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MMOexp-EA FC26: João Pedro SBC Review – Strong in the Box, Slow on the Turn

EA Sports has dropped Ratings Reload Team 2, and with it comes one of the most talked-about SBCs of the promo-João Pedro. Many players remember his iconic "Road to the Knockouts" card from earlier FIFA titles, and now, in EA FC 26, he's back with an 86-rated item that's turning heads. But with a three-squad requirement and no PlayStyle+, the big question is simple: Is this João Pedro SBC worth completing, or should you save your coins?

Card Overview: Balanced, Tall, and Versatile-on Paper FC 26 Coins

João Pedro's new 86-rated SBC comes as a Controlled player type, capable of playing ST and CAM, with a 4★ skill moves / 4★ weak foot combination. Standing at 6'2", he's taller than most players remember-an interesting revelation considering many assumed he was shorter in past games.

His base stats paint a picture of a well-rounded forward, though not one that immediately jumps off the screen:

 Pace: 84

 Shooting: 86

 Passing: 78

 Dribbling: 83

 Physical: 81

He also comes with the following PlayStyles:

 Finesse

 Power Shot

 Rapid

 Press Proven

 Advanced+ and Shadow Striker+

However, he lacks any passing-oriented PlayStyles, which means his CAM potential is limited. That's why most players-including this review-will be using him primarily as a striker.

First Impressions: Looks Can Be Deceiving

On paper, João Pedro doesn't look like a meta-breaking card. He's solid everywhere but doesn't excel in any one category. No PlayStyle+ means he's missing the signature boost that defines most elite attackers in EA FC 26.

But sometimes, numbers don't tell the full story-and that's why in-game testing matters. So, with a Hunter chemistry style applied, Pedro was sent straight into Division Rivals action to see what he can really do.

In-Game Testing: From Kick Clash to Clinical Finishing

From the first match, João Pedro made an immediate impact. Despite his height and lack of elite pace on paper, he managed to feel surprisingly quick on the counterattack.

"Gets around the man and then finds the far corner. Let's be having it."

That early strike showed what this card does best-efficient, composed finishing in front of goal. He's not a flashy dribbler or a playmaker, but when you feed him chances, he delivers.

Across multiple games, his finishing stood out as a consistent strength:

 Near-post shots? Laser-precise.

 Cross-goal finishes? Lethal.

 Finesse efforts? On target, often forcing top saves.

 Weak foot? Surprisingly strong, thanks to his 4★ rating.

Whether you're on the edge of the box or inside the six-yard area, Pedro shows great composure and striking accuracy.

Dribbling and Ball Control: The Weak Link

Unfortunately, dribbling is where João Pedro shows cracks.

"Left stick control is okay-nothing insane though."

Even after switching to a Finisher chemistry style (boosting Agility and Balance), his movement on the ball remained a little sluggish. Quick turns or close control under pressure aren't his strengths.

Compared to similar attackers like Gouiri or Mateta, João Pedro feels heavier-more like a traditional target man than a nimble CAM. His height and body type contribute to that, making him better suited for direct play and quick through balls rather than tight tiki-taka dribbling.

If you're someone who relies on rapid skill chains or agile movements, this SBC might disappoint you.

Positioning and Off-Ball Movement: A Hidden Strength

What João Pedro lacks in dribbling, he makes up for in intelligent positioning.

His off-ball runs are smart, consistent, and well-timed. Whether you trigger manual runs or let him move naturally, he frequently finds open pockets between defenders.

"The passing's all right, you know… shame he doesn't have passing PlayStyles, but the movement's good."

He thrives on give-and-go sequences, linking with faster wingers or creative midfielders. His Press Proven PlayStyle also means he adds pressure when out of possession, making him useful for counter-pressing teams.

PlayStyle Breakdown

Let's take a quick look at how each PlayStyle affects his game:

 Finesse: Helps curve shots from outside the box, especially on his right foot.

 Power Shot: Adds raw force to strikes, though animation speed can limit its practicality.

 Rapid: Slight boost in sprint acceleration once he's up to speed-noticeable in counterattacks.

 Press Proven: Makes him stronger during shoulder-to-shoulder duels.

 Advanced+ / Shadow Striker+: Improves attacking positioning and shooting consistency inside the box.

The combination gives João Pedro a clinical edge in finishing scenarios, though not much help for dribbling or playmaking.Best Chemistry Styles

1.Hunter-Maximizes pace and finishing; perfect for a pure striker role.

2.Finisher-Adds agility and balance boosts for players struggling with his mobility.

3.Engine-A balanced option if you want to slightly improve passing and dribbling without losing too much pace.

Ultimately, Hunter remains the go-to, since it accentuates his strengths rather than masking his weaknesses.

Ideal Role and Formation Fit

João Pedro fits best in systems that use two strikers or a solo target man approach. Examples include:

 4-4-2: Pair him with a smaller, faster striker who can feed him through balls.

 4-2-3-1: Use him as the lone striker supported by creative CAMs.

 3-5-2: Works well as a focal point with another forward playing off his shoulder.

He's less effective as a CAM, mainly due to the lack of passing PlayStyles and limited dribbling speed.

Price and Value: The 100K Question

At the time of writing, João Pedro's SBC costs roughly 100K coins, according to FUTBIN. For a Premier League striker, that's not outrageous-but it's not cheap either.

The issue is competition. For the same or even lower cost, players can pick up cards like:

 Mateta SBC (stronger physicals, similar finishing, better presence)

 In-form Watkins or Isak (tradeable, faster, more agile)

 Promo attackers with PlayStyle+ that outshine Pedro in flexibility.

Unless you're a Chelsea fan or have a sentimental attachment to João Pedro's past cards, this SBC doesn't offer significant long-term value.

Verdict: Great Finisher, Limited Ceiling

To summarize:

Pros:

 Strong, accurate finishing on both feet

 Excellent attacking positioning and runs

 Solid physical presence at 6'2"

 Affordable for a Premier League SBC

Cons:

 Sluggish left-stick dribbling

 No passing PlayStyles

 Average pace compared to top-tier attackers

 No PlayStyle+ bonus

João Pedro will score goals, that's undeniable. But in a meta defined by explosive movement and technical agility, his lack of fluidity holds him back from elite status.

If you're looking for a clinical, dependable striker for casual or RTG squads, he'll do the job. But if you want to dominate competitive play, your coins are better spent elsewhere.

Final Rating

 Finishing: 9/10

 Dribbling: 6.5/10

 Pace: 7.5/10

 Passing: 7/10

 Physical: 8/10

 Overall Value: 7/10

Verdict: EA FC 26 Coins for sale

João Pedro SBC is a nostalgic addition but not a must-complete. A fun, reliable striker who scores when given chances-yet limited by sluggish movement and lack of elite traits.

Unless you're building a Premier League-themed team or are a devoted fan, this is an SBC you can safely skip.

MMOexp-POE: Death Marked and Mystical Infusion – The Cast-on-Crit Meta Just Got a New Leader

Grinding Gear Games just dropped one of the biggest surprises leading up to Path of Exile 3.27's full reveal-a complete rework of the Assassin ascendancy, unveiled out of nowhere in the early hours of the morning. For years, Assassin has lingered in the shadow of its own name-overshadowed by Trickster's defenses and Saboteur's utility. But this rework POE currency? It's a total overhaul, breathing fresh life into one of the most iconic archetypes in Path of Exile history.

And if GGG is comfortable dropping this massive reveal less than a day before the full 3.27 livestream, you have to wonder: what else do they have in store?

Let's break down everything we know about the new Assassin, from node changes to insane new synergies that could redefine crit, poison, and cast-on-crit builds forever.

Mistwalker-The Return of True Speed and Elusiveness

The rework kicks off with a revamped Mistwalker, a two-point notable that's now considerably stronger. Previously, this node offered a 50% increased effect of Elusive. Now? It's a full 100% increased effect, meaning Elusive's baseline 30% movement speed and 15% chance to avoid hits doubles to 60% and 30% respectively.

This means faster map clears, smoother dodges, and a tangible defensive layer that scales beautifully with Nightblade Support, which already enhances Elusive with crit multiplier. On a level 20 Nightblade gem, that means up to 138% crit multiplier at peak effect-an absurd amount of free damage packed into a defensive buff.

Elusive decays over time and can't be refreshed until it expires, so this change rewards careful timing and awareness. The Assassin's gameplay loop is now faster, riskier, and deadlier than ever.

Shadowed Blood-The Dark Tech Node

Next up is one of the most intriguing new additions: Shadowed Blood, a completely new two-point notable.

It grants:

 40% of Physical Damage Taken Recouped as Life

 Unaffected by Damaging Ailments

The second line is the game-changer. Being "unaffected" by bleeding, ignite, and poison means you can still have those ailments, but they simply deal no damage. That opens up massive build potential with self-ailment setups, where you intentionally ignite or poison yourself to trigger powerful bonuses.

Items like Mokou's Embrace, Apex Slumber, The Golden Rule, and Fulcrum immediately come to mind. You could even reflect ignites onto yourself, proliferate them across enemies, and never take a tick of damage.

But the real standout synergy? Dissolution of the Flesh. This unique jewel replaces your life loss with life reservation when you take damage, but its Achilles heel has always been damage-over-time effects. Shadowed Blood completely removes that weakness while providing life recovery through recoup.

Combined with Petrified Blood, you can create a tanky, delayed-damage Assassin that defies expectations.

It's a niche node, but one that theorycrafters will abuse to its fullest.

Toxic Delivery & Infused Toxins-Poison Reborn

No Assassin rework would be complete without poison. The classic Toxic Delivery node returns-but redesigned for efficiency.

Now, for just two points, it grants:

 Poisons inflicted with crits deal 20% more damage

 5% increased poison duration per poison inflicted recently, up to 100%

 Recover 0.5% life per poison on enemies you kill

That's raw value in every line: more damage, scaling duration, and sustain. The old Assassin's base crit chance bonuses are gone, but what you gain here more than compensates.

Branching from this is the brand-new Infused Toxins notable-the long-awaited universal poison enabler.

"All Damage from Hits can Poison."

Yes, that's right. Not just physical or chaos-all damage. Lightning, cold, fire, elemental, you name it. The catch? It doesn't guarantee poison; it simply makes poison possible, so you'll still need chance investment.

This opens the floodgates for build diversity. Poison Spark, one of the most popular niche builds, now becomes mainstream with Assassin. You can also revisit Poison Detonate Dead, Poison Explosive Arrow, or even Poison Lightning Arrow. Anything that hits can poison now, and that's revolutionary.

It's worth noting that Assassin's poison identity has always been its bread and butter-and this rework makes sure it stays top-tier.

Knife in the Back & For the Jugular-A Critical Choice

This new choice branch introduces an interesting duality. You pick between Knife in the Back or For the Jugular, both of which flip each other's effects:

 Knife in the Back: +100% more crit chance vs enemies not on low life, +100% crit multi vs enemies on low life.

 For the Jugular: +100% crit multi vs enemies not on low life, +100% more crit chance vs enemies on low life.Both nodes also grant Critical Strikes have Culling Strike, instantly killing enemies below 10% life.

This system adds a tactical edge. You can tailor your crit scaling to your playstyle-front-loaded burst or finishing power.

But here's the kicker: thanks to Forbidden Flesh and Flame jewels, you might be able to stack both. Just like Ascendant can access two choice nodes, it's highly likely you'll be able to activate both simultaneously. That means 100% more crit chance and 100% crit multiplier all the time-effectively making 50% crit = 100%.

If this interaction holds true in 3.27, it could be one of the most powerful ascendancy synergies ever introduced.

Opportunistic-Risk and Reward Amplified

Opportunistic remains familiar, though it's been expanded into a four-point investment. It now reads:

 Crits cannot be reflected.

 25% more damage if there's at most one rare/unique nearby.

 35% less damage taken if there are two or more.

The change from "20% reduced" to "35% less" is massive-a true multiplicative reduction, meaning real survivability in juiced maps or boss arenas.

However, the situational nature means it's not universally strong.

Spending four points for conditional defense and reflect immunity is steep. Still, for bossing-focused builds or players diving into endgame invitations, this node can be life-saving.

Unstable Infusion, Mystical Infusion & Death Marked-The Power Charge Evolution

Power charge generation remains central to Assassin identity, and Unstable Infusion gets a modest buff:

 15% chance to gain a power charge on crit (up from 10%)

 30% on non-crit (up from 20%)

 +1 Maximum Power Charge

But the real meat lies in the two new branches: Mystical Infusion and Death Marked.

Mystical Infusion

This one's a game-changer for cast-on-crit setups.

"Base Spell Crit Chance is equal to your Main-Hand Weapon's Crit Chance."

It's essentially the Sandstorm Vis modifier without the downside of disabling attack crits. That means spells can inherit high weapon crit bases, opening the door to ridiculous crit scaling.

Expect to see Cast on Crit Ice Spear, Bladefall/Blade Blast, and even Storm Burst builds dominate 3.27.

Death Marked

On the flip side, Death Marked is a quality-of-life node. It triggers a level 30 Assassin's Mark for free whenever you crit a rare or unique enemy with an attack and don't already have a mark applied. It even makes that enemy unable to evade attacks.

While the level scaling adds minor life/mana on kill boosts, the biggest benefit is convenience-no gem slots, no mana cost, no fuss. It's not flashy, but it smooths out attack-based Assassin gameplay loops.

The Assassin's New Identity

The old Assassin was often pigeonholed-either poison or generic crit. The new Assassin, however, offers multiple archetypes that feel distinct, powerful, and build-defining:

 Elusive Crit Assassin: leveraging Mistwalker and Nightblade for hypermobility and massive crit multi.

 Self-Ailment Assassin: abusing Shadowed Blood and Dissolution of the Flesh for tanky, off-meta setups.

 Universal Poison Assassin: using Infused Toxins for elemental or hybrid poison builds.

 Cast-on-Crit Assassin: abusing Mystical Infusion for some of the highest base crit scaling in the game.

Every branch now has a real identity, with clear mechanical depth and synergy potential POE divine orbs.

Final Thoughts-Assassin Is Back

The 3.27 Assassin rework is more than a facelift; it's a resurrection. For the first time in years, Assassin feels flexible again. Whether you're darting through maps with Elusive speed, melting bosses with infinite crit scaling, or experimenting with tanky self-burn setups, this ascendancy has something for everyone.