MX Manager has returned to MX Vice for the second season in succession, which is great news for the thousands of players in need of redemption. The fantasy game, which is the only one in the world that is built around the FIM Motocross World Championship, was a success the first time around, but a handful of tweaks have been made to ensure that the experience is exceptional this season.
Where do we begin? The format of the game is fairly simple, but does require some strategy from the very beginning. You are effectively a team manager but, much like most people within the paddock, you will be restricted by your budget. One million, two hundred thousand euros is what you start with and from that you can begin to build your team. Do you want to have two MXGP riders? That is fine. How about one MXGP rider, but two MX2 guys? That is fine too. The only restriction is that you can have a maximum of two riders in each class.
Enlarge
Husqvarna/J.P Acevedo
Now, I know what you are thinking, surely it is important to have a full team? The truth is that there is no guaranteed way to win. One player got incredibly far with just two riders, one in each class, and scored significantly more points than someone else, who had a full team. The pricing has been constructed in a way that it is impossible to just have four great riders. If it is your goal to have someone like Jeffrey Herlings, then the rest of your riders would be on a significantly lower level. Herlings is priced at six hundred thousand euros and would occupy half of your budget alone.
Investing in Jeffrey Herlings may seem like a brilliant move, depending on your way of thinking, because it is likely that he’ll score you forty points or more each week. It is quite the gamble though. What happens if he fails to finish a moto? It is rare for that to happen, but he was struck by mechanical gremlins in Sweden just last year. All of your eggs are effectively in just one basket. Would six brilliant rounds in a row be enough to offset the odd bad one? It Is impossible to predict, as every single point counts. It depends on how your lesser riders perform, as that is where the greatest value is.
Enlarge
KTM Images/Ray Archer
With that in mind, the safest bet is to go with a team that consists of riders that are around the three hundred thousand euro mark and constantly plan ahead with your transfers. This is another point that should not be overlooked, so take note. Only one transfer is allowed each week, unless you sign up for a VIP package for four dollars a month, which means that you must keep an eye on what tracks and events are coming up. Arminas Jasikonis is great value at three hundred thousand euros, but so is Jeremy Seewer. If everything goes well and your hand is not forced due to injuries, you could swap those guys around depending on the surface.
What about the teams and manufacturers? This is another choice. You could go for both options or leave them out completely. The riders are scored as they are in the motos, whereas teams and manufacturers follow a different pattern. If you spend one hundred thousand euros on KTM and Antonio Cairoli finishes first overall with Jeffrey Herlings in second, you will receive ten points for Cairoli and nine for Herlings. What if Glenn Coldenhoff finishes eleventh? You would get nothing. Points are only awarded if a rider on the manufacturer that you chose finishes in the top ten overall. The same goes for riders on the team that you chose to sign.
Enlarge
KTM Images/Ray Archer
Another important point to consider is that it is impossible to change a manufacturer or team once you have chosen it, unless you sign up for the VIP package. They cost considerably less than most riders, seeing as so much commitment is required, so is it worth taking a punt? Perhaps, but leaving one hundred thousand dollars free to spend on riders would also be brilliant. There are many different routes to take with your MX Manager team and that is what makes this game great. Make sure that you pay attention and never give up. Nick Morgan, who won the series last year, moved from outside of the top ten to first at the final round!
Words: Lewis Phillips | Lead Image: Husqvarna/J.P Acevedo
