ball Strip — Player is adept at forcing fumbles.
- Big Hit — Defender is particularly adept at big hit tackles with RS.
- Bull Rush — Defender has a 2nd level charge bull rush.
- Bump Master — Player is skilled at bump and run coverage.
- Closing Speed — Defender is able to cover ground quickly when closing in on the ball.
- Club — Defender has a 2nd level charge club.
- Loose Ball Magnet — Defender has a knack for recovering fumbles.
- Reach Tackle — Defender has the strength to pull down ball carriers with reach tackles.
- Rip — Defender has a 2nd level charge rip.
- Run Reader — Defender has a sixth sense that allows him to hit the hole.
- Sack Master — Defender is particularly skilled at sacking the QB.
- Wrap Up Tackler — Defender is a textbook wrap tackler.
- Coverage Bonus — Player has excellent pass coverage skills.
- Pass Rush Bonus — Player is skilled at rushing the passer.
- Run Coverage — Player is good against the run and when pursuing ball carriers.
- Ball Hawk — Defender has a keen sense of the ball on passes.
- Footsteps — Defender strikes fear in receivers and this can result in gator arms.
- Return Specialist — Player is skilled at returning punts or kicks.
- Coffin Corner — Player is good at pinning punts inside the 10-yard line.
- Kick Accuracy Bonus — Player has excellent kick accuracy.
- Kick Power Bonus — Player has excellent kick power.
July 5, 2007 at 6:30 am
I admit that the 100 rating system would be nice to see, so you could see who’s faster and what not, but I like how the players will have more than one of these abilities.
I may be wrong, but what I can tell from madden, the star players only have one great ability. I really like how 2K is giving multiple abilities that will hopefully make each player feel a bit different as you use them on the field.
Hopefully the demo comes out soon so we can get a hands-on impression rather than just news and videos.
July 5, 2007 at 8:51 am
yeah igjoe I agree totally… I could have sweared that the big news about this game in the beginning is that they would not have a traditional 100 rating system, but rather a icon abilities system so that means EA bit that idea and not the other way around…
July 5, 2007 at 9:01 am
I’m impressed. I had no idea they were gonna cover such an array of talents…I don’t think 0-100 ratings will be missed. You get a full account of what ya guy can do, not what his numbers say he can do. Workhorse RB- getting stronger as the game goes on…heaven. Footsteps Defender? LMAO? I can’t wait.
July 5, 2007 at 9:27 am
I think Ickey Woods is a silver star player too… that should dope (although he wasnt that good I think). Online play will be sick, it will be interesting to see team names, lineups, logo choice, and the gameplay… I geeked about this game cause I am a customize freak on games…
July 5, 2007 at 6:02 pm
I kinda find it odd that when Madden released news of its Weapons system and seeing it being bombarded with criticism and questions, especially the 2k fans. Yet when APF gives out its lists, we see butt-kissing abound from the same fanboys with the occasional EA cheapshot. Plus, the reason the Weapons were despised was not because of how light it was on abilities, but rather it was because it just came from EA. What if the 2 companies switched list and released the info at the same time they did? Would the 2k fans probably react the way they did? Probably yes.
July 5, 2007 at 7:41 pm
ThaGreatBrain – Couldn’t agree with you more. Its amazing how some people will bash on something just for the sake of bashing on it.
July 6, 2007 at 6:16 am
EA dudes cheapshot 2K, and visa versa… Look on this site, it is one group vs. another… Dont post anything positive on a EA blog, cause you will be bias too… Its just games, you cats get TOO mad and evil or this stuff. Shit, I have to check myself sometimes too.
July 7, 2007 at 6:29 pm
I know Shoeprint I know. It’s just where I usually go, the EA forums is being bombarded with propoganda from both sides. Its really turning into the Flame War for the ages. Even though I am an EA fanboy, I did once own a 2k football game, but it was 2k3 and on the gamecube (it was ok, but I played better)… but anyway, I had to develop a sense to protect my honor as one since 2k fanboys have come over and just basically slander Madden to the point of cheapshots (seriously, I should give links to some of this stuff). I probably believe that Madden fanboys must be doing the same thing over at the 2k Forums.