<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?><rss xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/" xmlns:content="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/" xmlns:atom="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom" version="2.0"><channel><title><![CDATA[My guide to online bliss...]]></title><description><![CDATA[<p dir="auto">Well, maybe not "bliss"...</p>
<p dir="auto">If you hate online play, I get it.  No worries.  Nothing to see here.</p>
<p dir="auto">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:</p>
<ol>
<li>
<p dir="auto">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.</p>
</li>
<li>
<p dir="auto">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:</p>
<p dir="auto">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.</p>
<p dir="auto">b.  Get into a game with a weird stadium?  Offensive logo?  Rainy weather?  Bad connection?  Quit and move on to a better game.</p>
<p dir="auto">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).</p>
</li>
<li>
<p dir="auto">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.</p>
<p dir="auto">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.</p>
<p dir="auto">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 <img src="https://forums.theshow.com/assets/plugins/nodebb-plugin-emoji/emoji/android/1f600.png?v=38edf9977f5" class="not-responsive emoji emoji-android emoji--grinning" style="height:23px;width:auto;vertical-align:middle" title=":grinning:" alt="😀" /></p>
</li>
</ol>
<p dir="auto">Anyway... what do you guys do to keep "sane" when you're playing online?</p>
]]></description><link>https://forums.theshow.com/topic/84115/my-guide-to-online-bliss...</link><generator>RSS for Node</generator><lastBuildDate>Tue, 21 Jul 2026 15:32:04 GMT</lastBuildDate><atom:link href="https://forums.theshow.com/topic/84115.rss" rel="self" type="application/rss+xml"/><pubDate>Mon, 20 Jul 2026 14:48:26 GMT</pubDate><ttl>60</ttl><item><title><![CDATA[Reply to My guide to online bliss... on Tue, 21 Jul 2026 13:02:08 GMT]]></title><description><![CDATA[<blockquote>
<p dir="auto"><a class="plugin-mentions-user plugin-mentions-a" href="/user/teak2112_mlbts" aria-label="Profile: Teak2112_MLBTS">@<bdi>Teak2112_MLBTS</bdi></a> <a href="/post/772569">said</a>:</p>
<p dir="auto">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.</p>
</blockquote>
<p dir="auto">The timing windows being messed up and absolutely garbage certainly doesn't help.   I've never had as much difficulty hitting as I have this year.</p>
]]></description><link>https://forums.theshow.com/post/772600</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://forums.theshow.com/post/772600</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Sarge1387_PSN]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Tue, 21 Jul 2026 13:02:08 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title><![CDATA[Reply to My guide to online bliss... on Tue, 21 Jul 2026 12:54:38 GMT]]></title><description><![CDATA[<p dir="auto"><a class="plugin-mentions-user plugin-mentions-a" href="/user/raiding__fridges_psn" aria-label="Profile: Raiding__Fridges_PSN">@<bdi>Raiding__Fridges_PSN</bdi></a> My man I had an event like that back in...May or early June- it happens.   Sometimes you also just don't have the connection lottery on your side either ya know?</p>
]]></description><link>https://forums.theshow.com/post/772596</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://forums.theshow.com/post/772596</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Sarge1387_PSN]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Tue, 21 Jul 2026 12:54:38 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title><![CDATA[Reply to My guide to online bliss... on Tue, 21 Jul 2026 12:40:13 GMT]]></title><description><![CDATA[<blockquote>
<p dir="auto"><a class="plugin-mentions-user plugin-mentions-a" href="/user/spawnofditka_xbl" aria-label="Profile: SpawnOfDitka_XBL">@<bdi>SpawnOfDitka_XBL</bdi></a> <a href="/post/772573">said</a>:</p>
<p dir="auto">Bring back the online programs and fire the idiot or idiots over at sds who made the decision to remove them 2 years ago. Give the casuals something to play for.</p>
</blockquote>
<p dir="auto">If they brought this back, I'd definitely play more online.</p>
]]></description><link>https://forums.theshow.com/post/772594</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://forums.theshow.com/post/772594</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[DrBear100_PSN]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Tue, 21 Jul 2026 12:40:13 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title><![CDATA[Reply to My guide to online bliss... on Tue, 21 Jul 2026 12:27:38 GMT]]></title><description><![CDATA[<p dir="auto"><a class="plugin-mentions-user plugin-mentions-a" href="/user/xratedgprodigyx_psn" aria-label="Profile: xRatedGProdigyx_PSN">@<bdi>xRatedGProdigyx_PSN</bdi></a> well, you get it a ton if you play the event RIGHT after multiplayer program drops - cause people are racing to get rewards and sell them.  Not so much if you wait a couple days, then play</p>
]]></description><link>https://forums.theshow.com/post/772591</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://forums.theshow.com/post/772591</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[rubicante23_PSN]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Tue, 21 Jul 2026 12:27:38 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title><![CDATA[Reply to My guide to online bliss... on Tue, 21 Jul 2026 12:24:43 GMT]]></title><description><![CDATA[<p dir="auto">Will they ban people for stat padding? I always do it if they request it, usually give them the win too since they need it more than me. I don't get that request every three event games though...more like every 30 if that.</p>
]]></description><link>https://forums.theshow.com/post/772590</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://forums.theshow.com/post/772590</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[xRatedGProdigyx_PSN]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Tue, 21 Jul 2026 12:24:43 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title><![CDATA[Reply to My guide to online bliss... on Tue, 21 Jul 2026 10:35:58 GMT]]></title><description><![CDATA[<p dir="auto">In event.  Dude was beating me 10-0 yesterday.  My time to bat and he wouldn’t throw strikes.  Seriously?  You have to wonder about people at that point.  10-0!</p>
]]></description><link>https://forums.theshow.com/post/772583</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://forums.theshow.com/post/772583</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[NWOStunna_PSN]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Tue, 21 Jul 2026 10:35:58 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title><![CDATA[Reply to My guide to online bliss... on Tue, 21 Jul 2026 03:40:11 GMT]]></title><description><![CDATA[<p dir="auto">Bring back the online programs and fire the idiot or idiots over at sds who made the decision to remove them 2 years ago. Give the casuals something to play for.</p>
]]></description><link>https://forums.theshow.com/post/772573</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://forums.theshow.com/post/772573</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[SpawnOfDitka_XBL]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Tue, 21 Jul 2026 03:40:11 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title><![CDATA[Reply to My guide to online bliss... on Tue, 21 Jul 2026 02:55:45 GMT]]></title><description><![CDATA[<blockquote>
<p dir="auto"><a class="plugin-mentions-user plugin-mentions-a" href="/user/teak2112_mlbts" aria-label="Profile: Teak2112_MLBTS">@<bdi>Teak2112_MLBTS</bdi></a> <a href="/post/772569">said</a>:</p>
<p dir="auto">I just constantly feel my time is being wasted when playing online</p>
<p dir="auto">It starts with people who let the opening scene play...this should not even be a thing, just like being able to replay HRs.</p>
<p dir="auto">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.</p>
</blockquote>
<p dir="auto">I second this</p>
<p dir="auto">And this is why 9 innings repeatable mission finally gave me a reason to play online</p>
]]></description><link>https://forums.theshow.com/post/772570</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://forums.theshow.com/post/772570</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[nymets1987_PSN]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Tue, 21 Jul 2026 02:55:45 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title><![CDATA[Reply to My guide to online bliss... on Tue, 21 Jul 2026 02:54:21 GMT]]></title><description><![CDATA[<p dir="auto">I just constantly feel my time is being wasted when playing online</p>
<p dir="auto">It starts with people who let the opening scene play...this should not even be a thing, just like being able to replay HRs.</p>
<p dir="auto">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.</p>
]]></description><link>https://forums.theshow.com/post/772569</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://forums.theshow.com/post/772569</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Teak2112_MLBTS]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Tue, 21 Jul 2026 02:54:21 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title><![CDATA[Reply to My guide to online bliss... on Tue, 21 Jul 2026 02:07:59 GMT]]></title><description><![CDATA[<p dir="auto">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</p>
]]></description><link>https://forums.theshow.com/post/772565</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://forums.theshow.com/post/772565</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[rubicante23_PSN]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Tue, 21 Jul 2026 02:07:59 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title><![CDATA[Reply to My guide to online bliss... on Tue, 21 Jul 2026 01:29:38 GMT]]></title><description><![CDATA[<p dir="auto"><a class="plugin-mentions-user plugin-mentions-a" href="/user/nyyankees135078_xbl" aria-label="Profile: NYYankees135078_XBL">@<bdi>NYYankees135078_XBL</bdi></a> same here brother, annoys me too</p>
]]></description><link>https://forums.theshow.com/post/772559</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://forums.theshow.com/post/772559</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[b-dub_butter42_PSN]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Tue, 21 Jul 2026 01:29:38 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title><![CDATA[Reply to My guide to online bliss... on Tue, 21 Jul 2026 01:13:09 GMT]]></title><description><![CDATA[<p dir="auto">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</p>
]]></description><link>https://forums.theshow.com/post/772556</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://forums.theshow.com/post/772556</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[NYYankees135078_XBL]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Tue, 21 Jul 2026 01:13:09 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title><![CDATA[Reply to My guide to online bliss... on Tue, 21 Jul 2026 00:22:18 GMT]]></title><description><![CDATA[<p dir="auto"><a class="plugin-mentions-user plugin-mentions-a" href="/user/nickc22_mlbts" aria-label="Profile: Nickc22_MLBTS">@<bdi>Nickc22_MLBTS</bdi></a> this is exactly why they should have never gotten rid of the old format. Event wins should be needed for most rewards.</p>
]]></description><link>https://forums.theshow.com/post/772553</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://forums.theshow.com/post/772553</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[SpawnOfDitka_XBL]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Tue, 21 Jul 2026 00:22:18 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title><![CDATA[Reply to My guide to online bliss... on Tue, 21 Jul 2026 00:04:39 GMT]]></title><description><![CDATA[<p dir="auto">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.</p>
]]></description><link>https://forums.theshow.com/post/772552</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://forums.theshow.com/post/772552</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[elway7751_PSN]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Tue, 21 Jul 2026 00:04:39 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title><![CDATA[Reply to My guide to online bliss... on Mon, 20 Jul 2026 23:37:15 GMT]]></title><description><![CDATA[<p dir="auto"><a class="plugin-mentions-user plugin-mentions-a" href="/user/nymets1987_psn" aria-label="Profile: nymets1987_PSN">@<bdi>nymets1987_PSN</bdi></a> 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</p>
]]></description><link>https://forums.theshow.com/post/772550</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://forums.theshow.com/post/772550</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[rubicante23_PSN]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Mon, 20 Jul 2026 23:37:15 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title><![CDATA[Reply to My guide to online bliss... on Mon, 20 Jul 2026 23:27:31 GMT]]></title><description><![CDATA[<blockquote>
<p dir="auto"><a class="plugin-mentions-user plugin-mentions-a" href="/user/chrvlfan25_psn" aria-label="Profile: chrvlfan25_PSN">@<bdi>chrvlfan25_PSN</bdi></a> <a href="/post/772522">said</a>:</p>
<p dir="auto">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.</p>
</blockquote>
<p dir="auto">The strike zone thing is the worst</p>
]]></description><link>https://forums.theshow.com/post/772549</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://forums.theshow.com/post/772549</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[nymets1987_PSN]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Mon, 20 Jul 2026 23:27:31 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title><![CDATA[Reply to My guide to online bliss... on Mon, 20 Jul 2026 23:01:03 GMT]]></title><description><![CDATA[<p dir="auto">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.</p>
<p dir="auto">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.</p>
<p dir="auto">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.</p>
]]></description><link>https://forums.theshow.com/post/772548</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://forums.theshow.com/post/772548</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[rubicante23_PSN]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Mon, 20 Jul 2026 23:01:03 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title><![CDATA[Reply to My guide to online bliss... on Mon, 20 Jul 2026 22:41:57 GMT]]></title><description><![CDATA[<p dir="auto">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.</p>
]]></description><link>https://forums.theshow.com/post/772547</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://forums.theshow.com/post/772547</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Onix_Savage22_PSN]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Mon, 20 Jul 2026 22:41:57 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title><![CDATA[Reply to My guide to online bliss... on Mon, 20 Jul 2026 22:18:22 GMT]]></title><description><![CDATA[<p dir="auto">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.</p>
]]></description><link>https://forums.theshow.com/post/772543</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://forums.theshow.com/post/772543</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Raiding__Fridges_PSN]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Mon, 20 Jul 2026 22:18:22 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title><![CDATA[Reply to My guide to online bliss... on Mon, 20 Jul 2026 19:47:45 GMT]]></title><description><![CDATA[<p dir="auto"><a class="plugin-mentions-user plugin-mentions-a" href="/user/sarge1387_psn" aria-label="Profile: Sarge1387_PSN">@<bdi>Sarge1387_PSN</bdi></a></p>
<p dir="auto">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!!!</p>
]]></description><link>https://forums.theshow.com/post/772533</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://forums.theshow.com/post/772533</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Nickc22_MLBTS]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Mon, 20 Jul 2026 19:47:45 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title><![CDATA[Reply to My guide to online bliss... on Mon, 20 Jul 2026 19:29:40 GMT]]></title><description><![CDATA[<p dir="auto"><a class="plugin-mentions-user plugin-mentions-a" href="/user/chrvlfan25_psn" aria-label="Profile: chrvlfan25_PSN">@<bdi>chrvlfan25_PSN</bdi></a> Sometimes I cannot throw in the strike zone no matter how hard I try.</p>
]]></description><link>https://forums.theshow.com/post/772528</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://forums.theshow.com/post/772528</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[SQT18_XBL]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Mon, 20 Jul 2026 19:29:40 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title><![CDATA[Reply to My guide to online bliss... on Mon, 20 Jul 2026 18:54:05 GMT]]></title><description><![CDATA[<p dir="auto">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. <img src="https://forums.theshow.com/assets/plugins/nodebb-plugin-emoji/emoji/android/1f923.png?v=38edf9977f5" class="not-responsive emoji emoji-android emoji--rolling_on_the_floor_laughing" style="height:23px;width:auto;vertical-align:middle" title="🤣" alt="🤣" /></p>
]]></description><link>https://forums.theshow.com/post/772526</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://forums.theshow.com/post/772526</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[GoombaXBurger_NSW]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Mon, 20 Jul 2026 18:54:05 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title><![CDATA[Reply to My guide to online bliss... on Mon, 20 Jul 2026 18:41:55 GMT]]></title><description><![CDATA[<p dir="auto">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</p>
]]></description><link>https://forums.theshow.com/post/772523</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://forums.theshow.com/post/772523</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Sarge1387_PSN]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Mon, 20 Jul 2026 18:41:55 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title><![CDATA[Reply to My guide to online bliss... on Mon, 20 Jul 2026 18:35:59 GMT]]></title><description><![CDATA[<p dir="auto">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.</p>
]]></description><link>https://forums.theshow.com/post/772522</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://forums.theshow.com/post/772522</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[chrvlfan25_PSN]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Mon, 20 Jul 2026 18:35:59 GMT</pubDate></item></channel></rss>