Twelve weeks into the NFL season, EA Sports has finally released the Madden 21 update that will grant a worthy collection of players Superstar and X-Factor abilities. Alongside them, there will be four new, intriguing abilities to look forward to, as well.

It wouldn’t be an update without a few fixes, too. Thankfully, this first December patch will remove bugs slowing down QB passing animations and improve reaction times for cornerbacks in deep zone coverages.

Here are the changes now live from the update, and the players you undoubtably now need to add to your Ultimate Team.

Key Highlights:

  • Gameplay tuning and bug fixing4 new Superstar Abilities 3 new X-Factor Players12 new Superstar PlayersAvatar Customization UI improvements

Gameplay Updates:

  • Fixed an issue causing the ball velocity to not always reach the desired speed on some specific QB passing animationsTuning to improve deep zone defenders reaction to crossing routes from a single-receiver side for highly rated defendersTuning to slow down cut-reaction time for linebackers in man-coverage facing away from the QBFixed a run-block targeting issue with the Gun Wing Flex Wk Inside Zone playFixed a rare issue causing QB’s to appear to use an under-pressure pass while not actually being under pressureNew Superstar Abilities and Superstar X-Factor update, based on NFL Player’ performance up to this point in the 2020 NFL SeasonFixed an issue causing defenders in man coverage vs. a ‘block-and-release’ RB to sometimes instantly switch their assignments to blitz when seeing the RB start to block, resulting in the RB being left uncovered once he would run his route thereafter

Newly Added Superstar Abilities:

  • Film Study – Defenders with this ability will have full vision of plays the offense has run 5 times each quarter; via coach cam.DEV NOTE: Based on the feedback received from the Madden 21 beta, we re-worked this ability to provide more balance across our multiple game modes. One of those adjustments is based on players telling us it was too easy for the ability to activate, making it too powerful. In response, the ability will now require a variable number of repeated offensive play calls before activating. This number will scale up or down based on the current quarter as well as the game’s quarter length settings, with the required amount always being displayed via X-Factor Vision in pre-play. Additionally, defender knowledge of these repeated plays will be wiped out when a quarter ends, giving the offense a bit more leeway with how they run their play-calling.Backlash – Ball carriers with this ability will cause increased fatigue penalties against their tackler when tackled via a non-conservative tackle.Recuperation – Players with this ability will recover from the effects of fatigue at an increased rate between plays.Honorary Lineman – Non-offensive linemen with this ability will frequently win Impact Blocks when blocking defensive backs in the open field

New X-Factor Players:

  • Alvin Kamara, Saints:Satellite X-FactorJuke BoxLavonte David, Buccaneers:Run Stuffer X-FactorDeflatorDeForest Buckner, Colts:Unstoppable Force X-FactorInside Stuff

 New Superstar Players:

  • DK Metcalf, Seahawks:Deep Out EliteRed Zone ThreatTerry McLaurin, Washington Football Team:Deep In EliteOutside ApprenticeAaron Jones, Packers:Backfield MismatchRecuperationCalvin Ridley, Falcons:Mid Out EliteOutside ApprenticeDarren Waller, Raiders:TE ApprenticeShort Out EliteJamison Crowder, Jets:Mid In EliteBrian Burns, Panthers:SpeedsterStrip SpecialistMyles Jack, Jaguars:OutmatchedDeflatorJessie Bates III, Bengals:Deep In Zone KOAcrobatAli Marpet, Buccaneers:Post UpSecure ProtectorJonathan Allen, Washington Football Team:Inside StuffRun StopperJosh Allen, Bills:QuickdrawEscape Artist

 One Off Addition:

  • Derrick Henry, TitansBacklash (NEW ABILITY)

Superstar Downgrades:

  • The following players have been downgraded from X-Factors to SuperstarsDrew Brees, Saints – Pro Reads Ability removedCalais Campbell, Ravens – Unstoppable Force and Edge Threat Abilities removed.The following players are no longer Superstars, losing all abilitiesDemarcus Lawrence, CowboysRob Gronkowski, BuccaneersZach Ertz, EaglesTY Hilton, ColtsJustin Simmons, BroncosMatt Ryan, FalconsJulian Edelman, PatriotsCarson Wentz, EaglesRyan Kerrigan, Washington Football TeamCourtland Sutton, Broncos

The Yard Updates:

  • Stability enhancements

Superstar KO Updates:

User Experience (UX) Updates:

  • Users can now link directly from Avatar customization screens directly to the vanity story by clicking on the Store Advertisement or by Hitting Y/Triangle while viewing individual items

  • DEV NOTE: Based on the feedback received from the Madden 21 beta, we re-worked this ability to provide more balance across our multiple game modes. One of those adjustments is based on players telling us it was too easy for the ability to activate, making it too powerful. In response, the ability will now require a variable number of repeated offensive play calls before activating. This number will scale up or down based on the current quarter as well as the game’s quarter length settings, with the required amount always being displayed via X-Factor Vision in pre-play. Additionally, defender knowledge of these repeated plays will be wiped out when a quarter ends, giving the offense a bit more leeway with how they run their play-calling.

  • Satellite X-FactorJuke Box

  • Run Stuffer X-FactorDeflator

  • Unstoppable Force X-FactorInside Stuff

  • Deep Out EliteRed Zone Threat

  • Deep In EliteOutside Apprentice

  • Backfield MismatchRecuperation

  • Mid Out EliteOutside Apprentice

  • TE ApprenticeShort Out Elite

  • Mid In Elite

  • SpeedsterStrip Specialist

  • OutmatchedDeflator

  • Deep In Zone KOAcrobat

  • Post UpSecure Protector

  • Inside StuffRun Stopper

  • QuickdrawEscape Artist

  • Backlash (NEW ABILITY)

  • Drew Brees, Saints – Pro Reads Ability removedCalais Campbell, Ravens – Unstoppable Force and Edge Threat Abilities removed.

  • Demarcus Lawrence, CowboysRob Gronkowski, BuccaneersZach Ertz, EaglesTY Hilton, ColtsJustin Simmons, BroncosMatt Ryan, FalconsJulian Edelman, PatriotsCarson Wentz, EaglesRyan Kerrigan, Washington Football TeamCourtland Sutton, Broncos