After playing this game for nearly a week, let's talk about the most META Playstyles in EA FC 24. These Playstyles are going to be what separates you from winning tight games. Let's take a look!
Ball Control Playstyles
There are 2 Ball Control Playstyles that are absolutely dominant right of the bat in EA FC 24.
FLAIR
By EA's definition: Fancy passes and shots are performed with improved accuracy. Performs Flair animations when contextually appropriate.
The important thing that I italicized in that definition is ANIMATIONS!
This can make or break a 1v1 situation at the end of the game. You know, the one you've dominated from the jump but it's somehow tied 2-2 in the 85'. Every edition of FIFA up to this point has had players that could perform certain unique animations in game. This just gives you the blueprint on which players have that ability.
While many players in the game possess the regular version of this trait including: Mbappe, Neymar, Vini Jr. and Alex Morgan, only 4 Gold cards in the game have the Playstyle+ version: Paulo Dybala, Marta, Pernille Harder and Ella Toone. As with all 7 traits we cover today, I implore you to have one or two players in your attack with Flair trait.
RAPID
Speed Kills. Pace has ruled nearly every iteration of the series.
By EA's definition: Reaches a higher sprint speed while dribbling and has reduced chance of an error when sprinting or performing knock-ons.
Again, we've all been there. You've got a breakaway to score the equalizer, you're almost outside the box and then BOOM!, caught from behind, again. It happens way too often it you suck at knock-ons like I do. I also tend to sprint too much which is such a stamina drain.
Well, fear not! Rapid is unbelievable in EA FC 24. It's so much easier to get out ahead of your defender and stay there without fear of being caught.
Mbappe, Sam Kerr, Vini Jr., Alex Morgan ( See some of the same names yet? ), Osimhen and Son have the regular version of this trait while the Playstyle+ belongs to, again only 4 Gold Players: Ousmane Dembélé, Rafael Leão, Federico Chiesa and Lauren James. You'll just have to try it out for yourself, believe me.
Defending Playstyles
While there are a few very good defending Playstyles, the one that has absolutely stood out above the rest has been Anticipate.
ANTICIPATE
By EA's definition: Improved chances of standing tackle success and grants the ability to stop the ball directly at their feet when performing a standing tackle.
What really caught my attention with this particular trait was how good it actually is on slower paced CB's. A perfect example for this is Wendie Renard. Renard has a base card stat of 53 Pace but she has the Playstyle+ version of this trait. Most of us would never even think to put her in our lineup even though she's 88 rated. She has had some absolutely monster games for my squad so far.
Don't sleep on this trait as it will turn an ordinary looking defender into an elite wall. Virgil Van Dijk, Joshua Kimmich, Lena Oberdorf, Marquinhos and Ronald Araujo are just some of the star defenders sharing the regular version of this trait. 6 Gold Cards share the Playstyle+ version of this trait: Mapi León, Wendie Renard, Raphael Varane, Amanda Illestedt, Paulina Dudek and Thiago Silva.
A key stop late in the game with one of the above mentioned will have you singing!
Passing Playstyles
You need to be able to move the ball up the pitch effectively in this game to put yourself in the best position to score. 2 traits I'm about to go over will get you scoring in no time at all!
INCISIVE PASS
By EA's definition: Through Passes are more accurate, Swerve Passes are delivered with more curve, and Precision Passes travel faster to the destination.
Now if you haven't given Precision Passes a whirl yet, start practicing. This will absolutely unlock your attack. NealGuides has an amazing video showing how to add this particular pass to your arsenal.
Now back to the trait! My favorite player is Kevin DeBruyne, so of course I picked up his Gold Card as soon as I could and boy, he is an absolute machine when it comes to passing. He is equipped with the Playstyle+ version of the trait and it has most definitely given me such an advantage in the midfield.
Since I've talked up KDB, the only other Gold Cards with the Playstyle+ version of this trait include: Harry Kane, Martin Ødegaard, Bruno Fernandes, Luis Alberto and Christian Eriksen. A few top end players with the regular version of this Playstyle are: Alexia Putellas, Aitana Bonmati, Messi, Neymar and Frenkie DeJong.
Make sure you incorporate at least one midfielders with this trait into your squad this season.
WHIPPED PASS
OP Crossing into the Box is back on the menu boys!
This trait may be near the top of the list for me. I love bringing up Wing Backs into the attack and getting that cross into my boy, Erling Haaland ( Yep, I packed him untradeable in an objective pack ). It feels almost unfair. The precision at which these passes are coming into the box is ludicrous. Until you try it with a player having this trait, you won't believe you've played so many games without one.
Some fairly common Gold Cards with this trait include: Trent Alexander-Arnold, Katie McCabe, Reece James and Sofia Huerta. The + version of this trait is had by Kieran Trippier, Lauren Hemp, Selma Bacha, Chloe Kelly, Amel Majri and Vincenzo Grifo ( Our 1st Gold Common Card to have the + version on my list )
Now go out and unlock a new aspect to your game!
Physical Playstyles
While most ( maybe all ) of these traits on my feel like cheat codes, the following one is next-level.
RELENTLESS
"Can't stop, won't stop" is all I say in my head as Jude Bellingham is running up and down the pitch like a madman. Energizer Bunny is another visual that comes to mind. This trait is particularly noticeable late in the 2nd half, you know, when everyone can barely move around, like at all . I think it would be very interesting if you could run a whole squad that all shared this trait. I'm certain there will be a YouTube video out on this if there isn't one out already.
EA defines this trait as: Reduces fatigue loss during play and increases fatigue recovery during half time.
The Playstyle+ version is defined as: Greatly reduces the long term fatigue effects on attributes, reaction time, and defensive awareness. Reduces fatigue loss during play and significantly increases fatigue recovery during half time. See, it's a cheat code!
I have used the loan version of Jude Bellingham and to say he was phenomenal is an understatement. If EA releases a POTM or special Jude SBC this weekend, it's an absolute MUST DO! The guy is that good in game. Why his gold card is sub 100k right now I have honestly no clue. If some of my attempted investments pay off this weekend, I will indeed add him to the squad.
Some players with the regular version of the trait include: Federico Valverde, Sandro Tonali, Sakina Karchaoui and Theo Hernandez. The Playstyle+ version of this trait only is equipped on : Bellingham, Andrew Robertson, Grace Geyoro, Nicolò Barella, and Fred.
Scoring Playstyle
Let's just get into it!
FINESSE SHOT
Yet another trait that seems close to being unfair. We've all had certain players in our squads through the years that just exhibited a jaw dropping finesse shot. Well, this year is no different and I'd even argue that those with this as their Playstyle+ trait can pretty much score at will if they have even the smallest of space to shoot.
EA defines this trait as: Performs finesse shots faster with additional curve and improved accuracy.
If you want automatic goals, go for one of these players that have the + version: Karim Benzema, Mo Salah, Alex Morgan, Antoine Griezmann or Heung Min Son. While they can be a little harder to build a squad around, both Benzema and Morgan can be had right now for less than 50k.
Thank me later!
In Conclusion
I found these 7 traits to have the biggest in game impact that I've seen. Opinions may vary on which are the top ones, but I will emphasize the obvious; the more traits a player has, the better they will be in game. This is just a flat out truth. I am personally looking to acquire players that have several of the above traits, stacked.
Good Luck squad building and testing out all of these Playstyles for yourself!
