What Are You Working On? - MLB The Show 23 Edition

[JoshC1977]

Re: What Are You Working On? - MLB The Show 23 Edition

just released 2 of the 3 BR rewards and wouldnt ya know it more repeats ugh .. you know that Adley isnt going to be as good as the collection one .. i hate all these repeats .. set 6 is just going to be us trying to figure out which card of a certain player we want to use out of like the 3 different options its annoying

The one positive of that for cards with significant repeats (like Adley or J-Ram) there has been one version that has been more readily accessible.

The other thing; I have been playing around with as I have been building some non-Season 5 theme teams. There are some intriguing choices to be made in some instances; and they aren't necessarily just based on "who's better" (like it's fairly obvious the Set 3 J-Ram is better). For example, the Set 2 Kaiju Altuve vs the Set 5 Finest Altuve - many would take the Finest, but I think an argument could be made for the Kaiju version.

Speaking of Theme teams, I think there are some super intriguing ones that will become relevant for online players in Season 6 (if you have the Captain cards). I'm currently building a Short Kings/Tall Kings theme team (both builds, while a bit specialized, are tremendously fun if you have a good repository of cards).

[ValhallaVikings]

Re: What Are You Working On? - MLB The Show 23 Edition

I'm happy to get Adley back because I was hitting like over 500 with him online ridiculously. I'm not some goon that normally hits like that.

But I too find it odd to repeat and even more so that we have jrod when his other card is set 4 and we can use it already. I currently have his monthly as my cf until I get acuna and move trout over.

I've always like skubal cards and his per 9s are top of the line. I hate to shell out a massive stubs for skubal or Adley but I would like both.

Adley will also make 99 durability team which likely maxes out his contact. Jrod does as well

[SamC24167]

Re: What Are You Working On? - MLB The Show 23 Edition

The one positive of that for cards with significant repeats (like Adley or J-Ram) there has been one version that has been more readily accessible.

The other thing; I have been playing around with as I have been building some non-Season 5 theme teams. There are some intriguing choices to be made in some instances; and they aren't necessarily just based on "who's better" (like it's fairly obvious the Set 3 J-Ram is better). For example, the Set 2 Kaiju Altuve vs the Set 5 Finest Altuve - many would take the Finest, but I think an argument could be made for the Kaiju version.

Speaking of Theme teams, I think there are some super intriguing ones that will become relevant for online players in Season 6 (if you have the Captain cards). I'm currently building a Short Kings/Tall Kings theme team (both builds, while a bit specialized, are tremendously fun if you have a good repository of cards).

yea i realised i missed out on the captains like that for those specific theme teams like the dicipline team or arm accuracy team .. but im hoping in season 6 or later this season they put out a rewind captain pack for all of us that dont want to spend 300k for them now ..

i played some more last night and up to 75 players in team affinity so now im just grinding with the all the bosses which has been fun and im really enjoying the Gorman and Holiday cards even without my STL bias .. 1 card i think is really slept on is that Billy Williams his swing is so smooth ...

and maybe this is a hot take but i would say that the Retro Finest for most divisions are way better than the 2023 finest but maybe thats just me

[papadell]

Re: What Are You Working On? - MLB The Show 23 Edition

Ive actually enjoyed the ta grind this time around because the missions aren't obnoxious. I still have a couple TA 4 maps to do so I'm getting some extra run for the missions and making pretty quick progress.

I've actually been excited to play since last week. Seeing more repeats is disheartening just because we haven't gotten another Hank Aaron or Willie Mays just more versions of basically identical cards to dudes we already have

Sent from my moto g power (2021) using Tapatalk

[JoshC1977]

Re: What Are You Working On? - MLB The Show 23 Edition

Ive actually enjoyed the ta grind this time around because the missions aren't obnoxious. I still have a couple TA 4 maps to do so I'm getting some extra run for the missions and making pretty quick progress.

I've actually been excited to play since last week. Seeing more repeats is disheartening just because we haven't gotten another Hank Aaron or Willie Mays just more versions of basically identical cards to dudes we already have

Sent from my moto g power (2021) using Tapatalk

We really didn't get ANY of the upper echelon legends as Retro Finest in TA5.

I am wondering if they're going to do a Legend setup in Season 6 (similar to the juiced Legends we got last year). By my reckoning, nearly every team has a higher-end Legend that has yet to receive an end-game type card.

and maybe this is a hot take but i would say that the Retro Finest for most divisions are way better than the 2023 finest but maybe thats just me

I agree with this....I DO have a legends-bias, but even being objective, I think most of the 2023 guys are a bit on the meh side.

[SamC24167]

Re: What Are You Working On? - MLB The Show 23 Edition

We really didn't get ANY of the upper echelon legends as Retro Finest in TA5.

I am wondering if they're going to do a Legend setup in Season 6 (similar to the juiced Legends we got last year). By my reckoning, nearly every team has a higher-end Legend that has yet to receive an end-game type card.



I agree with this....I DO have a legends-bias, but even being objective, I think most of the 2023 guys are a bit on the meh side.

i completely agree and im hoping that they do a juiced legend i would love a maxxed Stan the Man to go on my Cards theme in season 6 i wondering if they will be doing anymore diamond duos the rest of the year and if not then how will some of the other Finest cards they were talking about going to get released with the BR and Ranked seasons just beginning

[JoshC1977]

Re: What Are You Working On? - MLB The Show 23 Edition

i completely agree and im hoping that they do a juiced legend i would love a maxxed Stan the Man to go on my Cards theme in season 6 i wondering if they will be doing anymore diamond duos the rest of the year and if not then how will some of the other Finest cards they were talking about going to get released with the BR and Ranked seasons just beginning

My guess is that we could get some sort of Other Program (like we did for the Charisma, Incognito, All Star, etc. series).

It's funny...they made a fairly big deal on the stream about needing fewer cards to complete the Set 5 collection - what they did NOT say is that it's because we'll get fewer Set 5 cards overall (i.e. no Topps Now, Monthly, etc.).

[JoshC1977]

Re: What Are You Working On? - MLB The Show 23 Edition

I've continued my endeavors with the short kings/tall kings theme team and have added a few more pieces. I'll be using this team for Extreme Mini Seasons and I think it'll be a lot of fun.

C - Alejandro Kirk (Snapshot)
1B - Christian Vazquez (Charisma)
2B - Joe Morgan (Short Kings Captain)
3B - Jose Ramirez (2023 All Star)
SS - Lou Aparicio (Retro Finest)
LF - Stephen Kwan (Finest)
CF - Cedric Mullins (Charisma)
RF - Hank Thompson (the 99 OVR version)
DH - Jose Altuve (Kaiju)

Bench - Mookie Betts (Snapshot)
Bench - Tim Raines (Incognito)
Bench - Matt McLain (Finest)*
Bench - Ha-Seong Kim (Finest)*

*Need to wrap up NL Conquest, then we'll have him

As of right now, I think we're pretty set for the offense. I still want to upgrade the Tim Raines to the Retro Finest version and we might splurge on buying the Awards Mullins. I may try out the Finest Altuve, but I like the Kaiju a bit better. Our other potential upgrade would be if we get a high-end Ivan Rodriguez for C.

But basically, this roster murders righties and is superb on defense (our worst fielding rating in the starting lineup is 94 with Vazquez at 1b). McLain/Kim will be valuable as they mash lefties (and McLain in particular will be nasty with the theme team upgrade).

SP - Roy Halladay (Milestone)
SP - Adam Wainwright (Sig Series)
SP - Paul Skenes (2023 Draft)
SP - Chris Sale (Incognito)
SP - Randy Johnson (Tall Kings Captain)
RP - Chris Martin (breakout?)
RP - Tyler Wells (2023 Postseason)
RP - Lee Smith (Charisma)
RP - Carlos Estevez (2023 All Star)
RP - Peter Fairbanks (Monthly)
SU - Trevor Megill (2023 Postseason)
SU - Garrett Crochet (Flashback Topps Now)
CL - Felix Bautista (Finest)

The pitching is not quite final. Retro Finest JR Richard will eventually replace Halladay and his crap pitch mix (but I also can't deny what Halladay looks like on this team from a /9 perspective). I do think we want to swap-out Chris Martin with Sam Hentges (but I'd need to grind the August monthly - ugh) and we could also grind for the 99 James McArthur (September monthly - ugh). I might try to also grind for the 2023 Jordan Montgomery, but sinkers...eww.

Still hopeful we see a 99 Lee Smith at some point as well. We have a few other (lower-rated) arms I really like for the rotation spots (Wacha/Pearson/Giolito/Glasnow/Lodolo) that could give us some flexibility for missions.

I'll be honest; I think this theme team could easily hold its own against (if not surpass) many "pure" all 99 teams in a ranked environment (obviously, not until Season 6). I've dabbled with quite a few of the novelty captains; this is looking to be one of the strongest I've seen thus far....though a couple others are looking promising.

[Fiddy]

Re: What Are You Working On? - MLB The Show 23 Edition

Welp, back to an event 30 win grind to get Senga LOL. I got 20 last time around for J Ram, sold him for 240k so I'll just get him back now in the rewind pack.

As sad as it is, this game is by far (even with its issues) the best ultimate team mode game. Gameplay, content, etc. Just give us a few more ways to play in Diamond Dynasty online and offline..

I've continued my endeavors with the short kings/tall kings theme team and have added a few more pieces. I'll be using this team for Extreme Mini Seasons and I think it'll be a lot of fun.

Love the creativity with these teams. Awesome stuff!

[CWood2]

Re: What Are You Working On? - MLB The Show 23 Edition

Just grinded for BR Adley and have Big Hurt and Big Rube for sale. Sitting at 1.8M stubs and already have every card I want, minus the milestone Acuna that I refuse to pay for since he's guaranteed.

Last year, I used the stub surplus to get that sick playoff Turner card for a mil. This year ... ?

I'm 2 cards away from finishing the Championship Series program, and just starting World Series. While I appreciate seeing new cards for fan favorites like Ketel, it's odd grinding for the same player knowing that next Set, you'll have 3 of the same guy to choose from. And none of these new cards (J-Ram, Adley, Ketel, Elly) are better than prior versions. I'm already maxed on my God Squad too, so I don't really need him, but here we are.

Agree with what others have said about being a little light on legends. It feels like a bit of a miss that we don't have an end game Willie Mays, for example. Or Griffey Jr, who had some lack luster cards before the Extreme card which has been great for me. And then you've got randomly great versions of Sheffield or Helton that are worth consideration.

Next year, bring back Ted Williams with an even sweeter swing, add DiMaggio, Manny, Nomar, Koufax, and since steroids clearly aren't a problem, throw in Rocket, Bonds, and A-Rod!

[ValhallaVikings]

Re: What Are You Working On? - MLB The Show 23 Edition

Just grinded for BR Adley and have Big Hurt and Big Rube for sale. Sitting at 1.8M stubs and already have every card I want, minus the milestone Acuna that I refuse to pay for since he's guaranteed.

Last year, I used the stub surplus to get that sick playoff Turner card for a mil. This year ... ?

I'm 2 cards away from finishing the Championship Series program, and just starting World Series. While I appreciate seeing new cards for fan favorites like Ketel, it's odd grinding for the same player knowing that next Set, you'll have 3 of the same guy to choose from. And none of these new cards (J-Ram, Adley, Ketel, Elly) are better than prior versions. I'm already maxed on my God Squad too, so I don't really need him, but here we are.

Agree with what others have said about being a little light on legends. It feels like a bit of a miss that we don't have an end game Willie Mays, for example. Or Griffey Jr, who had some lack luster cards before the Extreme card which has been great for me. And then you've got randomly great versions of Sheffield or Helton that are worth consideration.

Next year, bring back Ted Williams with an even sweeter swing, add DiMaggio, Manny, Nomar, Koufax, and since steroids clearly aren't a problem, throw in Rocket, Bonds, and A-Rod!

Ill prob start BR tomorrow and iwll take adley but may pay up for 500k for skubal just because I'm at 1.8M also....been doing exchanges for TA which is a ripoff but I figured I have no other use for stubs

only thing I noticed on my god squad is it's super right handed heavy. I'm trying to run the 99 durability squad so that is part of the reason.

I'm also not super motivated to get seager or marte since we already have a 99 durability boosted core seager and like u said a better marte is back in a month more or less. Same with corbin carroll, i'm not gonna kill myself playing the event to get 20 or 30 wins or whatever in the next even to get carroll even tho he may have been my best card this year.....will just wait till next set

IDK, if it's just cause its my 3rd or 4th year but it is harder for them to get me to play these days and I do like the game but I just don't feel that rush to get **** done anymore

[ValhallaVikings]

Re: What Are You Working On? - MLB The Show 23 Edition

Played 2 ranked games and now 36-0

Im 0 for 17 I think with the monthly jrod so will get rid of him as soon as I get acuna

Also struggling with Betts and tatis who were like my two best cards in 2021 but not so good with them last year and this year

Soto and sheff are beasts... Carlos Santana and Foxx had good games

Think I may replace Betts with postseason semien with the event resets and I can get a rewind pack.

Played Soto in lf for two games and his lack of speed didn't hurt since he gets good reactions

Trout just doing mediocre with. Lots of warning trakc balls unfortunately

[JoshC1977]

Re: What Are You Working On? - MLB The Show 23 Edition

I did enough grinding on Friday/Saturday to get Acuna so I could sell it (with the buy now price constantly going down at that point, I happily took the highest offer of 435k). Also made enough progress in TA to unlock JR Richard for my theme team; long ways away from Retro Finest Raines though (for now). Not wanting to grind more yesterday, I just started my extreme mini season run with the team and played the first 3 or 4 games. I had forgotten about the mammoth foul territory in the MS stadiums and realized that the speed/defense combo in our OF is dang near ideal for them. The "tall kings" pitching staff is also insanely good (with max or near max H/9 and K/9 across the board).

When not in MS or my franchise, I think I am going to begin revisiting old content I skipped (especially in Seasons 1 and 2) to find some of the more unusual "1-card guys". First order of business will be the Charisma program and Josh Harrison. Harrison is an unusual "short king"-eligible utility guy with 1B secondary eligibility - making him a valuable piece to add given the absolute dearth of 1B-eligible players for that theme team (which makes sense - 1B are usually tall). I may also go back and try to finish the slog of the WBC program to get Kondoh (who is an odd-duck player in terms of his secondary positions, which includes C - yes, thinking Catcher theme team).

I have investigated a few other theme team possibilities and am REALLY hoping SDS drops a few more "interesting" captain cards. Honestly, I am having more fun "data mining" and finding/obtaining some of the more unusual cards than anything else in the mode right now and more captains would add to that.

[papadell]

Re: What Are You Working On? - MLB The Show 23 Edition

I did enough grinding on Friday/Saturday to get Acuna so I could sell it (with the buy now price constantly going down at that point, I happily took the highest offer of 435k). Also made enough progress in TA to unlock JR Richard for my theme team; long ways away from Retro Finest Raines though (for now). Not wanting to grind more yesterday, I just started my extreme mini season run with the team and played the first 3 or 4 games. I had forgotten about the mammoth foul territory in the MS stadiums and realized that the speed/defense combo in our OF is dang near ideal for them. The "tall kings" pitching staff is also insanely good (with max or near max H/9 and K/9 across the board).

When not in MS or my franchise, I think I am going to begin revisiting old content I skipped (especially in Seasons 1 and 2) to find some of the more unusual "1-card guys". First order of business will be the Charisma program and Josh Harrison. Harrison is an unusual "short king"-eligible utility guy with 1B secondary eligibility - making him a valuable piece to add given the absolute dearth of 1B-eligible players for that theme team (which makes sense - 1B are usually tall). I may also go back and try to finish the slog of the WBC program to get Kondoh (who is an odd-duck player in terms of his secondary positions, which includes C - yes, thinking Catcher theme team).

I have investigated a few other theme team possibilities and am REALLY hoping SDS drops a few more "interesting" captain cards. Honestly, I am having more fun "data mining" and finding/obtaining some of the more unusual cards than anything else in the mode right now and more captains would add to that.

That Kondoh card was absolutely bonkers fun to use earlier in the year.

I finished up the last two TA 4 maps I had left while using all the TA 5 cards grinding. I think I'm just going to play the two games of the World Series program with TA 5 players because I absolutely could not care less about the WS program at this point. I'm not saying I'll never do it, for all I know I'll get bored and complete it in the next week. But I went back to my old job which means way less time to play so I'm really choosing what I want to play carefully. Part of me was entertaining BR for the rewind packs but meh. I'm so far away from Seager that Albies doesn't even feel attainable.

I sold off a bunch of random stuff and have started selling commons for as much as possible and keeping all other cards. I'm at nearly 1.4 million without flipping or doing anything crazy. I was selling every single card I pulled during the build up to TA 5 so I was making insane Stubs on silvers and bronzes and just built up. I'll probably never even spend all of that and there's really nothing out there I feel like buying right now. Even when everything unlocks next month, there were so many top-tier cards this year that I can just dust off and mess about with.

I think I'm roughly 60% in each TA 5 division right now. Still have a handful of stat/pxp missions to finish that I might just uber grind with CPU slugfests for speed.

[JoshC1977]

Re: What Are You Working On? - MLB The Show 23 Edition

That Kondoh card was absolutely bonkers fun to use earlier in the year.

Ooh, that's fun to hear (and a bit motivating). With the WBC stuff program stuff going away, I at least want to get his card before it does.


Oh...and that WS map is 100% worth the slog of simming games after knocking out the two strongholds....loads of packs and stuff in there.