The latest Tomb Raider-themed SBC has just dropped in EA FC 26, and it’s a bit of a tricky one this time. The reward is an 88-rated special James Ward-Prowse card, and a lot of players are wondering if it’s worth the grind. If you’re running low on coins, it might be smart to stock up on some cheap FC 26 Coins before diving in. Let’s break down how to get this card for the lowest possible cost without letting EA drain your entire club.
What’s the SBC requirement?
EA’s made this one a bit of a puzzle. First off, your squad needs to hit an overall rating of 86 – that’s where most of the expense comes in. But high ratings alone aren’t enough; you also need at least 29 chemistry, which is pretty demanding and means you can’t just throw random players together. On top of that, you’ll need at least one Premier League player in the squad, plus one Team of the Week card – and finding a cheap TOTW player can be a pain at times.
Cheapest squad-building approach
The key here is not to rush to the market and buy whatever’s available. Start by checking your club for any high-rated “dead weight” players you’re not using. You’ll probably need one or two 88-rated cards to push the average up, which then lets you fill out the rest with lower-rated players. Look for keepers or defenders from less popular leagues – they’re often the cheapest for their rating.
For hitting that 86 overall, a common trick is to mix ratings strategically. For example, two 88-rated cards, three 87-rated cards, and then fill the rest with 84s or 85s will usually get you over the line. The Premier League player requirement is easy – just grab the cheapest 84+ rated PL player you can find. The TOTW card is the real hurdle, so keep an eye on the market for the lowest-priced in-form, regardless of league or nationality, as long as the rating fits your overall target (84 or 85 is ideal).
Is the reward card worth it?
Now for the main question: is this 88-rated Tomb Raider Ward-Prowse worth your time? His base card is well-known – elite passing and set pieces but painfully slow. This special version is a different story, with pace boosted massively from the low 60s to around 84, making him far more usable. Shooting stats have had a nice bump too, especially long shots, so he can genuinely play as a box-to-box midfielder.
On the pitch, his dribbling feels smoother, and with his already world-class passing (90+), he can control the tempo from midfield with ease. Defensively, he’s improved a bit – not someone you’d rely on as a pure CDM, but he can nick the ball back now and then. Think of him as a more mobile, better-shooting version of Kroos. If you’re running a Premier League team, he’s a brilliant addition. The SBC will set you back roughly 90k coins, which is fair value at this stage of the game – not exactly a freebie, but definitely not daylight robbery either.
In the end, it comes down to your squad needs and coin balance. If you’re after a creative midfielder who can score from range and you’ve got some high-rated fodder lying around, go for it. He’s fun to use and genuinely effective in matches. And if you’re just short on coins to finish the challenge, topping up with a few fifa 26 coins might be the easiest way to get it done.
