FIFA 19 - Sponsored by Promes to Sevilla

[Danny]

Someone tried that against me yesterday I saw the second player join in the lobby and backed out before playing. They are either going to be complete dog shit or dominate going forward

[Yevrah]

Someone tried that against me yesterday I saw the second player join in the lobby and backed out before playing. They are either going to be complete dog shit or dominate going forward

Guttingly I lost 2-1. Gave it a damn good go though. Receiving a throw in was impossible.

[John]

Are you on this yet John?

Nope.

[Yevrah]

3 Division Rivals games tonight, 3 losses. Almost everything gone against me that possibly could.

This game has more capacity to trigger than anything I've ever played before.

[The Merse]

Did Koke with duplicates from my transfer pile. He’s pretty good, should be a decent sub in for Talisca when he’s done by the 60th min in FUT Champs and he’s currently at LW in my B Team. Went up to D4, definitely a tangible step up, but look forward to better rewards next week.

[Yevrah]

I was on the cusp of Division 5, but the three losses have fucked that somewhat.

Still, I'm now only two Promes goals in separate games away from Scream Blind.

[Gray Fox]

I'm struggling with D4 a little too.

Though from reading up, it seems people are purposefully relegating themselves to get there. Div 3/4 have the best reward structure compared to time put in and so are the places to be.

[Yevrah]

Soldiered on and got Blind after a few wins. They really need to sort pace out or do something to nobble people who camp on the halfway line and spend the entire game pressing.

Oh and:


https://i.postimg.cc/pLXjWcZh/30-10-2018-01-22-21.jpg (https://postimg.cc/jLm2vXBt)
I'm going to get munched.

[The Merse]

I'm struggling with D4 a little too.

Though from reading up, it seems people are purposefully relegating themselves to get there. Div 3/4 have the best reward structure compared to time put in and so are the places to be.

It’s going ok actually. I’m holding steady around the 1600 pt mark, losing more with the B Team of course, but generally
Getting the results I need to grind out the points. Certainly won’t be at all interested in D3 though. There be the whales.

Kind of miss the days when I was winning D1 in seasons in ‘17 or holding my own there with an all Scottish XI at various points of four or five FUTs previous to that. FUT Champs and now Rivals totally robbed me of the feeling that you were actually good at this game. I now feel painfully average.

[Danny]

According to reddit EA are just giving people the missing futswap player.

[Yevrah]

They are. I got him this morning. A Dortmund player.

[SincereTheRebel]

Futbin import is annoying. It says my bronze and silver players are worth 1500+ but when i check, they are not even selling for 200 BIN

[Yevrah]

Yeah, it rarely works unfortunately.

[bruhnaldo]

What kit is that?


Al Read

https://www.futhead.com/19/items/kits/?color=white


Al Raed away kit I believe.


Just bought it for 150. Nice.

thanks fellas i managed to log off for the day and missed the question my apologies

[Danny]

The problem with FUTBIN and the silvers is it doesn’t check/update enough. If the price is one I am happy with I typically just list for 100/200 less and let it go and keep relisting; they seem to sell eventually.

[bruhnaldo]

They've only said at selected times through the season. Last years lot got bumped 5 or 6 times after the original run if I remember right.

I've given up on the 2 squads idea for now and gone full on Serie A. I've also sold off the assets I wasn't using and now sit on 45k. Another 45k in Champs rewards and at least 50k from Rivals.
Looking at bringing 3 or 4 players into the team for this weekend. Matuidi, Douglas Costa and Handanovic are must adds for me. To add beyond that needs some pack luck.

If I may, Dries Mertens & Sergej Milinovic-Savic(spl) have been fucking monster for me. Radja is pretty great as well.

Was going to provide stats to back this up but apparently the fifa app doesn't show your club stats for goals/appearances, but Sergej has scored quite a few corners for me especially (even with bicycle kicks lmao).

Sorry if you already have these guys and i'm just talking into the wind but I'd highly recommend.

--

I'm thinking about picking up Matuidi as I have Pogba coming off the bench... feel like I can sort out my chem with PP with Best+Matuidi but gotta figure out how to keep Dybala in the side at CAM. I guess I could move Dybala up to a ST of some kind but then Mertens would have to go wide left and then likely drop Insigne.

Hm.

[Danny]

What formation you playing? You could probably shoehorn all of them in, even more so with the in game formation switching these days.

[Gray Fox]

Milinkovic-Savic is good for his power. Pure physical presence in the midfield. However I have replaced him with Matuidi this morning and I'm not looking back. He's everywhere. He also has the finesse shot trait which is crucial in this game.

Hamsik is now sticking out for being a little sluggish, but he weighs in with a lot of goals for me. I've also noticed I play much better when I bring newly acquired super subs, Promes and Depay on off the bench. I don't know if it's just because they are fresh legs, but I seem to improve.

Mertens is a tough one. I feel like he should be better than he is. My last 2 games have pointed this out. In the first I went up quickly and scored 4, 2 with Mertens, both quality finishes just outside the box. The 2nd game, I was 3-0 down. Came back to 3-2 and was all out attack. He finally got the ball unmarked just inside the box dead centre and he put it wide. I was finessing and didn't use a timed finish either. It's a tough one that, even though he has value, the next step up is Dybala and he is is a good 200k away.

I'd do it but other upgrades would need that coin first. Alex Sandro is needed. While I'd also like to add Radja and Douglas Costa in as a RW.

[bruhnaldo]

it's the 4-3-3 (4) at the moment:

https://i.imgur.com/qphM3sT.jpg

* - Best will go to 10 once I get enough games in for the loyalty bonus.

My bench currently consists of:

Pogba, Hamsik, Cuardado, Icardi, Callejon, Cesc, and Carvajal

Bringing Pogba off the bench hasn't been the worst thing for me and often is a great boost to the midfield in the 2nd half but still feel like i'm wasting coins by having a 400-500k player sitting on the bench for most of the time... but then I think well if you sell PP (who I packed praise Jesus) who would you even get that could upgrade the team at this point.

Hm.

[Gray Fox]

Get Matuidi in that team ASAP. You wont be sorry.

[bruhnaldo]

Gray Fox Ya all of my buddies have raved about Matuidi, I might just have to make the plunge to see what he's all about.

Am I a shithead because I don't want Douglas Costa cause he spit in some dude's mouth? I realize that's kinda petty but idk lmfao makes me feel grimy.

I'd also def agree Hamsik is pretty sluggish for the most part, which is why I ended up dropping him to the bench in favor of SMS & Radja. if Matuidi turns out to be a player I may have a problem on my hands as far as CM's are concerned lmao (I also did this same thing with CB's and just recently decided to stick with Manolas and sold off De Vrij, Bonucci, + Skriniar(spl). I probably should've kept one or two but was in full "I NEED GEORGE BEST" mode)

[bruhnaldo]

I'm also thinking about going to the one where the forwards are LF, ST, RF as that was what I was using with Insigne\Mertens\Icardi and was scoring for fun. I feel like Best stays too wide even deep in the 3rd which kinda messes up how I play (generally kicking it around at the top of the box waiting for a nice 1-2 to emerge)

I also, like a n00b, haven't fucked around with the custom tactics at all, so that's probably what I need to work on next

[The Merse]

Futbin import is annoying. It says my bronze and silver players are worth 1500+ but when i check, they are not even selling for 200 BIN

Look at the sale probability - anything Medium or Low won't go for BIN.

[Gray Fox]

The patch has hit and brought with it a few noticeable changes.

- Firstly they've got rid of the EA logo flashing at the bottom to give away a walkout, when opening a pack.
- They've very annoyingly removed the ability to skip a goal replay as the person who conceded. Prepare to watch all replays against thatguy again.
- Changing your players around now saves them in the formation you have set currently, not the starting formation.

I'd also noticed before that sometimes switching up to a 4-1-2-1-2 narrow, my players would not be where I put them. For example Mertens should be the CAM, but often I'd have seen him at LM in what looks very much a 4-4-2.

There's also a reported TOTW leak showing Suarez, Ronaldo and Pogba. But I'm not buying it.

[Danny]

I have seen predictions but no leaks yet. I can imagine them getting them all in though. Would be a massive point spending spree.

[Gray Fox]

I can't wait for them all to get in and then have to chose between 79-82 rated for my player picks.

[Yevrah]

Anything on gameplay in the patch?

[Boom-Boom-18]

The patch has hit and brought with it a few noticeable changes.

- Firstly they've got rid of the EA logo flashing at the bottom to give away a walkout, when opening a pack.
- They've very annoyingly removed the ability to skip a goal replay as the person who conceded. Prepare to watch all replays against thatguy again.
- Changing your players around now saves them in the formation you have set currently, not the starting formation.

I'd also noticed before that sometimes switching up to a 4-1-2-1-2 narrow, my players would not be where I put them. For example Mertens should be the CAM, but often I'd have seen him at LM in what looks very much a 4-4-2.

There's also a reported TOTW leak showing Suarez, Ronaldo and Pogba. But I'm not buying it.

Removing the ability to skip opponents replays is devastating. If anyone wants to watch their goal back they can do so in match highlights.

Being able to skip celebrations / goal replays is the best feature they have added. I haven't celebrated or watched a replay once.

[Gray Fox]

Anything on gameplay in the patch?

Improved goalkeepers being dipshits by the sound of it.

Also, you now need a good agility stat to pull off a bicycle kick.

[Yevrah]

Bound to feel like a completely different game then....

[SincereTheRebel]

I have 10 FUT swap cards with 0 currenty avicllable. Is lallana dead?

[Danny]

Let me check when I get home. I have all but the one they handed out today.

[Danny]

SincereTheRebel I have 13, so 1 left.

[Yevrah]

Other than the rewards for ranking, do you get any Fut Champions qualification points for playing Fut Champs matches?

[Yevrah]

IF Pickford from my costume party pack, that's more like it.

[The Merse]

Other than the rewards for ranking, do you get any Fut Champions qualification points for playing Fut Champs matches?

Nope, but you get 400 Div Rivals pts p/game

[Danny]

Anyone given Kane a go? Figuring I will give him a shot upfront instead of going in for Auba/rebuying IF Laca. The potential loss on Kane for BF sales is a lot less!

[Gray Fox]

Other than the rewards for ranking, do you get any Fut Champions qualification points for playing Fut Champs matches?


Yes. You get them in a bundle at the rewards. 6 wins - 10 wins gets you 1,000 back. 11 wins gets you the magic 2,000.

[Yevrah]

Cheers. Those premium electrum player packs might actually be worth it. You only need to average 1k a player to break even and with the silver market being what it is it’s possible.

Shouldn’t lose too much either way and there’s the slim possibility of pulling something decent.

[SincereTheRebel]

1057648465948270594

Surprised not to see Barkley get his second IF. It is him or Auba for POTM.

[Danny]

LM Willian is a shame. Not going to compete with Sane, Mane, Martial or the eventual Sonaldo!

Was going to say Sancho could be fun until I saw his finishing.

As much as I would love POTM Auba it would cost too much. Barkley could be a reasonable cost. Might have to keep an eye on his IFs bet they ask for it.

[five time]

May pick up Marquinhos if he's cheap, but nothing else I'm too interested in there. Waiting on the Bundesliga POTM, Sancho or Jovic I've heard.

[The Merse]

I’d be very happy with Marquinhos or Mane in player picks, with Pato the minimum to keep me pleased.

[Boom-Boom-18]

I bought 4 Pizarro's (76) when I saw today's SBC for 1,300 and they have sold for 8,000. Happy with that.

[Gray Fox]

I’d be very happy with Marquinhos or Mane in player picks, with Pato the minimum to keep me pleased.

You know we're picking from the group of players on the right don't you? I'd be pretty much happy with anything on the left of the split.

A little disappointing there's only 3 Serie A players. Only 2 usable ones too. If I could get one of them I'd be over the moon.

I'm trying to make sure I hit Rank 1 in Rivals but the score keeps going up and up. You can now keep track of them on FUTBIN too. They've only a few divisions for now, but more to add soon.

[The Merse]

You know we're picking from the group of players on the right don't you? I'd be pretty much happy with anything on the left of the split.

A little disappointing there's only 3 Serie A players. Only 2 usable ones too. If I could get one of them I'd be over the moon.

I'm trying to make sure I hit Rank 1 in Rivals but the score keeps going up and up. You can now keep track of them on FUTBIN too. They've only a few divisions for now, but more to add soon.

Incorrect statement of fact or cynical jibe at the quality of players you’ve picked so far? Gold 2 players have picked up VDV and Mahrez’s, who were on the left in previous weeks. My Bailly was too.

[Gray Fox]

I've not had any player pick yet, was just joking around.

I've seen some players finish top 100, and of their 5 pick packs get a single 84 and 4 garbage reds. That Manolas would be a dream. He's by far the best CB I've used thus far.


I've just won 3 quick games. One guy rage quit after my first goal. Then won a close good game, then he took the ball straight into his own net and quit. 25.5k points. Surely that's enough?

[The Merse]

I've not had any player pick yet, was just joking around.

I've seen some players finish top 100, and of their 5 pick packs get a single 84 and 4 garbage reds. That Manolas would be a dream. He's by far the best CB I've used thus far.


I've just won 3 quick games. One guy rage quit after my first goal. Then won a close good game, then he took the ball straight into his own net and quit. 25.5k points. Surely that's enough?

Yeh I think each player to pick from has the same odds of being any particular player once your Gold or above, you just get more to select from or more packs as you move up the rankings. Hence, some gold 2 get a Lewandowski. Top 100 stalwarts are raging as a result.

[Gray Fox]

I'm happy with anything usable. They're informs for free after all. I just hope I don't have to make a hard choice!

[Danny]

These upgrades :face:

https://www.futbin.com/19/compare/805/17151/804

[SincereTheRebel]

Unless they reelease two FUT SWAP cards over the next 28 hours. I will be short for Lallana which is annoying. We should have a schedule on when they are available.

[Yevrah]

By my calculations there's 1 still to come (as I've definitely used 13 of them), but I agree, they've handled it really poorly. The opportunities to earn them should be labelled as "Futswap Card x of 14" and there should at least be some idea of when they're coming.

[Gray Fox]

The annoying thing is they've not announced them when they come out. Wasn't there a card that was only available as a daily in the first 24 hours?

[Yevrah]

There was. You had to win 3 division rivals games to get it as a daily objective reward. You have to at least be semi looking for them to find them some of them.

[SincereTheRebel]

Ridiculous. So badly implemented but there is time and room for improvements. After reading the notes, we should have had 14 SWAPS during October. We haven't had that many and we are now in Novemember.

[Boom-Boom-18]

Servers down?

[Gray Fox]

Went to claim my rewards and can't get on.

[Boom-Boom-18]

I was kicked off just after 6pm and haven't been able to get on since. Very annoying because I was hoping to get 3 wins tonight to qualify for the weekend league.

[Danny]

Ridiculous. So badly implemented but there is time and room for improvements. After reading the notes, we should have had 14 SWAPS during October. We haven't had that many and we are now in Novemember.

It’s in an SBC right now.

[SincereTheRebel]

It’s in an SBC right now.

Cant get on. I will only have 15 once i do the last one. May as well do packs

[Gray Fox]

I've just got on and been able to collect my rewards.

First player pick was a choice of: Mancini(78), Zardes(79), Willian(86) and Hilton(82)
Second player pick was a choice of: Marquinhos(86), Sharp(78), Bellarabi(83) and Hilton(82)

Delighted to add Marquinhos and Willian to the club. I don't know quite where they'd fit into the team, but I'll have to figure that out. I've at least gained 2 super subs.

Nothing from the packs unfortunately, but plenty of fitness card goodness.

[Gray Fox]

Weekend league is going to be delayed by 24 hours and extended 24 hours on the other side. Someone fucked something up big time on their end. All matchmaking has been disabled too.

Also along with the weekend league rewards they handed out kits from a bunch of the eSports teams. Some look quite tasty to be fair.

[The Merse]

I've just got on and been able to collect my rewards.

First player pick was a choice of: Mancini(78), Zardes(79), Willian(86) and Hilton(82)
Second player pick was a choice of: Marquinhos(86), Sharp(78), Bellarabi(83) and Hilton(82)

Delighted to add Marquinhos and Willian to the club. I don't know quite where they'd fit into the team, but I'll have to figure that out. I've at least gained 2 super subs.

Nothing from the packs unfortunately, but plenty of fitness card goodness.

Told ya Gold 2 Player Picks were decent.

I got Pato as my best pick, Hilton the other. Semi-happy. His stamina is shit but he looks a decent sub, almost identical to Gabriel Jesus.

Also picked up Douglas Costa in rewards, so sold mine and stuck the first owner.

[The Merse]

This weekend league shift is odd, but might work out for me. I’m at a wedding tomorrow in Brighton so won’t be back home until midday Sunday, so fitting in 8-10 hours over Sunday and Monday night should be do-able.

[Gray Fox]

Told ya Gold 2 Player Picks were decent.

I got Pato as my best pick, Hilton the other. Semi-happy. His stamina is shit but he looks a decent sub, almost identical to Gabriel Jesus.

Also picked up Douglas Costa in rewards, so sold mine and stuck the first owner.

I would've been happy with just Pato to be fair. I kind of feel obliged to get them in the team now! I've been told by countless people how lucky a sod I am. Hell of a lot of reports of people with better packs than me getting a little bit shit on.

How is Douglas Costa? I've been planning on buying and using him as a RW on 8 Chem. He seems perfect right up until the 67 finishing.

This is the current team:

https://i.gyazo.com/506fabf563609ca9519aeccea9a3039f.png

I have 160k on hand to improve it.

I'm torn between adding a big player or 2, or spreading it out. Alex Sandro would pretty much wipe out the whole budget, but would likely set my left back for a long time.
Nainggolan would be just over 60k if I sold Hamsik back on to fund it.

Elsewhere I'd like to improve the keeper to Handanovic and I'd consider moving Allan on and switching to the 4-3-3(4) in order to bring in a more physical presence up front. The RW spot is a tough one in Serie A, hence wanting to play Costa over there. Insigne is also an option.

Benatia also seems like a fair upgrade on Skriniar. Both have the same sprint speed, but Benatia is much stronger and better in the air.

[bruhnaldo]

No consideration for Koulibaly?

[Gray Fox]

He has a high attacking workrate, so would leave a gaping hole in the defence now and then. He also seems to have lost 3 inches since FIFA 18? :sherlock: Beyond that they're very similar with their in-game stats.

[bruhnaldo]

So I've started trying to play my squad battles on Ultimate and can I just say it's really annoying how the game doesn't actually become harder it just forces your players to do dumber shit to compensate for the skill difference.

Edit: Maybe it's Legendary? Whichever is the one above WC.

[Danny]

So I've started trying to play my squad battles on Ultimate and can I just say it's really annoying how the game doesn't actually become harder it just forces your players to do dumber shit to compensate for the skill difference.

FIFA in a nuthsell. Add to that the bronze teams becoming vintage Barcelona it’s annoying but free coins for a few games that are not as sweaty as rivals.

[Gray Fox]

Serie A and Japan League SBCs just dropped to a tonne of disappointment. Dzeko and Skriniar with tiny upgrades are the rewards for Serie A.

[SincereTheRebel]

Fut swap for october is still live with an additinal 30 days. Wtf. Same rewards. Lallana is still available.

Edit: not days hour. It says 30 hours. Im 100% sure i saw days though..

[Gray Fox]

It did say days for a little bit. They've given people an extra day to claim and use the last item that was there via SBC.

[Danny]

Giving it an extra day because of the server downtime. Makes sense.

[Danny]

A League and Serie A SBCs up. Makes me think we will see the “main” leagues very soon but the cards will be meh.

[bruhnaldo]

Dzeko and Skriniar with tiny upgrades are the rewards for Serie A.

*punts phone to Milan*

[The Merse]

Did half of the Serie A SBC’s for the better packs using mainly players in the club. Pulled IF Sancho, IF Nani and David Silva amongst quite a few 83-84’s which I’m saving up for Black Friday and Futmas SBCs.

[Yevrah]

Few comments from me.

The rewards for the new League SBC are bilge, but I have quite a lot of players for both so I'm tempted to roll the dice and do them all and see what the packs bring.

I redeemed my entry for Fut Champs (which I wouldn't have done had I known I it wouldn't be available tonight), so I'll be making my debut tomorrow.

I still love Ousmane Dembele.

[Danny]

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1i3s2mYELcmui8EEJ9qLQesiwERb-vg27l-BvuSb0BkE/edit?usp=sharing

Hopefully the link works.

I put together a tab for each of the prem teams (I didnt grab all players, decided to keep it reasonable). I have highlighted the ones I will looking to buy. I think City and United are going to cost a bomb.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Needs permission.

[Danny]

Alright, should be public now.

Cardiff could be a money maker. Only 4 golds in their squad.

[Yevrah]

Did you export that from Futbin or type it all up?

Either way, great job.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Looks solid.

[Yevrah]

I ask about the exporting because I'd love it for La Liga too.

[Danny]

Did you export that from Futbin or type it all up?

Either way, great job.

I went on futwiz and coped it all down to excel. Fell out pretty nice and just needed some clean up.

I have probably low balled some of the ratings but if you have 11 of a club (outside United, Liverpool and City) I cant imagine you will be far away.

[Yevrah]

On the new League SBC's, a lot of the players I'm missing are silvers, so this might be a good time to recycle my bronze players into upgrade packs, selling any that I can get decent coin for.

I've got about 1,800 of the fuckers, so that'd be 300+ silvers and some decent wedge from sorting through and selling those I can.

[Danny]

I ask about the exporting because I'd love it for La Liga too.

Went on futwiz, searched for Prem and I had to go page by page coping to excel.

When you copy over you can click one image (player pics copy over) and press ctrl + a to select them all and delete. Then I unmerged, unwrapped and stuck a formula on end to get a team name on the end for easy sorting.

[Yevrah]

I've also just listed 7 De Rossi's for 2.2k each. I've had them on the trade pile since the early access so enough is enough.

When they sell I'll hit the 1.3m coins mark, but watch an SBC land tomorrow that whacks them up massively.

[Yevrah]

Hmmm.

https://www.futbin.com/19/player/92/Lothar%20Matth%C3%A4us/?chem=anchor&pchem=10&schem=100

If you can accommodate the switch into midfield, he's an absolute bargain, surely?

[Yevrah]

The other thing I'm looking at is the PotM Eden Hazard, partly because he's an end game card and partly because I'm due some pack luck and the packs are pretty decent. I've already done 1 of them as well.

Has anyone used him?

[Danny]

Hmmm.

https://www.futbin.com/19/player/92/Lothar%20Matth%C3%A4us/?chem=anchor&pchem=10&schem=100

If you can accommodate the switch into midfield, he's an absolute bargain, surely?

You would have to run a 5 at the back and switch him in there. He has to be a beast though.

[Danny]

The other thing I'm looking at is the PotM Eden Hazard, partly because he's an end game card and partly because I'm due some pack luck and the packs are pretty decent. I've already done 1 of them as well.

Has anyone used him?

I did his loan and like him. Try that first? Especially with 6 days left. I would wait until after weekend league to hope for the prices to fall back down.

[Yevrah]

I looked at who I could swap him into midfield for. Obvious answer is Desailly, but the best budget choice seems to be Matuidi, which I doubt would work. Mind you, I am rocking Kehrer at the back at the moment.

As for Hazard, so many comments saying he's weak, so if I'm going to take a punt on a weaking it'd be Messi. Well, were it not for the Hazard SBC packs. Damn packs.

[Yevrah]

Right, we're going in.

[Yevrah]

We open with a 3-1 loss.

He completely bossed the first half, but I was still level until the 42nd minute when I won a free kick just inside my own half. My players pushed forward for me to take it leaving me exposed on the counter when he stole the ball. 0-1. Any free kick I get in no man's land is just getting booted straight out of play from here on in.

Second half comes and getting frustrated he starts with the sweaty pressing, which strangely gives me more space as he's not very good at it. I break and Guerrrero whips a ball across for Dembele to nod in. 1-1. I literally screamed yes and punched the air at that point.

Sadly he gets another with Jesus and with 15 minutes left I go all out attack for him to steal a third in the dying seconds.

Still, not an awful experience and 400 Division Rivals points in the bag.

[Yevrah]

Lost my second game but won my third! So nerve racking, but held on for a 2-1 win in extra time.

Fuck knows how people do this for a living.

1-2 and 1 win away from my first target.

[Boom-Boom-18]

I am 2-1 after 3 games. Losing on penalties in my 3rd game.

I am aiming for 11 wins and hoping for 14. As much as I enjoy FIFA and the rewards the weekend league brings I do find it taking over your weekends. I didn't really want to play last night but felt like I had to because I needed 175 points to qualify for this weekend league, took me 6 games.

[Yevrah]

1-3 now.

Really should have won the last game. Lucas denied in the final seconds of extra time with a wonder fingertip save when 1 on 1 from the 45 degree angle that one always scores from.

Went to penalties and well, what a complete shitfest that is. Is there a way I can practice them? Without the direction bar I have no clue what I'm doing.

[Yevrah]

I am 2-1 after 3 games. Losing on penalties in my 3rd game.

I am aiming for 11 wins and hoping for 14. As much as I enjoy FIFA and the rewards the weekend league brings I do find it taking over your weekends. I didn't really want to play last night but felt like I had to because I needed 175 points to qualify for this weekend league, took me 6 games.

It's absolutely exhausting me so far. I'm knackered from work anyway, but 4 games of this is has been so draining.

My ultimate target was to get to Silver 3 as I'd love the chance to get a Fut Champs card, but whether I'm good enough/will be able to play enough games to do so I'm not sure. The last guy was the worst opponent I've faced so far though, so things seem to be getting easier as my form bombs.

[Yevrah]

Oh and on Icon watch, another cheap but cracker is baby LB Maldini.

About 700k ish and looks a beast that you could also move into the centre.

[Danny]

Thats what a lot of people did early on last year with his LB. Many even started in him there on 7 chem.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

I did that, he was brilliant.

[Yevrah]

3-4 now and if I was 10% better I could be 5-2.

Only been outclassed in one game, the opener.

Dembele is a legend. Two winners so far.

[The Merse]

First day is always the hardest with matchmaking too, that’s a respectable place to be.

Also, it seems less sweaty than Div Rivals this year in comparison to Seasons/DKO vs Fut Champs in previous years.

Probably won’t get much time on it this weekend as at a wedding today, so I’ll see if I can scrape a Gold 2 finish from 20-22 games over tomorrow night and Monday night. Need a solid 6 hours on Monday really.

[Gray Fox]

Ended up getting to this:

https://i.gyazo.com/b77f085a06903299fcdd8289b28fe98a.png

Gave it a test last night and it worked alright. Nice to have a bit more muscle up front. Unfortunately Costa doesn't feel great. I'm not sure if it's the chemistry issue, but if it is, I didn't nearly think it would affect him this much.

[Boom-Boom-18]

Yev, you can practice penalties in the practice arena.

Gray, I do not think the issue will be Costa's chemistry. I have never noticed a difference with players on 7 chem.


I am currently 5-2 in this weekend league. Very pleased so far and my last game was a 7-1 win.

[The Merse]

Get Sandro as soon as you can. He’s a beast.

Also, if you don’t get on with Willian, I’m finding Douglas Costa more effective than Mbappe. Which is most surprising. He’s not Sane level of productivity but he just seems to ghost into goal scoring positions really effectively.


Edit: just noticed you have Costa at RW. Interested to see how you find them both as I’ve also considered IF Willian.

[Yevrah]

Hmmm, two 4-2 losses on the bounce in games I was never really in takes me to 3-6.

Massive game this as a win and I'd be pretty happy to be 4-6 (better than I expected at least), whereas 3-7 would be a tad disappointing after the first 7 games.

And you're right on the sweat Merse, haven't played a single high pressing wanker so far, just people who're genuinely good at the game and no problem taking defeats to them.

I need a better team though, that much has become clear. 8 of the 9 sides I've faced have been objectively better than mine, most by some margin.

[SincereTheRebel]

My penalty arrow had disappeared.


Also where is the casual seasons in online FUT? Champs and Rivals and super competative. Ive looked for online seasons but i cant find it in the menu. Please tell me it is still here?

[Danny]

Pretty sure rivals replaces a combination of that and DKT it.

[Gray Fox]

Yeah there isn't a casual mode any more unfortunately.

Division Rivals has combined seasons and the DKT. Division 4 seems to be a sweet spot for it too, so guess where the best players are preferring to hang out? Last week I found the Weekend League more fun than Rivals. We'll see how this week goes. I've not played a game yet.

[Yevrah]

My penalty arrow had disappeared.

It's never available in FutChamps though, right?

Won the 10th game to go 4-6 and it was the best game so far. Came back from 1-0 down to go 3-1 with 75 minutes gone. He gets a goal back where I swear I tackled Aubameyang about three times and the ball just kept bouncing back to him, then with a minute to go I have a goal kick and shitting myself as to what to do. He's beavearing around my defence so I punt it long for Rabiot, who can't control it, he breaks and scores in the last seconds to make it 3-3. Into extra time I hit the post before he scores a sublime goal with Aubameyang. Thinking fuck this I go all out attack and bring on Schweinsteiger, Lucas and Nakajima. I break and Lucas whips it in for Nakajima to head the equaliser. We pour forward again in the dying seconds (I'm losing on penalties, so no point not to at this stage) and Nakajima curls a stonker into the top corner for the winner, the beautiful little bastard.

Bronze 1 secured.

I need a lie down.

[The Merse]

Totally agree. D4 is horrendous. D5 tolerable, FUT Champs has oddly become light relief.

[The Merse]

Yevrah

Will be interested to see if you’re hooked after rewards.

[Yevrah]

Yevrah

Will be interested to see if you’re hooked after rewards.

It's been immensely enjoyable so far (as you can probably tell....), the best fun I've ever had on FIFA probably - I'm punching the air when I score, not too pissed off when I concede because the people I'm playing aren't sweating the shit out of it with absolute wanker tactics and when Nakajima got that winner I literally lept off the sofa in delight.

[Yevrah]

Might be getting ahead of myself here, but are the player pick packs for the silver rewards the same for each rank?

[Boom-Boom-18]

Might be getting ahead of myself here, but are the player pick packs for the silver rewards the same for each rank?

Silver 1 and above can pull any card. The only differences being the number of packs you get and the number of player choices you get.

Silver 2 and below you can only pull a maximum 84 rated player.

https://www.fifauteam.com/fut-champions-rewards-fifa-19/

[SincereTheRebel]

Pretty sure rivals replaces a combination of that and DKT it.


Yeah there isn't a casual mode any more unfortunately.

.

Well thats the bullshit. Only way to play casual is seasons with your friends list. Wtf


It's never available in FutChamps though, right?


Is this 100% fact?

[Boom-Boom-18]

Well thats the bullshit. Only way to play casual is seasons with your friends list. Wtf



Is this 100% fact?

Yes, that is fact.

I am not sure what I make of rivals. Receiving the weekly rewards in a large lump sum is nice because I seem to be able to build up my coins quickly but I have been in division 5 since launch and never once looked like being relegated / promoted. I feel like I don't have much to aim for with rivals.

[Yevrah]

5-7 and think I'm getting a bit fatigued now.

Lost the 11th game 1-0, which was a bit of a shitfest. I felt like the better player throughout, but things just weren't clicking and I couldn't break through. At about 80 minutes went very attacking and it backfired as he scored on the break to seal the win.

Next game and I meet my first high pressing wanker and school him beautifully. 75 minutes of slog in which he scores once, but with 15 to go I turn the tables, bring on some fresh legs and press the shit out of him with a 3-5-2 and we run out 3-1 winners.

I even dabbed at the end.

[Yevrah]

Flashback Gotze.

If he isn't weak as piss he might just fit my side.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

71 strength, meh.

I do like the idea of the Flashbacks though, they use it well on MUT.

[SincereTheRebel]

Have they removed online singles match too? That was the casual game in the last FIFA

[Yevrah]

71 strength, meh.

I do like the idea of the Flashbacks though, they use it well on MUT.

His stamina is a bit shit as well. Might work as a CAM, but not very useful in central midfield I don't think.

[Yevrah]

A good rant from Nepenthez here on Icons and other wank SBC's.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Ygg3IhKbDg

For those who have been following this, EA have clearly flipped a switch on his account when they saw he'd be doing a first owner run.

[Yevrah]

Decided against Gotze, but sold Martinez and Sule for 10k each.

[Gray Fox]

5-0 start again. I think it was laggy gameplay that made Costa feel sluggish. Today he's been electric. Firmino has really allowed me to hold up the ball better. Such a reliable finish too.

The new formation is really allowing me to pressure and pen people in. I've only noted 2 issues so far. 1 is that Allan is more of a jack of all trades in this role, but I think a more pure box-to-box type is needed. Another Matuidi type would be amazing. The other is Costas finishing. He's missed 2 sitters already and they were on him, not me.

Going to need to push a big session out later to try and get my games in.

I've also noticed what might have been my penalty problem. I missed 7 in-game ones in a row. The taker as he runs up, seems to turn his head towards the side you have placed it, unless you switch it about during the run up. I got a pen before and switched at the very last second. Sure enough the keeper dived the way I was originally intending.

[Yevrah]

How do you do that pressing filth you do Fox?

[Yevrah]

First proper humping, losing 5-0 to go 5-8.

Seriously fatigued now. I don't know how people do this every week and hold down a life and a job. It's nuts.

[Boom-Boom-18]

First proper humping, losing 5-0 to go 5-8.

Seriously fatigued now. I don't know how people do this every week and hold down a life and a job. It's nuts.

Imagine what it was like when it was 40 games. I finished my first weekend league a couple of weeks ago and I felt like I had spent my whole weekend on FIFA, certainly don't fancy doing it every weekend but the rewards are good and it's a nice way to track improvement.

[Yevrah]

Three sets of rewards this week is giving me the horn.

I'd be better if I stopped now and I'm not playing more than 15 today, but the opportunity to hit Silver 3 with one win in the next two is appealing. Alternatively a 5-10 record would be a bit pants.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Imagine what it was like when it was 40 games. I finished my first weekend league a couple of weeks ago and I felt like I had spent my whole weekend on FIFA, certainly don't fancy doing it every weekend but the rewards are good and it's a nice way to track improvement.

I only did 40 once but that's because it was extended by a day IIRC.

Absolute hell.

[Yevrah]

Are you bothering at all this year Mahow?

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

I'm hoping to.

I'm just finding MUT so much more enjoyable this year.

I keep making squads (here's the latest (https://www.futbin.com/19/squad/1469664)) hoping that it will drag me in but it has yet to do so. I've done some SBC's as well.

Hopefully next week I'll find some time and just start in the hopes that it sparks something.

Edit: That Nepenthez video is pretty damning. Especially as the MUT team are doing a much better job of actually communicating with people and changing things that aren't working. They're not perfect but they're trying hard and it's coming off like they actually care.

[Boom-Boom-18]

Three sets of rewards this week is giving me the horn.

I'd be better if I stopped now and I'm not playing more than 15 today, but the opportunity to hit Silver 3 with one win in the next two is appealing. Alternatively a 5-10 record would be a bit pants.

You have to hit at least silver 3. There's a big difference between bronze 1 and silver 3.

[The Merse]

I only did 40 once but that's because it was extended by a day IIRC.

Absolute hell.

When I was single I used to 40 every single weekend. Fitting around nights out, rugby and football excursions and the like was stressful.

30, were I single, would be a piece of piss. Now I just settle for Gold 2 and try to do it in 25 games or less.

[five time]

The Gotze SBC is actually fairly affordable. Been stockpiling Bundesliga players which helped mind.

https://i.imgur.com/yRJd1Ar.jpg

Had to throw in Ribery and Kimmich into the SBC but I'll wait until after the promo to buy them back. Packed Sane in the Mega pack so I'm up coins as well.

The only issue with investing so much in untradeables is their longevity. As attacking players usually get in forms more often, Reus and Gotze could be surpassed in a couple months as I'm not sure they're 'end game' ready.

[Gray Fox]

How do you do that pressing filth you do Fox?

I tend to use formations that have either a CAM or 3 men in the middle. I try to select the former, as they are usually fast, then chase the ball about with that player. If I switch it's to a CDM usually and hope to close down the edge of the area.

Previous years I'd continue to back off and invite the long shot, but not this year.

[Yevrah]

Done for the day on Fut Champions.

Was 5-8 and played the one more game:


https://i.postimg.cc/RhZsS7Jf/17-10-2018-02-36-34.jpg (https://postimg.cc/XGtcxy87)

Won 3-0 to take silver 3. Well chuffed with that. 6 and 8 for the day is a right result.

[The Merse]

Might stream a bit on Monday night for the first time, inspired by Yev. Would also like to play him and Fox and anyone else on Xbone it up for it though I’ve not been able to play PvP connections on fifa in previous versions so not sure if that’s going to work.

[Yevrah]

Didn't realise you were on Xbox Merse. Would be up for that and would be keen to watch either you or Fox stream.

Talking of streaming, I didn't want to do it while playing FutChamps (can't take the pressure), but on now:

https://mixer.com/Chemical_Locust

[Gray Fox]

I'd be up for a game. Just got to get these games out the way first.

Losing the Friday was annoying, as with being on lates Monday I have very little time. As such I'll likely have to play 10 games tonight.

After my 5-0 start last week I basically went 13-11. Hopefully with the upgrades this week, I'll turn one or two of those losses into wins.

[The Merse]

I’d be keen to see how we match up. Me and Fox have similar fut Champs records IIRC but I get the feeling we might ply very differently. I’m quite the purist and get a lot of abuse from very meta players - I don’t skill, I don’t use the typical ‘exploita’ Of game mechanics and have spent twenty years on fifa basically trying to be wengers wet dream of pass and move circa 1998.

[Gray Fox]

Played some more as I felt I was playing good FIFA.

I'm now 9-3. One loss was infuriating. I lost 4-0. He has Neuer in goal. Saved at least 6 shots I expected to score, then I conceded as I pushed on. The next loss was 1-0. I had a memorable chance where I kept pushing the ball to the right then knocked one around the keeper. Fell to Costa, just inside the box on the right, open goal infront of him, but he took it on his right and missed. To add insult, my opponent later scored in an almost repeat of my should be goal.

Last game was the most heartbreaking. This was similar to my 4-0 loss earlier with the ball just not going in. However he had Mbappe and blitzed me over and over on the counter. At 3-1 with 15 mins left I went all-out and pulled off the miracle to go 3-3. Then in extra time, his Mbappe out-jumped Dalbert at the back post with a header that imo should never have gone in.

I've stopped to avoid a full on tilt. 18 games remaining and going 8-10 in those will see me into Gold 2, which has to be the aim. The most frustrating thing is that I could really be 11-1 here.

[SincereTheRebel]

im currently 14-6. Three of those losses, are games I feel I should have won. My best victory was a guy who just passed around on the edge of my box. He was 2-0 up in the first half. My tactic is to get 11 men behind the ball and to defend. He ended up losing 6-2 after I kept my wide men on stay forward. Every goal was a swift counter after he tried some unnecessary skill move on my 18-yard box instead of shooting the ball.

In the weekend league. You can't pick who you want to take penalties during a shoot-out? It just puts you straight in.

[SincereTheRebel]

Im building a hatred for players with yellow hair or mohawks. Radja and especially that Brazilian 84 rated IF can both fuck off

[Gray Fox]

In the weekend league. You can't pick who you want to take penalties during a shoot-out? It just puts you straight in.

Nope. I understand the arrow being off as a kind of skill gap thing, but seeing your opponent have all their attacking players take one when your full-back rocks up is irritating.

[Danny]

Im building a hatred for players with yellow hair or mohawks. Radja and especially that Brazilian 84 rated IF can both fuck off

Talisca? :lol:

I sold up again heading into the weekend. Kane and Valencia making me a small profit and Pogba a small loss. I expect the latters price to fall (its already over 30k down from what I sold him for!) so figured I would minimize the loss and get back in on him later. At some point I am going to have to accept I will lose money on these big names and just deal with it!

Almost 1.7m in the bank with 6 OTW Lemars.

[Yevrah]

On the big names, I'm going in when the Black Friday crash happens and if I like the players I buy I'll be keeping them.

I'll lose a shitload, but it's so easy to make coins in this version that it'll be fun building them back up again.

[Danny]

Yeah I think thats my plan. Pogba and Kante are down like 30k today from yesterday

Did you buy Matthaus? You could run a 352/532 formation to get him in the side and in game switch to get him in midfield.

[Yevrah]

I haven't, largely because (he's such a bad centre back) I can't see him going up in price.

Looked at how I'd fit him in and the best bet to keep the team I have would be to buy Matuidi and then swap the two in game. But that will all change when the crash comes so I've left it for now.

[Yevrah]

Is there a website anywhere that shows SBC's for FIFA18? Keen to see what the Black Friday ones were last year.

[Danny]

Not that a quick google shows me. I thought I found it on FUTWIZ but Black Friday tab was blank.

[Yevrah]

First FutChamps game of the day and it's a win to go 7-8.

The single most cagey opponent I've ever played. Only interested in attacking when he won the ball in his own half to set up a counter and even when I went 1-0 with 5 minutes to go he wouldn't press me in my own half so I just passed the ball about to see out the win.

Bizarre.

One more game to play before I need to pop out, to win that and go 8-8 (hitting Silver 2 in the process) would be fapworthy.

[Gray Fox]

I've now got myself to the 10 games to go mark. Record is 14-6. A couple of infuriating losses, both guys had Mbappe(I'm noticing a theme developing here) and I saw more of the ball and had several great chances auto-blocked. They countered and Mbappe just can't be stopped.

The other loss was fully deserved. The guy had over 60% possession and not matter what formation I switched to I couldn't get close. That I'd have to go 9-1 from here to make Elite, shows how far I've got to go.
6-4 from here gets me Gold 1. 3-7 to Gold 2. Unfortunately there's no difference in player picks between the two finishes, just the packs. I'm saving the games until later. If I get to Gold 2 with any reasonable comfort I may push on.

[The Merse]

Elite feels much harder this year. From 72% win rate to 76% doesn’t feel like a huge jump but over 30 games also leaves less room for error. I generally missed Elie by a per cent or two even at my best, though I made in monthlies a few times. Don’t think I’ll make it all this year.

[The Merse]

Hopefully my Richarlison OTW gets a boost this week, but Anderson and Sterling might nibble that as I can’t see three IF wingers from the Prem in a single TOTW. Paulinho scoring twice is exciting me most of the TOTW contenders. Love his NIF card.

[Gray Fox]

It could well be another great TOTW. Maybe not so many stars in it, but solid depth. Mertens looks a shoe-in for one.

Agree on Elite being tougher. Higher win % needed in less amount of games means every loss hurts bad. I'm hoping to go 20-10 overall. Even 19-11. Show some progress. I've no idea what to do with the team though. I'm not all in on Costa. He's great on the ball but just lacks the end product.

[Yevrah]

Lost the 16th game before I popped out to go 7-9 (just cannot get to that 50% win rate), but won the 17th with a solid 2-0 victory to go 8-9 and get Silver 2.

Silver 1 has to be the aim now, but I'm actually running at a win ratio that would see me sneak Gold 3 if I could a) maintain it and b) play all the games. Both of those are very doubtful.

[Danny]

Hopefully my Richarlison OTW gets a boost this week, but Anderson and Sterling might nibble that as I can’t see three IF wingers from the Prem in a single TOTW. Paulinho scoring twice is exciting me most of the TOTW contenders. Love his NIF card.

Do you use Richarlison? Might be worth trying to sell into some hype if you don’t. I think he will go up to 81 at best.

Can’t see Paulinho getting one. They lost and iirc he gave away the penalty?

[Yevrah]

I guess this happens to all of us, but I've just lost a game where I had 25 shots on goal, 15 on target, with Buffon saving almost everything and I lost 3-2.

[Yevrah]

3 losses in a row now and absolutely battered in the last two games to go 8-12.

The last two games are representative of the quality I was expecting to face.

Need 3 from 10 to get Silver 1 now, so may not bother.

[The Merse]

It could well be another great TOTW. Maybe not so many stars in it, but solid depth. Mertens looks a shoe-in for one.

Agree on Elite being tougher. Higher win % needed in less amount of games means every loss hurts bad. I'm hoping to go 20-10 overall. Even 19-11. Show some progress. I've no idea what to do with the team though. I'm not all in on Costa. He's great on the ball but just lacks the end product.

What chem style on Costa?

He needs deadeye. Means you can’t boost the physical which is a shame, but needs the +15 finishing and positioning to make him usable for me. Still get tempted to replace him. Another Anderson upgrade might do that, though it then also pushes Sandro down to 8 chem with no obvious replacement.

[The Merse]

Do you use Richarlison? Might be worth trying to sell into some hype if you don’t. I think he will go up to 81 at best.

Can’t see Paulinho getting one. They lost and iirc he gave away the penalty?

Shit. Just heard Paulinho scored twice in a big game. That’s a shame. Particularly as there’s only a couple more CSL game days, only one of which is on a weekend, so my dreams of further Paulinho/Hulk/Anderson Talisca upgrades are floundering and I may need to re-jig the makeup of my left side and striker to stay competitive.


No, he’s an investment. Not enough profit to sell on hype right now. I think he may rise further due to playing at Striker, if his IF is a position change then the OTW remaining a LW may increase.

[Yevrah]

5 losses in a row now, to take me to 8-14 from 8-9.

I don't understand why form exists in this anyway (so it's no major beef) but it's clearly broken as I'm still coming up against players who have Futchamps rewards in their sides.

3 wins from 8 game seems unlikely on this run rate, but I'll play one or two more and if I win one of this soldier on.

[SincereTheRebel]

First-weekend league got me in gold 2 which im happy with given the team and exp Ive got. 18-11 with a game spare.

[Yevrah]

I've canned it at 8-14.

Was just too depressing to carry on.

Still, that's Elite 3 in Squad Battles, Silver 2 in Weekend League and Rank 2 in division rivals rewards secured.

I'm gonna do some SBC's and general club management for a couple of hours.

[Gray Fox]

What chem style on Costa?

He needs deadeye. Means you can’t boost the physical which is a shame, but needs the +15 finishing and positioning to make him usable for me. Still get tempted to replace him. Another Anderson upgrade might do that, though it then also pushes Sandro down to 8 chem with no obvious replacement.

I have that on him, but 7 chem means he's not getting a full boost. That might be it. I am feeling a new team next week.


I've canned it at 8-14.

Was just too depressing to carry on.

Still, that's Elite 3 in Squad Battles, Silver 2 in Weekend League and Rank 2 in division rivals rewards secured.

I'm gonna do some SBC's and general club management for a couple of hours.

Will you be back next weekend?

[The Merse]

5-0 start to Fut Champs, having scored 5+ goals in four of those games. Really feeling comfortable with this team now, though a lot of tonights success is likely down to matchmaking against other low form players (mine having been 0 until earlier this evening)

[Gray Fox]

I had a noticeable shift in opponent quality when I was 7-0. Every game since has been close. Going to try and grind out the 3 wins needed shortly. If that goes well I'll make a Gold 1 push.

[The Merse]

Won my 6th game 6-0 and now really wish I could sack off work in the morning and keep going. Some of the opponents have been really good players but I’m just making very good decisions both ends, being very clinical with my finishing and once they go attacking I’m running up the score giving them no chance of coming back.

Giving Mbappe deadeye over the marksman I had on him has brought him a lot more. I did it for the positioning and vision boosts, and there’s a noticeable upturn in both his runs and his through balls, whilst the extra shot power and finishing has made him particularly lethal.

I’ll have at least a couple of spells of successive losses tomorrow, but it’s nice to have a cushion and to feel I’m back in the form I was late last season where I had 8-9 game winning streaks at times.

[SincereTheRebel]

Is there a website anywhere that shows SBC's for FIFA18? Keen to see what the Black Friday ones were last year.

You can't go wrong with the rubbish IF that are low rated that onobody cares about. IF that are less than 83 rated are going to be king.

[The Merse]

I’ll be after a few IF Sancho’s as fully expect him to rise in anticipation of Ratings Refresh come Jan/Feb.

[SincereTheRebel]

I’ll be after a few IF Sancho’s as fully expect him to rise in anticipation of Ratings Refresh come Jan/Feb.

Ive already got 5 :lol: He is much cheaper then I expected him to be. Bellahrabi got an IF this week also which makes him the best RW in the bundesliga.

[five time]

Do IF cards get upgraded also when a player gets a winter upgrade?

[Yevrah]

You can't go wrong with the rubbish IF that are low rated that onobody cares about. IF that are less than 83 rated are going to be king.

Why’s that?

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Do IF cards get upgraded also when a player gets a winter upgrade?

If they get enough of an upgrade.

[SincereTheRebel]

Do IF cards get upgraded also when a player gets a winter upgrade?

Yes if they are upgraded enough


Why’s that?

SBC requirements. They will always ask for IFs

[The Merse]

Cheap IFs are, as long as they’re cheap enough (12k or less in my book) a low risk investment. They’ll hold value for SBCs, including just in using them myself, their discard would only represent a 15% loss at the very worst case and with a bit of luck they could make a pile back due to particular SBC requirements, complimentary IFs released, change of clubs or ratings upgrades.

[Yevrah]

Yes if they are upgraded enough



SBC requirements. They will always ask for IFs

Course, but why specifically less than 83 rated?

[The Merse]

Talking of complmntary IFs, i’d love to partner Sancho with an IF Striker Reis Nelson in my Rivals-only B team were it to happen. With 5 goals from 6 games often as a striker for the latter, it’s a distinct possibility.

[Yevrah]

Who is the best keeper in this year’s game?

[The Merse]

Course, but why specifically less than 83 rated?

I’m guessing as 83’s already have value?

[The Merse]

Who is the best keeper in this year’s game?


Universal opinion says Courtois. He’s the best I’ve used, but I’ve only Lloris and Handanovic to compare in terms of the elite keepers. Shit distribution with his feet though, which does carry some importance in this game.

[Yevrah]

Cheers. It was quite apparent during the weekend league that a good keeper is very important.

[Gray Fox]

Handanovic is a definite upgrade on Szczesny(?) but I'm not sure it warrants the 40k extra he currently is. I've found De Gea and Neuer to be unbelievable to face. The two of them have single handedly caused me 2-3 losses this week.

I soldiered on in FUT Champs last night. I got to 18-7 and began to dream of the 5 win streak needed for Elite. That soon turned into 19-9. Had to think if I actually wanted to make Gold 1 due to getting no consumables back, but I'm sure you can quick sell the 100k pack for 24k coins or so, so in essence that is just short of 100k earned with no pack pulls at all.
Lost my 29th game, but clutched the last one. It was 1-1 for most of the game with me pressing forward. Eventually a sub on of Depay and Promes paid off big time as the latter had the legs to blast past the full-back to the byline and cut back(the amount of these that are auto cut out now is really insane) for Mertens.

2 win improvement on last week and I felt I played a lot better. I did cram games into 2 days as opposed to spreading over the 3, but Friday was lost, so unavoidable. I wouldn't mind trying a new team, but Sunday afternoon - Wednesday is a bad time to sell.

The next step up is 3 more wins and those will be the toughest. But it's either that or be stuck at Gold 1/2 forever.

[five time]

Any CDM recommendations? I've picked up Kroos as I can link him with Reus and Gotze for 10 chemistry but I'm not sure he's defensive enough. Does anyone use the 'Stay Back' instruction for a specific player and does it help? I've left everything on default so far this year.

[Yevrah]

Kroos is a bit wank (I can't decide whether he or UCL Renato Sanches is better) and I certainly wouldn't expect much in the way of defensive solidity.

Stay back is great, been using it on my forwards, midfielders and full backs, in a 4-3-2-1. Only problem (unsurprisingly) is that you lose a lot going forward and (as the weekend league taught me) it's pointless if you come up against someone who can use Nepenthez style tricks to unlock a defence.

[Yevrah]

Oh and decided I'm going to work up to as many coins as possible for Black Friday and build a completely new first team, with the current one taking the place of my fitness side.

Will have over 1.5m by the time the division rivals and WL rewards drop, so 2m is the aim.

[The Merse]

Looking at the SBC analyser, I'm basically 400k short of doing the Prime Icon Set 2 if I'm prepared to let go of a fair number of players from the club. I could fund that tomorrow, but am more tempted to hold onto the current team for a couple of sets of Thursday rewards and re-assess then. Lampard is very, very tempting. Then again, he's binning for 1.1m, so an SBC with a similar cost delivering an untradeable card would only be worth it with the additional packs.

[SincereTheRebel]

Is there a website anywhere that shows SBC's for FIFA18? Keen to see what the Black Friday ones were last year.


Not that a quick google shows me. I thought I found it on FUTWIZ but Black Friday tab was blank.

https://www.upfifacoins.com/news/801--fifa-18-black-friday-flash-sbc-fast-complete-the-fifa-18-flash-squad-building-challenges-in-fifa-ultimate-team

[Danny]

I found that (Nick from Runthefutmarket had it in a video) but those are FIFA 17 cards so I sacked it off as wrong

[bruhnaldo]

After a few weeks I have to report that George Best doesn't really seem to give me anything that I wasn't necessarily already getting from my front 3.

I'd like to say it was 2mil wasted but I would've have obsessively chased the card regardless and it's not as if he's BAD or something, he plays great, but I'm pretty positive I could've used that 2mil and strengthened the entire team and possibly been better off (though then again there isn't a TON of improvement to be found outside of obvious upgrades from NIF=>IF.

I was going to chase either OTW Radja or TOTW Sandro last weekend until Mertens scored 3 and assisted 1 and basically guaranteed an IF :drool: My favorite player on my team getting upgraded has me pretty excited.

I still have been too scary to dive into division rivals or try to qualify for WL. I don't want to end up hating the game like a lot of my friends are (but I ponder if they were just pace whores and are now being donned by the changed mechanics).

Anyways.

[Yevrah]

On the changed mechanics. Removing pace abuse is a step forward, but the improvement has been completely negated (and some) by people being able to sit on the halfway line with minimal danger from being countered and curl in time’s finesse after timed finesse.

Which overall is a step backwards for me.

De nerf pace a touch and nerf timed finishes a touch and we’d have a great engine.

[five time]

Watching Nepenthez play and that's really evident. Most of his goals are timed finesses with Dr Bruyne.

New Futswap out also with 87 Flashback Pedro as the reward. I'll try and pick up Guilavogi as I used his normal card before and it played surprisingly well. Niang can split into my Ligue 1 side as a supersub also.

[The Merse]

Lost game 7 on pens after playing someone who refused to tackle me for most of the game, and equalised in the 90th and 118th mins. Won the next 3-1 to put me on 7-1 and looking good to get to at least Gold 2 in tonight’s marathon session and for the last half hour the servers have been down.

Is SvN diverting power from EA to get this place back up?

Hopefully they extend to tomorrow night and I get another crack, otherwise I’ll likely be maroooned in Gold 3 if this runs another hour.

[The Merse]

Servers back and I’m 10-2 and playing great stuff. Fucking EA. Will probably bow out at Gold 3 so not to fall asleep at my desk tomorrow.

[Yevrah]

When do rewards land?

[The Merse]

Thursday night.

[Yevrah]

I shall look forward to my pick from two In form silvers then.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Played my first Rivals match just now.

He was slightly better (I'm putting that down to me not bothering with custom tactics) and beat me 2-0. However I missed a chance in the 89th minute that would have made it 1-1.

[SincereTheRebel]

Pardon me. Bad prediction from me on IF Marko Arnie. He has dropped 20k since I bought him and I have 5 cards with 100k loss.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Changed my tactics based on Boras' video and played my second game.

Quickly noticed that I was superior to the guy so I switched to my attacking game plan and I won 6-0 although it should have been more. 23 shots of which 15 were on target.

Kroos absolutely controlled the game.

[Yevrah]

Which vid is that Mahow?

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ygC3VsljAIo

With my current loan mismatch squad I've gone for 4-1-2-1-2(2) in balanced, 4-2-2-2 in defensive, 5-2-1-2 in ultra defensive, 4-1-3-2 in attacking and 4-2-4 in ultra attacking.

Only used the attacking really but it felt solid and a lot better than just the default stuff.

[The Merse]

15-3. Without the server outage I’d be up for Elite :moop:

[Yevrah]

Aw shit, completely missed an 85 Rooney was out for the MLS SBC.

They're releasing these very quickly. I need to get stocked up on PL and La Liga players.

Any theories as to why they're coming out so quickly?

EDIT: Although we'll clearly get a Flashback Rooney at some stage.

[The Merse]

Mass criticism for not releasing early last year, which seems to have manifested in quick fire release but worse rewards with no coins and worse players.

[Danny]

Card 1: November 5: Free card given away Calero

Card 2: November 5: 72 hour SBC. Strerry

Lets track these this month.

[Danny]

Aw shit, completely missed an 85 Rooney was out for the MLS SBC.

They're releasing these very quickly. I need to get stocked up on PL and La Liga players.

Any theories as to why they're coming out so quickly?

EDIT: Although we'll clearly get a Flashback Rooney at some stage.


Mass criticism for not releasing early last year, which seems to have manifested in quick fire release but worse rewards with no coins and worse players.

I have a theory they will "reload" the players after Christmas with better players.

[The Merse]

Tapped out at 17-5. Easily my best WL for a long while. To do so when 6-2 would get me into Elite and the TOTW pack that comes with it is gutting, but there’s no way I’m doing more now. Still, considering this a big step forward, especially with the manner of the victories, and as my first Gold 1 finish of the year as 3-5 would have been easily achievable. Now two days to make up about 9-10,000 div Rivals points to finish rank 1, and I should have an enjoyable Thursday rewards night.

[Gray Fox]

Yeah if we could get some tracking of the players this month that'd be great. That Pedro looks a very good CAM. Be sure to get the bonfire night kit if you want it too.

I think it was The Merse wanted to know how I found Willian? I really liked him. He's very versatile too. He can play any midfield position forward of CDM and even striker if needs be.

My stats for the Brazil 3 this weekend: Firmino: 31 played, 31 goals, 13 assists. Willian: 35 played, 11 goals, 9 assists. Douglas Costa: 35 games, 14 goals, 11 assists. The stats don't look as good as Costa, but it has to be said I did a lot of switching to 4-1-2-1-2(2) through the weekend and in that, Willian plays CM whilst Costa is a striker.

Firmino is the obvious star of the team and I really enjoyed having him in. I'm not sure I'd want to see him go. But having him in boxes the team into a corner. It's either change the team or bring in someone else up top.

[Gray Fox]

Tapped out at 17-5. Easily my best WL for a long while. To do so when 6-2 would get me into Elite and the TOTW pack that comes with it is gutting, but there’s no way I’m doing more now. Still, considering this a big step forward, especially with the manner of the victories, and as my first Gold 1 finish of the year as 3-5 would have been easily achievable. Now two days to make up about 9-10,000 div Rivals points to finish rank 1, and I should have an enjoyable Thursday rewards night.

That's a bloody good finish. What team(s) got you there?

[Danny]

Valencia, Sanchez and Firmino at the lowest they have been.

[SincereTheRebel]

Card 1: November 5: Free card given away Calero

Card 2: November 5: 72 hour SBC. Strerry

Lets track these this month.

I saw a calender ingame for the Swap deals. Nice

[SincereTheRebel]

Aw shit, completely missed an 85 Rooney was out for the MLS SBC.

They're releasing these very quickly. I need to get stocked up on PL and La Liga players.

Any theories as to why they're coming out so quickly?

EDIT: Although we'll clearly get a Flashback Rooney at some stage.

Damm. I was halfway through both leagues. They are really coming quickly at random.

[SincereTheRebel]

The Serie A SBC, Sampdoria only have silver goalkeepers and they are all 5k+. Cardiff also have only silver and bronze goalkeeepers.

[Danny]

Cardiff are going to be a good team to invest in. Prem and mostly silvers:nod:

[The Merse]

That's a bloody good finish. What team(s) got you there?

Yeh I’m quite happy. Went 12-5 after the initial winning streak and was keeping up the 2.5:1 form against full icon/elite players rather than ever freefalling into negative streaks. Never actually lost a consecutive game, which kept me away from that rage/tilt mode that sometimes sets in when things don’t go my way.

https://preview.ibb.co/gjLAaA/2-AFA5-E48-DD5-B-44-E8-BC97-E9848773-AD57.jpg (https://ibb.co/if5bFA)
https://preview.ibb.co/eei7Nq/F4-B7-D0-DD-967-F-43-D9-9100-01204-F4-F5988.png (https://ibb.co/jv5bFA)

Upgrading the bench with the guys I brought in for my Div rivals B team really helped this week. Firmino scored important goals replacing a knackered Talisca, and has similar attributes that helped continuity rather than Jesus who I subbed in for Talisca in the past couple of WL’s. Koke is a fantastically frenetic Fred-style disruptor/box to box CM who can be very effective with his passing and pace in the final 25 mins, and Kondogbia is a natural replacement for Rabiot.

Also subbed in Bailly in midfield to counter Pogba to good effect, and moved Hulk back to CAM, Mbappe to St and Lucas in at RW when looking get some crosses in against stubborn defences. Getting to grips with adapting style and personnel in game definitely felt like another difference maker.

As for the starting XI, Ramos offers an instant affordable upgrade, mainly in the air vs Umtiti, so he’s an option. Rabiot is another who I feel I could improve, but only Potba stands out as an option and even then, only at 8 Chem, unless I go with an Icon.

[The Merse]

Apparently anyone who made last weekend league is being given 2000 FUT Champs Qualification points after the mess of this past weekend. Doesn't help those of us who made Gold or combined Silver with a Rank 3+ finish in Rivals, but it's something at least. An extension or a bump on the rewards would be preferred for me... Still might come on Thursday but I won't be holding my breath.

https://www.reddit.com/r/FIFA/comments/9unlqr/psa_qualify_for_wl_now_and_get_ahead_of_the_cycle/

[SincereTheRebel]

Fuck you and that blonde Brazilian The Merse

[Yevrah]

Apparently anyone who made last weekend league is being given 2000 FUT Champs Qualification points after the mess of this past weekend. Doesn't help those of us who made Gold or combined Silver with a Rank 3+ finish in Rivals, but it's something at least. An extension or a bump on the rewards would be preferred for me... Still might come on Thursday but I won't be holding my breath.

https://www.reddit.com/r/FIFA/comments/9unlqr/psa_qualify_for_wl_now_and_get_ahead_of_the_cycle/

Sweet

[The Merse]

Fuck you and that blonde Brazilian The Merse

The combo of him, Paulinho and Hulk is ludicrous for 300k. So much style with Anderson in particular.

[five time]

Merse is your team name Supreme Dream or something along those lines?

Just played an almost identical team, only with POTM Lucas and IF Lacazette up front.

[The Merse]

Nope. Mile End FC

Sounds a lot like the precursor to this team, mind.

[The Merse]

Sweet


Back in this weekend then Yev?

[Danny]

UCL SBCs up. If you have tradeable dog shit UCL players they are going for 3k+

The rest of the market is falling. Auba is down 60k from the weekend....

[Yevrah]

Golds are going for an absolute fortune if they fit the SBC formations.

[Yevrah]

That UCL 81+ Upgrade pack must be up there as one of the worst value SBC's ever.

[Yevrah]

Bilge from my 3 UCL pack, but Chiellini and Rakitic from one of the Primes.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Vinicius from my 3 UCL pack.

Looks like he could be good coming off the bench.

[Yevrah]

Back in this weekend then Yev?

Possibly. Need to sort tactics and have a lot of club maintenance to do.

[The Merse]

Fuck all out of mine aside from Gomez, did one 81+ as well and got Stones. Made about 40k selling Barca, Benfica and Ajax duplicates on my list though, so 135k of my 280k on a couple of Busquets for the La Liga and Black Friday SBCs, ter Stegen (competing my 86 rated Barca squad) and a couple of big Real players.

Now only need Kroos and Asenjo to reach an 85 rated Real squad and have 14+ players for every other LLS side. Also brought in Valencia for the B Team and Utd SBC whilst cheap as I love him in my old side, and figured I’d keep the rest to use with my reward coins to purchase Ramos on Thursday.

That’ll also mean dropping Umtiti into the B team alongside ter Stegen in place of Azpilicueta and Kepa. Keen not to purchase players for the B team, and instead drop them down from my Fut Champs side as I build that out, along with untradeables I have and those I’m buying for SBCs.

[Danny]

Brought in:

Auba 255k (down from 300k this weekend)
Valencia 20k (down from 32k)
Sanchez 27k (down from 40k)

Looking to get Firmini for sub 60k. Should all go up enough heading into WL to make me a little profit and let me try them out.

[Gray Fox]

This drop in prices is troublesome for someone who was thinking about selling up. I'm sure I paid near 80k for Firmino on Friday.
The Merse You've got about halfway to affording a Neymar there. He'd also fit your FUT Champs squad perfectly and much improve the scoring output from the LW.


There's also another gameplay affecting patch about to hit.

Major changes:

- Shooting angle on first time finesse shots has been nerfed. You know how you'd concede because your opponents Hazard did a 230 degree spin backwards timed finesse that went right into the top corner? Well that's being changed so it will have a much worse success rate than if the ball came in on a natural angle.

- Defensive pressure part 1. Got a defender right in your opponents face, only to have him still smash it top corner time after time? That's being made so your defender has a higher chance of putting the guy off. Same goes for guys to the left/right and pulling from behind the attacker.

- Defensive pressure part 2. This is a biggie for me. I've found it really hard to score 1v1s this year, but they're making shots more successful in times that your opponent does not have a defender near you to apply pressure.

- Division Rivals opponent select screen will now be the same as FUT Champs is. Too many people have been cherry picking or backing out if they were the away team etc.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

I was going to do a couple of those 81+ UCL sbcs until I saw the requirements.

Fuck. That. Shit.

[Gray Fox]

My Ethernet cable came today so hopefully that stops some of the lag issues I've been facing. I also need to remember to do the swap SBC tonight.

I'm not sure what to do with the team still, but I'll need to play a few tonight to secure Rank 2. I don't want to play the several extra to hit 1 this week. I've been thinking of taking the packs. The 100k packs with Gold 1 ensures I'll be pretty much getting 100k there, so it might be worth taking extra chances on the packs as opposed to just pumping the 50k in.

I was going to ask if Gotze was worth the now 95k it takes to do him, but I have to leave for work in a second and didn't realise he ended today. Hopefully I don't regret missing out on him.

[Danny]

https://i.redd.it/19swkxbpaxw11.png

That’s a bit shit. In general that is, there’s a couple of standouts in there

[SincereTheRebel]

WTF. No sterling? I grinded to my first gold 2 in FUT Champs for this...

[bruhnaldo]

What is the point man. Mertens is basically his CL card with +1's to like 5 categories.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

What is the point man. Mertens is basically his CL card with +1's to like 5 categories.

That's how they've been doing it. They've also been adding heftier weights to stats that a card doesn't need.

Look at Romagnoli for instance, +2 to pace, dribbling, defending and physical. However they've given him +5 to shooting and +4 to passing.

It's annoying as shit.

[bruhnaldo]

The worst part is I fucking knew they'd do it but of course Mertens goes ape shit for Napoli and I get my hopes up anyways.

I guess the only thing I can really say is at least the CL card will fall and maybe I can just snipe one for cheap to get those little upgrades.

I mean I guess it'll be a decent upgrade from my NIF that I have now but damn man like how does that make sense?

[Yevrah]

That is a woeful totw.

[The Merse]

Anderson would be handy for me I guess... not exactly rich pickings for me to expect tomorrow. Glad I didn’t push for the Elite TOTW pack after all.

[Danny]

The worst part is I fucking knew they'd do it but of course Mertens goes ape shit for Napoli and I get my hopes up anyways.

I guess the only thing I can really say is at least the CL card will fall and maybe I can just snipe one for cheap to get those little upgrades.

I mean I guess it'll be a decent upgrade from my NIF that I have now but damn man like how does that make sense?

At almost 3x the price I wouldn’t touch the CL card, not worth for 16 extra IGS.

[Yevrah]

Has a patch landed? Just played two squad battles against bad teams and had to slog to victory in both.

My team feels different and the opposition seem to be boosted again. Are EA determined to make no element of Squad Battles enjoyable this year?

I get quite close to sacking this game off entirely now and again.

[bruhnaldo]

i swear to God if they ruined the things about this game i actually like

[Danny]

Richarlison OTW price falling if anyone was considering. Back down to around 27k.

[The Merse]

Anderson is ruining Richarlison OTW potential.

Speaking of Anderson, having seen his IGS I’d love to grab him tomorrow night from my picks. The long shots and shot power alone look worth dropping Sandro to 8 chem for.

[The Merse]

Aha, EA have also announced rewards are coming at 8:00am now. Nice. Will enjoy opening on my way to work tomorrow.

[bruhnaldo]

Don't they say if you open off console you have a worse chance for some reason?