In EA SPORTS FC™ 25, Role Familiarity is a game mechanic designed to reflect a player’s ability to perform specific roles on the field. This feature allows players to excel in particular roles based on their position and experience, enabling a more realistic and nuanced gameplay experience. By leveraging real-world data and advanced AI models, FC 25 assigns roles to players and grades them according to their level of familiarity.
While every player is assigned a role based on their position, Familiarity determines how well they can perform that role. A player’s Familiarity is connected directly to the role and position they occupy. The more familiar they are with a role, the better their execution will be in-game.
Familiarity is position-based, meaning that if a player is familiar with a certain position (e.g., striker, winger, center-back), they can play any role associated with that position more effectively. For example, a winger familiar with the Winger and Inside Forward roles will perform significantly better in those roles compared to a player who is not familiar with them.
This system applies to all positions on the field and enhances the strategic element of team management, allowing players to optimize their lineups by focusing on role familiarity.
Players are graded based on their familiarity with specific roles, which is divided into four levels:
[Role]: This base level indicates that the player can perform the role at a competent level. While they may not be exceptional, they are more than capable of fulfilling the role’s duties effectively.
[Role+]: A plus sign indicates that the player is accomplished in this role. Players at this level exhibit a higher proficiency, leading to better in-game performances. Every player in FC 25 is assigned at least one Role+, signifying the area where they excel.
[Role++]: A double plus sign means the player is world-class in this role. They will dominate in this role, often outperforming other players who lack the same level of familiarity. These players are typically the core of any team’s strategy due to their high efficiency in their assigned roles.
Out of Position: When a player is forced to play out of their preferred position, they will perform a simplified version of the role. This is indicated by a yellow exclamation mark (!). The player will still fulfill their duties but at a lower effectiveness compared to when they are in their natural position.
Role Familiarity directly impacts the way players perform their duties on the pitch. A player with high familiarity in a particular role will not only move better but also exhibit smarter decision-making, improved positioning, and higher efficiency in both attack and defense.
A majority of role familiarity assignments are based on real-world data processed through a proprietary AI model, ensuring that players are placed in roles that reflect their strengths. For example, players like Kylian Mbappé, known for his versatility, will have a high level of familiarity across multiple roles, such as Advanced Forward and Inside Forward. This allows them to perform at a world-class level in a variety of attacking positions.
Coaches and players will need to consider Role Familiarity when building their squads. Choosing players who are more familiar with their assigned roles can lead to smoother gameplay and a higher chance of success on the field. However, a player with low familiarity in a specific role may underperform, even if they have high individual stats.
For example, selecting a central midfielder familiar with the Box-to-Box role will ensure balanced support in both attack and defense. Meanwhile, assigning a winger with Inside Forward++ familiarity to the role will maximize their potential to score goals by cutting inside.
Role Familiarity in FC 25 brings depth and realism to player performance, offering an extra layer of strategy for gamers. By carefully selecting players based on their role familiarity, teams can optimize their tactics and gain a competitive edge on the field. Whether you’re managing a top-tier team or a lower-league side, understanding and utilizing Role Familiarity is key to achieving success in EA SPORTS FC™ 25.