What are attributes all about?

It is quite important to understand the importance of player attributes in FML and how they affect various parts of the game, most particularly the match engine. Attributes are divided into three areas; Physical, Mental, and Technical (with Goalkeepers having their own Technical ratings). The attributes, how they react in certain situations, with each other, and alone, are detailed below, but it’s important first of all to outline how attributes work.

Each player is rated on a scale of 1-20, 1 being absolutely terrible, and 20 being elite. Some attributes are defined as ‘Absolute’, and some as ‘Relative’. Absolute attributes are those that are locked to an individual and can’t be trained so much, such as Determination and Work Rate. These are generally innate attributes specific to individuals. Relative attributes are those that can be compared to other players in the football world, and can be improved on through training and player development. Physical and Technical skill sets are the main areas you’ll find relative attributes.

Ok, what you've just read above is Sports Interactive's official statement, taken from the manual. In fact, each attribute is scaled from 1 to 200, but only showed as 1-20, to simplify things and make them look more confortable and user friendly. Thats why you can see a light green arrow, without having a number change in the Player Profile page, for a certain attribute.

About those 'absolute' attributes, I have to tell you, that in fact, they are four: Determination, Aggression, Natural fitness and Eccentricity (for goalkeepers) - whereas, Work Rate, can change.

Now, theres something they haven't told you, but I will: Hidden Attributes: Consistency, Dirtiness, Important Matches, Injury Proneness and Versatility (wich doesen't concern us, because we can't make players learn a new position in FML yet). I think they all speak for themselves, so they dont need more explanaitions.

These are very important when signing a player. The thing is, that you cant find out about them on FML as you can do in FM, using scouts. But, don't panic, you can figure them out if you analyse a player's performance over a period of time :).

Part of content was taken from FM/FML Manuals © Sports Interactive Ltd 2008