EA Sports appears to be reversing one of its most disruptive changes to Squad Building Challenges (SBCs) in FC 25 Ultimate Team. After a sharp rise in fodder prices and player frustration, the developer has rolled back specific SBC requirements that were blamed for causing chaos in the in-game economy.
At the heart of the issue was EA’s decision to require exact ratings for high-tier fodder cards, particularly 89 and 90-rated players. This led to a spike in demand for specific high-rated cards and a supply crisis that pushed some of the most essential SBC fodder to extinction on the transfer market.
The new 93+ Icon Player Pick SBC released this week shows a clear shift. While EA is still using exact ratings in SBCs, they are now limiting those restrictions to 88-rated squads and below. Higher-tier squads no longer require exact-rated 89 and 90 players. This small adjustment has already had a noticeable impact on the market.
EA’s fodder mistake: how 90-rated cards became extinct
The turning point came when EA introduced several SBCs that required exactly 90-rated cards. That change, introduced roughly two to three weeks ago, created immediate shortages. Popular 90-rated fodder cards, like Harry Kane, vanished from the market as players bought them in bulk to complete high-tier SBCs.
The consequences were severe. Some 90-rated cards were either fully extinct or only available as special versions at inflated prices. One content creator explained that he was unable to finish the 90+ Icon Pick SBC, not because of cost, but because the specific 90-rated cards he needed could not be found on the market.
This over-reliance on exact-rated requirements caused a ripple effect. Fodder below 88 remained at discard prices, while 89s and 90s surged in price or disappeared altogether. EA’s approach had unintentionally created artificial scarcity in a game mode driven by accessibility and repetition.
Now, with the new 93+ Icon Pick SBC, EA appears to be correcting course. Exact ratings are still required for 88 and below, but for 89 and 90-rated squads, flexibility has been restored. This opens the door for players to use combinations of ratings rather than hunting specific cards.
EA’s rollback quietly fixes a broken system
The 93+ Icon Pick SBC costs around 700,000 coins and requires 14 squads to complete. While this seems more expensive than the previous 93+ version (which had 9 squads and cost around 640,000 coins), the key difference is flexibility. Players no longer have to scramble for extinct 90-rated cards like Kane or pay inflated prices for random specials.
This subtle shift shows EA listened to community feedback and adjusted before the issue escalated further. The impact is already being felt in the market. Prices of 90-rated cards have started to normalize, and traders are now more cautious about investing too heavily in high-rated fodder without utility.
What this means for the FC 25 market
The market reacted strongly to the new SBC format. By reducing the requirement for exact high-rated cards, EA has made SBC grinding more manageable and predictable again.
However, EA is still trying to raise the floor for 85 to 88-rated fodder. These ratings remain near discard prices, despite being required in larger volumes. In the new 93+ SBC, one segment alone asks for ten 88-rated cards. That volume could finally lift prices for those cards later this week if demand continues to rise.
Without exact-rated gating, these ratings are more accessible, allowing players to rely on fodder they already own. But EA’s goal to make mid-rated cards more valuable still hinges on pack supply, upgrade SBC refreshes, and potentially the long-awaited release of player exchanges.
Players have been calling for exchanges for months, and if EA finally adds them, it could rebalance fodder values across the board. Until then, demand will stay mostly focused on content like Icon Picks, Player SBCs, and Evolutions.
Upgrade SBCs and menu grinders benefit from the change
Monday is always a big day for SBC refreshes, and this week could bring more good news. If Premium La Liga Upgrade Packs return with the same requirements as last week’s Serie A version (2 commons and 9 rares), then menu grinders will be in a strong position.
The 82+ player picks are expected to expire soon, and EA might revert to the older 81+ format. Still, with accessible Premium packs and no strict high-rated card requirements in place, the upgrade grind remains viable.
Menu grinders can take advantage of cheap golds by buying Provisions Packs in the store. These packs cost 28,000 coins but include 12 rare golds, saving time compared to bidding or sniping. It’s an efficient way to stock up for crafting Premium Upgrade packs throughout the week.
What’s next for SBCs in FC 25?
This rollback is a clear signal that EA is monitoring how its content decisions affect the in-game market. By walking back the exact 89 and 90-rated requirements, they’ve restored some balance to SBC crafting and avoided further damage to player engagement.
Looking ahead, all eyes are on upcoming SBCs such as the 94-rated Baldé and potential new Evolution options. Monday could also bring a fresh Cup or League SBC, and more TOTS-themed upgrade content is expected throughout the week.
While the community still wants player exchanges to return, the shift in SBC structure gives players more flexibility, and for now, that’s a step in the right direction.
FAQ about EA’s SBC changes in FC 25
Why did 90-rated fodder become extinct?
EA required exact 90-rated cards in SBCs, causing prices to skyrocket and availability to drop.
What change did EA make to SBC requirements?
EA removed the need for exact 89 and 90-rated players in newer SBCs like the 93+ Icon Pick.
Will this help fodder prices balance out?
Yes, but only for higher-rated cards. Mid-tier fodder still needs more demand to rise in value.
Are Premium Upgrade SBCs still worth it?
Yes, especially if EA keeps them at the lower 2-common, 9-rare requirement like last week.
