Wondering what the best badges are to use in NBA 2K22’s MyCareer mode? Here’s our full list of recommendations for Shooting, Playmaking, Finishing, and Defensive badges in the game.
NBA 2K22 may be an older entry in the beloved basketball sim franchise but it’s still an installment that a lot of fans are playing regularly. Whether you’ve been on the court since launch or you’re just diving into the title now, you’ll likely want to know what the best badges are in the game.
Badges are important in the 2K series as they directly impact your players’ stats in MyCareer mode, as well as the online MyPark mode. As you progress through both modes, you’ll earn skill points which can be spent on badges, and having the best ones equipped will improve your overall performance in matches.
So, here’s a full rundown of the very best badges you should use in NBA 2K22 for every stat category.
Contents
- Best Shooting Badges 2K22
- Best Playmaking Badges 2K22
- Best Finishing Badges 2K22
- Best Defensive Badges 2K22
- New Badges in 2K22
Best Shooting Badges 2K22
- Catch & Shoot
- Deadeye
- Slippery Off-Ball
- Volume Shooter
- Lucky #7
- Green Machine
- Chef
If you are creating a Guard build like a Playmaking Shot Creator or a Sharpshooting Facilitator, then these Shooting badges will quickly become important to your player’s overall efficiency, whether on next-gen or current-gen.
These badges are designed to make your player a menace, either off the dribble on in catch and shoot situations. They also primarily aid in hitting shots from deep, as the 2K meta has always favored three-point shooting over mid-range.
A pick that many overlook here is Slippery Off-Ball, but it is an absolute gem to help smaller guards slither around the court freely. With Perimeter Defense often being a stat that users invest heavily into, getting open is often half the battle for shooters.
In short, shoot early and often with these badges, and make sure to take the time to get a shooting form established for your jump shot. Having that will greatly help your gameplay improve over time.
Best Playmaking Badges 2K22
- Quick First Step
- Unpluckable
- Dimer
- Break Starter
- Bail Out
- Stop & Go
- Hyperdrive
Playmaking in 2K is the stat with the most varied use case. Players can go for fully optimizing dribble moves and handling, can go fully for passing-focused badges, or have some mix of both.
If you’re playing mainly 2v2 or 3v3 games, dribble moves like Handles for Days and Quick Chain may be more useful, especially for Guards. But, for a good blend of action in The Rec and on the outdoor courts, these badges should give you a well-rounded playmaker capable of dishing the ball and getting open.
Even though badges like Dimer, Break Starter, or Unpluckable may not be the flashiest, these are great ways to help a team come out on top and avoid frustrating mistakes in-game. But, don’t worry, badges like Hyperdrive can still keep your player nice and flashy.
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Best Finishing Badges 2K22
- Giant Slayer
- Unstrippable
- Fast Twitch
- Lob City Finisher
- Posterizer
- Putback Boss
Finishing is a tricky thing in 2K22 at the moment because the meta so heavily favors agile big men and perimeter guards.
It’s difficult for traditional Slashers to find value, however, if you are opting into a Slasher build, these badges will be crucial to your success. Just as they will be if you are a Glass-Cleaning Finisher or something of the like.
The key is to be able to 1) get your shot off in the paint and 2) be able to reliably make that shot no matter who is in your way. Giant Slayer and Posterizer help a lot with the latter, while Unstrippable and Fast Twitch can greatly help with the former.
Lob City Finisher is a bit of a situational pick, but one that is a must-pick if you are playing with a friend who is at PG. Having the ability to reliably put in alley-oops is a great aid, especially in The Rec.
Best Defensive Badges 2K22
- Intimidator
- Menace
- Rebound Chaser
- Clamps
- Rim Protector
- Interceptor
- Ball Stripper
Defense badges, more than any other, rely solely on your position on the court. But, there are some clear-cut best choices wherever you find yourself.
Guards, you have to upgrade Clamps and Menace. Its tough enough to keep up with skilled dribblers on the perimeter, but these will help you greatly in locking them down.
Big men, make sure you have Rebound Chaser, Rim Protector, and Ball Stripper. These will significantly decrease your opposition’s shot percentage and make you a serious problem down low.
But, for all players, Intimidator may be the best badge on the board. It will hurt opponents whether they are shooting at range or down low, so make sure you upgrade that one above all else.
New Badges in 2K22
- Fast Twitch
- Ability to get off the floor quicker for standing layups and dunks
- Grace Under Pressure
- Ability to convert standing layups more effectively
- Limitless Takeoff
- Ability to soar from further away on driving dunk attempts
- Mouse in the House
- Ability for bigs to finish over shorter players more efficiently
- Unstrippable
- Ability to secure the ball better when gathering for a layup/dunk in traffic
- Chef
- Ability to knock down Steph-like off-dribble deep 3’s
- Limitless Spot-up
- Ability to hit logo-range 3’s off a catch and shoot
- Lucky #7
- Boosts your ability to score when shooting early in the clock
- Mismatch Expert
- Ability to successfully shoot over taller defenders on a switch
- Glue Hands
- Ability to make difficult catches and quicker branch out to a shot or dribble
- Hyperdrive
- Boosts the speed and effectiveness of moving dribble moves
- Quick Chain
- Boosts the ability to quickly chain dribble moves together
- Post Playmaker
- Boosts the effectiveness of both shots and moves when playing in the post
- Triple Threat Juke
- Increases the effectiveness of triple threat fakes, jabs, and go moves
- Ball Stripper
- Ability to strip layup and dunk attempts more effectively
- Hustler
- Ability to get to those scrappy 50/50 balls quicker than opponents
- Menace
- Significantly drops the offensive ratings of opponents when you smother them
Those are the best badges to use in NBA 2K22! For more content on the game, check out our guides below: