FIFA 19 - Sponsored by Promes to Sevilla

[The Merse]

Disconnect when winning in my first game back ffs. The kind of luck I really don't need if I'm to get a decent ranking, and enough to tilt me from the get go.

[Yevrah]

That's 4 losses in a row now to go 11-13 from 11-9. I could have won 3 of them and should have won 2.

Another one on penalties. I don't understand how they work at all. I aim a little bit on the thumb stick to the left or right and it goes 10 yards wide.

A chair is about to find its way into my tv screen at this rate. So triggered it's untrue.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Unless you have to play because of time constraints, never play angry or when you've lost 3 in a row.

Take a break and come back later as you're only ever going to lose more.

[Yevrah]

I'm going for the fight through it approach, with a possible chance of deleting my account, which if I'm honest would be doing me a favour (If I had the balls I'd do it anyway) This game is such a steaming pile of shit it isn't true.

Completely broken things in it:

Kick offs.
Player selection.
Forward runs.
'Easy' chances
Tackling

The list is endless.

[Yevrah]

Switched back to 4-3-2-1/3-5-2 and two easy rage quit wins in 10 minutes makes it 13-13 and 1 more win needed to end this hell.

[SincereTheRebel]

I'm going for the fight through it approach, with a possible chance of deleting my account, which if I'm honest would be doing me a favour (If I had the balls I'd do it anyway) This game is such a steaming pile of shit it isn't true.

Completely broken things in it:

Kick offs.
Player selection.
Forward runs.
'Easy' chances
Tackling

The list is endless.

It's crazy how tgame to game it feels different. Sometimes it feels great for you and you can tell it is going awful for your opponents and vice versa.

I don't understand why it does this.

[Yevrah]

I think one has to call a spade a spade, I love what EA have done with rewards, packs, SBC's, objectives and all the menu stuff this year. Ok, it's not perfect and it still has a way to go, but it's as good as it's ever been and stuff like the Martinez objective has brought proper enjoyment for me. It was a massive slog, but building the packs and pulling an all-nighter for TOTY was great too.

But, and it's a huge but, the actual playing side of the game is absolute and unadulterated horseshit. It's just fucking awful.

Just finished my last game to get 14-14 and it sums it up perfectly. I won 6-2, with 6 finesse shots from outside the box. Six. Now I know it's never going to be super-realistic, but how the fuck is that still in the game? They've supposedly patched it at least twice now. I'll tell you exactly, the game engine is so broken that if you take timed-finesses away then there'd be no goals. The monstrous auto-defending from the AI would put paid to that, which they can't fix because it's so integral to the engine.

Things wouldn't be so bad if they haven't nerfed pace so much, but having done that they're hardly going to roll it back now. So whatever happens, I think we're stuck with a piece of shit until FIFA20 at least.

Some of this wank is masked when you're winning (I'd be bullshitting if I didn't admit that there are enjoyable moments in that), but when you play 30+ games of this (I did some Squad Battles to get Elite 1) in just over 24 hours it really hits home how horrible it is. And the reality is that while I'm still shit, I'm better now than I've ever been at FIFA, but I enjoyed actually playing 17 and 18 so much more. They were fun, this is turd.

[The Merse]

I totally agree on the broken mechanic that is the finesse, but not that there’d be no goals without it. I’ve scored 4 of them all weekend, as I never try for it, just using when I would have in Fifa’s of the past (used to score a lot of them with Henry as it felt natural to do it with him), I’ve scored most of my goals driving into the corners.

Finesse is one mechanic that is broken, but the determination of so many people to just play to broken mechanics, spurred on by youtubers, is where a lot of the mess is exacerbated. Personally, I’d love a nerf (in fact I’d rather just get rid) of holding A to jockey. Again, I’m biased as I don’t use it, but that’s truly, far more than AI controlled defenders, a big part of why ultra defensive creeps get away with not actually tackling.

Ultra pressing I’m fine with- it’s as effective as in real life but also as risky and can be played around and exposed.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

2 losses in a row after only 1 in 9 :(

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

3 in a row now.

Only one was against a superior opponent but I'm struggling to do anything today.

[Yevrah]

Decided I can't be fucked with that French Fut Stars objective.

In fact, I've secured Elite 1 in SB, Rank 2 in Rivals and Gold 3 in WL so I don't need to play for a while now. Having hammered the fuck out of it over the last week (I've played 61 games with Mbappe since I got him) maybe a break away will do me good. Lots of club management shit to do as well.

[The Merse]

14-7, should be 15-6 were it not for the disconnect. 6 from 9 needed for Gold 1, and I’m flagging.

[Yevrah]

It's crazy how tgame to game it feels different. Sometimes it feels great for you and you can tell it is going awful for your opponents and vice versa.

I don't understand why it does this.

Oh and there's this.

https://www.kitguru.net/gaming/matthew-wilson/two-ea-patents-paint-a-worrying-future-for-online-matchmaking/

[Gray Fox]

Played a few games and the win streak ends at 13 to take me to 13-1. Quite an annoying game against an equally good opponent. I tackled him 3 times just outside the D only to have the ball rebound into his path inside the box. To make matters worse, he managed to bundle Raul over in his area twice for no penalty to be given. Pushing for the equaliser he countered me and 4-2 it finished.

Feeling very at peace with how I'm playing, but not sure how much further past 14 I want to go. I just played 9 games in a row and am feeling the strain but there's still 16 games left on the table.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Finally ended the losing streak at 4 games.

Raul scored a first half hattrick but he managed to score from a corner in the middle of that so we went into the break at 3-1.

I was the better player in the second half again but he took a shot which Varane chested it past VDS and cleared it (the goal line decision showed a bit of ball outside of the blue) but the shit game gave it to him. Should have killed it with Crespo but I'll take it.

10-5, one more win and I'm done. I can't be arsed to play for a further 3 wins.

[Danny]

Rijkaard SBC out. Would be very nice to link all these dutchies!

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Just had an absolutely mental game.

https://i.imgur.com/GJYw5Of.jpg

I thought when Crespo scored in the 93rd minute I had it because he also went down to 10 just before after hacking down Neymar when he was one on one.

When Pogba and then Martinez turned the game in his favour I thought I was going to lose a shit house of a game but then Crespo and Raul put me ahead only for him to get into my box and square it to Keane for a tap in.

Then had a corner right at the death and I was going to go short so I could whip it in (score a lot more) but he had that covered and Varane climbed above everyone to power it in. I knew if it would go to penalties I'd lose so thank fuck for that.

11-5 and I'm done. Fuck the game.

Edit: I really would like to message him and say GG because he was really good and I enjoyed the game but I only let friends message me and I didn't note down his PSN.

[Yevrah]

Did 5 of the 81 double upgrades and have pulled Aguero from the 1st one.

Someone has flicked a switch on my account.

[Yevrah]

It's impossible not to make money from silver packs right now too.

[The Merse]

Bowed out at 17-8 after my loss in 6, as I cannot muster the concentration anymore. Back in much better form this week though, and also had fun with a loan Baby Ronaldo. How I got him I'm not sure - a 'Welcome Pack' arrived for me sometime around 6.50... Anyone else get one?

[Gray Fox]

13-1 turns into 15-2. Considering I'm up early it's tempting to hit 17 and quit whilst I'm ahead.

I'm starting to face tough games now with players of similar ability. The latest loss was decided by todays edition of 'Shit goals wot I score or saw'

https://xboxdvr.com/gamer/sniper-wolf-tp4/video/67715386

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

I'd be seething so hard.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Almiron, Muriel, Borja Baston, Jansson and Uth.

Why the fuck are these rare player picks so fucking shit?

[Gray Fox]

I'd be seething so hard.

I actually laughed. State of the game.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

I am going to rinse those 81+ double upgrade packs.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

That mixed pack thing is proper lol.

The pack odds for a bronze must be like 95%.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

18 done:

Pack 1 - Juanfran IF, Sabitzer
Pack 2 - Douglas Costa, Pickford
Pack 3 - Henderson, Guaita
Pack 4 - Bruno Fernandes, Corluka
Pack 5 - Stones, Hector Herrera
Pack 6 - Casemiro, Illarremendi
Pack 7 - Tah, Bender
Pack 8 - Batshuayi, Raul Garcia
Pack 9 - Gabriel Jesus, Mathieu
Pack 10 - Giuliano, Lanzini
Pack 11 - De Vrij, Borja Valero
Pack 12 - Diego Costa, Felipe
Pack 13 - Quaresma, Morales
Pack 14 - Adan, Bender
Pack 15 - Mandanda, Biglia
Pack 16 - Carrasco, Bailly
Pack 17 - Rami, Burki
Pack 18 - Perisic, Morales.

Couple of walkouts, a handful of boards and a nice IF.

[SincereTheRebel]

Oh and there's this.

https://www.kitguru.net/gaming/matthew-wilson/two-ea-patents-paint-a-worrying-future-for-online-matchmaking/

Fucked

[thommo]

https://screenshotscontent-d4002.xboxlive.com/xuid-2533274894873584-private/724d96e1-f5e4-45a4-a891-66a6f6c368e8.PNG?sv=2015-12-11&sr=b&si=DefaultAccess&sig=IpQiH0loPNGVFJlR3MIm9oiJO5BQ%2FKWJskufoFk1d70% 3D

:mad: Time for a break after that one I think. 3rd loss in a row.

[Gray Fox]

Wow, marathon day finally over and what a journey it was.

From where you left me last I moved to 18-3. From here it was tough. I got matched up against Fully(formerly of Team Epsilon. I've played him before in the WL back in '17 and it didn't go well then). I fought a very good fight with him and had it at 2-2, however I lofted a cross to Raul only for him to hit the post, but have it go right across the line. He took it right up the other end and then controlled it well. Lost 4-2 in the end. However I more than held my own and I think his TOTY Mbappe and middle R9/CR7 combo was the big difference.
Straight after this I was matched with who I think was Castro. Another closely fought game with some bobbles that went heavily my way. His Icons were overwhelming at first but I managed to play into it. I ended up taking this one 2-0.

From there it was as if the opponents had kicked up a notch. Things move towards the win one, lose one territory. But a few quality games from me saw me move to 22 wins with 3 games left.
Fatigue had long since set in, however some of the names in the TOTW this week mean it could have been worth the push. A 6-5 loss and then a 5-4 loss knocked me right down to Earth. However luckily I managed to clutch up in the final game and after scoring my 2nd goal in the first 20 mins, my opponent quit.

Final record of 23-7. 70k much needed coins come my way later in the week.

23 games of FIFA in one day, not advised. I'm fucked.

[thommo]

https://screenshotscontent-d4001.xboxlive.com/xuid-2533274894873584-private/b98c1ed5-c9ac-4a00-b006-4d4bd714a5f5.PNG?sv=2015-12-11&sr=b&si=DefaultAccess&sig=Q3qkIWpgpn%2FWg8nGQsE3qR58jcTDw4wAoHa0mbm0QVA% 3D

First game back, and it's virtually a repeat of my last game. 10-13 and on a 4 game losing streak, I'm getting fucked off now.

I'm struggling to get 12 games in tonight GF, I don't know how you managed that many games in a day. Fair play though, cracking record.

[The Merse]

Great finish Fox. That’s a horrible number of games to play in a day. I had 5 Rage quits in my favour today and I was flagging by the end as once you get to +7 and beyond, all games are some degree of tough in my opinion - and then the rage quits stop, and grinding out a win... ugh.

Looking forward to a weekend off next as I’m away next weekend. Which kinda sums up where I am right now. I’m determined to get back to Elite 3 at least once this year, but it’ll need to come soon as we’re approaching the months where I normally just focus on qualifying for the next weekend as quickly as possible and then tapping out. I reckon I have three or four 25+ game weekends left until TOTS, when I’ll likely ramp back up a bit in the hype all month.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Nepenthez is playing a WL game with Varane at LW because of reasons.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

https://clips.twitch.tv/DeterminedCuriousWalletAMPEnergyCherry

El tornado bicycle kick cross from Ibra, Jesus.

He won 5-3 (he was 3-1 up but gifted the guy two goals to try and get Varane a goal) with Varane getting a cross assist and a goal.

[Danny]

Because of the position glitch or because he will be abusing the fuck out of this?

1087038921731702787

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

He wanted to abuse the crossing.

[Gray Fox]

He's proving his point.

If you cut inside around the corner of the 18 yard box and send in an LB + X or L1 + square cross, 2/3 bars, it's strongly favours the tall attacker. So he's doing it with Zlatan, Bale and now apparently Varane.


Also cheers guys. Started playing about 2pm. Couple of small breaks in and I just survived. Felt my play get so much worse the longer I went.

[thommo]

Managed to break out of my slump and win 4 on the bounce to get to Gold 3, record currently sitting at 14-13. I am tempted to play one more to see if there is ANY possibility of winning all of the remaining 3 games and get to Gold 2, but I'm pretty pleased with my first Gold 3 finish and I'm knackered so I'll leave it there.

[five time]

What I would say is don't touch Rivaldo, his 2 star weak foot makes him unusable. Sure he'll shine against anyone you should beat, but against anyone where it's tight or they're the better player he'll frustrate the fuck out of you.

Ended up doing Baresi -> Rivaldo because of the rewards potential. Packed nobody of note and he missed a one on one with his right foot on his debut. :face:

George Best is great fun though, he's the best player I've used this year by far. Reckon the team is almost complete now, really liking NIF Marcelo so I think upgrading him is probably a waste of money. An elite CAM to replace Shearer is probably the goal now.

[The Merse]

I’m thinking of doing the same as the only Icons I might use Keane and Campbell for are Gullit, Vieira, Ronaldo or Henry... and I can see all of them needing 3 Icons, so I’m one short.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

https://www.futbin.com/19/player/18147/Alphonso%20Davies/

Alphonso Davies to be in SBC.

https://www.futbin.com/19/player/18146/Tanguy%20Ndombele/

Ndombele as weekly objective.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

They have now switched it for some reason.

Ndombele needs 3 IF's across two 85 rated squads and another 84 rated squad.

Fuck that shit.

[Yevrah]

What's the weekly objective?

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Kroos from my daily SBC.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Just moved to 4-2-3-1 in game in SB, put Marcelo at LCAM and brought on Zlatan to be RCAM to abuse the crosses and get the Vinicius loan quickly.

It's so much more broken than finesse shots, 5 assists from Marcelo with 4 of those going to Zlatan and it could have been more had I not placed so many headers right at the keeper.

If you need that swap deals player III this week just put your best crosser at one outside CAM with Fellaini at the opposite side CAM and you'll get that done easily.

[Yevrah]

That Ndombele SBC is a new level of rip off.

[The Merse]

I'm still considering it for this:

http://oi65.tinypic.com/28r04di.jpg

A more easily achievable riff on what I was planning for the next few month or so:

http://i66.tinypic.com/2gue6b4.jpg

Aouar is actually looking like a better CAM than Suarez right now, but I'm mindful that Suarez & Kondogbia are pretty much guaranteed +2 boosts before Feb ends, which takes the sheen off Aouar and Ndombele.

I think I could just do the Aouar-Ndombele build this Thursday.

Retaining Suarez and Kondogbia would require another month or so.

[Yevrah]

Oh and great WL efforts gents.

[Boom-Boom-18]

Are there any more swap players due this month other than the 3 released this week?

I currently have 6 but I am off on holiday for a week now. I was hoping to get the rare mega pack.

[Danny]

https://www.reddit.com/r/FIFA/comments/ahy4jg/got_3_futswap_can_i_reach_martinez_9/

i think there is 5 more

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

There has to be more, there are 9 days on the clock left.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

That Ndombele SBC is a new level of rip off.

He's not even that great of a card.

High/High with only 82 stamina is seriously shit.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

I'm really hoping that we get an Arp Future Stars card at some point.

I really liked his card in my career with Fiorentina.

[Gray Fox]

I've broken down my WL.

14-1 in the first 15 and then 9-6 in the second stint. The quality of opponent in the 2nd half was a marked improvement on the first. I reckon I was undeserving of 3, possibly 4 of the losses, whilst I think I won 2 games I had no right doing so, so it almost balances out.

I learned a lot more about the team in the 2nd set of games than the first. The main areas for concern are Fabinho and Sane. The former is a nice presence in the middle but Ballack is much better at pretty much everything. The newly released Rijkaard is probably a perfect fit in a replacement here, but does cost 1m.
Sane also let me down numerous times through on goal. The worst one saw me go through and I waited for his keeper movement, then aimed for the other side. Sane hit it down the middle and it tamely went into his keepers arms.
I thought my standard Marcelo would start to struggle now but he's more than holding is own, as is Walker, although I do prefer Sandro and Lala in either position.

Zlatan is an odd one. I've been swapping him and Tevez in and out a bit during the weekend and I'm still not sure who I prefer. I still think I like Hazard better than both as my CAM, but the version that would fit into the team would cost about 1m.

My favourite goal was from Ballack. It was a central, but slightly to the right free kick about 25 yards out. I was 1-0 up but this guy was moving his keeper well to keep me at bay. I had an inkling he'd do it again so I aimed a power free kick at the side his keeper was stood. Surely enough as Ballack took his long run up his keeper shuffled over to the other side and the ball was slammed into the net where his keeper just was. Instant rage quit.

I've 110k in the bank now. I'll get 70k for the finish along with a 100k pack and the TOTW pack. Assuming all goes for discard value I'll get over 100k to add in. If there are no pulls then I'll sell Sane on and likely bring Felipe Anderson in.

It's going to be annoying to miss out on some of these FFS players SBCs, but others are a bloody rip off.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

If you're using Zlatan, just use those L1 crosses (LB X I think on Xbone) to him at the far post and you'll score for fun.

It's a cheap as fuck tactic though.

[Gray Fox]

I've pretty much unlearned timed finesse shots from the edge of the area and it's got me 2 Elite finishes in 3 weeks. I don't wanna be learning another abusable game mechanic.

[bruhnaldo]

That article you guys posted about how matchmaking is basically sorted to make sure you just win lose win lose win lose win lose felt like the most obvious but mindblowing thing ever.

[Yevrah]

It makes absolute sense and it's partly why I soldiered through the 4 loss streak I had in weekend league towards the end as I knew sooner rather than later I'd face people I was better than. It's happened in every weekend league I've played this year, including one time where I swear I was either facing a deliberately shit bot or someone so pissed they couldn't see.

In fact, almost all of my weekend league games fall into the category of "games I know I'm going to lose or win after 5 minutes on the clock".

[Yevrah]

I also think it's why the 45/90 minutes conceding thing exists.

It's programmed into the game and not user related as it happens all the time in Squad Battles. I can be 8-0 up and I know if I don't concentrate hard and do everything possible when the cpu launches its last attack I'm going to concede. Hell, even if I do I might anyway.

[bruhnaldo]

And I almost feel bad cause I've told my friends that maybe it's just their mentality that they start thinking they're going to concede so they start playing too hard and fuck it up but it's LITERALLY being coded into the game.

[Yevrah]

Don't get me wrong, there's obviously a huge skill gap still in the game (Fox is still going to pwn me no matter how much these shenanigans exist), but I'd be staggered if EA weren't employing them.

We're all basically Hamsters on a wheel in one big money making racket.

[bruhnaldo]

I've never really tried PES but it almost makes me want to if I'm honest.

It'd be different if they did idk literally anything to mostly any other mode in the game.

They gave us the option to make our own kits in Pro Clubs and have a fancy cut scene for contract renewals and transfers in career.

Billions of dollars and that's all they'll do to the rest of the game.

[Yevrah]

The fucking state of this community:

https://twitter.com/NepentheZ/status/1087732313092509697

So glad I decided to fuck that objective off.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

De Vrij as my best player pick from the SBC.

Shit but at least it's higher than an 80.

[SincereTheRebel]

There is a new patch coming and in the botes, there isnt any indication of the posistion change. I personal have left many post on the EA forums with screenshots for a few months about the issue. Others hsve been effected too.


https://www.ea.com/games/fifa/fifa-19/news/fifa-19-pitch-notes-patch-7

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

https://media.contentapi.ea.com/content/dam/ea/easports/fifa/fifa-19/pitchnotes/Pre_YellowFinesseKDB_16_9_3.png.adapt.1456w.png

Look at those yellow timed finesse shots.

[SincereTheRebel]

Top corner lad.

[Gray Fox]

By the looks of that and according to what Nepenthez has said on Twitter, timed finesse from the edge of the box is now unreliable. I'm a fan of the change, but not when they're done it.
You've given players 4 months to get used to this version of the game and now changed it quite heavily if reports are to be believed.

[Gray Fox]

Also TOTY prices are at a massive low since they came out. Marcelo below 1m, VVD is 1.3, Varane 1.5 and Ramos 1.8.

[The Merse]

I also think it's why the 45/90 minutes conceding thing exists.

It's programmed into the game and not user related as it happens all the time in Squad Battles. I can be 8-0 up and I know if I don't concentrate hard and do everything possible when the cpu launches its last attack I'm going to concede. Hell, even if I do I might anyway.

I totally disagree in MP. People change their tactics and their headspace and it can be seen as clear as day. I see myself doing it, and others. There are the tell tale signs as the full backs move up, the wings stay forward and the pressure on possession ramps up. The latter was generally used by people in previous interactions to 'prove momentum' - that they couldn't pass, or had less time on the ball... Now we have dynamic custom tactics, we see that high pressure is a default of the Ultra Attacking stance (and press after possession loss on attacking) - that's going to affect those feelings of pressure.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

By the looks of that and according to what Nepenthez has said on Twitter, timed finesse from the edge of the box is now unreliable. I'm a fan of the change, but not when they're done it.
You've given players 4 months to get used to this version of the game and now changed it quite heavily if reports are to be believed.

Yeah, he's beating his broken crossing drum hard.

[The Merse]

That article you guys posted about how matchmaking is basically sorted to make sure you just win lose win lose win lose win lose felt like the most obvious but mindblowing thing ever.

Really? And not just this:
https://www.ea.com/games/fifa/fifa-19/news/fifa-19-ultimate-team-pitch-notes-weekend-league


Everyone starts each weekend fresh at zero form, moving up or down with each win or loss. In football terms, match form of W/L/W/W/W would result in a +3 form. Players with similar form are then paired in matchmaking.



Of course this means a lot of players sit around 0 to +2 form at any one time. It's why 70% of Redditors posting about where they finished state Gold 3 - it's literally a 45% win ratio.

For the matchmaking - it's been spoken of for 3 years. EA is a vast company. Unofficial posts from their staff have said it's been used primarily in Mobile gaming (can't cite - it's 2-3 years ago ffs).

And dynamic difficulty? It's been around for years. A previous FIFA even gave it a toggle on/off. I do trust EA when they say it's never been in MP. Yeh, they wanna sell points, yeh, they make some bad calls. On the whole, they're just a standard big company, and are unlikely to be lying about 99% of shit they're accused of lying about. Yes, they'll not comment, yes they'll hide the secret 5 spices, but very few direct to consumer companies (particularly now, and moreso in Digital industries as we have transient workforce who can also anonymously expose with evidence VERY easily) actively and purposefully lie about their product makeup.

Maybe being in a related area swells my sympathy for EA in this regard, but... I just don't get why their consumers, their enablers, focus on conspiracy theory shite as opposed to concentrating on the mechanics that are an issue.

[The Merse]

Also. Youtube is a cancer in FUT terms.

[bruhnaldo]

tbh Merse the most reading I do about anything FIFA related is literally this thread so I apologize for being so clearly uninformed.

[The Merse]

Sorry, I'm coming across as chippy and defensive on behalf of a company I've disliked at some level for nigh on 22 years (beginning with ruining Fifa 64 and through their wrecking of Civilisation and blah blah blah)...

Anyhoo. Apologies, but yeh - I've kinda been really resenting a lot of this in the community. Hence I avoid the comment sections in Youtube, and a lot of the more toxic reddit stuff. The guys on the Fifa team are pretty good, and it's of note that those responsible for customer engagement at EA, are both empowered to go direct to PO's and to communicate in almost verbatim terms (at the right level of detail to be of proper tone of voice etc) and sufficiently low level that it's quite ridiculous to continue to batter them with 'shareholder this, shareholder that, money making this'.

In general terms, so much anger is misdirected to a perfectly normal digital set up.

Their Product teams are pushing micro transactions, their devs are working on the game to make it a great product, their data teams are analysing trends in mechanics and user behaviour and engagement, their user researchers are getting play tested, and monitoring feedback. The latter's challenges highlight a lot of what is so difficult here.

The game is loved by all, every year, for a couple of weeks. In that time, many people rack up enough hours to have completed 5 or 6 AAA games. They have c. 25 million users. In the first fortnight, they have over 10 million logged in and playing games online. That's users testing in anger at an extreme scale. For them to take 2 weeks to find common causes of complaints is pretty damn decent.

[Gray Fox]

I think the 45th/90th minute thing is psychological.

You've probably done it yourself, you look up and see you're in added time and near the area. You're more likely to try and work a quick shot and try to get it off than you would in say the 60th minute. Especially the 90th. If you or your opponent is losing they aren't going to keep it and play tiki-taka. They're all out for that goal and fast. Considering how broken certain mechanics are you can quite easily score or concede without doing much.


As for matchmaking. It will always be similar to it is now. It's how they like it. What most people don't realise and what I wish they'd show, is how most people finish.
In comparison to how many people enter, very few people actually make it beyond 17 wins. I wish they'd show the percentage for this as they do in Rivals, but I'd hazard a guess that less than 20% of people get to 20 wins. Your majority of the player base probably lies in Silver 1 to Gold 3.
Given the state of the rewards as you go above 20 wins, you can't really change it too much either. You could use skill rating, but then you'll get guys sabotaging their rating to try and get favourable matches. Besides, what do you enjoy more. Spanking someone obviously worse than you 6-0, or coming out on top in a tense game against an equal or better opponent?

[Danny]

Joe Linton sounds like he should play for Bristol City and be English,

[The Merse]

Basically Gray Fox ; that's all that I tried to say, but you've managed it succinctly and without conflating the issue with the general toxicity of the community, that isn't really reflected in here and should be taken up over on Reddit instead.

Cheers for making me look an even bigger wanker, you absolutely totally correct cunt.

[Gray Fox]

:D

I could go on for hours about the community. The amount of abuse I see the EA guys get on Twitter is stupid. I mean they sometimes give bullshitty reasons for things but people sending them things like death threats, because they've not fixed goalkeeper movement or something is just stupid. And that's without getting into the exploiting game mechanics at all costs.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Emiliano Sala's IF card is extinct...

Was selling for 50k but EA changed the range to 35k.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

His regular gold is selling for about 6k so check your clubs.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

They've changed his min/max to -1 on Xbone and PC but not PS4 yet.

[Yevrah]

Cards of dead people going extinct is one of the oddest things about the user base of this game.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

I don't see what purpose it serves, it's seriously baffling.

[Gray Fox]

Further proving the cuntery of some.


Still, this thing looks very fun: https://www.futbin.com/19/player/17735/Kai%20Havertz/?chem=engine&pchem=10&schem=100

[The Merse]

I don't see what purpose it serves, it's seriously baffling.

Since SBC's came in, particularly the league SBC's, there's often been a rush for out of packs players, as they will be genuinely extinct. The smaller the club the better. Some out of packs Ligue 1 players in the year Laca was the reward sold for 50k+ because their clubs only had 12-13 players in UT before they'd even stopped being in packs. It's not such a big thing now, so there's less to exploit.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Since SBC's came in, particularly the league SBC's, there's often been a rush for out of packs players, as they will be genuinely extinct. The smaller the club the better. Some out of packs Ligue 1 players in the year Laca was the reward sold for 50k+ because their clubs only had 12-13 players in UT before they'd even stopped being in packs. It's not such a big thing now, so there's less to exploit.

I get that.

It's the scooping up of someone dead. He's not going to be used in SBC's, he's not a useful card etc etc.

It was the same with Astori last year.

[The Merse]

Yeh. That again was a reaction to what happened in 17. I can’t remember who it was that went out of packs due to death that shot up in ‘17. Someone from Russia or the like and where you either had him or full loyalty on every other player to make up the chem as he was the only RB or RM or whatever.

It’s mental. But it’s what it is.

Edit - I remember now.

It wasn’t a player! It was the chapocoense kit after the whole squad died. Everyone wanted to wear it as a ‘tribute’ and as such, whilst it didn’t go out of packs, the relative number of kits packed meant they went extinct and were selling for mental amounts. A lot listed weren’t even deliberately being sold for big money - just they went so quick and at max bin due to people desperate for the card.

So EA gave them away free to all to go even it up.

That motivated people to try to ‘invest’ in dead players and/or sell them inflated.

[thommo]

As well as the Chapecoense kit, lots of people did it later in the year with 17 with Cheick Tiote too. He was being sold for max price, even though it was in June and the end of the life-cycle for 17.

[SincereTheRebel]

There is a new patch coming and in the botes, there isnt any indication of the posistion change. I personal have left many post on the EA forums with screenshots for a few months about the issue. Others hsve been effected too.


https://www.ea.com/games/fifa/fifa-19/news/fifa-19-pitch-notes-patch-7


I got an answer from EA finaslly who have agknowledged they are aware of the postions going crazy, and it is actual being worked on.

Hopefully I get a fix the first week of February. This is ridicilous.

Patch 5 - 03/12/18
Patch 6 - 19/12/18
Patch 7 - 21/01/19

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

1088089009211883520

I want a red Mbappe.

[The Merse]

I’d love that Mbappe striker card to become an affordable one for me. It would mean being able to do something a little radical - starting 5 at the back and switching to a 433(4) with TOTY Ramos as a stay back midfielder, which as a Gullit gang card with ridiculous physical and defence looks like a good option to replace Kondogbia with Aouar in algnside him.

[Gray Fox]

If ever there was a good week to get a good red player pick.

[bruhnaldo]

Re: the toxic community. A lot of the fellas that I go to Orlando City matches with and I have a group chat / bit of a FUT league going... Long story short, some of them are fucking insufferable.

One guy who was the supposed king of Fifa 18 (I kinda got into the group in April last year so I missed a lot of it) basically whines nonstop because he's no longer a shoo-in to win every single match because of how they "fucked up the game".

In the beginning I actually really enjoyed 19 because I felt like I could play actual football and it wasn't just knock it ahead of your winger and chase type of stuff. Long story short, some guys will use anything they read as an excuse as to why they're bad.

The reason the guy loses now is because everyone is now in this FUT league we made so everyone is also playing a TON more single player matches online whereas last year most of our time was spent playing pro clubs.

But it never fails. Any time something happens it's "THESE MECHANICS!" or "YOU ShOULD SEE REDDIT!" well maybe everyone on reddit is a fucking whiny bitch, just like you?

Beating him 6-1 in our league match was :drool: x 1000000. I literally could feel him seething through the television. There may actually be video of it considering he streams, I'll try to find it lol EDIT: https://www.twitch.tv/videos/361969210 here it is.. at one point he literally gets up and walks away (at least that's what they told me he did, I haven't actually watched it back). Was gutted to give one up late.

I may fancy a little streaming tonight since I'll be off the next few days. I know it'll be late for most of you guys but if anyone wanted to give me some pointers I'd be appreciative.

Might shoot for it tomorrow day that way it's better for the time difference.

[The Merse]

Naff all in rewards. Koscielny and Arias red picks, some 84’s and 83’s and 100k. Not terrible, but a bit disappointing given I’m taking a week off.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Koscielny too :moop:

[thommo]

I've been working on the Future Stars objective that requires 14 single match wins. Comfortably got 6 by Tuesday, with only one loss, but had no time last night to play, so I'm left needing 8 wins tonight. Not sure if it's worth sticking it out or not.

I also have the final Futswap objective to complete (4 games with Belgian goalscorers) but considering I'm not aiming to get the 87 Dembele I will probably give that a miss completely.

[Yevrah]

I haven’t done one of those type of objectives for a month now and my quality of life has improved immeasurably.

[Gray Fox]

I got the same player pick set 3 times over, unfortunately for me that got me Rebic, Sommer and Zapata. Quite irritating to again miss out on everything useful. I was hoping to see Goretzka here.
My untradeable Rivals rewards saw me get back-to-back untradeable Matic. My 100k got me De Gea and Firmino. Opened my TOTW pack to see a walkout and the French flag. I was flipping the fuck out and then came back crashing to Earth with an Arsenal badge shaped bump.

Turned the shit into 81+ upgrades, got a walkout, TOTW, French, Trolled AGAIN.

340k in the bank now, looking much healthier. Unfortunately I don't think there's enough there to get a new player in.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Not going to bother with WL this week.

FA Cup weekend so we wont have any Premiership IFs.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

https://www.futbin.com/19/player/18173/Wayne%20Rooney

Flashback Rooney. Looks damn good bar the shocking stamina.

[Yevrah]

Got crap rewards too. Feel like I’ve peaked with this for TotY and am rapidly losing interest as a result.

My team’s as good as I ever hoped it would be so I’ve lost the motivation to play. It’s a very similar feeling to Bethesda games where there's a level cap and you’ve reached it.

Definitely need to do pack only no transfer market next year.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Finally packed a Future Stars, it's only Grimaldo and it's untradeable but that pink flare :drool:

[Danny]

I can’t be the only one a bit bored of the same cards getting the no real reason specials? Rooney got FoF and FUT Birthday last year. Luiz and Cole seem to get them every year too.

[Gray Fox]

I just got trolled again. I may cry. Now have to use one of my untradeable Kosielny in an SBC. Got Buffon in one before as well.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Not a bad 81+ double pack:

https://i.imgur.com/Kz8JgQv.jpg

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Just did George Best's 88 for 27k with the rest all untradeables.

My reward in the Ultimate pack:

Mother fucking Saul, not even a pissing walk out.

[Gray Fox]

Not a bad 81+ double pack:

https://i.imgur.com/Kz8JgQv.jpg

I know I've had good luck this year but what even is this shit? :D

[Danny]

After the post above that how, stfu :lol:

[Gray Fox]

Put my garbage TOTW items into knocking off the World Class and 86 squad from Rijkaard. No walkout from either pack so I put the shit into 81+ upgrades.

Got my own FFS Bentancur now. He looks exactly what I want from a CDM/CM in regards passing, height and defending. Going to be hard to squeeze him into my team though.

[The Merse]

FFS Mahow. Fair play, you're owed some luck, GF.

Nothing for me today, but made about 70k off the Bayern, Stuttgart and ASSE MM players had.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Fuck it, I've redeemed my WL points.

Really not that hard for me these days to get to 11 at a minimum.

[bruhnaldo]

Not a bad 81+ double pack:

https://i.imgur.com/Kz8JgQv.jpg

wow fuck you i want that betancur so bad :(

[Gray Fox]

Chucked all the untradeable shit into Rijkaard for the sake of packs back. I've now done the 86, 84 and World Class sections for the cost of 1 TOTW player and 1 position change card.
That's essentially 330k off the price, for the cost of maybe 25-30k.

I have 300k left on the nose, with the UCL Live Pulisic still sat on the list. I could tick off all other parts of his SBC, leaving only exchanging the Icon.

However the Icon I'll be using is Baresi, whose SBC will cost 540k. I could get all of his SBCs, bar the last 86 one ticked off and gamble with the packs. I'd need to make 55k worth of player back to make that way around worthwhile.

Essentially I'd like to do something that leads to opening packs whilst these FFS Players are in them. That purple flare is lovely.

[SincereTheRebel]

I packed an untradeable FFS Guendouzi and he looks really good as an all-round B2B midfielder. Ive got a dilema now as I cant really fit him in my current team as an improvement staticiylly. Add untrade Pogba, Zlatan and Tevez and ive got a nice problem. I want to place the whole front line (Mane-Aguero-Mahrez) with IF LW Hazard being 100% one of the replacments. Maybe an icon to replace Aguero who is fast and strong. RW im not too sure about. Changing formation could be an option. How is 41212 narrow?


I have just under 1 million to spend. Thoughts?

https://www.futbin.com/19/player/17744/Matt%C3%A9o%20Guendouzi/


https://i.imgur.com/myPugLM.png

[Trancemeister]

Romanians are selling like crazy with the new Sbc. Shame this Sbc didn’t come earlier when it was expected and I invested in a bunch of cheap gold ones. Now I’ve got One gold and a few high silver rated ones.

[The Merse]

Will complete Baresi. I can see Henry/Vieira/Gullit requiring not just an Icon but also a couple of high rated squads with Icons, so his 93 rating should justify it and I can do it all for about 150k.

[The Merse]

Just got that mega pack SBC reward and it worked out very nicely. 1 76 rated In Form, and then an 81-83 player pick pack that contained 83 IF Muriel, so that’s reduced Baresi by another 30k or more for me.

[thommo]

Yesterday ended up being a really busy day of FIFA with rewards, some SBCs and my eventual decision to continue with the 14 single match wins objective. Probably shouldn't have carried on, but being almost halfway there made me not want to waste my initial progress.

Rewards were fairly average - my two player picks were 82 Diogo Jota, and 87 Sommer. As for the packs, I had 3 50k rare player packs and 4 35k mega packs, and the best I managed was Fekir. :moop: Turned out ok as I immediately put him into the Ligue 1 side for the objective. I was really hoping for some more SBC fodder at the worst but barely managed any other 83s throughout.

So I went onto the objective, and things started really poorly. First 5 games of the night resulted in just 2 wins, and 3 losses where I was being outclassed comfortably. I assessed the situation (it was getting fairly late at the time), and figured 6 more wins would take a while but SHOULD be doable. This is where I came to the conclusion that the regular Memphis Depay is honestly one of the best strikers in the game, at least for me. He scored in pretty much every game as I romped to within one win of the objective, but fatigue was hitting me at this point and I slipped to two awful losses - one to an extra time winner, and the second to a guy who completely destroyed me from the 1st minute onwards.

It was 2am at this point, work was only 5 hours away but I thought fuck it, I'm going for it and matched against a team with Neymar, IF Mbappe, RTTF Fekir, etc. Flashback Ibra came straight off the bench too. The game was fucking nuts, my opponent played 4-2-4 and couldn't defend for toffee, but he was lethal any time he got to within 35 yards of my goal. We traded goals continuously (Depay getting 3), until in the 90th minute, purple Paulinho (the Swedish league special card) drilled in from the edge of the box to give me a 7-6 lead. There was still time for his Ibra to incredibly miss a 1-on-1, but I held on and finally completed the objective.

Extremely satisfying finale to the night, but I am utterly paying for it today in work. Oh, and I redeemed my WL points, but I'm so fucking tired I can't see myself playing at all tonight....

[Gray Fox]

Watching this Champions Cup on Twitch. It's already worrying how much El Tornado crossing I've seen.

I mean if I get Mahrez doing it and get Zlatan up against a fullback it's game over. There's only real Van Dijk who can challenge him in the air at CB, never mind fullback.

[Yevrah]

Has the patch gone in on consoles yet?

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Servers down.

I'd love an extension.

[igor_balis]

Servers down.

I'd love an extension.

Quite annoying as I got back from work the most IN THE ZONE FOR FIFA I've been for ages.

Currently repping:

https://scontent-lht6-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/50666100_10161276975205384_8529482330308345856_o.j pg?_nc_cat=104&_nc_ht=scontent-lht6-1.xx&oh=af85991206dd37da8b8b9a1db5b94bcc&oe=5CFE79F7

Thinking about upgrading Alba to Marcello but not sure if he's worth the extra coin? Also part of me feels like I should be looking to "improve" on pocket change Kondog but I feel like there's nobody I could buy for even 50* his coin value that would actually be better than him. Could always replace him or Partey with Modric or someone, but cus I'm so shit at defending I quite like having two destroyers there.

Anyone got any ideas of affordable improvements for the team?

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

You could save up for RTTF Kondogbia.

If he gets an upgrade (Valencia should breeze past Celtic) then he's going to be magnificent.

[igor_balis]

You could save up for RTTF Kondogbia.

If he gets an upgrade (Valencia should breeze past Celtic) then he's going to be magnificent.

would love to but i'd need to sell the rest of my team as it stands. tho I could just hoard coins from weekend league/rivals/squad battles for about 5 weeks and get him. could get Bale in half the time, but I didn't really like him when I had him before

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

There's no point, he'll get an upgrade in 3 weeks if they win the first league and if he does his price will increase again.

[igor_balis]

lend us 500k mate

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

https://www.futbin.com/19/player/17729/Houssem%20Aouar/?chem=maestro&pchem=10&schem=100

I've put Scholes up for sale as I want to try him.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

lend us 500k mate

I have 148k on hand right now.

You can have 8k.

[thommo]

Just packed IF Callejon from the Mega Pack SBC. He's worth 50k and there's no way I'm using him with a 2 star weak foot so I'm going to cash in.

Speaking of cashing in, with all of these SBCs out requiring IF cards, I'm tempted to sell up on the cards that I have in squads but rarely use. Even 83 Vecino and 82 Pellegrini look like they're selling for 30k+, and OTW Alisson is now somehow 90k. Only problem is with this inflation in the market, it is tough to upgrade my Weekend League squads without paying way over the odds.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

WL extended by 24 hours \0/.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

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

Raul and Aouar will swap in game.

I'll also bring on Bentancur around 65/70 minutes in for Kondogbia as his stamina is a little low for my play style.

[Danny]

MOTM Cards

Promes OTW Should be upgraded.....its also a futswap.

[The Merse]

Glad I got Promes now. I pulled an MOTM Jakanbashch from a Mega Pack in the Baresi SBC this morning. Only decent pull truth be told, but glad to get Baresi for about 100k+’opportunity cost’ as I now have three Icons to field in the untradeable B team and until they go toward the big boy icons. May do Nakata as well, as I’m struggling to find things to spend coins on outside of TOTYs otherwise. I’d really like to get two big boy icons this year - Gullit and Henry or Vieira and Ronaldo etc.

[Gray Fox]

Damn I literally just claimed Da Costa last night as well. I even looked at buying his OTW at the same time. 50k per card profit if you got on it. The weekend league extension is also great. Was way too tired last night and the Royal Rumble is on tomorrow.

Took a good look at my squad last night. I'm reasonably happy with the first team, minus Sane really. Fabinho does a job, but will be replaced very soon.

It's probably time for tough decisions regarding, POTM Auba, Sterling and Flashback Alves. All 3 are high rated cards that could be very useful in SBCs. The former 2 are now quite unlikely to get into my team again, whereras Alves would, if I were to bring in Mbappe again.

Given Nakata is 100k cheaper than Baresi I could put my 300k into him, which would complete all but the last part, Aubameyang and Sterling would make it significantly cheaper to the point where that, plus the packs from the previous parts mean I could do it. I could then turn him straight into Rijkaard. I'd be broke then, assuming no pack pulls, but my CDMs sorted for the majority of the game.

It does rely on pack pulls to complete it this weekend though. Not sure if worth the gamble. Winter upgrades could push Auba and who knows maybe Sterling up.

Also the FFS Fan SBC is a bit of a joke. You have to grind out the objective to even get it, then they want 160k off you? No thanks.

[The Merse]

I wish I’d done Alves. At the time, the H/L put me off, but having experienced Marcelo, I was a fool. If they bring it back during TOTS and I’m still with Lala TIF then I’ll upgrade with him.

[Trancemeister]

https://www.futbin.com/19/squad/429279

730k saved up.

[SincereTheRebel]

La Liga SBC possibly leaked and cards like Cilesson are flying. Casemiro 90 was in concepts but he isnt there now. Its too early for it though imo

[Gray Fox]

5-0 start in Champs with relative ease. Save for the last game. I was 2-0 up against a constant pressure, ping pong 4-1-2-1-2 wanker. 2nd half he felt like the same player but on steroids. I could barely win a tackle and he managed to squeeze 2 through balls past my VVD despite me moving to cut them out. I was beginning to think "oh here we go" but the way to beat these is to move the ball fast. Kicked it up a notch and got the goal to seal the win.

Gameplay has felt really sluggish. I'm not sure if the new patch is in yet, but those I've played constantly looking for that finesse shot have been sent packing. I brought in 86 Felipe Anderson and I've been playing him as a CAM, moving Tevez to the right. Seems pretty good. He's missed one chance I'd have expected a goal from, but it hit the post and rebounded to my player anyway. Zlatan has felt awful in this gameplay so I've been avoiding him. Bentancur is proving a very useful sub too. I've been bringing him on at CAM.

[The Merse]

La Liga SBC possibly leaked and cards like Cilesson are flying. Casemiro 90 was in concepts but he isnt there now. Its too early for it though imo

Too early? There’s only another two leagues to release isn’t there?

I’ve got it all saved up.

Also did Nakata for 200k. That’s me up to 4 Icons.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Just played and lost my first match 2-1 against someone shit.

I just couldn't finish.

12 shots on target and I really should have won about 5-0 but I kept making sloppy mistakes.

My plan of no games on Friday and then hopefully going 10-0 (I did 6 wins no losses last week and generally don't lose on Saturdays) has not gone well.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

4-0 with some really nice play for me.

Aouar is stunning. He rarely loses the ball (35/38 in the win) which is rare for me with my CAM play and his ball control seems to be near perfect. Can also create a space out of nothing with some simple skills too 32/36 dribbles completed in the win.

I would highly recommend him.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Lost 4-3 on penalties having drawn 2-2.

I was 2-0 up and looking like I'd walk it but in the second half he just seemed to turn into a different player :moop:

Here is Aouar's first goal:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vtmGW8p6QGs

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

3-1 quit at half time and a 6-0 win sees me back on track.

Aouar has been MOTM in every game thus far, including the losses.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6reox0BPkpw

5 goals and 4 assists in 4 and a half matches for him.

Edit: I'm leaving it at 7-2, I'm alright with that.

[The Merse]

You’re making me want Aouar even more now ‘how. Loved his SIF and TOTS last year.

How is TAA?

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

He's better than RTTF Aurier and UCL Walker who are the only other RB's I've tried but I don't really notice him much.

Not sure he's worth the money and he's probably going to look a bit shit in this new meta being sub 6 foot and only 86 jumping (with chem), kind of wish I had gone for Dumfries.

[Yevrah]

Having just played a game with my second team, my first team is so much better than it that it's seriously made me consider putting nearly all of my untradeables into Rooney, Baresi and Nakata tomorrow.

I've got so many of them and they sit in the club doing nothing.

[Gray Fox]

I'm an advocate of having 1 team. You get used to how it plays and you know what certain players can and can't do. However you've generated millions on this without anything like my stupid pack luck, so who knows.

Ill kids this weekend so my plans for a full 30 are pretty much gone. I'll likely get to 11 and see how it goes after. I can pretty much guarantee I won't be able to play next weekend so I may have to smash rivals instead through the week.

[Gray Fox]

Up to 10-0 after the latest set of 5.

Had trouble in 1 match, but not in any of the others really. The one I had trouble with saw me up against a team full of TOTY/FFS players. He could play ridiculously fast and accurately. De Ligt was a massive pain in the ass and Mendy at left back put a stop to me all game. He scored to go 2-0 up in the 73rd min, just as I switched to my all out attack tactic. I ended up scoring twice past the 87th minute. This seemed to rattle him. I'd been on the backfoot finding it very tough going up until extra-time. From then on it was all me.

I've had both Joelinton and Cutrone used against me and both seem to be very very good. I'd love to get a loan to try them out, but there isn't one.

I've been using Felipe Anderson(who I'm liking more and more) as my CAM, with Zlatan as LAM. I lose the balls in behind really, but he's able to hold almost any full-back off.
I also gave this El Tornado cross business a try and I've not quite got the timing right, but it seems stupidly good.

[Danny]

Having just played a game with my second team, my first team is so much better than it that it's seriously made me consider putting nearly all of my untradeables into Rooney, Baresi and Nakata tomorrow.

I've got so many of them and they sit in the club doing nothing.

Same. Right now there is nothing I want to put it into. Might wait for POTM and see where we land there, I will do it if it’s a United player.

[Gray Fox]

I'm watching the Xbox final at this event. The score is currently 7-3 on aggregate, the guy winning has scored 6 goals from these crosses. Including TOTY Messi winning one against Viera.

[Yevrah]

The more 16 year olds compete in these the more the gambling authorities will be coming after EA.

[Danny]

I'm watching the Xbox final at this event. The score is currently 7-3 on aggregate, the guy winning has scored 6 goals from these crosses. Including TOTY Messi winning one against Viera.

There was a clip on reddit yesterday where someone had equalized to make it 5-5 in the final minutes. The guy who conceded went right up the other end and 180 no scope time finessed it into the top corner. Finesse and kick off cheese in one goal. You really couldnt tell who scored the late winner looking at their face cams. I will try dig it up

[Yevrah]

Yeah, that was amazing.

[Gray Fox]

The problem is, they can patch the finesse shots(looks like they have according to PC players) but this crossing thing is a systematic problem with FIFA. It works because the attackers in general can and do react a lot faster than the defenders. So they end up getting their head to the ball more than they should.

You've seen it in past FIFA games, but the attackers who are small and agile can keep changing directions way faster than your defender can react. It still works now, but people wanting to abuse the middle for finesse shots has overshadowed it. I fear once finesse shots are taken away, crossing will be the new go-to thing.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Really annoyed with the foul system. I seem to get penalised for nothing and the enemy can get away with most things.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k_zb7hvcSb0

If the shoe was on the other foot that would have been ruled out for me.

[Yevrah]

Did Rooney with a load of untradeables last night for no other reason than it’s Rooney. Sold all my 83s and 84s too so now sit at 1.3m coins.

No one I really want so think I’ll save packs from now until the next decent promo and build more using league SBC’s funded by bpm and selling consumables.

I have over 1,000 standard gold contracts, which is over 150k coins if I can shift them all....

[Trancemeister]

La Liga & Saudi sbcs out.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

https://www.futbin.com/19/player/18464/Ahmed%20Musa/?chem=sniper&pchem=10&schem=100

Pissing hell.

He's going to be a dick off the bench.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

11-5 which is what I finished on last week.

Not sure if I should push on or stick.

Also seeing as it's been a while here are the squad stats:

GK: Baby Van Der Sar (62 games played)
RB: FFS Trent Alexander Arnold (43 games, 1 goal, 7 assists)
CB: TOTY Van Dijk (83 games, 2 goals, 1 assist)
CB: TOTY Varane (63 games, 5 goals, 1 assist)
LB: TOTY Marcelo (83 games, 2 goals, 18 assists)
CDM: Prime Keane (187 games, 9 goals, 28 assists)
CM: Futmas KDB (162 games, 56 goals, 46 assists)
CM: RTTF Kondogbia (78 games, 9 goals, 25 assists)
CAM: FFS Aouar (18 games, 14 goals, 5 assists)
ST: Prime Raul (84 games, 70 goals, 22 assists)
ST: Prime Crespo (160 games, 174 goals, 49 assists)

Still a little low on midfield assists (not sure why) but I'm happy. Aouar has done all of that in WL bar 2 games on Legendary SB and he feels quality, really runs games for me. The Merse, I'd highly recommend him.

[Yevrah]

I think I've got most of the Saudi's so that'll be another fire sale/pack spree tonight.

[Yevrah]

And Mahow, you don't seem to get (m)any assists at all.

The players there have scored 342 between them, but only have 202 assists. Obviously players will have dropped out, but as it is fewer than 60% of your goals are assisted.

Have you recently dropped someone with fuckloads of assists?

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

No, I don't understand it.

The only player I took out recently was Scholes who didn't have many to his name.

[The Merse]

Clearly just scoring rebound cheese all the time eh?

[Yevrah]

OTW Promes is now going for 160k+.So tempting for a player I'll probably not use again.

[Gray Fox]

At 30-40k a pop you could have near quadrupled your money on those from a week ago.

I'd left my WL progress at 12-0, but woke up an hour ago and was unable to get back to sleep. Decided fuck it, people usually quit out at this stage if they go behind, so I don't mind if I have to quit a few myself. Went for 14 wins and got it in 2. First game saw me pen the guy back for 30 odd minutes before eventually scoring and he quit. 2nd game was very close. Went to pens and I'm glad I've had lots of practice here. My opponent felt nervous as all of his pens barely strayed from the middle. As such I managed to save 3, however he guessed right on 3 of mine, but 2 of them were precisely aimed into the corner. Both of those managed to curl away from the keeper and find side netting. If I were a little less precise or if he had taken a step to the side before diving, he'd have saved both.

After that I went and opened the pack waiting for me in the store:

https://i.gyazo.com/66eec37be2152934b1d31db4e0b0d0f0.jpg

Not bad I guess.

[Baz]

EA will stop selling FIFA 19 points in Belgium starting January 31

https://www.ea.com/en-ca/news/fifa-points-belgium


After further discussions with the Belgian authorities, we have decided to stop offering FIFA Points for sale in Belgium. We’re working to make these changes effective in our FIFA console and PC games by January 31, 2019. This means that players in Belgium will not be able to purchase points to obtain FIFA Ultimate Team packs. Players still can access Ultimate Team and play with their existing players. All content in the game can be earned through gameplay, as has always been the case, and players can continue to use coins and the in-game transfer market. Any players in Belgium that have existing FIFA Points in their accounts can continue to use them, but they will not be able to purchase more. We apologize to our players in Belgium for any inconvenience caused by this change.

We seek to bring choice, fairness, value and fun to our players in all our games. In addition to providing players options in how they play, we include pack probabilities in our games for the transparency players want to make informed content choices. While we are taking this action, we do not agree with Belgian authorities’ interpretation of the law, and we will continue to seek more clarity on the matter as we go forward. The impact of this change to FIFA Ultimate Team in Belgium is not material to our financial performance.

This means that 2K, Valve, Blizzard and now EA as well (at least for FIFA 19) have stopped offering (paid) loot boxes in Belgium.

[Yevrah]

Patch is out. I’ll give it a go on squad battles pro difficulty to test a few things out when I get in.

[Yevrah]

Nesta out, no icons needed, but a fair few IFs and he's not very good.

[The Merse]

Patch seems decent to me. Just had one of those really satisfying games that affirms why you bother, going 3-0 down to a drag back spam merchant (I hate that move), I scored a couple of bangers to go 3-2 down on 69 mins. At which point, he started passing around the back and trying to time waste to victory. Did the cunt 3-3 and he tried the same. Enter Edison Cavani once more, sealing his hat-trick with yet another 99 shot power thundercunt to make it 4-3. If there’s something I play this game for, it’s beating shitehawks like this. 4-0 in Rivals today, and going well all week so might actually not avoid promotion this week and see if D4 is any more enjoyable than it was the last time I didn’t start forfeiting matches to avoid it.

Back in WL this weekend too. Might buy that IF Goretzka for it, as a supersub, as he looks top notch. Will also be taking OTW Promes on the bench too.

[Gray Fox]

Had a quick go with the new patch this morning and specifically tried to find out about timed finesse. They seem completely random now. Some fly in, others even with CR7 go miles wide or seem underpowered.

The thing that does worry me is they haven't touched how strong defensive AI is. I played a guy who just had drop back on and I was camped 25 yards out. He was a good defender so I pretty much created nothing all game. My worry is in these games I'm going to have to resort to crossing, which I hate.

All in all I think they've gone a little too far the other way with this now, but unless crossing becomes the new meta, it's a change for the good.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

I tried it in practice arena and though the same but just had a game on legendary:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HN6Tl20Q_Lg


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a4xyIu__zh8

Aouar did put a green just wide which would have flown in the net more often than not before but I can still utilise the system.

Also was trying the crosses and had a bit more luck (I was using the L1+R1 headers which Nep said work well) but I still struggle to find the man in the box at times.

[The Merse]

Had a quick go with the new patch this morning and specifically tried to find out about timed finesse. They seem completely random now. Some fly in, others even with CR7 go miles wide or seem underpowered.

The thing that does worry me is they haven't touched how strong defensive AI is. I played a guy who just had drop back on and I was camped 25 yards out. He was a good defender so I pretty much created nothing all game. My worry is in these games I'm going to have to resort to crossing, which I hate.

All in all I think they've gone a little too far the other way with this now, but unless crossing becomes the new meta, it's a change for the good.

My two cents are that defensive Ai isn't the issue. A button defending and the lack of impact to attacking play is the issue - it should be a real effort to counter when you've 11 behind the ball. Instead, it often seems easier.

[Gray Fox]

I'm really hating this patch so far, even when through on goal now my timed shots are all red. I'm countering that by not timing them at all, but that results in a much tamer shot and not as far into the corner.

What's worse is I was just playing a guy who was defending quite well, I had 2 chances I know I'd have scored on Sunday but both were red timed and didn't go in. I put in 1 cross after seeing CR7 at the back post and he powered it in. I really don't like where this is going.

[The Merse]

You don’t need timed shots if you could score goals in 17 and 18 without always using low drive . I rarely use them, preferring to use the same methods as in 18, space+placement+power+Body position. I didn’t use low driven much last year either and I’m fairly free scoring, or at least, finishing is not a major issue.

I’m still only G1 standard, so I get outplayed by some opponents and lose something like a third of games in WL and DR, but where I’m getting chances, I’ve not had issues with finishing since the first couple of weeks when I was trying timed finishing and failing to get to grips with it.

[Gray Fox]

But I love slamming the ball into the top corner. It's very emphatic!

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Put the trainer on and practice.

[Yevrah]

I didn't once use the low driven in 18 but still scored loads of goals. The problem now is that it's just much harder to score from good positions in 19.

[Yevrah]

As for finesse shots, they still work as long as you get the green timed, albeit the accuracy of the green timed has been slightly reduced.

[Danny]

I am still using the low driven this year. It’s still pretty powerful IMO but just a little harder to pull off with the switch in key combo

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

As for finesse shots, they still work as long as you get the green timed, albeit the accuracy of the green timed has been slightly reduced.

You can be late too, the one I posted above with Raul was grey and still flew in.

1090625717518295040

Awful TOTW btw.

[Boom-Boom-18]

X-Box consoles are currently unusable. Black screen on start up, anyone else experiencing this?

[bruhnaldo]

My buddy LITERALLY just said his xbox was broken so he'll be happy to know that it may not be.

[Gray Fox]

Irritatingly misjudged Div 3 rankings and missed out on Rank 3 by a hundred points or so, so only the 2 jumbo premium golds from that to go with the Gold 3 champs finish.

Ended up with TOTW Hilton and Miranda, along with a few 84s. Red picks were Benzema and Poulsen. Not bad considering the shit TOTW.

[Gray Fox]

Team update time as it's been a little bit. I go into games like so:

https://i.gyazo.com/1921d1b5178662e1e27dd33db1a7988b.jpg

I currently have Bentancur and Ballack playing CDM, whilst Raul has dropped back to CAM and shifted Anderson off to the left in order to accommodate the big man. I basically moved things about when I packed him, but it was pretty much as the patch dropped. This shift about could explain some troubles as well.

Bentancur works okay as a CDM but his lack of strength has shown. He'd be a very good box-to-box guy at CM.

I've 220k in the bank now and am faced with a choice. I'm enjoying CR7, but selling him would allow me to upgrade at LM and LB. Because of doing that Marcelo and Anderson would be sold on and I'd have just over 2m.

I could then get TOTY Marcelo, Neymar and finish Rijkaard.

If I didn't do Rijkaard, I could also buy Mbappe, 86 Lala, Varane and Griezmann in a squad reshuffle. It'd mean parting with pack pulled De Gea and bringing back Courtois too.

I could go another way with it and bring in TOTY Varane, 86 Lala and Mbappe.

Unsure quite what to do yet.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Crap rewards (my red was Benitez), my luck has turned to shit.

I'm also skipping WL this week, I'm going to be busy on Saturday which is easily my best day.

[The Merse]

Quite glad I missed last weekend now, that TOTW is drab.

I'll be back on tomorrow for a little while and hopefully a whole heap on Sunday.

[Yevrah]

Another promo coming.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Best pull in MM rewards was Kyle Walker which isn't too bad.

[Danny]

Michael Owen SBC out

[Danny]

Boateng from my MM's

[thommo]

After smashing through 15 WL games last Monday whilst ill to get to 11-9 and Silver 1, I haven't played at all this week. Found a few minutes to open up my rewards packs, I did think about waiting until this new promo dropped, but what's the likelihood of me packing anything decent anyway.

Got 84 Donnarumma from my player pick, and the packs from WL and Rivals got me Benatia, Lacazette, a few more 83s and more importantly a number of La Liga players for SBCs. I've done 13 of the 20 so far, but missing a number of silvers that will be needed for Huesca and Valladolid.

Also used my January Futswaps for OTW Promes, he might replace IF Dembele for me but if not, he'll be a cracking sub.

[The Merse]

New promo is a bit meh.

[Danny]

Futswaps are shit and, other than a cash grab, I don’t understand the headliners

Edit: OTW +1 for the “best players from the first half of the season”

[Yevrah]

EA are shitting the bed on this. I'm not sure I can be arsed any more.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

I will be building the fuck out of those player pick upgrades.

[Yevrah]

After TotY I just can't be arsed to do it all again. I'm increasingly of the belief that I need to play this game without using the transfer market at all from next year, it's just too easy to build a super team otherwise and as soon as I have, I lose interest.

[Boom-Boom-18]

I read that Kiko Casilla is a good investment due to his Leeds move. He is used in every Real Madrid La Liga SBC solution and will soon be out of packs.

Makes sense and while he is at 800 it is risk free.

[The Merse]

I bought teenty of so of them a few weeks back when he was first rumoured to be off. They peaked at 3k, but I’m a bit dismayed they’re back at 8k now. Hopefully a fortnight or two more does the trick.

[Boom-Boom-18]

His Leeds card is now out, I can't see him not flying up in price.

[Gray Fox]

Weekend League extended again.

I can't remember if I redeemed or not, but not looking forward to what I've seen from Twitter so far.

[The Merse]

It's a pain today, pretty heavy. But, I'm glad of the extension as I can watch 6N and Arsenal and not neglect the GF totally without compromising the finish hopefully.

[The Merse]

Yuck, some fucking people. Met a tiki taka cunt, the type that took more than one touch only in his own half, and timewasted with one touches as soon as he took the lead off a kick off goal. You just can't win the ball if they one touch it over and over.

7-5 now, not a good start but Saturday is always a slog for me.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

It's funny how we all see to favour different days.

Friday and Sunday are always a bit shit for me (Friday in particular) with Saturday my best day. I always kick myself for not playing more on Saturday.

Although I am enjoying the weekend off this go.

[Yevrah]

I didn't bother either. I think 1 in 3 weekends is a nice amount to manage, anything more and I start to hate it.

[Gray Fox]

Checked and I must have redeemed out of habit.

Champs gameplay feels a little off. It's heavy as to be expected, but my and my opponents players are taking some touches that almost feel like new animations. Passing also feels a lot better in certain situations, but worse in others.

I've started 5-0 but I'm wary of how this will go. I've also brought Hazard back in to play as a CAM and moved Ronaldo out left. I feel like it's best all around. However I'm starting to very much feel like I'm forcing Raul in now.

It does bring me onto my next point though. Moving Ronny out there has allowed this to become a thing:

https://xboxdvr.com/gamer/sniper-wolf-tp4/video/68591394

That's the new 87 Lala he's beaten easily there too. That was far too easy and bar moving out of position with his left back, he could do nothing to stop that.

So far it's been very obvious who was reliant on those finesse shots pre-patch. The last game was a struggle. I came up against a possession player who went 1-0 up early. Managed to nab the ball of him in his half the once for a quick counter goal, but I got lucky to score from a corner at the end to nick it with 41% possession.

[Yevrah]

Haven't been online yet, but have been playing a load of legendary squad battles today and yesterday and have to say this patch is a big improvement.

Took a while to get used to it, but not relying on timed finesses makes the game much more enjoyable. I'm scoring a variety of goals and probably even more than I was before the patch.

[Gray Fox]

After playing a bit more I'd agree. A long shot should never be a guarantee. I seem to be playing much better and more fluid football.

I'm now 9-2. I was motoring along nicely until I ran into an equally good opponent. It was a very open, end to end affair but neither of us could finish our dinner. 2-2 we went into extra time and he put in a shocking cross towards the end of the first half, however instead of clearing it away like I asked, Van Dijk chested the ball, which ballooned off him and right into his Griezmann who was suddenly presented with a 1v1. He scored and after a formation switch so did I. The frustrating part was I broke through and had a chance in the 117th minute. An across goal pass to Aubameyang was played. I thought I'd nicked it, only to have him smash it right back at the corner flag. I went on to lose on pens.
Then in the game straight after my opponent immediately switched to a 3-4-2-1. Again this was end to end. However at 4-4 I had a cut back at point blank range saved. Think Dudek in the CL Final 2005 style. My opponent went straight up the other end and created a chance. I moved my De Gea correctly but in his save animation he saved it twice in one go. The first one knocked it up into the air and the 2nd saw his hands, which were still moving up, knock the ball and send it back into the net.

On another day I'd be 11-0 but I've taken a break now. I may go again tomorrow but I'm out from tomorrow evening until Monday evening so there's not a lot of play time left for me.

[Yevrah]

I made a few changes to my custom tactics and line up, but it does feel like my players are moving much better than they ever have in this game. It's also easier to score from angles in the box, which is very welcome.

This is the line-up, which changes to a 4-3-2-1 or 3-5-2 in game, but throughout the squad battles run over the last couple of days I've almost exclusively used the 3-5-2.

https://i.postimg.cc/pLB3cV3X/Untitled.jpg (https://postimages.org/)

https://i.postimg.cc/ZnFLYn8W/Untitled.jpg (https://postimages.org/)

https://i.postimg.cc/NjpB9xs4/Untitled.jpg (https://postimages.org/)

Just over 1.5m in hand and probably a 200k of players to sell and a shit load of consumables, but I'm a bit bored of the trading side of this now. Elite 1 is all but secured in Squad Battles, so I might sell a few things and have a go for one of the cheap icons tomorrow, but again, not sure I can be arsed.

[The Merse]

Finding goals hard to come by today, but due to something they're supposed to have nerfed - Keeper movement. Simply put, I cannot work my arse off to create chances and then shoot away from the keeper when the opponent stick them in a spot they don't even have to dive from.

[Trancemeister]

Fucking hell. Packed Baresi 91 rated. That's my third icon this game :D

[Yevrah]

Finding goals hard to come by today, but due to something they're supposed to have nerfed - Keeper movement. Simply put, I cannot work my arse off to create chances and then shoot away from the keeper when the opponent stick them in a spot they don't even have to dive from.

Is there an argument to say that that feature should be binned entirely? I might play 20 games and focus on nothing but moving the keeper if it's that overpowered.

[The Merse]

Is there an argument to say that that feature should be binned entirely? I might play 20 games and focus on nothing but moving the keeper if it's that overpowered.

My personal objection is, that like the outside of the box finesse, or skill spamming in older fifa's, it leads to completely stupid things to do in real football becoming a good idea - moving the keeper right over to one side as you know it's the natural place for the shooter to aim for. So yeah, I'd bin it.

[Gray Fox]

I'd agree it needs to go completely. If timed finesse from outside the box is all but dead then the thing that countered it should go too. I will say though that my favourite goal to score is now a free kick where my opponent moves his keeper on my run up, only to see me power free kick it into the side he was just stood.

I'm 18-8 now. I've had 2 disconnects(winning one, drawing the other) and pretty much every game today could have gone either way. On balance I'd say if I were to finish on 20 wins it would be fair. I'm having to rush to get these games in though and it is showing. Not playing very well today.

[SincereTheRebel]

I like the idea of moving the keeper at set pieces. Thats where it should end.

[The Merse]

I like the idea of moving the keeper at set pieces. Thats where it should end.

Agreed. Works for near post spam, itself another broken area - the hardest of angles IRL being the easiest in-game.

12-9 for me after some awful games today. I'll likely finish Gold 2.

[Gray Fox]

I just got disconnected from 2 more games. The game would start okay but then it would skip and I'd have speed up lag and then about 15 minutes in it kicked me, both times.
I reset my connection to be sure it wasn't me, but the next game same again. I got really really lucky in this one as I scored with my first attack causing my opponent to quit.
I reset again and still the same, but luckily my opponent was a bit shit. Managed to grind out 2 first half goals and he quit at half time.

20-10. Don't like it but given the connection issues(I assume this is why we got extended) I'm more than willing to take it.

[Boom-Boom-18]

Flashback 87 Leighton Baines has been released. Around 160K to complete with two packs back.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

https://www.bark.com/en/gb/services/fut-trader/

You can now hire a PRO TRADER via Bark for £8 an hour.

[Yevrah]

Gents, if you were mad enough to attempt a game of this without using the transfer market to buy anything, how would you go about it?

I have my own ideas, but curious to hear your thoughts.

[SincereTheRebel]

Packs openings?
Sbc?

That sounds like a nightmare

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

I packed a headliner \0/.

Only Sommer who is worth fuck all but I'll take it.

[Gray Fox]

Gents, if you were mad enough to attempt a game of this without using the transfer market to buy anything, how would you go about it?

I have my own ideas, but curious to hear your thoughts.

Been out since Sunday afternoon so didn't see this.

I'd say the way Nepenthez does it is the only way this would work, without some luck. If you limit yourself to only pack pulls and not SBCs you're going to need to grind a lot(Champs, Rivals and Squad Battles) and that'll burn you out quite quickly if you don't see some luck on your side.

The way he does it, coins are almost irrelevant to him. They only matter once there's an SBC or upgrade packs he wants to do but because he's not spending any otherwise, they'll build up pretty quickly.

I'd say go first owner.

[Danny]

Tempted by the Hunteelar. A quite nice Ajax/Eredivisie team coming along.

[Yevrah]

Been out since Sunday afternoon so didn't see this.

I'd say the way Nepenthez does it is the only way this would work, without some luck. If you limit yourself to only pack pulls and not SBCs you're going to need to grind a lot(Champs, Rivals and Squad Battles) and that'll burn you out quite quickly if you don't see some luck on your side.

The way he does it, coins are almost irrelevant to him. They only matter once there's an SBC or upgrade packs he wants to do but because he's not spending any otherwise, they'll build up pretty quickly.

I'd say go first owner.

The problem with first owner is that it's too easy to make coins in the transfer market and I'll just end up with an amazing team by Christmas again through all the SBC's EA put on and being able to do all of the league SBC's. I really want something where I'm a) grinding all year to get a super team b) have that connection you can only get with players when they're pack pulled/you have to really work for them and c) I'm spending less time in the menu's and less time playing the game full stop.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Not to be a dick or anything but you seem to find something to hate about whatever path you take.

I guess you just have to stroll down the one which gives you the most enjoyment despite the negatives.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Oh and The Hunter :cool:

[Yevrah]

No offence taken and probably a fair comment.

I enjoy the grind in games and lose interest when I reach a level where I have the best shit.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Use multiple accounts and change after you've reached that level?

[Raoul Duke]

How about some kinda level-based challenge? E.g. you start with a Bronze squad, play n games, upgrade to Silver squad, play n games, then an 80-rated squad, 81/2/3 etc.

The other thing I think people do on this game is miss out on playing with weird and wonderful players (although you don't do that as much, Yev).

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Had to pay about 50k or so but I did get Parejo and Verratti from the Prime Gold players pack so, with the other stuff from the two packs, I have done THE HUNTER for profit.

[Boom-Boom-18]

I have found enjoyment from focusing on actually getting better at the game rather than chasing players. I am currently picking one thing and focusing on it for a period of time until I am comfortable with it.

The last few sessions I have been trying to get used to performing the ball roll. I always see the pro players use it to good effect but it has never felt natural to me.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uM3Jm7CgQFc

The Hunter :cool:

Glorious stuff, look how far the ball bounces out too. POWER HEADER.

[Yevrah]

Use multiple accounts and change after you've reached that level?

I'm sort of doing that at the moment, with that pack only account I started a couple of weeks ago. Only played about 10 games on the account, but it was going back to it yesterday that made me think more about doing a genuine pack only account as the main one when FIFA20 comes out. For me, the transfer market just makes the game far too easy and is a massive time sink. Using it you can cherry pick which SBC's you do, which therefore means you can't possibly lose coins on them and everything just comes so easily as a result.

Imagine a world where Futswap cards, red picks, low end IFs, etc. might actually be useful? A world where all chemistry styles can be used? A world where opening silver packs has a purpose as you hunt down cards you need for SBC's? It just sounds great to me. A proper grind, that if done in the right way, with a bit of luck, might see a top end player joining the team that evokes the sort of feeling when your real life team landed a huge signing.

Anyway, this is the shit I have cobbled together so far. 12 games played on a fresh Xbox profile, with nothing purchased from the market.

https://i.postimg.cc/htKY58nc/Untitled.jpg (https://postimages.org/)

Just played two games online of the 5 needed to place in division rivals. First game was against a team with FFS, Flashback etc. players and narrowly lost 2-1. The second was against a team with red reward cards in it and I lost 4-1, with Sterling getting a consolation, but the game disconnected in the 91st minute and while I got the coins the game didn't count as 1 of the 5 matches. Grrr.

Still, enjoying this shit a lot so far.

[thommo]

Played a fair amount tonight on Weekend League, and probably had my best weekend in terms of performance. Got to Silver 1 with a record of 11-6, and I was contemplating pushing on for 3 more wins, but with it being fairly late I will leave it there. I felt much better this weekend, closing out tight games, winning a couple in extra time, and a penalty win just now to seal Silver 1.

Grey Fox, the recommendation of Griezmann has been brilliant. He's played 55 games for me, all Weekend League, with 59 goals and 29 assists. Seriously fun to play with too.

[The Merse]

There's something about Griezmann this year. I've struggled with him in past games, but this year he's bloody brilliant.

[Gray Fox]

He was a staple of my early teams and I'm actually considering a switch around to try and bring him back in(his 91 version anyway). Always seems to be in the right place too.

I also noted in my WL run there seemed to be a lot of variance in formation. Most notably the most difficult one I faced was 4-4-2. It seemed to throw a blanket over my 4-2-3-1. I had a lot of success late last year using it myself and given you don't need to clog the middle any more I'm tempted to give it a run.

It may also solve my Raul/CR7 problem. CR7 kills it up front, but my usual 1 striker set up means he or Raul has to play wide and it's a waste for either one of them.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Just played two rivals matches as I want at least rank III rewards having not done WL.

Two 3-0 wins with both of them not finishing due to rage quits.

Should only need another 1 or 2 to get it and I'm only 52 points away from reaching division 4.

[Gray Fox]

I'm hoping we get some big boy Icons soon. I mean Nakata and Owen are good and all but we need someone huge.

[Gray Fox]

Butragueno was not who I had in mind...

There's also a free pack waiting for you all. The more days you have logged on to FIFA the better pack you get. You can get an Ultimate pack for the most activity.

[Danny]

I got ultimate. 132 days of activity.

Will open when I get home so I can be excited for my walkout Pele (as if)

[Gray Fox]

Apparently you could only get the Ultimate pack if you had started playing before the official release date. Nice one, EA.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Butragueno would have been amazing before the patch.

A 5 foot 6 ST now though? Meh.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Also, I didn't get a free pack.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

1092859225456271360

[The Merse]

I got ultimate. Lovely. May do another cheap icon tonight and enjoy a mega pack opening as I think I need a fifth Icon as I’m planning on making Gullit my Icon so I that can fit in Future de Ligt or any TOTS he may get as an upgrade on Ramos, but also want enough to do Ronaldinho for the LW spot.

[The Merse]

Kane, Koukibaly, IF Wendt, Allison and 4 83+ in my ultimate pack :drool:

[Yevrah]

In a pack only game it's this sort of thing that would be genuinely immense.

[Gray Fox]

Prime gold players pack? Piss right off. Nothing in it either.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Apparently some people got more than 1 pack.