The forward version of Pass Disruptor: a candidate for the computer's lane-cutting job (standing on the passing line between the ball carrier and an opponent), with its own extra scoring and a wider angle allowance. No stat effect.
Who does this affect?
Only while the computer controls him (a computer-run team-mate or an opponent). Found on: Compatible positions in the code: CF, SS, LWF, RWF. Found on 1 card (RWF, defensive style field) in the card data we have.
How it works
Front Line Poacher shares the lane-cutting job with Pass Disruptor: the job sends him to the point nearest him on the line from the ball carrier to the opponent he screens, and one of its scoring checks is 0 for every player without one of the two styles. A Front Line Poacher also gets extra scoring terms of his own (built from distances between 15 and 30 m). His target point is updated every 0.04 to 0.48 s depending on Defensive Engagement, he is routed through the passing line on his way to his assigned opponent, and he steps up his running level more readily, with a 60° angle allowance where others get 30°. The style also shifts his place in the forward line by up to 2 m when he is level with the ball; which way could not be settled from the code and was not measured.
When it applies
Only when deployed at CF, SS, LWF or RWF. Anywhere else the style is off.
While his team is defending.
Without it
A forward without the style scores 0 in that job's scoring check, is not routed through the passing line and gets no extra running-level step-ups.
Which stats it reads
Defensive Engagementsets how strong
Sets how often his lane-cutting target is updated: every 0.48 s at 40, 0.37 s at 60, 0.26 s at 80, 0.15 s at 99, every frame at 120. The Interception skill adds 5 (up to 99). It also widens an angle allowance in his defensive running (50–99).
In numbers
How often his lane spot is updatedSeconds between updates of his lane-cutting target (27 updates per second at most). Interception adds 5 to the value used (up to 99). Computer-controlled only.
Defensive Engagement → · s
Chart values
60
0.37
80
0.26
99
0.15
120
0.04
Common questions
Is Front Line Poacher an attacking style?
Short answerNo
It is on the defensive list and every check reads it only in defending code.
Does he press like Front Line Pressure?
Short answerNo
Only Front Line Pressure players get the front-line pressing job; Front Line Poacher is used for the lane-cutting job instead.
Does Defensive Engagement matter for this style?
Short answerYes
It sets how often his lane spot is updated: 0.48 s at 40 down to every frame at 120.
The maths
ConditionOnly at CF, SS, LWF or RWF.
ConditionLane-cutting job: one scoring check is 0 for players without Front Line Poacher or Pass Disruptor; he gets extra scoring terms of his own.
StepLane-cutting job: his target is the point nearest to him on the line from the ball carrier to the opponent he screens (ending 1 m short of that opponent, 6 m in one case).
BendTarget update interval = trunc(12 × (120 − Defensive Engagement)/80 + 1.5) frames of 1/27 s (immediately in one case the code checks).
StepOn his way to the opponent he is assigned, the computer routes him through the nearest point on the line between the ball carrier (0.35 s ahead) and that opponent (0.1 s ahead), when he is 10 m or more from the line.
StepRunning level on the way to his spot: +2 in a step-up check; one more level when over 7 m (below level 5), over 4 m (below 4) or over 1.5 m (below 3) from his spot, when he is the player assigned to that opponent.
StepAngle allowance in the running-level choice: 60° for him, 30° for others (plus up to 60° from Defensive Engagement for everyone).
DetailForward line: shift of up to 2 m, largest when he is level with the ball, fading to 0 when he is 12 m behind or 18 m ahead of it. The direction could not be settled because the formula mixes in the team's attacking direction in a way static reading cannot resolve; it was not measured.
DetailThree more checks in the job-selection code read the style; they were not traced.
DetailNot used by this style: Offensive Awareness, Speed and Stamina are not read by the style's checks.; No stat is raised by the style.
Booster points per stat
Defensive EngagementBooster points count here (the value with boosters is used up to 120).