Willie Mays is the big draw in MLB The Show 26's Spooky Conquest, but the map is also a useful first step toward two more 99 OVR players. Finish its objectives and you can earn Mays while adding 20 points to the Spooky Program. Another 20 points come from collecting 99 OVR Clay Buchholz, putting J.R. Richard and Mark McGwire within reach. If you're weighing up where to spend your time or MLB 26 stubs, check those objectives first. The cards earned through play might fill a spot you were about to address elsewhere.

Get Buchholz and Reach 40 Points

After Conquest, head into Spooky Mini Seasons and check the Buchholz goal. The listed requirement is 1,313 Player XP, or PXP, in that mode. That's separate from the points on the Spooky Program reward path, so don't worry if the two totals look different. Once you've earned Buchholz, return to the program and complete his collection objective; simply owning the card isn't the same thing. Confirm that the eligible 99 OVR Spooky version is selected, then look for the extra 20 points. With both initial tasks complete, you should reach 40 points and the Richard and McGwire milestones. Mini Seasons also has goals for Gary Sheffield, Brian Roberts, and Carlos Santana, though their cards have their own requirements.

What the Reward Path Offers

The early milestones give you more than players. There's a Deluxe pack at 10 points and a Mummy Icon at 15. Richard arrives at 20 points with 4,000 XP, followed by a Werewolf Icon at 25, another Deluxe pack at 30, and an MLB Draft Deluxe Pack at 35. McGwire appears at 40 points with another 4,000 XP. Later rewards include stadium sounds, packs, a Halloween Bat Skin, and XP. The items at 60, 80, and 100 points weren't identified in the initial information, so look at the live reward path before making plans around them. The program began on October 26, 2026, but an exact end time wasn't established. Check the active screen for a deadline before starting a long session.

Make Each Game Count

Take a minute to read every Conquest map goal before making your first move. One win doesn't necessarily finish the map, and a tough stronghold is easier to approach when you've built up your position. In Mini Seasons, give eligible hitters regular plate appearances and use eligible pitchers when you can. Check your PXP after each game; if it hasn't moved, review the mode's requirements and adjust your lineup. When rewards seem to be missing, revisit the map, the collection screen, and the program path separately. You may also need to claim an item before it appears in your inventory or pack area. If equipment looks wrong, check that Game Update 20 is installed and review the player's setup; the update wasn't described as changing these program objectives.

Choose Your Next Move

Mays is a good reason to start with Conquest, especially if your outfield needs help. Once you have him, compare his hitting and fielding attributes with the players you already use. Do the same with Richard and McGwire rather than relying on the overall rating alone. And if you decide to buy MLB 26 stubs, take another look at the available rewards first. There's no need to spend on a replacement before you know what your next few games could earn.