X factors in NHL 25 give you a way to set up your team in a creative manner to boost your play style. Think of it like chess, where you want each piece to have attributes that add a specific element to your strategy. X factors in NHL 25 allow us to edit our roster with game-changing skills across a range of different areas, from preserving or prolonging energy to heightened passing or shooting.
If you are familiar with X factors from other NHL games, you may want to take note of this list. NHL 25 has adjusted the strength and effectiveness of many of the X factors we came to love. So, naturally, new metas are coming to the surface, and old ones become less impactful.
What Are X Factors In NHL 25?
X factors are specific attributes you can attach to players to boost their performance in different areas. If you are familiar with any EA Sports game, you will know how X factors work as they have become a defining element of all EA Sports games. In NHL 25, X factors make building and editing your squad a lot of fun, as you can tailor each player to your preference.
Best X Factors In NHL 25
1. One Tee
One of the best ways to score in the latest NHL game is from one-timer shots. One-timer shots are when a player passes the puck, and your offensive player takes a shot on first contact. Thanks to the One Tee X factor, this shot technique has become the meta.
The One Tee X factor boosts both power and accuracy on all one-timers. One-timers’ two most crucial aspects come from power and accuracy, so getting a major boost to these defining factors makes it a no-brainer.
With a strong amount of scoring opportunities coming from one-timers, you are disadvantaged if you do not have at least one player with the One Tee X factor. But lucky for you, you can apply this X factor to almost any player, even defenders.
The best way to play this X factor comes from moving the puck and defenders from the net and finding a player poised and ready to seize the opportunity to shoot. This is why having a defender with this X factor can be handy, as you can use the offense to block the other team’s defense.
The One Tee X factor is a must-have for any NHL team setup as the scoring opportunities are so high. It is known as this year’s meta, and some people are even calling for it to be nerfed due to its insanely high accuracy.
2. Close Quarters
Close Quarters is not as versatile as One Tee, as you can only use it below the hash marks in front of the net, hence its name. But this is still a super strong X factor, and again, people are calling for it to be nerfed. This is because wrist and snapshots have a much greater chance of slipping into the net in situations where they shouldn’t.
Close Quarters boosts accuracy when taking wrist and snapshots near the net. This makes this X factor ideal for offensive players who like to get up close and personal with the net. So, it’s best for players with high speed and good agility.
This X factor is also great for rebounds. If you like to take consecutive shots to build up pressure against the opposing team, having an offensive player with Close Quarters can greatly improve the chance of a shot going in if your player recovers the puck close to the net, even if the puck is bobbling.
The Close Quarters X factor makes such a difference to the game that you put yourself at a disadvantage if you do not have at least one player with this attribute. Although many players get frustrated with how broken it is, it doesn’t seem like it will be taken out of the game any time soon.
3. Truculence
Truculence is the best defensive X factor you can use in NHL 25. Truculence gives you advanced stability and assistance with checking. Additionally, you also get an increased chance to knock your opponents over. If you like to play with a physical and aggressive style, this is your X factor.
Players familiar with EA NHL games will notice that NHL 25 has a massive decrease in physical play styles. This makes it much harder to perform successful body checks, which makes these types of challenges not worth it. Should a body check not pan out, you risk losing your player’s momentum and defensive position, and the offensive player can effortlessly slip through.
Using Truculence as an X factor boosts your physical abilities and makes body checks and other tackles worth pursing. In addition, hits from a player with Truculence spas your opponent’s energy. This is a great way to slow down the pace of an opposing team if they’re on a hot streak.
Some players may say that using Truculence in NHL 25 isn’t worth it as the physical tackles are so low compared to previous iterations of the game. But this type of play can be super successful for players with good defensive controls, making it one of the best X factors for experienced players.
4. Unstoppable Force
Unstoppable Force is the X factor you need in NHL 25 if you want more control and strength when handling the puck. It also gives you a much higher chance of holding onto the puck when off-balance. These two factors are excellent for players who need more control or who have good control and want to be untouchable.
Unstoppable Force can be seen as the polar opposite to Truculence. Instead of giving you a boost when taking hits, Unstoppable Force gives you a boost against taking hits. One of the best elements of Unstoppable Force is that the opponent’s team can become frustrated with the amount of control your player has on the puck. This can force them to make desperate checks, freeing up some ice for you.
Unstoppable Force is another versatile X factor you can apply to the entire team. So, if you really want to annoy your opponents, you could set up a full team where every player uses Unstoppable Force. Regardless, using Unstoppable Force for just one player will be useful in setting plays in motion.
5. Puck on a String
Puck on a String is another X factor you want to consider if puck control is an important feature for you. If you use toe-drags to control and move around the puck, then this ability gives you an insane amount of control that can completely change how you set up your play.
Puck on a String on paper gives you exceptional toe-drag and stick-handling speed. This attribute massively increases any player’s speed of moving the puck around to confuse goaltenders or avoid being poked-checked by defenders. Puck on a String is effective for any player position in NHL 25. It is more effective for offensive players, but defensive players will also benefit from heightened control, especially when recovering the puck from a counterattack. It all relies on your particular play style.
Once you have this X factor assigned to your player, you will notice a huge difference in the speed of control. I especially love Puck on a String for a toe-drag release shot. It not only looks great but is also a tried-and-tested method of scoring consistently.
6. No Contest
No Contest is the best X factor if you want more consistent results when winning the puck in contesting situations. It increases your stick tension and strength when going into pickups. So, your player will have a noticeable difference when trying to recover loose pucks.
Possession is key in NHL 25, and the higher your chances of recovering the puck, the more impact you can make in the game. Also, this X factor is brilliant for players who like poke checks to depose their opponents.
It may be harder to notice No Contest’s effectiveness based on immediate results than X factors such as Truculence, but it is still an X factor worth considering. You may struggle to determine whether your player would have naturally picked up that puck or if it was due to the benefit of this ability.
In opposition to the last point, some NHL 25 players think that No Contest has the biggest game-changing effects of all the X factors. No Contest is another versatile ability that you can use across the entire team. But NHL players say that using it for defenders is a must. Losing the puck or recovering rebounds on your end is crucial, so a player with gold No Contest in these areas heavily reduces a goal-scoring opportunity for the other team.
7. Stick Em Up
Following on from No Contest, Stick Em Up is the X factor you want if you want to boost your player’s poke checks. Stick Em Up gives you elite defensive stick speed with poke checks and greatly reduces the penalty chance. Therefore, you will have a much higher success rate for breaking your opponent’s attack.
Poke checking in NHL 25 is fairly inconsistent. It can sometimes feel like the outcome of your poke is random. Stick Em Up does a great job at ensuring the poke check doesn’t feel random through its increased accuracy. But don’t be mistaken — timing and positioning still play a big part in a successful poke check.
Stick Em Up is another X factor you can assign to any player on the ice. It is much more beneficial with defenders, as X factor slots for offensive players are better used for some of the suggestions above. The other benefit of Stick Em Up is that it is an X factor with no special conditions — such as being in a rush — to activate the X factor.
8. Tape to Tape
If you want better passing accuracy, Tape to Tape is the X factor for you. It will directly impact your passing play, allowing you to make some tight and accurate passes without your user accuracy having to be perfect. Many players with good passing accuracy will not want to use this and won’t see much difference. But, if you are constantly passing into open ice, consider using this X factor.
On paper, Tape to Tape gives you added power and accuracy on all passes within your player’s vision. Also, it will turn some passes into auto-saucers when necessary. Therefore, you should use this if quick and accurate passes are key to your gameplay.
NHL 25 players debate the effectiveness of this X factor. Some say they don’t notice it at all, whereas others claim it lets you throw the puck across the ice to your other player, no matter how many opponents are in between. People have complained that this X factor is the reason why your defense must include a defenseman with a 90+ defensive awareness rating.
Additionally, some NHL players say that performing a Tape to Tape pass to someone with One Tee increases the shot velocity to another level. From these points, we can see that Tape to Tape can be useful for defenders who want to start a counter as well as other players setting up scoring opportunities.
9. Shutdown
Shutdown is an X factor that is only useful for defensive players. It gives a huge buff to defensive abilities when taking on puck carriers in a 1-on-1 situation. Any kind of method that you want to try to get the puck off your opponent will be enhanced. Therefore, you will pat yourself on the back when you have one defenseman left against Conor McDavid. It may not stop every attack, but it puts the odds in your favor much more than not having it.
NHL 25 players say you should either run Stick Em Up or Shutdown, but not both. It can be hard to make the call between the two options, but you must consider the conditions under which they are used. Stick Em Up is activated the whole time but only helps with poke checks, whereas Shutdown is only active in a 1-on-1 but buffs all challenges.
Overall, Shutdown is a brilliant X factor for specific players. I recommend using it for your most defensive player on the squad, therefore making them an unstoppable force as your last line of defense. This won’t make them unbeatable but will give you better odds in a tough situation.
10. Make It Snappy
Make It Snappy boosts power and accuracy when taking snapshots while skating. Many players won’t use snapshots that much, but if you do, this is an offensive X factor you have to run. Make It Snappy is best for players who like to create confusion up close and personal with the goalies.
Players who prefer a speedy play style will also like this X factor. If you like to set up shots by quick passes, Make It Snappy can boost the time you get the shot off (by it being a snapshot) and greatly improve that power and accuracy. It is also great for players who recover the puck quickly from rebounds.
Snapshots can feel a bit pointless in NHL 25, and they are traditionally less effective than regular wrist shots. But as they are quick and easy, if you use them to their strengths, you will see why a lot of players use this X factor.
11. Heatseeker
Heatseeker is the best X factor in NHL 25 if you want to score from a distance. Taking wrist shots from a distance gives you more power and accuracy. Heatseeker is best for strong offensive players who already have good shots. The downside to Heatseeker is that it is only active between the top of the circle and the blue line.
Heatseeker goes hand in hand with our number 1 X factor: One Tee. Both these abilities will noticeably increase the number of points you score. And both these X factors make for incredible looking and feeling shots. Also, it’s worth taking these shots from a distance, as AI goalies tend not to catch them but bounce off for a rebound. So, you still have a chance to capitalize by getting a goal or adding to the pressure.
Unfortunately, Heatseeker isn’t as effective as it was last year. In NHL 24, people were saying this ability was broken. Even though it has been slightly nerfed in NHL 25, it is still an effective X factor.
Published: Mar 4, 2025 11:41 am