Alright, what's up everyone, it's Omid here, and welcome back to another video! This is the third and final episode where we're diving deep into the top meta formations in the current state of the game. We're not talking about fun, friendly matches here. We're talking about going into a game with a solid game plan, knowing exactly what you want from each player. And trust me, when you see your opponent using this formation, you know it's not going to be an easy game.
The 4213: The Meta Monster
The 4213, in my opinion, is the radest formation in the game right now. It's a combination of a low block, an impenetrable defense, and a counterattack that's so deadly it's nightmare fuel for your opponents. It's the equivalent of last year's 4-3-1-2, not necessarily in how it plays, but because it's easy to play, brutal in defense, and deadly on the counters. Playing it barely requires any skill, and that's why it's so effective.
Let's get into the tactics and I'll explain why it's such a broken formation.
Tactics Breakdown
For the 4213, I'm going with Balanced build-up play, 10 times out of 10. While I enjoy playing counter on most two-striker setups, here's the key thing about any formation with a lone striker and a CAM in the current game: first-time through balls are the top of the meta. You want your CAM to take the ball and fizz it through for any of your free attackers. If you put the build-up style on counter, you'll realize most of the time your attackers will be offside when you attempt those first-time through balls. So, staying on balanced build-up is a crucial necessity.
For the Defensive Depth, I go with a line height of 58, which again puts the approach on unbalanced. Any number above 60 would change the approach to a high line, which wouldn't be ideal if we're strictly talking about the meta. On a high line, your defensive AI stops marking the runs on the track back, which could lead to getting countered if you're not manually marking the runs every time.
Player Roles and Instructions
Now, let's move on to the player roles.
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Striker: My new favorite role and focus combo on the game: Advanced Forward and Support. If you compare this striker's positioning between Attack and Support focus, you see the striker positions themselves a few yards deeper on the support role, which makes it that much easier to find perfect consistency on your first-time through balls without the risk of getting caught on the offside trap. Unlike the False 9, this one won't make your striker disappear into the midfield, and they'll still have that crucial presence in the final third.
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CAM: Playmaker and Balanced. As much as I love Shadow Striker for different reasons, it's that extra step they take back towards your midfield that opens up that perfect setup for the pass. So, if we want to stay true to the meta, we got to go Playmaker on this one.
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Wingers: Regardless of their role, these two just need to be on Inside Forward and Balanced. You all know why; it's undoubtedly the best role for wing attackers. Instead of explaining what you already know, let me suggest two types of players who would be perfect for this role. I've been going with two explosively fast wingers on both sides, and I'm loving what it brings to the table. But another top meta choice for the wingers would be having players with Finesse Shot Plus. Let me paint you a picture: you're on a counter, winger on Inside Forward instruction gets the ball, and they have Finesse Shot Plus... say less!
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CDMs: Both on Deep Lying Playmaker. Why? Because the Roaming Focus EA added for the CDMs changes everything. Before, no matter what, you could not involve your CDMs in the attack; they just wouldn't move forward. The Roaming Focus on Deep Lying Playmaker is the new addition to FC IQ, and as you can see, it gives the CDMs the freedom to move up a little bit and find themselves in more useful areas to support the attack. Keep in mind, this doesn't leave you vulnerable on the counters; there are still CDMs, and they're still prioritizing defensive positioning over anything else.
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Defenders: The boring meta defensive lineup as you would expect: Stay Back While Attacking and Defend on both sides, and Defend for the center backs.
That would form the core reason why this formation is so broken. Just look at how the team forms up when you're in position, look at how compact the defense is with the way CDMs tuck back way more than a center mid would. The six-back low brick defense is just a joke. Imagine the amount of times you'll get the ball back with such a defense, and on top of that, you got a four-man attack always forward, always ready for a counter. This is something rarely any other formation on this game can provide. I'm telling you, man, this formation is a joke. I'm certain of the effectiveness of the setup, but to be honest, I'm not sure I'm a fan of the skill-less play style this formation provides.
- Goalkeeper: The goalkeeper's instruction, as always, is whatever role Plus or Plus+ they might have. I have mine on Sweeper Keeper and Build Up.
Gameplay and Strategy
The 4213 is great at many things, but something to always keep in mind is any variation of a 4-3-3 form would always be amazing at pressure play. You got all the right players in the right positions to man-mark, cut passing lanes, and press the ball holder. A lot of your goals will come from opponents simply giving up the position mid-transition, and it's almost a free goal at that point. And when it's not a press, it's the counterattacks, the wing play, the first-time through balls, the control of the midfield, and dictating the tempo of the game. With the way FC25 plays right now, along with the 4-4-2, this probably is the best formation in the game.