FIFA 18 - sponsored by capitalising the thread title

[Yevrah]

You've probably all seen it, but quite a bit announced today about this year's Ultimate Team so may as well kick of the thread.

https://www.easports.com/fifa/ultimate-team/features?utm_campaign=fifa18_hd_ww_ic_soco_twt_fut-live-appointment-set&utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=social&cid=33730&ts=1501630538689

I'm sure the gameplay will be more or less identical, but fair play to EA on the FUT stuff, some of it seems pretty good.

[Yevrah]

Some of the stuff in FIFA18 Ultimate Team:


Squad Battles is a new single player mode for the game, the difference being that you play against real Ultimate team squads from people around the world.

You're then able to select what difficulty you want for taking on the teams.

But that's not all, there's also a feature squad battle for players to take on, in the example, it was a squad from Castro, but EA remarked this could include squads from their favourite content creators, footballers, pro-FIFA players and celebrities.


For starters, FIFA 18 Ones to Watch will return and while we don't know all of the players who'll be getting an OTW card, we do know at least five, including the likes of Arsenal's new forward Alexandre Lacazette and Manchester United's Romelu Lukaku.

There's also space for Bayern Munich's James Rodriguez, Juventus' Doglas Costa and AC Milan's Leonardo Bonucci.


Champions Channel.

Essentially it's a mode within FIFA 18 Ultimate Team that will allow you to rewatch some of the best match replays from the top players in the world competing in the weekend league.


Below are three major new features coming to FIFA 18 Ultimate Team all of which can be seen below.

It's a nice selection of handy tweaks to the game, such as being able to clear an Ultimate Team squad with the click of a button.

There's also a big update to the Web App, which now lets you complete Squad Building Challenges on the redesigned web app and companion app, which EA say has been redesigned from the ground up.

There's also a new feature that creates daily and weekly objectives for players to complete on top of the usual SBC's that are included in the game.


NEW FEATURE in SBCs - Brick Slots. One or more slots could be locked to a specific club and league = more variety in challenges


We've a little more information on those new FUT Icon cards, and how the three different cards represent the players courtesy of the experts at FUThead.com

"The first version of an Icon will start out with a lower rating representing the beginning of that certain player's career."

"The second version will have the Icon's normal rating. This would resemble a base legend card in past editions of FUT with the player have a rating that best represents the "prime" of that player's career."

"Finally, the third and final version will feature an upgraded "in-form" version."

http://www.dailystar.co.uk/tech/gaming/634064/FIFA-18-FUT-Live-COUNTDOWN-Start-time-Ultimate-Team-Icons-modes-gameplay-how-to-watch

[Danny]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ksy3eWVmzXU

That intro :lol:

I like this guys channel, some decent tips on that.

[Raoul Duke]

I couldn't really give a shit about FUT, I just want Career Mode to be good :cry:

[John]

The three tier Icon system could be interesting if it's possible for your card to change from one to the next. Say after he's played four hundred games for your club he moves up to the next level. I'd like that.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

893549444653658113

I'd love to grab Lukaku's OTW but I highly doubt I'll manage to buy it.

[Dan]

Neymar's OTW will be disgusting when he gets an IF every third week. He'll have a 99 rated card by midseason.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

I'm hoping he makes the other marquee OTWs more affordable.

Andre Silva at Milan could be a nice option.

[John]

He won't be a marquee anyway. He'd be along the lines of what Milik was last year, worth about 50-70k on day one.

It'll be interesting to see which Milan players they include though, since they've signed eighteen of them and I think there were only eighteen OTW cards in total initially last year.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Yeah, I didn't meant he'd be a marquee OTW.

I can see him being in that price range and getting a couple of IFs.

[John]

As a show of how fickle I am with this stuff, the fact that in game Yashin appears to be wearing a flat cap has changed my mind on Icons completely and I'm now all aboard.

[Yevrah]

Good to see you on board John.

I hope they bring back all the legends as icons. An In Form version of Alan Shearer might just fap me over the edge.

[John]

My desire to have my goalkeeper wearing a flat cap, something I didn't even know I wanted, trumps all else.

The best version of Henry looks properly shit hot.

[Samadini]

Good to see you on board John.

I hope they bring back all the legends as icons. An In Form version of Alan Shearer might just fap me over the edge.

I'm not planning on getting the game, but if something like that happens, tag me in a post and I'll probably buy it.

[Yevrah]

You'll be the second to know Sama. :chief:

[John]

I got an invite to the closed beta for this, and it's looking quite good so far. The Icons haven't been put in place yet and the player ratings haven't been updated, but the GUI is very slick. They've trebled the number of SBCs and added loads more 'objectives' for the beginning of the game, so it actually seems like it'll be somehow easier to earn coins than it was this year.

As to gameplay, the main upgrade I've noticed so far is that through balls are significantly improved. They feel much more controlled and intuitive, and in eight games I'm yet to get the always infuriating, currently once a game appearance of the through ball which goes to the player four yards offside instead of the one in the same general direction who's four yards onside.

I'm not sure if it's a reward for doing the closed beta, or if it's just something they're doing to encourage you to try more things out and it'll all disappear before the actual game releases, but I've been buried under a fucking deluge of packs. I currently have 716 players in my club, forty odd thousand coins, and a good Premier League team.

[Yevrah]

Are you allowed to post any screenshots? Would be good to see the SBC's and what the GUI looks like.

[John]

I have no idea, I'll have a look at the beta agreement.

Some of the SBC slots are basically placeholders at the moment, with a front end but no actual SBC for you to complete, so the number might be misleading.

[The Merse]

Downloading the Beta myself just now. Says it's been open to me since the 10th but first email I got was today. Guessing it's a bloody big beta then?

Will probably be midnight by the time I'm on with sodding east London download speeds.

[Yevrah]

Did you lucky buggers apply for this or were you picked at 'random'?

[The Merse]

Random, just need to have your email reg'd with EA Sports, have emails turned on and have played FIFA 17 I believe.

34 fucking GB

2 hours in and it's at 16% ffs.

[Gray Fox]

Miffed at not being invited myself, I checked my email. Still nothing. There's always next year...

[The Merse]

Finished downloading this morning. Tonight :drool:
John take it squads won't carry over to the full game? Does it make that clear?

Oh and ps - screen cap / video is explicitly against the rules. Given EA are cunty enough to band offenders, I'll be avoiding.

[Spammer]

Do the new ones still have online, 10 game season mode where you get promoted/relegated based on how well you do?

Thinking of getting this as ive only got Fifa 15, but that season mode is all I do on it.

[Raoul Duke]

I'm not planning on getting the game, but if something like that happens, tag me in a post and I'll probably buy it.


You'll be the second to know Sama. :chief:

Icon Shearer (right-hand side, second row from the top): http://i.imgur.com/K1iS6f4.jpg

[Yevrah]

He has a 91 version, third row down on the left. :drool:

[Samadini]

For fucks sake. Just seen the one left hand side, third row from top.

Was going to sell my Playstation. Must resist.


It's going to be basically impossible to get him, right?



Fuck off just seen the Owen one on the same line. Imagine that strike partnership.


For fucks sake.

[Yevrah]

His FIFA17 card was going for just over discard by the end of the game. Which was still 100k, but very affordable nonetheless.

I'd imagine his worst Icon card in FIFA18 will be going for similar by Jan/Feb time. None of the youngsters playing the game are remotely interested in him.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

No Ruud, Scholes or Giggs :(

Jay Jay Okocha is a nice addition though.

[Yevrah]

Is the demo live as well now? I can't see it on Xbox live anywhere, but can download 43GB of what I assume is the full game in whatever its current state is, pending release date.

[Yevrah]

No Ruud, Scholes or Giggs :(

Jay Jay Okocha is a nice addition though.

All four of those were on the Xbox.

[Yevrah]

Found it, downloading now.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

It's on the PSN.

Edit: I didn't realise that Okocha was.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

My internet has been such a dick the last 2 days that it's probably going to take about a week.

[Yevrah]

The download speed is like being back on dial up.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

It wont go past 'calculating'.

Edit: 34 hours \0/.

38 now. Stunning.

[Yevrah]

Speed's picked up and we're at 8% now.

[Yevrah]

Web app out a week today apparently.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

I'm at 0.5%.

I don't think I'm playing tonight.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

2%, we're rolling now :drool:

[Yevrah]

Installed and had a game as Real vs. Toronto.

Passing seems slicker and dribbling has all the hallmarks of being even more useful than it was in 17, but I wasn't a fan of the shooting. Everything seemed to fly in.

Assuming this isn't remotely representative of the final product though, it has more or less exactly the same skin as 17.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Tried the 'ALL NEW CROSSING SYSTEM'?

That's the thing I'm most excited about as I'm a heavy crosser and that tactic hasn't worked for a few years.

[Yevrah]

I chucked a few in, but I don't know what the buttons are to pull the new crosses off and didn't notice a difference as a result.

[Samadini]

Crossing was class when FIFA 17 came out and then the first patch killed it and my enjoyment of the game.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

I was brought up on Beckham on FIFA.

My game plan was always get it to him so he can whip in a dangerous one.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Just played my first game and two of my best chances came from crosses, with one of them being turned in by Romelu.

Just normal ones and they seemed to be a lot more dangerous.

[Shindig]

Let the AI take itself on at Legendary difficulty. United v PSG served up a decent 0-0 with the two sides playing different styles. The former looking for balls over the top or out wide whilst the latter where trying to walk it in. It's nice to see. I still love how EA present everything, even if there's a weird sepia tone to the match that I could do without. Maybe that's just the King Fahhd's floodlights.

[Yevrah]

Is this available from midnight tonight with EA access?

[Gray Fox]

https://i.gyazo.com/e88b9d5deb1f8f8f28fe2510faa8817c.png

This is doing the rounds so I'd expect so.

Looks a tasty one for a first TOTW.

[Yevrah]

Anyone here got EA access or will I be partaking on my own?

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

I bought the most expensive but it only gives 3 day early access.

Valencia looks like he could be shit hot and a little underpriced due to Dybala, Aguero and Mertens.

[Gray Fox]

I'm good from the 26th. Web app, if possible until then.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Liking the new web app.

Doesn't feel like it's outdated, like all the previous versions.

[Yevrah]

Got the following from my starter pack:

Phil Jones
Tom Huddlestone
Sanchez loan

And the following returning rewards:

2 gold packs
4 premium gold packs

[Yevrah]

In on the EA Access trial version.

[Yevrah]

They've seemingly removed single player cups, which I don't like and I'm not convinced the rewards for daily challenges etc are pitched right. I was able to complete all 5 by playing one game on semi-pro and buying one consumable and was given a fair chunk of coins and 3 packs.

Which might sound good, but I suspect the weighting of good players in packs will be lower than it's ever been, leaving trading as the only way to viably build up a good squad. Might be wrong though.

The GUI is also a step backwards, there's an irritating pause when flicking between menus and I think the general look of it (with the cards in particular) being worse than 17.

[Mike]

Is anyone playing on PC?

[Yevrah]

Getting rid of bronze and silver IFS is a wank move.

[Yevrah]

EA are such a shambles. You basically can't get into FIFA 18 during the day at the moment.

[Giggles]

EA are such a shambles. You basically can't get into FIFA 18 during the day at the moment.

What does that mean? Can't play the game?

[Giggles]

Is anyone playing on PC?

I'm buying as soon as it comes out but it's only preorders yet.

[Yevrah]

What does that mean? Can't play the game?

Yep, just hangs on the connecting screen.

Managed to play enough though to secure gold 3 (I think) in the squad battles mode, which gets me 2 Jumbo Gold Premium packs and 12,000 coins.

[Yevrah]

Took my rewards and having pissed around with various players so far I think I'll go with a German team to start properly, so in come Sabitzer and Keita. The former is obscene with a Sniper card.

Just played Antoine Griezmann's team, which was ridiculous. He's obviously got his 99 version of himself that EA have given him, but he must have spunked a week's wages assembling the rest of them.

[Yevrah]

First squad sorted.

https://s26.postimg.org/k5bofr9vd/1st_Team.jpg (https://postimages.org/)

https://s26.postimg.org/n23ats52x/Bench.jpg (https://postimages.org/)

[Yevrah]

The 5 game loan fat Ronaldo you get with the icon edition is the 96 rated in form one. :drool:

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Glorious, I can't wait to use him.

Mine is downloading now but it's obviously slow as shit.

7 hours to play, 32 to be fully installed. I wanted to play a bit before bed but oh well.

[Yevrah]

Ibrahima Traore is dynamite.

[Waffdon]

Oh my god I fkn love this passing. About time I’m actually fully in control.

[Waffdon]

Okay, the goalkeeper’s are a bit amateur hour for saving shots but it still going in.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

How much you lot reckon Lukaku's OTW will go for?

[Waffdon]

Everyone is fucking awful right now. I’ve not conceded a goal in 8 Seasons games.

[Waffdon]

I lied. All the kids have finished school early and are absolute cunts to play against.

[Yevrah]

How much you lot reckon Lukaku's OTW will go for?

An absolute fortune I'd suggest.

[bruhnaldo]

can't wait to get home and play :drool:

gotta do FUT proper this season. hope you lads can help me as well :)

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

An absolute fortune I'd suggest.

I'm still hoping that everyone will be jizzing themselves over Neymar and Mbappe.

Lacazette might get a bit more love after his game yesterday (do Monday games count for TOTW?) as he must be getting an upgrade right away.

[Yevrah]

Are the servers down for anyone else?

Bastards.

[Yevrah]

I'm in.

Have to say, loving the daily objectives and squad battles.

[Waffdon]

Scoring is far too easy. Goalkeepers do fuck all.

[Yevrah]

It is. The ball just flies off your boot almost perfectly every time.

[Yevrah]

Who have people gone with for strikers? Are there any cheap gems or heavy hitters in the 50k to 100k range?

Had a shocker on squad battles last night, which was largely down to not having a good striker.

[Waffdon]

Huge fan of the fake shot drag back on this game.

[Waffdon]

Who have people gone with for strikers? Are there any cheap gems or heavy hitters in the 50k to 100k range?

Had a shocker on squad battles last night, which was largely down to not having a good striker.

What level are you playing? I’m playing Legendary atm but it’s just boring after a few games.

[Waffdon]

Ultimate level can die a painful death. That was a horrific experience.

[Tubes]

How do you get 50-100k so quickly?

[Yevrah]

Breaks down as follows (mostly estimates):

30 games played (all with 1k bonus from the catalogue rewards) = 48,000
Squad Battles Rewards (playing mostly on professional difficulty Waffdon) = 12,000
Packed and sold Morata = 25,000
Done all of the daily challenges so far with their rewards = 10,000
Silver Trading = 10,000

So over 100k from that lot and I have a team bought for about 50k with 50k in the bank.

Oh and like the look of Locadia from this week's TOTW.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

For some reason I'm absolute shit against the AI, other than when I'm hunter.

My UT team is good but something isn't clicking, especially defensively.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Journey chapter 3:

Fucking LA Galaxy :sick:

[Yevrah]

What's your UT team Mahow?

And defending is fucked. Or at least the AI doesn't do everything for you like it did on FIFA17.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

https://i.imgur.com/NjTbGrh.jpg

It's the one that Boraslegend recommended for the start.

Promes is absolutely brilliant.

[Yevrah]

Cheers, just picked up Promes and Smolov for 2,000 coins combined.

They both look shit hot.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Finally won a game on pro, 4-3 with a hattrick from Promes.

Edit: And again, although I was 3-0 down and had to bring on the loan versions of Pogba and dual Ronaldo.

The fat man is ridiculous.

[Waffdon]

It’s like they’ve taken everything ever overpowered and put it in this game. Low power shots, crossing, chipped through balls, finesse shots from outside the box. I’m averaging five goals a game online and now conceding just under three. It’s batshit mental.

Tip: always chip the keeper if one on one - you’ll never not score. Leave it until the last minute.

[Yevrah]

My loan version pack of current Ronaldo has vanished. I was saving opening it for my the weekend with my nephew but it's just gone.

Thankfully I opened fat Ronaldo as I'll never get to use him otherwise.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Are we getting OTW's at midnight or 6pm tomorrow?

[Waffdon]

Breaks down as follows (mostly estimates):

30 games played (all with 1k bonus from the catalogue rewards) = 48,000
Squad Battles Rewards (playing mostly on professional difficulty Waffdon) = 12,000
Packed and sold Morata = 25,000
Done all of the daily challenges so far with their rewards = 10,000
Silver Trading = 10,000

So over 100k from that lot and I have a team bought for about 50k with 50k in the bank.

Oh and like the look of Locadia from this week's TOTW.

How do you redeem your shit from Squad Battles? I’m on Gold 3 after my first four games and about to do today’s matches.

[Waffdon]

It runs out in three days, never mind. Wish I seen this on Tuesday as would be on Elite 2 with ease which is £25k and 2 mega packs. Not sure I’ll be in a fit state to play this weekend but hopefully find time to play matches tomorrow morning which should put me a few thousand off Elite 1 which is £40k and the 2 mega packs.

Park the bus and fast passing will beat Legendary - just gotta hope the AI doesn’t take the piss and score a worldy like they tend to do.

[Yevrah]

Yeah, it's a weekly thing and the rewards drop at the end of the week.

Up to gold 2 for me now but a thousand points of Gold 1, which is a bit disappointing as I fancied getting that after last week.

[Yevrah]

Picked up IF Locadia for 10k.

[Waffdon]

Never playing the AI in the morning again. This shit needs concentration. Lost 5-0 and then twice on penalties. Desperately need to win the final game

[SincereTheRebel]

First Fifa ive bought on release date since Fifa 2002 i think.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

NEW - FUT18 #OTW will be updated if they get a TOTW, MOTM, Hero, RB or European TOTT during this season

Woof.

[Dark Soldier]

I understand half of that post. Anyway I've bought this on PS4, dunno why.

[Giggles]

This should be better than PES shouldn't it?

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

On PC, right?

I highly doubt it.

[Yevrah]

Jesus, they must be going for a fortune at this stage.

I can't even get into the game now.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

All I've packed so far is Reus and OTW Traore :(

I'm in but the store is being a dick.

Edit: Sergio Ramos isn't too shabby.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

If anyone happens to have Mane in their club, sell him.

He's going for over 140k because he's needed in his AW set.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Gullit's best card has:

86 pace, 91 shooting, 91 passing, 89 dribbling, 82 defending and 90 physical.

:|

[SincereTheRebel]

I have a black version of locadia (psv striker) i got from a pack. Looking to sell him for 10k ish.

[SincereTheRebel]

I like this fucking game, but fut defending is fucking solid.

[John]

About seventy five percent of my play on previous games has been online Ultimate Team seasons with a mate, and they appear to have completely removed that option with no warning and the justification that they want to 'create competitive balance for all players.'

In that case make sure players with guests are only matched against eachother, you titanic dickheads, don't remove the option completely.

[Yevrah]

Gonna have a crack at the advanced SBC's this weekend. Pretty cheap to do currently and some cracking packs in there.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Already had someone accidentally hit 'Buy Now'.

5k for the Parc des Princes.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Lukaku's price keeps rising :(

[Raoul Duke]

I've started a career mode game as Fiorentina. Signed some potential beasts already.

The gameplay is much more mushy in this. Defending is pretty tricky (although there's a lot more interceptions) but attacking-wise I find I'm scoring more.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

The shooting system is broken completely.

I was shit at long shots last year when that was 'broken', this year though they're flying in.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

https://i.imgur.com/2xlkPjF.jpg

:eyemouth:

Now for him to go mental in the second half.

[Yevrah]

OTW Lukaku? :eyemouth:

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

855k :uhoh:

Had to put real money into buying packs and got some luck.

Just finished the Hybrid Nations SBCs and got Griezmann from the Rare mega.

[Yevrah]

Just done Hybrid Nations and Leagues and need to finish League and Nation basics before going on a pack opening spree. :drool:

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

I have the last league and nation hybrid to do.

Can't be arsed with doing the loyalty trick though.

[Dark Soldier]

I have no idea what I'm doing but liking the gameplay. Game put me onto amateur difficulty because I'm wank but won my first FUT SP game 6-0 so think I'll be moving up a difficulty.

Best way to get coins without spunking real cash on 'em? Will probably never play MP so SP options only please.

[Yevrah]

Pulled Marcelo, IF Locadio and IF Vagner Love and a shitload of random stuff from the packs.

Part time job sorting through it all, but at least I've more than covered the cost of the SBC's.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

SBCs.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

I got Vagner earlier too, keeping him until IFs are needed for SBCs.

[Yevrah]

I have no idea what I'm doing but liking the gameplay. Game put me onto amateur difficulty because I'm wank but won my first FUT SP game 6-0 so think I'll be moving up a difficulty.

Best way to get coins without spunking real cash on 'em? Will probably never play MP so SP options only please.

Use the coin boost rewards from the catalogues (when you hit the right level), do the SBC's that get you the higher packs and when you're doing them look to see what players you can buy at auction and BIN for a higher amount. Make a list of the latter and rinse and repeat through them.

SBC guides here: https://www.futbin.com/squad-building-challenges

[SincereTheRebel]

I was giving a female Fifa 101 since thursday. She has never picked up a Playstation pad before, or so she claims. I talked her through the 8 basic skills games which took about an two hours. She got a minimum of a D rating in all of the basic skills games. Spent an additional hour in the scrimmage training mode until she scored 2 goals in the allocated time

Then went into an exhibition game on the lowest difficult and she won 2-0. Then the next games she completed demolished the AI 8-0, 12-0, etc. Thinking she sick now. Fifa then recommends to push the difficulty up one level to amateur which we did. The rage then started to come out. It was a joy to watch. After around 10 games on amateur, she dint win a single won, scoring in over half the games. It was always fairly competitive up until the last minute of the game where she would always conceded 2+ goals. I was surprised on how well she did. She knows how to pass the ball into scoring potions and shooting from close range. Defending though, is just a panic button bash. I was impressed. I think im love now.

[Gray Fox]

First bit of free time to play tonight. Just looking to build up the coins for now.

I've been hearing the way to go is apply all of the 1k catalogue boosts and hit the squad battles. Should I jump straight into that or will I need a half competent team first?

[Waffdon]

I’ve only got a cheap Brazilian team with Fabinho - who is like a faster N’Zonzi from last year - as my most expensive player and winning the majority.

[Yevrah]

First bit of free time to play tonight. Just looking to build up the coins for now.

I've been hearing the way to go is apply all of the 1k catalogue boosts and hit the squad battles. Should I jump straight into that or will I need a half competent team first?

You're pretty good so should be fine, just lower the difficulty level if you're struggling. Won't matter much anyway in terms of where you rank as this week's cycle is nearly at an end.

[SincereTheRebel]

So i did the SBC for lacazete, thinking i would be awarded him. But i just got packs. Do i get him when the time expires or this has nothing to do with him being awarded?

[Yevrah]

Nope.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

They've just used it as an opportunity for a new type of SBC.

[SincereTheRebel]

Shit.

[Yevrah]

They've just used it as an opportunity for a new type of SBC.

Yep and a particularly tenuous one at that.

[Dark Soldier]

Looked up a proper FUT guide. Fuck me its just system after fucking system innit. Let me buy the players and play them, not all this link shit, chemistry, utter tedious wank.

Anyway it plays a decent game even if my squad is horrendously bad. Might just pump £50 into it instead of all this shitehouse grinding. in the hope I can get a RB who doesn't play like Gary Nev at the deceased end of his career.

Its a fun game but by fuck they make it complicated for a newbie.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

https://i.imgur.com/NjTbGrh.jpg

It's the one that Boraslegend recommended for the start.

Promes is absolutely brilliant.

This is around 10k or so (less now probably) DS and it's solid.

Done all the SBC's bar the Sadio Mane ones, two league SBC's and the final bit of the league/nation hybrid.

I wish Futbin would update so I'm not sifting through loads of price fixed dickheads.

I've also decided to invest in the following OTWs: Balde Diao, Tolisso, Yarmolenko, Sanchez x2, Nelson Semedo, Traore and Kessie.

Yarmolenko has a chance at an IF this week after a goal and an assist in a 2-1 win.

Trying to get Costa and Walker too but money is tight now although I have stuff to sell but I'm waiting until I do this damn SBC.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Yep and a particularly tenuous one at that.

At least they're fairly cheap though.

[Dark Soldier]

Oohh you've got the same Russian gimp up front that I bought, guy is lethal tbf

Its just frustration from not playing a Fifa in ten years, it'll have clicked by the end of the week, gonna check out some Youtube guides.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

My brain is starting to hurt from trying to work this SBC out myself with the players I have/buying what I need so I don't have to do the loyalty glitch.

Think I might just give up and do the glitch tomorrow.

I'd check out BorasLegend, DS. Despite the shit name and being Swedish, he's probably the best out there for guides. He explains things well and he's actually good at the game.

[Danny]

I found elyyt good last year too

[Yevrah]

He's also, most importantly, not a cock.

Some, if not most of the Youtube 'professionals' are complete dickwads.

Just hit 20,000 points on Squad Battles, which puts me firmly in Gold 1 and I still have 3 games left before the 1am update, which might be enough to get me close to Elite 3. It gives me no end of pleasure to know that I won't have to play online this year.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

I found Dirty Mike (now Hashtag Mike) to be alright but you could tell that there was an underlying cockishness waiting to come out which it eventually did.

The bigger he got the bigger the twat he became.

[Yevrah]

Here's the team at the moment.

https://s25.postimg.org/6jggjzrnj/team.jpg (https://postimages.org/)

Enjoying wearing the cpu down with a rigid 4-3-3 and then bringing on another striker (currently using loan Lacazette) and moving to two up front to put them to the sword in the second half.

Still not fully satisfied with it mind and think I'll have a mass purge tomorrow. Sat on just under 100k of coins, with probably close to 200k in the cloob. Marcelo's 45k of that and as good as he is, he's not worth that many coins being tied up in a left back.

Oh and Promes, what a player. His card is going to stay with me until the end of FIFA 18 unless he gets an IF.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

He's got a good chance, he got two last year and a TOTS which looked filthy.

https://i.ytimg.com/vi/Do_F5rgIThY/maxresdefault.jpg

[Yevrah]

Completely missed him last year.

[Waffdon]

He's also, most importantly, not a cock.

Some, if not most of the Youtube 'professionals' are complete dickwads.

Just hit 20,000 points on Squad Battles, which puts me firmly in Gold 1 and I still have 3 games left before the 1am update, which might be enough to get me close to Elite 3. It gives me no end of pleasure to know that I won't have to play online this year.

Fair fucks to you, but if I could only play the AI, I’d never buy the game.

[Dark Soldier]

Fair fucks to you, but if I could only play the AI, I’d never buy the game.

I'll probably go MP but want to get at least decent before I go headless chicken online.

[SincereTheRebel]

I seem to spend more time doing the SBC than actually playing football matches. Hoping to get some player decent, that i can sell for tons of coins.

[Yevrah]

Fair fucks to you, but if I could only play the AI, I’d never buy the game.

The AI is indeed bilge, but I don't know how you cope with the slog of playing 40 matches in a weekend on Fut champions. 12 games yesterday for the squad battles felt like work.

[Yevrah]

Just had a go at the OTW TOTW game. Playing on professional (as I mostly on the squad battles) I was expecting a tough time.

Won 14-0 with Smolov scoring 5 and Promes bagging 6. :cab:

I'm guessing it's the dreadful chemistry and lack of custom tactics, but it was light years easier than playing the AI on squad battles.

Marcelo flogged for 49,250, so I'm now up to 153k of coins. Looking around though I'm not sure what striker I can buy (and build a team around) that'll definitely be an upgrade on Smolov and IF Locadia. Maybe Mertens, but his awful strength puts me off.

Maybe this team is as good as it gets for a while.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

1 Chemistry off:

https://i.imgur.com/Ptzo8vw.jpg

:(

[Yevrah]

What's that for?

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Last league & nation hybrid.

[Yevrah]

Ah, gutting.

Closing in on Elite 3 for squad battles. About 800 points off and have 4 games from this morning still to play. :drool: Need a good win against the 84 rated opponent with the rancid chemistry.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

I was really trying to get away with no loyalty glitch :(

[Dark Soldier]

Time to spunk some time into this today, been checking out Boras as recommended, realised I was just spazzing my way via controls. Also because I'm a weak man and have disposable income out the arse right now, banged £50 on my account. I will be good at this so fucking help me.

[Yevrah]

Are you on PS4 DS?

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Packed Mascherano, don't have to do loyalty glitch \0/.

[Raoul Duke]

It's bonkers how much more useful strength is in this version. Playing with a massive unit up front is pretty fun (I've got Embolo who is a good mix) but I'm going to get some giant manbeast and just crush defenders.

Crossing is much better too, although tackling is shit now. Just holding down X all the time and relying on the AI to fuck up.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Ilfc9y7Xxc

This helped me a lot with defending.

I just bought Bakayoko and he's a bit like Kante was last year but taller and slightly slower.

[SincereTheRebel]

Question - if you unpack a player who is not part of your plans, but is decent. Is there any reason to hold onto to him? If the player becomes an on form player, will it change to the black ground for the current player i have or will i have to buy a new player?

Edit: figoured it out

[Dark Soldier]

Are you on PS4 DS?

Yup mate. Packed Koke, Balotelli and a few decent others.

[SincereTheRebel]

I just got martial which should get me about 30k which is nice. Wonder if anyone ever packed messi or ronaldo.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Just won 2 squad battles on legendary.

The first was a 3-1 win (dickheads managed to see a ball which I slide away just land perfectly for them to smash one in late) against a shit team and the second was a 3-3 draw with a win on penalties against an 85 strong rated team.

[Dark Soldier]

Anyway, sorted my team. Since bought Inigo Martinez for CB:

https://i.imgur.com/vYFvuVR.jpg

Drawing like a motherfucker on Professional but getting there, record is 8-5-1 so far.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

https://i.imgur.com/abQfc32.jpg

I hope Salah gets an IF quick as I'd like to sell him. I haven't used him yet but 2* weak foot and practically no strength looks off putting.

[Dark Soldier]

'how how the fuck do you have a positive transfer sales of about 1.2mil

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Bought some packs got lucky.

And I did the SBCs and got lucky (that's the main thing though), SBCs are amazing.

I've managed to pack Martial twice, Ramos, Sanchez, Griezmann etc.

I've already packed better shit than I did the whole of last year.

Edit: I also don't get transfer profit (same as club value), I only have 2.7k coins right now.

[Dark Soldier]

Jammy cunt, best I got was Koke, Bruno (no pace woop), Strootman who I sold for 9k, and Balotelli

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

For some reason Valencia is pretty much at his max buyout (mine went for the max at 40k).

Not sure why though.

[Gray Fox]

How is Salah?

[SincereTheRebel]

Im trying to do the hybrid leagues SBC right now. Ive done the rare fives. Im not onto seven suspects. That futbin website @mahow, some of the completed squads, you miss out by a few chemistry sometimes. Thats annoying.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Im trying to do the hybrid leagues SBC right now. Ive done the rare fives. Im not onto seven suspects. That futbin website @mahow, some of the completed squads, you miss out by a few chemistry sometimes. Thats annoying.

Because they need chemistry or a position change probably.

[Shindig]

http://www.playstationcountry.com/fifa-18-ps4-review/

Sounds like Rich also had issues with the defending but wound up liking it.

[Trancemeister]

https://www.futbin.com/18/squad/123471

Well atleast theres chemisty in the team. Berahino & Cook came in the starting pack other than that only Cork has come from a pack. The rest been bought on the transfer market. Keep getting shit players in every pack. Bought one of those premium packs for 15k coins and the best I got was Sansone (79) from Villarreal or something.

[SincereTheRebel]

I dont think buying packs is worth it. I would rather buy the players you actually want via auction.

[Yevrah]

So, 4 games left to play on squad battles and I need 30,601 currently to regain Elite 3. Currently sat on 28,388, so about 2,300 short to get there, which should be easy enough, but with just under 3 hours until this week's competition closes what's it going to take to stay there? :sherlock:

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

What difficulty are you playing on now?

I bumped up to legendary today and I was surprised at how simple it was.

As long as you defend smartly (the Boras video is great for understanding) you're going to win.

Struggled a bit against a mega team but the shit teams that pop up are absolutely horrible on legendary.

[Yevrah]

Professional mostly.

Where do you think you'll rank for the week?

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Gold 2 probably.

I haven't played all that much and don't know if I'll be able to before time expires.

Should get elite 3 or 2 next week though.

[SincereTheRebel]

Im on semi-pro. Defending is diffuclty. My new tactic is dont even bother to tackle anyone until they are on the edge of my box. Then use team mate pressure and try and get in the way of the shot,

[Dark Soldier]

Im on semi-pro. Defending is diffuclty. My new tactic is dont even bother to tackle anyone until they are on the edge of my box. Then use team mate pressure and try and get in the way of the shot,

Yeah man if you're not new to the series defending is hard as fuck. Your AI controlled players seem to do fuck all, make zero attempt to tackle or do anything.

[Yevrah]

4-1 and 2-0 wins on Pro in my first two games get me just over 2,000 points, but I'm still 500 off Elite 3 with only two games to go and just under two hours left for everyone else to play their outstanding games.

Think I'm going to need to do (and win) one or maybe both of these games on World Class to make it. Maybe now's the time to try legendary. :eyemouth:

I bought Mertens earlier as well. Isn't as good as I'd hoped. Naturally he's weak as piss, but his dribbling and pace don't make up for that as much as I thought they would. He's only on 6 chem off the bench while I tested him out before building a team around him, but still. Smolov might genuinely be the better player.

[Yevrah]

Yeah man if you're not new to the series defending is hard as fuck. Your AI controlled players seem to do fuck all, make zero attempt to tackle or do anything.

Last year was far too easy in that regard, the AI did almost everything for you, and in true FM style fashion the twats have gone too far the other way this time.

[SincereTheRebel]

Yeah man if you're not new to the series defending is hard as fuck. Your AI controlled players seem to do fuck all, make zero attempt to tackle or do anything.

I played it last year, but only for a month in the summer. Im new to FIFA on the modern console in regards to hardcore. Its a huge learning curve.

[Yevrah]

I played it last year, but only for a month in the summer. Im new to FIFA on the modern console in regards to hardcore. Its a huge learning curve.

It is.

I only really got back into it properly last year after a fairly long hiatus and I'm still pretty shit at the gameplay side of it. I do pretty well on the trading and knowing which SBC's to do, which probably drags be up to below average, but I'd like to be so much better at it.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Played one more on legendary to make sure I kept Gold 2:

https://i.imgur.com/R0s26m9.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/TTTXmFJ.jpg

Martial was brilliant last year, he's bonkers this year.

Really annoying about the goal I conceded too, I switched off a bit just before half time as I thought it was about to end and then panicked when they got too close to my goal.

[SincereTheRebel]

So i grafted the 4 hybrid SBC and they gave me as the prize, some TOTW american idiot who is rated at 75. Looks like he does not even sell for 10k. Not happy about that at all.

[Yevrah]

Penultimate game on World Class and lost on penalties. Grrr.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Keep it.

There will be SBCs later on which require TOTW players.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

https://www.futbin.com/18/player/1321/S%C3%B8rloth/?chem=hunter&pchem=10&schem=100

I think I might make a second team around him.

Looks like he could be a nice budget beast.

[Yevrah]

I picked him up earlier today as he'll definitely be going for more than 10k when he's out of packs and there's no risk anyway.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

https://www.futbin.com/18/squad/144316

[Yevrah]

And lost the last match 3-1 having been 1-0 up with 20 left and they brought Ronaldo and De Bruyne on. Gold 1 it is. Gutting.

EDIT: What's worse is I think I could have played the final two games on semi-pro and made it. The scoreboard's barely moved over the last hour. :moop:

[SincereTheRebel]

Anyone bother with custom tactics?

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lAH5ynNxCpc

[SincereTheRebel]

Pace for central defenders is not needed. it may be down to my playing style while defending but rarely are my CB being ran past by a speed merchant. I prefer big bastards like Sule. Ive had him for a few games now and once you go near him, he comes away with the ball.

[SincereTheRebel]

To improve my game, im going to try and switch players by using the right stick while defending. I dont use it at all. I still use L1.

[SincereTheRebel]

Keep it.

There will be SBCs later on which require TOTW players.

I ignored this statement and sold him. Then i brought him back for 1700 coins less.

[Yevrah]

Did the league SBC's get price fixed to fuck at this stage last year and then calm down a bit later on?

The Mexican ones cost 22k+ to do the Rare Gold Pack ones, which is barley worth bothering with.

[SincereTheRebel]

I guess everyone visits that website or similar that agent mahow posted and people realise which players become popular for SBC

Sort the list by most recent additions for better value.

[Yevrah]

I guess everyone visits that website or similar that agent mahow posted and people realise which players become popular for SBC

They do, but when I got into FIFA17 in Feb/Mar time Mexican SBC's were worth doing, so I was curious to know if there was a time last year when they weren't and we can expect to see the same cycle repeat this year.

Sorting by value doesn't do much as the ones that offer the best value on that site are going to be the ones that are price fixed first.

[SincereTheRebel]

Actually you may be onto something. Someone has purchased from carlos vela for 10k . You can get him right now for about 1500 via auction.

[SincereTheRebel]

They do, but when I got into FIFA17 in Feb/Mar time Mexican SBC's were worth doing, so I was curious to know if there was a time last year when they weren't and we can expect to see the same cycle repeat this year.

Sorting by value doesn't do much as the ones that offer the best value on that site are going to be the ones that are price fixed first.

What do you mean by price fixed? I may have missed the whole point of your post.

[Yevrah]

People fixing the prices of players. i.e. buying shitloads of the same one and setting the price high.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

They'll go down, likely when new league SBCs come out.

Also won 5-3 against Muller's team on legendary earlier which is easily the best team I've faced on legendary.

Annoying to concede 3 as I defended well but 3 stupid mistakes (they're mainly down to switching as I always seem to select the wrong person with the right stick) and the AI pounced.

[SincereTheRebel]

Just done the SBC Hybrid Nations Quads and The Six for less than 10k combined. Managed to get Cahill and B.Silva from it which should return the value and more.

Question - The unwanted players, that dont fetch much value. Should i still sell them or trade them as part of the SBC bronze, silver or gold?

[Yevrah]

I've decided to keep unwanted players (that don't fetch much more than discard value) for the time being this time around, in the hope of cashing in when a random SBC they're good for comes up.

How I keep on top of that is anyone's guess, but I feel like I should try.

[The Merse]

Enjoying the squad battles and SBCs for now whilst still on a shitty 2mbps connection. Got fibre finally coming this week so should spend next weekend charging through the divisions and looking to qualify for the 2nd weekend league as I’ll be away during this week. Have got two decent 80 odd rated squads and some good pulls via free packs and SBC packs including 3 shite but handy for SBC team of the week players and a OTW Bertrand Traore which is handy as I’ve got a few Lihue 1 players and would likely use him if he gets an upgrade to 81 within the first couple of months. Quite a few 83/84s have come my way too and I’ve now got 350 odd players in the SBC pool.

[SincereTheRebel]

I've decided to keep unwanted players (that don't fetch much more than discard value) for the time being this time around, in the hope of cashing in when a random SBC they're good for comes up.

How I keep on top of that is anyone's guess, but I feel like I should try.

How do you know when a player will be good for SBC?

[Yevrah]

How do you know when a player will be good for SBC?

In some cases it'll be obvious (a marquee matchup, with players from that club), others less so. Not 100% sure how I manage this yet in fairness, but it will probably involve a lot of weekly checking.

[SincereTheRebel]

In some cases it'll be obvious (a marquee matchup, with players from that club), others less so. Not 100% sure how I manage this yet in fairness, but it will probably involve a lot of weekly checking.

The agent may know. But it sounds like alot of checking. Even if there was a database for hot players, it still sounds like a manual check back to your Fifa squad

[igor_balis]

god i fucking hate the rancid FUT game engine. or i'm just shit at defending. probably both. having particular grief playing against narrow 4-1-2-1-2 with teams just making quick short passes, i try to concentrate really hard on defending and then benteke or some loser smashes it in from 30 yards. think i'm averaging about 4-4 in my 9 or so games.

think i might go 5-2-1-2, go ultra defensive and save up for a italian league side with great defenders.

[Raoul Duke]

Defending is hardcore in this version. Needs to be thought about carefully, rather than rushing in like previous versions. Overall I like the changes though - this one feels more football like than earlier games.

[SincereTheRebel]

god i fucking hate the rancid FUT game engine. or i'm just shit at defending. probably both. having particular grief playing against narrow 4-1-2-1-2 with teams just making quick short passes, i try to concentrate really hard on defending and then benteke or some loser smashes it in from 30 yards. think i'm averaging about 4-4 in my 9 or so games.

think i might go 5-2-1-2, go ultra defensive and save up for a italian league side with great defenders.

opponents seem to bypass my whole midfield with quick short passing. But when its my turn, it gets intercepted by their midfielders. Only hope is making a block or tackle on he each of my penalty error. Still a great game though. Im starting to enjoy it more and more.

[SincereTheRebel]

No idea about the guys agenda. You can get him for 20% of the price via auction.



https://i.imgur.com/nRhoGly.jpg

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

It was an accident, he meant to hit bid.

I've had plenty of those but never for so much.

[Trancemeister]

https://www.futbin.com/18/squad/123471

A little bit better now. Silva, Ox, Dier & Begovic for 9k combined. Felt like good business.

[Yevrah]

Just did the Portugal/Switzerland marquee matchup (the rest can fuck off) and pulled Di Maria.

He goes for over 30k. Sweet.

That should take me close to the half a million coins mark.

[Mike]

Dropped the £4 for a month of EA Access as it includes 10 hours of FIFA 18. Enough to see if I should get it. If I hit the ten hours I guess it's a yes.

[Dark Soldier]

I see that Sorloth card went for 45k earlier, luckily I bought him too :drool:

[Yevrah]

Just checked and Quincy Promes is on 34 goals in 34 games.

Until I spend some reasonable money that starter squad Boras Legend posted really is as good as anything else.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Yeah, it's brilliant for a budget squad.

I've been plugging away at the journey to get the rewards. Positioning is such a dick.

I'm a CAM, finish an attack and I'm meant to teleport to the halfway line almost straight away. If not I get marked down, same if you're half a yard out of position.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Didn't need to buy anyone for MM, I could have done squads filled from each national team.

Best pull was Cuadrado.

[SincereTheRebel]

Just been awarded TOTW adnan. The goalkeeper at 84. Only going for 15k so i think ill keep him.

[Yevrah]

Pulled this together as my second/first team to the Boras Legend one. Cost only about 15k but it's lovely to use.

https://s1.postimg.org/25e8in05tb/team.jpg (https://postimages.org/)

N'Zonzi is a complete beast and Ben Yedder is as devastating as he was last year.

[Yevrah]

Annoyingly this shit bug has just happened to me:

http://answers.ea.com/t5/Bug-Reports/Can-t-make-substitutions-FUT-18/td-p/6277578

And turning my controller on and off no longer works either.

[SincereTheRebel]

The kit numbers keep changing on mine.

[Waffdon]

I packed Lloris in my Squad Battles packs. That’ll do nicely. Should have around 130k to make a properly decent team.

[SincereTheRebel]

I dont like playing against the AI, but ill give the squad battles a try later tonight. I did all the current marquee matchups last night, and got nothing worth talking about. Cost about 50k to do it all.

[SincereTheRebel]

Currently the bundesliga team im using. I find the support for the ST is limited with my play style. Thinking about moving the LW and RW to the LF and RF slots. There are two castros. One of them is bender

https://s1.postimg.org/4j0s3xb7vj/34454.png

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Yarrrrrrrrrrmolenko!

Hopefully that's a nice price boost for his OTW which I bought. +3 pace, +6! shooting, +5 passing, +6 dribbling, + 6 defending and +3 physical.

I also bought 20 Fellaini's at around 4k a pop as it was obvious he was going to be an IF and he's already up to 5k. Hopefully that goes up a bit when the IF drops too.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Jesus, Yarmolenko is extinct at 200k (max BIN).

Mine went in seconds.

Bought for 91k last week :drool:

[Waffdon]

Currently the bundesliga team im using. I find the support for the ST is limited with my play style. Thinking about moving the LW and RW to the LF and RF slots. There are two castros. One of them is bender

https://s1.postimg.org/4j0s3xb7vj/34454.png

4321 is brilliant with the wingers cutting inside and a Fabinho type in the middle of the three.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Been playing Journey too much.

After 2 straight days away, I went back to squad battles.

4-1 loss on legendary, 2-1 loss on world class, 3-0 loss on world class (quit after like 20 minutes as every shot was going in with my keeper doing nothing) and then a 3-1 loss on professional :\

[SincereTheRebel]

4321 is brilliant with the wingers cutting inside and a Fabinho type in the middle of the three.

Im food for anyone decent. People cut through me regardless of what formation i play. Current ratio is 3 losses to every 1 win

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

2-1 against one of the shit teams. Usually win by 3 so it's a bit shit but after that run I'll take it.

[Mike]

From messing about mostly on the app I put this together.
https://i.imgur.com/5zPibSe.png
Bought Payet for 2400 coin.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

https://www.reddit.com/r/FIFA/comments/74b6co/hi_im_jamie_and_i_am_a_pack_addict/

Pissing hell.

[Yevrah]

2-1 against one of the shit teams. Usually win by 3 so it's a bit shit but after that run I'll take it.

Had a shocking run myself lately. Screwed by that bug and some bad performances I'm tracking to Gold 2 at the moment. :cab:

When are we likely to see the first market crash btw?

[wullie]

Match fixing allegations launched in League 2


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SvJGNeAPMBA

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Had a shocking run myself lately. Screwed by that bug and some bad performances I'm tracking to Gold 2 at the moment. :cab:

When are we likely to see the first market crash btw?

I'm having to go down to pro to win consistently :(

Oh and yes, I could do with a crash soon. I would like to buy one of Peter Schemeichel's cards.

[Yevrah]

What camera angle are you using Wullie?

[Giggles]

Can you 'be' Man Utd or Arsenal in this and play a league or do you have to do this no-name or historical player bobbins?

[wullie]

What camera angle are you using Wullie?

It's the one either called tele or TV, something like that.

[SincereTheRebel]

Can you 'be' Man Utd or Arsenal in this and play a league or do you have to do this no-name or historical player bobbins?

it has a normal league mode too.

[Trancemeister]

Got Tadic & Boufal in the same pack so now I have 5 saints players.

[Yevrah]

Moved to 4-3-2-1 on Waffdon's recommendation and really liking it. Two 5 goal scoring hauls on pro on squad battles brings me back in contention for Gold 1.

[Mike]

Was enjoying the 10 hour trial of this and was thinking of buying it. Took it online tonight. I'll just pirate it again this year and play offline. :(

I'm rubbish!