New to MLB The Show or just confused by all the program lingo? You're not alone. The game’s menu system can be overwhelming, especially in Diamond Dynasty, where content is king and grind is gospel. Here's a breakdown of the core program elements — Missions, Moments, Exchanges, and Showdowns — so you can start stacking XP and rewards with confidence.
What Is a Mission?
Missions are your long-haul objectives. Think of them like side quests. They task you with accumulating stats — hits, strikeouts, innings pitched, etc. — usually using a specific team, series, or card type. You complete missions by simply playing the game: Ranked, Conquest, Mini-Seasons — it all counts.
💡 Pro tip: You can stack missions. If you’ve got three Padres hitters, their stats all contribute to the “Padres Hits” mission at once.
What Is a Moment?
Moments are short, pre-set challenges that drop you into a scenario — like hitting a home run with Ken Griffey Jr. or closing out a save with Dennis Eckersley. These are typically faster to complete but require precision.
💡 Pro tip: Use Moments to bank easy XP fast. Most take less than five minutes and some can be replayed for practice.
What Are Exchanges?
Exchanges let you trade in player cards for XP or program points. You're sacrificing quantity for progression. For example, you might exchange Bronze players to complete an “AL West Exchange” mission.
💡 Pro tip: Use low-value duplicates. Check ShowZone for cheapest card options before exchanging.
What Is a Showdown?
Showdowns are mini-game modes where you draft a squad, complete challenges, and face off against a boss in a win-or-go-home scenario. Finishing a Showdown can grant massive program progress, but losing means starting over.
💡 Pro tip: Don't sleep on perks in your draft. A well-timed “Heart Attack” can win a boss battle.
Program Progress
For the most part, you'll see programs completed by accruing Program Stars for completing everything discussed above.
Each task will have a number of program stars awarded for completion, which then contributes to the total earned stars that can be typically seen in the top left. You can view the program path and the reward milestones along the way to help you plan your attack!
Got a favorite type of program grind? Let us know in the comments — or better yet, flex your best boss-killer in Ranked.
Cory Wayne Dell
Cory has been writing about all things baseball and gaming since 2022 and has been featured at Operation Sports as well as cited by Forbes. Cory is also a multi-instrumentalist and founder of the band Cargocastle. Cargocastle's latest single, "Truth and Reconciliation," is available on Spotify and all major streaming platforms. Cory is also the author of Shadow of a Monster, a personal memoir currently seeking publication.
