FC 27 Intro Evolutions: Pathways and Which Free Intro Evo to Run First
Which free FC 27 Intro Evolution should you run first? Start with Intro to Pathway Evolutions. How branching Evo paths work and which slot to lock next.
Correct as of 2 Oct 2026, 13:35 BST (Europe/London)
Requirements, match challenges, upgrade tables and which free Intro Evolutions are live all change with patches, so check in Ultimate Team and on the FUTWIZ Evolutions hub before you lock a slot. We don't give coin costs, pack odds, profit figures or an “official best Evolution player” list.
Quick answer: which Intro Evo to run first (and why Pathways isn't the Intro RB)
Short answer: run Intro to Pathway Evolutions first. It's the free tutorial for the new branching Pathways system, usually listed at Max 80 OVR and Max 3 PlayStyles, with a short one-match challenge on third-party trackers. Intro to Evolutions is a separate, free, linear RB-only path (live FUTWIZ requirements: Max 75 OVR, Max 80 Pace, RB, no CB, Alt Positions Max 1, Max 7 PlayStyles). Don't mix up the two names.
| Free Intro path | Type | What it teaches / does | Priority |
|---|---|---|---|
| Intro to Pathway Evolutions | Pathway (branch picks) | Learn Pathways + Chain Preview on a broad eligibility pool | Run first |
| Intro to Evolutions | Linear RB | A multi-level RB project up to ~79 OVR, with role and PlayStyle upgrades | Second, and only if an eligible RB fits your starter plan |
Our suggested order (an opinion, not an EA rule): the Pathway Intro first, then decide on the Intro RB, then run the other free intros if you have spare slots.
What to do: open Intro to Pathway Evolutions, put in a fodder gold you won't start for long, and finish the challenge in the game. Then check Intro to Evolutions (RB) against your squad's RB plans.
Useful tools: Evolutions hub · Players DB · Squad Builder · Lowest Price Ratings · SBCs.
What’s new in FC 27: Pathways and Chain Preview
EA’s FUT Deep Dive describes two Evolutions upgrades for FC 27:
Pathways: branching choices on selected Evos
Pathways give selected Evolutions branching upgrade choices. Instead of every Evolution following one fixed path, some offer several upgrade options at a level.
EA’s own example: one option might improve dribbling and add a PlayStyle such as Technical; another might improve defensive awareness and add a PlayStyle such as Jockey. Same card, different results.
Not every Evolution uses Pathways. Traditional linear Evolutions still exist. That's why FC 27 has both Intro to Pathway Evolutions (Pathway) and Intro to Evolutions (linear RB) as separate Evolutions.
Evolution Chain Preview: plan before you commit
Evolution Chain Preview builds on the single-Evolution preview. You pick a player, preview them through one Evolution, and see which other currently available Evolutions they could do afterwards.
Use it before any paid Evolution, or whenever slots are tight. It doesn't show future Evolutions, only what's in the live pool after the upgrade you previewed.
Match progress for Intro Evolutions only counts in the game; the Web App can't complete match-based Evolution objectives (see Web App can / can’t).
Intro to Pathway Evolutions: requirements, challenge, who qualifies
This is the tutorial for the new system. Think of it as a cheap way to learn, not a long-term project for your starting XI.
Requirements (FUTWIZ)
From the live FUTWIZ page. Check again before you start:
| Requirement | Live tool |
|---|---|
| Overall | Max 80 |
| PlayStyles | Max 3 |
| Type | Pathway — pick one option at Level 1 |
| Cost | Listed as free on third-party Evolutions trackers; check the in-game Evolution card |
Tool link: Intro to Pathway Evolutions.
The challenge
Community and third-party Evolutions pages usually list:
Play 1 match in Squad Battles on min Semi-Pro (or Rush / Rivals / Champions / Live Events) with your active Evolution player in the game.
The challenge text didn't show properly on the FUTWIZ page when we checked, so check the exact objective in-game (and on the FUTWIZ page once it updates) before you play the wrong mode.
Who qualifies and what to slot
Lots of players qualify: many golds from packs or the market fit under Max 80 OVR and Max 3 PlayStyles. A good habit:
- Use a cheap gold you already own and won't start for weeks.
- Open Chain Preview on that Item before you pick a branch.
- Play the match while you're already in Squad Battles or Live Events for other objectives.
We won't give you a “best five” list. Filter eligible players on the FUTWIZ Evolutions page and check chemistry in Squad Builder.
Pathway pick tip
Level 1 on the live tool offers a choice (PlayStyle+ options such as Game Changer or Inventive showed on FUTWIZ when we checked; exact icons and stats can change). Pick what your squad needs, then run Chain Preview on the result straight away, so you don't lock the player out of a later Evolution you want.
Intro to Evolutions (RB path): requirements, levels, when it’s worth it
A different Evolution. It shares the word “Intro” but isn't the Pathway tutorial.
Requirements (FUTWIZ)
| Requirement | Live tool |
|---|---|
| Overall | Max 75 |
| Pace | Max 80 |
| Position | RB |
| Excluded positions | CB |
| Alt Positions | Max 1 |
| PlayStyles | Max 7 |
Tool link: Intro to Evolutions.
A note on wording: some third-party guides call this “maximum two total positions”. FUTWIZ's live text says Alt Positions: Max 1, with RB as the main position and CB excluded. Go by the live tool when you filter your club.
Levels and end state
The FUTWIZ upgrade summary when we checked:
- Three levels (Level 1 / 2 / 3)
- Overall +34 with a 79 cap on the tool
- Roles++: RB Wingback
- Slide Tackle PlayStyle+ (shown on the tool)
- Attribute boosts with individual caps (e.g. Acceleration, Sprint Speed, Dribbling and Stamina up to 80 on several lines; the full table is on the Evolutions page)
Check the full stat table on FUTWIZ or in-game. Caps and PlayStyle icons can change with hotfixes.
Match objectives
Third-party Evolutions pages usually list match counts in any mode, such as 3 + 2 + 2 across the three levels (with your Evolution player in the game). Check the exact wording on the live Evolution card; FUTWIZ's page didn't show the challenge text when we checked.
When the RB path is worth a slot
Worth it when:
- Your squad still needs a usable RB
- You already own (or can cheaply buy) an eligible RB that clears every filter above
- You'll actually play that full-back in Live Events, Rivals or Squad Battles, so your matches count twice
Skip or delay when:
- Your RB slot is already filled by a reward, pack pull or market buy that doesn't qualify
- You'd use your only free Evolution slot on a card you'll replace within 48 hours
- Chain Preview shows the finished ~79 RB can't then do a better Pathway you plan to run next
We don't give a “best RB” shortlist. Other sites have opinion lists. If you shortlist names, check each one on Intro to Evolutions and the Players DB before you spend coins.
A suggested order (and what to skip)
A suggested session plan, to use alongside the SBC solutions hub:
- Claim any rewards waiting in Unassigned or Objectives.
- Start Intro to Pathway Evolutions on a fodder gold, and play the one qualifying match while you warm up in Squad Battles or Live Events.
- Run Chain Preview on anything you might put into a paid or multi-step Evolution later.
- SBCs: check FUTWIZ SBCs before you hand in cards you might want to evolve.
- Decide on Intro to Evolutions (RB) only once you know your squad still needs that RB.
- Optional, alongside: other free intros (Repeatable / Training Camp / Repeat Delivery) if you have spare slots and the player fits. See the checklist below.
- Campaign Evolutions: newer Evolutions, including Destined for Glory's free ones, are on the Evolutions hub. Run Chain Preview so an Intro Evo doesn't lock a card out of one you want more.
What to skip early
- Spending coins or FC Points on non-Intro Evolutions before you understand Pathway choices
- Using your only Evolution slot on an experiment you haven't checked with Chain Preview
- Treating Intro Evolution fodder as a market investment. If you must buy, price-check on Lowest Price Ratings first
The free Intro Evos (checklist)
All five free intros below are still listed as active on the FUTWIZ Evolutions hub, with months left to run. Fullback Fork (Pathway, LB/RB), which ran alongside them at launch, no longer shows in the hub's active list.
| Evolution | Requirements (FUTWIZ) | Hub link |
|---|---|---|
| Intro to Pathway Evolutions | Max 80 OVR, Max 3 PlayStyles | Open |
| Intro to Evolutions | Max 75 OVR, Max 80 Pace, RB, etc. | Open |
| Intro to Repeatable Evolutions | Max 79 OVR, Max 81 Pace, ST | Open |
| Intro to Training Camp Evolutions | Max 80 OVR, RB (time-locked training) | Open |
| Repeat Delivery | Max 74 OVR, Max 83 Pace, LM|RM (exclude LB|RB) | Open |
For the current list: see the FUTWIZ Evolutions hub, which also lists the newer Campaign and Roles++ Evolutions.
Slot management: don’t lock a player you’ll replace in 48 hours
Evolution slots are what's really in short supply. Some practical rules:
- Do the Pathway Intro on fodder, so you learn how the choices work without using up a future starter.
- Run Chain Preview before every choice that matters, especially on Pathways and paid Evolutions.
- One project player at a time, unless your edition includes an extra Evolution slot (check your own entitlements screen for Ultimate / Ultimate+ extras).
- Don't evolve a card you're about to use as SBC fodder, unless you still want it in your Gallery history (Gallery details are in the Gallery Tokens guide).
- If a better Pathway arrives tomorrow, you'll want free slots. Finishing free intros quickly is good; leaving the wrong RB half-done isn't.
FUTWIZ tools to use next
| Tool | Use it for |
|---|---|
| Evolutions hub | Live free and paid Evolutions, requirements, eligible-player filters |
| Intro to Pathway Evolutions | Pathway tutorial filters and branch rewards |
| Intro to Evolutions | RB path eligibility and upgrade caps |
| Players DB | Base OVR, Pace, positions, PlayStyles before you buy |
| Squad Builder | Fit the evolved RB into your squad's chemistry |
| Lowest Price Ratings | Sanity-check buy prices if club stock is empty |
| SBCs | SBC solutions |
(If a FUTWIZ link doesn't load, use the site menu.)
**Related guides:** Starter league picker · Web App can / can’t · OTW Savinho path · OTW tracker · SBC solutions hub · Gallery Tokens.
What to do: finish Intro to Pathway Evolutions on fodder, build your XI in Squad Builder, and only then start Intro to Evolutions if your squad still needs that RB.
FAQ
What’s the difference between Pathways and linear Intro Evos?
Pathways are branching choices inside selected Evolutions (EA Deep Dive). Linear means one fixed upgrade path. Intro to Pathway Evolutions teaches Pathways; Intro to Evolutions is a separate linear RB path. Same “Intro” label, different systems.
Which free Intro Evolution should I run first?
Our answer: Intro to Pathway Evolutions first. Lots of players qualify, community trackers show a short challenge, and it teaches the new system before you use a precious slot on the RB project. Check both are still free and live on Evolutions.
Can the Web App complete match-based Evolution objectives?
No. Match challenges need the game (and the modes listed on the live Evolution card). The Web App and Companion help with club and market setup, but they can't complete match objectives. Details: Web App can / can’t.
I started late. Are the Intro Evos still there?
Yes. All five free intros are still listed as active on the FUTWIZ Evolutions hub, with months left to run. Check the in-game Evolutions screen before you slot a player.
Should I trust “best players for Intro to Evolutions” lists?
Treat them as opinion. The eligibility filters (OVR, Pace, positions, PlayStyles) decide who can enter, not a blog ranking. Filter on Intro to Evolutions, then check chemistry and roles in the Players DB. We've left out a best-player table on purpose.
What is Evolution Chain Preview for?
Use it so your Pathway choice or finished RB doesn't block the next live Evolution you want. Preview, check what comes next, then commit the slot.
