Character Skills

Character Skills in FIFA 23

In FIFA 23, there are no traditional character classes or spells. Instead, 'skills' refer to player attributes, traits, skill moves, and gameplay mechanics that define how each player performs on the pitch. This guide covers every playable role (position), their key attributes, all player traits, skill moves (special moves), core abilities, and recommended builds. While cooldowns do not exist, we describe stamina cost and situational usage.

1. Player Positions and Key Attributes

Each position demands a different set of attributes. Below is a breakdown of primary roles and their most important stats.

Key Attributes Explained:

• Pace (Acceleration & Sprint Speed): Determines how fast a player accelerates and runs.


• Shooting (Finishing, Long Shots, Shot Power, etc.): Accuracy and power of shots.


• Passing (Short, Long, Vision, Curve): Quality of passes and through balls.


• Dribbling (Agility, Balance, Ball Control, Dribbling): Close control and ability to beat defenders.


• Defending (Interceptions, Standing Tackle, Sliding Tackle): Ability to win the ball.


• Physical (Strength, Stamina, Jumping, Aggression): Duels, endurance, aerial ability.


• Goalkeeping (Diving, Handling, Reflexes, Speed, Positioning): Specific to GKs.




2. Player Traits



Traits are special abilities that enhance a player's performance in specific situations. They are innate and cannot be changed except via special FUT items (e.g., Chemistry Styles that alter attributes, not traits). Below are all major traits in FIFA 23:

Shooting Traits:

• Finesse Shot: More accurate and powerful finesse shots (curled shots).


• Outside Foot Shot: Player uses outside of foot for driven passes and shots.


• Long Shot Taker: Increased accuracy and power from distance.


• Power Header: Stronger and more accurate headers.


• Chip Shot: Better chipped shots (lob finishes).


• Backheel Pass/Shot: Allows unique backheel actions.


• Dive Into Tackles: Player is more aggressive in tackling.


Dribbling Traits:

• Technical Dribbler: Faster, tighter dribbling animations.


• Flair: Performs flashy moves (e.g., no-look passes, fancy flicks).


• Skill Move: Indicates star rating (1–5) – affects available skill moves.


• Speed Dribbler: Quick touches while sprinting.


Passing Traits:

• Playmaker: More accurate through balls and lobbed passes.


• Early Crosser: Delivers accurate crosses from deeper positions.


• Long Passer (e.g., Pirlo-like): Enhanced long passing vision and accuracy.


• One Club Player / Solid Player: (Morale traits, minor effect).


Defensive Traits:

• Bruiser (Strength): Stronger in physical duels.


• Interception: Better at reading passes and intercepting.


• Slide Tackle: Cleaner slide tackles.


• Dive Into Tackles: Aggressive standing tackles.


Goalkeeper Traits:

• Long Throw: Longer, quicker throw-outs.


• Saves with Feet: Better at blocking low shots with feet.


• Rushes Out: GK rushes off line aggressively.


• Puncher: Prefers punching crosses over catching.


• One on One: Better at facing breakaways.


Special Traits:

• Injury Prone (Negative): Higher injury risk.


• Glass Cannon (Negative): Perfect for balancing? Not in standard game.

3. Skill Moves (Special Moves)

Skill moves are special dribbling techniques executed with the right stick (or left stick + modifiers). Each player has a skill rating (1–5 stars) that determines which moves they can perform. Below is a list of all skill moves by star requirement, with execution and usage tips.

5-Star Skill Moves (Require 5★ Skill Rating):
4-Star Skill Moves:
3-Star Skill Moves:

• Body Feint (RS left/right), Drag Back (RS down), Fake Shot (Square/X + X cancel), etc.


1-2 Star:

• Simple ball rolls, knock-ons (RS flick forward), etc.


Important: Skill moves consume stamina, especially when used repeatedly. Use them sparingly in high-pressure moments.



4. Core Gameplay Abilities (Non-Skill Moves)



These are fundamental actions controlled via buttons. Each has specific use cases.

Dribbling:

• Sprint Dribble (Hold R2/RT): Faster but less control.


• Close Control (Hold L2/LT): Slower, tight turning; effective shielding.


• Fake Shot (Square + X / X + A quickly): Cancel shot to fool defender.


• Cruyff Turn (L2 + Fake Shot): Elegant turn; evades pressure.


• Drag Back (RS down + direction): Pull ball back quickly.


Passing:

• Short Pass (X / A): Standard ground pass.


• Through Ball (Triangle / Y): Lead pass into space.


• Lobbed Through Ball (L1 + Triangle / LB + Y): Over defence.


• Driven Pass (R1 + X / RB + A): Fast, low pass; risky but effective.


• Cross (Square / X): Float, driven, or lofted crosses.


• Low Cross (R1 + Square / RB + X): Quick, near-ground cross.


Shooting:

• Power Shot (Circle / B): Standard powerful shot.


• Finesse Shot (R1 + Circle / RB + B): Curled shot; great from angles.


• Chip Shot (L1 + Circle / LB + B): Lob over keeper.


• Low Drive Shot (L1 + R1 + Circle / LB + RB + B): Low, hard shot; effective one-on-one.


• Timed Finishing (Double tap Circle/B + timing): Extra power/accuracy if timed perfectly.


Defending:

• Standing Tackle (Circle / B): Press to win ball; timing crucial.


• Slide Tackle (Square / X): Riskier, covers more ground.


• Jockey (L2/LT + left stick): Stay low, move laterally; best for containing.


• Second Man Press (R1 / RB): Teammate pressures ball holder.


• Team Press (L1 + R1 / LB + RB): Full team press; drains stamina.


Goalkeeping:

• Rush Out (Triangle / Y hold): Charge at attacker.


• Save with Feet (L2/LT + Triangle/Y): Spread body low.


• Throw Out (X/A): Quick distribution.


• Kick (Circle/B): Long clearance.




5. Combos and Synergies



Effective play combines traits, skill moves, and core abilities.


• Finesse Shot + Finesse Shot Trait + High Curve: Unstoppable curled shots from outside box.


• Elastico + Low Driven Shot: Beat a defender and finish powerfully.


• Through Ball + Pacer (High Acceleration + Sprint Speed): Winning run behind defence.


• Technical Dribbler + Ball Roll + La Croqueta: Close control in tight spaces.


• Box-to-Box Midfielder + Long Shot Taker + High Stamina: Constant threat in attack and defence.


• Power Header + High Jumping + Strength (e.g., CR7): Dominate corners.


• Inside Forward (Winger with Cutting Inside Trait) + Finesse Shot : Cutting onto strong foot for curled finish.


• Driven Pass + 1-2 Passing (L1 + X / LB + A): Quick combination play.


• Rush Out + Saves with Feet (GK) + High Reflexes: Effective against breakaways.




6. Recommended Builds by Position



Based on meta and common playstyles, here are optimal attribute priorities and trait/skill move preferences for each role.

Goalkeeper:

• Focus: Diving, Reflexes, Handling, Speed.


• Desired Traits: Saves with Feet, Long Throw, One on One.


• Chemistry Style (FUT): Glove (Diving, Handling, Positioning).


Centre Back:

• Pace (minimum 70+), Defending, Physical (Strength, Jumping).


• Traits: Bruiser, Interception, Power Header.


• Chemistry Style: Shadow (Pace, Defending) or Anchor (Pace, Physical).


Full Back:

• Pace (85+), Stamina, Dribbling, Crossing/Defending.


• Traits: Early Crosser, Speed Dribbler (if attacking), or Defensive traits for defensive FB.


• Chemistry Style: Hunter (Pace, Shooting) for attacking; Shadow for defensive.


Defensive Midfielder:

• Defending, Physical, Passing, Pace (70+).


• Traits: Dive Into Tackles, Interception, Playmaker.


• Chemistry Style: Shadow or Powerhouse (Passing, Defending).


Central Midfielder (Box-to-Box):

• All-round (70+ in Pace, Shooting, Passing, Dribbling, Defending, Physical).


• Stamina (80+). Traits: Long Shot Taker, Playmaker, Bruiser.


• Chemistry Style: Engine (Pace, Dribbling, Passing) or Hawk (Pace, Shooting).


Attacking Midfielder:

• Dribbling, Passing, Shooting, Pace (80+).


• 4-5 Star Skills, 4-5 Star Weak Foot ideal.


• Traits: Technical Dribbler, Finesse Shot, Playmaker.


• Chemistry Style: Hunter (Pace, Shooting) or Engine (Dribbling/Pace).


Winger:

• Pace (90+), Dribbling (Agility, Balance), Shooting (Finishing, Curve).


• 4-5 Star Skills. Traits: Speed Dribbler, Flair, Finesse Shot.


• Chemistry Style: Hunter or Deadeye (Shooting, Passing).


Striker:

• Shooting (Finishing, Shot Power, Long Shots), Pace, Dribbling, Physical (Strength for hold-up).


• 4-5 Star Weak Foot preferred. Traits: Finesse Shot, Power Header, Outside Foot Shot.


• Chemistry Style: Hunter (Pace, Shooting) or Finisher (Shooting, Dribbling).




7. When to Use Each Skill



Skill Moves:

• Ball Roll: When facing a defender in a 1v1; roll ball to shift their momentum, then accelerate past.


• Roulette: Use in midfield to turn away from pressure; risky near own box due to animation length.


• Elastico/Reverse Elastico: Best on the wing to beat a fullback; quick and effective.


• Heel to Heel: When receiving a through ball and want to change direction instantly.


• La Croqueta: In tight areas (edge of box) to evade tackles and create space.


• Stepovers: Slow down dribble and cause defender to commit; often followed by opposite direction.


• Sombrero Flick: Only in open space or when defender is sliding.


• Fake Shot: Use anywhere to freeze the defender; effective in penalty area for a quick change of angle.


Core Abilities:

• Driven Pass: Use for quick counter-attacks and through balls that need to stay low.


• Lobbed Through Ball: Over a high defensive line; best with pacey strikers.


• Low Driven Shot: Best one-on-one with keeper; use when you have clear sight of goal.


• Chip Shot: Use when keeper rushes out early; requires good composure.


• Timed Finishing: When you have a second to aim; adds extra power and accuracy but risky if mistimed.


• Second Man Press: Use to apply pressure without committing your controlled defender.


• Slide Tackle: Last resort or when sure of winning ball; avoid in penalty area.


• Rush Out (GK): Only when attacker is through on goal and you can reach ball quickly.


Traits:

• Finesse Shot – use on cut inside from wide areas or from outside box when ball is on strong foot.


• Power Header – use during corners or crossing situations with tall striker.


• Early Crosser – act quickly on the break; cross before fullback recovers.


Combos:

• Ball Roll + Finesse Shot: Shift defender, then curl shot.


• Stepover + Driven Pass: Dummy defender before slipping a through ball.


• La Croqueta + Low Driven: Drag ball back, then finish low.


• Drag Back + Lobbed Through: Create space then lob over defence.




8. Final Notes




• Weak Foot (1-5 stars): Affects accuracy and power when using non-dominant foot. Aim for 4+ on attackers.


• Stamina Management: Sprinting and skill moves drain stamina. Replace tired players in Career Mode or use substitutes in FUT.


• Momentum & Form: In Career Mode, player morale affects performance. Keep players happy.


• Practice Arena: Use the skill games and training modes to master timing of skill moves.

This guide covers all character skills in FIFA 23. Master these mechanics to dominate every match.