EA Sports just dropped what might be the most game-changing evolutions in EA FC 25 so far. The new “Strike Force” and “Inside Forward+” evolutions have turned a huge number of cards into full-blown meta threats, adding brutal stat boosts and handing out three of the best PlayStyle+ traits available in the game.

If you’re wondering why so many cards are extinct on the market – it’s because these evolutions are that strong. We’re talking finesse shot+, low driven shot+, and quick step+ all in one upgrade path. That alone is nuts. Add the fact that most cards also unlock multiple attacking positions, including striker, right wing, and left wing, and you’ve got a full-on meta shift.

Suárez, Ronaldo and Torres are now elite with upgrades

Luis Suárez, Cristiano Ronaldo, and Fernando Torres have all become absolute monsters. Suárez now has five-star skills and weak foot, plus he gains low driven+, finesse+, and quick step+ – a ridiculous combo when paired with his naturally strong shooting animations.

Best choices for Strike Force Evolution - Evolutions - FUTFC - FUTFC.GG
Image from FUT.GG

Ronaldo? No matter which version you own, he’s now terrifying. The dribbling boost combined with meta traits and the ability to slot into wide or central roles has made him an auto-include in many squads. The Rulebreakers version, for example, is extinct already, and rightfully so.

Best choices for Strike Force Evolution - Evolutions - FUTFC - FUTFC.GG

Torres finally gets what he’s been missing – top-tier dribbling. His upgraded card can now rock a Hawk chemistry style and feel quick on the turn, sharp in the box, and strong on the ball. With finesse shot+, rapid+, and quick step+, he’s now one of the most dangerous forwards you can bring into FUT Champs.

Best choices for Strike Force Evolution - Evolutions - FUTFC - FUTFC.GG

Watch the full breakdown here:

Mid-tier SBCs like Kluivert and Johan Cruyff just became meta

EA’s pattern is obvious—they drop average SBCs, let the hype die down, then release evolutions months later that suddenly turn these cards into meta beasts. Players like Justin Kluivert and Johan Cruyff went from “bench fodder” to “starting eleven” real quick.

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Kluivert, with Inside Forward+, now has everything you need in a winger – finesse+, quick step+, great pace, and solid dribbling. Johan Cruyff, known for having questionable balance on some versions, now feels much smoother and dangerous with a Hawk boost, plus he’s five-star five-star with high-end traits. You couldn’t use these guys before—now you can’t ignore them.

The same thing happened with Di Natale, Dalglish, Robin van Persie, and Shevchenko. These guys are not just viable now- they’re winning games. EA has essentially re-sold the same cards through evolutions, but this time, they’re actually usable in the current meta.

Mbappé now has two meta versions—yes, both are crazy

If you’ve got any version of Kylian Mbappé, you’re eating good. He’s now a five-star, five-star monster who can line up as a striker or winger and dominate anywhere on the pitch. Slap a Hawk chem style on him and you’re maxing out pace, upping physical, and pushing already elite shooting to near perfection.

This update even lets you run two different Mbappés in the same squad if you’ve saved an older version. With the upgrades from this evolution, both can be cracked at the same time, and that’s just wild.

Expect him to stay extinct, especially as more people realize the value in pairing his base traits with these overpowered PlayStyle+ combos. And just like that, you’ve got one of the most unfair lineups in FC 25.

Dribbling and PlayStyle+ traits are the real meta winners

What makes these evolutions so different is the clear focus on the right traits and in-game feel. Cards that were clunky before—like Dumbia, Balotelli, and even Raúl – now move better, shoot sharper, and hold up against the best defenders.

The dribbling improvements are noticeable, but it’s the added PlayStyle+ traits that really matter. Finesse shot+, low driven+, and quick step+ give every card that extra edge. And when you combine that with well-balanced stat boosts, even old or forgotten cards come to life again.

Even players like Adama Traoré, Darwin Núñez, Guedes, and Alvarez, who were previously niche or average, now look like full-on threats. EA has changed the way we value cards—base stats no longer tell the full story. If they’ve got the right traits, they’re dangerous.

Old SBCs like Shevchenko, Torres and Van Persie finally shine

It’s clear now—EA dropped mid SBCs on purpose. You might’ve picked up Shevchenko, Torres, or Robin van Persie thinking you’d use them for chemistry or bench depth. Now? They’re starting caliber players in FC 25 thanks to this new evolution path.

Each one benefits from top-tier PlayStyle+ traits and serious stat boosts in pace, dribbling, and physicals. Torres, for instance, becomes a whole new striker with finesse shot+ and quick step+ paired with a high-end Hawk setup. Van Persie finally feels smooth, with five-star upgrades and actual usable dribbling.

And even more obscure picks like Giggs, Riquelme, Zola, and Lacazette just became legit. Cards that were once ignored are now getting respect in Weekend League lineups.

Meta just shifted—expect extinct cards and skyrocketing prices

This evolution path might be EA’s smartest (and sneakiest) move yet. They’ve given players a reason to dig back through their clubs, rethink old investments, and re-evaluate cards they already own. At the same time, they’ve created a surge in demand for extinct players like Ronaldo, Mbappé, and Di Natale.

If you held on to those cards from earlier promos or SBCs, you just hit the jackpot. If not, the transfer market just got a lot more competitive.

There’s no denying it—this is one of the most impactful evolutions yet in FC 25. You’re not just upgrading stats anymore. You’re creating monsters.

FC 25 Strike Force and Inside Forward+ evolutions FAQ

What are the Strike Force and Inside Forward+ evolutions?

They are premium upgrades that add key PlayStyle+ traits and boost stats for attackers.

Which PlayStyle+ traits do these evolutions include?

Finesse shot+, low driven shot+, and quick step+ are the most common ones added.

Can I use these evolutions on SBC players?

Yes, many older SBC players are now compatible with these evolutions.

Why are so many cards extinct after this update?

The meta improvements made them extremely desirable, causing a massive demand spike.