Everybody likes to have a gimmick inNBA 2K22. It gives each player a personality and a unique talent. Some choose to use fancy dribble moves and flashy passing. Others like to generate turnovers with big blocks and steals. These skills are all incredibly important, but ultimately, somebody on the team needs to be draining buckets to win.
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So when it comes to shooting badges, these are the selections that decide the game. Whether it’s shooting from range, off of the dribble, in the post, stepping back, or pulling up, these are the badges inNBA 2K22that turn an average player into a scoring machine.
Updated on May 11th, 2022 by Hodey Johns:“Best” is not just a matter of opinion, it’s also a matter of fact. Many shooting badges that work brilliantly for a stretch big will be terrible when used on a dribbling point guard. So a top ten list such as this one won’t be the same top ten for everybody. To assist readers in knowing which badges are best for them, a subheading has been added to each entry that details which players should consider using the badge for their build. This list was never intended to be one-size-fits-all and now it should be easier to see which “size” each badge fits. Also, a description of what each badge does has been added to each section.
12Limitless Spot-Up
The Steph Curry of badges, who wouldn’t want to be able to extend their viable range by just a bit? The obvious benefit is that shooting from further away doesn’t have the same drawbacks. Instead of trying to get predictably close to the arc, feel free to take a few steps back and have the same effect.
This does more than just make more shots go in from further away. Consider it doubling the viable area where good shots can accrue from with just a single point. When opponents know this badge is in effect, they have to play defense further up, creating more passing opportunities as well.
What Kind Of Player Should Use The Limitless Spot-Up Badge
This badge doesn’t work on the move, so be sure to use it only for the catch and release shots or shots off of a standing dribble. Players with solid ankle-breaker abilities will get even more out of this since the expanded area can lead to a larger window of opportunity while opponents pull themselves up.
11Circus Threes
Think the best three-point shooter build has everything invested to get that maximum green shooting attribute? Think again. Sure, in a completely meaningless game of shooting behind the arc with no defense, that kind of build will make more buckets.
But in a game? It’s speed demons that end up making more shots. They need to rush to get open off of a screen or good dribble move, then make a long shot on the move. There simply isn’t the time for a perfect shot. And that’s why the Circus Threes badge is so important.
What Kind Of Player Should Use The Volume Shooter Badge
This badge is very particular. Most of the time, it should be to a dribbling guard or forward with an excellent speed skill that needs to shoot on the run. It’s virtually the only way to consistently make shots while fading out of bounds from range.
10Volume Shooter
The implications of the Volume Shooter badge are mind-boggling. Regardless of whether or not the shots go in, as the player keeps shooting, their percentage to land shots keeps increasing. By the end of the game, their stroke is automatic.
The best shooting guards in the gameare expected to put up lots of shots each game. Even players who struggle early should just keep shooting to gain the effect of this badge. By the end of a long game, they’ll likely be the difference-maker.
“Chucker” is a derogatory term for somebody who shoots almost every time they get the ball, but that’s exactly who needs this badge. It goes to waste for players with a pass-first mentality. Take smart shots, of course, but players who aren’t gunning to take about half of the shots on their team will want to pass on the Volume Shooter badge.
9Sniper
In the past, Sniper was too risky for most players, even veterans, to plug four points into it. With bad timing, the shot becomes less likely to land. The bonus on good timing was always a perk, but getting good timing was tougher to do.
With the improved shot meter, the range of what constitutes a good shot is now much larger, making the impact of Sniper way higher on the reward than the risk.The best three-point shooting buildwill want to invest in this badge once they get the timing of their stroke down.
What Kind Of Player Should Use The Sniper Badge
The Sniper can easily be the worst badge in the game for those who don’t have close to immaculate shot timing. Get this badge after designing a custom jumper and getting a lot of practice in. For players who struggle with timing, stay away.
8Slippery Off-Ball
Getting open helps everybody. Even strict finishers who never put up jump shots should get the Slippery Off-Ball badge because they’ll be able to shake their defender for an easy dunk or alley-oop finish.
Those trying to makethe best shooting guard buildwill need it for different reasons. Putting up a three-ball with a defender in the player’s face, especially a human-controlled defender, is rarely going to work out. This badge creates more moments where it’s just the player, the ball, and the net.
What Kind Of Player Should Use The Slippery Off-Ball Badge
The only kind of players that should refrain from this badge will be post scoring shooters. Everybody else will be looking for as much separation as possible, whether it’s off of a screen or driving to the net. Even finishers that focus on dunks can use this one.
7Stop & Pop
If the only criteria was playing against the AI, more of these dribble-and-shoot badges would have made the cut. Unfortunately, human opponents don’t tend to fall for dribbles, which is why screen and pick and rolls dominate online play.
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But the Stop & Pop doesn’t require fooling a defender to make a three. Simply dribble, then shoot, and the shot gets a huge bonus in its rating. Badges like this one are valuable for how frequently it pops up on shots and the versatility it gives the player from beyond the arc.
What Kind Of Player Should Use The Stop & Pop Badge
Anybody that plans to shoot off of the dribble should get this one. Players that immediately want to become one ofthe best rookies in the gameshould take this and call for frequent screens while they have the ball. Catch and shoot specialists can take a pass.
6Lucky #7
Winning basketball games is all about pushing the advantage. If the shot isn’t there, it’s fine to wait, but shots in transition or during a brief mismatch are freebies for those who take what they are given at that moment. The Lucky #7 badge turns close games into blowouts.
Any and all jumpers are given a boost with Lucky #7 so long as it is done early. Early and often is better than late and scarcely. Shooters should shoot and incentivizing them to put it up early might sound like impatience, but these are too often the best look teams get at the hoop.
What Kind Of Player Should Use The Lucky #7 Badge
There is a special kind of transition player that will benefit the most from Lucky #7. Many transition players drive at the rim and this badge won’t help. But matched up withthe perfect custom jumpshot, this boosts players that like to pull up for a three instead of going for a layup in transition.
5Hot Zone Hunter
Rumors were going intoNBA 2K22that the Hot Zone Hunter badge was going to be removed. Well, there’s a reason that people shouldn’t gossip, because this completely overpowered badge from last year has made an improbable return.
Hot zones aren’t labeled, but after a few games, an algorithm will figure out the most common shots the player takes and provides a boost when shooting from that location. Three-point shooters will like this, but post players will love this because they really can’t be prevented from getting into their perfect location.
What Kind Of Player Should Use The Hot Zone Hunter Badge
First, verify toselect some great shots for any situation. Next, select the Hot Zone Hunter for a boost to a given area. These zones are based on recent success and can be found under the player shot chart. Hardworking players can end up making the entire floor red, but those who have a few favorite areas will prosper the most easily.
4Fade Ace
Until this year, fades were basically nothing more than a very fancy way of turning the ball over. But the post has been upgraded this year with better animations and an increase in shooting odds. The Fade Ace takes the fade from usable to overpowered.
The fade can’t be conventionally blocked as it is. With Fade Ace, a hand in the face really makes no difference to a player dropping back in the post. All aspects of the move are improved, both the animation and the percentage for the shot to land.
What Kind Of Player Should Use The Fade Ace Badge
This is a badge exclusive made for post shooting scorers, specifically those who rock away from the basket on their shots.The most improved players from last yearlearned to use this move well. For those who play from the post, this may be the best badge in the game, but for others, it’s useless.
3Difficult Shots
Mid-range shots are frequently disparaged in the NBA and rec leagues throughout the entire world. The issue is that if players are going to take a risk, get behind the arc and shoot a three. And if they want two points, drive in closer and get a better look.
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But people forget that careers have been made by players who can make these tough shots. The Difficult Shots badge improves difficult shots from mid-range, which is perfect because no real help is necessary for the easy shots.
What Kind Of Player Should Use The Difficult Shots Badge
This is a very niche badge. Players must be moving with the ball and then shoot from mid-range, not in the paint or from three. Players that havemastered each dribble movewill love it, just remember this doesn’t work beyond the arc.
