This week, EA Sports announced significant updates to the PlayStyles and FC IQ systems for FC 26, aiming to enhance gameplay balance and realism. These changes are in direct response to feedback from the FC 25 community, which pointed out issues with player performance, particularly concerning players who lacked PlayStyles yet had high attributes but underperformed in fundamental game mechanics.
Central to these updates is a rebalancing of attributes and PlayStyles. EA Sports acknowledges that players with high overall ratings but no associated PlayStyles were not fully utilized in critical areas such as first-time passing, marking, and ball control. Consequently, FC 26 introduces two primary modifications:
- Rebalanced Attribute System: Players with high ratings will now exhibit more consistent fundamental performance, even without an active PlayStyle.
- Adjusted PlayStyles: While PlayStyles remain special abilities, their influence has been altered to emphasize more situational effects rather than being a primary determinant of performance.
This direction aims to refocus gameplay on player attributes, treating PlayStyles as enhancements rather than essential components for success.
Introduction of New PlayStyles
Five new PlayStyles have been unveiled to replace older styles such as Power Header, Aerial, Trivela, and Flair. The restructured styles offer more precise effects, with both standard versions and PlayStyle+ variations:
- Aerial Fortress: A defensive style that enhances momentum and physicality in aerial duels, replacing the old Aerial style.
- Precision Header: An evolution of the Power Header, this style emphasizes accuracy and power in attacking headers.
- Inventive: This new style merges the characteristics of Flair and Trivela, benefiting players known for creative and stylized passing.
- Game Changer: Also derived from Flair and Trivela, this focuses on unconventional and daring finishing techniques.
- Enforcer: This style emphasizes physical attackers who excel in ball protection and close-contact dribbling.
Furthermore, the Relentless style has been modified to align with the new fatigue system, now aiding in short-term energy recovery.
Enhancements to FC IQ and Tactical Flexibility
Another significant advancement in FC 26 is the evolution of the FC IQ system, which governs player positioning, tactical actions, and roles on the field. EA Sports has introduced new Roles and focuses while eliminating strict positioning requirements.
Players can now engage in a more versatile manner, contributing to team play without being restricted to their designated roles. The number of positions a player can master has expanded, and the adverse effects of being out of position have been mitigated.
Four new roles have been incorporated to represent contemporary playing styles:
- Wide Back: A defender who extends wide to support fullbacks defensively.
- Inverted Wingback: An offensive full-back who moves inward during play construction.
- Box Crasher: A midfielder who unexpectedly attacks without a primary focus on defense.
- Ball-Playing Keeper: A goalkeeper who engages in play distribution with feet while maintaining a strong defensive posture.
Additionally, a new focus called Versatile has replaced the former “Complete” focus, allowing players to adapt their behavior to the demands of the match.
These updates also include refinements to existing roles to minimize positional overlap and foster better fluidity within formations. For example, the role of central defenders who push forward has been adjusted for increased confidence, while roles like Wide Mid and Sweeper Keeper have been redefined to align more closely with actual on-field behavior.