A Guide for Beating Extreme Showdown
These tips can get you one step closer to Griffey ... and save you from throwing your controller into the wall.
The MLB the Show Extreme Program returns today and will surely be met with controlling throwing rage. While I love the challenge of the Extreme Program, I also hate it as I often spend hours trying to complete the moments, conquest, showdown, and any other bullshit they throw our way.
Over the next couple of days, I will try to share any insights I gain from playing the program. It won’t be easy, but the addition of this monster makes it worth doing.
Let’s start today with Showdown and some tips to get through it with as little pain as possible (and really any Showdown you come across).
Take a lot of pitches. Swinging early in the count is a great way to lose in Showdown. Since we only face one pitcher at a time, we want to wear them down and lower both their energy and confidence. Doing so will enlarge our PCI (that sounds dirty) and increase exit velocities, leading to more runs.
You should take until you get two strikes in every at-bat. I repeat, TAKE UNTIL YOU GET TWO STRIKES IN EVERY AT-BAT. Put the controller down if you need it. Send some text messages, check Twitter, flip some cards, watch a movie – whatever you need to do to not swing. A few things will happen: The computer pitcher will throw a lot of pitches and get tired. You will get walked. You will get beaned.
It is boring but it works.
Be ready to hit with two strikes. You’ll want to get ready to hit once you have two strikes but be careful. The computer rarely throws a strike when ahead 0-2 or 1-2. While we want to protect the plate, we also want a discerning eye and to avoid chasing. By taking so many pitches, you’ll get a good feel for the pitcher’s arsenal and can identify between pitches to hit and those that stay out of the strike zone. Ideally, we want to hammer any pitches that go over the plate and let the rest fly by.
Take it easy while base running. Base runners are gold in showdowns. Since we get a lot of outs to finish the match-up, it is relatively easy to get a runner around to score, especially early in the Showdown. Run the bases conservatively, only advancing when there is no chance of being thrown out. Also, avoid stealing bases as the computer has a knack for picking off runners or throwing out would-be stealers.
Build your lineup for the pitcher you are facing. I’ll admit that in regular showdowns I ignore lineup construction. With games set to Veteran and often only needing a run or two to complete the mission, the occasional lefty-lefty match-up is not a problem. That changes with Extreme.
Create a lineup that emphasizes matchups. Facing a tough lefty? Load the top of your lineup with right-handers and vice versa. You may need to restructure your lineup after each round. Give yourself the best chance to win, especially in the shorter showdowns where you may only get six outs.
Speaking of lineup construction…Prioritize contact, clutch, and power above all else. Speed is nice but takes a back seat in Showdown. We want guys who can launch the ball over the fence and quickly put crooked numbers on the board. Look for players with a strong platoon side in the gold and silver rounds. Guys like Joc Pederson and Nick Castellanos who are strong against opposite-handed pitchers are great to cycle in and out of lineups until you build a stronger team.
Quirks. Not to be overlooked, quirks play a large part in your success with Showdowns. Look for quirks that provide exit velocity boosts. I’m also a fan of the Rattled quirk as it may give you extra outs. Also remember that the quirks that say “Exit Velocity Boost After the 7th Inning” will work (I think the wording is confusing since there are no innings in Showdown, but they do work).
Finally - keep your cool. The Extreme Showdown can get kind of sweaty. I remember last year when I reached Nolan Ryan (the step before Final Boss Randy) and got nervous about falling short. It is hard to spend an hour plus only to lose. Listen, bad double plays will happen. The computer will make some Jim Edmonds diving catch bullshit on you. It happens. Stay relaxed, follow the plan, and you’ll be one step closer to Mr. Griffey.
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