Madden 23 Superstar X-Factor Players: What We Know So Far

2023-04-10 15:38

Here's a breakdown of the expected Superstar X-Factor players and their special abilities in Madden 23 at launch.

Since its debut in Madden NFL 20, the Superstar X-Factor system has been a core feature of Madden 21 and Madden 22, and Madden 23 seems primed to be no different.

The special X-Factor abilities, of course, are only given to a select group of NFL players which, just as with the ratings, are determined entirely by the EA Sports developer team. As such, here's a breakdown of the expected Superstar X-Factor players and their special abilities in Madden 23 at launch.

Madden 23 Superstar X-Factor Players: Full List

Here are all of the players known to have a Superstar X-Factor ability in Madden 23, as seen in-game during the closed beta in June (H/T GamesRadar):

BILLS: Stefon Diggs (WR) – Rac ‘Em Up
BILLS: Tre’Davious White (CB) – Shutdown
BILLS: Von Miller (DE) – Fearmonger
BILLS: Josh Allen (QB) – Bazooka
BRONCOS: Russell Wilson (QB) – Blitz Radar
BROWNS: Myles Garrett (DE) – Unstoppable Force
BROWNS: Nick Chubb (RB) – Wrecking Ball
BUCCANEERS: Tom Brady (QB) – Pro Reads
BUCCANEERS: Lavonte David (MLB) – Run Stuffer
BUCCANEERS: Mike Evans (WR) – Double Me
CARDINALS: DeAndre Hopkins (WR) – Double Me
CARDINALS: Kyler Murray (QB) – Escape Artist
CHARGERS: Khalil Mack (OLB) – Unstoppable Force
CHARGERS: Keenan Allen (WR) – Max Security
CHARGERS: Joey Bosa (OLB) – Unstoppable Force
CHARGERS: Derwin James Jr (SS) – Reinforcement
CHIEFS: Patrick Mahomes (QB) – Bazooka
CHIEFS: Travis Kelce TE) – Double Me
CHIEFS: Chris Jones (DT) – Momentum Shift
COLTS: Stephon Gilmore (BC) – Shutdown
COLTS: DeForest Buckner (DT) – Unstoppable Force
COLTS: Jonathan Taylor (HB) – Freight Train
COMMANDERS: Terry McLaurin (WR) – Ankle Breaker
COWBOYS: Dak Prescott (QB) – Blitz Radar
COWBOYS: Micah Parsons (OLB) – Unstoppable Force
DOLPHINS: Tyreek Hill (WR) – Rac ‘Em Up
49ERS: George Kittle (TE) – Yac ‘Em Up
49ERS: Fred Warner (MLB) – Zone Hawk
49ERS: Nick Bosa (DE) – Relentless
PACKERS: Aaron Rodgers (QB) – Dots
PACKERS: Jaire Alexander (CB) – Shutdown
PANTHERS: Christian McCaffrey (HB) – Ankle Breaker
RAIDERS: DaVante Adams (WR) – Double Me
RAIDERS: Chandler Jones (OLB) – Fearmonger
RAIDERS: Darren Waller (TE) – Yac ‘Em Up
RAMS: Janel Ramsey (CB) – Bottleneck
RAMS: Aaron Donald (DE) – Blitz
RAMS: Bobby Wagner (MLB) - Avalanche
RAMS: Cooper Kupp (WR) – Rac ‘Em Up
RAVENS: Lamar Jackson (QB) – Truzz
SAINTS: Tyrann Mathieu (SS) – Reinforcement
SAINTS: Alvin Kamara (HB) – Satellite
SAINTS: Cameron Jordan (DE) – Unstoppable Force
SEAHAWKS: DK Metcalf (WR) – Double Me
STEELERS: TJ Watt (OLB) – Unstoppable Force
STEELERS: Cameron Heyward (DE) – Fearmonger
TITANS: Derrick Henry (HB) – Freight Train
VIKINGS: Dalvin Cook (HB) – First One Free
VIKINGS: Danielle Hunter (OLB) – Unstoppable Force
VIKINGS: Justin Jefferson (WR) – Double Me

Of course, there certainly could have been plenty of changes made since then and now, so be sure to keep that in mind.

Judging by this list, it appears the Bears, Bengals, Eagles, Falcons, Giants, Jaguars, Jets, Lions, Patriots and Texans will not have any Superstar X-Factor players in Madden 23 at launch. The Bears, Giants, Lions, and Texans are said to not have Superstar players entirely.

Madden 23 Superstar X-Factor Abilities: Full List

Here are all of the Superstar X-Factor abilities in Madden 23, as seen in-game during the closed beta in June (H/T GamesRadar):

Ankle Breaker: High takeout rate on skill moves following the catch
Avalanche: Downhill hit-sticks force fumbles
Bazooka: Max throwing distance increased
Blitz: On-field blockers have their resistance bars wiped
Blitz Radar: Highlights extra blitzes
Bottleneck: Dominantly win man press attempts
Dots: Grants perfect passing on any throw
Double Me: Wins aggressive catches vs single coverage
Escape Artist: Improved scrambling speed when leaving the pocket
Fearmonger: Chance to pressure the QB while engaged with a blocker
Freight Train: Increased chance to break the next tackle attempt
Pro Reads: Highlights the first open target and ignores pressure
Freight Train: Increased chance to break the next tackle attempt
Max Security: High success rate on possession catches
Momentum shift: On field opponents have their zone progress wiped
Rac ‘Em Up: Wins RAC catches vs single coverage
Relentless: Rush moves no longer cost points
Reinforcement: Higher chance to defeat run blocks and disrupt catches
Run Stuffer: Block shedding is more effective vs run plays:
Satellite: Wins RAC possession catches vs single coverage
Shutdown: Tighter coverage & more interceptions on contested catches
Unstoppable Force: Pass rush wins leaf to quicker block shedding
Truzz: Can’t fumble as a result of a tackle
Wrecking Ball: High success rate in trucks and stiff arms
Yac ‘Em Up: Increased chance to break the first post-catch tackle
Zone Hawk: More interceptions in zone coverage

Again, there certainly could have been plenty of changes made in time for this month's launch.

According to Madden School, Dots is the lone brand-new X-Factor ability known to be coming to Madden 23 so far. Additionally, players may notice as well that Escape Artist has been upgraded from a regular Superstar ability to an X-Factor ability.

Madden NFL 23 is set to release worldwide for PlayStation 4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S and Windows PC (via EA app, Origin, Steam and Epic Games Store) on Aug. 19, 2022. EA Play (via Early Access Trial) and EA Play Pro subscribers, as well as those who pre-order the All Madden Edition, will have early access to the game starting on Aug. 16.

For more on Madden NFL 23, feel free to check out:

This article was originally published on dbltap as Madden 23 Superstar X-Factor Players: What We Know So Far.