MLB The Show 25 Diamond Dynasty Guide: Tips on how to improve & dominate

Diamond Dynasty in MLB The Show 25 got a shakeup. Sony added a new single-player game, lowered the threshold for World Series, and added new Legends — like Manny Ramirez and Hank Greenberg — into the game. Here’s our in-depth guide to MLB The Show 25 Diamond Dynasty, from how to change the look of the team to foundational info on programs, and collections.

Contents

What is Diamond Dynasty?

Diamond Dynasty is MLB The Show 25’s card-collecting game mode. It’s where individuals can build a custom team of past and current players.

This game mode is very similar to Ultimate Team (EA) and MyTeam (NBA 2K).

How to edit logos & jerseys

Select ‘Customize’ at the Main Menu. To edit the team logo, go to ‘Logo Editor’ and either make one or download one from the ‘Logo Vault.’

To change the uniforms, select ‘Edit Uniforms.’ Be mindful that changing the hat logo in this section will influence what logo shows up on the bottom graphic during games.

To change the team name, select ‘Team Name and Details.’

How to buy & sell players

There are a couple of ways to buy & sell players.

One is to go to ‘My Inventory’ in the ‘Collect’ section. Then, select ‘ My MLB Players.’ Here, one can find the entire inventory of owned players. This is a great way to sell players since the amount of duplicates can be seen here.

Second, go to ‘Shop,’ then ‘Marketplace.’ Select ‘MLB Players,’ and use the filters to find a specific player to sell.

The same options apply to buying players. Also, it’s important to note that players can be bought or sold in the MLB The Show mobile app or online via a The Show account.

However, you’ll need Stubs to buy anything on the Marketplace.

What are Stubs?

Stubs are MLB The Show 25’s form of currency. It can be used to buy player cards, jerseys, player celebrations, home run calls, plus Equipment for Road to the Show and Sponsorships for Franchise.

How to make Stubs quickly

Let’s be honest: the best way to make Stubs quickly is to be good at the game. Making World Series will yield at least 30,000 for the card reward, while the Battle Royale Flawless Reward will go much higher. Do that every season, coupled with the regular grind, and it won’t be difficult to make Stubs.

But for the more casual players, there are other ways to speed up the process. Granted, you won’t be a Diamond Dynasty millionaire right away. But, the Stubs one gets from various sources will help with building the team.

Options include:

Diamond Quest: I’ll get into Diamond Quest a little later on. However, what to know is this: the card rewards are sellable. Meaning, a good hour or two can earn 15,000-20,000 Stubs
Flipping Equipment: This isn’t as lucrative, as it takes time and one has to take into account the 10% taken by Sony. But, it’s an option.
Grinding other modes: You can unlock many MLB The Show 25 packs just from playing Online, Mini Seasons, etc.

Conquest

Conquest is a single-player game mode where individuals have to play CPU-controlled teams in three-inning games.

The goal for each Conquest map is to complete all Goals. Generally speaking, this will involve taking over all Strongholds — spaces with a team logo — and Territories — noted by a number — on the map.

Players can assign Fans to each controlled Territory and Stronghold. Doing so will allow one to A) move over to an empty space, based upon the number, or B) fight for control of a Territory or Stronghold.

The difficulty of each game is decided by the amount of fans in the opposing team’s Stronghold/Territory, and the amount of fans in your challenging Territory.

You can simulate taking over Territories. However, this can’t be done for Strongholds.

Diamond Quest

Diamond Quest is a new game mode for MLB The Show 25. It’s a board-based game mode where individuals have to progress through Showdowns and/or Moments — which are either based on past real-life MLB moments or fictitious events — to get to the Stadium Showdowns.

Check out our detailed explainer of Diamond Quest.

Mini Seasons

Mini Seasons is a single-player game mode in Diamond Dynasty.

Each Mini Season is 28 games and individuals can play on any difficulty unless otherwise specified. However, it might be more beneficial to play on higher difficulties, as there are missions in Mini Seasons that reward for completing certain objectives on All-Star, Hall of Fame, etc.

After the 28-game regular season, there’s a brief playoff bracket. Win the whole thing, and one can receive free MLB The Show 25 packs. Plus, additional rewards if it’s a special Mini Season.

Showdown

Showdown is a single-player game mode that requires players to take down a final Boss at the end.

At the start, you’ll draft a team and have to make up a run deficit. This can be done by taking down mini-Bosses. Which, can also unlock new Perks and higher-rated cards. Or, one can just go straight for the final Boss.

In some Assorted Programs, completing a themed Showdown is required.

If you lose to a mini Boss or final Boss, the Showdown ends in failure.

Events

Events are three-inning games that involve built teams of owned Diamond Dynasty cards that fit a specific theme.

Themes are cycled around on a regular basis in Events.

Battle Royale

Battle Royale is a three-inning online game mode. The goal of the mode is simple: go 10-0 to get a Flawless Choice Pack.

Individuals will have to draft a team of Diamond, Gold, Silver, Bronze, and one Common player. These teams are 26 players in size, just like the roster size in MLB.

Battle Royale players must pay a 1,500 Stub fee to play. You’re guaranteed a pack just by entering. One can earn a Silver (two wins), Gold (five wins), and two Diamonds (eight and 10 wins) on their way to 10-0.

And for those asking, there’s no pattern to decipher what rewards one will get, depending on what Silver and Gold have been unveiled during a run.

It’s worth noting that in Battle Royale and Events, players do not have to abide by the three-batter minimum, as these are three-inning games. That’s not the case in Ranked Seasons.

Ranked Seasons

Ranked Seasons has a traditional, nine-inning format and is arguably the go-to mode for Diamond Dynasty players. There are three types of Ranked Seasons: 1v1, 2v2 co-op, and 3v3 co-op.

Players in Ranked Seasons are largely matched up by their player rating. Here’s a look at the rating layout for 25:

Rank	Rating Range	Difficulty
Spring Training	0-199	Veteran
Regular Season	200-299	All-Star
All-Star	300-399	All-Star
Pennant Race	400-499	All-Star
Wild Card	500-599	All-Star
Division Series	600-699	All-Star
Championship Series	700-799	Hall of Fame
World Series	800+	Hall of Fame (800-899), Legend (900-999), G.O.A.T. (1000+)

Players will begin at 0 in Diamond Dynasty and will have to fight their way up the ranks to make it to World Series every season. Sony regularly “resets” the rankings after every season. However, these resets are staggered, depending on where one finished in the previous Ranked Season.

In 2v2 and 3v3 co-op., individuals pick players from a pool of their owned players. Then, those teams will get matched up against other pairs.

Ranked Season rating also matters when it comes to seeding for the Weekend Classic, for which we have a more extensive guide dealing with that specific format.

Multiplayer Program

New to MLB The Show 25 is the Multiplayer Program. Rather than having separate progress paths for Battle Royale, individuals can earn PXP — more on that can be found in our explainer — plus stats in Events, Battle Royale, and Ranked Seasons to get new Diamond cards in packs.

However, one thing to note is that playing Ranked Seasons is more beneficial to make progress in the Multiplayer Program.

The reason is because most of the Diamond cards in the Multiplayer Programs will have PXP Missions attached to them. Unless one gets lucky and drafts that card in Battle Royale, or that card fits the Events theme, the best way to get those Missions done is Ranked.

Inning & Assorted Programs

Inning Programs returned for MLB The Show 25. These programs replace what were the Season Programs in MLB The Show 23-24.

For these, each will feature a set number of Bosses & other rewards for a period of time. The Bosses in the Inning Programs are sellable. Progress in the Inning Programs can be made by accruing XP, obtainable through playing the game, and Other Programs.

Assorted Programs are like “Other Programs” in past MLB The Show games. There are different types — Themed, Player, Spotlight, and My Legacy.

Themed Programs, as the name suggests, follow a specific theme, like highlighted prospects (MLB Pipeline) or players in new places (New Threads).

Player Programs focus on one specific individual.

Spotlight Programs replace Season Drops from MLB The Show 24.

My Legacy Programs track one’s cumulative progress in hits, home runs, PXP, etc. One can receive rewards for hitting specific objectives.

Unlike Inning Programs, Assorted Programs do not expire unless specifically stated. Usually, these programs do not expire unless a certain licensing deal is involved. That happened in 2023 when the World Baseball Classic Program disappeared from MLB The Show 23 on December 31, 2023.

Team Affinity

Team Affinity looks very different compared to MLB The Show 21, 23-24.

Rather than six divisions, there are now 30 separate team paths. Each is called “[TEAM]: My Journey.” The goal for these is to get as many Missions as possible using mini Bosses found in the 30 paths and players found in other areas of the game to complete stat-based Missions for each specific team.

Additionally, completing a team’s Live Series Collection will also unlock the option to get 20,000 TA Points towards each team’s Team Affinity path.

There will be three Team Affinity Boss Player Drops in ’25. Those are as follows:

1st Drop (Launch Day): 85 OVR Jolt Series (Captain Card) – 55,000 TA
2nd Drop (July 11): 2025 All-Star player
3rd Drop (November 2024): 2025 Finest player

However, everything is subject to change.

Collections & Live Series Rewards

There are many different types of Collections in MLB The Show 25. Equipment, Stadium Sounds, and Uniforms are among them, as well as player collection. Each comes with their own rewards.

However, the ones players might pay attention to the most are the Legends & Flashbacks, Spotlight, and Live Series Collections.

Legends & Flashbacks require individuals to collect different cards from different series, like Topps Now, All-Star, 2nd Half Heroes, etc. Spotlight Series cards are like Monthly Awards and are necessary for the “Lightning,’ a high-rated card given for a strong monthly performance every month.

Then, there’s the Live Series Collection. This involves completing all 30 Live Series Collections. These are 40 players in size and include individuals from an organization’s 26 and 40-man roster. And, unlike Legends & Flashback cards, these cards can be upgraded throughout the year via roster updates.

Team Live Series rewards

Dodgers: 92 OVR Fernando Valenzuela
Yankees: 90 OVR Paul O’Neill
Royals: 90 OVR Whit Merrfield
Mets: 90 OVR Johan Santana
Guardians: 89 OVR Gaylord Perry
Angels: 88 OVR Mike Napoli
Diamondbacks: 88 OVR Steve Finley
Padres: 88 OVR Trevor Hoffman
Tigers: 87 OVR Gary Sheffield
Braves: 87 OVR David Justice
Phillies: 87 OVR Ryan Howard
Orioles: 86 OVR Brooks Robinson
Blue Jays: 86 OVR Al Leiter
Astros: 86 OVR Jeff Bagwell
Athletics: 86 OVR Liam Hendriks
Rangers: 86 OVR Michael Young
Cubs: 86 OVR Greg Maddux
Pirates: 86 OVR Bill Mazeroski
Reds: 85 OVR Reggie Sanders
Brewers: 85 OVR Paul Molitor
Mariners: 85 OVR Kyle Seager
Red Sox: 84 OVR Enrique Hernandez
Giants: 84 OVR Orlando Cepeda
Twins: 84 OVR Justin Morneau
Rockies: 83 OVR DJ LeMahieu
Rays: 81 OVR Joey Wendle
White Sox: 80 OVR Eloy Jimenez
Marlins: 80 OVR Robb Nen
Nationals: 80 OVR Gary Carter

Division Live Series rewards

AL East: 91 OVR Darren O’Day
AL Central: 92 OVR Jason Kipnis
AL West: 91 OVR Don Baylor
NL East: 92 OVR Jordan Zimmermann
NL Central: 90 OVR Ted Simmons
NL West: 93 OVR Chase Headley

Obtaining all three AL Division rewards yields a 99 OVR Roger Clemens. For the NL, it’s a 99 OVR Gil Hodges. Get both Clemens and Hodges, and the final Live Series reward — a 99 OVR Carlos Beltran — will be unlocked.

What are Flashbacks & Legends?

Flashbacks are any non-Live Series card that features an active player. It can include a Topps Now card, or be of any other Series. Legends cards feature retired MLB players featured in The Show.

Supercharged cards

Supercharged cards are boosts given to a card for a limited time. This is either for a strong daily or weekly performance in the real MLB.

These boosts typically rank among the best available cards when active.

Stadium Creator in Diamond Dynasty

Much like in past years, Diamond Dynasty players can make a field in Stadium Creator and use it in single-player and online.

However, it must be to online regulation. If the stadium has a thumbs-up logo, it is legal.

Tips

Here are some tips you should know for Diamond Dynasty:

Make sure to get single-player content done: It’s tedious but worth it.
Don’t spend on useless items: Be frugal with Stubs, especially for the Live Series Collections. Some of the cards in those are very good and worth the cost, particularly the 99 OVR Beltran.
Be consistent: New content is added regularly. You don’t have to be on the game all the time. But, staying up to date with the Programs will lead to a steady stream of packs and other rewards.
Don’t spend real money on packs or Stubs: You don’t have to. The game mode hands out plenty of Stubs in-game.
Make use of all resources: This includes Supercharged items, free player packs, etc.

Check out more of our gaming coverage, including our continuously updated list of the best cards in MLB The Show 25 Diamond Dynasty.