NBA now 23 is an NBA licensed mobile basketball game that gives NBA fans the look and feel of playing in real NBA courts and with real basketball players. It is a sequel to NBA Now 2022 previously released by Com2us Studios. The final season offers all NBA teams in every stadium the full program of the NBA ’22 -’23 season. Players can create a lineup with their favorite NBA players and challenge their friends and other users online. In this NBA now 23 Beginner’s Guide, we will help you with the basics, starting with all the game resources to the various game modes available to take advantage of in this game. We will also share some valuable tips and tricks for beginners to improve their game and ensure a win in every match.

Understanding the game resources

Speaking of resources, let’s first decode the base game currencies that would be needed for various gaming expenses.

Basic Game currencies Utility
Star 1. Can be used to purchase items from the shop, used for player development and squad management, including:
·> Skill Change Cards.
·> Player Slot Extension Cards.
·> Booster card to level up.
·> Gold Grade Up Card.
·> Prism Cards (Upgrade, Superboost and Awakening).
·> Consumer boxes.
·> Team change tickets.
2. Used to upgrade your coach’s skills.
3. Also used as an exchange for vintage and premium player packs since Section draft that increase your team’s OVR.
Points It can be used as an alternative currency to level up your players.

Mode-specific currencies

In addition to the normal in-game currencies, the game offers some special currencies specific to a particular mode and can only be used to redeem items from that particular Mode Shop.

Mode-specific currencies Utility
Coins of the club Special club currency that can be used to purchase items from the Club Shop, including:
·> Skill Change Cards.
·> Rank stat reset cards.
·> Level extension cards.
·> Special Training Cards (Gold and Silver).
·> Booster cards to level up.
·> Prism Cards (Upgrade, Superboost and Awakening).
Battle coins Special currency for Ranked Battle mode, used to redeem Squad Ability Effects and Player Packs from the Battle Shop.
Arcade Coins Special currency for Arcade Mode, used to redeem the following items from the Arcade Shop:
·> Consumer boxes.
·> Lucky coupons.
·> Lotteries.
Coins of friendship Special Currency for Friends Battle Mode, used to redeem the following Game Tickets from the Friendship Shop:
Skill Change Cards.
·> Arcade Tickets.
·> Ranked Battle Upgrade Tickets.
·> Club Tickets.
·> Tickets FA.
·> FA Premium Tickets.
Coins of prediction Special Prediction Mode currency which is used to purchase Player Combination Packs from the Prediction Shop.

Booster items

The base game currencies discussed, now we walk you through the available game boost elements. Once earned, these items can be redeemed from the Inventory section of the game.

Booster items Utility
Consumables (vitamins, sprays, ribbons and chocolates) Update various player stats including Shooting, Physicality, Ball Control and Defense.
Mission booster Increase the manual progress of mission completion
Tactics Cards Increases your chances of scoring when used in the game.

Game Modes Decoding

The game lets you experience the ultimate NBA experience in five different game modes. Let’s discuss them in detail.

1. Regular League

This mode allows you to enjoy the entire season of the NBA championship, lasting 82 games.

  • The program of the last season will be followed in League mode.
  • You can choose to simulate games, play full 12-minute games, or play the last quarter (3-minute window).
  • Supplements can be provided to your side at the end of each quarter, in the form of a Booster Item.
  • Quarter-end awards are sent at the end of each quarter.
  • The top 8 seeds in each conference advance to the playoffs under the updated NBA rules.
NBA Now 23 Regular League Mode
Image via Com2uS

2. Ranked Battle

Ranked Battle is an online ranked game mode where users level up after winning through 5 tier levels. Some key features of this mode include:

  • It is a full simulation game mode, meaning players on both sides only need to watch the games in Battle mode.
  • Winning games reward you with Battle coins who decide your rank in the current level and, subsequently, your promotion in the levels.
  • In addition to deciding your rank, Battle coins earned from this mode can also get squad skill effects and player packs from the Battle Shop section.
NBA Now 23 Ranked Battle Mode
Image via Com2uS

3. Games room

Just like in Ranked Battle mode, Arcade mode consists of 5 levels of 3 levels each. It is a weekly event with the following characteristics:

  • You can participate in the Dunk Contest and 3 Pt. Festival every week, in Arcade mode.
  • Users will play the Arcade with the nominated player of the week.
  • While Arcade Tickets are required for each entry, participation in the Arcade rewards users with Arcade Coins.
  • Arcade Coins can be exchanged for various in-game items, including Lucky Coupons and Consumables Boxes, from the game’s Arcade shop.
  • Climbing the levels rewards you with Stars and even Gold-diamond Player Packs after every 5th level.
NBA Now 23 Arcade Mode
Image via Com2uS

4. Battle between friends

Friend Battle allows you to show your skills in front of your friends. If your friend is listed in the battle list, you can challenge him to a 1V1 online battle.

  • Battles between winning friends reward you with a fixed number of Stars everyday.
  • Upon reaching the daily limit of stars earned from this event, you will be rewarded with a Coin of friendship.
  • Various Game Tickets, including Aracde Tickets, Club Tickets, and FA Tickets, can be exchanged for Friendship Coins earned in the Friendship Shop.
NBA Now 23 Friend Mode
Image via Com2uS

5. Forecast

As the name suggests, the forecast mode asks you to predict the results for that day. You can refer to the forecast bar for a brief idea on the voting impulse and vote accordingly.

  • In addition to the Match Prediction, under the Ranker Prediction, you can predict the top 3 players of the week in each of the following categories: More assists, blocks, rebounds, 2 points and points.
  • A correct forecast rewards you with a guarantee 10 Prediction coins and additional rewards based on correct betting count.
  • Prediction Coins can be used to redeem Gold Player Combo Packs, Intermediate Player Combo Packs, and Premium Player Combo Packs from the Prediction Shop.
NBA Now Prediction Mode 23
Image via Com2uS

NBA Now 23: Simplified game controls

Now that we are aware of the game modes, let’s take an overview of the in-game touch and swipe controls and give them a simplified overview. Controls this season are more detailed and smoother with different buttons for the two different scenarios:

  • When you are in possession of the ball (Offense).
  • When you have lost possession (Defense).

A joystick would be placed on the left of the game screen for both Attack and Defense scenarios, facilitating direction and movement up and down the field.

Offensive controls

  • Direction and Dribbling– Use the joystick to give direction to your passes and to dribble the opponent’s defenses along the pitch.
  • Passing by– Tap once on Ride button to pass the ball between teammates. Make sure you simultaneously take the help of the joystick to give direction to that passage. The AI, however, is strong enough to make judgments about who to pass the ball. However, we recommend using the joystick for best results.
  • Shot– Filming is a complicated aspect of this game. As a beginner, most of your 2 points would be reduced as missed chances. Not only is it necessary to touch the Shooting button, but also hold it down for a while until the slider on the hit meter reaches the top green region. It will gradually happen with practice. Make sure you follow the tutorial carefully for a better understanding.
  • Voyage– The Guide button is used to perform special moves and transforms into the field as you bypass your opponent’s defenses. To do this, tap and hold the Drive button. The button is so strong that you can even pair it with the pass and shoot button. While holding the Guide button, slide your finger on the Pass button to perform a special pass as you move past the defenses. While near the nets, you can also pair it with the Shoot button by holding the Drive button and then swiping up to the Shoot button to perform a dunk.

Defensive controls

  • Direction and Movement– Use the joystick to facilitate the movement of your players.
  • Switch– Tap and hold the Change button to switch control to another player who is closest to the attacking basketball player.
  • Defence– Touch and hold the Guard button to execute a defense.
  • To steal– Double tap on Guard button for a theft.
  • To block– To skip and block your opposition’s shots, tap the Block button.

NBA Now 23: Beginner’s Guide and Tips

Here is our bonus section that would help beginners quickly assemble their lineup and know what they need to do to take their game to the next level in NBA Now 23. What follows are some helpful tips and tricks from our gaming experience.

1. Upgrade your players by leveling up and leveling up on them

The first and most important aspect you need to pay attention to is leveling up your players.

  • Level up: To do this, go up Manage the team section and tap the desired player from the player list. Navigate to go up to the next level. You can level up using stars or via points, but we suggest you aim for points initially as there would be a shortage of stellar currencies.
NBA Now 23 Player Level Up
Image via Com2uS
  • Skill level: Leveling up your player isn’t everything. To improve his all-round skills, you must also choose Skill Training. However, you cannot do this with your in-game assets. Skill levels can be earned by playing with those players in various modes. As they play, they accumulate experience points which can be used to upgrade their skills from the Skill Training section.
NBA Now 23 Player Skill Training
Image via Com2uS
  • Grade Up: Grading Up basically updates your player’s card type (say from Silver to Gold). Make sure you do a Grade Up once it’s available.
  • Level extension: A level extension is basically extending your player’s maximum level, thus making him even stronger. However, extending the level shouldn’t be your main focus as a beginner as the feature will only be available when your player resides at a much higher level (say, level 20).

2. Increasing your coach’s skills is just as important

In addition to leveling up your players, you must also keep an eye on your manager’s Physical, Skill Control, Shooting, Rebound and Defensive traits enhancements in all modes. Upgrading each trait once requires a 100-star investment. Save your stars and start upgrading these traits in the Manager section, otherwise your team’s OVR won’t increase.

NBA Now 23 Coaches Skill Booster
Image via Com2uS

3. Perform condition recovery on your team before entering a league match

Condition Recovery Cards are special cards that can be earned from the Club Shop or as a reward. If you have Condition Recovery cards in your stock, be sure to use them on your team before playing a league match, especially when playing multiple matches in a row. This ensures that your team performs to their full potential in the game. To use a condition recovery card, go to the Training tab in Manage your team and tap the plus sign next to Team Condition.

Conditional recovery of the NBA Now 23 team
Image via Com2uS

4. Earn additional stats for players selected by Formation Effect

The Formation Effect tab in the Manage Your Squad section is a special section where you have various rank effects that increase the personal stats of selected players. To do this, you need to add 4 or more players of the same Rank / Region / Team / Position to increase the stats of the players who meet the condition. The effects of training in NBA Now 23 are four types:

  • Grade-based training effect (such as normal, bronze, gold, diamond, etc.)
  • Effect of region-based training (Eastern Conference, Central Conference, Atlantic Division, etc.)
  • Position-based training effect (starting position, bench position)
  • Squad-based training effect (like Trailblazers squad effect)

5. Use Boost items to improve your players’ traits

Various power-up items are available in the form of consumables that help develop specific traits of your players based on their location. You can access it from the Inventory section of the game. Make sure you don’t hesitate to use them once you’ve earned them.

Consumables

  • Vitamins: Boost your attackers’ shooting traits.
  • Drinks: increase the physicality of your players.
  • Spray: Strengthen the ball control of your players playing in the specified position.
  • Ribbons: Enhance your players’ defensive skills on the defense line.
  • Chocolates: increases rebound abilities.
NBA Now 23 booster items
Image via Com2uS

Along with consumables, we have Mission cards And Tactics Cards as Booster items that help you quickly track the progress of manual mission completion and increase your scoring chances respectively. So, make sure you cash in on these items.

6. Resource management

An important aspect of any game is resource management. Although the stars are the basic game resource that can get you anything, you will find a shortage of this resource, especially in the early days as they are very difficult to earn. So, see where you can deny their use.

  • Initially, you should use Stars just to update yours Skills of the coach and for getting your hands on Consumables.
  • When it comes to leveling up your players, Points, which are available in abundance, can serve the same purpose. So refrain from initially using your stars to improve the player level.
  • Gradually, when you have earned a decent amount of coins, only then try to spend them in the next most important section which is, Premium Player Draft. Normal draft players would be fine for now.
  • If your player slots are full, instead of using your resources to extend them initially, combine your benched players into a new player to save both slots and currency. We will talk about this feature a little later.

7. Watch out for completing special and weekly missions on time

Event Missions can earn you a wide variety of in-game resources, ranging from consumable boxes, tickets and cards to points. So, every day, when you log in, be sure to visit the Event Mission section to keep tabs on the objectives you need to complete within the time frame. In addition to the usual weekly objectives, a set of special missions is currently available in the game for an additional 20 days or so, which can earn you additional in-game rewards. So, make sure you don’t lose them.

NBA Now 23 Event Mission Set
Image via Com2uS

8. Try to earn Pass Points by completing the objectives listed in Play Pass

Play Pass is a Season Pass event that usually lasts for one month. During a season, you must achieve certain objectives listed in the quest list in this section. As you keep completing them, you earn Pass points which reward you with lots of in-game items including, Milestone based stars set. You can easily complete these milestones by accumulating the aforementioned number of Pass Points. Don’t overlook this section so you don’t miss the freebies.

NBA Now 2023 Game Pass
Image via Com2uS

9. Combine your unwanted players to add a new player to your lineup

There is no need to keep players who only warm up the bench. NBA Now 23, has an interesting feature where you can combine all these unwanted players into a new player of a similar higher rank since it is made up of the combined strength of multiple slot members. You will initially have normal players on your team. So, try to make combinations of 3 or 4 of these players in order to get a higher ranking player. The combination of normal level players requires an investment in the form of points.

NBA Now 2023 Player Combination
Image via Com2uS

10. Various suggestions

  • Don’t forget to visit the Attendance Game section every day as you can claim game resources in the form of daily and special login bonuses every day.
  • Watch the announcements every day to get rewards based on your level (in level 1 you will be rewarded with 5,000 points). They would be really useful as stars are a scarce resource and you have to initially manage all your gaming expenses with points.

Final thoughts

NBA now 23 it is nothing more than a live NBA gaming experience. Featuring fully licensed coaches and players and professional commentary on league matches, the developers of Com2uS they took realism to new levels. The NBA Now franchise has clearly come a long way. The only thing that hasn’t changed over the years is the graphics. It appears that only color gradation is applied to it. Overall, the variation in game modes and features makes it a must-try game for everyone sixth man. If you have any problems during your NBA Now 23 journey, you can always refer to this NBA Now 23 Beginner’s Guide for quick assistance.

That’s it from us for the NBA Now 23 Beginner’s Guide! You found ours NBA now 23 guide for beginners useful? Let us know in the Comments!

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Philip Owell

Professional blogger, here to bring you new and interesting content every time you visit our blog.