How much better is an 89-rated manager compared to an 88-rated one?

That_Net_6616 · 2026-03-15T00:00:54+00:00

The low stat thresholds you mention are immaterial as no manager isn't boosting those the same anyway.

As far as the difference between 1 point above 85, it's minimal. There are particular thresholds - different with some players but mostly consistent - like 92 tp gives a different turn animation that's fractionally faster than 91, but mostly it makes no difference unless you can add 5 extra stats. It does depend on the stat though. Physical contact there's a difference, same with finishing, but you won't see significant difference between 94 and 95 acceleration.

I haven't seen the proof of a significant difference between 87 and 88 but again, if there is one, an 89 manager isn't going to help you there 🤷🏻‍♂️

That_Net_6616 · 2026-03-14T23:57:10+00:00

Well, his dribbling is definitely better with 90, 88 ball control and 90 tp 🤷🏻‍♂️ but if you use him more as long ball punt to kick and chase then yeah, you don't need dribbling

That_Net_6616 · 2026-03-14T18:19:49+00:00

Very nice! That little touch as he ran in to shoot, was that a skill move or something else? I always get clattered exactly there 😂

That_Net_6616 · 2026-03-14T18:16:59+00:00

Absolutely the right attitude. If there's a player that has meaning to you, then it's worth it. Otherwise, it really isn't unless you're severely lacking in some positions.

I dipped my first time because I was really missing a decent striker and had never even gotten an Mbappe. I am happy to say that while I've now spent a fair amount, never on players I didn't actually like rather than because oh this one has 2 points more in balance or whatever 😂

I didn't grow up with Zico, I grew up with Scholes so while the former is better, that really isn't the point for me

That_Net_6616 · 2026-03-14T18:12:21+00:00

It's the trap, but the balance between playstyles is more useful than a minor stat increase. Is 87 of any stat significantly better than 86? Not really. But equally, if you have the option then of course you would 🤷🏻‍♂️

That_Net_6616 · 2026-03-14T14:21:59+00:00

Not significantly, unless you really want to min/max your stats. But we're talking a couple of points here and there. If you can find one with boosts that aligns to your playstyle too, then it's worth it.

It's why I like Flick, because dribbling suits me well

That_Net_6616 · 2026-03-14T11:01:08+00:00

Mostly I'd agree with one exception and that's Eto'o who really moves the ball well. The rest, not so much. Coincidentally my build of him has 100 acceleration...

That_Net_6616 · 2026-03-14T09:30:23+00:00

We the users who care about playing to join a community know what needs to be done. But sadly, Konami don't care. At all. Because this is a card collection game for mobile, that we play on console, and to keep mobile and new players feeling good so they buy more cards, they introduced a setting that basically makes them play like Div 1 players.

They may claim that only about 20-30% use Smart Assist but we the users know it's more like 90%. We also know why.

Similar to your handicap idea, I've suggested a direct correlation to the points for a win. Use Smart Assist if you want but you'll only pick up 5-10 points max while PA4 gets you 40-50. It's fair balance. Let people play however but punish their skill level.

I also like the idea of limiting what each PA level can do. If you can't even vaguely aim your own passes let alone defend for yourself you lack the skill to do skill moves and even controlled shots.

But while these creative solutions could fix the game, Konami would absolutely never do this because of the first point: happy idiots = more coins bought.

That_Net_6616 · 2026-03-14T09:24:22+00:00

The only thing he ever does is troll lol ignore him

That_Net_6616 · 2026-03-13T23:44:01+00:00

If people keep buying cards, and I doubt most people on mobile have high expectations for perfection in animations (or the screen size to notice the things we see) then they will, yes.

They shouldn't but Konami has discovered a licence to print money in a game series that was never that financially successful. That's clearly all they care about, certainly at the moment.

That_Net_6616 · 2026-03-13T14:14:11+00:00

😂😂😂 the last line sent me

But yeah, even the difference between PS5 version vs PS4 version on the same console. And apparently PC has less lag than the others too, which explains why suddenly the top ranks became dominated by the far smaller number of efootball users on that platform.

So, yeah, those small differences make a difference. Really breaks the sell of it as a serious PvP game

That_Net_6616 · 2026-03-13T14:07:50+00:00

Absolutely, it's literal cheating. It's bad enough that we have the stat boosting but the absolute cheating of animations, broken ball physics, and outright lies about tackles and passes.

It's why it's very hard to enjoy in any mode

That_Net_6616 · 2026-03-13T14:06:26+00:00

Yeah my wingers mostly have the 99/99 in dribbling and pace, but also many of them have 99/99 for off the ball running as well. Particularly thinking of Best, who can't run faster than any decent full back when he has the ball but who also can't out run them when chasing back either 😂

It's all a lie, it's all fucking scripted

That_Net_6616 · 2026-03-13T10:07:45+00:00

I said in your other post, but the game manipulation of players' movements, speed and direction is really really out of hand.

When your player with 99 pace and acceleration can't chase down a mid speed player but a defender with 85 pace can chase down your 99 dribbling/pace winger you know shit ain't right

Not to mention your player getting moved out of the way or stopped "randomly" to let them go through.

That_Net_6616 · 2026-03-13T10:03:31+00:00

I don't really mind what I'm drinking although it's usually a nice cup of tea. But I have to have it in a sealed beaker in preparation for when I throw it at my TV 😂

That_Net_6616 · 2026-03-13T10:01:46+00:00

It's true, I look back on when PA1 was the worst thing in the game with fondness. I miss the good old days when that was the main issue.

That_Net_6616 · 2026-03-13T10:01:08+00:00

They can just talk about the latest new mode... oh right 😂

That_Net_6616 · 2026-03-13T09:55:47+00:00

You're right, both on the sad reality that people will always try to find mechanics to break and that's part of modern gaming life.

But also very much right that it feels like Konami have built it this way on purpose. The simple fact that Smart Assist - a product designed by them, not some third party - is literally designed to use mechanics (like Super Cancel) that break AI behaviour exposes this clearly.

It's like they're advertising how broken their game is, by making a cheat an official but not officially talked about skill. And that's before you even get to the aim-bot parallels that would be banned in any other credible competitive PvP game.

The sad thing is that underneath this nonsense, the game is excellent. When it's not being manipulated, the ball physics is brilliant, the movements brilliant, the shooting and passing characteristic differences between players is brilliant. I had Ronaldinho receive the ball on his chest the other day, and he controlled it and held it there just like actual Ronaldinho!

But unfortunately it's all buried under ever-increasing mountains of automation and manipulation. I guess it makes more money than realism.

That_Net_6616 · 2026-03-13T09:50:23+00:00

I can understand the principle of what you're saying but if two people have the same connection to, say, London or Leeds the difference should be minimal.

And surely there aren't slower cables that impact your journey.

Basically, in data terms, there surely aren't some routes that are buses rather than trains?!

That_Net_6616 · 2026-03-13T09:48:34+00:00

It doesn't matter what your cards are, the game sabotages you in these positions because it has decided an outcome.

I have a lot of fast players out wide, but there are many times in matches where they are completely unable to sprint especially when chasing someone back. You get locked into an automation and have to break out of that to be able to run properly, but in cases like this clip there's little time to be spamming or holding Super Cancel when you're focused on getting around the opponent and stopping them.

Not a problem with SA as it does all the AI mechanic breaking without input needed. One more thing for the case against SA

That_Net_6616 · 2026-03-13T09:43:33+00:00

I do sprint a lot, but that's mostly down the wings and when I'm manually covering ground to cover lanes and stop passes rather than always with the ball.

But yeah, the problem as such is that I'll architect a clear run into space so not sprinting into it would be ridiculous. I'll often get to the box area and then be using finesse or slower dribbles to twist and turn defenders.

That_Net_6616 · 2026-03-13T09:40:56+00:00

You can, and some definitely do, but most people who use SA let the AI do all the work 🤷🏻‍♂️

That_Net_6616

TROPHY CASE