NHL 24 Update 1.2.1 Nerfs Hip Checks, Buffs Goalie Stamina

After dropping a more significant NHL 24 Title Update just recently, another set of fixes has already arrived. On top of addressing one of the most frustrating glitches this year, NHL 24 Update 1.2.1 is bringing a whole new batch of gameplay changes.

The full patch notes for this hotfix have already been revealed, and there are definite buffs and nerfs that'll be felt in the game right away. We'll break down the most important gameplay tuning adjustments in NHL 24 Update 1.2.1 so you can see what to watch out for.

NHL 24 Update 1.2.1 Gameplay Tuning Changes

While some players may be most happy to hear the EASHL Jersey Glitch has been addressed in NHL 24 Update 1.2.1, there are tons of other changes that will be felt throughout the game. Following another round of community feedback about gameplay, the NHL 24 Patch Notes for this update have several adjustments on tap.

First up, Hip Checks have been nerfed:

• Community Feedback: Hip Checks are really fun to use and useful at making big hits, however they are too overpowered in non-authentic situations and the risk of taking a penalty is too low. 
  • Hip Checks now use default interference logic to create more consistent penalty calls.
  • The player throwing a Hip Check needs to be completely in the Hip Check animation for a hip check to be successful.
  • Players who are getting Hip Checked can slow down before contact to help reduce the impact and reaction of the Hip Check.
  • Added logic that requires a higher relative speed between the Hip Checker and the hittee to create large hip check reactions.

If you're a fan of the Sustained Pressure system, it just got weakened:

• Community Feedback: The Full Pressure impact on the team that is pinned is too powerful and doesn’t feel authentic to the situation. Full Pressure while on a Penalty Kill is extra punishing and the time to end Full Pressure when the puck is out of the zone is too long.
  • Reduced time puck needs to be out of zone to end Full Pressure from 5 seconds to 3 seconds.
  • Reduced the negative attribute multiplier applied to Pinned players during Full Pressure from 20% to 15%.
  • Removed the negative Energy Drain multiplier for a team on the Penalty Kill, to avoid double stacking with the Full Pressure Energy Drain multiplier.

Goalies got another buff on top of that:

• Community Feedback: Goalies take too long to recover Energy when the puck is out of the zone and having Goalie slowly drain energy when the puck in the zone doesn’t feel authentic. 
  • Removed the energy drain a goalie receives while the puck is in their defending end.
  • Slightly increased the amount of Stamina a goalie loses when performing a save. 
    • (Stamina Drain is mitigated by Durability Attribute)

• • Increased the Goalies neutral zone energy recovery to be identical to the energy recovery for when the puck is in the attacking zone. (Energy Recovery is boosted by Endurance Attribute)

Most of the other gameplay tuning changes focused on cleaning up some of the CPU play, particularly when it comes to your own AI teammates drawing penalties. You can find the full NHL 24 Update 1.2.1 Patch Notes here and details on every update this year.