I'm glad the EA FC 24 update nerfed 71 depth – but there's a new meta in town

09 December 2023 , 12:00

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I think the EA FC 24 update is great, and there's a new way to score lots of goals (Image: EA SPORTS)

The latest EA FC 24 update has massively changed how players will play the game. And it's about time.

In the early access days of EA FC 24, the game had promised to be the best football game EA Sports had released in years, with the new HyperMotion V technology helping the gameplay feel better and ultra-realistic. But, it didn't take long for players to discover and exploit overpowered ways to win games, and very quickly, the gameplay deteriorated,

EA FC 24 was full of pull-back merchants (which we've complained about in the past), players were abusing the overpowered Finesse Shot PlayStyle Plus and most of all, it was almost impossible to play through the middle of the pitch thanks to the 71-depth meta. On the latter, the lines between meta and glitch were blurred considering how overpowered it was, and it seemed every player was using it.

Many, many EA FC 24 updates have been released since the game's initial release, but none of these EA FC 24 updates ever fixed the bits of gameplay that needed fixing, with EA prioritising fixing glitches instead like the calf dribble glitch in Title Update 4 and the Ada Hegerberg glitch in Title Update 3.

But, EA has now released a huge Winter Update for EA FC 24, and the gameplay has been overhauled, with all of these issues being addressed in the patch notes. From my first few games after the EA FC 24 update, I can confirm that a lot of these issues have finally been fixed, but there will always be a meta, and it seems a new one has arrived.

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EA FC 24 meta: out with the old, in with the new

In the Winter Update patch notes, EA claimed that the update would enable players to attack with more creativity, especially through the centre of the pitch and near the sidelines. This included reduced midfield congestion, reduced sideline pressure on attackers, decreased manual goalkeeper movement speed and positioning and more offensive-minded wingback in three and five at-the-back formations.

Midfield congestion first became an issue when players consistently played with 71 depth. Players would set their defensive depth to 71 in custom tactics, and this meant that players would relentlessly press the opposition when out of possession and contest the midfield without losing stamina.

This made it almost impossible to try and work your way through the middle, forcing players to use the wings. I've played a few Division Rivals games in EA FC 24 Ultimate Team since the update, and I can safely say that 71 depth has been nerfed. Thank god!

The midfield congestion was gone. I could make passes through the middle without being closed down instantly, and when I tried using 71 depth with my team, my midfielders fatigued much quicker than before, which is what should've been the case from the game's launch.

My team's attack consists of Mohamed Salah, Heung-Min Son and Megan Rapinoe. Why? Because these players all have the Finesse PlayStyle Plus, the most overpowered PlayStyle in EA FC 24. At least, before the Winter Update.

As promised as part of the update, the accuracy of finesse shots when performed by players with the Finesse Plus PlayStyle has decreased, meaning you're less likely to score when attempting these shots with these players. For me, Rapinoe especially could almost score from anywhere on the pitch when using a finesse shot, but those unrealistic 35-yard attempts are no longer flying into the top corner after the update, though Finesse Plus remains extremely overpowered inside and around the box.

It may seem like EA is just killing the fun ways to score by nerfing Finesse Plus, but from my time playing the game, I've discovered a new and even more powerful meta; trivela shots. It seemed like every time I, or my opponents, attempted a trivela shot from around the box post-patch, it nestled in the far corner of the goal.

One game in particular ended 5-4, and eight of the nine goals scored were trivela shots, all performed by players with the Trivela and Trivela Plus PlayStyle.

I also noticed post-update that R1 dribbling (controlled sprint speed) was no longer as effective and was easier to defend, goalkeepers had slower reactions after EA decreased their movement and positioning speed. And, there's good news for any crossing merchants, because players with the Whipped Pass and Whipped Pass Plus PlayStyle are still just as overpowered, even though EA attempted to nerf this in Title Update 5.

In my opinion, this EA FC 24 update has improved the game, making it fairer and, most importantly, offering more ways for players to score. There are still flaws; sprinting to the byline and scoring from a pull-back still seems like the go-to way to score, but it's an improvement, and as an avid EA FC 24 player, that's all we can ask for.