How Have PlayStyles Changed FC Mobile Gameplay?

How has gameplay changed since PlayStyles were introduced?

Since PlayStyles were introduced, I’ve noticed that gameplay feels noticeably different, and I’m curious whether other players are experiencing the same thing.

I’m not talking about whether PlayStyles are good or bad in isolation. I’m interested in how the overall gameplay has changed because of them.

For example, EA specifically adjusted gameplay alongside the introduction of PlayStyles:

• Finesse shots are less effective for players without Finesse Expert.
• Finesse Shot performance now requires higher attributes.
• Standing tackles for players without Anticipate are less effective.
• Goalkeeper effectiveness at short range was reduced.
• Headers were changed to have a straighter trajectory.
• Stepover Exit and Elastico were reduced in effectiveness.
• Shot and pass responsiveness was improved.

This makes me wonder whether we’re now playing a fundamentally different game depending on which PlayStyles our players have.

Finesse shots

This is probably the most noticeable example for me.

Before PlayStyles, a player with high enough shooting/curve attributes could be reasonably effective with finesse shots.

Now, Finesse Expert makes a significant difference.

A player with good shooting stats but no Finesse Expert can feel dramatically different from a player with similar stats who has the PlayStyle.

So are we effectively at a point where certain PlayStyles are becoming requirements for certain gameplay mechanics, rather than simply bonuses?

Tackling

I feel something similar with defending.

Anticipate doesn’t just seem like a small improvement to a defender’s standing tackle. It can change:

• tackle range
• tackle speed
• ball retention after the tackle
• opponent stumble/fall probability at Gold

That makes two defenders with similar defensive attributes potentially behave very differently.

Some PlayStyles seem much more relevant than others

This is especially noticeable in Manager Mode.

I’ve had players with things like:

• Bullet Pass
• Power Shot
• Trickster

and I barely noticed them having any effect because the AI doesn’t consistently perform the actions associated with those PlayStyles.

Meanwhile, PlayStyles like:

• Rapid
• Tiki Taka
• Anticipate
• Clinical Finisher
• Finesse Expert
• Bruiser

seem much easier to notice because the AI naturally performs those actions.

So I’m wondering:

Are PlayStyles actually balanced across gameplay modes?

Or are some PlayStyles substantially more valuable because the game/AI naturally triggers their associated mechanics more frequently?

What I’m interested in hearing from other players

I’d especially like to hear from people who played before and after PlayStyles were introduced.

1. Which gameplay mechanic changed the most for you?
2. Do Finesse Expert players feel significantly different from players without it?
3. Do Anticipate defenders feel noticeably better than defenders without it?
4. Which PlayStyles do you consider essential now?
5. Which PlayStyles do you think are basically irrelevant?
6. Do you notice the difference more in H2H, VSA, or Manager Mode?
7. Do you think PlayStyles have improved gameplay overall?
8. Or have they made player attributes less important because certain PlayStyles are now effectively required?

I’m particularly interested in whether other players have noticed the same thing:

Has PlayStyles changed the way you choose players, rather than simply making good players better?

I’d love to hear people’s experiences rather than just a list of their favorite cards.