Check Out Best Superstar X-Factors In NHL 23
When EA added X-Factors to NHL 22, they took a cue from Madden NFL. In specific game scenarios, these X-Factors give players’ skills and skill levels on the ice a boost that may be slight or major.
Each skater or goalkeeper in the game typically possesses six different skill sets: skating, shooting, passing, defending, goaltending, and hockey IQ.
In NHL 22, there were up to 54 X-Factors that cut over these categories; these were further separated into two categories.
While conventional “superstar ability” X-Factors suggest a minor enhancement to the stated skill/attribute, “zone abilities” indicate a huge attribute boost for the player (within the specified context).
Three additional X-Factors have been added to NHL 23, increasing the total to 57. There is a lot to consider, and choosing which to put first might be challenging when forming a team. So, I’ve covered NHL 23’s top superstar x-factors in this guide. Let’s examine the new additions first, though.
New X-Factors in NHL 23
No-Timer
Goaltenders should have “exceptional save ability and reaction time when facing one-timers,” according to the description of this skill.
You may find it more difficult to score one-timers than usual in NHL 23 because it seems like the efficiency of one-timers has been slightly nerfed compared to the game from the previous year. But there isn’t a goaltender in the game that possesses this X-Factor.
Skilled Up
Another new X-Factor for skaters in NHL 23 is Skilled-Up. The in-game description for it states, “Excellent lacrosse move performance. significantly eases the execution of lacrosse passes and shoots.
Trevor Zegras, a rookie center for the Anaheim Ducks and the face of NHL 23, has shown incredible skill with lacrosse passes and shots in real life, so it is not shocking that he is the only player in the game with Skilled Up zone abilities.
Again, there are others who benefit from the talent, but it’s important to keep in mind that you shouldn’t anticipate the same levels of success using the skill with them as you would with Zegras.
Relentless
The inclusion of a gameplay adjustment that increased realism was one of EA’s most-hyped aspects in the gameplay deep dive teaser for NHL 23. With this adjustment, the skaters were better able to execute desperate last-ditch maneuvers despite being knocked off balance by collision.
This gives you the opportunity to make a last-ditch pass or shot, albeit the accuracy would be based on certain qualities.
The unrelenting X-Factor is by far the most crucial quality in this situation, and according to its in-game description, it is “phenomenal at performing off-balance and desperate plays on the puck. greatly improves the accuracy of passes and shots made after making contact.
NHL 23 doesn’t currently have any players with the Relentless zone ability, although a select few can use the skill at the superstar ability level. Kirill Kaprizov of the Minnesota Wild is one of the top young players to be signed in NHL 23 Franchise Mode.
Gabriel Landeskog of the Colorado Avalanche and Jack Hughes of the New Jersey Devils are two other guys with superstar potential.
How to Start a Fight in NHL 23
Key: C – Center, LD – Left Defense; RD – Right Defense; LW – Left Wing; RW – Right Wing; G – Goaltender.
Best Offensive X-Factors in NHL 23
Wheels
When skating with the puck, the skater exhibits exceptional agility, speed, and acceleration; the indicator is always on and activates when a defender is burned.
Skating is the most fundamental talent in the NHL, so being better at it than the players around you definitely provides you an advantage.
When you have the puck, it is more challenging to whiz past opponents, therefore receiving the Wheels X-Factor boost to strengthen your ability in that area is a particularly beneficial addition.
Wheels should be useful for everyone on the ice, but depending on how you set up the squad, I suppose you can have a lot of fun with it especially with the wingers.
Players with Wheels include Kirill Kaprizov (LW/RW, Minnesota Wild), Kyle Connor (C, Edmonton Oilers), Dylan Larkin (C/LW, Detroit Red Wings), Connor McDavid (C, Edmonton Oilers), and Kyle Connor (LW, Winnipeg Jets).
Tape to Tape
Exceptional power and precision on all passes within the scope of vision; auto-saucer as required.
The playmakers who are greatest at moving the ball around the ice should take this one. The advantage of a larger passing range naturally increases your number of passing alternatives while employing that skater.
Jonathan Huberdeau (LW, Calgary Flames), Leon Draisaitl (C/LW, Edmonton Oilers), and Adam Fox are notable players with Tape to Tape (RD, New York Rangers).
Relentless
Relentless was previously covered earlier. The idea behind EA’s execution of making the game more realistic with last-ditch efforts is very clever, though I’ll confess that it may just be the joy of obtaining something shiny and brand new.
Over the course of the year, there will undoubtedly be much discussion about this inclusion, whether it is good or negative.
Make It Snappy
Exceptional strength and precision when taking quick shots while skating.
It’s obvious that Make it Snappy is aimed for goal scorers because it improves your ability to fire quickly while skating. It ought to be especially helpful in 1v1 circumstances.
Brad Marchand (LW, Boston Bruins), Artemi Panarin (LW, New York Rangers), Alex Debrincat (RW/LW, Ottawa Senators), and Nikita Kucherov are notable players who played for Make It Snappy (RW, Tampa Bay Lightning).
One Tee
Outstanding power and accuracy on one-timers; significantly improves ability to one-time subpar passes.
Since one-timers have been nerfed in NHL 23, it should be clear how to use One Tee. Since one-timers are difficult to score in real life, it is probably for the best that EA has decreased their accuracy in the game.
Giving this advantage to those that excel at it seems like a more practical strategy moving ahead. You must have a player with this X-Factor as a superstar ability minimum if you take a lot of one-timers.
Players with One Tee include Alex Ovechkin and Steven Stamkos (C/RW, Tampa Bay Lightning) (LW, Washington Capitals).
Best Defensive X-Factors in NHL 23
The five best defensive X-Factors in NHL 23 are as follows:
Quick Draw
Faceoff draws are made with exceptional quickness; tie-up victories are made with considerably increased effectiveness; and defensive zone draws are made with outstanding rapidity.
Quick Draw is a Hockey IQ X-Factor, and its most obvious application is for consistently winning face-offs. The effect on the game is much greater when you win these face-offs than it would normally be.
Going into faceoffs in defensive zones gives you an immediate edge, while launching attacks at the other end usually ends in success.
In NHL 22, only Ryan O’Reilly had this X-Factor as a zone ability; the same is true in NHL 23.
Ryan O’Reilly is a notable Quick Draw player (C, St. Louis Blues).
Quick Pick
A player’s ability to intercept pucks is exceptional, and doing so also vastly extends their range.
Another hockey intelligence skill is quick pick. Although any player on the ice might benefit from the boost it provides, I believe defenders stand to benefit the most from it.
Building an impenetrable defense requires excellent puck interception, and if you use a player with this X-Factor along with a few other defensive ones, you’ll have a true beast on your hands.
Notable Quick Pick players: There are a few players with superstar talent but no one with Quick Pick zone.
They include Anze Kopitar (C, Los Angeles Kings), Jaccob Slavin (LD, Carolina Hurricanes), Seth Jones (RD, Florida Panthers), Sebastian Aho (C/LW, Carolina Hurricanes), and Kris Letang (RD, Pittsburgh Penguins).
Yoink!
Stick lifts against momentum or at high speeds have exceptional precision; opponents recover from stick lifts significantly more slowly.
Yoink! is underappreciated in my opinion and needs more praise. One of the more underappreciated defensive X-Factor powers is this one.
In the NHL, speed is king, and this season won’t be any different. A player’s improved ability to stick-lift against momentum and the extra time it gives you when that player is momentarily removed from the game can make all the difference.
Aleksander Barkov (C, Florida Panthers); Mark Stone are notable Yoink! players (RW, Vegas Golden Knights).
Contortionist
When in spread-V with or against momentum, exceptional save range, recovery, and save ability.
Although there are a number of competent goalies in NHL 23, only Andrei provides you with the zone ability Contortionist. Overall save performance is improved thanks to the bump, and you should witness some very swanky television saves.
If you’re creating a professional player who plays goalkeeper, it makes perfect sense.
Contortionist notable players include Andrei Vasilevskiy (G, Tampa Bay Lightning).
Stick ’em up
Outstanding defensive stick speed; remarkable accuracy while poke checking while moving quickly or against momentum; considerably lowers the likelihood of receiving a penalty.
Particularly important is the Stick ’em up X-improved Factor’s poke checking accuracy. Gaining some precision and quick timing during defensive phases is crucial because a missed or poorly timed poke-check can be deadly in many different ways.
It is further evidenced that the Tampa Bay Lightning are among the greatest clubs to manage in NHL Franchise Mode that Victor Hedman is listed among the players that possess this zone talent.
The fact that the team had five players chosen to the NHL Top 50 and finished as runners-up in the Stanley Cup last season speaks volumes about the depth and great quality of every position on the roster.
But I digress.
Charlie McAvoy (RD, Boston Bruins), Adam Pelech (LD, New York Islanders), and Victor Hedman are notable players with Stick ’em up (LD, Tampa Bay Lightning).
Exceptional Mentions
If I were expanding each category to include more than five alternatives, the following honorable mentions would have been on one of the lists:
Thunderclap: Extremely strong and precise slap shots from the point.
John Carlson, a right defence for the Washington Capitals, is a standout player with Thunderclap zone skills.
All or Nothing: When poke-checking, exceptional range, accuracy, and recovery.
Goaltenders Connor Hellebuyck of the Winnipeg Jets and Jacob Markstrom of the Calgary Flames are notable examples of players with All or Nothing superstar skill.
Unstoppable Force: Unparalleled puck handling strength and a significantly improved ability to maintain possession of the puck when off-balance.
There are a few players with superstar abilities, but no one in the game has Unstoppable Force zone ability.
Patrice Bergeron of the Boston Bruins, MacKenzie Weegar of the Calgary Flames, Moritz Seider of the Detroit Red Wings, and Leon Draisaitl of the Edmonton Oilers are a few of them.
Ankle Breaker: Exceptional capacity to outrun adversaries at breakneck speed.
Nathan MacKinnon, a center/right winger for the Colorado Avalanche, possesses the only Ankle Breaker zone skill in the game.
Big Tipper: Excellent range, speed, and accuracy when deflecting shots.
Joe Pavelski, a center/right winger for the Dallas Stars, is the only player in the game with knowledge of the Big Tipper zone.
Last Words
Learning the distinction between zone ability and superstar ability is one of the key things to keep in mind when it comes to X-Factors in NHL 23, especially when you’re developing your own player. Despite the fact that superstar abilities also provide modest skill enhancements, zone abilities are the primary differentiator.
Once you truly familiarize yourself with each player’s zone abilities, you can use existing players more effectively and efficiently by understanding the differences.
Even though you’re not directly in charge of activating the boosts, you are aware of which players offer a higher likelihood of success in particular gameplay phases.
Anyway, the fact that you can access the list of X-Factor contestants for each team directly from the main menu is really helpful. Take full advantage of that and become acquainted right away!
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