Badges are the best way to summon special powers from the basketball gods. NBA 2K25 introduces a range of new approaches to building your custom character. Whether you are playing MyCareer or creating a MyPlayer online persona, you want to understand the type of player you will build before grinding through different levels. Knowing the new Badge system is crucial to getting the most out of your custom player. 

Today, we will guide you through the best badges for each position in NBA 2K25. We will highlight the abilities each badge gives you and why they are crucial for different roles. You will then be able to confidently pick the position you want to play in MyCareer, ensuring you don’t waste any of your precious VC on powering up your player inefficiently. 

What’s New With Badges In NBA 2K25? 

The most notable difference from NBA 2K24 is that there are fewer badges. There were 77 badges in NBA 2K24 and only 40 in NBA 2K25. You will find that many of these badges are absorbed into one. For instance, Spot Finder, Catch & Shoot, Claymore, and Corner Specialist from 2K24 have been absorbed into Set Shot Specialist. In addition to this new approach, some badges have been taken out, like Comeback Kid and Post Playmaker. 

The new badge system has mixed reviews from NBA 2K players. Some like the streamlined approach, while others miss the variation of 2K24. 

The other big change comes from a new top tier of badges: Legend. Legend badges will be a level above Hall of Fame, so you can get even more of a boost on the court. Also, the game has three new Badge Perks to help you with badge progression. In addition, you can get new Badge Elevators from Season Level rewards. These will permanently boost a badge up to 2 or 3 levels. 

How To Level Up Badges In NBA 2K25? 

Badge progression is the same as in the previous NBA 2K titles. The more you play and activate your badges, the faster the level progresses. Thankfully, 2K has added new Badge Perks and also introduced a Badge Elevator system that will help you level up your badges faster. 

You will also find that Performance Multipliers are still in the game. These are prizes that will help level up all your equipped badges at the same time. 

Best Badges For Each Position In NBA 2K25 

Small Forward 

If you’re confident in your shooting abilities from all distances, you should build a small forward NBA player. A successful SF will have balanced offense and defensive abilities, good speed, and smart playmaking abilities. An SF basically needs to be the full package, which is why this position is popular in NBA 2K. 

LeBron James, Kevin Durant, and Julius Erving are all prime examples of the SF position. So, when you pick badges, you might want to keep their style of play in mind to replicate how they brought their respective teams’ success. For most of these players, the “above the rim” style of play was adopted for offense. So, you will want to pick badges that increase their abilities in the air. Ensure you don’t neglect the defense, as the SF is key for strong defensive coordination. 

Posterizer 

The Posterizer badge will increase your dunk abilities when dunking over a defender. It is crucial to have this equipped if you want to make those driving plays toward the net. The significant increase in making the dunk makes it worth getting this badge, at least to the Gold level for an SF. There isn’t a huge jump in abilities between Gold and HoF, but there is another big stat increase at the Legend level. 

To get a Bronze Posterizer badge, your player’s stats must have 73 Driving Dunk and 65 Vertical. For Gold, this goes to 93 DD and 80 V. Finally, Legend requires 99 DD and 90 V. 

Aerial Wizard 

Aerial Wizard is another badge that will help you during important airborne situations. It increases your ability to finish an alley-oop from a teammate or putback and finish off an offensive rebound. Winning and being able to score baskets in these situations can consistently add points to the board. Unfortunately, not many people throw lob passes in NBA 2K25, but the assistance in rebounds is great. 

To get a Bronze Aerial Wizard badge, you need 58 Vertical, 57 Driving Layup, 64 Driving Dunk, and 60 Standing Dunk. For Gold, you will need 72 V, 79 DL, 80 DD, and 84 SD. 

Interceptor 

Interceptor is a great way to boost your defensive abilities, especially if you like to play aggressively. This badge will increase the success rate of tipped or intercepted passes. So, combining this with an agile and quick SF is bound to turn the ball into your possession, creating quick counterattacks. Therefore, interceptions are highly beneficial for both offense and defense, perfect for an SF role. 

To get a Bronze Interceptor Badge, you need 60 Steal, for Gold it’s 85, and for Legend, you need 98. 

Immovable Enforcer 

You will want to get the Immovable Enforcer badge to add to the defensive abilities. It will improve your overall strength when defending against ball handlers and finishers. This badge also gives you better cutoffs on some animations, like layups, if they are straight toward the basket. Additional strength is important, especially because SFs tend not to be the tallest players on the court. Strength in defense is crucial in basketball, ensuring that the other team can’t get around you easily. 

Getting the Immovable Enforcer badge to Silver is the least you want to put on your player. For Silver, you will need 72 Perimeter Defense and 82 Strength. 

Point Guard

The Point Guard is responsible for the team’s offensive attempts. They set up plays and assess the defensive strategy to secure their team’s points. This means they must have good shooting, passing, dribbling, and anticipation skills to succeed. PGs tend to be the shortest players on the team. They are also good at shooting, but prioritize other attributes.

Stephen Curry is a great modern point guard. Kyrie Irving and Magic Johnson are also good examples. As point guards set up the offensive play, they will want to be quick and have great ball-handling skills. The best badges for a Point Guard will emphasize these skills. 

Handles For Days 

The Handles For Days badge lets a player take less of an energy hit when performing consecutive dribble moves. This allows them to chain together combos quicker and for longer periods. This badge is perfect if you use skill moves to create chances in offensive positions. Sometimes, a small bit of separation can make all the difference. 

To get the Bronze badge, you will have to have Ball Handle at 71. I suggest at least having it at Gold, which requires BH at 90. The strength of this badge increases significantly at the Legend level, where you will need 97 BH. 

Lightning Launch 

Another way to create opportunities in the offensive position is to beat your man off the mark. Lightning Launch will speed up your launch when attacking from the perimeter. This advantage in one-on-one situations can completely change how an offensive play unfolds. 

The only stat you need to upgrade to get this badge is your Speed With Ball. You need 68 for Bronze, 86 for Silver, and 94 for Legend. 

Shifty Shooter

You should use Shifty Shooter to complement the quick badges that came before. Shifty Shooter will improve your player’s ability to successfully make off-the-dribble, high-difficulty jump shots. You can go for the shot if you can’t find the teammate you’re looking for in space. Alternately, if you have good shooting abilities, it will give you a great avenue to get baskets yourself. 

To get this badge, you will need 60 Agility and either 76 Mid-Range Shot or 76 Three-Point Shot. If you want this badge to be super effective, then you’ll want to get at least HoF, which requires 76 A and 96 MRS/TPS. 

Unpluckable 

Unpluckable will ensure that you are able to hold onto the ball for long enough to see your offensive play unfold. Nothing is more frustrating than the ball being stolen before you can get it to the next player. This badge will make it tougher for defenders to poke the ball free with their steal attempts. 

You need Ball Handle or Post Control skills at a certain level to use this badge. For Bronze, you need 70 BH or 75 PC. Gold requires 92 BH or 96 PC. Hof and Legend need BH at 96 and then 99. 

Shooting Guard 

The Shooting Guard will be the player you use to get points on the board. They will be great long-range shooters while also being able to drive into the paint for more physical baskets. The most attractive trait for an SG is if they can score in several different positions. Because of the focus on shooting, you will find many players wanting to be an SG in 2K25. 

Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, and Allen Iverson are all famous shooting guards. They all have incredible abilities to score in impossible situations. The badges you will want to select should, therefore, increase your shooting abilities from a range of positions. 

Set Shot Specialist 

The Set Shot Specialist badge is a must-have to increase the success rate of your standard jump shots. It increases the “green window” for your shot, making it easier to get the perfect shot off. There is only a slight difference between Bronze and Silver, so you will want to get the badge to at least Gold. The most significant jump in effectiveness is between HoF and Legend. 

To get each badge level, you will need either your Mid-Range Shot or your Three-Point Shot at a specific rating. To get Gold, you need 89 MRS or TPS, and Legend will need 98 in either MRS or TPS. 

Deadeye

Deadeye is another must-have badge for any shooter build. It allows jump shots taken with a defender closing out to receive less penalty from a shot contest. This means you will have more success in contested shooting. It is a useful badge as you will always be slightly contested, so this ability helps reduce this effect.

For Set Shot Specialist, you must upgrade either MRS or TPS. The most significant jumps are to Bronze, to Gold, and to Hall of Fame. For Bronze, you need 73 MRS/TPS. Gold needs 92 MRS/ TPS and HoF 95. 

Limitless Range

Limitless Range is the perfect badge for players who want to shoot from way downtown. It extends the range from which a player can shoot three-pointers effectively from deep. It is perfect for buzzer-beaters, but also if you want to have more consistent three-pointers. This badge’s effectiveness slowly improves as you progress up the levels. 

You only need to upgrade your Three-Point Shot skills for this badge. Bronze is 83, Gold is 93, and Legend requires 99. 

Mini Marksman 

The Mini Marksman badge is crucial if you have a smaller build and want to make shots over taller defenders. Typically, the SG won’t have the tallest guy marking them, but it does happen often. Because of its nature, this badge is only available for players 6’3 or below. The tricky part is that this badge works better the taller your player is, so 6’3 is the sweet spot. 

To get a super-effective increase, you will want to get this badge at least to Gold. This will require your MRS or TPS to be at 94. 

Center

If you want to play as the biggest guy on the court, the Center role is for you. This role is usually the tallest and strongest player on the team. Good strength attributes are the main aim, as they will help in both the offensive and defensive positions the Center will be in. They will usually play under the basket to pick up rebounds and score close to the net.

Nikola Jokić is the prime example of a modern center in basketball. This position is also graced by Joel Embiid and the world-famous Shaquille O’Neal. These players are dominant in the paint on both sides of the court. They’re not the fastest or most agile players, but winning rebounds can either extend plays or start counters.

Rebound Chaser 

The Rebound Chaser badge will improve your player’s ability to track down rebounds from farther distances than normal. This is a must-have badge for a Center, and it will make a dramatic difference in your rebound recovery abilities. 

The requirements for the Rebound Chaser badge let you either have specific stat points for Offensive Rebounds or Defensive Rebounds. The stat you choose to progress the most should depend on the build you are going for. If your player will play inside the paint, choose Offensive Rebounds. If you want them to lock off the opponent, put more upgrades into Defensive Rebounds. 

You should have this badge at least at the Gold level. This requires either one of these stats to be at 92. For Legend, you will need one of the stats to be at 99. 

Boxout Beast

Following on from Rebound Chaser, Boxout Beast is a badge that is also crucial to boost your rebound abilities. This badge will improve your player’s ability to box out and fight for a good rebounding position. Being in the right position is half the battle for successful recovery to stop or create second opportunities. 

The main stat you have to increase is your Strength, then, like Rebound Chaser, you can either increase your Offensive or Defensive Rebound. You need 68 S and 55 OR or DR to get the Bronze Boxout Beast badge. However, you will want to be at Gold, where you need 83 S and 85 OR or DR.

Paint Prodigy 

Paint Prodigy will improve your player’s ability to quickly and efficiently score while going to work in the paint. It will increase Post Control attributes and make you more effective in animations when under the basket. It is best for centers that want a more offensive role. If you do want this type of player, Paint Prodigy is a must-have badge. 

Upgrade your Close Shot stats to 73 for Bronze, or 92 for Gold. 

Break Starter 

The Break Starter badge is what you will want if you plan to build your Center for a more defensive-oriented approach. It is defined as “After grabbing a defensive board, deep outlet passes made up the court are more accurate. Passes must be made quickly following the defensive rebound.” This will make a huge difference if you want to start quick counterattacks. 

You will want to have this badge at least at Gold, where you will need 87 Pass Accuracy. The Bronze badge is available when you reach 65 PA. 

Power Forward 

The Power Forward position is similar to the center position. They usually play near the net, but they are better adapted to taking mid- or longer-range shots. Hardly anybody plays the PF role in NBA 2K25. 

Tim Duncan, Dennis Rodman, and Kevin Garnett are well-known for playing in this position. This role is arguably more important in the defensive side of the game. We increasingly see less importance in this role in the modern basketball game, and this is also reflected in NBA 2K. 

For this reason, you can adopt all the same badges as the center position for your PF build.