With the arrival of the hot summer, MLB The Show 26 will usher in the highly anticipated Summer Series on June 26th at 11:00 AM (PT). The core reward of this event - 98 OVR Tarik Skubal - has quickly become a target for players due to his top-notch skills and unique release point. Below, I will provide you with the fastest and most cost-effective collection guide to help you efficiently strengthen your lineup this summer.
Why Tarik Skubal is a Must-Have?
Before we begin, let's ask a question: Is this card worth getting? The answer is definitely yes. This 98-rated left-handed pitcher, Tarik Skubal, is one of the few players with an Outlier II quirk. His Sinker pitch is extremely fast, and combined with the top-tier Circle Change, he is unpredictable for opponents.
Data shows that this card's changeup is currently the highest rated in the game. His unpredictable pitching form makes it difficult for opponents to predict his trajectory, making him a highly competitive starting choice in high-level matches. Some players believe this card might be their last top-tier card as a Detroit Tigers player in Diamond Dynasty, possessing both collectible and practical value. Let's begin our collection now.
Step 1: Sweep Up Free Cards to Build Your Collection
This Summer Series uses a classic collection model as usual. To unlock 98 Skubals, you'll need a total of 29 Summer Series cards. Our primary goal is to acquire as many cards as possible through free methods to reduce the cost of later spending on the market.
1. Summer Program
This is the starting point and the easiest part of collection. Complete Moments and Missons. Missons include accumulating strikeouts and hits in single-player or multiplayer modes. By accumulating Program Stars, you can directly obtain 5 untradeable Summer Series cards, including powerful players like Corey Seager.
2. Conquest
Completing the new summer Conquest map, while time-consuming due to the multiple checkpoints, rewards you with the 95-rated Zach Neto, a crucial free collectible piece. I recommend forming a short-hitting team to quickly advance using high short-hitting stats, significantly improving map clearing efficiency.
3. Mini Seasons
This MLB 26 Summer Mini Seasons offers four free cards. First, complete 10 hits to obtain Tony Fernandez. Then, use him to complete the bases mission to unlock Carlos Rodón. Next, use Rodón to complete the strikeout mission to unlock Mike Napoli. Finally, accumulate 20,000 PXP to obtain Jeromy Burnitz. This is slightly lower than the 22,000 PXP requirement in previous MLB 26 events.
4. Diamond Quest and Events
In the Diamond Quest, you can directly obtain two tradable cards - Dick Allen and Gary Sheffield. Completing the Summer Break Event will reward you with Roman Anthony, another free card.
Step 2: Using Minimal Resources, Cleverly Utilizing the Market and Skipping Cards
After completing the free content mentioned above, you should have at least 14 cards. You're still short of the 29-card goal. Now it's time to employ some clever strategies.
First, cleverly utilize the MLB The Show 26 collection rewards. When you collect 13 cards, you'll be rewarded with Rob Dibble, adding +1 progress. Collecting 21 cards will reward you with Ted Williams, adding another +1 progress. This means that collection rewards can naturally fill a small gap as you acquire cards.
Second, selectively skip expensive cards. Depending on the market, some cards are significantly overpriced. If you don't have enough MLB The Show 26 stubs, you can compensate by skipping some time-consuming content and acquiring other cards on the market.
For example, if you don't want to play Conquest, you can skip Willi Castro. While rated S by the community, this card is expensive. Instead, you can purchase other rare cards, such as Hunter Greene, George Brett, and Kyle Tucker, to fill the slots. Generally, it is recommended to choose the cheapest cards on the market to fill the slots for the most economical approach.
Finally, utilize Deluxe Pack. Choose the cheapest Summer Deluxe Pack in this Summer Series, along with your previously accumulated Premier or Ultra Packs. If you're lucky enough to open new series cards, this can directly reduce your expenditure.
Step 3: Budget Estimation and Final Sprint
If you have completed all the above, you'll need to purchase approximately 11 more cards from Auction House. This cost is extremely cost-effective for 98 OVR Tarik Skubal.
Additionally, keep an eye out for Drop 2 quests in MLB The Show 26 XP Path. Completing these quests will advance your progress and help you get the Tarik Skubal card faster. Oh, and there's another important but often overlooked way to save money: if you get the Tarik Skubal first, it's recommended to sell it on the market immediately. Because card prices typically drop after the Double XP Weekend or Drop 3 missions, you can buy them back at a lower price.
In short, this 98 OVR Tarik Skubal is not out of reach. By following the three steps above, you can complete this Summer Series collection with minimal cost and maximum efficiency. Good luck getting your ace and enjoying the summer baseball feast! See you next.
