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Trickster
AI styleStill being reviewed
In one sentence
The CPU gets an extra trick, tries tricks more often and scores most tricks higher; with Sombrero and No Look Pass it also unlocks special first touches.
Who does this affect?
Decision checks: these sit in the code that chooses dribbles, passes and shots for him (the code that builds the CPU's own player profile and option lists). It changes no stat. Exception: the two first-touch checks (receiving animations, 180° turning first touch) do not test who controls him. Found on: 5578 cards in the card list; mostly AMF, LWF, RWF, CF, CMF.
How it works
Trickster mainly changes the CPU's dribble choices: one extra trick option, a Flip Flap option for Flip Flap owners, higher scores for most tricks and a shorter wait between tricks. It also halves his long-shot score. Two checks sit outside the decision code: four special receiving animations and a 180° turning first touch need Trickster together with No Look Pass (and some with Sombrero); these two checks have no CPU-only condition.
When it applies
- How the CPU picks a trick: each option gets a score, and the score is the chance in % that the option goes onto the shortlist it then picks from.
- Extra option only for Trickster: depending on the situation and his skills it plays a sombrero flick (straight on, or turning 180°), a plain scissors, a scissors move from the Scissors Feint skill's set, or a sharp turn of 135° or more. Score: up to 15 from Dribbling, 15 from Ball Control and 10 from Tight Possession, +30 with the Flip Flap skill, +30 with Gamesmanship.
- Flip Flap option: the CPU only offers it to players who have both the Flip Flap skill and Trickster.
- Score bonuses: Marseille Turn +20 (offered only to Marseille Turn owners); Scissors Feint +50 for owners of that skill, −20 for players without it; Double Touch +25 (then the score is ×0.8, so +20); Chop Turn +25; the Sombrero dribble option +50 (Sombrero owners only); Tap Trick and Spring Cut 70 instead of 50.
- Wait between CPU tricks: normally the next trick can come after 41 game ticks (1.52 s). With Trickster the wait is (1 − dribble tendency) × 1 s + 0.52 s, so between 0.82 s and 1.42 s depending on Dribbling, Speed and Acceleration (see chart).
- Dribble tendency in the CPU's player profile +0.10 (0–1 scale).
- Long-shot check: his long-shot value is halved.
- First touch: four special receiving animations need Trickster and No Look Pass; two of them also need Sombrero. The 180° turning first touch needs Trickster, Sombrero and No Look Pass.
Without it
The CPU uses only the standard dribble options, waits 1.52 s between tricks, scores tricks from his stats and skills alone, never offers the Flip Flap option, and the special first touches are not available.
Which stats it reads
Dribbling, Ball Control, Tight Possession, Acceleration, Balance, Speed sets how strong
Each trick's score rises in a straight line from 70 to 90 in the stats that trick uses; below 70 they add nothing, above 90 nothing more.
Dribbling, Speed, Acceleration (dribble tendency) sets how strong
Dribbling 70→90 adds up to 0.30, Speed and Acceleration up to 0.15 each. The tendency shortens the trick wait for Trickster players.
In numbers
Dribbling → · seconds
Chart values
| 70 | 1.52 | 1.27 |
| 80 | 1.52 | 1.12 |
| 90 | 1.52 | 0.97 |
Dribbling → · 0–1
Chart values
| 70 | 0.15 | 0.25 |
| 80 | 0.30 | 0.40 |
| 90 | 0.45 | 0.55 |
Common questions
Does Trickster let my player do tricks I input?
Short answerNo
Its trick bonuses are all in the CPU's dribble-option code; button feints are not touched.
Does Trickster need the trick skills?
Short answerPartly
It adds one trick option of its own, but most bonuses apply to tricks he already has from skills.
Does it only matter when the CPU controls him?
Short answerMostly
All trick and shooting checks are CPU decision code; the two first-touch checks have no CPU-only condition.
Does it work out of position?
Short answerYes
AI styles have no position check.
The maths
BendTrick scores use straight-line ramps from 70 to 90 on card stats.
DetailTrickster does not teach a skill: apart from its own extra option, its bonuses apply to tricks that already come from his skills (Marseille Turn, Double Touch, Chop Turn, Flip Flap, Sombrero, Tap Trick).
DetailScissors Feint scores are multiplied by 0.9 (owners) or 0.81 (others) after the bonus.
DetailAI playing styles have no position check: the code reads them in any slot.
DetailNot used by this style: Finishing, passing and defensive stats — not read by the trick scores; Weak Foot Accuracy and Usage — not read
Booster points per stat
Dribbling, Ball Control, Tight Possession, Acceleration, Balance, SpeedBooster points do not count here.
Dribbling, Speed, Acceleration (dribble tendency)Booster points count only partly here.