Alright lads, let's dive into the most broken 4213 custom tactics I've been using all year. We're going to break down the custom tactics setup, then get into some gameplay with the pros and cons. Let's get it!
Tactics Breakdown: The 4213 Blueprint
First up, the tactics, lads! We're sticking with Build Up on Balanced. If you're not comfortable manually calling players short using the bumpers, you can use Short Passing. It'll help you out. But if you're good at manually calling players short and sending them on runs, Balanced is perfect.
Now, for the Defensive Approach, we're going all in with 95 Depth in the 4213. It's absolutely ridiculous! I haven't really found any cons to using such a high depth. But, use whatever depth you're most comfortable with. I definitely recommend you give this 95 depth a go though.
Let's get into the player roles, lads:
- Goalkeeper: Sweeper Keeper. Use whatever role or role Plus+ they've got. I'm using Pepe Reina at the minute and he has both pluses, but I prefer Sweeper Keeper.
- Center Backs: Defender. Leave them on Defender. It's the best because otherwise, they step out of position and drain their stamina on any other setting.
- Fullbacks: Balanced. A lot of people use Fullback Defend, but I find them too stationary. I want them stepping up and getting involved in the attack. On Balanced, they help with attacks without going too far forward. It's a good balance. The Defend setting can leave your defenders too far back, making it easy for the opponent's wingers to get past. Balanced keeps them either right up the defender's backside, in front of the attacker, or just in front of them, making it easier to win the ball.
- Left CDM: Holding and Defend. I've tried Ball Winning, but with the high defense, it protects his stamina. They also step a little further forward, which I like. I've tried both CDMs on Deep Line Playmaker, which is incredibly good, but I don't have the right player for it.
- Right CDM: Deep Line Playmaker and Defend. This is perfect because if you're playing someone who puts pressure on, this CDM can find space and get you out of tight spots. They'll both be there for the passing option.
- CAM: Playmaker and Roman. She covers a lot of area. She'll show feet for either winger when they run down the wing and for the striker. The CAM moves into space behind the wingers, which is useful.
- Left Wing & Right Wing: Inside Forward and Roman. They get back on balance, but I prefer Roman because you need them to be unpredictable. On Attack, they'll do the same runs and be in the same position, making them easy to mark. On Roman, they pop up everywhere.
- Striker: Advanced Forward and Support. I love Support on the striker because they attack all the way across the line and put AI press when you're pressing. The striker will get involved in the build-up.
Gameplay: Pros and Cons
Now, let's dive into the gameplay, lads, and the pros and cons of this formation. If you've been using this formation for a while and you're looking for a different variation, this is the best formation in the game by far.
Pros:
- Intelligent Attacking Positioning: The CAM and wingers on Roman take up intelligent positions, especially with good attacking AI. They pick up intelligent positioning. A lot of people use Balanced on the CAM and wingers, but it makes the formation feel more rigid.
- Defensive Cover: Two CDMs provide defensive cover in midfield, making you incredibly difficult to break down.
- Six Defenders: You have six defenders pretty much the entire time, making it incredibly difficult to break down through the middle.
- Counter-Attacking: This is probably the best counter-attacking formation in the game. You'll get lots of opportunities to fire the ball out to the wingers, out to the CAM, and just go, go, go.
Cons:
- Wide Area Defense: The forwards don't defend too well out wide. They come back now and again, but for the most part, your wingers and striker don't come back, so you're a little bit exposed in those wide areas.
- Vulnerable to Wide Formations: If the opponent has tweaked their 4231 wide, the pass will always be on for them, especially if they're using the Winger role.
- Slow Build-Up: It's not very good at slow build-up. You may need to change the fullback set to a False Back or something like that.
Player Selection: Key Attributes
Let's talk about player selection, lads.
- Fullbacks: They need to be able to play football. Don't use a Kounde at right-back. You need them to be able to dribble and pass.
- Center Backs: You want them to be as lengthy as possible, quick, and lengthy because we are on 95 depth. You do really need that pace up front.
- CDMs: I recommend you have both of them be able to play football, dribble, pass, and shoot. Having one with a bit more length and better track-back speed is ideal.
- CAM: The most important player in the team. You want him to be doing a bit of everything, helping with the build-up, and scoring goals.
- Wingers: Great passing, great shooting, great scoring. You want a lot of pace in these areas.
- Striker: You probably just want someone that's got Advanced Forward plus plus.