The first Ability Point (AP) update of the year went live today in Madden Ultimate Team and the AP cap has been raised from 12 to 14 on both sides of the football. Today's update affects QBs the most with Inside Deadeye increasing to 5 AP, while the Scrambler and Improvisor Archetypes get lower requirements to unlock certain Abilities and access to the Pass Lead Elite Ability. Post Up went up across the board to 2 AP and linebackers can now unlock the Lurker Ability much earlier. Will this update make linebackers a viable option? Probably not, but it's a step in the right direction.
I could explain what I expect to see as a result of today's AP update, but why not hear what the 4x Raiders Club Champion and M19 Club Series Champion, Pavan Lakhat, thinks about it instead? Check out his analysis and a list of all of today's updates below:
Pavan's Key Takeaways
- Pass Lead Elite could become a popular option for Improvisor and Scrambler QBs. However, until they reach 96 OVR, you will have to choose between Pass Lead Elite and Escape Artist.
- Inside Deadeye is one of the best Abilities for those who enjoy throwing on the run. At a new cost of 5 AP though, Pavan is recommending you use your AP budget elsewhere.
- The 1 AP for all HBs to get RB Apprentice update is a nice W, especially for theme teams with weaker halfbacks.
- The increased cost of Short In Elite and Mid In Elite to 2 AP across the board will make this a more difficult decision moving forward. If you have extra AP on offense, give these Abilities a look for your WRs.
- The increased cost of the Post Up Ability to 2 AP should help with overall balance, while still allowing for 1-2 players to equip this on your interior offensive linemen if you absolutely need it.
- If you're someone who uses linebackers instead of safeties, Pavan recommends giving the Lurker Ability a look.
- With Edge Threat lowered to 2 AP and Double or Nothing lowered to 3 AP for Speed Rusher/Power Rusher DEs and OLBs, we might see more defensive-line Abilities equipped. As a result, Edge Protector on offense may be needed more to help counter the cheaper Abilities on the d-line.
- Here's a look at Pavan's possible post-update Abilities:
- QB 96 Dan Marino (6 AP) - Conductor (1 AP), Pass Lead Elite (3 AP), Hot Route Master (2 AP)
- WR 92 Jerry Rice (2 AP) - Route Technician (2 AP)
- WR 91 Andre Rison (2 AP) - Route Technician (2 AP)
- WR 91 T.J. Houshmandzadeh (2 AP) - Short In Elite (2 AP)
- LT 88 David Bakhtiari (1 AP) - Edge Protector (1 AP)
- RT 87 Tristan Wirfs (1 AP) - Edge Protector (1 AP)
- FS 92 Mike Edwards (3 AP) - Acrobat (2 AP), Mid Zone KO (1 AP)
- FS 92 Sean Taylor (3 AP) - Acrobat (2 AP), Mid Zone KO (1 AP)
- CB 92 Mike Haynes (2 AP) - Acrobat (2 AP)
- SS 90 Divine Deablo (2 AP) - Acrobat (2 AP)
- ROLB 93 Harold Landry III (2 AP) - Edge Threat (2 AP)
- LE 90 Montez Sweat (2 AP) - Edge Threat (2 AP)
AP LIMIT
Both Offense and Defense AP Limits have been increased from 12 to 14
OFFENSE
QB
- Add in Pass Lead Elite to Improvisor and Scrambler QBs
- Unlocks at 93 OVR for Scrambler
- Unlocks at 92 OVR for Improvisor
- 3 AP for both Archetypes
- Add Human Joystick to Improvisor QBs
- Unlocks at Tier 3 96 OVR and 94 AGI
- Lower OVR unlock for Human Joystick
- Now unlocks at 95 OVR and 93 AGI on Scrambler QBs
- Lower OVR unlock for Spin Cycle and Juke Box on Improvisor QBs
- Now unlocks at 92 OVR and 90 JKM/SPM
- Inside Deadeye increased to 5 AP for Field General and Strong Arm
HB
- Lower unlock for Grab and Go for Elusive and Receiving HBs
- Unlocks at 90 OVR for Receiving HBs
- Unlocks at 90 OVR and 90 AGI for Elusive HBs
- Lower OVR/Trucking unlock for Tank on Power HBs
- Unlocks at 93 OVR and 93 Trucking
- Lower Human Joystick for all HBs
- Unlocks for Elusive and Receiving HBs at 95 OVR and 93 AGI
- Unlocks for Power HBs at 96 OVR and 94 AGI
- Lowered AP from 2 to 1 on RB Apprentice for all HBs
WR/TE
- Short In Elite and Mid In Elite are now 2 AP across the board for WRs and TE
OL/TE/FB
- Post Up is now 2 AP for all positions (Originally announced as 3 AP, but changed last minute)
- Lowered Honorary Lineman for Blocking TE to 2 AP
DEFENSE
OLB/MLB
- Lowered Lurker Unlock for Linebackers
- Unlocks at 90 OVR for Field General and Pass Coverage
- Unlocks at 91 OVR for Run Stoppers
DE/OLB
- Edge Threat lowered to 2 AP for Speed Rusher/Power Rusher DE and OLB
- Double or Nothing lowered to 3 AP for Power/Speed DE and OLB
DT
- Inside Stuff lowered to 1 AP on Run Stopper DTs
To view the EA Forum post today's article is based on, Click Here.
If you enjoyed Pavan's pro analysis of today's AP update, be sure to check him out on Twitter and Youtube for more content.
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