What is the optimal archetype combo?

[JWL3]

If you set aside personal preference? In other words, quantitatively, which archetype gives you the best attributes to win? I noticed from the excel spreadsheets out there that 2K has been desperately trying to increase the value of big men. Big men were next to worthless in MyPark last year, slow as heck and being easily ripped by fast guards. Everyone decent was a guard who shot 3's.

Driving defensive center seems to give you the most upgrade slots.

[JWL3]

I have been on vacation since 2K rolled out so have not chosen a build yet. Can anyone confirm what has carried over in MyPark from past 2k's (with respect to the following):

1) you almost never ever miss wide open layups or dunks even with zero upgraded slots
2) wide open midrange and 3's generally go in at 70%/50% even with average ratings.
3) rebounding and steals with a crummy rebound steal rating can still be done well with proper timing and positioning
4) being near a shooter with a weak challenge is still generally sufficient to make them miss.


My PG's in the past have always relied on smart wide open shots. If 2k18 made it harder to hit open layups/dunks, I will have to rethink my build. Also, I have always relied on my max speed to make up for lack of defensive rating. I would zoom out and auto challenge shooters before they could blink. I think 2K kinda cut back on this by making the defender only weak challenge unless you fully commit to jumping at the shooter which I never do.

[The X]

Everything you mentioned from last year doesn't apply. You miss a lot of layups this year (hopefully they patch it) even if you are covered only lightly, even when you upgrade ratings. Harder to perform dunks this year, which isn't a bad thing.

Wide open 3's will usually miss unless you get green releases with average shooter. You get very high percentages if you have high ratings & have grinded to gold/HOF badges.

Thankfully steals, blocks & defence seem to be based on player skills & timing rather than solely ratings. Rebounding is same unless you are playing against glass cleaners (see below).

A weak challenge doesn't affect good shooters. You hsve to be right in their faces with good challenge. Late closeouts don't work like last year against hood shooters it seems. Most pro am games have 3pt % I've played are at above 60%.

Strongest archetypes are 7'3" 300lb C's who have rebounding & driving/finishing as they have got athleticism & are near unstoppable. They are OP at present which makes mode imbalanced. Good boxing out, positioning & smarts only help slightly. Every team has at least one, sometimes two of these cheesey builds.

Shot creator sharpshooter or playmaker seems popular. They can hit at high clips but worth checking elsewhere for clarification.

Good luck.

[Andrew]

I've heard that the pure Archetypes are actually better than the hybrid types. If nothing else, they tend to have more Hall of Fame level Badges that can be unlocked.

[JWL3]

Everything you mentioned from last year doesn't apply. You miss a lot of layups this year (hopefully they patch it) even if you are covered only lightly, even when you upgrade ratings. Harder to perform dunks this year, which isn't a bad thing.

Wide open 3's will usually miss unless you get green releases with average shooter. You get very high percentages if you have high ratings & have grinded to gold/HOF badges.

Thankfully steals, blocks & defence seem to be based on player skills & timing rather than solely ratings. Rebounding is same unless you are playing against glass cleaners (see below).

A weak challenge doesn't affect good shooters. You hsve to be right in their faces with good challenge. Late closeouts don't work like last year against hood shooters it seems. Most pro am games have 3pt % I've played are at above 60%.

Strongest archetypes are 7'3" 300lb C's who have rebounding & driving/finishing as they have got athleticism & are near unstoppable. They are OP at present which makes mode imbalanced. Good boxing out, positioning & smarts only help slightly. Every team has at least one, sometimes two of these cheesey builds.

Shot creator sharpshooter or playmaker seems popular. They can hit at high clips but worth checking elsewhere for clarification.

Good luck.

Thanks a ton for the input. I was going to go for a 6'4" pure playmaker pg but if they cannot hit wide open layups, I may have to rethink. I think 2k is trying to compensate for big men being totally useless in 2k17.

I still think that speed kills in 2k though so I'm gonna go max out on speed, which would be a 6'3" - 6'4" Playmaker playmaker PG.

[JWL3]

By the way, these guys are awesome and have put an archetype comparison table together. You can compare how height will impact every numerical rating.

https://www.nba2klab.com/nba-2k18-attribute-caps/

[Andrew]

By the way, these guys are awesome and have put an archetype comparison table together. You can compare how height will impact every numerical rating.

https://www.nba2klab.com/nba-2k18-attribute-caps/

Ton of good work there.