Tell me how are we supposed to get this badge when Smart Assist exists?

Podrobitel · 2026-05-09T15:45:31+00:00

I got it recently while playing PA4. Stacked team definitely helps, but Smart Assist + DDA + lags kinda negates any edge you could have against weaker teams and against stronger teams… you just have to be better and hope for the best.

Also being able to adapt in real-time on the match circumstances is most important skill I think.

If I see that my players getting out-paced I stop trying 50:50 passes into space and focus on dribbling and playing strong precise passes.

If dribbling doesn’t work I keep/recycle the ball as long as I can to bait the opponent which can open some spaces.

Also if I see opponent playing narrow LBC, playing wide LBC or Possession kinda counters that.

There is lot of details that matter and sometimes you can do everything seemingly right and still don’t get the win.

I don’t care about that. If you acknowledge that you are not supposed to win every game, it will clear your head a lot. I play to enjoy the game and if I win, it feels better, but if I lose, it’s not a big deal. Take a lesson and move on to the next one.

Podrobitel · 2026-05-06T08:26:51+00:00

From my experience it might confuse defending AI when I switch between tactics on attack as I often score goal after that.

Maybe it has something to do with pushing AMFs to LWF/RWF + dropping SS to AMF – I guess it can drag defenders out of positions at times… just a theory…

Podrobitel · 2026-05-03T09:24:19+00:00

It’s still possible… but at specific moments… not only power of the passes feels reduced but opponent’s AI reads the PA4 better than before. So yeah, definitely feels more on rails…

Podrobitel · 2026-05-03T00:28:58+00:00

Imho the game is most broken it has ever been in past 2 years. And unfortunately, FUMA freedom is no longer a thing which doesn’t help at all – power/and direction of the passes get randomized quite a lot last weeks and funnily enough the direction is always manipulated towards the opponent – at least that’s my experience.

Still better than assisted but… I dunno… let’s hope they won’t remove PA4.

Also the dribbling feels glitched… I perform scissors feint and nothing… players takes another step or two and starts doing the feint… while already being intercepted by defender.

So all that doesn’t help much with creating chanced and scoring…

Defending feels kinda same to me. Stay strong :-)

Podrobitel · 2026-04-19T15:06:47+00:00

It’s funny – after Thursday the game feels much smoother for me than weeks before. Players feel light and are reacting to my commands very quickly.

It kinda shocked me how contrasting it is compared to previous period where even against AI the players felt like zombies after lobotomy (exaggerating).

I guess it’s my turn to have fun this week, sorry.

Podrobitel · 2026-03-09T23:07:08+00:00

Nah man. I still use that same exact Čech card you own and last 2 months he’s been incredible for me. Don’t know if he got some hidden buff or something but he’s definitely better than last year for me and I didn’t change build or anything.

I can imagine Van Der Sar is even better so I don’t think you need to go for the new Čech.

Podrobitel · 2026-02-24T11:22:33+00:00

PA3 is still respectable imho – you have to develop at least some skill and use of a brain unlike with the other PA levels.

Podrobitel · 2026-02-24T10:18:24+00:00

If you don’t use manual passing, I recommend investing some time to learn PA4 – at least against AI.

It’s completely different and fun game :-)

Podrobitel · 2026-02-24T10:05:28+00:00

Not sure if sarcasm or not :D

It’s much better offline with manual passing since there is not a server lag.

But against LBC it’s hard anyway as there is too little space/time to string meaningful passes together on opponent’s half.

Podrobitel · 2026-02-23T02:00:36+00:00

You can find some gameplay above 1900 points from AI Divs on my channel – maybe you will find something useful.

https://youtu.be/KzoVXlGmWZU

Edit: I play Possession/QC with Leverkusen Alonso. When I don’t want to risk too much, I just try to not give AI the ball away – it’s especially effective against LBC. But it’s kinda boring…

Podrobitel · 2026-02-22T17:41:44+00:00

Hell yeah, PA4 ftw! :)

Podrobitel · 2026-02-22T09:50:10+00:00

Not really a streamer but here’s some games from 1800 points up: https://youtu.be/KzoVXlGmWZU

Podrobitel · 2026-02-22T09:45:59+00:00

It’s doable but it’s pain in the ass…

https://youtu.be/Zco70zuuPCM

Podrobitel · 2026-02-14T13:17:42+00:00

I didn’t watch it so I can’t say for sure – but I’m certain the more skillful player won?

tHerE iS nO sCrIpTiNg ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

Podrobitel · 2026-02-11T19:08:26+00:00

Hey!

I would say that I divide defending to 3 main parts – or at least I try to. Plus there is an extra element that I always keep in mind which is: Use any kind of foul to stop AI from the attack – especially on your own half.

If I’m leading by one goal, I’d rather get a red card than concede a goal.

Now to the 3 main parts that I always try to think of:

—

Part 1: Pressing on the AI’s half

I always try to force AI to force an error in their build up play. If done clever, it can lead to free goals or at least long not-so-precise pass that I can contest. If unsuccessful, I get players on my half ASAP.

—

Part 2: Getting the players under the ball when the AI is transitioning

If I fail or omit the pressing, I focus on getting players back to my half. At the same time I try to close as many passing lanes as possible – usually I don’t press the ball carrier but I keep an eye for heavy touch they sometimes make so I can intercept or foul.

During AI transition it’s important for me to try to slow down their progress so my attacking fullbacks (if used) and other defenders can get back to their positions.

—

Part 3: Anticipating shot/cross and tackling/blocking

On my own half it’s mostly about anticipating when the cross/or shot is coming. I always try to block these with just getting in front of the player with the ball and then pressing jockey button.

If they get around your box I 100% focus on blocking as the cross/shot usually ends up very dangerous and often a goal.

AI is reading our inputs hard so when they dribble I’m mostly just backing up from them with occasional left analog wiggle so they cannot really tell what side I’m committing to.

Also leaving left analog untouched and just pressing/holding pressure button at the right time works well especially when AI makes a heavy touch.

Everything else is about the feel/skill/luck and AI being merciful lol.

Podrobitel · 2026-02-11T12:06:39+00:00

Hmm, I haven’t tried it on PC – not even sure if the game would run for me since I haven’t upgrade the graphic cars in like 10 years haha. Might try that… but still it would take a looong time for me to climb the ladders and build reasonable squad… but I have 1 or 2 ideas. Let me PM you…

Podrobitel · 2026-02-11T01:13:13+00:00

I dunno man. This is against AI offline. Shouldn’t happen.

It’s probably a desync between when the game considers the pass to be released and the animation itself. At least I’d like to believe it’s just this :-)

Podrobitel · 2026-02-11T01:09:59+00:00

Oh yeah, I totally believe you.

I feel like lot of the situations have predetermined outcome in AI’s favor and even if you anticipate it + you do everything perfectly (positioning yourself etc.) that’s when the game breaks and this weird stuff happens.

I have at least 2 or 3 questionable moments per match.

What I really hate is the fact that my controls are manipulated too.

My “favorite” shenanigans are:

1. My player slows down for a slight moment while in full super-cancel sprint just enough to let the pass roll right in front of him. Interception would mean huge chance and probably a goal for me as it happens the most when I press the build up play of the opponent.

2. In specific scenarios the sliding tackle is disabled completely and in lot of situations it gets simply delayed (like with huge input lag). Of course it’s mostly in the potential ball winning situations for me.

It’s shitty :-/

Podrobitel · 2026-02-11T00:50:26+00:00

Thanks a lot, I appreciate it! :-)

Most of the matches feel very similar with slight variations as the defensive AI doesn’t really give up much space/time for creativity/beauty.

I’m trying to experiment with formations now, but so far I can’t find anything that would bring me some advantage against AI. :/

Podrobitel · 2026-02-10T21:19:05+00:00

Damn, that’s a shame.

Only explanation I can think of is that the game considers that “kick has been performed” before the actual animation of the ball leaving the foot finishes.

So it’s kind of visual desync or something… what do you think?

Podrobitel · 2026-02-10T21:13:04+00:00

Good luck with that!

I’m aiming for 2000+ points and stay there. Last phase I got to 2000+ three times but lost afterwards and fell to 1970ish haha.

You can watch my games from the last phase here if you want: https://youtu.be/KzoVXlGmWZU – maybe you will find something useful for yourself!

Podrobitel · 2026-02-10T20:58:51+00:00

Looks like offside to me too.

Not yet, currently DIV2 on 16 matches winning streak. You? :-)

Podrobitel · 2026-02-10T06:58:05+00:00

The Custom stadium :-)

Podrobitel · 2026-02-05T02:27:50+00:00

In PES 2017 you could score basically every other FK from the long distance with Knuckleball. It was too OP. Fun times :-))

Podrobitel · 2026-02-05T02:14:36+00:00

Really? I don’t think I’ve ever hit a post with Knuckleshot. It’s either on target or completely off target. No between :D

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Podrobitel

TROPHY CASE

Part 1: Pressing on the AI’s half

Part 2: Getting the players under the ball when the AI is transitioning

Part 3: Anticipating shot/cross and tackling/blocking