A player’s traits are actions that he will be more likely to perform in matches. They do not give him any additional ability, but instead simply affect his decision making. A player’s traits, if he has any, can be viewed from the Information section of his Overview tab.
A player can obtain (learn) a new trait by being tutored by another player who already has the trait. Most player traits can also be learned, as well as removed (unlearned), through player trait training.
Each player trait is analysed below, while useful combinations of player traits are also provided. The Roles & Duties guide suggests potentially useful player traits for each role and duty combination. However, whether or not a trait is actually useful for a player depends on its suitability for your tactics, as will be explained shortly, as well as the player’s ratings in the attributes required to perform the trait well.
Listed for each player trait is an explanation of the trait along with suggestions of its required abilities, which types of player it can be useful for and which types of player it can be particularly unsuitable for.
If a player does not generally have the attribute ratings needed for a trait’s required abilities or if a trait is considered to be unsuitable for a player then you should not allow him to learn it. If he already possesses the move then it may be best to train him to unlearn it.
Player Traits & Tactics
Many player traits relate directly to player instructions, as set by your team instructions, a player’s role and duty, and any selected specific player instructions. If a player has a trait that complements an instruction then he will be even more likely to perform the instruction. However, if he has a trait that contradicts an instruction then he will be less likely to perform the instruction. Other factors will also affect what action a player chooses to perform. In particular, his intelligence (Anticipation, Decisions, Flair, Teamwork and Vision) affects whether he will choose the best option.
As such, it is important to check the existing traits of all your players so that you are aware of any effects they may have on your tactics.
Similarly, before giving a player trait training or tutoring you should consider how a new trait could affect your tactics. Furthermore, you should bear in mind that player trait training will add to a player’s individual workload. So if you feel that a trait can be effectively replicated through player instructions then it may not be worth giving the player extra training to learn the trait.
A trait that complements a player’s instructions can be beneficial for that player if you want him to perform a particular type of action more often than he will do simply by following his instructions. However, any changes you make to your tactics may change his instructions and so the trait may not always be appropriate. Therefore, such a trait can make a player less tactically flexible. In addition, an intelligent player may be more effective if his choices are not influenced by traits (while similarly, he may be more effective if he is given high creative freedom and so not restrained too much by his instructions).
A trait that contrasts with a player’s instructions should generally be avoided for that player. If a player already has such a trait then you can either train him to unlearn it, review your tactics or give him a contrasting specific player instruction to discourage him from performing the move. In some cases though, a trait that contrasts with your team instructions may be useful if you want a player to be an exception to the general tactical approach of your team, as discussed in the Specific Player Instructions guide.
Directly complementary and contrasting tactical instructions, including specific team instructions, specific player instructions and opposition instructions, are included with the other information provided below for each player trait. However, when judging the suitability of a trait for a player you should take into account the default instructions given by his role and duty in addition to your other selected tactical instructions.
