NBA 2K22: Best Badges for a Paint Beast

Contents

1 What are the best badges for a Paint Beast in 2K22?
2 1. Backdown Punisher
3 2. Fearless Finisher
4 3. Dream Shake
5 4. Fast Twitch
6 5. Rise Up
7 6. Mismatch Expert
8 7. Hooks Specialist
9 8. Putback Boss
10 9. Rebound Chaser
11 11. Box
12 12. Post Move Lockdown
13 13. Rim Protector
14 14. Pogo Stick
15 What to expect when using badges for a Paint Beast in NBA 2K22

Paint Beasts were stereotypical of the late 1990s to early 2000s. Back then, however, video games weren’t as advanced as today’s NBA 2K, so a detailed version of them had never previously made it to our consoles.

A Paint Beast is a player that usually operates around the post, and is capable of bullying smaller defenders in mismatch situations.

Luckily, you can recreate Paint Beasts such as Shaquille O’Neal or a prime Dwight Howard in today’s 2K meta. With the right build and badges, you can still pull off this classic playstyle.

What are the best badges for a Paint Beast in 2K22?

Paint Beasts with elements of finesse have emerged in the NBA in recent years, with DeMarcus Cousins and Joel Embiid both examples of these types of players who ultimately grew into All-Stars.

It’s best to take aspects from those molds in order to create your 2K22 paint beast. Keep in mind that you’ll need to either be a small forward, power forward, or a center to pull the playstyle off.

Below, we’ve taken a look at the best badges for a Paint Beast in NBA 2K22.

1. Backdown Punisher

The most important thing for a Paint Beast is to have a solid low post game. The Backdown Punisher badge will help you bully your defender as you move closer to the basket. This badge is crucial to your success as a Paint Beast, so you’ll want to have it at a Hall of Fame level.

2. Fearless Finisher

What happens after you bully your opponent and get closer to the basket? You’ll need an animation that will increase your chances of a successful conversion. To give you the best chance of finishing your hard work on the block, you’ll need a Hall of Fame level on your Fearless Finisher badge too.

3. Dream Shake

Hakeem Olajuwon kick-started the era of bonafide Paint Beasts. The Dream Shake badge is a homage to him, helping to throw off the defender on pump fakes.

4. Fast Twitch

As a Paint Beast, you’ll want to have a thunderous jam or at least a contact layup that you can execute before defenses react. The Fast Twitch badge will help you do just that, so it’s best to have at least a Gold level for it.

5. Rise Up

Combine that Fast Twitch badge with a Rise Up badge to make things easier when dunking under the basket. Make sure that it’s a Gold one too!

6. Mismatch Expert

What’s the point in being a Paint Beast without being able to pull off some bully ball, right? Maximize those mismatches with a Mismatch Expert badge. A Gold or Hall of Fame level badge should do the trick with this one.

7. Hooks Specialist

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar became the greatest of all time being a hook specialist. Mastering the hook can make you pretty unstoppable, so you’ll want to get this one to a Hall of Fame level.

8. Putback Boss

Second chance points are easier to convert than open jumpers in this current 2K meta, so it’s best that you have an extra animation to make it a sure thing underneath the basket. A Gold Putback Boss badge is enough to do the trick.

9. Rebound Chaser

Speaking of second chance points, you’re going to have to be the king of the boards as a Paint Beast too, so you’ll want to get the Rebound Chaser badge up to Hall of Fame level.

11. Box

Paint Beasts aren’t slithery worms swimming for rebounds. They outmuscle their opponents to grab those boards, so it is important that you use a Box badge to best enable you to do this. Make sure that you put it at least a Silver or Gold level.

12. Post Move Lockdown

To maximize your player, you’ll want to be a beast on the defensive end too. The Post Move Lockdown badge will improve your ability to defend players in the low post, and you’ll want to have a Gold badge for this.

13. Rim Protector

Want to completely stop your opponent’s ability to get a shot off? The Rim Protector badge will make sure that no one will make shots against you in the paint. It helps to have a Hall of Fame Rim Protector badge, but even a Gold level will do wonders for your Paint Beast.

14. Pogo Stick

Dikembe Mutombo is one legend that comes to mind when it comes to blocks, but he wasn’t just a rim protector. He might as well have had pogo sticks for legs such was his ability to block successive shots, and you can be the same with a Gold Pogo Stick badge.

What to expect when using badges for a Paint Beast in NBA 2K22

What type of Paint Beast you want to be ultimately comes down to personal preference, and you can choose to try to dominate on either the offensive or the defensive end. If you want to be a two-way Paint Beast, however, that might take a little bit of time.

It’s a good thing that the meta for 2K22 is pretty similar to 2K19 and 2K20 when it comes to scoring in the paint. While defenders can still force some sure things into misses, it’s not as hard to score in the paint in this year’s edition as it was in the last.

The best way to be a Paint Beast in NBA 2K22 is to make sure that you focus on defense first and use those VCs that you can earn to build on your offense. That way, you’ll be sure that your player will be able to dominate both ends of the paint in the long run.

Looking for the best 2K22 Badges?

NBA 2K23: Best Point Guards (PG)

NBA 2K22: Best Playmaking Badges to Boost Your Game

NBA 2K22: Best Defensive Badges to Boost Your Game

NBA 2K22: Best Finishing Badges to Boost Your Game

NBA 2K22: Best Shooting Badges to Boost Your Game

NBA 2K22: Best Badges for 3-Point Shooters

NBA 2K22: Best Badges for a Slasher

NBA2K23: Best Power Forwards (PF)

Looking for the best builds?

NBA 2K22: Best Point Guard (PG) Builds and Tips

NBA 2K22: Best Small Forward (SF) Builds and Tips