In the NBA 2K franchise, badges provide essential boosts in game modes like MyTeam and MyCareer. However, unlocking them can be confusing and require focusing on specific player attributes to reach every badge tier. Luckily, our guide explains how badges work and breaks down all badge requirements in NBA 2K25 for all six categories into easy-to-understand categories.

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Changes to Badges in NBA 2K25

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There are a total of 40 badges in NBA 2K25. A new tier level, Legend, can be unlocked after the Hall of Fame tier and has the highest skill attribute requirements for unlocking. While the Legend tier requires exceptionally high stats, you’ll receive insane boosts as a reward.

In addition to the new Badge tier, you can use three new Badge Perks to modify the progression of individual Badges. Each perk has two unlocking slots: one for Tier 1 Badges and another for Tier 2 Badges.

  • Max +1: Boost a Badge 1 level above its max potential. You must progress a Badge to its maximum potential before you can equip this perk. In each Season, you can unlock these at Level 15 (Tier 2 Badge) and Level 30 (Tier 1 Badge). At the end of the Season, your Badges equipped with Max +1 will revert to their original level.
  • Participation: Badges equipped with this perk will earn a flat base amount of progression each game, regardless of how many times you activate them.
  • Synergy: Badges equipped with this perk will receive progression when your teammates earn progression using the same Badge.

Moreover, the new Badge Elevator mechanic allows you to permanently boost a chosen badge to three levels within its maximum potential. You can unlock Badge Elevators through season 1-8 rewards. For instance, If one of your badges is currently at Bronze but has a maximum potential of Legend, you can immediately boost it by three levels: Bronze to Silver, Gold, and Hall of Fame.

Here are all the new and changed Badges in NBA 2K25:

Badge CategoryBadge NameBadge DescriptionAll AroundPogo StickAllows players to quickly recover and go back up for another jump upon landing. This could be after a rebound, block attempt, or even jump shot.DefenseChallengerImproves the effectiveness of well-timed contests against perimeter shooters.DefenseGloveIncreases the ability to successfully steal from ball-handlers, or strip layup attemptsDefenseHigh-Flying DenierBoosts the speed and leaping ability of a defensive player in anticipation of a block attempt.DefenseImmovable EnforcerImproves a defensive player’s strength when defending ball handlers and finishers who are coming straight at them.DefenseInterceptorThe frequency of successfully tipped or intercepted passes greatly increases.DefenseOff Ball PestMakes players more difficult to get past when playing off-ball, as the can grab and hold their matchup.DefenseOn-Ball MenaceHounds and bodies up while defending on the perimeter.DefensePaint PatrollerIncreases a player’s ability to block or contest shots at the rim.DefensePick DodgerImproves a player’s ability to navigate through and around screens while on defense. DefensePost LockdownStrengthens a player’s ability to effectively defend moves in the post, with an increased chance of stripping the opponent.General OffenseBrick WallIncreases the effectiveness of screens and drains energy from opponents on physical contact.General OffenseSlippery Off BallWhen attempting to get open off screens, the player more effectively navigates through traffic.Inside ScoringAerial WizardIncreases the ability to finish an alley-oop from a teammate, or a putback finish off an offensive rebound.Inside ScoringFloat GameImproves a player’s ability to make floaters.Inside ScoringHook SpecialistImproves a player’s ability to make post-hooks.Inside ScoringLayup MixmasterImproves a player’s ability to finish fancy or acrobatic layups successfully.Inside ScoringPaint ProdigyImproves a player’s ability to quickly and efficiently score while going to work in the paint.Inside ScoringPhysical FinisherImproves a player’s ability to battle through contact and convert contact layups.Inside ScoringPost Fade PhenomImproves a player’s ability to make post fades and hop shots. Inside ScoringPost PowerhouseStrengthens a player’s ability at backing down defenders and moving them with dropsteps.Inside ScoringPosterizerIncreases the chances of throwing down a dunk on your defender.Inside ScoringPost-Up PoetRaises the chances of faking or getting by the defender, as well as scoring, when performing moves in the post.Inside ScoringRise UpIncreases the likelihood of dunking or posterizing your opponent when standing in the painted area.Outside ScoringDeadeyeJump shots taken with a defender closing out receive less of a penalty from a shot contest.Outside ScoringLimitless RangeExtends the range from which a player can shoot three-pointers effectively from deep.Outside ScoringMini MarksmanElevates the likelihood of making shots over taller defenders.Outside ScoringSet Shot SpecialistBoosts chances of knocking down stand-still jump shots.Outside ScoringShifty ShooterImproves a player’s ability to successfully make off-the-dribble, high-difficulty jump shots.PlaymakerAnkle AssassinIncreases the ability to break down the defender or cross them up. PlaymakerBail OutPassing out of a jump shot or layup yields fewer errant passes than normal. Additionally, it helps passing out of double teams.PlaymakerBreak StarterAfter grabbing a defensive rebound, deep outlet passes made up the court are more accurate. Passes must be made quickly after the defensive rebound.PlaymakerDimerWhen in the half-court, passes by Dimers to open shooters yield a shot percentage boost.PlaymakerHandles for DaysA player takes less of an energy hit when performing consecutive dribble moves, allowing them to chain together combos quicker and for longer periods.PlaymakerLightning LaunchSpeeds up launches when attacking from the perimeter.PlaymakerStrong HandleReduces the likelihood of being bothered by defenders when dribbling.PlaymakerUnpluckableDefenders have a tougher time poking the ball free with their steal attempts.PlaymakerVersatile VisionaryImproves a player’s ability to thread and fit tight passes, including alley-oops, quickly and on time.ReboundingBoxout BeastImproves a player’s ability to box out and fight for good rebounding position.ReboundingRebound ChaserImproves a player’s ability to track down rebounds from farther distances than normal.

All NBA 2K25 Badge Requirements

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To unlock certain tiers of badges in NBA 2K25, you need to reach specific attribute levels. The chart below shows the exact attribute levels required for each badge tier. Note that multiple attributes can unlock some badges, but you only need to reach the threshold for one of them.

Here are all NBA 2K25 badge requirements:

  • All Around Badge Requirements
  • Defense Badge requirements
  • General Offense Badge requirements
  • Inside Scoring badge requirements
  • Outside Scoring Badge requirements
  • Playmaking Badge requirements
  • Rebounding Badges requirements

If a badge name is bolded, the associated skill attribute is required to unlock that badge. If a badge name isn’t bolded, you can use any associated attributes to unlock that badge. However, if a badge name has both bolded and non-bolded entries, then the attribute by the bolded name is required, and at least one of the non-bolded attributes is also needed to unlock that badge.

All Around Badge Requirements

Here are all Around Badge requirements in NBA 2K25:

Badge NameAttribute RequiredBronze TierSilver TierGold TierHall of Fame TierLegend TierMinimum HeightMaximum HeightPogo StickVertical63707783886’47’3Pogo StickBlock80869495996’47’3Pogo StickOffensive Rebound80839196996’47’3Pogo StickDefensive Rebound80839196996’47’3All Around Badge requirements in NBA 2K25:

Defense Badge Requirements

Here are all Defense Badge requirements in NBA 2K25:

Badge NameAttribute RequiredBronze TierSilver TierGold TierHall of Fame TierLegend TierMinimum HeightMaximum HeightChallengerPerimeter Defense71829295995’96’11GloveSteal67799196995’97’0High-Flying DenierBlock68788892996’37’3High-Flying DenierSpeed50606671756’37’3High-Flying DenierVertical60748083856’37’3Immovable EnforcerPerimeter Defense62728489945’97’3Immovable EnforcerStrength71828591925’97’3InterceptorSteal60738594985’97’3Off-Ball PestInterior Defense69768594975’97’3Off-Ball PestPerimeter Defense58688087985’97’3On-Ball MenacePerimeter Defense74859196995’96’9On-Ball MenaceAgility70768084865’96’9Paint PatrollerInterior Defense60707784896’67’3Paint PatrollerBlock74849397996’67’3Pick DodgerPerimeter Defense73839097995’96’10Pick DodgerAgility71757985925’96’10Post LockdownInterior Defense74828893996’57’3Post LockdownStrength70788492976’57’3All Defense Badge requirements in NBA 2K25

General Offense Badge Requirements

Here are all General Offense Badge requirements in NBA 2K25:

Badge NameAttribute RequiredBronze TierSilver TierGold TierHall of Fame TierLegend TierMinimumBrick WallStrength72839195996’67’3Slippery Off-BallSpeed57738592995’96’9Slippery Off-BallAgility57657788965’96’9All General Offense Badge requirements in NBA 2K25

Inside Scoring Badge Requirements

Here are all Inside Scoring badge requirements in NBA 2K25:

Badge NameAttribute RequiredBronze TierSilver TierGold TierHall of Fame TierLegend TierMinimum HeightMaximum HeightAerial WizardVertical58677280845’97’3Aerial WizardDriving Layup57697987955’97’3Aerial WizardDriving Dunk64708089975’97’3Aerial WizardStanding Dunk60758492985’97’3Float GameClose Shot68788692985’97’3Float GameLayup65788895985’97’3Hook SpecialistClose Shot60758794995’97’3Hook SpecialistPost Control61658090975’97’3Layup MixmasterDriving Layup75859397995’96’11Paint ProdigyClose Shot73849296996’37’3 Physical FinisherStrength60677583975’97’3Physical FinisherDriving Layup70809096975’97’3Post Fade PhenomPost Control60707984905’97’3Post Fade PhenomMid-Range Shot61718090945’97’3Post PowerhousePost Control64758593986’47’3Post PowerhouseStrength70798695966’47’3Post-Up PoetPost Control67778795996’07’3PosterizerDriving Dunk73879396995’97’3PosterizerVertical65758085905’97’3Rise UpStanding Dunk72819095996’67’3Rise UpVertical60626669716’67’3All Inside Scoring badge requirements in NBA 2K25

Outside Scoring Badge Requirements

Here are all Outside Scoring badge requirements in NBA 2K25:

Badge NameAttribute RequiredBronze TierSilver TierGold TierHall of Fame TierLegend TierMinimum HeightMaximum HeightDeadeyeMid-Range Shot73859295995’97’3DeadeyeThree-Point Shot73859295995’97’3Limitless RangeThree-Point Shot83899396995’97’3Mini MarksmanMid-Range Shot71829497995’96’3Mini MarksmanThree-Point Shot71829497995’96’3Set Shot SpecialistMid-Range Shot65788993985’97’3Set Shot SpecialistThree-Point Shot65788995985’97’3Shifty ShooterAgility60657276825’96’11Shifty ShooterMid-Range Shot76879196995’96’11Shifty ShooterThree-Point Shot76879196995’96’11All Outside Scoring badge requirements in NBA 2K25

Playmaking Badge Requirements

Here are all Playmaking Badge requirements in NBA 2K25:

Badge NameAttribute RequiredBronze TierSilver TierGold TierHall of Fame TierLegend TierMinimum HeightMaximum HeightAnkle AssassinBall Handle75869395985’96’10Bail OutPass Accuracy85919496995’97’3Break StarterPass Accuracy65758793985’97’3DimerPass Accuracy55718292985’97’3Handles For DaysBall Handle71819094975’97’0Lightning LaunchSpeed With Ball68758691945’96’11Strong HandleBall Handle60677377805’96’11Strong HandleStrength60657384935’96’11UnpluckableBall Handle70809296995’97’3UnpluckablePost Control758696NANA5’97’3Versatile VisionaryPass Accuracy78899597995’97’3All Playmaking Badge requirements in NBA 2K25

Rebounding Badges

Here are all Rebounding Badge requirements in NBA 2K25:

Badge NameAttribute RequiredBronze TierSilver TierGold TierHall of Fame TierLegend TierMinimum HeightMaximum HeightBoxout BeastStrength68718389966’37’3Boxout BeastOffensive Rebound55708594986’37’3Boxout BeastDefensive Rebound55708594986’37’3Rebound ChaserOffensive Rebound60809296995’97’3Rebound ChaserDefensive Rebound60809296995’97’3All Rebounding Badge requirements in NBA 2K25:

Now that you know all the badge requirements in NBA 2K25, you’ll be on your way to unlock badges that will help you progress in game modes like MyCAREER and MyTEAM. Check out our NBA 2K25 hub for more guides like All Dunking and Layup Animation Requirements so you can unlock iconic animations to dunk on your opponents.

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