At the start of every pre-season, I always reduce the agreed playing time of all players to the lowest, then increase it back one step at a time until they drop their concern, to make sure they expect to play as little as possible. That helps keeping the team happy during the season. This is not an exploit, since it comes with the cost of morale.
However, I discovered a little glitch. First, do what I described above, reducing playing time, then increasing again so the player drops the concern. At that moment, you can drop agreed playing time again to as little as possible without any complaint. For example, I set all my players to Emergency Backup, then five matches later they were all delighted with their playing time. I believe this happens because when they drop concern, they are blocked of being concerned for the same reason.
Anyway, play fair and do just the non-exploit part, when they drop concern.
Added 2.1 version, with improved set pieces. The improvement was around 8 points per season last patch, but this patch it's only 3 or 4. I will try to improve set pieces further after a break.
Also, I tried different formations, roles and team instructions, but couldn't find any relevant improvement yet. Gonna take a break before trying again. Time to play and see if I notice where it can be improved inside the ME.
Removed from the previous post so people don't get confused. These are the set pieces I will be using. The improvement was way bigger in previous patch, now it barely improves 3 or 4 points per season. Anyway, must test positions and roles again, since the patch gave some room to grow. Once I find a good formation, I might go back to set pieces again.
ta2199 said: Yeah, so you guys have to be cautious about that. Even when you are drawing or losing 1,2,3 goal or winning 1 goal the assistant will change mentality to Balanced But still I have good result with it, so @ZaZ maybe have a look with Balanced mentality Expand
Gonna check everything as soon as I am done with set pieces. Had to redo everything. Two more batches to go before I am done.
ta2199 said: Today I discoverd that If I only set the match plan like this The AM will change the mentality to Balance instead of Positive during the game Expand
Try to add Blue 2.0 when winning 1+ or not winning. Not sure if that's the problem, but it shouldn't go to balanced ever. Bad programming there.
Defense is more leaky this patch, so I think Very Attacking tactics might perform great. Look forward for the results of Motion to confirm or deny this statement.
Just did a holiday run to see the impact of new patch. Results are still acceptable. I will run more tests to see how it's performing, then try to find some improvements in the tactic.
Just started running new tests to collect data. Gonna start with blue 2.0 to see how it performs now. I can tell you I tried real strikers already and it performs worse, so we probably still go with AMC instead of ST.
Match Engine 21.6.0 - Further balancing of player ratings across both full and quick match engines - Number of improvements and fixes to match stats, including key tackles, clear-cut chances and interceptions - Improved goalkeeper distribution when set tactically via instructions - Improvements to assistant advice during pre-game build up and matches Expand
And I spent the week testing new stuff, all data lost. Yay!
Mark said: Wow. This looks like the kind of set up I need for next season in L2 with a semi pro team. Cant wait to try it Expand
For mark and whoever wanna try it, here is the best I got so far. I am still trying to optimize it, but it should be better than 2.0. I would appreciate if anyone could test and tell me your opinions. For Manchester City, it went from 94 pts on median to 102 per season. Goals scored went from 103 to 113 and goals conceded went from 28 to 21. It was tested 9 times in total in holiday mode, with only two runs scoring less than 100 points.
I am currently trying to optimize defensive set pieces, but not in a way to make it more defensive, but to increase the counter attack opportunities. I have yet to touch attacking free kicks.
P.S.: This is the full tactic, if you want the set pieces you need to extract it with save all routines.
Lapidus said: The 20.3 patch for FM20 was released on 20 February so I think the 21.3 patch for FM21 should be available this week or the next week. Expand
I hope my set pieces work there, because I am doing over 50 holiday runs to optimize it.
I am currently trying two different set pieces. The first is very promising and gives me around +8 points per season, +10 goals for and -7 goals conceded. The second I just started collecting data, but gave me the highest points ever in a holiday test (might be just rng) anyway, gonna post below just for fun. 110 points in holiday mode is kinda sick.
crazyfmguy93 said: You use v3.0, right? When you watch the matches with this tactic, did you like the play? Passes and attacking positions?
in FM19 I used GLADIATOR, in FM20 I used FM20 (4-1-3-1-1) @SPARTAN@ v-1, they are very good tactics for winning and they look nice when you are watching matches. I mean of course I dont want to win every games. I want watch good games, eye-pleasing football. But all I see is stupid mistakes. Expand
I play with Blue 2.0, but I guess most here use Phoenix 3.0, since it's in the top of the table. If you want goals, then go for Motion or Void. Or maybe you can try Phoenix in the very attacking setting. I like the way Blue 2.0 plays, but I am biased to talk about it.
P.S.: You can sort the table by Goals For or Goal Difference if you want, as that would be a better measurement of entertaining football.
Do you ever try Phoenix-APDM? Which one is better? APDM or v3.0? Expand
To be honest, I tried APDM in Blue and it didn't make much difference. I can't understand why it performs so much better than the original in fm-base. It really puzzles me, because normal Phoenix is really low there, with just those two roles as difference. I am not saying it's biased, it's just beyond my comprehension. Magician also tested with APDM and he didn't identify that much of a difference.
media prediction is 20. Because the team have nothing at the begining. But when I take over, I have list for transfer. Great CA and positon rating. and after the transfers and loans, team become an average team for its league and I expect that this tactic helps me on my way. Sorry, it is not happening.
So thank you for a your great reply. It will help to people who start to play this game yesterday... not for me sorry. Expand
Try one of the other top tactics. Just like in real life, some tactics perform better in certain conditions. Some might give better results with a couple of players while others are better when the team makes less errors (due to pressure, bad players or other problems). Blue 2.0 and Phoenix 3.0 are in the top here, but might not be in the top for other rank, with a different methodology of testing. Other than that, some tactics are more entertaining to watch, even with worse results. I advise to try other tactics with 7.0, 6.9 or even lower ratings in the table and decide which you like the most. If you like seeing lots of goals, try Motion or Void. If you want a balanced tactic, try Blue 2.0 or Voila. You can also try Red, Fireball or several others that give very consistent results.
In my case, I obviously play with Blue 2.0, but I know others could be better under certain conditions.
P.S.: I also think Phoenix will give you better results if you are a bit patient, since I believe you just got out of luck in the first matches.
infxamus said: Switched to this tactic midseason, changed from the Defensive Winger role to Winger, did great for me, won the Champions League and FA Cup in my Forest Save! Unfortunately lost the Premier League title on the last day to Derby even though we had a way better xG than them, nonetheless its a great tactic Expand
Who cares about the League when you win UCL, right? Good results there, gratz!
ta2199 said: @ZaZ If I want more attacking power, should I changed mentality to Attacking or Very Attacking ? Expand
I would only change that if you are desperate, then you probably should go with very attacking instead. I might try to make a more attacking version for people that wants entertainment, but I tested before and it didn't get a good balance, performing worse than positive mentality. I will try to adjust some stuff like pass directness, width and such and see if I can make it perform well with attacking, so people can use it that way even when not desperate. But first I must finish my set pieces, it's looking good right now.
By the way, should name it something else, since all I did was put together set pieces of people and make minor adjustments. I am cooking some new set pieces that look promising, with some bigger changes compared to what I posted first. Need a bit more of data before I post it.
P.S.: Didn't check the changes @Mark did yet, but will as soon as I finish this.
However, I discovered a little glitch. First, do what I described above, reducing playing time, then increasing again so the player drops the concern. At that moment, you can drop agreed playing time again to as little as possible without any complaint. For example, I set all my players to Emergency Backup, then five matches later they were all delighted with their playing time. I believe this happens because when they drop concern, they are blocked of being concerned for the same reason.
Anyway, play fair and do just the non-exploit part, when they drop concern.
Also, I tried different formations, roles and team instructions, but couldn't find any relevant improvement yet. Gonna take a break before trying again. Time to play and see if I notice where it can be improved inside the ME.
P.S.: "Never" = used once, then saw it reset and didn't use again.
Even when you are drawing or losing 1,2,3 goal or winning 1 goal the assistant will change mentality to Balanced
But still I have good result with it, so @ZaZ maybe have a look with Balanced mentality
Gonna check everything as soon as I am done with set pieces. Had to redo everything. Two more batches to go before I am done.
The AM will change the mentality to Balance instead of Positive during the game
Try to add Blue 2.0 when winning 1+ or not winning. Not sure if that's the problem, but it shouldn't go to balanced ever. Bad programming there.
Good results particularly with 1 elite team, please check on RDF's discord under K2 Tactic Testing Channel.
https://discord.gg/3UaqJHQjMK
Defense is more leaky this patch, so I think Very Attacking tactics might perform great. Look forward for the results of Motion to confirm or deny this statement.
Match Engine 21.6.0
- Further balancing of player ratings across both full and quick match engines
- Number of improvements and fixes to match stats, including key tackles, clear-cut chances and interceptions
- Improved goalkeeper distribution when set tactically via instructions
- Improvements to assistant advice during pre-game build up and matches
And I spent the week testing new stuff, all data lost. Yay!
For mark and whoever wanna try it, here is the best I got so far. I am still trying to optimize it, but it should be better than 2.0. I would appreciate if anyone could test and tell me your opinions. For Manchester City, it went from 94 pts on median to 102 per season. Goals scored went from 103 to 113 and goals conceded went from 28 to 21. It was tested 9 times in total in holiday mode, with only two runs scoring less than 100 points.
I am currently trying to optimize defensive set pieces, but not in a way to make it more defensive, but to increase the counter attack opportunities. I have yet to touch attacking free kicks.
P.S.: This is the full tactic, if you want the set pieces you need to extract it with save all routines.
I hope my set pieces work there, because I am doing over 50 holiday runs to optimize it.
in FM19 I used GLADIATOR, in FM20 I used FM20 (4-1-3-1-1) @SPARTAN@ v-1, they are very good tactics for winning and they look nice when you are watching matches. I mean of course I dont want to win every games. I want watch good games, eye-pleasing football. But all I see is stupid mistakes.
I play with Blue 2.0, but I guess most here use Phoenix 3.0, since it's in the top of the table. If you want goals, then go for Motion or Void. Or maybe you can try Phoenix in the very attacking setting. I like the way Blue 2.0 plays, but I am biased to talk about it.
P.S.: You can sort the table by Goals For or Goal Difference if you want, as that would be a better measurement of entertaining football.
Do you ever try Phoenix-APDM? Which one is better? APDM or v3.0?
To be honest, I tried APDM in Blue and it didn't make much difference. I can't understand why it performs so much better than the original in fm-base. It really puzzles me, because normal Phoenix is really low there, with just those two roles as difference. I am not saying it's biased, it's just beyond my comprehension. Magician also tested with APDM and he didn't identify that much of a difference.
wow!!!! Really?
media prediction is 20. Because the team have nothing at the begining. But when I take over, I have list for transfer. Great CA and positon rating. and after the transfers and loans, team become an average team for its league and I expect that this tactic helps me on my way. Sorry, it is not happening.
So thank you for a your great reply. It will help to people who start to play this game yesterday... not for me sorry.
Try one of the other top tactics. Just like in real life, some tactics perform better in certain conditions. Some might give better results with a couple of players while others are better when the team makes less errors (due to pressure, bad players or other problems). Blue 2.0 and Phoenix 3.0 are in the top here, but might not be in the top for other rank, with a different methodology of testing. Other than that, some tactics are more entertaining to watch, even with worse results. I advise to try other tactics with 7.0, 6.9 or even lower ratings in the table and decide which you like the most. If you like seeing lots of goals, try Motion or Void. If you want a balanced tactic, try Blue 2.0 or Voila. You can also try Red, Fireball or several others that give very consistent results.
In my case, I obviously play with Blue 2.0, but I know others could be better under certain conditions.
P.S.: I also think Phoenix will give you better results if you are a bit patient, since I believe you just got out of luck in the first matches.
They perform almost the same. It's probably just randomness.
Who cares about the League when you win UCL, right? Good results there, gratz!
ta2199 said: @ZaZ If I want more attacking power, should I changed mentality to Attacking or Very Attacking ?
I would only change that if you are desperate, then you probably should go with very attacking instead. I might try to make a more attacking version for people that wants entertainment, but I tested before and it didn't get a good balance, performing worse than positive mentality. I will try to adjust some stuff like pass directness, width and such and see if I can make it perform well with attacking, so people can use it that way even when not desperate. But first I must finish my set pieces, it's looking good right now.
P.S.: Didn't check the changes @Mark did yet, but will as soon as I finish this.