Today, we are having a closer look at one of the biggest features introduced in FC 24 Ultimate – Evolutions.
One of the most significant problems plaguing the recent games in the FIFA series was the steep power creep. With new promos being released every week, the once coveted “Day 1 cards” became outdated and overshadowed within just a few months. This power creep particularly affected players who wanted to use their favorite footballers’ player cards, as these cards simply couldn’t compete with the overpowered promo versions.
It could be argued that in this aspect, FIFA’s rival eFootball (formerly known as Pro Evolution Soccer) excelled with their myClub mode, which rewarded players with improved player card stats as they played the game. However, with the release of EA Sports FC 24, EA has now provided players with an opportunity to enhance their cards by completing in-game objectives. This concept, known as Evolutions, ensures that player cards can keep up with the power creep – at least to an extent and in this article, we will see how Evolutions work in EA Sports FC 24.
What Are Evolutions?
Evolutions is a brand new system within Ultimate Team this year that allows you to upgrade Players from your club. Evolutions provides players with specific objectives they must accomplish in the game and by successfully completing these themed objectives, players can upgrade their chosen cards.
These upgrades include major stat boost, weak foot and skill move upgrades, new positions and most importantly, acquiring new playstyle and playstyle+. However, not all Evolutions are always available, as EA has announced in its deep dive notes that some Evolutions are season based and will be only available during certain times of the year. A total of 12 Evolutions will be available across the first season.
How Do You Upgrade Players?
As mentioned before, Upgrade Evolutions Objectives will be available in-game that can be completed for free or for a specific cost. The upgrades will fall into three distinct categories:
- Gameplay: These will offer updates to various in-game stats, including flat OVR upgrades and targeted upgrades to in-game attributes like Stamina.
- Utility: Aimed at providing more flexibility and maximizing squad-building options, these evolutions will introduce alternate positions, adjusted work rates, and more throughout the year.
- Cosmetic: These will focus on upgrading the visual appearance of the Player Items.
Eligibility and Evolutions
First and foremost it must be clear that not all players are eligible for Evolutions as it could have a negative impact on the game balance. Currently, there are six available Evolutions in EA FC 24 and each of them have their own unique eligibilities. Any cards, including promo cards and TOTWs, that fit the required eligibilities can be “Evolved” in EA FC 24. The aforementioned six available Evolutions in EA FC 24 on release are:
1. Welcome to Evolutions
Requirements:
- OVR: Max. 80
- PAC: Max. 90
- DEF: Max. 80
Challenges and Upgrades:
Level 1
- Challenge: Play one Squad Battles (Or Rivals/Champions) match on minimum Semi-Pro difficulty with your active EVO player in-game.
- Upgrade: Pace +1, Dribbling +1
Level 2:
- Challenge: Play one Squad Battles (Or Rivals/Champions) match on minimum Semi-Pro difficulty with your active EVO player in-game.
- Upgrade: OVR +1, Passing +1, Physicality +1
As the name suggests, this Evolution simply exists to welcome us to the world of Evolutions as the upgrades provided in this path is not significant enough. Recommended players who are eligible for this Evolution: Deulofeu, Juan Cuadrado, Luis Muriel.
2. Founders Evolution
Requirements:
- OVR: Min. 75
- OVR: Max. 83
- Position: ST
- Rarity: Rare
- PAC: Max.91
- DRI: Max. 83
- PHY: Max. 85
Challenges and Upgrades:
Level 1
- Challenge: Win two Squad Battles (or Rivals/Champions) matches on min. Semi-Pro difficulty, using your active EVO player in game
- Reward: Pace +3, Shooting +3
Level 2
- Challenge: Win four Squad Battles (or Rivals/Champions) matches on min. Semi-Pro difficulty, using your active EVO player in game
- Reward: Dribbling +3, Physical +3, Weak Foot +1
One of the best evolutions in the early game as they provide a valuable weak foot upgrade to the players. Upgrade a player with high base pace and 4 star weak foot and you will get an incredibly useable player at the start of the game. Recommended players who are eligible for this Evolution: Timo Werner, Darwin Núñez, Pierre Emerick Aubameyang.
3. Pacey Protector
Requirements:
- OVR: Max. 80
- Pos: CB
- PAC: Max 65
- DEF: Max. 84
- PHY: Max. 84
- PAS: Max. 75
Challenges and Upgrades:
Level 1
- Challenge: Win two Squad Battles (Or Rivals/Champions) match on minimum Semi-Pro difficulty with your active EVO player in-game
- Reward: OVR +1, Pace +7, Passing +3, Defending +3
Level 2
- Challenge: Win three Squad Battles (Or Rivals/Champions) match on minimum Semi-Pro difficulty with your active EVO player in-game.
- Reward: OVR +1, Pace +8, Passing +3, Physicality +5
Centre Backs with mediocre pace will be extremely benefitted with this evolution as it can provide up to +15 pace boost. Recommended players who are eligible for this Evolution: Edgar González Estrada, Jan Vertonghen, Nikola Milenković.
Still not decided who i want to use in Evolutions 😭
What did everyone else go with? #FC24 pic.twitter.com/Gn3fKKWY7I
— 𝙁𝙐𝙏𝙒𝙄𝙕 (@FUTWIZ) September 23, 2023
4. Relentless Winger
Requirements:
- OVR: Max. 79
- Pos: LW
- Total pos: Max. 3
- PAC: Max. 91
- DRI: Max. 82
- PHY: Max. 79
- SHO: Max. 79
-
50k FC Coins or 1,000 FC Points
Challenges and Upgrades:
Level 1
- Challenge:
- Score four goals using your active EVO player in Squad Battles (or Rivals/Champions) on minimum Semi Pro Difficulty.
- Play five Squad Battles (Or Rivals/Champions) matches on minimum Semi-Pro difficulty with your active EVO player in-game.
- Reward: OVR +1, Shooting +7, Playstyle: Relentless
Level 2
- Challenge:
- Assist four goals using your active EVO player in Squad Battles (or Rivals/Champions) on minimum Semi Pro difficulty.
- Win two Squad Battles (Or Rivals/Champions) matches on minimum Semi-Pro difficulty with your active EVO player in-game.
- Play five Squad Battles (Or Rivals/Champions) matches on minimum Semi-Pro difficulty with your active EVO player in-game.
- Reward: OVR +2, Position RW, Passing +7
Level 3
- Challenge:
- Score and assist using your active EVO player in two squad Battles matches (or Rivals/Champions) on minimum Semi Pro difficulty.
- Win two Rivals/Champions matches using your active EVO player. Play five Rivals/Champions matches using your active EVO player.
- Reward: OVR +3, Pace +4, Dribbling +7
The only paid Evolution path at the launch of EA Sports FC 24 is simply the best one available at the moment. Recommended players who are eligible for this Evolution: Ansu Fati, Jota (Al Ittihad), El Shaarawy.
5. Golden Glow Up Pt. 1
Requirements:
- OVR: Max. 64
- Pos: CM
- PAC: Max. 75
- DRI: Max. 70
- PHY: Max. 73
- SHO: Max. 65
- DEF: Max. 70
Challenges and Upgrades:
Level 1
- Challenge: Play one Squad Battles (Or Rivals/Champions) matches on minimum Semi-Pro difficulty with your active EVO player in-game.
- Reward: OVR +8, Pace +5, Shooting +16, Passing +14
Level 2
- Challenge: Win three Squad Battles (Or Rivals/Champions) matches on minimum Semi-Pro difficulty with your active EVO player in-game.
- Reward: OVR +8, Dribbling +16, Defending +15, Physicality +12
Recommended players who are eligible for this Evolution: Álex Suárez Cardero, Tom Conlon, Gregorio Gracia Sánchez.
6. Golden Glow Up Pt. 2
Requirments:
- OVR: Max. 80
- Pos: CM
- PAC: Max. 80
- DRI: Max. 86
- SHO: Max. 81
- DEF: Max. 86
- Rarity: Evolution 1
Level 1
- Challenge:
- Assist four goals using your active EVO player in Squad Battles (Or Rivals/Champions) in Semi Pro difficulty.
- Play five Squad Battles (Or Rivals/Champions) matches on minimum Semi-Pro difficulty with your active EVO player in-game.
- Reward: OVR +1, Tiki Taka playstyle, Passing +3, Defending +3
Level 2
- Challenge:
- Score two goals from outside the box using your active EVO player in Squad Battles (or Rivals/Champions) on minimum Semi Pro difficulty.
- Play five Rivals or Champions matches using your active EVO player.
- Reward: OVR +1, Shooting +3, Dribbling +3
Level 3
- Challenge:
- Assist five goals using your active EVO player in Rivals or Champions.
- Win five Rivals or Champions matches using your active EVO
- Reward: OVR +2, Pinged Pass playstyle, Pace +1, Physicality +3
Recommended players who are eligible for this Evolution: Álex Suárez Cardero, Tom Conlon, Gregorio Gracia Sánchez.
It is important to remember that Evolution items are untradable and can’t be used in Squad Building Challenges.
Campaigns
Ultimate Team 24 will see the integration of Evolutions and Campaigns, allowing for the creation and upgrade of diverse player types and offering tailored Evolutions in select Campaigns. This integration aims to provide a more enriched and reflective representation of players’ achievements and statuses within their clubs, enhancing the overall gaming experience.
With the reduction of halftime length from 6 minutes to 4 minutes, the Squad Battle game mode in EA Sports FC 24 will now see a plethora of new “online only” gamers grinding the mode to complete Evolution cards without any pressure and earn Squad Battle points to compete for reward. So what are you waiting for? Let the Ultimate grind begin!
