One of the biggest changes to Diamond Dynasty in MLB The Show 23 was the addition of the Sets and Seasons mechanic. This new mechanic promised to keep the game fresh and exciting by adding superbly powerful content throughout the year, not just at the end of the game’s life cycle. This week, we will see this new mechanic be put in the spotlight at Season 3 begins this Friday. Here is everything you need to know about what will change when the new season starts.
Lineup Restrictions
Each season in MLB The Show 23 features lineup restrictions. Many of the cards released in a given season belong to that season’s set. For example, many of the cards released during Season 1 belong to Set 1. There are other cards that were released during Season 1 that belong to the Core Set. The Core Set includes Live Series cards, The Negro Leagues Storyline Rewards, Live Series Collections Rewards, and select other rewards from each season.
Certain modes include lineup restrictions based on the current season. Each season allows cards from the current set, the previous set, and the Core Set to be used. So far, this has included all the cards in the game. However, once Season 3 begins, cards from Set 1 will not be allowed in these modes.
What Modes Are Affected?
Not every mode will be affected by this change. The main mode that will feature these restrictions is Solo Ranked Seasons. However, Co-Op Ranked Seasons will not have these restrictions at all. Other modes will feature these restrictions at some points, but not all the time. These modes include Events, Conquest, and Mini Seasons. Events and Mini Seasons already use lineup restrictions, so this is nothing new. However, Conquests having lineup restrictions is an interesting change.
How to Still Use Set 1 Cards
Now, you probably spent a lot of time grinding for those Set 1 cards, and want to still be able to play with your favorite ones. So how can you do this? Well the obvious way is to play modes that do not have the lineup restrictions. As mentioned earlier, Co-Op Ranked Seasons, as well as some Events, Mini Seasons, and Conquests will allow Set 1 cards to be used.
The other way to still use Set 1 cards in Season 3 is the Wild Card Slot. The Wild Card Slot is a special slot in the line up screen that allows you to use one Set 1 card in lineup restricted modes. You can change your Wild Card at any time.
Also, once Season 6 begins, all Sets will become eligible in Solo Ranked once again. While this will be several months from now, you may want to remember this if you think about selling some Set 1 cards.
How Programs Are Affected
New programs that are released during Season 3 will also require the use of Season 3 eligible lineups to progress. For example, only Season 3 eligible cards will progress Team Affinity 3. The same thing is true for Other Programs. Also, only Other Programs using Season 3 eligible cards will give progress towards the Season 3 XP Reward Path.
There are still some questions about how the lineup restrictions will work and how they will end up being received by the community. Hopefully, these will be answered this week when Season 3 begins in MLB The Show 23 on Friday July 7th.