EA overhauled shooting in FC 26, including Timed Finishing.
FIFA 19 introduced Timed Finishing as a new gameplay mechanic. When done correctly, the mechanic increases shot power and accuracy, but it requires precision and skill. After pressing the shooting button once, you have to push it again right before a player makes contact with the ball. Performing the mechanic too early or too late results in a yellow or red timed shot, which throws off the shot’s trajectory or power.
Timed Finishing improved the chances of scoring a goal, and the risk-reward mechanic was worth learning if you wanted to win more matches. In high-skilled FUT Champs matches, especially, most players regularly used the mechanic to maximize the odds of every shot.
That being said, the feature became overpowered and players relied on it too much. Green-timed trivela and finesse shots from outside the box became a consistent way to score goals. EA noticed the discrepancy, and responded in FC 26.
Can You Use Timed Finishing in EA FC 26?
Timed Finishing has been removed from EA FC 26.
“We felt Timed Finishing didn’t add meaningful skill depth and proved difficult to balance. It disproportionately rewarded long-range shots and felt inconsistent in high-pressure moments,” EA explained. “Removing it allows us to balance shooting to produce more consistent outcomes.”
Removing Timed Finishing presents a problem because high-skilled players aren’t rewarded for mastering the technique. Instead, shooting becomes an even playing field, and low-skilled users can score just as much without need to learn a new skill.
However, that’s not true because Precision Shooting still exists. If players turn the setting on, shooting becomes manual, giving you more control of where a shot goes. It isn’t easy, though, because you have to aim the left stick accurately to get a good result.
“This change allows for more skill differentiation through Precision Shooting, where timing, aim, power control, and shot selection help build a more noticeable skill gap,” EA argued.
With Precision Shooting still intact, skilled players should be able to separate themselves from the rest of the pack, even without Timed Finishing present.
What Replaced Timed Finishing in EA FC 26?
Instead of Timed Finishing, Low Driven shots are performed by double-tapping the shot button.
Removing Timed Finishing allowed EA to utilize those controls to introduce new variations of Low Driven shots. Here are all of the options.
| Shot Type | PlayStation Controls | Xbox Controls |
| Low Driven Lace Shot | Circle (Hold to power up) + Circle | B (Hold to power up) + B |
| Low Driven Finesse | R1 + Circle (Hold to power up) | RB + B (Hold to power up) + B |
| Low Driven Trivela | L2 + Circle (Hold to power up) + Circle | LT + B (Hold to power up) + B |
| Low Driven Flair Shot | L2 + Circle (Hold to power up) + Circle | LT + B (Hold to power up) + B |
| Low Driven Power Shot | L1 + R1 + Circle (Hold to power up) + Circle | LB + RB + B (Hold to power up) + B |
| Low Driven Volley | In Air Shot – Circle (Hold to power up) + Circle | B (Hold to power up) + B |
| Low Driven Header | In Air Jump – Circle (Hold to power up) + Circle | B (Hold to power up) + B |
Was removing Timed Finishing the right decision? Let us know on the Insider Gaming Forum.
For more on FC 26, check out the beta release date, and all of the pre-order bonuses.
