Good news! EA Sports FC 26 released the brand new Holiday Update 1.3.0 on December 2nd. This patch isn't just a simple update to improve gameplay; it's a major update bringing a series of feature improvements and fixes.

Holiday Update 1.3.0

In Ultimate Team mode, the most significant change is the improvement to the goalkeeper. Manual goalkeeper movement is now more restricted because in open matches, the goalkeeper's movement speed and coverage area are significantly reduced, and Rush To Center mechanic in open matches has been removed.

Several targeted improvements aim to enhance the goalkeeper's saves and reaction time. Goalkeepers will react more sensitively to first shots, and the probability of save errors will be reduced. In Competitive mode, goalkeepers transition faster after receiving the ball, allowing for smoother throws, dives, and dribbling.

In addition, they slightly improved the transition speed of skill moves, especially after pull-back actions, fixed the issue of slow player reactions in set-piece attacks, and corrected the problem of AI mistakenly kicking corner kicks out of bounds.

These improvements not only significantly enhanced the player experience but also revitalized a previously underrated formation, namely the 4-3-1-2 formation.

Why Is The 4-3-1-2 Formation Underrated?

The 4-3-1-2 formation is often underestimated. While it possesses strong central attacking capabilities, creating difficult-to-mark attacking threats and enhancing midfield dominance, this formation relies too heavily on fullbacks to create width. This can lead to fullbacks being frequently exposed to defense and consuming a lot of stamina.

Furthermore, when opponents with fast wingers exploit space on the flanks to break through your defense, midfielders must move up to cover, often isolating fullbacks. When full-backs are pushed too far forward, the team becomes vulnerable to quick counter-attacks, especially against wide-open teams like those using a 4-3-3 formation.

However, compared to this disadvantage, the advantages of the 4-3-1-2 formation are significantly more pronounced. This formation is adaptable to various playing styles, from long-ball counters to possession-based teams, thus flexibly meeting the needs of different coaches and players. Furthermore, the two strikers and one attacking midfielder densely packed in the center allow for strong control and creative attacks through the middle.

Because this formation demands high tactical flexibility, its advantages are often overlooked. However, after FIFA 26 1.3.0 patch update, players can utilize full-backs and flexible midfielders to cover these flanks, creating a powerful central attack and a compact team formation. This makes the 4-3-1-2 formation a top choice for teams that prioritize midfield control.

How Does Update 1.3.0 Affect This Formation?

First, as we mentioned before, this update improves AI and optimizes player roles, allowing players to more effectively utilize the advantages of the 4-3-1-2 formation. Players like fullbacks can now more easily control the flanks while maintaining a solid central structure.

Furthermore, changes to player movement and the ability to set more specific player roles allow players to create smoother, more flexible formations, thus better controlling their team's performance at different stages of the match.

Based on current trends, after the 1.3.0 update, the 4-3-1-2 formation is highly likely to break the previous dominance of the 4-5-1 formation and become more competitive and viable.

4-3-1-2 vs 4-5-1

In EA FC 26, the 4-3-1-2 formation is an attacking, narrow formation consisting of two forwards and one attacking midfielder, designed to launch quick and direct attacks through the center.

In contrast, the 4-5-1 formation is more balanced and compact, relying on a striker and five midfielders for support, providing greater defensive stability and midfield control, especially against counter-attacks.

Therefore, the 4-3-1-2 formation is generally more suitable for aggressive attacks, while the 4-5-1 formation is defensively solid and excels at controlling the midfield.

However, after the 1.3.0 patch update, the 4-3-1-2 formation is clearly more advantageous than the 4-5-1 formation because it can form a more threatening four-man attacking combination in the final third and provides a better midfield and defensive structure through its unique player roles. These factors allow the 4-3-1-2 formation to deliver greater attacking firepower and more creative attacking options.

On the other hand, the 4-5-1 formation, because of its heavy reliance on wingers and midfielders to support the striker, can easily lead to the lone striker becoming isolated and struggling to organize attacks. Furthermore, if the wingers are the only source of attacking support, the formation's attacking methods are easily predictable by the opponent, making it easier for them to defend. Therefore, the era of the 4-5-1 formation's dominance in FUT 26 may be coming to an end!

How To Effectively Use 4-3-1-2 Formation?

When using a 4-3-1-2 formation in EA FC 26, the focus should be on building a narrow central attacking system. To achieve this, one midfielder should act as a defensive midfielder, another as a balanced playmaker or box-to-box midfielder, and a third player responsible for attack.

The single attacking midfielder should link up with the two forwards, while fullbacks are responsible for stretching the attack, as there are no wingers in this formation.

The specific player roles and instructions used for this formation are as follows:

• Striker (ST): Use Advanced Forward and set Stay Central and Get in Behind instruction to make him the primary scoring threat.
• Attacking Midfielder (CAM): Place this player between the midfielders and forwards to connect the attack. Instructions can include Get Forward or Get in Behind, depending on whether you want him to play as a second striker or a link-up player.
• Holding CM: Set to Stay Back While Attacking and Cover Center to provide a solid defensive foundation.
• Box-to-Box CM: Use Balanced instruction or Get Forward to balance defense and attack.
• Playmaker CM: Can use Playmaker or Box-to-Box role to add attacking dimension, but should be set to Stay Back While Attacking and Cover Center.
• Full-backs (LB/RB): Because of the narrow formation, full-backs must spread out. It's recommended to set them to Balanced or Join the Attack to support the attack, but if they are not flexible enough, Stay Back While Attacking is often a safer option.
• Center-backs (CB): Keep these players' default instructions to maintain defensive stability.
• Goalkeeper (GK): Use the default instructions or set to Goalkeeper and Balanced for increased flexibility.

To maximize the effectiveness of this formation, you must effectively utilize your full-backs, instructing them to actively spread the floor, while simultaneously ensuring they can quickly track back after an attack.

In short, you need to be prepared to adapt your tactics based on your opponent. If the opponent attacks down the flanks, you may need to switch to a more conservative formation or make tactical adjustments to cover the wide areas.

Regardless, after the 1.3.0 update for FC 26, we anticipate the 4-3-1-2 formation will soon become popular again, as it provides strong attacking firepower through the center while maintaining good defensive stability, making it ideal for possession-based, high-pressing tactics. Give it a try!

It's a new week, and ARC Raiders trials have been updated. This week's trials aren't too difficult, and many players are expected to easily reach 150,000 to 200,000 points. Reaching 3 stars will reward you with an epic item.

If you want to quickly complete Week 6 trials, solo play is recommended, as many players are friendly and there's less interference. If you're aiming for a high leaderboard score, a three-player team is recommended for greater efficiency. Also, compared to previous weeks, this week's reliance on Hidden Bunker map conditions is less significant.

General Trials Tips

It's recommended to play under major map conditions to obtain full points, including Hidden Bunker, Night Raids, and Electromagnetic Storms. Minor map conditions (such as Harvesters and Matriarchs) will only grant half the points.

How To Complete Each Trial?

Damage Hornets Trial

It's recommended to start the trial under Hidden Bunker or Night Raids conditions. The easiest maps are Buried City or Spaceport under Night Raids conditions.

Solo players can use Adrenaline Shots to quickly reach South or North Trench Tower under Spaceport Hidden Bunker conditions, then use the zipline to reach the top, set up barricades and traps, and carry plenty of ammunition for defense.

This provides a high vantage point, making it difficult for other players to attack, and PvE enemies pose little threat. Furthermore, the top of the tower is above multiple Hornet Patrols and Snitches spawn points, continuously drawing enemy attention.

If you spot Hornets and Wasps patrols, eliminate them all; this can significantly accelerate the spawn rate of new patrols. Shooting the center of the wasp's body will earn you approximately 760 points, while shooting the engine will only earn you about 365 points. For a high score, aim for the body.

If you're in a three-person team, it's recommended to defend from the top of Control Tower in Dam Battlegrounds or the top of the communications relay in the north of The Blue Gate map. This method doesn't rely on Hidden Bunkers, and you just need to carry enough ARC Raiders items.

Deliver Carriables Trial

This trial requires you to transport large crates to a designated location. This is a relatively difficult trial because, in actual gameplay, only about 10 supply crates may appear per round on average. If other players on the same server are also doing this task, the competition will be very fierce, and it may be difficult to find enough crates.

Dam Battlegrounds map is recommended because it has 6 field supply stations. Furthermore, under Night Raids conditions, the points earned from transporting 4 batteries are doubled, equivalent to 8 during the day. There are usually 2 batteries near each field supply station, so completing two supply stations is sufficient. Completing all supply depots, delivering 2 batteries at each, will yield approximately 12,000 points.

This mission is relatively inefficient. If time is limited or you find it difficult, focus your efforts on other, higher-reward challenges.

Damage Rocketeers, Leapers, Or Bastions Trial

Whether playing solo or in a team, you'll need an Augment that increases safe Pockets and a full Wolfpack. Then, head to the center of Spaceport and quickly eliminate Leapers or Rocketeers with rocket launchers for an easy 4,400 points.

The best location for this trial is the bottom of Launch Tower in Spaceport. From this position, you can observe 2-3 Leaper spawn points, approximately 3 Rocketeers spawn points, and 1 Bastion spawn point. However, because this location is so advantageous, you may need to compete with other players multiple times.

You can also perform this in Hidden Bunker for an extra 10 minutes of game time, but be aware that Bombarders are also present at this location, increasing the difficulty.

Destroy Pops Trial

This trial only requires you to kill 7 Pops during Electromagnetic Storms or Night Raids. The best map for soloing this trial is Stella Montis under Night Raid conditions, although PvP there is extremely intense.

You can match into a game in the last few minutes or seconds before Night Raid ends, ensuring no new players join.

Once in the game, stay hidden and let other players fight or retreat. As the number of players decreases, begin actively clearing Pops.

The recommended route is to cycle between Sandbox Areas, Control Areas, and Metro Station extraction point. Pops respawn extremely quickly on this map.

If you want to switch maps, you can focus on research for Buried City, and many Popps will spawn near Research and Space Travel Building, Parking Garage, Hospital, and extraction point.

Pops will also spawn in the underground area connecting Water Treatment Facility and Control Tower in Dam Battlegrounds, and a single cycle can easily achieve three stars.

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Open ARC Probes

This trial requires 6 ARC Probes to be activated during the day, but only 3 are needed under major map conditions. It's recommended to do this in Electromagnetic Storm conditions of Dam Battlegrounds, as the map is more compact, and probes often spawn in groups of 2 or 3 during an Electromagnetic Storms, providing extra points.

This trial has low requirements for ARC Raiders items, but it's recommended to carry a large number of Adrenaline Shots for fast movement.

You only need to pay attention to the black smoke emitted by the probes and check the map frequently; even at a distance, zooming in will reveal them. Your task is to search for probes, not breach them. If a probe is already active, simply search for it directly; it's more efficient.

That concludes Week 6 trials for ARC Raiders. Except for Deliver Carriables, this week's trials are relatively easy; you should be able to get three stars easily.