This is the strongest skill ranking in MLB RIVALS. Listing the recommended skills for pitchers, recommended skills for fielders, and recommended skills for each role.
Table of Contents
Best Pitcher Skills
| All Pitchers | Starting Pitchers | Relief/Closing Pitchers |
| For PvP | League Mode |
Best Skills for All Pitchers
*Skill effects are for Rank S.
| Skill Name | Increased Stats |
|---|---|
  Best Player | - VEL/BRK/SPD/CTL increase by 4 - STA/FLD increase by 5 |
 Challenging Spirit | - All stats increase by 5 - If opponent is higher rank, opponent's all stats decrease by 1 |
 Expert | - BRK/VEL increase by 6 - Starting pitchers: STA increases by 7, Relief pitchers: CTL increases by 7, Closing pitchers: SPD increases by 7 |
 Ace | - All stats always increase by 5 |
 Home Hero | - VEL/BRK/CTL/STA increase by 5 - In home games, VEL/BRK/STA further increase by 1 |
 Home Advantage | - VEL/BRK/STA always increase by 5 - In home games, VEL/BRK/STA further increase by 1 |
 Rank Battle | - VEL/CTL/BRK always increase by 5 - In PvP, VEL/BRK/FLD further increase by 1 |
 Victory Roar | - BRK/CTL increase by 5 - When winning, VEL/SPD further increase by 7 |
 High Stakes | - SPD/VEL always increase by 5 - With runners on base, BRK/CTL increase by (number of runners) x 3 |
 Artist | - CTL/BRK always increase by 8 |
 Untouchable | - SPD/BRK always increase by 8 |
 Escape Artist | *HOF Exclusive Skill - Opponent batter's POW, CON, EYE, PAT decrease by 6 - With runners on base, BRK, CTL increase by 6 - With a runner on 3rd base, VEL, BRK, SPD further increase by 3 |
 Ace Specialist | *HOF Exclusive Skill - All stats increase by 7 - If opponent batter's OVR is higher, VEL, SPD, BRK, CTL increase by 12 |
 Guardian of the Lead | *HOF Exclusive Skill - Opponent batter's CON, POW decrease by 4 - When pitching, if tied or leading, opponent batter's CON further decreases by 5 and pitcher's VEL, BRK increase by 5 |
 Indomitable | *HOF Exclusive Skill - All stats increase by 6 - When leading while pitching, opponent batter's CON, POW decrease by 4 - If tied or losing, all team batters' CON, POW increase by 7 |
 Easy Inning | *HOF Exclusive Skill - VEL, BRK, CTL increase by 5 - VEL further increases by 2% of BRK - With no runners on base, opponent batter's POW, CON, PAT decrease by 4 |
 Slow Starter | *HOF Exclusive Skill - Opponent batter's POW, CON, PAT decrease by 6 - From the 5th inning onwards, VEL, BRK, SPD increase by 4 - From the 7th inning onwards, VEL, BRK, CTL further increase by 3 |
 Self-Contained | *HOF Exclusive Skill - Opponent batter's POW, CON, PAT decrease by 6 - Pitcher's BRK, SPD increase by 6 - If the previous batter successfully reached base, all stats increase by 4 |
 Pitcher Chemistry | *HOF Exclusive Skill - Opponent batter's POW decreases by 5, and pitcher's all stats increase by 5 - All pitchers in the lineup have their VEL, BRK increase by 1 (This skill does not stack) |
Best Player is in a League of its Own
For pitchers, the most powerful skill is 'Best Player' due to its large stat increase. Other skills like Expert or Hero, which significantly boost stats under certain conditions, are also worth keeping if acquired.
Best Skills for SP (Starting Pitchers)
*Skill effects are for Rank S.
| Skill Name | Increased Stats |
|---|---|
 Hard Training | - SPD always increases by 5 - BRK/VEL/CTL increase by 5% of STA |
 High Quality Start | - VEL/BRK/FLD increase by 6 - When starting, opponent batter's POW/CON/EYE decrease by 3 until the 7th inning |
 Quality Start | - SPD/CTL/FLD always increase by 6 - When starting, opponent batter's POW/CON/EYE decrease by 6 until the 6th inning |
 Road Warrior | - VEL/BRK/STA increase by 5 - In away games, batter's POW/CON/RUN decrease by 2 |
 One-Two Punch | - VEL/CTL increase by 6 - When set as 1st or 2nd starter, opponent batter's CON/PAT further decrease by 5 |
 Good Start | - SPD/VEL always increase by 5 - For the first 2 innings when starting, opponent's CON/EYE/PAT decrease by 6 |
 Lineup Support | - All team batters' POW/RUN increase by 5 |
 Frontline Ace | *HOF Exclusive Skill - Opponent batter's POW, CON decrease by 5 - VEL, BRK increase by 2% of BRK - When set as 1st or 2nd starter, VEL, BRK, CTL, SPD increase by 6 |
 Reliable Starter | *HOF Exclusive Skill - Opponent batter's POW, CON decrease by 6 - When set as 3rd or 4th starter, opponent batter's CON further decreases by 6 and pitcher's VEL, BRK increase by 6 |
Hard Training Best with Stamina Variance
Since many starting pitchers have high stamina, enhancing performance with Hard Training is effective. Additionally, Quality Start, which can significantly reduce the opponent batter's performance until the 6th inning, is also an option.
Best Skills for RP/CP
*Skill effects are for Rank S.
| Skill Name | Increased Stats |
|---|---|
 Primary Setup Man | - VEL/BRK/CTL increase by 5 - When a relief pitcher enters in a tied or leading situation, opponent batter's POW/CON decrease by 5 |
 Save Specialist | - VEL/BRK/SPD increase by 4 - When pitching from the 9th inning onwards, opponent batter's POW/CON decrease by 6 |
 Guardian | - When pitching from the 8th inning onwards, SPD/VEL/BRK/CTL increase by 6 |
 Momentum Stopper | - For the first 3 batters after entering, SPD/BRK/VEL/CTL increase by 6 |
 Double Stopper | - VEL/BRK increase by 4 - When pitching as a reliever or closer, opponent batter's POW/CON/EYE decrease by 6 |
 One-Point Relief | - Opponent batter's CON/EYE always decrease by 5 - For the first batter after entering as a substitute, VEL/CTL/BRK increase by 9 |
 Rising Star | - SPD/BRK always increase by 6 - When set as 3rd, 4th, or 5th starter or 3rd, 4th, or 5th reliever, and until facing the first batter after entering, opponent batter's POW/PAT decrease by 5 |
 Winning Formula Member | - SPD/CTL/FLD always increase by 6 - When a relief pitcher enters, for the first 3 batters, if tied or leading, opponent batter's POW/CON/EYE decrease by 6 |
 Fireman | *HOF Exclusive Skill - VEL, BRK, CTL, SPD increase by 6 - VEL, BRK further increase by 2% of BRK - After entering, while facing 6 batters, opponent batter's POW, CON decrease by 6 |
 Last Boss | *HOF Exclusive Skill - Opponent batter's POW, CON decrease by 6 - When pitching from the 8th inning onwards, POW, CON further decrease by 5, and pitcher's VEL, BRK, CTL increase by 6 |
Primary Setup Man is Excellent
Primary Setup Man, which can consistently demonstrate high ability, is the optimal skill for relief pitchers. Furthermore, Guardian and Momentum Stopper, which increase stats under specific conditions, are also effective skills for relief and closing pitchers.
Best Skills for PvP Battles
| Skill Name | Increased Stats |
|---|---|
 Hero | - VEL, SPD, BRK, CTL increase by 2 - If opponent team's OVR is higher than your team's, SPD/VEL/BRK/CTL further increase by 7 |
 Challenger | - BRK/SPD increase by 5 - In Ranked Battles and LIVE Matches, VEL/CTL increase by 6 |
 Dominance | - If opponent batter's OVR is higher, VEL/SPD/BRK/CTL increase by 7 |
 Record Holder | *HOF Exclusive Skill - BRK increases by 6, and opponent batter's POW, CON decrease by 6 - In Ranked Battles and Ranking Tournaments, VEL increases by 8, CTL increases by 9 - In Club Battles, BRK increases by 8, SPD increases by 9 |
Excels Against Stronger Opponents
In PvP battles like LIVE Matches and Club Battles, skills that activate when the opponent's OVR is higher are excellent. Against higher-ranked opponents, Hero, which dramatically improves performance, is recommended.
Best Skills for League
| Skill Name | Increased Stats |
|---|---|
 League Strongman | - STA/FLD always increase by 5 - In League Mode, SPD/VEL/CTL/STA increase by 8 |
 League Dominator | *HOF Exclusive Skill - Opponent batter's POW, CON, EYE, PAT decrease by 8 - In League Mode, VEL, BRK, CTL increase by 6 - In League Mode, all pitchers in the lineup have their VEL, BRK increase by 1 (This skill does not stack) |
League Strongman Excels in League Mode
League Strongman, which provides the largest boost to pitcher stats in League Mode, is also a powerful skill. Since League Mode is the most frequently played content, prioritize keeping this skill if it appears.
Strongest Fielder Skills
| All Batters | By Batting Order |
| League Mode | For PvP |
Best Skills for All Batters
*Skill effects are for Rank S.
| Skill Name | Increased Stats |
|---|---|
 Best Player | - POW, CON, EYE, PAT increase by 4 - RUN, FLD increase by 5 |
 Batting Machine | - POW/CON/EYE always increase by 6 |
 Home Hero | - POW/CON/EYE/PAT increase by 5 - In home games, POW, CON, PAT further increase by 1 |
 Power Hitter | - POW/CON/EYE increase by 5 - With good batting timing, POW increases by 2 |
 5-Tool Player | - RUN/FLD increase by 6 - POW/CON increase by 2% of (RUN FLD) |
 Victory Roar | - CON/PAT increase by 5 - When winning, POW/EYE further increase by 7 |
 Home Advantage | - POW/CON/PAT always increase by 5 - In home games, POW/CON/PAT further increase by 1 |
 Clutch Hitter | - POW/PAT always increase by 5 - With runners on base, CON/EYE increase by (number of runners) x 3 |
 Rank Battle | - POW/CON/PAT always increase by 5 - In matches other than League Mode, POW/PAT/FLD increase by 1 |
 Road Warrior | - POW/CON/PAT increase by 4 - In away games, opponent pitcher's VEL/BRK/SPD decrease by 2 |
 Upper Swing | - When hitting low pitches, POW increases by 5 and average launch angle increases by 7 |
 Highball Hitter | - When hitting high pitches, POW increases by 8 |
 Slow Starter | *HOF Exclusive Skill - Opponent pitcher's VEL/BRK/SPD decrease by 6 - From the 5th inning onwards, POW/CON/PAT increase by 4 - From the 7th inning onwards, POW/CON/EYE further increase by 3 |
 Mental Game | *HOF Exclusive Skill - All stats increase by 8 - With good batting timing, POW, CON increase by 8 - While on base as a runner, opponent pitcher's VEL, BRK, CTL decrease by 1 (This effect does not stack) |
 Hard Hitter | *HOF Exclusive Skill - Opponent pitcher's VEL, BRK, SPD, CTL decrease by 3 - When hitting pitches in the strike zone, POW increases by 5 - When pulling the ball, POW increases by 10 - When hitting to the opposite field, CON increases by 10 |
 Game Changer | *HOF Exclusive Skill - Opponent pitcher's VEL, BRK, SPD, CTL decrease by 6 - With runners on base, CON, EYE increase by 6 - With a runner on 3rd base, POW, CON, PAT further increase by 3 |
 Aggressive Swing | *HOF Exclusive Skill - POW, CON, EYE increase by 5 - POW further increases by 2% of CON - With no runners on base, opponent pitcher's VEL, BRK, SPD decrease by 3 |
 Ace Specialist | *HOF Exclusive Skill - All stats increase by 7 - If opponent pitcher's OVR is higher, POW, CON, EYE, PAT increase by 12 |
 Second Chance | *HOF Exclusive Skill - Opponent pitcher's VEL, BRK, SPD decrease by 6, and batter's CON, PAT increase by 6 - If the batter failed to reach base in the previous at-bat, all stats increase by 4 in the current at-bat |
 Batter Chemistry | *HOF Exclusive Skill - Opponent pitcher's VEL decreases by 5, and batter's all stats increase by 5 - All batters in the lineup have their POW, CON increase by 1 (This skill does not stack) |
Batting Boost Skills Are Excellent
Skills that consistently increase batting performance, like Best Player and Batting Machine, are optimal for any fielder. For batters with a low average launch angle, equipping Upper Swing to aim for extra-base hits is also a good option.
Best Skills by Batting Order
| Skill Name | Increased Stats |
|---|---|
 Cleanup Trio | - Only for 3rd, 4th, 5th batters: POW/CON increase by 5, launch angle increases by 3. |
 Contact Hitter | - Opponent pitcher's VEL, BRK, CTL decrease by 5 - When set as 1st or 2nd batter, average launch angle decreases by 3, and CON, EYE, RUN further increase by 5 |
 Heart of the Order | - PAT/RUN/FLD always increase by 6 - When batting 3rd, 4th, or 5th, opponent pitcher's BRK/CTL decrease by 6 |
 Fielding Specialist | - FLD/RUN increase by 7 - When batting 1st/2nd/6th/7th/8th/9th, CON/EYE/PAT increase by 6 |
 Leadoff | - EYE/RUN always increase by 7 - When batting 1st or 2nd, CON/PAT increase by 3 |
 Bottom of the Order | - CON/RUN always increase by 6 - When batting 6th, 7th, 8th, or 9th, opponent pitcher's BRK/CTL decrease by 5 |
 Pinch Hit Special | - Opponent pitcher's BRK/CTL decrease by 5 - In the first at-bat as a pinch hitter, POW/CON/EYE increase by 9 |
 Extra-Base Hit Instinct | *HOF Exclusive Skill - Opponent pitcher's VEL, BRK decrease by 6 - When batting 3rd/4th/5th, opponent pitcher's BRK further decreases by 6 - Batter's POW, CON increase by 6 - Average launch angle increases by 4 |
 Batting Specialization | *HOF Exclusive Skill - Opponent pitcher's VEL, BRK decrease by 8 - When batting 2nd/3rd, opponent pitcher's VEL, BRK further decrease by 4, and batter's CON increases by 4 - When batting 4th/5th, POW, CON, EYE increase by 6 |
 Speed & Contact | *HOF Exclusive Skill - Opponent pitcher's VEL, BRK decrease by 5 - POW, CON increase by 2% of CON - When batting 1st/2nd, POW, CON, EYE, RUN increase by 6 Average launch angle decreases by 3 |
 Hidden Threat | *HOF Exclusive Skill - POW, CON, EYE, PAT increase by 6 - POW, CON further increase by 2% of CON - When batting 6th/7th/8th/9th, opponent pitcher's VEL, BRK decrease by 6 |
Change Batting Order According to Skills
Since player abilities can be significantly boosted in specific batting order positions, it's recommended to give Cleanup Trio or Heart of the Order to key batters. Don't forget to change the batting order according to the skills.
| Tips | Note that skills activated by batting order do not take effect in Ranked Slugger. |
Best Skills for League
| Skill Name | Increased Stats |
|---|---|
 League Strongman | - RUN/FLD increase by 5 - In League, POW/EYE/PAT/RUN increase by 8 |
 League Dominator | *HOF Exclusive Skill - Opponent pitcher's VEL, BRK, SPD, CTL decrease by 8 - In League Mode, POW, CON, EYE increase by 6 - In League Mode, all batters in the lineup have their POW, CON increase by 1 (This skill does not stack) |
League Strongman Greatly Boosts Batting
Similar to pitchers, League Strongman, which can significantly boost batter performance in League Mode, is a very powerful skill. Although its appearance rate is low and it's difficult to acquire intentionally, prioritize securing it if it appears.
Best Skills for PvP Content
| Skill Name | Increased Stats |
|---|---|
 Challenging Spirit | - All stats increase by 5 - If opponent is higher rank, opponent's all stats decrease by 1 |
 Challenger | - CON/RUN increase by 5 - In Ranked Battles and LIVE Matches, POW/EYE increase by 6 |
 Hero | - POW/CON/EYE/PAT increase by 2 - If opponent team's OVR is higher than your team's, POW/CON/EYE/PAT further increase by 5 |
 Late Game Focus | - PAT/RUN/FLD always increase by 6 - From the 7th inning onwards, opponent pitcher's VEL/BRK/CTL decrease by 6 |
 Record Holder | *HOF Exclusive Skill - CON increases by 6, and opponent pitcher's VEL, BRK decrease by 6 - In Ranked Battles and Ranking Tournaments, POW increases by 8, EYE increases by 9 - In Club Battles, CON increases by 8, PAT increases by 9 |
Challenger is Recommended for PvP
If the opponent's OVR is high, Challenging Spirit or Hero can make the game situation very advantageous. Additionally, Challenger, which consistently activates in Ranked Battles and LIVE Matches, is also a recommended skill.
Ranking Criteria
Skills Trigger Often Are Rated Higher
Skill effects can be always active or activate when specific conditions are met. Skills with difficult activation conditions are rated lower, while skills with more frequent activation opportunities are rated higher.
Skills with High Stat Boosts Rank Higher
The stats increased when a skill activates vary by skill. Some skills greatly increase a single stat, while others increase all stats. Skills with a higher total value of increased stats upon activation are considered more superior.
