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Traits Mega Guide

FIFA Traits Guide

What are Traits?

First of all, remember that traits are different from specialities. Traits enable a player to perform certain ‘moves’ when controlled by you. They also increase the chance that a player will use those moves, when controlled by the CPU.

Traits

The following traits are in alphabetical order, to make it easier if you’re looking for something specific.

Some of these traits are no longer active in the latest edition of FIFA, or only used in player career mode.

‘CPU AI Only’ means that they’re only active when the player and his team are being controlled by the CPU. They won’t apply when you’re controlling the player as they’re all actions you can do manually.

1-on-1 Rush

Goalkeeper will rush out to close down an attacker during a 1-on-1 situation.

Acrobatic Clearance

Virtual Pro only.

Enables spectacular defensive clearances. Tends to work when the defender is facing his own goal.

Argues with Officials

Not active in Career Mode

This trait would affect cut scenes following a refereeing decision. The player would be remonstrating with the referee.

Avoids Using Weaker Foot

Will avoid using weaker foot to shoot, even when it might provider a better angle. Players without this trait are more likely to shoot with whatever foot suits their stance and the angle from goal.

Backs Into Player

Useful trait for hold up play. The player will back into the defender, shielding the ball from them.

Beat Offside Trap

Attackers with this trait will look to time their runs and utilise their pace to get in behind defences.

Bicycle Kicks

Virtual Pro only.

Unlocks ability to perform overhead bicycle kicks when attacking.

Cautious With Crosses

Opposite of ‘Comes for Crosses’. This makes goalkeepers conservative about coming to claim crosses.

Chip Shot

CPU AI Only

Will try and chip the goalkeeper, even if he is only just off of his line.

Chipped Penalty

Not active in Career Mode

Enables cheeky dinked or ‘panenka’ style penalties.

Comes For Crosses

Opposite of ‘Cautious with Crosses’. Makes goalkeepers take more risks to claim crosses.

Crowd Favourite

Not active in Manager Career Mode

Popular with the fans.

Diver

Players with this trait are more likely to go down under minimal contact.

Dives Into Tackles

CPU AI Only

Makes a defending player more aggressive, choosing to dive into a tackle rather than jockey an attacker. Also increases the likelihood of employing a sliding tackle.

Diving Header

Virtual Pro only.

Enables players to dive to connect with balls they might otherwise miss.

Driven Pass

Not active in Manager Career Mode | CPU AI Only

This would enable and increase the chances of a player making low driven passes.

Early Crosser

CPU AI Only

Players with this trait are more likely to attempt a cross before getting level with the penalty area. Providing they have high crossing and curve attributes, they can be very effective. It also seems to add curl to early crosses, rather than sending it diagonally straight towards the goal.

El Tornado

Not active in Manager Career Mode

Enables players to use the El Tornado skill move.

Fancy Flicks

Not active in Manager Career Mode

Enabled cute touches and backheels to quickly move the ball.

Finesse Shot

Improves quality of finesse shots by maximising the amount of curl applied to the shot.

Flair

Allows players to perform flair touches, fancy flicks, rabona crosses etc. Seems to now encompass a range of traits that used to exist, such as fancy flicks and stutter penalty.

Flair Passing

Virtual Pro only.

Enables extravagant passes, flicks and one-twos.

Giant Throw-In

This trait increases the maximum distance of a throw-in, even more than the Long Throw-In trait. A throw-in of this kind can comfortably reach the middle of the pitch (by width) without bouncing. Just like long throws, let the quick throw-in lapse and your preferred taker should appear.

Go and check out FIFA 19 players with the Giant Throw-In trait.

GK Flat Kick

Virtual Pro only.

Adds distance to goalkeeper drop kicks by keeping it low and driven.

GK Long Throw

Increases distance that goalkeepers can throw the ball. Players with this trait can accurately find players in the opponent’s half.

GK Up For Corners

This trait will automatically send the goalkeeper into the opposition box towards the end of a match if they are drawing or losing.

Inflexible

Not active in Manager Career Mode

Injury Free

Previously called ‘Solid Player’. Reduced likelihood of injury from collisions or fatigue.

Injury Prone

Increased likelihood of injury through collision or fatigue.

Leadership

Players with this trait are likely to be automatically picked for captaincy.

Long Passer

CPU AI Only

Increases the likelihood that a player will attempt long passes, to pick out a striker or to switch the play.

Long Shot Taker

CPU AI Only

Will attempt shots on goal from distance if afforded the space.

Long Throw-In

This trait increases the maximum distance of a throw-in. Player with throw traits are more likely to be made to take a throw in, providing you don’t rush and take a quick throw.

One Club Player

Similar to Leadership, makes a player likely to be automatically picked for captaincy.

Outside Foot Shot

This trait allows players to shoot at goal with the outside of their boot. This tends to cause an opposite curve to shots taken with the inside of the foot.

Playmaker

CPU AI Only

These players request the ball more often, receive it more and will attempt to move it quickly.

Power Free Kick

Makes players attempt powerful, driven shots by taking a longer run up and smashing the ball at goal. CPU controlled players are more likely to attempt this kind of free kick than curved or finesse free kicks.

Power Header

Players with this trait are less likely to try cushioned or looping headers, and will instead power a header directly on target or into the ground. It also makes a player more likely to be present in the area during a corner kick.

Puncher

A goalkeeper with the Puncher trait will be more likely to punch crosses and lofted through balls. Rather than catching the ball

Rushes Out Of Goal

Goalkeepers with this trait won’t hesitate to rush off their line to gather a through ball.

Saves with Feet

Goalkeeper uses their feet to save low shots from close range, which is faster than getting down to save with gloves.

Second Wind

Virtual Pro only.

Gives the player a stamina boost after the 80 minute mark if their team is drawing or losing.

Selfish

Makes a player less likely to want to pass the ball, and more likely to dribble or shoot.

Set Play Specialist

Increased accuracy from free kicks.

Skilled Dribbling

Not active in Manager Career Mode

Enables close control when dribbling under pressure.

Speed Dribbler

CPU AI Only

Players with this trait are more likely to attempt to dribble with the ball at high speed.

Stutter Penalty

CPU AI Only

When taking a penalty, a player with this trait will stutter during their run up.

Sweeper Keeper

Not active in Manager Career Mode

Will rush off his line and smother the ball at an attacker’s feet if in the area, or take possession out side.

Swerve Pass

Virtual Pro only.

This doesn’t affect passing accuracy, but maximises curl applied to passes.

Takes Finesse Free Kicks

Players with this trait rely on accurate placement and curve rather than power to score free kicks.

Target Forward

Good at hold up play and winning first time headers.

Team Player

Like Leadership and One Club Player, increases the likelihood that this player will be given the captaincy automatically.

Technical Dribbler

CPU AI Only

Increases likelihood that a player will attempt an extended or mazy run with the ball.

Through Ball

Enables the ability to play through ball passes that can open up a defence.