EA dropped a surprise during the Thunder Struck Black Friday promo, and for FC 26 players, this might be one of the biggest early-season shakeups yet. Flash EVOs are back-technically not brand new, since Darmachor Evolution last cycle was the first "flash" version-but this time they come with an entire dedicated tab, brand-new stat caps, and a shockingly high level of chain potential FC 26 Coins.
Speed Surge, Hit the Weights, and Locked In are the three Flash EVOs available right now, and all three expire in three days. Importantly, that's three days to start AND finish them, not a rolling timer that extends once you begin. If you don't complete the matches in time, the EVO disappears-so timing and planning matter more than ever.
And here's the highlight: these EVOs may only offer a +2 overall boost on paper, but the hidden value is the chain potential. Just like last year's chem-style themed EVOs-focused on small but meaningful attribute increases-these can turn low-rated cards into monsters if you chain them correctly.
With that out of the way, let's break down how each Flash EVO works, what stats they boost, which players you should target, and how to maximize chain potential for the entire Thunder promo.
Understanding Flash EVOs in FC 26
Each of the three new EVOs targets a core stat category:
Speed Surge → Pace Boost (Quick Step + Acceleration + Sprint Speed)
Hit the Weights → Physicality Boost (Base Bruiser + Physical Attributes + Weak Foot Upgrade)
Locked In → Defending Boost (Base Anticipate + Defensive Attributes)
All three:
Require max 85 OVR players
Provide playstyle upgrades (huge)
Are free
Require only three matches
Expire in three days
Have attribute caps (important for chaining)
The attribute caps are where things get interesting. For example, Speed Surge caps out around 88-89 pace depending on the card. Locked In caps defending around 88. Hit the Weights caps physicality around 88-89 as well.
This suggests EA designed these EVOs to steer players toward using lower-rated cards with long-term chain potential, rather than simply boosting an already-meta 85-rated player by a couple points.
And because Thunder is expected to include all six core attribute EVOs (pace, shooting, passing, dribbling, defending, physical), a full chain could theoretically turn a 75-82 OVR card into a monstrous custom-built item over a week of evolutions.
Speed Surge EVO - Who Should You Use It On?
Speed Surge is the flashy one-literally. Quick Step, acceleration, and top-end sprint speed get a major bump.
Some notable takeaways:
CR7 hitting 87 pace is nice, but not game-breaking.
High-rated attackers don't benefit as much because of the stat caps.
Lower-rated attackers skyrocket if you plan on chaining multiple EVOs.
This is where chain potential becomes the real value. Using Speed Surge on someone who already sits at 83-85 pace is a waste, but a 75-80 pace attacker becomes absurd.
Think:
Lower-tier Ligue 1 forwards
Bundesliga runners
Prem silver stars
Flexible wide players who could benefit from additional EVOs down the line
Creative players already see the vision: use Speed Surge first, then wait for shooting/dribbling EVOs later in the promo to stack the boosts.
Hit the Weights EVO - An Underrated Physical Monster Maker
Hit the Weights is designed to pump physical stats: strength, aggression, jumping, stamina, and all-round presence. But the shocker is that it also gives a weak foot upgrade, which is extremely rare for a defensive-leaning EVO.
Physicality-based playstyles like Bruiser become massive on attackers, midfielders, and fullbacks alike.
This EVO is particularly good for:
Box-to-box midfielders needing more presence
Defensive fullbacks who need better strength
Forwards with great pace but weak physical profiles
Cards that could later chain into a Thunder shooting o
Speed Surge, Hit the Weights, and Locked In are the three Flash EVOs available right now, and all three expire in three days. Importantly, that's three days to start AND finish them, not a rolling timer that extends once you begin. If you don't complete the matches in time, the EVO disappears-so timing and planning matter more than ever.
And here's the highlight: these EVOs may only offer a +2 overall boost on paper, but the hidden value is the chain potential. Just like last year's chem-style themed EVOs-focused on small but meaningful attribute increases-these can turn low-rated cards into monsters if you chain them correctly.
With that out of the way, let's break down how each Flash EVO works, what stats they boost, which players you should target, and how to maximize chain potential for the entire Thunder promo.
Understanding Flash EVOs in FC 26
Each of the three new EVOs targets a core stat category:
Speed Surge → Pace Boost (Quick Step + Acceleration + Sprint Speed)
Hit the Weights → Physicality Boost (Base Bruiser + Physical Attributes + Weak Foot Upgrade)
Locked In → Defending Boost (Base Anticipate + Defensive Attributes)
All three:
Require max 85 OVR players
Provide playstyle upgrades (huge)
Are free
Require only three matches
Expire in three days
Have attribute caps (important for chaining)
The attribute caps are where things get interesting. For example, Speed Surge caps out around 88-89 pace depending on the card. Locked In caps defending around 88. Hit the Weights caps physicality around 88-89 as well.
This suggests EA designed these EVOs to steer players toward using lower-rated cards with long-term chain potential, rather than simply boosting an already-meta 85-rated player by a couple points.
And because Thunder is expected to include all six core attribute EVOs (pace, shooting, passing, dribbling, defending, physical), a full chain could theoretically turn a 75-82 OVR card into a monstrous custom-built item over a week of evolutions.
Speed Surge EVO - Who Should You Use It On?
Speed Surge is the flashy one-literally. Quick Step, acceleration, and top-end sprint speed get a major bump.
Some notable takeaways:
CR7 hitting 87 pace is nice, but not game-breaking.
High-rated attackers don't benefit as much because of the stat caps.
Lower-rated attackers skyrocket if you plan on chaining multiple EVOs.
This is where chain potential becomes the real value. Using Speed Surge on someone who already sits at 83-85 pace is a waste, but a 75-80 pace attacker becomes absurd.
Think:
Lower-tier Ligue 1 forwards
Bundesliga runners
Prem silver stars
Flexible wide players who could benefit from additional EVOs down the line
Creative players already see the vision: use Speed Surge first, then wait for shooting/dribbling EVOs later in the promo to stack the boosts.
Hit the Weights EVO - An Underrated Physical Monster Maker
Hit the Weights is designed to pump physical stats: strength, aggression, jumping, stamina, and all-round presence. But the shocker is that it also gives a weak foot upgrade, which is extremely rare for a defensive-leaning EVO.
Physicality-based playstyles like Bruiser become massive on attackers, midfielders, and fullbacks alike.
This EVO is particularly good for:
Box-to-box midfielders needing more presence
Defensive fullbacks who need better strength
Forwards with great pace but weak physical profiles
Cards that could later chain into a Thunder shooting o
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