Madden NFL 22 brings in a mechanic known as the Superstar X-Factor Abilities. This mechanic was first released in Madden 20 and it makes a return even in Madden 22. This time around the game goes even more in-depth with player abilities. So scroll down and find out about this in-game mechanic.
New Superstar X-Factor Abilities in Madden NFL 22
The Superstar X-Factor Abilities in Madden NFL 22 are divided into two distinct types: Offensive and Defensive.
Offensive Abilities
| Ability name | Description | Zone | Trigger | Knockout |
Player with ability
|
| Ankle Breaker | Truly devastating receiving threats are the ones that catch and can’t be caught. When they enter the zone; they have increased fakeout rates on spin/juke/hurdle after the catch. | Increased fakeout rates on skill moves following the catch. | Three 10+ yard receptions | One drop, incompletion, or three consecutive non-targets |
Christian McCaffrey
|
| Bazooka | Quarterbacks with generational arms have the power to stretch any defense to its breaking point. When they enter the zone; their maximum throw distance is increased. | Max throwing distance increased (83 yards total) when in the zone | One completed pass of 30+ yards in air | One sack |
Patrick Mahomes
|
| Blitz Radar | Successful quarterbacks stay cool and stand confidently against the blitz. When they enter the zone, all blitzing linebackers and defensive backs are highlighted. Can be bluffed. | Highlights extra blitzers. | Three scrambles of 10+ yards | Two sacks | Russell Wilson |
| Double Me | Aggressive receivers overpower defenders and attack the football. When they enter the zone, this ability increases their success rate on aggressive catches against single coverage. | Wins aggressive catches versus single coverage. | Two receptions of 20+ yards in air | One drop, incompletion, or three consecutive non-targets |
Travis Kelce, Davante Adams, DeAndre Hopkins, Julio Jones, Mike Evans
|
| First One Free | Some players thrive on making defenders look silly. When they enter the zone, this ability increases their fakeout rate on the next juke, spin, or hurdle. | High fake-out rate on next juke, spin, or hurdle | Three rushes of 10+ yards | Tackle for loss |
Saquon Barkley, Dalvin Cook
|
| Freight Train | Freight Trains are relentless runners who refuse to go down on first contact. When they enter the zone, this ability increases their chance to break the next tackle. | Increased chance to break the next tackle attempt. | Three rushes for 10+ yards | One tackle for loss |
Ezekiel Elliott, Derrick Henry
|
| Gambler | The best quarterbacks learn to take calculated risks. When they enter the zone, they can’t be intercepted (by AI defenders) and have increased throw speed. | Faster passes that can’t be picked off by AI defenders. | Three consecutive completions of 5+ yards | Two incompletions |
Aaron Rodgers
|
| Max Security | A surehanded receiver is a quarterback’s best friend. When they enter the zone, this ability increases their success rate (and decreases knockout chance) on possession catches. | High success rate on possession catches. | Four consecutive receptions | One drop, incompletion, or three consecutive non-targets |
Amari Cooper, Keenan Allen, Michael Thomas
|
| Pro Reads | For great quarterbacks, vision and anticipation are paramount. When they enter the zone, their first open receiver is highlighted and they ignore defensive pressure. | Highlights the first open target and ignores pressure. | Three consecutive completions of 5+ yards | One sack | Tom Brady |
| RAC’em Up | RAC receivers fight for every possible yard after making a catch. When they enter the zone, this ability increases their success rate on RAC catches against single coverage. | Wins RAC catches versus single coverage. | Three receptions of 20+ Yards | One drop, incompletion, or three consecutive non-targets |
Stefon Diggs, Tyreek Hill
|
| Satellite | Some running backs have the talent to be elite receivers. When they enter the zone, this ability increases their success rate on possession and RAC catches against single coverage. | Wins RAC & possession catches vs. single coverage. | Make three 10+ yard receptions | One drop, incompletion, or three consecutive non-targets | Alvin Kamara |
| Truzz | The most effective ball carriers prioritize maintaining possession over all else. When they enter the zone, no tackles made against them will result in a fumble. | Can’t fumble when in the zone. | Five 1+ yard runs | One tackle for loss |
Lamar Jackson
|
| Wrecking Ball | Wrecking Ball runners don’t avoid contact. They create it. When they enter the zone, this ability increases their success rate on trucks and stiff arms. | High success rate on next three trucks or stiff-arms. | Three rushes of 10+ yards | Tackle for loss | Nick Chubb |
| YAC’em Up | The best physical receivers don’t just come down with the ball; they carry it home. When they enter the zone, they are nearly guaranteed to break their first post-catch tackle. | Increased chance to break the first post-catch tackle. | Three 20+ yard receptions | One drop, incompletion, or three consecutive non-targets |
George Kittle, Darren Waller
|
Also Read: How To Get Madden 22 Beta Code?
Superstar Defensive X-Factor Abilities in Madden NFL 22
| Ability name | Description | Zone | Trigger | Knockout |
Player with ability
|
| Avalanche | There are tacklers and then there are these guys. When they enter the zone, any successful hit-stick made while running towards the line of scrimmage will result in a fumble. | Downhill hit-sticks force fumbles | Three hit-stick tackles | 30 offensive yards allowed |
Bobby Wagner, Jamal Adams
|
| Blitz | Effective D-Line captains aren’t just examples to follow; they are motivators. When they enter the zone, all opposing blockers have their resistance bars wiped out. | On-field blockers have their resistance bars wiped. | Two defensive line sacks | One down played | Aaron Donald |
| Bottleneck | Bottleneck defenders realize that the best way to stop a route is to act early. When they enter the zone; they are highly likely to dominantly win any man press encounter. | Dominantly win man press attempts | Two forced incompletions | 30 offensive yards allowed | Jalen Ramsey |
| Fearmonger | Some pass rushers intimidate quarterbacks with their sheer presence. When they enter the zone, they can apply significant pressure on quarterbacks even while engaged with blockers. | Chance to pressure the QB while engaged with a blocker. | Two defensive line sacks | 20 offensive yards allowed |
Fletcher Cox, Chandler Jones, Von Miller
|
| Momentum Shift | Momentum Shift players demoralize their opponents. When they enter the zone, all on-field opponents are knocked out of the zone or lose any progress towards entering the zone. | On-field opponents have Zone progress wiped. | Two defensive line sacks | One down played | Chris Jones |
| Reinforcement | The game’s top defenders excel in all situations. When they enter the zone, this ability increases their chance of defeating run blocks and disrupting catches via tackles. | Higher chance to defeat run blocks and disrupt catches | Two tackles for loss, or two incompletions | 10 offensive yards allowed |
Tyrann Mathieu, Derwin James Jr
|
| Relentless | The most tenacious defenders beat their blocks by sheer force of will. When they enter the zone, their rush move attempts are free. | Rush moves no longer cost points. | One sack or tackle for loss | 20 offensive yards allowed |
J.J. Watt, Nick Bosa
|
| Run Stuffer | Run Stuffers can singlehandedly disrupt an offense. When they enter the zone, this ability increases their win rate and block shed speed against one-on-one run blocks. | Block shedding becomes more effective versus run plays | Two tackles for loss | 30 offensive yards allowed |
Lamonte David
|
| Shutdown | Shutdown defenders have the talent to erase receivers from the game. When they enter the zone, their coverage is tighter and interceptions are more frequent on contested catches. | Tighter coverage and more interceptions on contested catches | Two forced incompletions | 30 offensive yards allowed |
Tre’Davioous White, Jaire Alexander, Stephon Gilmore
|
| Unstoppable Force | Elite pass rushers are a mix of strength, speed, and tenacity. When they enter the zone, this ability increases their win rate and block shed speed against one-on-one pass blocks. | Pass rush wins lead to quicker block shedding. | Two defensive line sacks | 10 offensive yards allowed |
DeForest Buckner, Cameron Jordan, Danielle Hunter, Joey Bosa, Khalil Mack, T.J. Watt, Myles Garrett
|
| Zone Hawk | Zone Hawk defenders lock down a part of the field. When they enter the zone, this ability increases the rate of interceptions while in zone coverage. | More interceptions in zone coverage | Two forced incompletions | 30 offensive yards allowed |
Xavien Howard, Devin McCourty, Fred Warner
|
This is everything that you need to know about the new Superstar X-Factor Abilities in Madden NFL 22. While you are here you can have a look at our Madden NFL 22 Wiki to know more about the game.
