A great pitcher is worth nine great hitters. Because when the pitcher is dialed in, no amount of solid hitting can compensate. Some of the "greatness" is in the attributes of the given pitcher. But the majority of the experience is entirely in the user's hands when playing MLB The Show 22.
Players will argue about which settings are better and which ones are worse. There are settings that functionally allow for more accuracy, but the drawback is that they are more difficult to execute. Ultimately, there is a style that is just right for each MLB The Show 22 player.
Pinpoint
- Recommended for: Fastballers, low control pitchers, veteran players with stick skills
There are many ways to improve a player in Road to the Show, but perhaps the best way is to master the Pinpoint controls. There are no buttons involved and only one stick, but that doesn't make it any easier. Gamers must follow a path with the thumbstick and stay within the lines as much as possible for accuracy. Doing this quickly speeds up the pitch. Then, right before release, players must slap the stick toward a moving circle.
The controls are tough to master and get tougher based on pitch complexity. Even pros and streamers struggle to get the most basic pitches right. If done correctly, the Pinpoint mode has the opportunity for the highest accuracy.
Meter
- Recommended for: Gamers with excellent timing, high control pitchers, fastballers
Meter only requires pressing one button twice, though timing is important. The first press determines the velocity and must occur when the meter is full, which is fairly easy to do, so it makes for excellent fastballs. Then the bar will rapidly approach a second point where players must press the button again to determine accuracy. This one is much more difficult, though the area increases as control increases. Equipping equipment can help in this regard.
The overall accuracy of the pitch, even when nailed perfectly, isn't quite as high as the Pinpoint meter when executed perfectly. But given that this is easier to execute and doesn't change by pitch, most players will actually see an increase in accuracy with Meter until they've practiced Pinpoint for a few hundred hours.
Pure Analog
- Recommended for: Players who prefer the sticks to buttons, breaking ball pitchers
For a while, this was considered the complex way of pitching, so the potential accuracy in this mode is second only to Pinpoint when executed properly. Locate the pitch, then hold down on the thumbstick. When it reaches the yellow area, snap the pitch up quickly for extra velocity toward the ball at the top of the graphic.
Like the Meter mode, the yellow area on Pure Analog grows as control increases, though since this is the slow part of the windup, it's not tough to master. A strong snap usually puts velocity at odds with accuracy, but breaking ball pitchers can use Pure Analog and get amazing results from average inputs.
Pulse
- Recommended for: Gamers with incredible timing, high control pitchers, average velocity pitchers
Pulse is just a step off of classic mode as far as simplicity. Locate a pitch, then press a button when the black, pulsating orb is at its smallest. This timing is rhythmic, but still pretty difficult to pull off, so it should only be considered by gamers who have impeccable timing. There is no speed control, so
Please note that even a perfectly timed throw is still rather inaccurate for most pitchers. To make Pulse mode work, the player should be using pitchers with huge investments into control. It's fun to play against friends and kind of funny to be plunking all of their batters, though it isn't a good idea for those interested in winning.
Classic
- Recommended for: New players, pitchers with high overall attributes, average velocity pitchers
Classic is the easiest mode, but that's not to say it's without some complications. Players will need to locate their pitches quickly as the locator fades after the pitch type is selected. From there, just press the button and the pitcher's natural statistics carry it from there.
This is certainly the best setting for new players, but it has a strangely great benefit for those who have deeply invested in the game already. With great overall attributes, players will consistently get great, fast, and accurate, pitches consistently, without having to worry about messing it up with poor inputs.
MLB The Show 22 was released on April 5th, 2022, and is available on Nintendo Switch, Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PlayStation 5.