Today's latest set of Gridiron Notes released by EA focuses on X-Factors and Superstar Abilities. Changes to the game mechanics have resulted in the removal, addition, and re-balancing of X-Factors and Superstar Abilities for Madden NFL 21. In this article, you will find a brief summary of these Ability changes. For additional clarity on why some of these changes were necessary, feel free to check out the full Gridiron Notes at the link below.

To view the full EA Gridiron Notes released today on X-Factors and Superstar Abilities, CLICK HERE.

RE-BALANCES

Below is a brief summary of all the Superstar Abilities that have received balancing modifications for Madden NFL 21:

Route Running

In Madden NFL 20, we saw receivers with "Route Specialist" abilities that provided boosts based on specific routes. Due to issues with hot routes and play selection, Madden NFL 21 will replace these with boosts based on the area of the field that the pass is being caught instead of the specific route being run. This change should help alleviate the headache of finding a play with the correct route for the correct receiver to get a boost and for those who would hot route a receiver for a boost, then simply run a different route after the snap to maintain their boosts.

Defensive Coverage

Similar to the aforementioned Route Running changes, Defensive Coverage changes will now focus on the area of the field where a pass is being defended. In Madden NFL 20, abilities like Man Up, Zoned Out, and Universal Coverage were viewed as too powerful and would stop more routes than they should have. By reworking the abilities to become more location-based, this should help with the balance of abilities in the passing game on both sides of the ball. Also, the Universal Coverage Superstar Ability from Madden NFL 20 has been switched to an X-Factor Ability in Madden NFL 21.

Pass Leading

If you have ever tried the Pass Leading abilities for QBs in Madden NFL 20, you are familiar with their tendency to result in a wildly inaccurate throw. In many cases, these abilities could actually do more harm than good. Because of this issue in performance, Madden NFL 21 will now grant power and speed benefits to precision bullet passes for these abilities instead.

QB Pressure

The way QB pressure is determined for Madden NFL 21 has received some modifications. Quarterbacks will no longer cancel pressure based on their TUP (throw under pressure) rating. Instead, it will simply shrink the radius at which they feel pressure based on their TUP rating. Pressure Causing abilities, such as Under Pressure and Fearmonger, will now override the TUP rating and treat it as a value of 0. Pressure Ignoring abilities, like Fearless, will override Pressure Causing abilities and negate their effect. Fearless and Gutsy Scrambler will be passive abilities in Madden NFL 21, where all pressure will be ignored inside the pocket for Fearless, and ignored on the run for Gutsy Scrambler.

Fastbreak

Because this ability was viewed as too powerful in Madden NFL 20, it has received a major tweak. Quarterbacks will now be forced to maneuver in more restricted angles after the snap, which reduces their ability to immediately cut upfield before the defense can react.

Escape Artist

The Escape Artist ability in Madden NFL 21 will only activate when a player is near full stamina in an effort to help balance the effect it has behind the line of scrimmage.

Dashing Deadeye and No-Look Deadeye

These abilities in Madden 20 often resulted in unrealistically accurate throws on deep passes while on the run. In an effort to provide better balance, these abilities will now have a maximum yardage threshold where their effects will cease to function beyond a set distance.

Pro Reads

For better players who did not need assistance making their reads in Madden NFL 20, the Pro Reads ability was essentially worthless. To help provide this ability with a little more play value, EA has adjusted it to additionally provide resistance to all pressure penalties.

Gambler

This is another Ability that EA determined needed a slight boost beyond the immunity from AI interceptions. In Madden NFL 21, the Gambler Ability will additionally provide slight increases in throw power and throw speed.

Blitz Radar

In Madden NFL 21, Blitz Radar will now show blitzing defenders both before and after the snap. (In Madden 20, this was pre-snap only)

REMOVALS

Guru Abilities provided a major boost to the entire O-Line for specific run plays and because of the reworked Blocking/Pass Rushing systems in Madden NFL 21, they have become obsolete and are no longer necessary. EA has left open the possibility of highlighting running backs who excel at a specific type of run an alternate way in the future.

NEW X-FACTOR ABILITIES

Below is a list of all the new X-Factor abilities coming to Madden NFL 21:

Ankle Breaker- Truly devastating receiving threats are the ones that catch and can't be caught. When they enter the zone; they have increased fakeout rates on spin/juke/hurdle after the catch.

Avalanche- There are tacklers and then there are these guys. When they enter the zone any successful hit-stick made while running towards the line of scrimmage will result in a fumble.

Blitz- Effective D-Line captains aren't just examples to follow; they are motivators. When they enter the zone; all opposing blockers have their resistance bars wiped out.

Bottleneck- Bottleneck defenders realize that the best way to stop a route is to act early. When they enter the zone; they are highly likely to dominantly win any man press encounter.

Grab and Smash- Not all receivers need fancy footwork. When they enter the zone; they have increased success chance on stiff arm and truck attempts following the catch.

Relentless- The most tenacious defenders beat their blocks by sheer force of will. When they enter the zone; their rush move attempts are free.

Universal Coverage- The most physical coverage defenders prevent catches from happening even when their target has hands on the ball. When they enter the zone; they are nearly guaranteed knockouts.

Vanguard- Vanguard players are the reason running backs thank their blockers in the postgame interview. When they enter the zone; they are nearly guaranteed dominant impact block wins.

YAC ‘Em Up- The best physical receivers don't just come down with the ball; they carry it home. When they enter the zone; they are nearly guaranteed to break their first post-catch tackle.

NEW SUPERSTAR ABILITIES

Below is a list of all the new Superstar abilities coming to Madden NFL 21:

Adrenaline Rush- Pass rushers with this ability will have all of their pass rush move points restored after sacking the QB.

B.O.G.O.- Defenders with this ability are granted a free pass rush move once per play after spending a pass rush point.

Balance Beam- Avoid stumbling when carrying the ball.

Bench Press- Defenders with this ability apply bonus fatigue to their man coverage target after a successful press win.

Chuck Out- Defenders with this ability apply bonus fatigue to their target after a successful zone chuck.

Closer- Locker room pep talks go a long way. Players with this ability can easily enter the Zone in the 2nd half.

Comeback- When playing from behind; players with this ability can easily enter the Zone.

Deep In Elite- Receivers with this ability catch more consistently while catching passes 20+ yards from the LoS; inside the numbers.

Deep In Zone KO- Defenders with this ability force more catch knockouts and react quicker in deep zone coverage; 20+ yards from the LoS and inside the numbers.

Deep Out Elite- Receivers with this ability catch more consistently while catching passes 20+ yards from the LoS; outside the numbers.

Deep Out Zone KO- Defenders with this ability force more catch knockouts and react quicker in deep zone coverage; 20+ yards from the LoS and outside the hash marks.

Deep Route KO- Defenders with this ability force more catch knockouts and react quicker in deep zone coverage; 20+ yards from the LoS and outside the hash marks.

Defensive Rally- Defenders with this ability will grant a bonus pass rush point to all defensive linemen on any 3rd or 4th down.

Double Or Nothing- Pass rushers with this ability must spend double the pass rush points to perform a move but are granted dominant wins.

El Toro- Defenders with this ability will receive dominant bull rush wins when their pass rush points are full.

Energizer- Ballcarriers with this ability will replenish a portion of their stamina upon successfully performing any skill move.

Extra Credit- Pass rushers with this ability are granted an additional maximum pass rush move point.

Flat Zone KO- Defenders with this ability force more catch knockouts and react quicker in any flat zone coverage; less than 10 yards from the LoS and outside the hash marks.

Fool Me Once- Blockers with this ability gain blocker resistance points at a faster rate.

Instant Rebate- Defenders with this ability are refunded a pass rush point when they successfully shed blocks.

Lifeguard- Blockers with this ability defend against swim/club pass rush moves as if they had an additional resistance point.

Matador- Blockers with this ability have stronger protection against dominant bull rush moves attempted by defenders.

Medium Route KO- Defenders with this ability force more catch tackle knockouts in man-to-man versus medium routes; 10-20 yards from the LoS.

Mid In Elite- Receivers with this ability catch more consistently while catching passes 10-20 yards from the LoS; inside the numbers.

Mid Out Elite- Receivers with this ability catch more consistently while catching passes 10-20 yards from the LoS; outside the numbers.

Mid Zone KO- Defenders with this ability force more catch knockouts and react quicker in any mid-field zone coverage; less than 20 yards from the LoS inside the numbers and 10-20 outside.

Mr. Big Stop- Defenders with this ability will start and 3rd or 4th down with at least half of their maximum pass rush points.

Natural Talent- Blockers with this ability start every new blocking encounter with built-in resistance.

One Step Ahead- Defenders with this ability generally react much faster to receiver cut moves when in man coverage.

Outmatched- Defenders with this ability are highly likely to win contested catches against running backs.

Quick Draw- Passers with this ability have faster passing animations when they are throwing under pressure.

Reach For It- Ballcarriers with this ability will frequently attempt to gain extra yards while being tackled.

Ripper- Defenders with this ability will ignore 1 bar of blocker resistance when attempting rip pass rush moves.

Screen Protector- Blockers with this ability will dominantly win impact blocks on screen plays.

Second Wind- Players with this ability have a chance to replenish their stamina, once per play, when it is half depleted.

Short In Elite- Receivers with this ability catch more consistently while catching passes less than 10 yards from the LoS; inside the numbers.

Short Out Elite- Receivers with this ability catch more consistently while catching passes less than 10 yards from the LoS; outside the numbers.

Short Route KO- Defenders with this ability force more catch tackle knockouts in man-to-man versus short routes less than 10 yards from LoS.

Speedster- Defenders with this ability will ignore 1 bar of blocker resistance when attempting speed pass rush moves.

Spinner- Defenders with this ability will ignore 1 bar of blocker resistance when attempting spin pass rush moves.

Stonewall- Defenders with this ability will frequently prevent additional yardage gains while tackling.

Swim Club- Defenders with this ability will ignore 1 bar of blocker resistance when attempting swim/club pass rush moves.

Tear Proof- Blockers with this ability defend against rip pass rush moves as if they had an additional resistance point.

Tight Out- Passers with this ability improve the catching prowess of all tight ends who are open on pass plays.

Tough Nut- Blockers with this ability have an increased number of blocker resistance points.

Unspun- Blockers with this ability defend against spin pass rush moves as if they had an additional resistance point.

Unpredictable- Defenders with this ability are less likely to increase their blocker's resistance bars when performing shed wins.

The next round of Gridiron Notes focuses on Madden Ultimate Team in Madden NFL 21 and is scheduled to release Tuesday, August 18th.

What are your thoughts on all of the X-Factor and Superstar Ability changes coming to Madden NFL 21?