Dream League Soccer 2025 (DLS 25), developed by First Touch Games, features a system that allows in-game players to enhance the statistics of their virtual footballers. The system uses upgrade items, referred to as Coaches, which improve specific attributes of players. These upgrades are essential to progress in the game, as enhanced statistics increase player effectiveness during matches.
This stat-based progression is not just a supplementary feature but is essential for in-game advancement. The enhanced statistics directly improve a player’s on-pitch performance, which in turn influences match outcomes and the team’s success in various competitions. The system places a significant emphasis on resource management and squad strategy, requiring players to make calculated decisions on how to best utilize their Coaches to optimize their team.
Types of Coach cards
Coach cards in DLS 25 are categorized based on the type of player and the attributes they influence:
| Coach Type | Applicable To | Stats Boosted | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| TECHNICAL | Outfield Players | Control (CON), Tackling (TAC), Passing (PASS), Shooting (SHOT) | Improves offensive and defensive skills |
| FITNESS | Outfield Players | Stamina (STA), Strength (STR), Acceleration (ACC), Speed (SPE) | Boosts physical abilities |
| GOALKEEPING | Goalkeepers | GKH (Goalkeeping Handling), GKR (Goalkeeping Reflexes) | Specialized for goalkeepers; only these 2 stats are upgraded |
| SPECIAL | Specific Players / Events | Varies | Limited-time or unique upgrades |
- Technical Coaches:
- Intended for outfield players (forwards, midfielders, defenders).
- Improve technical attributes such as passing, shooting, control, and tackling.
- Randomized effect: the game determines which specific stat will increase when applied.
- Fitness Coaches:
- Also for outfield players.
- Enhance physical attributes such as stamina, strength, speed, and acceleration.
- Contributes to player durability and performance in physical challenges.
- Goalkeeping Coaches:
- Exclusively for goalkeepers.
- Enhance goalkeeper-specific skills, including GKH (Goalkeeping Handling), GKR (Goalkeeping Reflexes).
- Randomized effect applies to the goalkeeper selected by the game.
- Special Coaches:
- Often associated with limited-time events or legendary players.
- May provide targeted upgrades or increased potential in specific scenarios.
- Function varies depending on the update and event design by First Touch Games.
Obtaining Coach Cards
Coaches are a limited resource, primarily acquired by releasing unwanted players, or by completing in-game missions and events. This mechanic encourages players to continuously manage their squad, deciding between keeping a player for a match or “sacrificing” them to acquire the Coaches needed for other team members.
Coach cards can be collected through several methods:
- Releasing unwanted players: Removing a player from the squad grants a number of Coach cards depending on the player’s rarity:
| Player Rarity | Card Color | Coach Cards Obtained When Released |
|---|---|---|
| Legendary | Gold | 1 Rare upgrade card (Blue) |
| Rare | Blue | 2 Common upgrade cards |
| Common | White | 1 Common upgrade card |
- Completing in-game events or missions: Certain events and daily/weekly objectives reward Coach cards.
- Season Pass or in-game rewards: Some cards are given as rewards for reaching milestones in the Season Pass or other official game reward systems.
Resource Requirements for Upgrades
Upgrading a player in Dream League Soccer 2025 requires Coach cards. Each application of a Coach card consumes a certain number of cards depending on the upgrade type. If a player does not have enough Coach cards, Gems (the in-game premium currency) can be used as an alternative to perform the upgrade.
Gems can be earned through gameplay by completing matches, daily and weekly missions, in-game events, or reaching milestones in the Season Pass. This system ensures that players can continue to upgrade their squad even if Coach cards are limited, while maintaining a strategic balance between free progression and resource management.
Mechanics of Player Upgrades
The player upgrade system incorporates a randomized selection mechanism:
- When a Coach is applied, the system randomly determines which player in the squad receives the upgrade.
- For each selected player, the specific attribute that increases is also chosen randomly.
- Players have a maximum potential, and upgrades beyond this cap do not further enhance stats.
This randomization ensures that progression is balanced and prevents players from quickly maxing out all attributes for every player in a short time.
Strategies and Limitations
While the system is largely automated, certain game mechanics influence the upgrade process:
- Player Potential: Players have an individual maximum stat threshold. Coaches applied to players at maximum potential have no effect.
- Squad Composition: Fewer eligible players in the squad may increase the likelihood that a specific player receives an upgrade.
- Event-Specific Coaches: Some Special Coaches temporarily bypass randomization, allowing targeted upgrades during special events.
Game Design Considerations
The upgrade system in DLS 25 reflects several design priorities:
- Progressive Development: Players improve gradually, providing a sense of long-term progression.
- Strategic Decision-Making: Players must decide which players to release, retain, or upgrade based on team needs.
- Balance and Fairness: Randomized upgrades ensure that no single player can dominate solely due to upgrades, maintaining competitive balance in both offline and online modes.
