MLB The Show 25: Diamond Dynasty Breakdown
San Diego Studio (SDS) has just dropped its latest trailer for MLB The Show 25, focusing entirely on Diamond Dynasty. This reveal showcased several new features, key changes, and even some brand-new game modes that will define the player experience in MLB The Show 25. In this article, we'll break down everything SDS has revealed, including the removal of Sets and Seasons, the introduction of Diamond Quest, the new Weekend Classic ranked mode, updates to Team Affinity, and changes to multiplayer programs.
Sets and Seasons Are Gone
SDS has confirmed what many fans have anticipated for months: Sets and Seasons will not return in MLB The Show 25. This change was originally announced back in April 2024, but the trailer reinforced that the game will now feature a year-long progression system.
Instead of resetting teams every few months with new sets of cards, players will start with mid-tier cards rated between 85-88 OVR and gradually build up to an all-99 overall squad over the year. This is a return to the traditional Diamond Dynasty system that many players preferred, as it allows for long-term team-building investment without constantly replacing top-tier cards every season.
This decision makes the game more accessible and enjoyable for casual players who prefer a steady, year-long grind. It also ensures that players’ hard-earned cards remain relevant for the entire game cycle.
Diamond Quest: A New Roguelike Mode
One of the biggest new additions to MLB The Show 25 is Diamond Quest, a single-player, roguelike-inspired mode. For those unfamiliar with roguelikes, these games typically feature procedurally generated levels, a high level of challenge, and permanent failure mechanics.
How Diamond Quest Works
-Players will navigate a randomly generated game board, encountering a mix of challenges, moments, boss battles, and three-inning games.
-The board resets each time a new run is started, meaning no two Diamond Quest experiences will be the same.
-Perks and rewards can be earned throughout the run. Players collect Peanuts (a new currency) by making spectacular plays and can use them to buy perks from Coach's cart.
-Penalties may also be encountered, requiring players to adapt their strategies.
-Difficulty settings impact rewards. Playing on a higher difficulty increases the chances of earning exclusive top-tier rewards, like Silver Juan Soto and Gold Aaron Judge.
If a player loses to a boss or fails a challenge, they must restart their run, similar to how Showdown works. This risk-reward balance adds a fresh layer of strategy to Diamond Dynasty’s offline play.
The success of Diamond Quest will largely depend on its rewards. If the best cards remain locked behind difficult challenges, it could become a must-play mode. If rewards are lackluster, they may not hold players’ attention. Either way, it’s a promising new feature that should provide variety and replayability.
Weekend Classic: A New Competitive Ranked Mode
Another major addition is Weekend Classic, a highly competitive, time-limited mode within Ranked Seasons. This mode caters to the competitive community, which has long requested a Weekend League-style event similar to other sports games like FIFA Ultimate Team.
How Weekend Classic Works
-Runs during the last four days of every Ranked Season.
-Players are placed into divisions based on their Ranked Seasons rating.
-Players compete in a six-game series, earning rewards for each win.
-Going 6-0 guarantees top-tier Diamond Dynasty rewards.
-Additional rewards are granted based on leaderboard placement.
The higher a player's ranked rating, the better their rewards. For those who reach World Series (900+ rating), Weekend Classic provides a reason to keep playing beyond simply reaching the top tier. Instead of stopping once they hit the World Series, competitive players will now strive for the best Weekend Classic rewards.
SDS has yet to confirm whether the rewards shown in the trailer are final, but they include a mix of MLB The Show 25 stubs, packs, and player items. Whether top-tier exclusive players will be included remains to be seen.
Overall, this mode is a great addition for players looking for more intense, structured competition in MLB The Show 25.
Team Affinity Returns to Individual Teams
SDS has also revamped Team Affinity, bringing back individual team progression instead of division-based programs. The previous system, which grouped teams into divisions, is now in favor of a team-specific approach.
What’s Changing in Team Affinity?
-Each team will have its affinity program, allowing players to progress with their favorite clubs.
-Year-long progression instead of time-limited drops.
-Live content updates will provide additional progress throughout the year.
This shift should make Team Affinity more engaging for fans of specific teams, rather than forcing them to complete challenges for entire divisions. The mention of live content updates contributing to Team Affinity's progress suggests that events and promotions will tie into these programs, adding more ways to earn rewards.
Multiplayer Programs Merged Into One
Another major change coming to Diamond Dynasty is the consolidation of Ranked, Battle Royale, and Events into a single Multiplayer Program.
What Does This Mean?
-Instead of separate Ranked, BR, and Event programs, all progress will contribute to a unified Multiplayer Program.
-Players can play their preferred mode without being forced into specific ones to earn rewards.
-The program will offer some of the best Diamond Dynasty rewards, but the exact structure remains unclear.
A key question is whether mode-specific rewards (like Battle Royale Flawless rewards) will still require playing that specific mode. Will a player be able to unlock BR rewards without playing BR, or will the Multiplayer Program only feature generic rewards while BR, Ranked, and Events maintain their own top-tier player unlocks? SDS has not fully explained this yet, but it's an important detail that will impact how the community engages with the different modes.
Final Thoughts
SDS has made significant changes to Diamond Dynasty in MLB The Show 25, and so far, they appear to be positive improvements. Here are the key takeaways:
-The removal of Sets and Seasons brings back a traditional year-long progression.
-Diamond Quest offers a new offline roguelike-inspired experience with randomly generated challenges and high-risk, high-reward gameplay.
-Weekend Classic adds a highly competitive ranked mode, rewarding players for continued engagement in Ranked Seasons.
-Team Affinity now focuses on individual teams instead of divisions, making progression more tailored to fan preferences.
-Multiplayer Programs consolidate Ranked, BR, and Events into a single program, making it easier to earn rewards regardless of mode preference.
These changes should provide more variety, more rewards, and more long-term engagement for players. MLB The Show 25 is shaping up to be a major step forward for Diamond Dynasty, and with SDS set to reveal even more details in future live streams, there’s still plenty to be excited about.
MMOexp MLB 25 Team