Madden 21 has been in the hands of its players, and like every other year, Madden Ultimate Team is the primary focus of much of the NFL fan community. Though the mode has plenty of returning veterans who have their methods and such worked out to a science, there's plenty of newcomers trying to navigate the waters of the mode.
It's a fun time building your team, but tips are appreciated in a blatantly predatory mode filled with microtransactions. From the basic principles to the hidden tricks of the trade, there's plenty of ways to build a solid starter team in Madden 21's Ultimate Team mode.
10 Invest Early
The truth about Madden Ultimate Team is that in order to get a solid team together you're going to have to invest. Now, depending on who you are, what you prefer, and your expendable income, this investment can happen in one of two ways. You can either decide to invest monetarily by buying card packs via the microtransaction system, or you can invest time into playing singleplayer and multiplayer modes and challenges inside of Madden Ultimate Team in order to earn packs and coins you can use to build your roster without spending a dollar.
9 It's A Marathon
Humans are naturally creatures who love instant gratification, and if something doesn't come quickly and/or easily many of them quit the pursuit. With Madden Ultimate Team you'll need to understand that the mode is built for people to spend money. That's the hard truth of the matter, but that doesn't mean you can't build a roster with a little commitment and skill. You just have to realize that getting your team together and acquiring stellar players is going to take a combination of patience, luck, and perseverance.
8 The Grind
We've already mentioned the fact that you're going to have to grind, but grinding in Madden Ultimate team can be done in a couple of ways. The easiest and most common way to grind is to play and complete all of the solo challenges the mode provides you. They each take a different level of investment, and if you're even partially skilled and familiar with Madden as a franchise you can clear them quite easily. If you prefer head-to-head competition then you can also participate in the online matchmaking modes inside of Madden Ultimate Team.
7 Auctions vs. Trades
The auction and trade market inside of Madden 21's Ultimate Team mode has sprouted into its own virtual economy over the years. Most new players see it as an avenue only available for those with tons of in-game currency, but it's much more than that.
You'd be surprised at some of the players other users want on the trade market. Also, make sure to use it yourself and try and sell duplicates of cards you have that can turn a profit and help you inch closer to another upgrade to your overall roster.
6 Understand Value
Value is a hard thing to determine and can only truly be understood in certain avenues when there's enough information readily available. In terms of Madden Ultimate Team, it comes in a variety of ways. Value in MUT pertains to understanding the auction house, trade block, and even player selection in Fantasy packs. Offensive linemen tend to spike in price as the overall becomes higher, so you should understand that if you have the choice between an elite linebacker and an elite left tackle, you should always go with the lineman as it has more built-in value.
5 Aim Broad
Early on in Madden Ultimate Team, you need to aim as broadly as possible. What this means is that you should focus on quantity over quality when it comes to acquiring new player cards. Your focus should be on building a well-rounded roster that lands in the low-to-mid 70s, or even higher if you prefer. This shotgun approach will make online play and solo challenges become a lot more manageable and trivial and will help the grind feel a lot more rewarding. Later on, we'll talk about transitioning from a broad approach to narrowing down your acquisitions.
4 Build Inside/Out
You'll see in the NFL that the General Managers and franchises that build their teams from the inside/out, meaning acquiring solid offensive and defensive lineman first, tend to have great success. This belief extends to Madden Ultimate Team where simple investments upfront can make your life way easier. Whether you love to pass the ball or run it down your opponent's throat, having a solid line can make things much easier. On the defensive side, a solid line will prevent you from losing your mind when the CPU runs for 100+ rushing yards.
3 Know Your Strengths
Are you the type of Madden 21 player who likes a solid run game, or are you all about the passing attack? Knowing your strengths as a player can help you focus on how to build your team early on. If you enjoy running the ball then put an emphasis on obtaining a solid running back and prioritizing your offensive line.
A roster can change over time, but you should work smarter, not harder. Not only will playing to your strengths help you succeed on the field, it will likely lead to far less regretful purchases in the auction house.
2 Packs To Players
Madden Ultimate Team isn't an exact science but there is a solid method players use to hit the ground running with each new annual entry in the series. It's great to start off broad and acquire packs with the most player cards you can get. Once you get a team overall in the low-to-mid 70s, that's when the transition starts. At this point, your focus should change to acquiring a single player at a time and using the auction house to your advantage. You'll need to find where this transition period from packs to players feels most beneficial to you.
1 Get Your QB
Most NFL analysts will tell you that the quarterback position isn't only the most important in the sport of football, but rather all professional team sports. Madden Ultimate Team is no different and you'll find that having a competent player under center can make all the difference early on. Many of the solo challengers require great passing and rushing feats, so investing in a solid dual-threat early on can put you one step ahead. Play to your strengths, like previously mentioned, and snag a quarterback you know you can be successful with.