Alright, what's up everyone, it's OmiX here! After the recent patch with the improved attacking AI, I'm absolutely loving the 433 attack. It's just such an attacking formation that you need to give this one another try. Let's dive straight into the tactics!
Formation and Build-Up Play
We're rocking the 433 attack, also known as the 433(4). For the build-up play, I'm sticking with balanced. I'd love to go with a higher line, but the auto offside traps aren't as good as they used to be. Having a few defenders push up with a high line and one or two keep running back isn't ideal for your defensive structure, so we're staying on balanced at 50.
Player Roles
Let's break down the player roles, starting with the attackers:
- Striker: Advanced Forward. This is crucial.
- Wingers: Inside Forward and balanced on both wings. It's boring, I know, but it's the best role for wingers in this game, and it's super effective.
- CAM: Playmaker and Roam. This is key if you're a counter-attacking player like myself. The freedom of movement with roaming opens up a passing option every time you're on a counter-transition. If you want the CAM to act as a secondary false 9 striker and join the striker in the box, then Shadow Striker is the role for you.
- Center Mid (Attacking): Get Forward. This player needs to be a midfield maestro with passing and shooting excellence, who has the freedom to move up into space and contribute to the attack. The playmaker role on the CAM is the reason we have the CM on Get Forward. We want the CM to run up in attacks and the CAM to drift into this space, helping us attack in a five-man force, perfect for the recently meta extra passes in the box.
- Center Mid (Defensive): Stay Back While Attacking. This is your defensive anchor. Playmaker or Holding, whichever one you have the Plus+ role in. The focus needs to be on defense.
- Fullbacks: Stay Back While Attacking and Balanced. They stay back to protect against counters and keep the width, covering the wings.
- Center Backs: Default Defender and Defend.
- Goalkeeper: Sweeper Keeper and Balanced.
Gameplay and Tactical Approach
Now, the big question: Is this better than the 4213? For me, with absolute certainty, yes! I play more confidently on the 433 attack because it's perfectly suited for my play style. I love counter-attacks, but I hate rushing my attacks. This formation has more players high up the pitch compared to the 4213, so if I need to slow it down a bit, keep my composure, and look for a finely built goal, the two center mids will help a lot with attacking presence compared to CDMs. It's a better pressing formation, it's a better position-based formation, and with a bit of patience, you can get a really high conversion rate out of it. It might not be as meta because the 4213 CDMs are positionally better in defense, but it's certainly a more ballsy approach in a game that now rewards an attacking play style more than ever.