EA FC Empires beginner's guide: Gameplay basics and tips

EA FC Empires is a unique strategy-focused football management game from EA Sports' gaming ecosystem under the EA Sports FC brand. Among other football-focused EA titles like EA FC Mobile and EA FC Tactical, this is the only game that offers a fresh twist on football management by blending it with strategy elements. While Empires' progression may feel time-consuming, the balance between tactical decisions and club-building ensures an engaging gameplay experience.

This guide will provide an overview of EA FC Empires' gameplay and some essential tips and strategies to help players excel.

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EA FC Empires gameplay overview and basics

EA FC Empires' in-match gameplay (Image via EA Sports)

FC Empires combines football management with strategic gameplay. As a manager, you oversee everything from building facilities to setting tactics and managing resources.

The game revolves around:

• Upgrading and unlocking buildings.
• Managing a football club with strategy game mechanics.
• Competing in leagues and tournaments by building squads and setting strategies.

The game will have you construct vital facilities like training grounds, medical centers, and scouting hubs. The gameplay is simpler compared to traditional football simulations, with the strategic layers making it immensely engaging.

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Buildings, resources, and progression

Buildings are the cornerstone of your club’s progress. Winning matches unlock new areas, buildings, and facilities. Here’s what you need to know:

Key buildings:

• Stadium: Upgrading this is essential as other buildings can’t progress without it.
• Club Store: Crucial for earning money. Leveling it up increases your revenue.
• Physio Room: Important for players' fitness and injury check. Upgrading this increases players' availability and improves recovery speed and fitness.
• Scout Centre: The higher the level of the Scout Centre, the better the chances of scouting high-OVR players

Resources:

• Cash: An easy-to-earn resource for unlocking blocks, basic upgrades, and boosts.
• Diamonds: A premium currency used for advanced upgrades and premium features.
• Fan Popularity Level: An in-game token that helps to achieve a bonus on Club Store output and research speed.

Progress is structured through chapters, each with a theme. For example, Chapter 3 focuses on "Boot Camp", guiding you through relevant quests.

EA FC Empires' progress is structured through chapters like Boot Camp (Image via EA Sports)

Matches are vital for unlocking new facilities and enhancing your club’s capabilities. Winning matches boosts your fanbase and revenue, subsequently increasing your opportunities to develop elite players.

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Scouting, players, and squad building

EA FC Empires Scout Centre (Image via EA Sports)

Building your squad is integral to EA FC Empires, emphasizing player OVR over individual skills. Here’s a breakdown:

Player scouting

• Use the Scout Centre to sign players using Plane Tickets, which are available in two types: Scout (Blue) and Special (Gold). The latter guarantees higher-quality players but requires premium resources.
• Daily free pulls ensure you’ll receive an Elite Card within 70 draws.
• Upgrading the Scout Centre doesn’t improve pull probabilities, so prioritize stadium upgrades first.
• Focus on player stats, positions, and growth potential.

Squad building

• Access the Team menu to manage your squad, which can include up to 500 players.
• Coaches bring unique proficiencies in Formation or Tactics.
• Players earn XP after matches, boosting stats and unlocking traits as they level up.
• Use the Talent section to enhance players’ abilities with Talent Points.

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EA FC Empires tips and tricks

EA FC Empires in-game Match preparation (Image via EA Sports)

Here are some practical tips to give you a head start in-game:

1) Get a second construction worker

Spend 100 Diamonds to hire a second worker early on. This allows you to upgrade two buildings simultaneously and accelerate your progress.

2) Check match preparation

Match preparation in FC Empires almost accurately predicts the outcome of the match you are about to play. Only consider playing it if the prediction is "Easy to Win" or indicates an "Even Match". Any "Difficult to Win" match should be avoided.

3) Claim daily rewards

Log in daily to claim rewards, including high-rated players like John Stones and Phil Foden during the first week. Completing chapters and daily quests adds to your resource pool.

4) Join a Guild

Unlock Guilds at Stadium 6 and join one to access rewards through research, teammate assistance, and guild gifts. Coordinated efforts like rallies boost progress significantly.

5) Keep training your players

Regularly train your players to boost their stats and overall ratings. Training encompasses Base, Core, and Expansion aspects, making it vital for player development.

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EA FC Empires offers a fresh twist on football management by blending it with strategy elements. While progression may feel time-consuming, the balance between tactical decisions and club-building ensures an engaging experience.

FC Empires global launch will soon be announced (Image via EA Sports)

Currently, EA FC Empires is in early access in select regions, including Australia, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, and Thailand, on both Android and iOS. However, a global launch is expected soon.