MLB The Show 25: Diamond Dynasty Revolution – New Modes, No Sets, and Major Changes

San Diego Studio (SDS) has just unveiled its highly anticipated Diamond Dynasty deep dive for MLB The Show 25 Stubs, and the changes are massive. From the removal of Sets and Seasons to the introduction of a roguelike mode (Diamond Quest) and a competitive Weekend Classic, this year’s iteration is shaking up the formula in exciting ways.

In this comprehensive breakdown, we’ll cover:

The End of Sets and Seasons – A return to year-long progression

Diamond Quest – A brand-new roguelike single-player experience

Weekend Classic – A competitive ranked mode for elite players

Team Affinity Overhaul – Back to individual team progression

Multiplayer Program Merging – Ranked, BR, and Events unified

Let’s dive into everything revealed in the MLB The Show 25 Diamond Dynasty trailer.

1. Sets and Seasons Are Officially Gone

One of the most divisive features in MLB The Show 23 and 24 was Sets and Seasons, which forced players to rebuild their teams every few months. SDS has finally listened to fan feedback and removed this system entirely in MLB The Show 25.

What’s Changing?

No more forced roster resets – Your best cards stay usable all year.

Progression starts with 85-88 OVR cards and gradually builds to full 99s.

More long-term investment – Players won’t feel pressured to constantly chase new meta cards.

Why This is a Big Deal

Casual-friendly – No need to grind new lineups every season.

Rewards long-term play – High-end cards retain value.

Better team identity – Players can stick with their favorite cards instead of constantly adapting to new metas.

This change brings MLB The Show 25 closer to the classic Diamond Dynasty experience, where team-building felt more organic and less dictated by artificial rotations.

2. Diamond Quest: A Roguelike Single-Player Adventure

One of the most surprising reveals was Diamond Quest, a brand-new roguelike-inspired mode for Diamond Dynasty.

How Diamond Quest Works

 Procedurally Generated Challenges – Each run is unique, with random events, boss battles, and three-inning games.

 Risk vs. Reward Gameplay – Lose, and you restart your run (similar to Showdown).

 Perks & Penalties – Earn "Peanuts" (a new currency) for big plays and spend them on temporary boosts.

 Boss Battles – Defeat tough AI opponents to progress.

 Difficulty-Based Rewards – Higher difficulties offer better loot (e.g., Silver Juan Soto, Gold Aaron Judge).

Why This Mode Could Be a Game-Changer

Endless replayability – No two runs are the same.

Offline-friendly – A great option for players who prefer solo challenges.

High-stakes excitement – The roguelike structure adds tension and strategy.

Potential Concerns:

If rewards aren’t worth the grind, players may ignore it.

Boss battles could become repetitive if not varied enough.

Still, this is one of the most innovative additions to Diamond Dynasty in years.

3. Weekend Classic: A New Competitive Ranked Mode

Competitive players have long wanted a Weekend League-style mode, and SDS has delivered with Weekend Classic.

How Weekend Classic Works

Runs the last 4 days of each Ranked Season

 Divisions based on Ranked rating (similar to FIFA Champions)

 6-game series with escalating rewards

6-0 record = Guaranteed elite rewards

Leaderboard rankings for extra prizes

Why This is a Huge Win for Competitive Players

Gives World Series players (900+ rating) a reason to keep grinding.

Time-limited intensity – Weekend events create urgency.

Better rewards for top performers – Unlike regular Ranked, where rewards plateau.

Key Questions:

Will there be exclusive player cards for top finishers?

How will matchmaking work across different divisions?

If executed well, this could become the ultimate test of skill in MLB The Show 25.

4. Team Affinity Returns to Individual Teams

After experimenting with division-based Team Affinity, SDS is reverting to team-specific progression—a move many fans will celebrate.

What’s New in Team Affinity?

 Each MLB team has its own program (no more grinding entire divisions).

 Year-long progression – No more FOMO resets.

 Live content updates – New ways to earn progress via events and promos.

Why This is a Better System

More personalization – Fans can focus on their favorite teams.

Less grind-heavy – No need to complete 5 teams just to unlock one card.

Ongoing engagement – Live updates keep it fresh all year.

This change should make Team Affinity feel more rewarding and less tedious.

5. Multiplayer Programs Merged Into One

Another major shift is the consolidation of Ranked, Battle Royale, and Events into a single Multiplayer Program.

What This Means for Players

 One unified reward path – Play your preferred mode and make progress.

 No forced grinding – Don’t like BR? You can still earn rewards via Ranked or Events.

 Simplified progression – Less menu-jumping between programs.

Biggest Unknowns

Will mode-specific rewards (like BR Flawless cards) still require playing that mode?

How will the reward structure balance casual vs. hardcore players?

If SDS gets this right, it could reduce FOMO and make multiplayer more accessible.

Final Verdict: Is MLB The Show 25 Diamond Dynasty Better?

Based on the trailer, MLB The Show 25 is making smart, player-friendly changes:

No Sets/Seasons = More team stability

Diamond Quest = Fresh single-player content

Weekend Classic = Competitive endgame mode

Team Affinity = Less grind, more choice

Unified Multiplayer Program = Less FOMO

Potential Concerns

Will Diamond Quest rewards be worth the effort?

How will Weekend Classic matchmaking work?

Will Multiplayer Program rewards feel balanced?

Overall, MLB The Show 25 looks like a return to form for Diamond Dynasty, with more variety, better progression, and deeper competition.

What do you think of the changes? Let us know in the comments! And if you're looking to build your ultimate team fast, check out MMOEXP for MLB 25 Stubs to get a head start.

Stay tuned for more buy MLB The Show 25 Stubs updates as we approach launch!