Conquest in MLB The Show 26 can feel like a mix between baseball and a board game. To win efficiently, you need a “board game first” approach: focus on territory, simulate standard battles, and only play Stronghold games manually once your fan base is strong. With the right strategy, you can maximize your rewards while minimizing time spent.
Core Conquest Strategies
The "Sim" Rule
Never play the regular territory battles. Simulate them to save time. If your fans outnumber the opponent, you’ll win the tile eventually without risking your stamina or wasting innings.
Difficulty Management
On Rookie difficulty, aim to have roughly four times the number of fans as the defending Stronghold. For example, a 10-fan Stronghold should be attacked with at least 41 fans to secure an easy win.
Strategic Pathing
Start by heading west to knock out teams like the Rockies and Mariners. Controlling the West Coast allows you to build a massive fan base from empty territories, which makes it easier to steamroll toward the East Coast later.
Skip "Steal Fans"
Unless a map specifically requires it for a hidden goal, skip this phase. It often wastes a full game and gives minimal benefit compared to reinforcing your tiles next turn.
Best “Plays” and Lineup Tips
The 5th Starter Trick
Use your 5th best starting pitcher. The CPU will mirror this and send their 5th starter, avoiding top aces like Gerrit Cole or Shohei Ohtani. This is especially useful in three-inning games.
Quick Wind-ups
Pitchers with fast delivery animations, like Stephen Strasburg or Will Yates, help you move through innings quickly, letting you simulate the rest of the map faster.
Stack Your Lineup
Check the opposing pitcher’s handedness. Facing a lefty? Stack your lineup with right-handed batters to maximize your PCI size and hitting power.
Bunting and Base Running
With a 2-3 run lead, bunting can speed up innings and end the game faster. Alternatively, if you’re aiming for XP or program stats, you can take your hits but intentionally over-run bases for quick outs while still earning XP.
Current Top Teams/Cards to Use (April 2026)
| Position | Recommended Players | Why Use Them? |
|---|---|---|
| Outfielders | Seiya Suzuki (88 WBC), Kyle Lewis (91 POTM) | High contact and power, ideal for 3-inning bursts. |
| Infielders | Jackson Holliday (93 Supercharged), Anthony Santander (88) | Holliday’s supercharged stats (100+ contact) make grinding effortless. |
| Pitchers | Logan Webb (91 POTM), Mike Soroka (90) | Strong pitch mixes like sinkers and cutters that fool the CPU. |
Using these players in Conquest lets you efficiently grab territory, rack up fans, and complete the map faster.
Pro Tip: If you want to skip the grind entirely, U4N is a trusted platform used by competitive players to skip the boring grind and focus on practicing. By securing MLB The Show 26 stubs this way, you can enhance your team without wasting hours farming.
