The time has finally come for MLB The Show fans, as today marks the start of Early Access to MLB The Show 26. After a gruelling wait for the Early Access period, it’s time for players to dive into the game and see what’s what. And that’s where I come in.
Diamond Dynasty is one of the most beloved game modes amongst the community, but it can be difficult to understand when starting. Not only that, but you want the best start possible because those decisions add up eventually. To smooth your starting journey, I’ll be explaining the top things you should do as soon as you dive into the game mode. This obviously isn’t a must-do, but for those looking around in confusion, make sure to stick around.
First Things You Should Do In Diamond Dynasty
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Opening Deluxe Edition Bonus Packs
If you bought the Deluxe Edition of MLB The Show 26, you will get 20 The Show Packs, 1 Legends Choice Pack, and 2 World Baseball Classic Choice Packs. Open up all these packs to pull some insane cards and already start loading up your team.
You can’t really go wrong in the Legends Choice Pack as all three choices are extraordinary players in their own regard. It’s a similar situation for the World Baseball Classic Choice packs, but I’d suggest going for Shohei Ohtani, simply because of his unmatched popularity and skill. Also, make sure to open up all your The Show packs; you might just get lucky and pull a 99 OVR from there.
Use Or Sell?
One of the biggest questions put forth by players is whether to use or sell cards, especially ones around 90 OVR. Now, this is a pretty loaded question just because it varies from player to player. If you’re looking purely for efficiency, your best bet is selling them early. This is for two reasons:
- Cards have higher prices this early in the game; the market will stabilize after global release.
- You can manipulate those stubs and use them to generate a better revenue stream rather than having them locked in a card.
Both of these are great reasons to just go ahead and sell those big boys. But it really comes down to the players themselves. If you want to play with those cards and build up your team, that’s a perfectly valid decision. It can help you dominate games early while others struggle to fill slots. However, if you’re looking at it strictly as what will help with long-term growth in MLB The Show 26, selling is the way to go.
Complete Objectives For XP Reward Path
Focusing on your reward path is an essential part of getting a good start, even if you only have the free pathway. The reward path system gives you great rewards just for playing the game. After every match, you will receive XP that will progress your reward path and give you increasingly better rewards along the way. You can even score some amazing cards once you reach the higher tiers.
Programs And Starter Collections
I’ve talked a lot about different packs when it comes to MLB The Show 26’s Diamond Dynasty, but what about when it comes to actually playing the game? Well, I’d suggest going for programs and starter collections first. There’s no need to go for the higher-level programs since they will be more time-consuming. Try to finish the basic programs first before moving ahead.
The same goes for collections. There are numerous collections in this game, but the starter ones usually require bronze and silver players, which can be easily bought on the auction. Try to finish some of the easier collections to get free rewards like gold players.
Conquest Vs Mini Seasons Vs Diamond Quest
When it comes to starting a game mode, it honestly depends on which one you like the most. You could go for mini seasons first or Conquest, whichever you prefer. However, with Conquest getting a new map with an insane 88 OVR diamond player as a reward, I’d suggest trying it out. Also, Conquest doesn’t take as long once you understand it, so the shorter maps can be completed fairly quickly.
Remember that almost every game mode and online match provides you with reward path XP and extra players. If you don’t enjoy Conquest as much or see a card you really want in another game mode, go for it first.
Finally, remember to have fun. You don’t have to dive into the game and start grinding asap. Instead, take it all in, have fun playing around with all the new features, and enjoy your time.
Published: Mar 13, 2026 05:00 pm