My guide to online bliss...
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Well, maybe not "bliss"...
If you hate online play, I get it. No worries. Nothing to see here.
I've played online since I started DD in 2020. I'm not an "A" player. I hover in the 500 range in Ranked. Since SDS has changed online rewards/programs over the last few years, here's how I play in 2026:
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Battle Royal - I don't play this mode any more. It was my favorite in 2023 and 2024. SDS had specific rewards for BR that didn't require you to go "Flawless". However, the mode changed in 2025, and it just doesn't interest me. I would argue it leans towards the "elite" players, and that's certainly not me. I'm hoping SDS reinstates some of the best 2023/24 features from BR next year.
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Events - this is my "bread and butter" this year. I'm disappointed that the Events are short duration (typically 4-6 days), and that Events have lags between them (new in 2026 I believe). I can usually grind my way to the free card that's midway through the program. Here's my plan:
a. Feel free to quit a game, early and often. When the Event first launches, be prepared to face a bunch of WS and "12-0" logos. I'll usually just quit and give them the win. I don't need to spend more than 15 minutes getting mauled.
b. Get into a game with a weird stadium? Offensive logo? Rainy weather? Bad connection? Quit and move on to a better game.
c. If you get into a close game, even if you don't win, that's OK. You're still grinding stats toward the Event goals. Remember that you need at least 8 plate appearances to have your stats count (I think).
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Ranked - I just don't care about my record. If you're in the 500 range and lower, I'd argue you shouldn't really care either. You don't get any "points" in the Online program for winning.
a. I always put together a team to work on other goals, so I don't have a "META" team. Right now, I have all 2026 AS, HRD and Draft cards as I'm grinding towards the AS Buxton card.
b. See "2 - b" above. I'm not playing for 45 minutes or more against a toxic opponent. I know that there are a lot of complaints out here about matching up with jerks, but my experience is that most of my opponents are just fine. Not all, but most
Anyway... what do you guys do to keep "sane" when you're playing online?
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I started back doing online play yesterday, events only, played 5 games, got shlacked first two but still had some stats which I only cared about, won 1 game, game was close for 1 but lost, got some really good stats on that one, and quit my last game because bro cranked 3 HRs on pitches 2-3 feet outside of the strike zone, no sense on wasting my time on that one. Then back to offline grind. I'm almost halfway through the event program.
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I have no problem quitting, and even dashboarding if my opponent is a [censored], but I suggest people try to get over the fact that they aren't very good and just play through . Yesterday I was down 6-0 early and just played because I was watching telly and pounding cold beers so I wasn't taking my beating personally. And I ended up winning 9-8.
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I cant stand when I play events against people who refuse to throw anythng in the zone. That whole point is to grind stats, you cant grind stats when people wont throw strikes. If someone refuse to throw antyhing in the zone I usually quit as that is going to a waste of time.
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I have no qualms about messaging and asking if they want to stat trade. Most of y'all are cool, but I'm a little polite to ask for the win. So I rarely complete the program, but get the card halfway, or second last in the program and that's good enough for me
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I've had the same approach. I'm not good online, but I can hang with most folks. I'm nearly halfway done with the MP Program already! I was wondering how many people got their 5th Event Win off of me this weekend.
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I hope whenever someone pauses againts me they message me and ask for it. I’m down to give up 100 runs to each other and pad stats. That’s literally the whole point of events and winning means absolutely nothing after you get the five wins usually needed per event. If I could play one game and get all stats and missions done besides the wins I would gladly trade the person I’m playing the same deal!!!
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I am 1-15 in this event. My lone win was a loss connection with my opponent. I managed to complete everything except the wins. I did quit on one player yesterday and felt bad afterwards. Normally I’ll stick around for my shellacking but the frustration got to me.
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I’ve started playing rtts lately it’s nice for a change forsure. Just gives dd a break and it’s more fresh when I come back.
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Here's a secret. When a new multiplayer path comes out, you should be playing Events nonstop for the next 12 hours - even if you're just an average player, you'll nuke the whole multiplayer path...and make an epic ton of stubs if you sell rewards.
About every third game, you'll run into a player who wants to pad stats - which will make it even quicker if you want to do that boosting. You'll encounter a whole lot of Touch Grass uniforms - which are worn by this lot of folks.
Not enough people play Events- offline people stay offline, good players go right to Ranked and BR. But the Event is the reason for the season.
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I cant stand when I play events against people who refuse to throw anythng in the zone. That whole point is to grind stats, you cant grind stats when people wont throw strikes. If someone refuse to throw antyhing in the zone I usually quit as that is going to a waste of time.
The strike zone thing is the worst
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@nymets1987_PSN they'll throw strikes real quick if you learn to take the balls...or else they'll give up a kabillion runs, which is excellent for grinding
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My problem with online is pitching. I have never been able to pich online. Too many pitches seem to warp down the middle if you even miss by a fraction. Easily the most infuriating thing when you struggle to hit and its made worse when you actually have a game when you seem to hit well.
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@Nickc22_MLBTS this is exactly why they should have never gotten rid of the old format. Event wins should be needed for most rewards.
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So I’m not very good at this game and I also sit around 500 and I’m playing events just for the rewards and I know I am not gonna win very many games but what frustrates me is when I’m losing because I just let up 8-9 runs with the same pitcher so I’m just hoping they give me a few back and then they change pitchers every 3 batters and they use all of their best pitchers against me. It dosent make very much sense
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@NYYankees135078_XBL same here brother, annoys me too
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Pitcher confidence is so big in this game - in a 3-inning game, theres no reason to leave a pitcher with low confidence in, ever
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I just constantly feel my time is being wasted when playing online
It starts with people who let the opening scene play...this should not even be a thing, just like being able to replay HRs.
But if you arent hitting you generally arent progressing with any reasonable pace, and I don't hit well. My eyes simply can not pick up the pitches well enough to have the precise timing needed, so I foul off pitches on the edge of 'good' timing all game long.
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I just constantly feel my time is being wasted when playing online
It starts with people who let the opening scene play...this should not even be a thing, just like being able to replay HRs.
But if you arent hitting you generally arent progressing with any reasonable pace, and I don't hit well. My eyes simply can not pick up the pitches well enough to have the precise timing needed, so I foul off pitches on the edge of 'good' timing all game long.
I second this
And this is why 9 innings repeatable mission finally gave me a reason to play online
