EA FC 24 Pitch Notes- December Patch Breakdown
Title update number 6 is right around the corner and EA have just released the pitch notes for their holiday update. In this breakdown, we’ll cover all the changes and additions to the gameplay, Ultimate Team and any other adjustments and of course, how these changes will affect you.
Gameplay
(The following only effect users on PS5, Xbox Series X/S and PC)
The speed of AI wingbacks tracking back in 3 and 5 at the back formations is going to be significantly decreased. This will mean that when playing against these formations, you will have more opportunity and time to counterattack down the wing as full-backs will take longer to get back into position. The change is to try and make 3 and 5 back formations feel more authentic and attacking hight up the field so expect your full-backs to be in higher positions on the pitch.
Midfield congestion will be reduced which will mean wide midfielders and strikers will be less aggressive when attempting to mark players who are more central. This change will make the pitch feel bigger and allow more space in the midfield for you to create passing lanes.
Defensive sideline pressure will be significantly reduced. This will mean that when your player has the ball on the side of the pitch, the pressure they will be under would have been decreased to what it would have been prior to the update. This was noticeable if your opponent had a high defensive line (high depth). Players now will have more time and space to manoeuvre out of complex situations and have more passing options.
(The following changes now apply to players with all platforms)
Manual goalkeeper movement will have a speed reduction. This is a huge change as goalkeeper movement is something that has been quite overpowered for some time. Goalkeepers are also set to hold a position, once manually moved, for a short time before they return to their normal position. Players who can read the game effectively are more likely to be rewarded and this change will almost definitely make it easier to score.
Finesse and Finesse+ PlayStyles will be nerfed, and finesse shots taken by players with these PlayStyles will be less accurate. Again, this is another big change as players especially with the Finesse+ PlayStyle have been very good this year so you will now be less likely to concede to players constantly abusing this mechanic. This has also affected player prices. For example, we’ve already seen players like Trailblazers Hansen and TOTW Salah drop in value as the Finesse+ on these items will not be as effective post the Holiday update.
The top speed of the controlled sprint animation is going to be slightly reduced. This should make the animation feel more authentic. It will also make it easy to defend against when your opponent is using it.
Players with the Power Header and Power Header+ PlayStyles have been affected as the shot accuracy will be reduced. This will reduced the amount of goals scored from corners and crosses that are aimed at these players. This change will affect the effectiveness of these players in the air. However, they will still be more effective than a normal player without these PlayStyles.
Ultimate Team
94 new players are set to be added in a squad update that will be released soon after the Holiday Update. Some of the key names that are set to be added include Sergio Ramos, Adama Traore, Santi Cazorla and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.
Two new SBCs have been announced and these are:
Player Moments Adama Traore. He will have the QuickStep PlayStyle+ which will mean he will accelerate faster when using the explosive sprint. He is set to be a RWB but it is unknown what his alternative positions might be.
Radioactive Ismael Bennacer. He will have the Tiki Taka PlayStyle+ which allow Bennacer to make difficult ground passes more accurately. He will also be a CDM but might have alternative positions of CM and CAM as his base item already does.
·Player faces are having an update to make certain players look more like they do in real life. It’s not just players on the pitch getting updates though, as some managers have updated game faces such as Luis Enrique.
Other updates
·The main menu is getting a refresh as the game begins to get into the holiday spirit. You will now be able to see snow fall onto pitches as soon as you log into FC24. Players may also appear in winter kits. This will run into January where we will have another change which will change to “rain weather”.
·Liverpool striker Diogo Jota is getting a new signature celebration which is a triangle which pays tribute to the FC24 logo.
