4 hours ago
With Winter Wildcards just one day away, EA Sports has surprised the community by dropping two brand-new Evolutions on a Thursday-and honestly, it feels like we're getting spoiled. Rather than the usual single EVO or a tightly restricted option, these two new releases signal something much bigger: EA is finally embracing chain-friendly Evolutions that focus on playstyles and stats without inflating overall ratings.
For players working on long-term EVO projects or passion cards buried in their clubs, this is exactly what EA FC 26 needed. Let's break down both Evolutions, why they matter, who they're best used on, and how they set up some absolutely filthy future chains.
The Bandit EVO: Playstyles Without Rating Inflation FC 26 Coins
The headline EVO is The Bandit, costing 20,000 coins or 200 FC Points, and it can be completed twice. Right away, that's a green flag. Even better, it supports any position up to 85 OVR, which massively widens the player pool.
What makes The Bandit special is what it doesn't do:
No overall rating boost
That alone makes it one of the best chain enablers we've seen so far in EA FC 26.
Bandit EVO Requirements & Rewards
Max Overall: 85
Any Position
Max PlayStyles: 10
Max PlayStyle+: 1
Can be completed twice
PlayStyles Added
Anticipate (Base + Plus)
Jockey
Bruiser
Long Ball Pass
Pinged Pass
This is a defensive playstyle evolution through and through, clearly targeting center backs, fullbacks, and CDMs. Anticipate alone is one of the strongest defensive playstyles in the game this year, and locking it in early-especially without increasing overall-opens up huge future flexibility.
Why PlayStyles Matter More Than Ever in EA FC 26
If you're still building EVOs based purely on stats, you're already behind the curve.
This year, playstyles define how a card performs far more than raw attributes. Anticipate changes defensive positioning, Jockey improves lateral movement, and Bruiser alters physical duels entirely. These aren't marginal bonuses-they fundamentally reshape how a card feels in-game.
That's why The Bandit EVO is such a big deal. It allows you to fix missing playstyles on otherwise great cards without ruining their eligibility for future Evolutions.
Best Uses for The Bandit EVO
Center Backs: The Clear Winners
This EVO screams center back value.
Cards like:
Calafiori
Ed Militão
Van de Ven
Davinson Sánchez
benefit massively from gaining Anticipate and Jockey while staying under key rating thresholds. For example, Calafiori missing both Anticipate and Jockey becomes instantly viable for elite chains once those are added.
Ed Militão, in particular, is borderline broken with Anticipate+.
Locking that in now future-proofs him against whatever cracked CB EVOs arrive later.
CDMs: The Sneaky Meta Pick
Don't sleep on using The Bandit for defensive midfielders.
Players like:
Zakaria
Kessié-type profiles
Physical CDMs lacking Anticipate
Anticipate on a CDM drastically improves interceptions and defensive AI. Since this EVO doesn't boost ratings, you can safely apply it now and still qualify for future position-specific upgrades.
Fullbacks: Situational, But Powerful
Fullbacks are a bit more nuanced.
Adding Anticipate to players like Theo Hernández or Tierney can be strong, but the added passing playstyles (Long Ball, Pinged Pass) may not always be ideal depending on your build vision.
That said, Anticipate+ on a defensive fullback can be devastating in competitive modes. If you value defensive stability over attacking flair, this EVO absolutely works here.
The Free EVO: Thunder-In (Stat Booster With Chain Potential)
EA didn't stop at a paid EVO. They also dropped Thunder-In, a free Evolution, which can also be completed twice and caps at 84 OVR.
Like The Bandit, this EVO:
Does not increase overall rating
Is designed for chaining
Focuses on improving weak areas of low-rated cards
Thunder-In Stat Boosts
Reactions
Composure
Volleys
Long Shots
Shot Power
It also adds Power Shot-which isn't everyone's favorite playstyle-but the stat boosts themselves are quietly excellent.
Why Thunder-In Is Better Than It Looks
Historically, lower-rated EVO chains struggled with:
Low composure
Poor reactions
Weak finishing consistency
Thunder-In directly addresses those issues. For bronze, silver, or low-gold attacking cards, this EVO smooths out the exact stats that usually lag behind as you climb EVO ladders.
Yes, Power Shot isn't meta-defining-but if the card already has max playstyles, Thunder-In becomes a pure stat injection that keeps the overall rating intact.
That's huge for future eligibility.EVO Chaining Is Clearly the Direction EA Is Taking
Both Evolutions signal a clear design philosophy shift:
Less rating inflation
More playstyle-focused upgrades
Greater freedom for long-term EVO projects
This is exactly what the community has been asking for.
Instead of single, overpowered Friday EVOs that force immediate commitment, EA is giving players tools to build progressively, plan ahead, and create unique cards that evolve over time.
One-and-Done vs Future-Proofing
A key takeaway from both EVOs is patience.
With 13 days available on The Bandit, there's no rush. Smart players will:
1.Hold the EVO
2.Wait for upcoming CB or CDM Evolutions
3.Compare PlayStyle+ rewards
4.Commit only when the chain makes sense
Locking in Anticipate+ now can be incredible-but only if it doesn't block a better Plus later.
Standout EVO Targets Worth Watching
Some cards stand out immediately as elite candidates: buy EA FC Coins
Zakaria (84)-Perfect rating, incredible physicals, future monster
Van de Ven-Already strong, Anticipate pushes him over the top
Ed Militão-Endgame defender with the right chain
Davinson Sánchez-Missing a PlayStyle+ and gets fixed instantly
Even some unconventional options-like repositioned midfielders or hybrid fullbacks-can become viable with these EVOs.
Final Thoughts: A Massive W for EA FC 26
Dropping two chain-friendly Evolutions the day before Winter Wildcards is a bold move-and a welcome one.
The Bandit EVO is one of the best playstyle-focused upgrades we've seen this year, while Thunder-In quietly fixes long-standing stat problems for low-rated cards. Neither inflates ratings, both can be done twice, and both open the door to creative, long-term EVO planning.
For players working on long-term EVO projects or passion cards buried in their clubs, this is exactly what EA FC 26 needed. Let's break down both Evolutions, why they matter, who they're best used on, and how they set up some absolutely filthy future chains.
The Bandit EVO: Playstyles Without Rating Inflation FC 26 Coins
The headline EVO is The Bandit, costing 20,000 coins or 200 FC Points, and it can be completed twice. Right away, that's a green flag. Even better, it supports any position up to 85 OVR, which massively widens the player pool.
What makes The Bandit special is what it doesn't do:
No overall rating boost
That alone makes it one of the best chain enablers we've seen so far in EA FC 26.
Bandit EVO Requirements & Rewards
Max Overall: 85
Any Position
Max PlayStyles: 10
Max PlayStyle+: 1
Can be completed twice
PlayStyles Added
Anticipate (Base + Plus)
Jockey
Bruiser
Long Ball Pass
Pinged Pass
This is a defensive playstyle evolution through and through, clearly targeting center backs, fullbacks, and CDMs. Anticipate alone is one of the strongest defensive playstyles in the game this year, and locking it in early-especially without increasing overall-opens up huge future flexibility.
Why PlayStyles Matter More Than Ever in EA FC 26
If you're still building EVOs based purely on stats, you're already behind the curve.
This year, playstyles define how a card performs far more than raw attributes. Anticipate changes defensive positioning, Jockey improves lateral movement, and Bruiser alters physical duels entirely. These aren't marginal bonuses-they fundamentally reshape how a card feels in-game.
That's why The Bandit EVO is such a big deal. It allows you to fix missing playstyles on otherwise great cards without ruining their eligibility for future Evolutions.
Best Uses for The Bandit EVO
Center Backs: The Clear Winners
This EVO screams center back value.
Cards like:
Calafiori
Ed Militão
Van de Ven
Davinson Sánchez
benefit massively from gaining Anticipate and Jockey while staying under key rating thresholds. For example, Calafiori missing both Anticipate and Jockey becomes instantly viable for elite chains once those are added.
Ed Militão, in particular, is borderline broken with Anticipate+.
Locking that in now future-proofs him against whatever cracked CB EVOs arrive later.
CDMs: The Sneaky Meta Pick
Don't sleep on using The Bandit for defensive midfielders.
Players like:
Zakaria
Kessié-type profiles
Physical CDMs lacking Anticipate
Anticipate on a CDM drastically improves interceptions and defensive AI. Since this EVO doesn't boost ratings, you can safely apply it now and still qualify for future position-specific upgrades.
Fullbacks: Situational, But Powerful
Fullbacks are a bit more nuanced.
Adding Anticipate to players like Theo Hernández or Tierney can be strong, but the added passing playstyles (Long Ball, Pinged Pass) may not always be ideal depending on your build vision.
That said, Anticipate+ on a defensive fullback can be devastating in competitive modes. If you value defensive stability over attacking flair, this EVO absolutely works here.
The Free EVO: Thunder-In (Stat Booster With Chain Potential)
EA didn't stop at a paid EVO. They also dropped Thunder-In, a free Evolution, which can also be completed twice and caps at 84 OVR.
Like The Bandit, this EVO:
Does not increase overall rating
Is designed for chaining
Focuses on improving weak areas of low-rated cards
Thunder-In Stat Boosts
Reactions
Composure
Volleys
Long Shots
Shot Power
It also adds Power Shot-which isn't everyone's favorite playstyle-but the stat boosts themselves are quietly excellent.
Why Thunder-In Is Better Than It Looks
Historically, lower-rated EVO chains struggled with:
Low composure
Poor reactions
Weak finishing consistency
Thunder-In directly addresses those issues. For bronze, silver, or low-gold attacking cards, this EVO smooths out the exact stats that usually lag behind as you climb EVO ladders.
Yes, Power Shot isn't meta-defining-but if the card already has max playstyles, Thunder-In becomes a pure stat injection that keeps the overall rating intact.
That's huge for future eligibility.EVO Chaining Is Clearly the Direction EA Is Taking
Both Evolutions signal a clear design philosophy shift:
Less rating inflation
More playstyle-focused upgrades
Greater freedom for long-term EVO projects
This is exactly what the community has been asking for.
Instead of single, overpowered Friday EVOs that force immediate commitment, EA is giving players tools to build progressively, plan ahead, and create unique cards that evolve over time.
One-and-Done vs Future-Proofing
A key takeaway from both EVOs is patience.
With 13 days available on The Bandit, there's no rush. Smart players will:
1.Hold the EVO
2.Wait for upcoming CB or CDM Evolutions
3.Compare PlayStyle+ rewards
4.Commit only when the chain makes sense
Locking in Anticipate+ now can be incredible-but only if it doesn't block a better Plus later.
Standout EVO Targets Worth Watching
Some cards stand out immediately as elite candidates: buy EA FC Coins
Zakaria (84)-Perfect rating, incredible physicals, future monster
Van de Ven-Already strong, Anticipate pushes him over the top
Ed Militão-Endgame defender with the right chain
Davinson Sánchez-Missing a PlayStyle+ and gets fixed instantly
Even some unconventional options-like repositioned midfielders or hybrid fullbacks-can become viable with these EVOs.
Final Thoughts: A Massive W for EA FC 26
Dropping two chain-friendly Evolutions the day before Winter Wildcards is a bold move-and a welcome one.
The Bandit EVO is one of the best playstyle-focused upgrades we've seen this year, while Thunder-In quietly fixes long-standing stat problems for low-rated cards. Neither inflates ratings, both can be done twice, and both open the door to creative, long-term EVO planning.