EA FC 25: Everything new in Ultimate Team

As a dedicated FIFA player with countless hours spent on the pitch over the years, I must admit that the latest updates for FIFA 25 have me absolutely thrilled! The removal of the one-at-a-time Evolution progress is truly a godsend – no more waiting patiently for my players to evolve, one by one. It’s like finally being able to cook an entire feast instead of just one course at a time!

As an avid FIFA fan, I can’t help but get excited about the latest announcements for FIFA 25’s Ultimate Team! Being the most beloved game mode in EA FC, it comes as no surprise that there have been many eagerly-awaited new features unveiled for this upcoming release.

Exploring the shift from contract terms to our innovative Evolutions system, there’s a wealth of intriguing content you won’t want to overlook!

In addition to regular play, the latest ‘Rush’ game mode allows you to include your preferred players from your personal Ultimate Team in the intense, fast-paced 5v5 battles.

In a manner similar to the standard version, you will play alongside three other individuals rather than commanding the entire team. You’ll need to select one player from your club that meets certain criteria, striving to form a harmonious and effective team with your fellow players.

You won’t have the opportunity to combine identical players with others, regardless of the variation. So, no chance for a team composed entirely of Mbappé duplicates.

In addition to the main gameplay, there are special Rush events offered for those who seek additional challenges. These events have their own entrance criteria and enable you to quickly complete your weekly Rush goals.

As a gamer excitedly anticipating FC 25, one feature that really caught my attention is the revolutionary ‘FC IQ’ system. This system seems to be completely redefining strategies within the game, making it more tactical and challenging. At the same time, it appears that players will have a greater sense of autonomy, as characters seem to develop a mind of their own to some extent.

Manager tactical presets

As a devoted fan, I’m thrilled to find that the influence of managers has expanded beyond just chemistry. Now, we have an exciting array of strategic presets at our disposal, enabling us to mimic and replicate iconic tactical formations such as Tiki Taka, Gegenpressing, and many others.

With these tools, you can leverage unique strategies without having to spend time on setup, freeing you from the hassle so you can jump right into your next gaming session, saving you valuable time and energy.

Sharing tactics

If you think you have the skills to become the next Pep Guardiola and enjoy designing unique strategies, now could be an ideal moment for you to make your mark by sharing those strategies using the coding system.

Strategies can now easily be exchanged among players using a distinct code, enabling you to impart your knowledge swiftly or learn from top performers with minimal clicks.

Player roles

As a dedicated fan, I’m thoroughly excited about the refreshed Player Roles in Football Manager (FC IQ), which have effectively replaced Work Rates. These new roles not only add a touch of realism to each player’s card but also enhance the way players move off the ball, making the gameplay feel more tactically authentic.

Every position comes with distinct Player Functions, which outline the behavior of each player within game strategies and on the field.

If a player is proficient in a particular position, they would typically possess a fundamental grasp of all Player Roles, and excel in at least one specialized Role+ area.

In addition, exceptional global players will not only excel in their respective positions but also stand out significantly in a Specific Role Enhancement, highlighting their mastery in that specific role. For instance, Trent Alexander-Arnold shines in the Attacking Wingback Enhanced Role, while Mohamed Salah is exceptional as an Inside Forward.

Here are all of the different player roles that are available in Ultimate Team:

Position	Player Roles
GK	Goalkeeper – Defend / Balanced Sweeper Keeper – Balanced
RB / LB	Fullback – Defend / Balanced Wingback – Balanced Falseback – Defend / Balanced Attacking Wingback – Balanced / Attack
CB	Defender – Defend / Balanced Stopped – Balanced Ball-Playing Defender – Defend / Build-Up
CDM	Holding – Defend / Roaming Centre-Half – Defend Deep-Lying Playmaker – Defend / Roaming
CM	Box-to-Box – Balanced Holding – Defend Deep-Lying Playmaker – Defend Playmaker – Attack / Roaming Half-Winger – Balanced / Attack
RM / LM	Winger – Balanced / Attack Wide Midfielder – Defend / Balanced Wide Playmaker – Attack Inside Forward – Balanced / Attack
CAM	Playmaker – Balanced / Roaming Shadow Striker – Attack Half-Winger – Balanced / Attack
RW / LW	Winger – Balanced / Attack Inside Forward – Balanced / Attack / Roaming Wide Playmaker – Attack
ST	Advanced Forward – Attack / Complete Poacher – Attack False 9 – Build-Up Target Forward – Balanced / Attack / Wide

To effectively establish your team, it’s crucial to consider both your preferred strategies and the corresponding Player Roles. Striking a balance has become essential, as selecting the appropriate Player Role could prove more impactful than having a seemingly superior player on paper.

Removed formations & positions

As a devoted fan, I’ve noticed some exciting tweaks to our usual formations and roles. The classic Center Forward (CF) and Left/Right Wide Backs/Wing Backs (LWB/RWB) have vanished, making room for innovative setups like the 4-4-1-1, 4-3-3 (5), and 5-2-2-1.

Additionally, any structures that lack certain positions have been modified as well. In these changes, Central Attacking Midfielders (CAMs) are used instead of several Center Forwards (CFs), and Left Back/Right Back (LB/RB) are substituted for their corresponding wing-backs.

It’s quite possible that the new Player Roles have caused this change, since the roles like False 9 and Attacking Wingback can now cover the functions previously associated with the three positions that were eliminated.

Cosmetic changes

The old times of cringing every time you displayed your unattractive Evolution card on the team screen are long gone. Now, you have the exciting opportunity to personalize the appearance of your cards using various distinctive cosmetic items!

As a gamer with years of experience under my belt, I can confidently say that the level of customization and personalization in modern games is truly remarkable. From the color schemes to even animations and sound effects, it’s incredible how these details can make each gaming experience unique and immersive.

As a long-time gamer, I have come across various in-game currencies and ways to unlock cosmetic upgrades throughout my gaming journey. From my perspective, the options presented here – UT Coins, FC Points, Objectives, and rewards – seem familiar and reminiscent of the kits you can collect in many games. However, it’s the store-exclusive FC Points that pique my curiosity, as they often offer more elaborate cosmetic options for those willing to invest a bit more time or money. It brings back memories of grinding for hours to unlock rare items or purchasing premium currency to speed up the process. The variety and customization these systems allow in games is one of the reasons I continue to play and engage with them, so I’m looking forward to seeing what this game has to offer!

Increasing the Evolution pool

In Football Manager 24, following the introduction of Evolutions, a highly sought-after feature became the loosening of rules regarding which players could be selected for gameplay.

It’s great news that EA has taken notice and expanded the selection of players you can utilize for each Evolution. Now, there are restrictions on specific attributes, ensuring your card can be enhanced only up to a particular cap, provided it meets the necessary conditions.

If Jude Bellingham’s maximum upgrade for Shooting is 80, he can improve it by just five points. However, other players may have the opportunity to boost their Shooting stat by more if they start with a lower value initially.

Simultaneous Evolution progress

One significant annoyance I’ve encountered with the Evolutions system was limiting advancement to just one player at a time. Fortunately, I’m delighted to share that this constraint has now been eliminated!

Currently, it’s unclear whether you can simultaneously undergo an infinite number of Evolutions. However, what is certain is that the rule limiting you to only one Evolution at a time has been removed.

As a dedicated fan, I’ve longed for the day when duplicate storage would become a reality, a dream that spans over several years. And lo and behold, my wish has finally come true!

From now on, you can store as many as 100 non-tradeable items in a Special Item Storage for SBCs. This means you can easily use these items within Squad Building Challenges without having to discard valuable players just because you already have duplicates in your club. This streamlines the process of opening packs significantly.

New points system

In Division Rivals, weekly prizes are now based on the points you earn rather than on victories. This update is terrific news for the gaming experience since previously, draws didn’t hold much significance in terms of overall rewards, making them seem less rewarding and more like wasted effort.

From now on, you’ll receive 3 points for every victory, 1 point for a tie, and nothing if you lose. This setup should make your quest for an equalizer or standing firm in a defensive stance even more fulfilling, and simplify the process of accumulating rewards at the end of each week.

Relegation is back

One feature making a comeback in Division Rivals is the concept of demotion, a request from players for some time now. Although it seems to only apply to Divisions 1 and 2, demotion will help ensure you don’t find yourself in a division beyond your skill level, and it will also ramp up the pressure as you approach that precarious position at the bottom.

Additionally, there are typically fewer control points within each division, incentivizing longer winning streaks and acknowledging draws more generously as you progress higher in the rankings.

Legacy Divison placement

In FC 25, players who excelled in FC 24 will get an advantageous start, moving up higher on the Division Rivals rankings based on their peak position from the previous game.

As of now, the official system is still pending confirmation. However, if we were to use a hypothetical scenario, finishing in Division 5 in FC 24 might translate to starting in Division 8 in FC 25. This would bypass the initial struggle and grant you access to superior rewards from the outset.

Lastly, it seems that the most significant revelation for FC 25 Ultimate Team is the abolition of player contracts. Since its debut in FIFA 09, these contracts have been a fundamental aspect of Ultimate Team, but I believe few players will mourn their departure.

As a gamer, I don’t have to worry about my players being swapped out for something else. Instead, I can utilize them as many times as I want, making each game more enjoyable without the sudden frustration of half my team running out of contracts mid-season.

2024-08-05 18:14