NBA 2K18 MyTeam is being rejuvenated this year via a brand new draft mode, salary caps, auction changes, new card designs and a whole lot more. The game’s Associate Producer Peter Cornforth debuted the features in a blog post and trailer.
Most notable among the changes coming to MyTeam is the draft-based Pack And Playoffs mode. To start, players will open a coach card that determines which of eight different systems the team will operate from. The next step is to open packs to fill out a five-player squad through four rounds of best-of-seven playoffs. Each advancement requires drafting new players or spending VC to keep the best ones. Prizes are offered to the victor and there are even some exclusive cards too. And all of this is totally free to experience.
The second new mode, called Super Max, is a bid to make MyTeam more accessible to all skill levels. Working rom a full 13-man roster, its signature feature is a salary cap for all players based on how often certain cards are used. Popular cards will become more costly to sign until they’ve reached “super max” levels. Also exclusive to Super Max is the idea of placement rounds. These allow the game to better match opponents so that each following round is fun and competitive. It has prizes just like Pack And Playoffs, but you can lose points for losing matches.
Beyond these new ways to play, NBA 2K18 also introduces several features that impact all of MyTeam. The biggest example of this is the new class of Strategy Cards that come in the form of coaches. They’re leveled just like player cards, but they offer different types of advantages. For example, contracting Joe Joerger might help create mismatches on the court. Billy Donovan may push a physical style that wears down an opposing offense.
Find some of the smaller MyTeam changes listed below:
- Schedule Challenges: Includes a 30-game schedule against 30 NBA teams and it’s based on the current season. Will consist of 900 unique tasks.
- All-Time Lineups: Take on the best players in every franchise in 33 different configurations.
- Auction Changes: Auctions are real-time. Reserve pricing allows you to set maximum bids and the game will automatically keep you in the running for selected cards until the max has been reached.
- Stacks: Sell 20 consumables (shoes, badges, contracts) in a single stack.
- Revised Collection Menu: Sorted more closely by team
- Badges Can Be Replaced
- Shoes: Can now have up to five attribute boosts
In general we’re pretty thrilled with these additions. While the idea of spending VC to keep a good player in your draft sounds a bit lame, maybe the cost to do so will level it out. The schedule mode is also a truly understated edition given that it allows MyTeam to be active everyday during the season. We’ll also be interested to see how the switch to real-time auctions might impact the unfortunate trend of card sniping. A faster pace may make things more difficult for wrongdoers, but that speed might be exploited too.
Much like we saw with Wednesday’s gameplay trailer and accompanying blog, the intent for 2K18 is to double down on what works while also implementing the feedback of fans. Based on what we’ve seen, the new MyTeam is a potentially bigger improvement than we expected.
NBA 2K18 comes to PS4, PS3, Xbox One, Xbox 360, Switch and PC Sept. 19. Its Prelude demo comes to PS4 and Xbox One Sept. 8.
What do you think of MyTeam’s two new modes? Will they make you more invested in NBA 2K18? Tell us in the comments section!
- Great basketball mechanics
- Easy for new players to learn
- MyGM's story content is a great starting point for the future.
- The Neighborhood social hub feels empty and pointless
- Microtransactions ruin what would otherwise be a fun experience
- MyCareer story is a bit dull
