Diamond Dynasty is the Madden Ultimate Team equivalent for baseball. Legendary players are brought back to their glory days in MLB The Show 22 where they stand next to the All-Stars of today’s game. It’s a fun concept that sometimes doesn’t translate to the gameplay for new players.
There is a little something for everyone to enjoy in Diamond Dynasty. MLB The Show 22 has made it a larger feature than previous iterations as they add more players to the mode and challenges outside of the mode that use the Diamond Dynasty team.
14 Log In Daily
When players don’t log in for a few days, they miss out on more than just game time. There are rewards that are given out. Are they bad most of the time? Sure. But even bad cards can be sold for a few stubs or added to a collection that turns into an elite card.
That’s the worst-case scenario. Best case, there is a chance to get one of the best catchers in the game. And remember that every login counts toward a pack every week.
13 Participate In Every Event
Many of the best Diamond Dynasty cards at each position need to be purchased with a ton of cash as there is no realistic way to play for long enough and get the stubs needed for them. But that’s only a few cards, some of the best are given out during events.
These events will have bonuses for those who do well, of course, but sometimes the elite cards and prizes are given out by nothing more than simple participation. Even if the team is likely to lose, give it a shot. Bad teams get lucky sometimes, take the chance instead of waiting in the dugout.
12 Look Beyond The OVR
When players talk about the best starting pitchers, they usually are measuring it purely by OVR. But not all stats are created equally. Who cares if a reliever has tons of stamina or a first baseman has very little arm strength? That’s not often relevant.
Look at each card for the most important stats. On pitchers, that’s gonna be K/9, H/9, and HR/9. For hitters, get that contact and power high up there. Even beyond stats, look for pitchers who have a confusing release, this throws pro players way off of their game.
11 Replace Starters Quickly
Most games in Diamond Dynasty are single games with head-to-head matchups. In regular baseball, keeping the starter pitching for as long as possible matters because it gives the relievers a break. That’s not important when the whole team resets by the next game.
Use other pitchers the instant the starter gets tired. Bring in a lefty to face lefties and righties against righties. Gamers have tons of closers ready to go, maybe even other starters. A bad reliever is better than a good but tired starter.
10 Don’t Ignore Diamond Dynasty Completely
Don’t plan on playing Diamond Dynasty? That’s totally fine, many who pick up the game have no interest in the mode. Judging by the achievements, the gamers who play even a single game in the mode are in the minority. But there is still important value here.
Those who aren’t interested in playing against friends will still find that various challenges use the Diamond Dynasty team in certain moments. Plus, there is a pack and some cards to be earned just by following the tutorial after opening the mode for the first time.
9 Make A Budget From $0 To $100,000
It’s no mystery that this game mode is going to cost competitive players very real money. Right now, there are videos of gamers spending $3000 on cards just to get a single player. The lineup needs twenty-six, for perspective. And keep in mind that more will be added as the season progresses.
Players that don’t buy stubs can still have fun in Diamond Dynasty. It’s possible to earn stubs quickly in Road to the Show and spend those stubs on elite talent. But keep in mind that the tournament winners will have spent up to six digits or more over the course of the year. For those without that budget, focus on fun and don’t go broke.
8 Cards Are Progressively Added To The Game
It’s critical to remember that players are going to be added as the season continues. The best cards now will likely not be the best cards in two months. And then those cards are going to be outdated again. So what can be learned from this knowledge?
Patience is key. If the players available just aren’t cutting it and the next upgrade is too costly, don’t be afraid to wait for a while until the next wave comes out. The price falls dramatically on good cards every time better cards are released.
7 Don’t Be Afraid To Use Easier Settings
Most of the streamers and veterans use the toughest settings. There is an advantage to using these settings, as changing the throwing settings can guarantee no error occurs so long as the move is executed correctly. But don’t feel too disadvantaged when using easier settings.
Remember that the accuracy rate on most players is in the 97% range. That’s not a significant price to pay for using simple controls. The settings can be made more difficult later after getting the hang of it, but don’t rush it.
6 Equipment Is Cosmetic Only
It never fails that every year, somebody will buy the most expensive gear around with their hard-earned cash, then find out that none of those attributes count in Diamond Dynasty mode. The warning isn’t given until equipping the items themselves.
After putting together one of the best teams in the game, it’s only natural to want to make sure they look good. That includes the equipment. But please don’t go out and buy the most expensive bat or eyewear only to learn that these items have no practical benefit.
5 Make A Team Identity
Much like in actual baseball, the team needs an identity. Simply choosing the best players for each position might sound good, but then when the whole team is right-handed, a righty will take the mound and the game turns into a blowout.
Think about every player before adding them to the roster. Does the team have speed at the top of the order and power behind them? Do left-handed and right-handed bats rotate? The team should be a complete unit, not simply an accumulation of the highest OVR cards.
4 Choose A Ballpark To Match The Team
Ballparks play a bigger role in the game than most might think. At least once per game, there will be a hit that would be a home run in one ballpark that is a flyout in another. Yes, the ballpark will be the same for both teams, but that doesn’t mean it’s “even” in the understood sense of the word.
A team loaded with power hitters may want a smaller outfield with short fences to do their hammering. A team with great fielding and speed in the outfield might want a large outfield that works to their advantage during both halves of the inning.
3 The Power-Normal-Contact Swing Rule
Many veterans have a rule about swinging. First, they get ready to swing for power and choose a spot to aim at. If the ball is there, swing. If it isn’t, don’t. After taking one strike, change to a normal swing and then be ready for pitches in a general area. After two strikes, queue up a contact swing and hit anything close to the zone.
This formula allows players to get a free home run or two in most games if they guess the location of the first pitch correctly. Even smaller players will knock a ball out of the hard if they square it up. This equation also works to protect the plate and cut down on strikeouts and weak contact.
2 Move Players Out Of Position
Just because the card says “third base” doesn’t mean the player is exclusive to that position. A great example of this is the Mike Trout card, which is great in center as listed, but the true OVR actually increases when moving to right or left field.
Moving players around does require some thought. Righties are preferred at second, third, and shortstop while lefties have an advantage at first. But so long as the skillset matches the position, plug them in.
1 Paint The Corners
Any pitch not at the corners of the plate should be considered gone. Veterans of the game are waiting at the center and side of the plate to crush one out of the yard. A mistake in these areas will be punished by these gamers.
Stick to the corners. Strikes right on the line generally won’t leave the yard, even with solid contact and perfect timing. And, on two strikes, throw toward the outside of these corners. Protective hitters will find themselves striking out to try and save the at-bat.
MLB The Show 22 was released on April 5th, 2022, and is available on Nintendo Switch, Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PlayStation 5.
