Cptn PES
Tactics
eFootball playstyles explained: every style and its positions
Playstyles as the game describes them in the ⓘ window next to “Playing Style” — with their compatible positions, nothing added.
Official from Konami
Every eFootball player has a playstyle that decides how he moves off the ball. Since version 6.0.0, some players have two: one for attack and one for defence — as Konami's official page explains with the example of a Goal Poacher in attack and Front Line Pressure in defence. This article lists both from the game's own text.
The key rule: compatible positions
The playstyle window in the game opens with this rule (our translation of its Arabic text):
Playing styles decide how the AI controls players off the ball. Each playing style has one or two compatible positions, and the player must be assigned to one of them for the effect to apply. A player without a playing style is set to “Basic” — and a player placed in an unsuitable position also performs as if set to “Basic”.
In short: a playstyle only works in its compatible positions. Put a Goal Poacher on the wing and he won't play like a poacher. (The window itself lists more than two positions for some styles, as the tables show.)
Names: ✓ = seen in an official source · ≈ = likely match · unmarked = literal match of the game's Arabic name. Where no English name is verified, we show the Arabic in-game name.
Attacking playstyles (20)
| Playstyle | What it does (our translation of the game text) | Positions |
|---|---|---|
| Goal Poacher ✓ | A predatory scorer who plays tight against the last defender. | CF |
| Dummy Runner ≈ | Attacks the defence to create space for teammates to exploit. | CF · SS · AMF |
| Fox in the Box ≈ | A scorer who lurks behind the opposition's lines in the 18-yard box, waiting for the ball. | CF |
| Target Man ≈ | Holds the front line as the focal point of the attack and shields the ball with his physique. | CF |
| Deep-lying Forward ≈ | An attacker willing to drop back to receive the ball and help create plays. | CF · SS |
| Creative Playmaker ✓ | Exploits any gap in the defence to start an attack and helps create shooting chances. | SS · RWF · LWF · AMF · RMF · LMF |
| Prolific Winger ✓ | Stays on the flank to receive passes and cuts inside when the chance comes. | RWF · LWF |
| Roaming Flank ≈ | Drifts into the middle from the flank to receive passes. | RWF · LWF · RMF · LMF |
| Cross Specialist | Stays near the touchline, waiting for the chance to send the ball inside. | RWF · LWF · RMF · LMF |
| Classic No. 10 | Takes an advanced position to launch attacks and goes for goal himself when he can. | SS · AMF |
| Hole Player | Looks to break into the opposition's box when his team attacks. | SS · AMF · RMF · LMF · CMF |
| Box-to-Box | Covers every part of the pitch tirelessly for the full 90 minutes. | RMF · LMF · CMF · DMF |
| Anchor Man | A defensive midfielder stationed centrally who protects the back line. | DMF |
| Orchestrator ✓ | Sits deep, waiting for the moment to launch attacks. | CMF · DMF |
| Build Up | Helps set up attacks from a deep position. | CB |
| Extra Frontman | A defender who loves joining the attack and besieging the opposition goal at every chance. | CB |
| Attacking Full-back | An attack-minded defender who pushes up and joins the attack when there's a chance. | RB · LB |
| Defensive Full-back | A strong defender who prefers to stay back and stick to defensive duties. | RB · LB |
| Full-back Finisher | An attacking full-back who may enjoy joining attacks in forward areas. | RB · LB |
| حارس مرمى الخط المتقدم English name not verified yet | Takes an advanced position in attack and covers the space behind the defence to stop counters. | GK |
Defensive playstyles (13)
| Playstyle | What it does (our translation of the game text) | Positions |
|---|---|---|
| Front Line Pressure ✓ | Presses the opposing goalkeeper and defenders from the top of the front line. | CF · SS · RWF · LWF |
| قناص الخط الأمامي English name not verified yet | Watches the opponent's passing lanes and takes smart positions. | CF · SS · RWF · LWF |
| منفذ الهجوم English name not verified yet | Skips defending to save energy when the situation allows, holding his place up front for the counter. | CF · SS · RWF · LWF · AMF |
| المدافع الكثير الحركة English name not verified yet | Runs back hard when the team defends and responds to the opponent's attacks. | AMF · RMF · LMF · CMF · DMF |
| معيق التمريرات English name not verified yet | Defends by blocking the opponent's passing lanes. | AMF · RMF · LMF · CMF · DMF |
| Box-to-Box | Covers every part of the pitch tirelessly for the full 90 minutes. | RMF · LMF · CMF · DMF |
| Anchor Man | A defensive midfielder stationed centrally who protects the back line. | DMF |
| The Destroyer | Presses hard when closing in on the opponent with the ball. | CMF · DMF · RB · LB · CB |
| دور التغطية English name not verified yet | Covers for teammates who go chasing the ball. | CMF · DMF · RB · LB · CB |
| خبير الخط المتقدم English name not verified yet | Works to hold the defensive line and keep the shape while defending. | RB · LB · CB |
| Attacking Goalkeeper | Comes out hard to narrow shooting angles and deal with balls played over the defence. | GK |
| Defensive Goalkeeper | Stays close to goal and avoids rushing out. | GK |
| حارس المرمى المكتسح English name not verified yet | Takes an advanced position and rushes out hard to cover a wide area behind the defence. | GK |
How to use them
- Before judging a player, check that his position in your formation is one of his playstyle's — otherwise he plays as “Basic”.
- Improve Squad in Cptn PES shows each player as in place or outside his playstyle's position — tap any player to pick his playstyle.
- Playstyle Simulation shows the roles of the styles you picked in an 11-v-11 animation.
