Sorare 101: A Comprehensive Guide to Playing and Winning

Sorare is a global fantasy football game where you can collect, trade, and play with officially licensed digital cards representing football players. It blends the thrill of fantasy sports with the collectibility of trading cards, all powered by blockchain technology. This comprehensive guide will walk you through everything you need to know to get started and succeed in the world of Sorare.

What is Sorare and How Does it Work?

At its core, Sorare is a fantasy football game. You build teams of five players, and their performance in real-world football matches determines how many points your team scores. The better your team performs, the more rewards you can win, including Ethereum (ETH) and rare player cards.

However, unlike traditional fantasy football, Sorare uses Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs) to represent the player cards. These NFTs are unique digital assets stored on the Ethereum blockchain, meaning you truly own them. This ownership allows you to trade, buy, and sell cards on the Sorare marketplace, adding a collectible and investment aspect to the game.

Here’s a breakdown of the key components:

* **Digital Player Cards (NFTs):** Each player card represents a real-world football player and is a unique NFT. These cards come in different rarities, affecting their scarcity and value.
* **Rarities:**
* **Limited:** The most common type, with 5,000 cards issued per player per season.
* **Rare:** More scarce, with 100 cards issued per player per season.
* **Super Rare:** Highly sought after, with only 10 cards issued per player per season.
* **Unique:** The rarest of all, with only 1 card issued per player per season.
* **SoRare Scoring Matrix:** player performance in real games translates to points in SoRare, with a comprehensive matrix including decisive score (goals, assist…), all-round score, yellow and red cards, minutes played, etc. Check SoRare website for the official up-to-date scoring matrix.
* **Manager:** A player in the SoRare ecosystem. Each player must build the best team to earn rewards.
* **The Sorare Marketplace:** This is where you can buy, sell, and trade player cards with other managers.
* **Tournaments (Leagues):** You enter your teams into various tournaments based on region, player level, and card rarity. The higher your team scores, the better your chances of winning rewards.
* **Ethereum (ETH):** The cryptocurrency used for transactions on the Sorare platform. You’ll need ETH to buy cards and receive rewards.

Getting Started with Sorare: A Step-by-Step Guide

Here’s a detailed guide on how to get started with Sorare:

**Step 1: Create an Account**

1. **Visit the Sorare Website:** Go to [www.sorare.com](www.sorare.com).
2. **Sign Up:** Click the “Sign Up” button. You can sign up using your email address or connect your Google or Facebook account. It’s recommended to use an email address for security reasons.
3. **Choose a Club Name:** Select a name for your virtual football club. This will be your identity within the Sorare world.
4. **Select Your Favorite Teams:** Choose a few of your favorite football teams. This helps Sorare personalize your experience and recommend players.

**Step 2: The Tutorial and Common Cards**

1. **Complete the Tutorial:** Sorare offers a brief tutorial to guide you through the basics of the game. Pay close attention as it covers essential aspects like team building and tournament entry.
2. **Claim Your Common Cards:** After completing the tutorial, you’ll receive a set of Common cards. These are non-NFT cards that can be used in specific Common Card tournaments to gain experience and potentially win Rare cards.

**Step 3: Understanding the Sorare Marketplace**

The marketplace is the heart of Sorare, where you buy and sell player cards. Here’s how to navigate it:

1. **Access the Marketplace:** Click on the “Market” tab on the Sorare website.
2. **Explore the Available Cards:** You’ll see a wide range of player cards listed for sale. You can filter cards by:
* **Player:** Search for specific players by name.
* **Rarity:** Filter by Limited, Rare, Super Rare, or Unique.
* **Position:** Filter by Goalkeeper, Defender, Midfielder, or Forward.
* **League:** Filter by the league the player plays in (e.g., English Premier League, La Liga).
* **Team:** Filter by the player’s current club.
* **Price:** Set a minimum and maximum price range.
* **Age:** Filter by the player’s age.
* **Season:** Filter by the season the card was issued.
* **Ending Soon:** View cards that are about to be auctioned off.
3. **Understand Auction and Direct Offer** There are two ways to acquire a card in the marketplace: auction and direct offer. Auction involves bidding against other managers, while Direct Offer allows you to instantly buy the card.

**Step 4: Buying Your First Cards**

Before you start buying cards, it’s important to develop a strategy.

1. **Set a Budget:** Determine how much you’re willing to spend on Sorare. Remember that prices can fluctuate, so stick to your budget.
2. **Research Players:** Before buying a card, research the player’s performance, playing time, and injury history. Websites like Transfermarkt and Soccerway can provide valuable information.
3. **Consider Rarity:** Think about the rarity of the cards you want to buy. Rare cards are more expensive but offer higher rewards and potential value.
4. **Focus on Utility:** Prioritize cards that will be useful in tournaments. A star player who consistently scores goals is more valuable than a benchwarmer.

**How to Buy Cards:**

1. **Choose a Card:** Find a card that fits your budget and strategy.
2. **Place a Bid or Buy Now:**
* **Auction:** If the card is being auctioned, enter your bid in ETH. Make sure your bid is higher than the current highest bid.
* **Direct Offer:** If the card is available for direct purchase, click the “Buy Now” button.
3. **Confirm the Transaction:** You’ll need to confirm the transaction using your connected Ethereum wallet (e.g., MetaMask). This will incur a gas fee, which is a small fee paid to the Ethereum network to process the transaction.

**Step 5: Building Your Team**

Once you’ve acquired a few cards, it’s time to build your team. Here’s what you need to know:

1. **Team Composition:** Each team consists of five players:
* 1 Goalkeeper
* 1 Defender
* 1 Midfielder
* 1 Forward
* 1 Extra Player (can be any position except Goalkeeper)
2. **Choosing Your Captain:** You must designate one player as your captain. Your captain receives a 20% bonus to their score.
3. **Considering Card Bonuses:** Each card has bonuses based on experience and season. The total card score is : SoRare Score * ( 1 + Season Bonus + Level Bonus + Captain Bonus)
* **Season Bonus:** Cards gain a season bonus each new season when the player card is playing at a club. The bonus increases each year.
* **Level Bonus:** Player card level increase when the card is used in SoRare competitions. Each competition contribute to the level increase, and up to 20% bonus

**Step 6: Entering Tournaments**

Sorare offers a variety of tournaments, each with different requirements and rewards. Here’s how to enter:

1. **Navigate to the “Play” Tab:** Click on the “Play” tab on the Sorare website.
2. **Explore Available Tournaments:** You’ll see a list of tournaments with details like:
* **Tournament Name:** The name of the tournament (e.g., All-Star, Under 23, Challenger Europe).
* **Eligibility:** The card rarity and league requirements for entry (e.g., Rare cards only, players from Asian leagues).
* **Reward Pool:** The amount of ETH and/or cards being awarded.
* **Deadline:** The deadline for submitting your team.
3. **Select a Tournament:** Choose a tournament that matches the cards you own and your strategic goals.
4. **Submit Your Team:** Select five players from your collection who meet the tournament requirements. Choose your captain carefully.
5. **Confirm Your Entry:** Double-check your team and click the “Confirm” button to enter the tournament.

**Step 7: Understanding Scoring**

Sorare uses a detailed scoring system based on player performance in real-world matches. Here are the key elements:

1. **Decisive Actions:** These are actions that directly impact the game’s outcome, such as:
* **Goals:** Scored by the player.
* **Assists:** Providing the final pass before a goal.
* **Clean Sheets:** Goalkeepers and defenders receive points for keeping the opposing team from scoring.
* **Penalties Saved:** Goalkeepers receive points for saving penalties.
* **Penalties Conceded:** Penalties scored as a result of the player committing a foul.
2. **All-Around Performance:** Players also earn points for other positive contributions, such as:
* **Pass Completion Rate:** The percentage of successful passes.
* **Tackles Won:** Winning tackles against opponents.
* **Interceptions:** Intercepting passes from the opposing team.
* **Dribbles Completed:** Successfully dribbling past opponents.
* **Key Passes:** Passes that lead to a scoring opportunity.
3. **Negative Actions:** Players lose points for negative actions, such as:
* **Yellow Cards:** Receiving a yellow card.
* **Red Cards:** Receiving a red card (resulting in ejection from the game).
* **Own Goals:** Scoring a goal against their own team.
* **Penalties Missed:** Missing a penalty kick.
4. **Minutes Played:** Players earn points based on the number of minutes they play in a match. Playing a full 90 minutes earns more points than playing a shorter period.

**Where to find the points ?**
SoRare relies on Opta data to determine the points of players. Opta is a well known and reliable source.

**Step 8: Claiming Your Rewards**

After the tournaments conclude, you can claim your rewards. Here’s how:

1. **Check Tournament Results:** Navigate to the “Play” tab and check the results of the tournaments you entered.
2. **Claim Rewards:** If your team finished in a winning position, you’ll be eligible to claim rewards. This may include:
* **Ethereum (ETH):** Cryptocurrency rewards are automatically credited to your Sorare account.
* **Player Cards:** Winning player cards are added to your collection.
3. **Withdraw ETH:** You can withdraw your ETH to your connected Ethereum wallet (e.g., MetaMask) at any time.

Strategies for Success in Sorare

Winning in Sorare requires more than just luck. Here are some strategies to help you succeed:

* **Do Your Research:** Thoroughly research players before buying their cards. Consider their form, playing time, injury history, and potential for future growth.
* **Focus on Young Players:** Young players with high potential can increase in value over time. Investing in them early can pay off in the long run.
* **Monitor Lineups:** Keep a close eye on team lineups to ensure your players are starting matches. A player who doesn’t start won’t score any points.
* **Diversify Your Portfolio:** Don’t put all your eggs in one basket. Diversify your card collection across different positions, leagues, and teams.
* **Take Advantage of Price Fluctuations:** The Sorare marketplace can be volatile. Buy low and sell high to maximize your profits.
* **Participate in Multiple Tournaments:** Increase your chances of winning rewards by entering multiple tournaments.
* **Join the Community:** Connect with other Sorare managers on social media and forums. Share tips, strategies, and insights.
* **Stay Updated:** The world of football is constantly changing. Stay updated on player transfers, injuries, and other news that could affect their performance.
* **Utilize Data Analytics:** Leverage data analytics tools to identify undervalued players and predict future performance.
* **Manage Your Bankroll:** Set a budget and stick to it. Avoid chasing losses and make informed decisions based on data and analysis.

Understanding Card Scarcity and Value

The value of a Sorare card is determined by several factors, including:

* **Rarity:** As mentioned earlier, rarer cards are generally more valuable.
* **Player Performance:** Cards of players who consistently perform well are more in demand.
* **Age:** Younger players with high potential are often more valuable.
* **League:** Players in popular leagues like the English Premier League and La Liga tend to have higher card values.
* **Utility:** Cards that are useful in tournaments are more valuable.
* **Market Demand:** The overall demand for Sorare cards can influence prices.

**Factors Affecting Card Value:**

* **Injuries:** A player’s card value can decrease if they get injured.
* **Transfers:** A player’s card value can change if they transfer to a new team.
* **Form:** A player’s card value can fluctuate based on their current form.
* **New Seasons:** As new seasons begin, older cards may depreciate in value.

The Future of Sorare

Sorare is still a relatively new platform, but it has the potential to revolutionize the world of fantasy sports and digital collectibles. As blockchain technology becomes more mainstream, Sorare is likely to attract even more users and investors.

**Potential Future Developments:**

* **New Sports:** Sorare could expand to include other sports, such as basketball, baseball, and American football.
* **Partnerships:** Sorare could partner with more leagues and clubs to increase the number of officially licensed cards.
* **Mobile App:** A dedicated mobile app would make it easier for users to manage their teams and trade cards.
* **Enhanced Features:** Sorare could add new features like player loans, scouting tools, and advanced analytics.
* **Increased Adoption:** As more people discover Sorare, the platform’s user base and trading volume are likely to grow.

Tips and Tricks for Sorare Beginners

Here are some additional tips and tricks to help you get started:

* **Start Small:** Don’t invest too much money in the beginning. Start with a small budget and gradually increase your investment as you gain experience.
* **Focus on Value:** Look for undervalued players who have the potential to increase in value.
* **Be Patient:** Building a successful Sorare team takes time and effort. Don’t get discouraged if you don’t see results immediately.
* **Learn from Others:** Follow successful Sorare managers and learn from their strategies.
* **Have Fun:** Remember that Sorare is a game. Enjoy the process of collecting cards, building teams, and competing against other managers.
* **Use Free Common Cards Wisely**: Play often the tournaments for Common Cards. This is a great way to earn rewards, and level up to SoRare world without spending a penny.
* **Consider the Cap tournaments:** the cap tournaments limits the overall points of your team. Therefore, you must pick the players wisely to maximize the impact of each player. Usually, the players with higher all-round score and lower decisive are more valuable.

Conclusion

Sorare offers a unique and exciting blend of fantasy football, digital collectibles, and blockchain technology. By following this comprehensive guide and implementing the strategies outlined above, you can increase your chances of success and enjoy the rewarding experience of building your own virtual football empire. So, dive in, start collecting, and get ready to compete in the exciting world of Sorare!