Player Cards

Pro Evolution Soccer 2017
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Info	Team IDs Player Cards Team Strategies

Player Cards are a game mechanic from the Pro Evolution Soccer franchise. Applied to each individual player, Player Cards give specific attributes and abilities, which allow the AI to better mirror the behaviour of real soccer players, based on position, style, etc. While Player Cards are just one of the three specialization options for players in PES, the term has come to encompass the other two options, Playing Styles, and COM Playing Styles as well. As per the Rules of the Infinity Cup, there are limits to how many Player Cards an individual player can have.

For reference, the current ruleset states:

• 1 Card for , automatically assigned to GK Long Throw
  
• 2 Cards each for non-medals
  
• 3 Cards for a Bronze player
  
• 4 Cards for a Silver player
  
• 6 Cards for a Gold player
  
• Captain of each team also gets Captaincy Card in addition to these limits

Playing Styles

Each player gets one Playing Style, and it does not count as one of their Cards. Playing Styles are specific to certain positions, which means they are useless if placed on a player playing a different position.

Playing Style	Pos.	In-game Description	Plain Language Description
Goal Poacher		A predatory striker who plays off the shoulders of the last defender.	A player who plays as far up as the opposing defense (and the offside rule) will let him. Odds are, he'll score by running on to a pass, receiving a high lofted pass, or on a rebound.
Target Man		A player who becomes the focal point of attack by holding the ball up in an advanced position.	Player will receive a pass and move in deep, but will hold and wait for support to arrive before actually passing it off. The best of this style are able to hold onto the ball with tenacity, making it extremely difficult for defenders to take the ball back.
Dummy Runner		A player who attracts the defence to create space for others to exploit.	Player will push forward then peel off, serving as a fake to open up space for the man with the ball
Fox in the Box		A striker who lurks in the opposition 18 yard box just waiting for the ball.	Player will go deep to serve as the final man on attack. A successful attack is more likely to end with him putting the ball in the net than anyone else.
Prolific Winger		The winger-cum-striker who looks to cut in from wide into the central area looking to score.	A winger who plays to the center of the box, rather that staying wide and passing it in. Has nothing to do with cum.
Classic No. 10		An old-style static playmaker who makes use of deft touches and passes rather than pace or movement.	The player doesn't like to dribble to move the ball forward, but will instead serve as a sort of pivot man, taking a few steps then passing to those who are open.
Hole Player		A player who looks to make runs into the opposition goal area when the team is on the attack.	On attack, the player will abandon his position to serve as a passing option and flood the area with numbers.
Box-to-Box		A player who tirelessly covers every blade of grass for the full 90 minutes.	The player plays an intensive, stamina-heavy style that tries to give the team a numbers advantage by joining the play regardless of where it is.
Anchor Man		A deep sitting defensive midfielder protecting the backline.	Pretty self explanatory, puts the "Defensive" in "Defensive Midfielder".
The Destroyer		A tenacious battler who keeps opposition attacks through hard tackling and pressing.	A midfielder that is not likely to fall back on defense, but rather will try and generate a steal of the ball or force some sort of miscue to send a counter attack the other way.
Extra Frontman		A defender who likes to join in the attack and lay siege on the opposition goal at every given opportunity.	The player, despite his position on the back line, will move up into, and possibly all the way through the midfield when his team is on attack.
Offensive Full-back		An attack-minded full back who will run upfield and join the attack when presented with a chance.	Similar to Extra Frontman, this is the same skill but for those listed as Left Back or Right Back, rather than Center Back.
Defensive Full-back		A solid full back who prefers to stay back and stick to defensive duties.	The opposite of Offensive Full-Back. Does not push through the midfield on attack.
Creative Playmaker		A player who likes to drop off into a deeper position in order to orchestrate the attack.	The player will not penetrate into the box, rather will stay back and serve as a passing option, looking to set up a better opportunity to score.
The Instigator		A player who likes to drop back in order to receive the ball and trigger attacks from deep.	Player will cover a usual defensive position, but will initiate attacks from there as well. (Was also called Build Up in some versions of PES)
Offensive Goalkeeper		A keeper playing a sweeper type role who often comes out to cover the area behind the defence.	A GK with this style will be better able to handle passes back and will be more aggressive on passes that are played near him by the opposition.
Defensive Goalkeeper		A solid keeper who prefers to stay around the goal line.	The keeper stays in his goal more, will not come out to play passes as much, nor be aggressive on opposing passes into his area.

COM Playing Styles

Each COM Playing Style counts as one Card, and is thus subject to player limits.

Playing Style	In-game Description	Plain Language Description
Trickster	The step-over expert who makes the most of exquisite skills to dribble past the opposition.	Player becomes far more likely to use special dribbles and tricks to catch defenders off-guard.
Mazing Run	A player who looks to penetrate deep into opposing territory using deft turns and dribbles.	Player will hold onto the ball while moving forward, trying to get around the defenders by changing direction often and dribbling around or past them.
Speeding Bullet	A pacey player who likes to get forward.	Gotta go fast.
Incisive Run	A dribbler whose expertise is to cut in from the wide areas looking for goal scoring opportunities.	Player will hang around on the wings of the attacking area, cutting inside when they see an opening.
Long Ball Expert	A player who frequently plays the long ball.	Player will attempt long aerial passes to an open man forward more often, as opposed to shorter, on-the-ground passing.
Early Cross	A player with great vision who won't miss the chance to hit an early cross.	A playmaking style, the player will look to get in position/deliver a cross early into an attack, possibly before the defense has time to properly set up.
Long Ranger	A player who frequently takes snapshots at goal from range.	If given a clear opportunity, the player will hold a preference to shoot from distance, rather than waiting for more support or trying to move in closer to shoot.

Player Cards

Sometimes listed as "Player Skills".

Player Card	In-game Description	Plain Language Description
Scissors Feint	Enables players to execute the Scissors Feint at high speed.	Trick card affected by the "Trickster" playing style. https://files.catbox.moe/xpidc9.webm
Flip Flap	Enables players to execute the Flip Flap.	Trick card affected by the "Trickster" playing style. https://files.catbox.moe/kiwnol.webm
Marseille Turn	Enables players to execute the Marseille Turn.	Trick card affected by the "Trickster" playing style. https://files.catbox.moe/n9oljb.webm
Sombrero	Enables players to execute the Boomerang Trap and the Crescent Turn.	Trick card affected by the "Trickster" playing style. https://files.catbox.moe/1twdgx.webm
Cut Behind Turn	Enables players to execute the Cut Behind.	Trick card affected by the "Trickster" playing style. https://files.catbox.moe/g82f8w.webm
Scotch Move	Enables players to execute the Scotch Move.	Trick card affected by the "Trickster" playing style. https://files.catbox.moe/e713fr.webm
Heading	Improves the accuracy of headers as well as the frequency of downward headers.	Mostly self-explanatory, downward headers are better as they are indicative of a more well-struck ball, going in the direction the player wants, rather than just hitting off his head and bouncing where it may.
Long Range Drive	Enables players to hit curling shots with great accuracy from a distance.	Self-explanatory
Knuckle Shot	Enables players to hit knuckle ball shots with greater ease.	Knuckleballs are shots with minimal spin that move in unpredictable fashion, making it difficult for a keeper to make a save.
Acrobatic Finishing	Enables players to find a finish even from awkward positions or when off balance.	Gives a player the skill required to perform bicycle kicks and similar athletic strikes in the air.
Heel Trick	Enables players to pass and shoot using the heel, even from awkward positions or when off balance.	Most plays in soccer are done with the front or top of your foot. Few are done with the heel, when they are, it's usually unintentional, or the result of being in a bad position. This card allows for better plays in those situations.
First Time Shot	Improves technique and accuracy when taking first-time shots.	A first-time shot is when a player strikes the ball on goal without using a touch to receive the ball or settle it down first.
One Touch Pass	Improves technique and accuracy when taking one-touch passes.	The passing version of First Time Shot, a player can pass better without having to settle the ball down.
Weighted Pass	Enables players to apply back-spin when playing lofted passes and through balls, improving accuracy.	Uses spin on passes to put them in places where defenders cannot intercept, but teammates can receive.
Pinpoint Crossing	Enables players to curl in crosses with great accuracy.	Player is better able to pass the ball through the air and into the box.
Outside Curler	Enables players to shoot and pass using the outside of the boot, even at long distances.	The outside of the boot is not the usual or ideal place to shoot off of, however, this card allows a player to pull off a very deceptive shot by hitting it off that part of their foot.
Rabona	Enables players to execute a Rabona, which means they can pass or shoot when the opposition is not expecting it.	Trick card affected by the "Trickster" playing style. https://files.catbox.moe/nwbaxh.webm
Low Lofted Pass	Enables players to hit a long accurate Lofted Pass and Cross with a low trajectory when appropriate.	A skill most beneficial to playmakers, it enables players to thread low-to-the-field passes through/around other players.
Low Punt Trajectory	Enables players to take long, accurate punt kicks with a low trajectory.	Shooting version of the Low Lofted Pass.
Long Throw	Improves the range of long throws.	This card affects throw-ins from the touch lines. Allows the player to toss the ball to more distant teammates.
GK Long Throw	Improves the range of throws by the goalkeeper.	The only Player Card are allowed. Improves the distance on their throws.
Malicia	Enables players to win free kicks when on the ball.	Diving.
Man Marking	Enables players to stick to and persistently chase down an opponent.	Improves the ability to stay tight to an opposing player and defend them.
Track Back	An offensive player who actively pressurizes the opposition player who is on the ball and tries to win it back.	The player is skilled at pressuring opponents in their end of the field.
Acrobatic Clear	Enables players to clear the ball using their feet, even from awkward positions.	Defensive version of Acrobatic Finishing.
Captaincy	The strength of character to get more out of their team, pulling players up by the scruff of their necks.	Bestows the talent of leadership on a player, increasing the abilities of them and their teammates. Only available for the team Captain, and does not count towards their card limit.
Super Sub	Improves a player's abilities when introduced in the second half of the game.	The player plays with better skill when brought in after half time.
Fighting Spirit	Enables players to perform better under pressure and fatigue, as well as adversity.	Affects player stamina and ability as the game wears on.