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The old saying goes “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” However, sometimes a minor tweak to an existing great thing can take it to the next level. EA Sport’s latest installment of the FIFA franchise has introduced a new mode to its uber-popular Ultimate Team mode – FIFA 16 Ultimate Team Draft Mode – that allows players an alternative to winning packs and prizes.
How To Get Started: FIFA 16 Ultimate Team Draft Mode
In draft mode, you start from scratch with a completely separate team, separate from your current Ultimate Team, for the price of 15,000 coins or 300 FIFA points (which equals two premium gold packs – so the price is worth it if you make it to the end.)
After choosing a formation (which you must stick with for the duration of your draft session), you’re given the option of five players to choose from depending on which position you want to fill first. This player will be your team captain.
Players will be given five choices for each position from which to build their team. Photo: fifa16web.com
Of course, the first round pick will always be from a selection of top-rated players (Ronaldo, Messi, Robben, etc.). After that is when things get tricky.
Here’s the thing about draft mode: no matter what you do, your team is always going to be stacked. The selection of players to choose from, despite it’s lottery-style unpredictability, is still rational and gives one the chance to build a juggernaut that could rip other teams to shreds. There is, however, a method to the drafting madness.
How To Pick Players: The Importance Of Chemistry In FIFA 16 Ultimate Team Draft Mode
You’ll want to draft your team so that it’s not only rich in talent, but rich in chemistry as well. The same mathematics that go towards building a strong chemistry rating in regular Ultimate Team apply here, such as nationality, club and league similarities.
Going back to your first pick. Who you choose first can go a long way in determining how you should draft. For example, let’s say you take Cristiano Ronaldo as your captain. From there, you can go a number of directions with your next pick. It might be wise to select the next position based on your number one pick, depending on the formation you’ve hand picked.
For our “mock draft,” let’s pretend that the next five players to choose from are: Mesut Ozil (87 rating), Kevin De Bruyne (86), Paul Pogba (86), Angel Di Maria (85) and Isco (84).
While it may be tempting to draft the highest-rated player (Ozil in this case), you should always consider the chemistry. In real life, Isco and Ronaldo play for the same club in Real Madrid, which means that in Ultimate Team, putting them side-by-side will give them a strong link and bolster your chemistry rating. Where you go from there is completely up to you.
Why is chemistry so important, one may ask?
It’s pivotal because it can improve on a squad’s play in certain aspects on the pitch. The AI will know when to make smart runs for you, or maybe they’ll know to come double team a player who is running towards the corner flag.
Where To Go From There: Playing In FIFA 16 Ultimate Team Draft Mode
Once you’ve created your super team, you won’t need to give them contracts or any other items that apply to Ultimate Team’s normal mode. The only thing you’ll need to give them is a winning mentality, as you must win four games in a row with this team to claim the top prize.
FIFA 16 Ultimate Team Draft Mode is sure to be a hit with fans. It gives gamers the opportunity to play with stars that are pretty hard to come by in normal Ultimate Team.
The fun of creating all-star filled teams in this draft format, as well as running them through the four-game gauntlet with prizes waiting at the end will surely keep players coming back for more.
Other FUT Tips:
If you’re fishing for a certain player in the packs, don’t.
Packs are great if you’re trying to add more players or items to your club, but if you’re in search for a specific type of player or item, you’re better off going to the transfer market and trying to bargain there. You could land what you’re looking for fairly cheaply if you time it correctly.
Sell, sell, sell.
If you’re lucky enough to pull a Ronaldo or Messi in one of your packs, by all means, take that Ferrari out for a drive. However, the value of these players is tremendous and you could earn some serious moolah by putting them on the transfer market, which could go toward buying a plethora of other rares. Even if you don’t sell these big names, selling players that don’t necessarily gel with your current team is a good way to turn a profit.
Chemistry items are your friend.
Whenever you first begin Ultimate Team, you’ll notice that players begin with a basic chemistry style of play on their respective card. You can, however, change their styles with chemistry items found in packs. How you style these players, however, is completely up to you and how you run your team. It would behoove you to use them wisely.
Have fun
This shouldn’t be too hard a suggestion. The opportunity to build and create your own team in multiple facets is half the joy of FIFA 16 Ultimate Team Draft Mode. Add in the new draft mode, and you’ve got a recipe for hours upon hours of fun.
