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Best players to use in FC 26 Gearing Up Evolution
Destructoid has published guidance on FC 26's new "Gearing Up Evolution", a live upgrade path that lets players boost lower-rated right midfielder (RM) cards. The evolution can be unlocked using 100 FUTTIES Tokens and applies a set of stat and PlayStyle boosts across three progressive levels, each unlocked simply by playing one match with the chosen card.
Eligible cards must be rated 94 overall or below, hold a maximum of ten PlayStyles and three PlayStyle+ traits, and cannot be World Tour Silver Stars items. The upgrades raise attributes such as passing, shooting, pace and dribbling, alongside new PlayStyle+ traits like Rapid and Finesse Shot, ultimately pushing overall ratings towards the mid-90s. The article recommends several suitable RM cards to apply the evolution to, including Valverde TOTS, Quaresma Prime Hero, Sorloth National Pride, Karl TOTS Breakthrough and Ronaldinho Winter Wildcards, concluding that despite mixed community reaction, the evolution offers good value for its token cost.
In short
- FC 26's Gearing Up Evolution upgrades RM cards for 100 FUTTIES Tokens.
- Three levels of boosts unlocked by playing one match each.
- Guide recommends cards like Valverde TOTS and Ronaldinho Winter Wildcards.
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The case for
This is a worthwhile feature offering genuine value. At 100 FUTTIES Tokens—earned through regular play without paying—the cost is accessible to most players. It meaningfully extends the competitive lifespan of beloved cards, allowing players to keep using favourite players like Ronaldinho or Quaresma rather than discarding them. The progressive unlocking system requires just one match per level, making the reward feel earned, and the stat boosts genuinely improve performance.
The case against
This represents another layer in an increasingly complex upgrade ecosystem, spreading player resources and attention across multiple progression systems rather than simplifying the experience. Each new evolution method requires players to research and decide which cards deserve limited resources, creating decision fatigue and a maintenance treadmill. Whilst framed as accessible, it still incentivises continued engagement with resource systems, and the mixed community reaction suggests it addresses what the game wants players to do rather than what they actually wanted—fundamental gameplay improvements rather than more stat tweaks to niche positions.
Explained simply
FC 26 is a football video game in which players collect and trade digital cards representing real footballers. The game has introduced a new feature called Gearing Up Evolution that allows cards to be improved, making weaker ones more competitive for online play. To activate this upgrade path, players must spend 100 FUTTIES Tokens, which are earned through the game's seasonal events.
The evolution improves a card in three stages, with each stage unlocking after the card is used in just one match. Each stage adds improved statistics including pace, shooting, dribbling and passing, and can eventually boost a card's overall rating into the mid-90s range. The system works only for cards rated 94 overall or below that meet certain criteria, which prevents the strongest cards from becoming even more powerful.
The feature is designed for players who want to keep their favourite cards useful throughout the season rather than constantly acquiring new ones. For those with limited resources, the evolution offers a relatively affordable way to refresh older cards and make them competitive again. The community has had mixed reactions to the value proposition, with some questioning whether the token cost justifies the improvements gained.