FIFA 23

FIFA 23 player traits explained: Career Mode, FUT & CPU AI

Luca Di Marzo
FIFA 23 player traits

Traits in FIFA 23 give players unique abilities both on and off the pitch in Ultimate Team and Career Mode. Here’s what you need to know about every standard, CPU AI, and Career Mode trait in FIFA 23.

In order to determine a player’s value in your Career Mode or Ultimate Team squad in FIFA 23, you’ll have to look beyond their rating to their hidden traits. Player traits are characteristics that players display on the pitch in FUT and off the pitch in Career Mode.

These unique traits will give you an indication of the special abilities and techniques that a player can pull off with ease in FIFA 23.

FIFA 23 has plenty of returning and new traits that can apply to fans of the game, so here’s our guide on each of the traits you can encounter.

FIFA 23 goalkeeper stopping the ball

What are FIFA 23 player traits?

Traits influence how players perform in any given FIFA 23 game mode. They act as characteristics that apply specifically to an individual player. The more traits a player has, the more tools you’ll have at your disposal.

Some traits are purely for players on the pitch as they look to improve a specific skill set like a finesse shot. Meanwhile, others will have an impact on how players behave in Career Mode when they’re not playing football.

FIFA 23 player trait types

EA have included five different types of traits in FIFA 23, each applying to different areas of the game, check them all out below:

  • Standard traits: Affects how the player behaves in matches when controlled by both the user or the CPU AI
  • CPU AI traits: Only apply when the player is being controlled by the CPU AI, such as during Career Mode or FUT matches
  • Career Mode traits: These apply during Career Mode, but have no influence during actual matches
  • Virtual Pro Traits: Applies to your Virtual Pro in Player Career Mode or Pro Clubs
  • VOLTA traits: Only apply in VOLTA mode for both user and CPU AI-controlled players

Every FIFA 23 trait explained

St James Park Newcastle United FIFA

If you’re new to FIFA or are a returning player looking to improve you’ll want to grasp every FIFA 23 trait in the game. Unfortunately, this can be difficult as some are not self-explanatory.

In FIFA 23, two new CPU AI traits have been added to the game: First Time Shots and Round The Keeper.

Here’s every player trait in FIFA 23 and the categories they fall into when it comes to influencing player behavior.

First Time Shots

  • CPUAI: Players have a preference for taking shots immediately when receiving the ball, with greater accuracy when doing so

Round The Keeper

  • CPU AI: Players are more likely to successfully dribble around the keeper in one on one situations

Power Header

  • Standard: Players can head the ball with more power than normal and are more likely to take up positions in the box from corners
  • Virtual Pro: Same effect applies
  • VOLTA: Same effect but the positioning doesn’t apply

Outside Foot Shot

  • Standard: Players with this trait can strike shots with the outside of their stronger foot
  • Virtual Pro: Same effect

Finesse Shot

  • Standard: Increases the amount of curl a player can get on the ball when taking a finesse shot
  • Virtual Pro: Same effect
  • CPU AI: Players are more likely to take finesse shots

Long Throw-in

  • Standard: Increases the maximum distance reached from a throw-in
  • Virtual Pro: Same effect

Early Crosser

  • CPU AI: Computer players look to deliver early crosses into the box
  • Virtual Pro: Same effect

Giant Throw-in

  • Standard: Increases the maximum distance reached from a throw-in even further than players with the Long Throw-in trait
  • Virtual Pro: Same effect

Fancy Passes

  • Standard: Player finds it easier to pull off passes using backheels and skill moves
  • Virtual Pro: Same effect
  • CPU AI: Computer player can attempt flair passes

Driven Free Kicks

  • Standard: Player takes a longer run-up at free kicks, allowing them to get more power on the shot.
  • Virtual Pro: Same effect
  • CPU AI: AI players are more likely to take driven shots from free kicks

Swerve

  • Standard: Reduced difficulty in taking shots with the outside of the foot, and can also generate more bend when passing the ball
  • Virtual Pro: Same effect

Injury Prone

  • Standard: A player with this trait has an increased chance of getting injured during a match

Flair

  • Standard: More likely to pull off flair moves, can take flair shots without the user’s input, can lob the ball higher during short passes
  • Virtual Pro: Same effect
  • CPU AI: Computer player is more likely to try flair shots and passes, they are also more likely to stutter or chip during penalties
  • VOLTA: More like to perform skilled passes and shots in VOLTA

Solid Player

  • Standard: Player is less likely to get injured during a match
  • Virtual Pro: Same effect applies

Rushes Out Of Goal

  • Standard: A goalkeeper with this trait will be more aggressive when coming out of the box for over the top passes

GK Cautious With Crosses

  • Standard: A goalkeeper with this trait will only try to intercept a cross when they think they can get to the ball well before their opponent

GK Save With Foot

  • Standard: GK frequently chooses to save the ball with his feet

GK Comes For Crosses

  • Standard: More likely to try and intercept a cross even if they think they will get to the ball barely before their opponent

GK Flat Kick

  • Virtual Pro: Allow goalkeeper Pros to perform driven side kicks when holding R1/RB.

GK Long Thrower

  • Standard: Increases how far a goalkeeper can throw the ball
  • CPU AI: Computer goalkeeper is more likely to try a driven throw when making a long throw

Bicycle Kicks

  • VOLTA: The player will try to attempt more bicycle kicks and has more animations for the shot

Leadership

  • Standard: Helps decide who will be captain if the usual captain is sent off or substituted

Team Player

  • Standard: Helps decide who will be captain if the usual captain is sent off or substituted
  • Career Mode: Player is less likely to complain about lack of game time or contract issues

One Club Player

  • Standard: Helps decide who will be captain if the usual captain is sent off or substituted
  • Career Mode: Awarded to players who are known for their loyalty to one club, leading to player-specific storylines

Dives Into Tackles

  • CPU AI: Computer player is more likely to try and slide tackle the opponent

Chip Shot

  • CPU AI: Computer player will try and chip the ball over a goalkeeper where possible

Speed Dribbler

  • CPU AI: AI player has more chance of trying to go on a long run from the back or beat multiple players

Second Wind

  • Virtual Pro: Less fatigue towards the end of a match, after the 75-minute mark if they are losing the match.

Technical Dribbler

  • CPU AI: AI player has more chance of trying to go on a long run from the back or beat multiple players

Playmaker

  • CPU AI: Computer teams will look to pass the ball to a player with this trait more often, and the player makes a quicker decision once they receive it

Long Shot Taker

  • CPU AI: Computer player will try long-range shots or volleys from outside the box more often

Long Passer

  • CPU AI: AI player is more likely to attempt long passes

Keep in mind that players could have more than one trait or even none at all, so it’s something you’ll want to look into before a player joins your squad.

For more, check out this FIFA 23 dribbling trick that will see you glide past players with ease.

Image Credit: EA Sports

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