Outstanding work on this extensive testing! Here are the key findings for those, who struggle to read this 😉
Core Discovery: Attribute Mechanics
- Attributes = "Propensity (attempts)" + "Success Rate" - Higher attributes make players attempt actions MORE OFTEN, not just better - This can HARM team performance when players ignore tactical instructions to do what they prefer
Why Higher Attributes Can Be Negative - Player with high Passing will attempt more passes (even when inappropriate) - Player with high Finishing will "steal" shooting opportunities from better-positioned teammates - Success rate improves, but overall team performance may decline - Explains the "red results" where attribute increases hurt win rates
AI Manager META Hierarchy Strongest (META-level AI): - Marco Rose (RB Leipzig) - Diego Simeone (Atletico Madrid) - Stefano Pioli (AC Milan)
Weakest: - Pep Guardiola - Most other "famous" managers
Critical Finding: Some AI managers are using actual META tactics and are extremely difficult to beat
Preset Tactics Performance - ALL preset tactics perform poorly against strong AI managers - Even the best preset (GegenPress 4231) only draws with the WORST AI managers - Using presets puts you at massive disadvantage against META AI managers
Extreme META Requirement - Without "extreme META" settings (like "Get Stuck In", you lose 10-20% more than you win against top AI - Small tactical compromises lead to being "overwhelmed" by strong opponents - Every instruction matters at the highest level
Match Management Reality
- "Player Control" vs "Holiday" shows identical xG and actual goals - More shot animations in player control, but same statistical outcomes - Only real difference: team morale boost from "Shouting" - Without shouting, manual control provides zero statistical advantage
Hidden Attributes Impact
- "Important Matches" significantly affects xG to actual goals conversion - "Consistency" confirmed as highly effective attribute - Position proficiency differences (even 18 vs 20) meaningfully impact performance
Revolutionary Implications
- Attribute stacking isn't always beneficial - can create tactical disobedience - META tactics are mandatory against strong AI, not optional - AI difficulty varies drastically based on manager tactical setup - Manual control is largely cosmetic without morale management - Every tactical detail matters at competitive levels
This research explains why "logical" attribute increases sometimes hurt performance and why certain AI teams feel impossibly difficult while others are pushovers. Exceptional scientific approach to testing FM24 mechanics!
Hi, I wonder if you - after almost a year - found anything interesting, changed approach, have new insights for us all. Do you still use MDW24 rating file? Do you still play FM with the same passion?
simple question: Are we at a point where we can just pick the best-tested tactic and stick with it indefinitely in our saves?
Or maybe not? Perhaps it’s more reasonable to adapt in one of the following ways:
1. Use the best tactic (based on your preferred formation) as your main setup, but have two variations (of course from testing league each): one with the highest goal-scoring potential for when you need to chase a game and another focused on defensive solidity for protecting a lead late on.
2. Adjust your formation for every match to counter your opponent while keeping it somewhat similar to maintain tactical familiarity.
I used to use this chart (on fm 19, 20, 21 and 22) but didn't see any significant difference in my scores. Just sense of having more control during a match.
Organize team meeting and try to boost morale (probably by reducing expectations if you're underdog). Check your team dynamic if there are any problems. Check individual morale and praise players for sth (or criticize if there's space for it).
My first attempt to create my own tactics. Keep fingers crossed!
Tactics:
Player Instructions added to default: VOL (At) - Move into channels BWM (Su) - More direct passes IF (At) - Roam from position DLF (At) - Roam from position
However I always struggle against good teams playing 4231 with Wing play style. It's quite easy to stop crosses from wingers using OI (press, hard tackle, inside foot) but they always find a way to score somehow finding blind spots in my tactics. Any advice?
CBP87 said: Added mark specific position to IF Expand
It's crucial to remember to change marked position to WB when opponent plays 5 at back. That small change in last match recovered my team from 1-2 to 3-2 in the last 10 minutes
Core Discovery: Attribute Mechanics
- Attributes = "Propensity (attempts)" + "Success Rate"
- Higher attributes make players attempt actions MORE OFTEN, not just better
- This can HARM team performance when players ignore tactical instructions to do what they prefer
Why Higher Attributes Can Be Negative
- Player with high Passing will attempt more passes (even when inappropriate)
- Player with high Finishing will "steal" shooting opportunities from better-positioned teammates
- Success rate improves, but overall team performance may decline
- Explains the "red results" where attribute increases hurt win rates
AI Manager META Hierarchy
Strongest (META-level AI):
- Marco Rose (RB Leipzig)
- Diego Simeone (Atletico Madrid)
- Stefano Pioli (AC Milan)
Weakest:
- Pep Guardiola
- Most other "famous" managers
Critical Finding: Some AI managers are using actual META tactics and are extremely difficult to beat
Preset Tactics Performance
- ALL preset tactics perform poorly against strong AI managers
- Even the best preset (GegenPress 4231) only draws with the WORST AI managers
- Using presets puts you at massive disadvantage against META AI managers
Extreme META Requirement
- Without "extreme META" settings (like "Get Stuck In"
- Small tactical compromises lead to being "overwhelmed" by strong opponents
- Every instruction matters at the highest level
Match Management Reality
- "Player Control" vs "Holiday" shows identical xG and actual goals
- More shot animations in player control, but same statistical outcomes
- Only real difference: team morale boost from "Shouting"
- Without shouting, manual control provides zero statistical advantage
Hidden Attributes Impact
- "Important Matches" significantly affects xG to actual goals conversion
- "Consistency" confirmed as highly effective attribute
- Position proficiency differences (even 18 vs 20) meaningfully impact performance
Revolutionary Implications
- Attribute stacking isn't always beneficial - can create tactical disobedience
- META tactics are mandatory against strong AI, not optional
- AI difficulty varies drastically based on manager tactical setup
- Manual control is largely cosmetic without morale management
- Every tactical detail matters at competitive levels
This research explains why "logical" attribute increases sometimes hurt performance and why certain AI teams feel impossibly difficult while others are pushovers. Exceptional scientific approach to testing FM24 mechanics!
Sort by the Position rating then change to the other rating and re-sort
If player is near the top on both then sign them
What do you think about creating a one grf file that contains average rating for both of them? Would it work?
simple question: Are we at a point where we can just pick the best-tested tactic and stick with it indefinitely in our saves?
Or maybe not? Perhaps it’s more reasonable to adapt in one of the following ways:
1. Use the best tactic (based on your preferred formation) as your main setup, but have two variations (of course from testing league each): one with the highest goal-scoring potential for when you need to chase a game and another focused on defensive solidity for protecting a lead late on.
2. Adjust your formation for every match to counter your opponent while keeping it somewhat similar to maintain tactical familiarity.
3. Your approach – how do you handle tactics?
I’d love to hear your thoughts!
Tactics:
Player Instructions added to default:
VOL (At) - Move into channels
BWM (Su) - More direct passes
IF (At) - Roam from position
DLF (At) - Roam from position
Prediction:
Table:
Results:
Squad:
General performance:
Search for "Evidence Based Football Manager" on YouTube.
However I always struggle against good teams playing 4231 with Wing play style. It's quite easy to stop crosses from wingers using OI (press, hard tackle, inside foot) but they always find a way to score somehow finding blind spots in my tactics. Any advice?
It's crucial to remember to change marked position to WB when opponent plays 5 at back. That small change in last match recovered my team from 1-2 to 3-2 in the last 10 minutes
- PI for Full Backs - stay wider,
- Underlap instructon when in possesion.
It makes no sense for me, but still works 🤪
Against team with 1 striker:
- best tactics with 4 defenders (TON 424 V9 HUB TH P97 at the moment),
Against team with 2 strikers:
- best tactics with 3 defenders + WBs (3322 Merc400 at the moment).
Now, I need to consider, how to mix both methods