Behavioral Trends: Herding, FOMO, and Speculation in MLB The Show 25’s Diamond Dynasty Economy
The economy of MLB The Show 25’s Diamond Dynasty mode is not just shaped by supply and demand, but also significantly influenced by the collective behaviors and emotions of its player base. The introduction of revamped captains and theme teams has intensified these behavioral economic patterns, making them essential for anyone aiming to master the stub market and squad building.
Understanding how herding, FOMO (Fear of Missing Out), and speculation affect the market will help you anticipate price movements, avoid common pitfalls, and capitalize on emerging opportunities.
1. Herding Behavior: Following the Crowd
What Is Herding?
Herding is a psychological phenomenon where individuals follow the majority's actions, often ignoring their own information or analysis. In Diamond Dynasty, herding occurs when large groups of players gravitate toward the same teams, players, or strategies, creating a cascade effect.
How It Manifests in MLB The Show 25
Popular Theme Teams Surge: When a new captain or theme team is released, players rush to build or complete that team, driving up demand and prices rapidly.
Card Price Inflation: Highly sought-after cards experience price spikes as more players compete to acquire them.
Reduced Market Rationality: Herding can lead to prices exceeding intrinsic value because players buy cards mainly due to hype and popularity rather than objective performance metrics.
Real-World Example
The Minnesota Twins theme team, with powerful captains Royce Lewis and Jim Kaat, saw rapid price inflation for key cards like Byron Buxton and Walker Jenkins immediately after release, due to herding behavior.
Implications for Players
Pros: Herding creates short-term trading opportunities. Buying early before herding kicks in and selling during peak hype can yield significant profits.
Cons: Buying during the peak of a herd-driven surge can lead to overpaying for cards that will later depreciate when interest wanes.
How to Navigate Herding
Be Contrarian: Look for undervalued players ignored by the herd but with solid stats and synergy potential.
Wait for Price Correction: Avoid buying during initial hype; patience often leads to better entry prices.
Monitor Community Trends: Stay aware of what teams or cards the majority are chasing to predict upcoming herding waves.