Linchpin

efj115 said:

Is this ability necessary this year?

It's a huge waste of 2AP, IMO.  Linchpin only works for run blocking and the O-line play is so bad and inconsistent, even with Linchpin, yer still going to notice a ton of insta-sheds.  Blocking is allegedly all timer based, so i would urge you to try and find players that hit minimum 90 for the following three main stats (while also being 300+ pounds, ideally):

• Pass Block Power (PBP) -- this is directly calculated against the defenders PMV stat (i.e. Bull Rush)
• Pass Block Finesse (PBF) -- this is directly calculated against the defenders FMV stats (Spin & Swim moves)
• Run Blocking (RBK) -- this is directly calculated against the defender's Block Shed (BSH) stats

anything else beyond that, probably barely matters.  Soon none of this will matters, as basically ALL cards will be above these minimum 90 thresholds, at which point (even now) your focus should be surrounding discounted abilities.  Stats barely matter, abilities are and remain everything.  Great question, but no -- i'd use that 2AP on Run Protector, perhaps... at least until we can work towards having five-wide Secure Protectors, which is the ultimate end-game goal.

It took me MONTHS to convince my squad mates that Linchpin was a huge waste of AP... but they've finally come around.  Try 2AP Tank on a running back, that's pretty elite if yer playing online... we're all a bunch of Hit Stick whores.  Well, i can only speak for myself, but it's pretty common with the whole BOOM Tech, baby.