The Pro Clubs game mode has been a favorite among fans for quite some time and EA has made some major changes to the mode in FIFA 23. The game mode is so beloved by fans of the game that when it was announced that cross-play wouldn’t be available, #SaveProClubs started trending on Twitter.
The game mode has been a staple in the FIFA games since 2009 and was an instant hit among gamers who were looking to live the dream of a professional football player. It is unique in the game's oeuvre in the sense that players can only control an individual in a team, rather than the whole team itself. This unique mode allows people to not only feel part of an actual team but also team up with friends for a complete virtual football experience.
EA have made many changes to this season’s game with the most prominent being the act of fusing VOLTA with Pro Clubs. The shared progression system and more levels mean gaining levels at a faster rate. Let’s take a look at how to level up with skill points in FIFA 23 Pro Clubs.
FIFA 23 Pro Clubs: Skills, Archetypes, Perks and progression system
In Pro Clubs, players play as the Virtual Pro which can be visually customized from the menu. With VOLTA progression tied to this game mode, if players progress in VOLTA, they can unlock more cosmetics for their Pro to use. Only the size and weight of the avatar matter to the meta because it affects their speed on the pitch. Try not to have a Pro who is too tall or heavy because, in FIFA 23, pace is king.
When starting off, players will be given a blank slate to begin their journey with twenty skill points ready to be allocated to the different skill trees. Depending on which position and playstyle one wants, one can choose to invest in each section. These attributes can be of seven overarching types.
Physical
Dribbling
Passing
Shooting
Pace
Goalkeeping
Each of these has a different skill tree in FIFA 23 with plenty of options to upgrade your Virtual Pro however you see fit.
The pace skill tree is vital for your player and will benefit almost all playstyles whether they play as a striker or a defender. With a finite amount of skill points to work with, picking and choosing which attributes to upgrade is key to making a player that fits the position they play on the field. Here are some chart breakdowns of each skill tree with all the attributes that can be influenced by each of them:
| Skill Tree | Attributes |
| Physical | Strength, Stamina, Jumping, Aggression |
| Defending | Interceptions, Defensive Awareness, Standing Tackle, Sliding Tackle |
| Dribbling | Agility, Balance, Attacking Positioning, Ball Control, Dribbling, Skill Moves |
| Passing | Vision, Crossing, Long Pass, Short Pass, Curve |
| Shooting | Finishing, Free Kick Accuracy, Heading Accuracy, Shot Power, Long Shots, Volleys, Penalties, Weak Foot |
| Pace | Acceleration, Sprint Speed |
| Goalkeeping | Diving, Handling, Kicking, Reflexes, Positioning |
On top of the varied number of ways to increase the attributes through the skill trees in FIFA 23 Pro Clubs, players can also choose to unlock attributes which make the players drastically better at specific stats. Each of these skill trees has unique archetypes at the end of each upgrade line. Do note that archetypes require a lot of skill points to unlock and therefore should not be a priority in the initial stages of Pro Clubs.
Here are all the archetypes in FIFA 23 that can give your virtual pro the extra edge they require to become a top player:
| Archetype | Attribute Skill Tree | Overall Stat boosts when unlocked | Least Skill Points Required to unlock |
| Bull | Physical | Strength +11 Aggression +5 | 18 |
| Acrobat | Physical | Jumping +5 Stamina +13 | 18 |
| Guardian | Defending | Interceptions +12 Defensive Awareness +7 Stand Tackle +5 Slide Tackle +4 | 22 |
| Maestro | Dribbling | Agility +12 Att. Positioning +4 Dribbling +6 Skill moves +1 star | 23 |
| Lynx | Dribbling | Balance +12 Att. Positioning +4 Ball Control +8 | 18 |
| Artist | Passing | Vision +3 Crosses +11 Curve +7 | 16 |
| Architect | Passing | Vision +3 Long Passing +6 Short Passing +12 | 18 |
| Sniper | Shooting | Free Kick Accuracy +13 Shot Power +10 Penalty +6 | 21 |
| Finisher | Shooting | Finishing +5 Long Shots +12 Volleys +6 | 18 |
| Cheetah | Pace | Acceleration +6 Sprint Speed +11 | 23 |
| Hawk | Goalkeeping | Diving +9 Handling +7 Reflexes +5 Positioning +5 | 25 |
| Wall | Goalkeeping | Reflexes +14 Position +12 | 25 |
That’s not all, however. FIFA 23 Pro Clubs allows players to equip up to three perks on their Virtual Pro to give them even more advantages on the field. At level 1, only one slot is unlocked while the other two unlock at levels 35 and 60 respectively.
Here is a comprehensive list of all the perks in FIFA 23 Pro Clubs:
| Perk | EA’s description | Level it unlocks at |
| Precision Pass | Improves the accuracy and speed of normal passes (short & long passes.). Grants the curve trait and the Flair trait and improves the Weak Foot ability to 5 stars. | 2 |
| Light Passes | Teammates can receive your passes easier | 5 |
| Pinpoint Cross | Increases crossing accuracy and ability when performing a cross and grants the player the Swerve trait and a 5-star weak foot ability. | 8 |
| Skilled Dribbler | Increases a player’s dribbling and skill move abilities when dribbling with a ball while also granting them the Flair trait. | 10 |
| Set Piece Specialist | Increases your player abilities during set pieces. Grants you the Giant Throw In and Set Play Specialist Trait. | 12 |
| Assist Streak | Boost Passing attributes for a short time (15 mins) after assisting a goal and grants the player Swerve Pass trait. | 14 |
| Tireless Runner | Grants the Second Wind and Solid Player trait. | 16 |
| Active First Touch | Increases your ball control, acceleration, and sprint speed. The boost can kick in as the player approaches the ball (e.g. running onto a through pass). Grants the flair trait. | 18 |
| Threaded Pass | Increases through pass and lofted through pass accuracy (Vision). Grants the player the Swerve trait and 5-star weak football ability. | 22 |
| Distance Shooter | Increases your accuracy and power from long distance shots. Grants you the Finesse Shot trait and Outside Foot trait and 5 star weak foot ability. | 1 |
| Poacher | Boost shooting from inside the box. | 3 |
| Hot Streak | Shooting attributes boosted for a short time (15 mins) after you score a goal. Grants you the Finesse Shot, Outside Foot Shot and Power Header Traits and increases your weak foot ability. | 7 |
| First Time Shot | Increases your finishing and heading ability during first-time shots or headers. Grants the Finesse Shot, Flair, Outside Foot Shot and Power Header Traits and increases your weak foot ability. | 11 |
| Quick Reply | Shooting attributes boosted for a short time (15 mins) after conceding a goal. Grants the Finesse Shot, Outside Foot Shot and Power Header Traits and increases your weak foot ability. | 15 |
| Setpiece Beacon | Increases your Heading attributes during Set Pieces (Free Kick, Corner Kick, Throw In) for 5 seconds after the ball is in play and grants you the Power Header Trait. | 19 |
| Clutch Finisher | Increases your shooting attributes during the last 15 minutes and extra time. Grants the Finesse Shot, Outside Foot Shot and Power Header Traits and increases your weak foot ability. | 25 |
| Interceptor | Improves the ability of the player to intercept the ball. | 1 |
| Ball Winner | Boost Tackling ability when close to the dribbler. | 4 |
| Defensive Closer | Increases the defending attributes in final 15 minutes + extra time of a match | 6 |
| Cool Head | Defending attributes boosted for a short time (15 Minutes) after your team concedes a goal. | 9 |
| Physical Strength | Boosted strength, ball control and jumping when jostling, shielding, or heading the ball | 13 |
| Lockdown | Defending attributes boosted for a short time (15 min) after your team scores a goal | 17 |
| Last Defender | Increases your defending attributes when you are the last player back. | 21 |
| Chase Down | Defender is quicker to receive and chase back when possession changes. | 23 |
| Clutch Save | GK attributes boosted in final 15 minutes + extra time of a match. | 1 |
| GK One on One | GK abilities boosted in one vs one situations. | 5 |
| Set Piece Expert | GK attributes boosted during Set Pieces (Penalty Kick, Free Kick, Corner Kick, Throw In) for 5 seconds after the ball is in play. + GK Long Throw trait + GK Flat Kick trait | 10 |
| GK Far Reach | Good at saving Distance Shots | 15 |
| Fast Rush | GK speed boosted when GK is sprinting or rushing. | 20 |
| Quick Reflex | GK reflexes and reactions boosted when saving. | 24 |
With so many different options for players to min-max their Virtual Pro, players need a select the perks and archetypes which fit their playstyle. For example, a striker with the Cheetah Archetype alongside a Finisher and Poacher perk would play out quite well while defenders may need to focus more on perks like Chase Down.
