FPL Chips Guide
Fantasy Premier League (FPL) offers five special chips that can be used to give your team a strategic advantage. These chips are powerful tools that, when used correctly, can help you maximize your points in crucial gameweeks. Each chip has its own specific rules, so it's important to understand how and when to use them. In this guide, we'll break down each chip, how it works, and the best times to play them.
1. The Wildcard
The Wildcard is arguably the most powerful chip in FPL. It allows you to make unlimited transfers in a single gameweek without incurring any points deductions. Normally, each transfer after your first free transfer costs you 4 points, but with the Wildcard, you can revamp your entire team at no cost.
How Often Can You Use It?
You can use the Wildcard twice during the FPL season. The first Wildcard is available during the first half of the season (up to Gameweek 20), and the second Wildcard is available from Gameweek 21 until the end of the season.
When to Use the Wildcard
The Wildcard is often used to recover from a poor start, when key players are injured, or to take advantage of upcoming fixtures. It's also commonly used in the second half of the season to set up for double gameweeks or after a large fixture shake-up. Timing is crucial, and many managers like to use it strategically to navigate difficult periods.
2. The Free Hit
The Free Hit chip allows you to make unlimited transfers for one gameweek only. After that gameweek, your team reverts to what it was before you activated the Free Hit. It's like a temporary Wildcard for just one week, and it's perfect for when there are many players missing from your team due to blanks or to target a particular gameweek with strong fixtures.
How Often Can You Use It?
You can use the Free Hit once per season. Once activated, it cannot be canceled, and the changes you make will only apply for that specific gameweek.
When to Use the Free Hit
The Free Hit is best used in blank gameweeks, where several teams have no fixtures, or in double gameweeks, where multiple teams play twice. It's ideal when your current squad is missing many players, or when you want to capitalize on a week with great fixture potential.
3. The Triple Captain
The Triple Captain chip boosts your captain's score by tripling their points instead of the usual double. If your captain scores 10 points, with this chip, they'll earn 30 points! This chip can be a game-changer in the right circumstances.
How Often Can You Use It?
The Triple Captain chip can only be used once per season. Once activated, it applies to the captain for that specific gameweek, and like all chips, it cannot be canceled once played.
When to Use the Triple Captain
The ideal time to use the Triple Captain is during a double gameweek, when your captain has two matches, increasing the chances of scoring big points. However, it can also be effective when your captain has a particularly favorable fixture against a weaker opponent. Make sure to choose a player who is not only in form but also a guaranteed starter.
4. The Bench Boost
The Bench Boost chip allows the points scored by your entire 15-man squad (including the bench) to count for that gameweek. Normally, only the points from your starting 11 and any automatic substitutions count, but with this chip, your substitutes' points are added to your total score.
How Often Can You Use It?
The Bench Boost chip can only be used once per season. Like the other chips, it cannot be reversed once activated, and it only applies to the gameweek in which it's played.
When to Use the Bench Boost
The Bench Boost is most effective during a double gameweek when your bench players also have two matches. Before playing the Bench Boost, it's a good idea to make sure all your players are likely to start, ensuring that you maximize the potential points from the entire squad. Many managers also use their Wildcard a week or two before activating the Bench Boost to optimize their squad for this chip.
5. The Mystery Chip
The Mystery Chip is a brand-new addition to the FPL landscape for the 2024/25 season, and it adds an exciting, unpredictable element to the game. The details of what the chip does will remain hidden until January 2025, making it a wildcard option for managers who are willing to take a calculated risk. Its specific effects will be revealed once it becomes playable, and it is expected to have a unique impact on your team.
How Often Can You Use It?
The Mystery Chip, like the other chips, can only be used once per season. However, since its function is currently unknown, it's the most unpredictable of all chips. It will only become usable after its details are revealed in January 2025.
When to Use the Mystery Chip
Because the Mystery Chip's exact effects won't be revealed until mid-season, many managers may choose to hold onto it until they know its potential impact. It could be similar to existing chips, or it might introduce an entirely new mechanic to the game. Timing will be critical, but its unpredictability makes it a high-risk, high-reward chip for those willing to gamble on its power. Keep an eye out for announcements regarding its details before January.
How Chips Impact Strategy
Each chip can have a significant impact on your FPL season, so it's important to plan when and how to use them. Many top managers save their chips for the second half of the season, particularly to navigate double and blank gameweeks, but early use of a Wildcard or Triple Captain can also set you up for success if you're confident in the timing.
Can You Use Multiple Chips at Once?
No, FPL rules do not allow you to use more than one chip in the same gameweek. This means you can't, for example, play your Wildcard and Triple Captain in the same week. However, careful planning will allow you to maximize each chip throughout the season.
Final Tips
- **Patience is Key**: Don't feel pressured to use your chips too early. Many managers prefer to save them for double gameweeks or when their team is facing a fixture crisis.
- **Monitor Fixtures**: Keep an eye on fixture schedules, especially for double and blank gameweeks. Chips are most effective when used to capitalize on favorable fixtures.
- **Form and Fitness**: Always ensure that the player you're captaining or including in your Bench Boost is fit and in form. Injuries or suspensions can ruin a well-planned chip strategy.
By understanding and strategically using FPL chips, you can maximize your points and gain an edge over your mini-league rivals. Happy managing!