NBA 2K21 has arrived, and with it comes a hoard of new MyPlayers climbing the NBA ladder and making a name for themselves in The Neighborhood. NBA 2K21 has a new controversial shooting system, and it's not as easy to sink a massive three-pointer as in previous years or take a player off the dribble, but there are some badges that help make shots go in the hoop much more efficiently.
When selecting the best badge, it's important to note that each badge can be selected and leveled up multiple times. The first time a badge is picked it will be considered a "Silver" trait. But after picking it four times it will become a "HOF" level trait. Players will want to level up the best Badges all the way to hall of fame level if possible in NBA 2K21.
Best Shooting Badges
The changes to the shooting mechanics in NBA 2K21 take a bit of time to get used to, but one of the ways the shooting can become much more consistent is with the application of badges. Especially when selecting shooting guards and point guards in NBA 2K21 with a focus on marksmanship, players will be able to unlock and select 20+ badges to use in the shooting category. Selecting the correct ones will help the MyPlayer knock down difficult shots and open corner threes at a high rate.
Dead Eye - This Badge reduces the impact of a defender closing out. So when someone is charging towards the shooter to try to affect the shot, the Dead Eye Badge will make it so that the shot still in target even with a defender in the face of the shooter.
Catch and Shoot - In MyPlayer and MyCareer, it is more important than any other mode to have catch and shoot abilities. Because the player is only in control of one athlete on the court (the MyPlayer), a lot of action happens off the ball, and getting open for a quick catch and shoot is key. This Badge helps those types of attempts go in the bucket more often.
Hot Zone Hunter - This Badge boosts the shot percentage for attempts taken within the player's favorite zone, very helpful for players who regularly take attempts from consistent locations.
Range Extender - Range Extender is self-explanatory but extremely useful. With this Badge, players can drop bombs from extreme distances ala Damian Lillard, the NBA 2K21 cover athlete.
Difficult Shots - Some of the new mechanics in NBA 2K21 take time to get used to. When it comes to fadeaways, off dribble shots, and challenging attempts of that nature, this trait will make it so that they will go down much more often. With the Difficult Shots Badge, it's possible to be the next Kobe Bryant in NBA 2K21.
Corner Specialist - The corner three is the best shot in basketball, as it is the shortest spot on the court to get a three-point attempt off. Being able to nail these shots consistently is key to putting up big points.
Flexible Release - Because the shot meter isn't always easy to time perfectly, the Flexible Release Badge is great, as it helps shots sink more often even if the release timing isn't perfect.
Best Playmaking Badges
Being a master passer on the court, running key plays in transition, and making defenders look silly with effective moves are all effective ways to win in the NBA and on the blacktop. The new dribbling mechanics in NBA 2K21 are not really boosted with most Badges, even though the game claims otherwise. Instead, the focus is on the Playmaking Badges that should be on energy, teamwork, and passing.
Floor General - Some basketball players are just good at making players around them better. Lebron James or Magic Johnson are good examples of this. The Floor General trait automatically raises the offensive attributes of every other player on the floor.
Handles For Days - This Badge helps players exert less energy when dribbling. Stamina can drop rather quickly, so this trait allows the player to use devastating dribble moves in NBA 2K21 without tiring, while the defender struggles to keep up.
Lob City Passer -This badge raises the attribute level of both the thrower and the dunker in alley-oop scenarios. Not only does this Badge help with the fun-factor of highlight players, it also makes it so that the move is efficient and effective.
Quick First Step - This is a very helpful Badge that helps the player be more explosive out of size-ups and triple threats, especially with the top-rated players in NBA 2K21.
Unpluckable - It's always annoying to have the ball stolen away, but the Unpluckable Badge makes it so that defenders are much less likely to snatch the basketball.
NBA 2K21 is available now on PC, PS4, Stadia, Switch, Xbox One, and mobile devices, with PS5 and Xbox Series X versions in development.
