R9 is here! EA’s content drop yesterday unveiled a decently priced SBC for the perhaps best striker in the game!
Yesterday, EA Sports made waves in the FIFA community by reintroducing all FUTTIES cards into packs, creating an unprecedented opportunity for players to pack 99-rated stars. This move has sparked a frenzy among FIFA Ultimate Team enthusiasts, with big SBCs now available and more on the horizon. But the burning question remains: will EA make our beloved crafting SBC of the endgame, the 85×10 pack, unlimited and repeatable? Today, we delve into this and other exciting updates.
Road to FC 25: The Ultimate Evo Challenge
The latest buzz surrounds the “Road to FC 25” Evolution, which has quickly become the talk of the FIFA 24 community. This Evolution is a game-changer, offering an 81×7 pack for FC 25 and 99-rated cards in FC 24 from random gold cards. The requirements are straightforward: play six games, win two, and you’ve got yourself a fully evolved card with boosted play styles, including Trickster, Pinged Pass, Press Proven, and Anticipate Plus.
Some of the big names benefiting from this Evolution include Iker, Andreas Pereira, Jamie Vardy, and Willian. These cards have become so overpowered that they’re now considered “endgame” by many. In fact, this Evolution has given rise to the first-ever Ultimate Team card with all 99 face stats—Fernández, who evolved from a silver base to a full 99-rated beast.
The Craze for Extinct Cards
One of the most significant impacts of this Evolution is the scarcity of certain cards. Players like Arda Güler, Andreas Pereira, Jamie Vardy, and Emil Smith Rowe have hit max price caps, making them nearly impossible to find on the market. Smith Rowe’s recent transfer card, initially capped at 50,000 coins, now sells at a maximum of 10,000 coins due to EA’s price range adjustments—a change that has left many players scrambling to acquire these coveted items.
New Loan Card System Introduced
In addition to the Evolution hype, EA has introduced a novel loan card system. Unlike previous loan cards that expired on a set date, these new “time loans” activate a countdown timer as soon as they enter your club. One notable example is the 99-rated Neymar loan card available through the Preseason Daily Play Completionist objective. Once obtained, you can enjoy Neymar’s brilliance for seven days before he disappears from your squad.
SBC Madness: R9 and Wan-Bissaka SBCs
EA also dropped some blockbuster SBCs, including the highly anticipated 98-rated R9 Ronaldo SBC. Unlike previous Icon SBCs that required an overwhelming number of squads, this R9 SBC is a mere 15 squads deep, making it a relatively manageable task for those with sufficient resources. The price for R9 has plummeted from 1.8 million to around 700k coins, as more players rush to complete this SBC.
Another exciting addition is the 98-rated Aaron Wan-Bissaka SBC, boasting 98 Pace and Defense with impressive play styles such as Anticipate Plus and Jockey. At just 148,000 coins, this SBC is a steal, offering a versatile player who can slot into multiple positions, including center-back and right-wing back.
Crafting Objectives and Market Trends
The 92+ Player Pick SBC has also been updated, now offering a one-of-five player option instead of one-of-four. However, this comes at a steep price increase, requiring two 91-rated squads with Team of the Season players. For those chasing top-tier players like VVD or Cole Palmer, this SBC is still worth considering.
Additionally, the crafting objectives have refreshed, allowing players to complete up to 100 crafting objectives for FC 25 rewards. This is a crucial step for anyone looking to maximize their pack openings and increase their chances of landing top-tier players.
Market Reactions and Future Content
With the re-release of FUTTIES cards in packs, market prices have seen dramatic shifts. For instance, Bukayo Saka’s price surged by nearly a million coins following the content drop. Lucio, previously valued at 5 million coins, has now dropped to 3 million. These fluctuations highlight the volatility of the market as players scramble to acquire the best cards before FC 25 launches.
Looking ahead, all eyes are on the potential release of the unlimited 85×10 SBC—a beloved endgame feature that many players hope will become available soon. This could significantly enhance the crafting process for upcoming Icon picks, player SBCs, and more.
