Playing as a heel in WWE 2K Universe Mode can be one of the most rewarding and entertaining experiences in the game. A well-crafted heel can generate intense rivalries, provoke strong crowd reactions, and dominate storylines with ruthless tactics. Whether you’re aiming to be the next Roman Reigns-like dominant villain or a cowardly, opportunistic heel like The Miz, here’s a guide to help you master the art of playing the bad guy in WWE 2K Universe Mode.
1. Set Your Superstar’s Alignment to Heel
The first step in embracing your villainous persona is ensuring your created or selected superstar is labeled as a heel in Universe Mode. You can do this by going into the settings for your character in the Superstar menu and changing their alignment to “heel.” This will influence how the AI reacts to your character and how the Universe Mode booker sets up rivalries for you.
2. Develop a Heel Persona and Gimmick
Every great heel has a strong character. In WWE 2K Universe Mode, consider the type of villain you want to be:
- Monster Heel: Like Brock Lesnar or Gunther, these heels dominate with brute force.
- Cowardly Heel: Like The Miz or Austin Theory, these heels rely on cheap tactics and interference.
- Arrogant Heel: Think Seth Rollins or early Roman Reigns, who boast about their greatness.
- Unhinged Heel: Superstars like Bray Wyatt or The Fiend rely on mind games and eerie presence.
Tailor your move set, entrance, and promos accordingly to fit your heel persona.
3. Use Heel Tactics in Matches
A heel doesn’t play fair, and WWE 2K games allow you to implement various dirty tactics:
- Low Blows & Eye Rakes: Use the “Dirty” ability to cheat in matches with low blows and eye pokes when the referee isn’t looking.
- Referee Distraction: If you have a manager, use them to distract the ref at crucial moments.
- Weapon Attacks: Take advantage of no-DQ situations by using chairs, kendo sticks, and announce tables.
- Taunting Excessively: Heel superstars love to mock their opponents and rile up the crowd, so make use of taunts often.
- Walking Out of Matches: A classic heel move is to get intentionally counted out to keep a championship or avoid a tough opponent.
WWE 2K Universe Mode (image via Getty)4. Cut Ruthless Promos
Promos in Universe Mode (especially with the Promo Engine in older games) are a great way to establish yourself as a true villain. Some heel promo ideas include:
- Insulting the crowd’s hometown
- Calling out legends for cheap heat
- Mocking your opponent’s weaknesses
- Acting overconfident or dismissive in feuds
If you’re using a created character, make sure their voice and tone match their heel personality.
5. Form a Heel Faction
Some of the best WWE heels thrive in groups, such as The Bloodline, Evolution, or The Judgment Day. Consider forming a faction in Universe Mode to gain power and control over your brand. Recruit other heels and use teamwork to interfere in matches, execute post-match beatdowns, and dominate the title scene.
6. Take Control of Feuds and Rivalries
Universe Mode lets you manually book rivalries. To maximize your heel run, take advantage of the following strategies:
- Attack Opponents Backstage: Use Universe Mode’s cutscene system to set up ambushes.
- Injure Your Rivals: Target specific body parts to make it seem like you’re putting superstars out of action.
- Steal Championships: Cut a promo claiming you’re the rightful champion, then attack the titleholder before a big match.
7. Work the Crowd for Maximum Heat
The WWE Universe thrives on fan reactions. If you want your heel character to feel authentic, make sure you work the crowd in your matches:
- Mock their favorite superstars by stealing their moves or imitating their mannerisms.
- Constantly roll out of the ring to frustrate your opponent and fans.
- Fake an injury to lure your opponent into a false sense of security before striking.
8. Create Controversial Moments
Every great heel has defining moments that make them despised. Consider these surprising heel moves:
- Betray a longtime tag team partner during a high-stakes match.
- Interfere in a main event to ruin a fan-favorite’s title opportunity.
- Steal a victory in a Royal Rumble by sneaking back in after being eliminated.
- Win a Money in the Bank contract and cash in at the worst possible moment for the champion.
9. Stay in Character Even in Loss
A heel doesn’t have to win all the time; they just need to remain hated. If you lose a match, consider attacking your opponent post-match to keep the rivalry alive. Alternatively, storm off angrily or refuse to shake hands if it is a close contest.
10. Uplift Your Heel Character with Storylines
Universe Mode thrives on storytelling. To keep your heel persona fresh, rotate through different types of feuds:
- Revenge Storyline: A babyface superstar seeks payback for your dirty tactics.
- Corporate Heel: Align yourself with WWE management to gain unfair advantages.
- Legend Killer Gimmick: Target retired or part-time legends to boost your reputation.
By controlling the storytelling aspects, you can create legendary feuds and rivalries.