EA FC 26's latest update patch 1.2.0 brings some changes to the game again, but it's clearly not as disruptive as patch 1.1.0. As other players have said, it's more of a placebo patch.

While this patch adjusts player AI, the current meta formations remain largely unchanged. Still, you can try some alternative setups that, despite not being mainstream, have unique strengths.

4-2-3-1 (Wide)

4-2-3-1 formation's backline consists of a goalkeeper, a left-back, two center-backs, and a right-back. In this formation, the defenders often employ man-marking tactics, with center-backs marking the strikers and fullbacks closely monitoring the wingers. Two defensive midfielders provide a defensive barrier in front of the back four.

• Build-Up Style: Short Passing (it allows players to move closer together during attacks, creating more passing options.)
• Defensive Approach: Extreme

Player Roles

• GK (Defend): Goalkeeper+
• LB (Support): Attacking Wingback++
• RB (Support): Attacking Wingback++
• LCB (Aggressive): Ball-Playing Defender
• RCB (Aggressive): Ball-Playing Defender
• LM (Roaming): Wide Playmaker++
• RM (Balanced): Inside Forward++
• LCDM (Roaming): Box Crasher++
• RCMD (Roaming): Deep-Lying Playmaker++
• CAM (Balanced): Wide Playmaker++
• ST (Attack): Advanced Forward++

You need to be especially careful with the movement of players in LM position, as their inside runs are crucial to your short passing tactics. Furthermore, the soul of this tactic is Attacking Wingback++ and Box Crasher++, which are essential for providing attacking width and late runs into the box.

If you want to control possession throughout the game, your midfielders should ideally possess Tiki Taka+ Playstyle. Forwards should ideally possess Incisive Pass+.

Player Requirements

87 OVR Claudia Pina

Claudia Pina stands out not only for her Finesse Shot and Low Driven+, but more importantly for her highly effective Tiki Taka and Incisive Pass playstyles. This makes her irreplaceable in possession-based play, and she's extremely threatening even without high race.

Tiki Taka is essential for smooth passing and movement. Without it, players take too long to control the ball and adjust, missing attacking opportunities. Of course, if you don't have 87 OVR Claudia Pina, 86 OVR Claudia Pina is also an option; she currently takes around 6000 FC 26 coins.

88 OVR Sergio Busquets

Sergio Busquets also has Tiki Taka+ and Long Ball Pass. Although he only has 3-star skills and 3 weak foot, he absolutely meets the needs of this formation.

4-4-1-1 (Midfield)

4-4-1-1 formation is a common football formation, similar in personnel to the formation above. It features four defenders, four midfielders, one attacking midfielder, and one striker. The striker is the primary scorer, while the attacking midfielder organizes attacks and supports the striker. This formation strikes a balance between the traditional 4-4-2 and a more attacking formation, balancing defensive and offensive capabilities.

In the latest patch 1.2.0, 4-4-1-1 formation has received a significant buff, becoming a very solid and effective formation suitable for Weekly Leagues, Division Rivals, and even Pro Ladder.

• Build-Up Style: Balanced
• Defensive Approach: High

Player Roles

• GK (Balanced): Sweeping Keeper+
• LB (Defend): Defender++
• RB (Defend): Defender++
• LCB (Defend): Defender++
• RCB (Defend): Defender++
• LM (Balanced): Inside Forward++
• RM (Balanced): Inside Forward++
• LCM (Balanced): Box-to-Box+
• RCM (Build-up): Deep-Lying Playmaker++
• CAM (Attack): Shadow Striker++
• ST (Attack): Advanced Forward++

If you feel your attacking organization is not going smoothly, you can change CAM from Shadow Striker to Playmaker, allowing for more deep drops and support, which will help advance the ball.

Player Requirements

Fullbacks need to be fast and have good ball control. Nuno Mendes or Marcos Llorente are good options. Center-backs also need speed and a good defensive playstyle.

Wingers need to be fast to execute through balls and create space behind the defense.

The three central midfielders are key to the formation. The attacking midfielder and two central midfielders should ideally have Tiki Taka+ and Incisive Pass+ playstyles. This ensures accurate one-touch passing and the ability to deliver lethal through balls.

Forwards should also have Tiki Taka+ or Incisive Pass+, crucial for linking up attacks. You can also use Claudia Pina. As for the goalkeeper, you can assign him based on the players you have.

How To Attack?

During the attacking build-up phase, the primary goal is to find your CAM. Use him to pass the ball to CAM to break the opponent's midfield lines.

Press L1/LB to direct teammates to run in behind, which stretches the opponent's defensive line and creates time and space for the ball carrier.

While pressing L1/LB, gently push the right stick towards the specific route you want your teammate to run. This is an advanced technique that manually creates passing opportunities.

When forward passing lanes are blocked, pass the ball back to a midfielder or defender. Use this pass to push the entire formation forward, while giving yourself more time to observe and make decisions. Finally, utilize the speed of your wingers to create scoring opportunities by playing through balls behind the opponent's flanks.

How To Defend?

Your four defenders form a strong defensive line. You only need to keep the formation compact and cover the middle. It's better to let the opponent run down the flanks than to allow them to easily break through the middle.

You can also manually pull your attacking midfielder back, effectively turning the formation into a 4-5-1, creating a numerical advantage in the middle. Executing an offside trap by pressing the up arrow twice will push the entire defensive line forward, further compressing the opponent's attacking space.

While these formations are not mainstream, they both offer considerable strength. Moreover, once you've mastered it, it can actually make your attacks more difficult for your opponents to handle when they're unfamiliar with your formation.

Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 brings back Campaign, Multiplayer, and Zombies, along with returning and new exclusive modes. Zombies modes not only introduce the largest map in the series' history, Ashes of the Damned, but also add four brand-new modes and gameplay, each offering different rewards and experiences, from tense and exciting waves of enemies to a more relaxed narrative experience.

Although the developers have revealed that some modes will be added some time after the release of Black Ops 7, this hasn't dampened the players' enthusiasm. Below, we'll provide a detailed introduction to the new Zombies map and the gameplay of each mode.

Ashes of the Damned

First, Ashes of the Damned in CoD Black Ops 7 is one of the largest traditional Zombies maps in the series to date, featuring six distinct locations connected by a network of roads. Players can also drive an upgradable vehicle to lead their squad across the map.

Ol' Tessie

Ashes of the Damned is a spiritual successor to Tranzit Zombies map in Black Ops 2, which also spans multiple locations. However, unlike Tranzit, the primary mode of transportation in Ashes of the Damned is a pickup truck, affectionately known as Ol' Tessie by players.

More importantly, unlike the drivable bus in Tranzit, the Ol' Tessie is drivable and upgradable. Of course, it can also be damaged if you're not careful. Ol' Tessie's main purpose is to help you traverse the deadly The Fog, getting from one point of interest to another.

Of course, you can also choose to enter The Fog on foot, but without the pickup truck's support, you'll likely be swallowed by danger in a very short time.

Frankly, Tranzit's vehicle concept has always been popular in CoD: Black Ops series because it creates a sense of tension between destinations. And the game hasn't had such an interesting feature in a long time.

In CoD: Black Ops 7, trucks are an essential part of running Ashes of the Damned map, but they're not just for transportation. Upgrades are scattered throughout the map, including Mounted Turret and Pack-a-Punch machine. Pack-a-Punch machine is located on the truck and provides a buff to Ol' Tessie.

Most upgrades in the game are done in a garage in Ashwood, one of the main points of interest on the map. This location also serves as a hub. If your team abandons Ol' Tessie for some reason, it can be recalled to the garage.

6 Major Points of Interest

Ashes of the Damned comprises six major points of interest, all connected by The Fog mentioned earlier:

• Janus Towers Plaza
• Vandorn Farm
• Blackwater Lake
• Ashwood
• Exit 115
• Zarya Cosmodrome

According to the developers, because the story of Ashes of the Damned takes place in Dark Aether - a mysterious parallel universe or something similar - they could select locations from different periods and regions to create a richly detailed world map.

Ashwood, located at the center of the map, dates back to the 1850s, while Exit 115 is reminiscent of Diner from Tranzit. Although each area has its own history, unique story, and atmosphere, they are all thematically linked to core story elements that will run throughout the season and advance as the plot unfolds.

Zombies Modes

In addition, Black Ops 7 features four Zombies modes:

• Standard
• Directed
• Survival
• Cursed

However, like previous maps, these modes will not be available on launch day. This allows players who enjoy puzzle-solving and unraveling mysteries to enjoy the game without spoilers.

Standard Mode

This is the familiar and beloved zombie mode where you'll fight wave after wave of enemies in turn-based combat in Ashes of the Damned, continuing the story of Dark Aether.

Besides the major story and side quests, Standard Mode includes all Zombies Easter eggs you'll expect. This mode is recommended for experienced players because, unlike some other modes, you'll need to find clues and discover Easter eggs yourself; there are no hints.

Most importantly, this mode will be available at BO7's launch, which is why it's the preferred choice for most players.

Directed Mode

For those who love zombie games but rarely have time to explore all the hidden objectives, Directed Mode is definitely for you. This mode guides players through the story of Ashes of the Damned.

First appearing in Call of Duty: Black Ops 6, this mode provides guidance and on-screen hints for the main quest, leading players step-by-step through missions and finding Easter eggs. If you want to reduce the time spent fighting zombies or searching for clues and focus more on exploration, then Directed Mode is the best choice, aside from choosing to buy CoD Black Ops 7 Bot Lobbies. However, it's important to note that this mode disables side quests to focus on the story.

Furthermore, this mode has a turn limit, so zombie hordes won't be too dense, making Directed Mode essentially a more relaxed zombie experience. However, this mode won't be available at launch but will probably be added in an update later this year.

Survival Mode

If you don't care about the story at all and just want to experience the thrill of killing zombies, then the returning Survival Mode is the perfect choice.

The core of this mode is survival. You and your teammates will fight wave after wave of enemies within a small area of ​​Ashes of the Damned map.

There is no story, main campaign, or missions; your sole objective is to do everything in your power to survive the escalating onslaught of undead enemies. Survival Mode will launch simultaneously with the game, with more maps potentially added in future updates.

Cursed Mode

In addition to the three modes mentioned above, Black Ops 7 also introduces Cursed Mode, an extremely challenging mode that reintroduces some traditional zombie game mechanics, such as limited equipment options.

The developers also revealed that Cursed Mode will restore the previous scoring system, allowing players to maximize their score by killing zombies in specific ways.

Furthermore, Cursed Mode includes new side missions. Completing these missions unlocks relics, further adjusting the game's difficulty.

This mode will not be available immediately at launch, but will be unlocked for all players once someone completes the first primary mission.

Therefore, while Directed and Survival modes are designed to attract more fans and offer a more casual or brutal gaming experience, Cursed mode is the opposite; it aims to provide a completely new gaming experience for loyal players who find the standard mode lacking in challenge.

In any case, the new and returning modes, along with the improved Augment system, make this the most feature-rich Zombies mode we've ever seen. Black Ops 7 will be released on November 14th. We look forward to seeing you in the game!