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:
- Madden 23 99 Club: Full List of All Players
- Madden 23 Ratings: Top 10 Rookies
- Madden 23 Ratings: Top 10 Tight Ends
- Madden 23 Ratings: Top 10 Quarterbacks
- Madden 23 Ratings: Top 10 Running Backs
This article was originally published on dbltap as Madden 23 Superstar X-Factor Players: What We Know So Far.