EA Sports has just revealed the patch notes for the highly anticipated Holiday Update in FC 26. With major gameplay changes on the horizon, players need to prepare for a fresh experience.
After a rather stagnant meta throughout November, this update promises to revitalize the gameplay. While the spotlight is on goalkeeping adjustments, there’s disappointing news for those struggling with AI defending.
1. Major Changes in Goalkeeping
The upcoming patch, which will be available shortly on both PC and consoles, is poised to introduce substantial updates. Here’s a quick overview of what players can expect in Ultimate Team.
Goalkeeping Movement Adjustments
- Significantly reduced the speed of manual goalkeeper movement in open play.
- The Goalkeeper Rush to Center mechanic has been removed from open play but remains during set pieces.
- Fixed an issue where goalkeepers sometimes failed to react appropriately to first-time shots.
- Resolved instances where goalkeepers couldn’t save certain shots when diving to the opposite side of the goal.
- [Competitive Only] Goalkeepers can now transition more swiftly to subsequent actions after catching the ball.
- This enhancement includes quicker actions like throwing the ball or initiating a pass.
2. Updates on Attacking, Defending, and Passing
Several refinements are also being implemented in terms of attacking, defending, and passing mechanics.
- Players previously trying to avoid offside will now proactively seek open spaces more often.
- Accuracy of headed passes has been slightly reduced.
- The trajectory of crossed balls has been lowered to prevent prolonged aerial time.
- Addressed the issue of secondary contain indicators incorrectly appearing while in possession
Regrettably, AI defending will remain unchanged for now, which may disappoint players seeking to improve their manual defending skills.
3. Enhancements in Career Mode
Career Mode is also set to benefit from a range of updates and bug fixes.
- New field added in Squad Hub to indicate players’ willingness to extend contracts.
- A new tab in the Manager Live Hub facilitates starting new Live Start Points and accessing retro kit rewards.
- Selected shortcuts in the switcher menu will now be saved automatically upon exit.
- An in-menu preview for mascots has been added during the Create Your Club phase.
- In Player Career, the Player Archetype preview tile now shows both current XP and XP needed for the next level.
- Recommended Archetypes now appear in the Player Career creation flow, replacing the previous attribute focus.
- A preview of mascots has been incorporated during the Create Your Club process.
For a detailed dive into the full patch notes, you can click here.
Why are the changes to goalkeeping so significant in this patch?
The adjustments aim to enhance realism and balance in gameplay, providing a more competitive experience while ensuring that players have a fair chance to defend against powerful offensive plays.
How will the new mechanics affect my gameplay experience in Ultimate Team?
These changes will likely lead to a more dynamic playing experience, as players need to adapt to the slower goalkeeper movements and refined attacking strategies, making matches more engaging.
What specific improvements can Career Mode players expect?
Career Mode players can look forward to better contract management, streamlined features, and visual enhancements that make the game more user-friendly and enjoyable.
Will AI defending be addressed in a future update?
While current updates do not alter AI defending, future patches may consider community feedback to improve this aspect of gameplay.
In conclusion, the Holiday Update for FC 26 is packed with changes that can enhance your gameplay experience. Be sure to explore all the new features and take your gaming to the next level. For more insights and updates, visit Moyens I/O.