NBA 2K17: All archetypes at a glance

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In NBA 2K17, one of the core features that players can explore is the selection of an archetype when creating their player. The archetype you choose will help shape your player's strengths and weaknesses on the court, but it’s not a rigid choice. While the archetypes offer initial specialization, 2K has provided plenty of flexibility for you to refine and develop your player’s overall abilities through training and badges.

In this guide, we’ll break down the 11 different archetypes in NBA 2K17, explaining the key attributes, upgradeable badges, and strengths and weaknesses of each. Whether you're a sharpshooter, a lockdown defender, or something else entirely, there’s an archetype for every playstyle.

(The Point and Shooting guard often share the same archetypes, and do power forward and center. The small forward are most archetypes to choose from and also he can be the only one of a Point Forward).

1. Lockdown Defender

Available Players: Point Guard, Shooting Guard, Small Forward, Power Forward
Upgradable Badges: Defensive Stopper, Pick Dodger, Pick Pocket, Chase Down Artist, Charge Card
Key Strengths:

  • Agility
  • Strength
  • Defending

Medium Attributes:

  • Rebounds
  • Layups & Dunks
  • Post Scoring
  • Mid-range Shooting

Weaknesses:

  • Shot off the Dribble
  • 3-Point Shooting

A versatile defender, the Lockdown Defender archetype excels in shutting down opponents, with badges like Defensive Stopper and Pick Pocket enhancing your ability to disrupt offensive plays. However, you’ll need to focus on improving your shooting and ball-handling if you want to diversify your gameplay.

2. Playmaker

Available Players: Point Guard, Shooting Guard
Upgradable Badges: Dimmer, Pick and Roll Maestro, Anklebreaker, Flashy Passer, Lob City Passer
Key Strengths:

  • Agility
  • Playmaking
  • Layups & Dunks
  • Mid-range Shooting

Medium Attributes:

  • Shooting off Dribble
  • 3-Point Shooting
  • Defending

Weaknesses:

  • Post Scoring
  • Strength
  • Rebounding

Playmakers are the ultimate floor generals, with quick movements and an ability to facilitate offense. Anklebreaker and Lob City Passer are key badges to enhance, but your scoring ability will need some work, especially in the post and from beyond the arc.

3. Sharpshooter

Available Players: Point Guard, Shooting Guard, Small Forward
Upgradable Badges: Deep Range Deadeye, Limitless Range, Catch and Shoot, Corners Specialist, Mid-range Deadeye
Key Strengths:

  • 3-Point Shooting
  • Mid-range Shooting

Medium Attributes:

  • Defending
  • Playmaking
  • Agility
  • Post Scoring
  • Shooting off Dribble
  • Rebounding

Weaknesses:

  • Layups & Dunks

Sharpshooters are your go-to archetype for long-distance sniping. With badges like Limitless Range and Catch and Shoot, you'll excel at draining shots from deep. However, you’ll need to keep your slashing and finishing around the rim in check.

4. Slasher

Available Players: Point Guard, Shooting Guard, Small Forward
Upgradable Badges: Posterizer, Acrobat, Tear Dropper, One-Man Fast Break
Key Strengths:

  • Layups & Dunks
  • Agility
  • Playmaking

Medium Attributes:

  • Shooting off Dribble
  • Defending
  • Strength
  • Mid-range Shooting

Weaknesses:

  • 3-Point Shooting
  • Post Scoring
  • Rebounding

Slashing players are built for attacking the rim with speed and finesse. You'll want to focus on badges like Posterizer and Acrobat to finish in traffic, but your long-range shooting will be a weaker point.

5. Athletic Finisher

Available Players: Power Forward, Center
Upgradable Badges: Lob City Finisher, Posterizer, Pick & Roller, Tear Dropper, One-Man Fast Break
Key Strengths:

  • Layups & Dunks
  • Agility

Medium Attributes:

  • Playmaker
  • Shooting off Dribble
  • Defending
  • Strength
  • Rebounding
  • Mid-range Shooting

Weaknesses:

  • 3-Point Shooting
  • Post Scoring

Athletic Finishers excel at attacking the basket with power and speed. Their agility and dunking abilities make them a force in transition. You'll need to develop your shooting and post play to round out your skills.

6. Stretch Big

Available Players: Power Forward, Center
Upgradable Badges: Deep Range Deadeye, Limitless Range, Catch & Shoot, Corner Specialist, Pick & Popper
Key Strengths:

  • 3-Point Shooting
  • Mid-range Shooting

Medium Attributes:

  • Defending
  • Shooting off Dribble
  • Post Scoring
  • Agility
  • Playmaking
  • Rebounding
  • Strength

Weaknesses:

  • Layups & Dunks

Stretch Bigs are big men who can stretch the floor with deadly outside shooting. Ideal for pick-and-pop scenarios, this archetype requires an improvement in inside play to be effective on both ends of the floor.

7. Post Scorer

Available Players: Small Forward, Power Forward, Center
Upgradable Badges: Drop-Stepper, Post-Spin-Technician, Dream-Like Up and Under, Brick Wall, Bruiser
Key Strengths:

  • Post Scoring
  • Strength
  • Layups & Dunks

Medium Attributes:

  • Defending
  • Rebounding
  • Agility
  • Mid-range Shooting

Weaknesses:

  • 3-Point Shooting
  • Playmaking
  • Shooting Off Dribble

If you like to back your opponent down in the post, the Post Scorer archetype is your best bet. With a variety of post moves at your disposal, you’ll need to work on perimeter shooting and playmaking to become more well-rounded.

8. Glass Cleaner

Available Players: Small Forward, Power Forward, Center
Upgradable Badges: Hustle Rebounder, Break Starter, Putback King, Brick Wall, Bruiser
Key Strengths:

  • Strength
  • Rebounding
  • Defending
  • Layups & Dunks
  • Agility

Medium Attributes:

  • Post Scoring

Weaknesses:

  • Shooting off Dribble
  • 3-Point Shooting
  • Mid-range Shooting
  • Playmaking

NBA 2K17
Glass Cleaners dominate the boards and are great at starting fast breaks with a strong inside presence. Their weaknesses lie in their perimeter skills, so focus on improving your post scoring and rebounding for a dominant presence inside.

9. Point Forward

Available Players: Small Forward
Upgradable Badges: Dimer, Ankle Breaker, Pick & Roll Maestro, Flashy Passer, Lob City Passer
Key Strengths:

  • Agility
  • Playmaking
  • Layups & Dunks
  • Mid-range Shooting

Medium Attributes:

  • Shooting off Dribble
  • 3-Point Shooting
  • Defending

Weaknesses:

  • Post Scoring
  • Strength
  • Rebounding

The Point Forward is a unique player who can act as a primary ball handler while having the versatility to score and defend. With badges like Dimer and Ankle Breaker, you'll be a key playmaker but need to improve in the post and rebounding.

10. Shot Creator

Available Players: Point Guard, Shooting Guard, Small Forward
Upgradable Badges: Difficult Shots, Tear Dropper, Tireless Scorer, Ankle Breaker, Mid-range Deadeye
Key Strengths:

  • Shooting off Dribble
  • Agility
  • Layups & Dunks
  • Mid-range Shooting

Medium Attributes:

  • 3-Point Shooting
  • Defending
  • Post Scoring
  • Playmaking

Weaknesses:

  • Strength
  • Rebounding

Shot Creators can score from anywhere on the court, excelling in mid-range and off-the-dribble shooting. You'll need to work on your post play and defense to round out your skills and maximize your potential.

Conclusion

NBA 2K17 offers a rich variety of archetypes to fit different playstyles. Whether you're locking down shooters with the Lockdown Defender or lighting up the court from range with the Sharpshooter, the choice is yours. Each archetype has its strengths, weaknesses, and key badges, so make sure to select one that complements your playing style while leaving room for growth. With careful training and smart badge upgrades, you can mold your player into a 99 overall machine regardless of the archetype you choose!

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