Custom Tactics Discussion

[poster]

I read Krebstar mention in the slider thread that the tactics may not be working in the retail version, after seeming to have an effect in the demo version. Figured I would start a topic to see what, if anything, can be done to make these work. They worked well in FIFA 14, but not last year. It would be disappointing if they did not work again.

I played a match last night as Arsenal at Watford. I looked at Who Scored to find a team that plays long balls and they have Watford as one of those clubs. I changed their custom tactics once the match started and set them to a Speed of 80, Passing of 80 and Shooting of 80 and Defensive Line to Offside Trap.

Only played a half, but they did not play any long balls, not one. The game seemed quicker and more frantic then others I have played. It was the first time I played a match with two EPL teams, but it had that EPL pace. Not sure if setting their Speed to 80 caused that, just something I noticed.

I set their speed that high as EA put out a video last year discussing custom tactics. The explanation mentioned that the Speed setting should match up with the Passing setting, and that a higher speed setting produces faster passes and longer balls.

I was using the community sliders when playing the match. Not sure if sliders effect anything, but who knows since it may not be working correctly.

Has anyone tried the tactics in the retail version and had success with them working?

[Krebstar]

Re: Custom Tactics Discussion

This is the long ball tactic (or very close to it) that I was using when playing the demo, and had success. I had this set for Inter, and if you purposely play a long ball back to their defense, they'd often play a long ball from their defense up to their forwards. Even in a demo game, they'd do it at least 5-6 times.

Speed 30
Pass Distance 100
Positioning Organized

Passing 75
Crossing 65
Shooting 60
Positioning Organized

Pressure 30
Aggression 50
Team Width 40
Defensive Line Cover

It's troubling with default sliders and the community sliders I haven't been able to replicate what I saw in the demo.

The first and easiest things to nail down with custom tactics are the extremes, whether it's direct play, or possession. Unfortunately as of now, I haven't been able to do that, especially with a more direct approach.

This includes having forwards set to "get in behind", and fullbacks set to "stay back while attacking". This keeps defenders behind the ball to play long passes forward, and of course has forwards making runs.

If we can figure out the extremes, then the rest fall into place after that.

[poster]

Re: Custom Tactics Discussion

Thanks, Krebstar, for the information. That sucks, but I'll look into it as I play some more. Hopefully there is a way.

[PhiPsi1]

Re: Custom Tactics Discussion

@poster & Krebstar -

So your both seeing that the retail version plays differently from the demo (and not in a good way)? This is what I was afraid of....I also noticed last year that the demo played better than the retail version for some reason....

Hmm....Now I'm really on the fence on whether or not to purchase (especially since NBA 2K releases at midnight...but I digress...LOL!).

[KG]

Re: Custom Tactics Discussion

If CTT can be figured out that would be great considering you can save the custom tactic to a team sheet instead of the "slots" of yesteryear.

Edit - Well Aggression & Pressure seem to work. As a test I put Barca's up to 100 for both and literally 10 secs into the match Neymar picked up a yellow. They are pressing me ALL OVER the pitch too.

I'm only one half into the game so it will need more testing but it's good that at least that works. We might be duplicate clubs that pressure high up the pitch (Atletico, Barca, etc...)

[PAPERNUT]

Re: Custom Tactics Discussion

Edit - Well Aggression & Pressure seem to work. As a test I put Barca's up to 100 for both and literally 10 secs into the match Neymar picked up a yellow. They are pressing me ALL OVER the pitch too.

I'm only one half into the game so it will need more testing but it's good that at least that works. We might be duplicate clubs that pressure high up the pitch (Atletico, Barca, etc...)

That is good news. I am working on the offense now. Pretty sure most work on the offensive side as shooting and crossing have effect, but the passing for long ball is going to be the tough one. So far I have got the AI hitting them at least, but not at a higher rate they should. Got to find the right mix, but getting close.

[Sneaky Deaky]

Re: Custom Tactics Discussion

Not that this will help much, but I just played Zenit in the Champions cup and they had the most variety in their play I've seen yet after around 15 games. They were literally spamming me with long balls the first 20 minutes, then they changed to attacking down the wings and hitting me with crosses. They even tried direct through balls through the middle a few times.

The first 45 minutes had the most energy from the AI i've seen yet in Fifa since Fifa 14, and every other game I've played before that since Tuesday just had a lot of keep ball and occasional crossing from the AI. Zenit played different.

[KG]

Re: Custom Tactics Discussion

Not that this will help much, but I just played Zenit in the Champions cup and they had the most variety in their play I've seen yet after around 15 games. They were literally spamming me with long balls the first 20 minutes, then they changed to attacking down the wings and hitting me with crosses. They even tried direct through balls through the middle a few times.

The first 45 minutes had the most energy from the AI i've seen yet in Fifa since Fifa 14, and every other game I've played before that since Tuesday just had a lot of keep ball and occasional crossing from the AI. Zenit played different.

Do you remember what their settings were?

[TheAwesomeGem]

Re: Custom Tactics Discussion

Alright guys, just opened up a forum post on FIFA 16 Support Forum about this issue. If it get's a lot of attention, EA might fix it on the next patch. Here is the link:

http://fifaforums.easports.com/en/discussion/87932/bug-custom-tactics-doesnt-work-in-retail-version-but-worked-fine-in-demo-version?new=1

[CTHULHU_ARISEN]

Re: Custom Tactics Discussion

I played a few matches with MLS All-stars vs Bastia and set Bastia to pass distance 80 and speed 55 or 60. They hit me with several long balls. I edited their custom sheet to have their striker and wide midfielders "get in behind." This AI is going to take what you give it. If you use custom sliders to make the midfield "longer" I don't think they are going to try to constantly hit you over the top. I changed "length" to 45 in sliders and saw more balls over the top.

[poster]

Re: Custom Tactics Discussion

@poster & Krebstar -

So your both seeing that the retail version plays differently from the demo (and not in a good way)? This is what I was afraid of....I also noticed last year that the demo played better than the retail version for some reason....

Hmm....Now I'm really on the fence on whether or not to purchase (especially since NBA 2K releases at midnight...but I digress...LOL!).

It's hard to say how differently it plays. I haven't gone above Pro level yet, but I also think something seems a little different. Hard to say for certain, but enough knowledgeable members are saying as much so something seems different.

Hard to give you advice on a purchase. I am also very much anticipating NBA 2K, perhaps play that for a bit and see how things have taken shape in a couple of weeks.

[KG]

Re: Custom Tactics Discussion

The extremes definitely work. It's just going to take some time to figure out. I put Barca's speed (speed at which they generate/start attacks) to 100 and they advanced the ball at light speed. Their pressure & aggression was still set at 100 so once they dispossessed me they countered really quickly. I was using some random German 2 side who was incredibly outmatched so it was ugly.

Because the game is a slower build-up, I don't think the low speed settings of '14 are going to work. The AI is already programmed to be very patient and take their chances. We don't want to want to slow the game any more than it already is.

Here's what I'm going to try:

Speed - 100
Crossing - 100
Pass Distance - 100 or 0 (can't remember which extreme creates the distance)
Pass Risk - 100

That should get teams trying to advance the ball as fast as possible with risky passes with players a good bit of distance away from each other.

If I turn down the aggression and high pressure I might even be able to unlock clubs that sit on the counter. Organized defense, absorb pressure, force turnover, and spring the counter.

I'll report back shortly. I'm only playing halves to see how they react. 2nd half would most likely see the CPU change mentalities to chase/secure a result.

[Krebstar]

Re: Custom Tactics Discussion

Tonight I tried the slow build up extreme, build up speed, pass distance, and pass risk all set to '1'.

The thing is, I mostly noticed the difference when I set the difficulty to Pro. It's almost as if the AI was relying more on playing how they're supposed to as opposed to just "trying to beat me" with the low driven passes straight to the strikers as fast as they could.

Shortening line length also is a good point.

Instructions are also a great thing, as setting forwards to "get in behind" should work, as well as setting them to target men to play more possession.

[PAPERNUT]

Re: Custom Tactics Discussion

I tested for around 5 hours tonight and could not get much going on the long ball tactics. I did get them hitting a few a game or not at all, but I could not find any combo to get them consistently hitting them at a high number. Seen a lot of good stuff with build up slow and fast along with crossing, so certainty some good adjustment options there along with the d. At this point I would say you guys are right that sliders may play some role in this or long ball may just be broken again. Will keep at it though.

Here are the setting I had the most success with the long balls all using the OS Community sliders on WC:

Speed:21
Pass:90

Pass:89
Cross:75

[TeleTex82]

Re: Custom Tactics Discussion

Tonight I tried the slow build up extreme, build up speed, pass distance, and pass risk all set to '1'.

The thing is, I mostly noticed the difference when I set the difficulty to Pro. It's almost as if the AI was relying more on playing how they're supposed to as opposed to just "trying to beat me" with the low driven passes straight to the strikers as fast as they could.

Shortening line length also is a good point.

Instructions are also a great thing, as setting forwards to "get in behind" should work, as well as setting them to target men to play more possession.

That's the biggest problem with FIFA. The higher difficulties aren't about strategy, it's about the CPU finding the shortest route to winning. It's a very 90's approach to AI and needs to be addressed by EA. Once you get to WC and Legendary the CPU will disregard most instructions and even sliders, as its highest priority is just winning, not winning correctly.