When it comes to earning stubs in MLB The Show 26, players often face a choice: should they focus on offline farming or grind online modes? Both options have their merits, but the right choice depends on how much time you have, how skilled you are, and what kind of experience you want. In this article, we’ll break down the pros and cons of offline versus online stubs farming, helping you make an informed decision.



What Are Stubs, and Why Do They Matter?



Before diving into the farming methods, it’s important to understand what stubs are. Stubs are the in-game currency in MLB The Show 26, and you need them to buy players, packs, equipment, and other items in the game. Whether you want to complete your Diamond Dynasty collection, build a competitive team, or simply unlock fun cards, stubs are a central part of your experience in the game.



Now, let's take a look at the two main ways to farm these stubs: offline and online.



How Do You Farm Stubs Offline?



Offline farming typically involves grinding through modes like Conquest, Showdown, or Moments. Here’s what you should know about farming stubs this way.



1. Conquest Mode



Conquest is one of the most popular offline modes for earning stubs. In this mode, you capture territories on a map, playing games against AI teams. You can earn rewards for completing different objectives, including stubs, player cards, and packs.



Pros of Conquest:



No Pressure: Because you’re playing against AI, there’s no stress from opponents. You can take your time, set your own pace, and grind at your own speed.



Multiple Rewards: Completing various missions in Conquest gives you a good mix of stubs and player cards. It’s a decent way to stock up on rewards for minimal effort.



Easy to Set Up: It’s a solo experience, so you don’t need to worry about finding teammates or dealing with lag.



Cons of Conquest:



Time-Consuming: While Conquest is great for earning rewards, it can be a slow grind, especially if you're trying to complete more complex missions or finish the entire map. It requires patience.



Repetitive: The gameplay can feel repetitive. After a while, you may find yourself playing the same types of games over and over again, which can be draining.



2. Showdown



Showdown is another great way to farm stubs offline. In this mode, you’re tasked with completing missions to earn stubs and packs, often requiring you to score runs or get key outs. The challenge increases as you progress, with tougher bosses waiting for you at the end.



Pros of Showdown:



Quick Rewards: Showdown can give you a decent amount of stubs quickly, especially if you focus on completing the missions efficiently.



Fun and Engaging: It’s more interactive than Conquest, as you get to face off against specific challenges that test your skill.



Skill-Based: If you’re good at pitching or hitting, you can speed through Showdown with ease, getting stubs at a decent rate.



Cons of Showdown:



Difficult for New Players: Showdown can be a little tough if you’re still getting a feel for the game. The bosses can be challenging, and it might take a while to earn the rewards.



Limited Stubs: While it’s fun, Showdown doesn’t always offer as many stubs as Conquest or online modes, especially if you’re trying to farm a lot.



3. Moments



Moments are short, scenario-based challenges where you try to complete specific objectives, like hitting a certain number of home runs or getting outs within a certain number of innings.



Pros of Moments:



Fast and Easy: Moments are usually quick to complete, meaning you can earn stubs without a huge time commitment.



Low Pressure: Because you're focused on one task at a time, there’s no need to worry about anything else. The challenges are usually pretty straightforward.



Multiple Objectives: If you’re working on a specific player collection or program, completing Moments gives you targeted rewards that you need.



Cons of Moments:



Repetitive Tasks: Some of the Moments can feel very repetitive, especially if you’re doing the same challenges over and over again.



Small Stub Rewards: While you’ll earn stubs from completing Moments, the payouts aren’t huge. It’s a good way to earn stubs if you don’t have a lot of time, but not the most efficient method if you want to farm stubs in bulk.



How Do You Farm Stubs Online?



Online farming, on the other hand, focuses on playing modes like Ranked Seasons, Battle Royale, and Events. Here’s how they compare to offline modes.



1. Ranked Seasons



Ranked Seasons is the most competitive online mode, where you go up against other players to climb the ladder and earn rewards.



Pros of Ranked Seasons:



Big Stub Rewards: Ranked Seasons typically offers large rewards for players who perform well, especially if you can reach higher ranks.



Skill-Based Progression: If you're a good player, you can quickly earn stubs by competing against others. Your ranking determines how much you earn.



Competing Against Real Players: The challenge of facing human opponents is more exciting than playing AI, and you get to test your skills against some of the best players.



Cons of Ranked Seasons:



High Skill Level Needed: Ranked is extremely competitive, and if you’re not yet comfortable with the game, you might struggle to earn stubs. Expect to face skilled players at higher ranks.



Time-Intensive: Each game takes longer to complete than in offline modes, so you need to commit a decent amount of time to get the most out of it.



2. Battle Royale



Battle Royale (BR) is a mode where you draft a team and compete against other players in a series of knockout rounds.



Pros of Battle Royale:



Quick Stubs: If you perform well, you can earn significant stubs for each win. It’s a great mode for those who enjoy a bit of strategy and luck in team-building.



Competitive and Fun: The format makes every match feel different, keeping things interesting compared to the repetitive nature of offline modes.



Cons of Battle Royale:



Tough Competition: Since you’re competing against other skilled players, it can be hard to progress if you’re not familiar with the best strategies or team-building techniques.



Elimination Can Be Frustrating: If you get knocked out early, you won’t get much of a reward, which can be frustrating after investing your time.



3. Events



Events are short, time-limited online tournaments that usually come with specific restrictions (e.g., only using bronze players or no pitchers under 80 overall).



Pros of Events:



Frequent Rewards: Events are often recurring, so you have many chances to farm stubs over time.



Focused Gameplay: With specific rules in place, you can practice new strategies and team builds without worrying too much about the meta.



Cons of Events:



Varied Rewards: Depending on the event, the rewards may not be as substantial as those in Ranked Seasons or Battle Royale.



Skill Gap: You’ll still be up against human opponents, so expect a skill gap that may make things harder depending on the event’s difficulty level.



Which Is Better: Offline or Online Stubs Farming?



The answer to this really depends on what you want out of your experience in MLB The Show 26.



Choose Offline Farming if:



You prefer a more relaxed, low-pressure experience.



You want to work at your own pace without worrying about facing off against skilled players.



You have a limited amount of time but want to consistently earn stubs over the long term.



Choose Online Farming if:



You want a challenge and enjoy competing against real players.



You’re looking for larger rewards in a shorter amount of time.



You’re comfortable with a higher level of competition and are ready to commit time to grinding.



In practice, most players mix both methods. For example, you might do some offline grinding to get a steady flow of stubs while also hopping into online modes to earn bigger rewards. This hybrid approach allows you to optimize your stubs farming in MLB 26 stubs.



Ultimately, the key is to balance fun and efficiency. If you like the strategy of online play, go for it. If you prefer solo grinding and low-stakes gameplay, stick with offline modes. There’s no one-size-fits-all answer, but understanding the strengths of each approach will help you get the most stubs for your time.