Hoop Dynasty - Player Attributes & Tags

The player model is split into two distinct layers: attributes and tags. The split is conceptual and load-bearing — attributes express what a player can do physically and technically; tags express how a player behaves, decides, and responds to context.

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1. Attributes

Attributes are continuous numeric values on a 1–100 scale. They represent measurable physical and technical capacities. Every attribute has a direct mechanical role in the simulation — if a change in the attribute’s value cannot change a simulation outcome, it should not be an attribute.

1.1 Attribute Domains

Scoring (5)

Attribute	Simulation Role
Three-Point	Shot probability for attempts beyond the arc
Mid-Range	Shot probability for pull-ups, post fadeaways, elbow jumpers
Free Throw	Resolution of foul shots; enables intentional-foul tactics late in game
Close Range	Non-dunking interior buckets — floaters, runners, short pull-ups
Finishing	Rim attempts (layups, dunks); contested vs. Block and Inside Defense

Defense (4)

Attribute	Simulation Role
Perimeter Defense	On-ball coverage in isolation and pick-and-roll; closing out on shooters; shot contest penalty on mid-range and three-point attempts
Inside Defense	Interior help defense, post defense, rim protection
Steal	Active hands in passing lanes and on-ball pressure; feeds the turnover branch
Block	Shot contest outcome at the rim; applies to Finishing and Close Range attempts only — mid-range contests are governed by Perimeter Defense

Rebounding (2)

Attribute	Simulation Role
Offensive Rebounding	Second-chance possession probability; interacts with scheme decisions (crash vs. transition defense)
Defensive Rebounding	Reduces opponent second-chance probability; affects total possession count per game

Athleticism (2)

Attribute	Simulation Role
Speed	Transition offense and defense, defensive recovery, fast break probability, press resistance
Strength	Post-up position resolution, rebounding contests in traffic, screen-setting effectiveness

Playmaking (2)

Attribute	Simulation Role
Ball Handling	Pick-and-roll ball-handler resolution, isolation, press break, turnover risk on dribble-heavy actions
Passing	Kick-out reads, skip passes, drive-and-dish quality; interacts with IQ tags on decision-quality nodes

Total: 15 attributes.

1.2 Derived Display Values

The dossier card surfaces domain summary scores derived from attribute averages within each domain. An IQ indicator is derived from the aggregate of a player’s IQ tags (see §2.2). Raw attribute values are available on a drill-down screen. Scouting may partially obscure the drill-down until revealed.

Visuals and display design are deferred to a separate design session.

1.3 Notes on Non-Attributes

The following were considered and deliberately excluded:

• Verticality — redundant; expressed by Block, Finishing, Offensive Rebounding, and the dunker tag.
• Durability — not an attribute. Durability is expressed entirely through tags (e.g., injury-prone, iron-man, high-motor). A numeric durability attribute creates a dump-stat problem and suppresses interesting roster decisions.
• IQ — not an attribute. See §2.2.

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2. Tags

Tags are discrete labels attached to a player. They fire at specific simulation nodes, narrative triggers, or out-of-game decision points. A player may have any number of tags across categories.

2.1 Specialisation Tags

Specialisation tags amplify or constrain attribute effectiveness in a specific context. They add situational resolution that a numeric attribute alone cannot express.

Examples:

• catch-and-shoot — amplifies Three-Point in off-ball catch-and-shoot possessions
• dunker — unlocks the dunk action branch in the possession generator; amplifies crowd heat on made attempts; slightly increases block risk from elite shot-blockers
• crafty-finisher — reduces block risk on Finishing attempts; more forgiving vs. length; no crowd heat bonus
• physical-screener — amplifies Strength in screen-setting resolution
• spot-up-shooter — amplifies Three-Point in catch-and-shoot from stationary position

2.2 IQ Tags

IQ is not a numeric attribute. Cognitive and decision-making capacity is expressed through context-specific tags that fire at discrete simulation decision nodes. At any node where a player has no relevant IQ tag, they resolve at a neutral baseline — average decision-making is the absence of a tag.

IQ tags apply a bonus or malus at their specific node. The aggregate balance of positive vs. negative IQ tags on a player drives the derived IQ indicator shown on the dossier card.

Situation / Node	Positive Tag	Negative Tag
Shot clock expiring	late-clock-savvy	panic-chucker
Double-team triggered	pass-first-instinct	force-it
Foul trouble	foul-aware	foul-magnet
Fatigue at critical threshold	self-manager	overplays
End-of-quarter possession	late-clock-savvy	—
Press break	press-resistant	—
Post-up decision node	high-post-iq	—

This list is not exhaustive. New IQ tags are added as new simulation decision nodes are designed.

2.3 Behavioral / Morale Tags

These tags interact with the morale and Heat systems between and during games. Already defined in 3-game-loop.md: resilient, streaky, veteran-leader, high-maintenance, team-first, confidence-dependent.

2.4 Durability Tags

Express injury risk and stamina behavior. Examples: injury-prone, iron-man, high-motor. These interact with the fatigue accumulation function and injury risk threshold. Defined in 3-game-loop.md.

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3. Attribute & Tag Mutability

3.1 Attributes

• Permanent changes occur between seasons via training-type Development Cards (e.g., "Elite Shooting Camp" raises Three-Point permanently).
• Temporary boosts are granted by in-season Development Cards and last for a defined number of games.

3.2 IQ Tags

• IQ tags are mutable via Development Cards.
• A card may add a new positive IQ tag to a player (upside-seeking development).
• A card may remove a negative IQ tag from a player (floor-raising development).
• Both directions are valid and represent distinct card design categories.
• All Development Cards have conditions governing when and to whom they can be applied.

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4. Open Questions

Question	Notes
Attribute scaling and calibration	Base values per archetype, growth curves, min/max ceilings per tag interaction. Needs a calibration pass once the simulation engine is prototyped.
Full IQ tag vocabulary	Tag list above covers known simulation nodes. Full vocabulary expands as new decision nodes are designed.
Tag count limits per player	Is there a cap on how many tags a player can hold? Relevant for dossier display and Development Card design. Decision deferred.