System restrictions have always been a highly debated topic amongst the gaming community, and it’s time for MLB The Show 26 to face the same decision. Diamond Dynasty, a game mode built on creating and refining your dream team, has come under scrutiny for the new iteration; this time for the use (or lack thereof) of lineup restrictions.
The decision on whether or not lineup restrictions will be implemented lies with the developers, but today, we’re going to discuss how they impact games. With the feature having both pros and cons, I’ll go through each argument, and we’ll see the decision we get to.
What Are Lineup Restrictions?
Before deciding on whether lineup restrictions are important, it’s paramount that we understand what this means. Lineup restrictions are basically conditions imposed on team-making that limit the players you can select. If there is a restriction in place for 70-80 OVR players only, you can only select players from that category.
Lineup restrictions can range from OVR restrictions to season-specific or limited-time restrictions. Now, some players like them, while others despise them. That’s to be expected with almost any feature, but let’s talk about how this feature will impact play in MLB The Show 26.
Benefits Of Having Restrictions In Place
No feature is ever entirely positive or negative, and the same goes for system restrictions. Without them, it becomes hard to regulate specific parts of the game. This can lead to slower patches, a much more stale meta, and other issues. Here are some major advantages of having lineup restrictions in place:
- Keeps the content fresh. One of the biggest benefits of having seasonal restrictions is that we get to see creative teams every season. Restrictions mean you can’t just play your 99 OVR dream team every season, but rather you need to curate a team that meets the requirements.
- Every card becomes relevant. A lot of older cards become redundant over time, especially if they’re not in the high 90s range. They’re also overshadowed if an iconic card shows up for the same position. Limitations force players to grind for a variety of cards rather than tunnel-visioning their way through the game.
- OVR over skill expression. Unless you’re at the top of the leaderboards, you’re probably not playing with a full 99 OVR squad. And there’s no way to get to the top without a loaded squad if there are no restrictions. This makes the game more about who’s been playing longer rather than who’s better skilled, turning away newer players.
Drawbacks Of Keeping Restrictions
Restrictions aren’t all good, and some players would convince you they do more harm than good. They limit creative freedom and force players to grind cards that have a super-niche use. Some say that the cards become useless after the season, simply collecting dust. Let’s look at why players oppose restrictions in MLB The Show 26 Diamond Dynasty:
- Unnecessary grind. This is brought up by players the most: Why should they play for cards they won’t use after the season ends? That 75 OVR Bronze card they needed for one season will never see the light of day. They argue that those resources could have been used on a better card, and honestly, I don’t disagree.
- Lack of creative freedom. The entire point of Diamond Dynasty is to allow players to build their fantasy teams. Placing restrictions on team-building defeats the core purpose of the game. Yes, at some point, players will use the strongest, a.k.a 99 OVR cards, but that’s just an inevitable part of the game.
Finding Middle Ground
Lineup restrictions aren’t inherently good or bad; we’ve discussed this much at least. So, should MLB The Show 26 have lineup restrictions? Yes and no. Lineup restrictions are great for limited-time game modes or seasonal promotions where players get rewards for using certain cards. This keeps the game fresh, competitive, and changes the meta for those specific events.
But placing restrictions and limitations in classic ranked mode is unfair. Players at the top will undoubtedly use the strongest cards in the game, and that’s just how meta works. After rating changes, the meta shifts regardless. But when everyone has a 99 OVR team, it all comes down to skill and how well you utilise those stats. This separates players by division and skill, regardless of how good their team is.
So at the end of the day, lineup restrictions aren’t a terrible feature, but MLB The Show 26 Diamond Dynasty might not be the best place to use them.
