2K has already revealed a vast number of new gameplay changes in store this year, but one of the biggest changes comes in the NBA 2K23 badges. Here is a brief overview of the NBA 2K23 badges and get you ready for this year's game.
NBA 2K23 Badges Tier System
The NBA 2K23 Badges will work on a tiered badge system this year. To break it down in laymen's terms, there are 16 badges per attribute category:
• Eight in Tier 1.
• Four in Tier 2.
• Four in Tier 3.
Tier 1 badges are the least powerful and cost the least badge points, and costs increase for each tier.
"Core" badges have also been added to NBA 2K23, which are four unique badge slots (one in each attribute category) that can be filled with badges that don't count toward your badge points. Each badge will have a challenge requirement that, once met, will allow the badge to be placed into a core badge slot.
New & Updated NBA 2K23 Badges
Several significant badge changes have been made in NBA 2K23. The changes are as follows:
Finishing Badges
Badge | Description |
Slithery | Makes it easier to gather through traffic, avoiding collisions and strips. |
Masher | Increases ability to finish inside layups over defenders. |
Aerial Wizard | Ability to complete alley-oops and putbacks. |
Bully | Like Giannis and LeBron, able to finish strong by bulldozing through traffic. |
Shooting Badges
Badge | Description |
Agent 3 | Ability to hit difficult 3PT shots off the dribble. |
Middy Magician | Improved ability to knock down mid-range jumpers off the bounce or out of the post like MJ. |
Amped | Reduces the shooting attribute penalties when fatigued and when moving excessively before shooting. |
Claymore | Increases a spot-up shooter's ability to knock down catch and shoot jumpers the longer they remain stationary before shooting. |
Comeback Kid | Improved ability to shoot perimeter jumpers when trailing in a game. |
Hand Down Man Down | Makes an outside shooter even deadlier if the opponent fails to get a hand in the face. |
Space Creator | Formerly a Playmaking badge, it now boosts the ability to hit stepback jumpers and hop shots and also will cause defenders to stumble more often. |
Limitless Range | An old favorite return, making shooters more effective with any shot attempt from a deep 3PT range. |
Playmaking Badges
Badge | Description |
Killer Combos | Improves a dribbler's effectiveness with size-up dribble moves (basically a combination of last year's Quick Chain and Tight Handles badges). |
Clamp Breaker | Helps ball handlers win more 1-on-1 body bump confrontations (the counter to Clamps). |
Vice Grip | Improves ball security immediately after securing a rebound, catch, or picking up the ball. A great badge for bigs! |
Mismatch Expert | Formerly a shooting badge, this badge helps smaller guards break down taller defenders when mismatched 1-on-1. |
Defense/Rebounding Badges
Badge | Description |
Anchor | A crucial badge for the last line of defence bigs, improves the ability to block and contest shots in the paint. |
Boxout Beast | Helps rebounders win boxout battles in both offensive and defensive rebounding situations. |
Work Horse | The Pat Bev badge boosts your ability to hustle down 50/50 balls and play hard-nosed defence without getting tired. |
Glove | Named after legendary defender Gary Payton, helps you strip players as they gather for shots and poke the ball free from ball handlers. |
Challenger | Improves the effectiveness of perimeter shot contests. |
Removed NBA 2K23 Badges
Here are all of the badges that were removed this year:
• Bullet Passer
• Downhill
• Glue Hands
• Stop & Go
• Defensive Leader
• Hook Specialist
• Chef
• Hot Zone Hunter
• Lucky #7
• Set Shooter
• Sniper
• Limitless Spot-Up
Team Takeover Redesign in NBA 2K23
Takeovers in MyPLAYER will now be spread across an entire team, with the system being described as a 'co-operative team' mechanic. Each player has an equal portion they need to fill, and once the meter is filled, you'll be able to fire it off for the entire team.
That covers what we know about the NBA 2K23 badges. If you are interested in this game, we recommend checking other guides and solutions on the U4GM.