Its been a while now since FIFA 18 first arrived on the scene. It is about time we review the best formations that pro players have used and have proven to be very successful. If you are already a well-experienced FIFA player then you would know how the right formation and player instructions can make the difference for you. However, if you are a new player and looking to find the right combination then, brace yourself! Here, we go through all the best formations, player instructions, custom tactics and top teams you should use to set your win-to-loss ratio on the rise.
Most Overpowered Formations in FIFA 18:
Some formations have always stood out from others in various additions of FIFA. Different players and teams have different playing styles. The thing that counts is how to make the best of all the players in your team, how to play with certain teams and which tactics can improve your attack or defence. Continue reading and try giving these formations a shot.
4?2?3?1 (Narrow): The Most Balanced Formation!
A formation that has been in FIFA since its beginning. Most of the pro players use it or have used it at some point in their career. FIFA 18 is no different. This formation is suitable for any kind of football. You can play tiki-taka, you can play on the wings and for counter attacks. This formation works like a charm.
Player Instructions:
Although you don?t need many player instructions for this formation. However, while playing against a top player, you can use the following instructions.
- Full Backs: Stay back while attacking.
- 2 CDMs: No instructions.
- LAM/CAM/RAM: Free roam, for RAM/LAM get into the box for crosses.
- ST: Get in behind for fast striker, otherwise no instructions.
Custom Tactics:
BUILD UP PLAY
Speed 77
Passing 50
Positioning Organized
CHANCE CREATION
Passing 76
Crossing 77
Shooting 75
Positioning Free Form
DEFENCE
Pressure 50
Aggression 58
Team Width 55
Defender Line Cover
4?1?2?1?2(2): Overpowered Formation!
This formation is a beast in FIFA 18. You have got triangles all over the place. You can always pick a pass. This formation is suitable for direct play and counter attacks. You can play aggressively with this formation. Move the ball around, your players will make runs and get into positions. You can score a lot of goals with this formation. The only problem that you may face is the lack of wing play. There is a glitch in this formation in FIFA18, the CAM and RCM often change positions. Most of the times you don?t want that to happen. You can switch to another similar formation the 4?3?1?2 The formation is another variant of 4?1?2?1?2(2). It is a more compact version, players tend to be more organized in this formation but you will miss the all-important CDM. In the example, Ronaldo and Bale are playing on opposite sides. Because far post-shooting is very overpowered in FIFA 18, you need to play right footed players on the right side and vice versa.
Player Instructions:
You can get the most out of this formation using player instructions. In order to convert defence into attack effectively, use the following instructions.
- Full Backs: Stay back while attacking.
- CDM: Stay back while attacking.
- 2 CMs: Depending on your preference you can have stay back while attacking for one CM.
- CAM: Free roam, stay forward.
- 2 STs: Get in behind for fast strikers, press back line.
Custom Tactics:
BUILD UP PLAY
Speed 78
Passing 50
Positioning Organized
CHANCE CREATION
Passing 77
Crossing 35
Shooting 77
Positioning Free Form
DEFENCE
Pressure 50
Aggression 55
Team Width 51
Defender Line Cover
4?4?2 (Flat): The FIFA Classic!
The classic football formation. You have two strikers, you have players on the wings and in the midfield. The two central midfielders are the key here, as they have to be strong, fast, have great stamina and good shooting stats as well. This formation has been used by many championship players and has achieved great results. You can hold possession, perform counter attacks and play on wings. Other variants of this formation are also very good: 4?4?2(holding) and 4?2?2?2.
Player Instructions:
You can get the most out of this formation using player instructions. In order to convert defence into attack effectively, use the following instructions.
- Full Backs: No instruction or to be on the safer side, stay back while attacking.
- 2 CMs: Stay back while attacking for one CM.
- 2 STs: Get in behind for fast strikers.
Custom Tactics:
BUILD UP PLAY
Speed 69
Passing 50
Positioning Organized
CHANCE CREATION
Passing 65
Crossing 60
Shooting 50
Positioning Free Form
DEFENCE
Pressure 58
Aggression 55
Team Width 47
Defender Line Cover
4?3?2?1: Counterattacking Nightmare!
A highly aggressive formation. You will control the pace in the game. In my opinion, this formation is best for counter attacks. You have got two attacking players on the wings i.e. RF and LF, they are not conventional wingers, they are a bit a narrow and more forward. This trait makes them absolutely lethal. Together with your main striker, these forwards can launch deadly counter-attacks. The only thing it may lack is a solid midfield. You will be relying too much on your RF/LF/ST in an attack.
Player Instructions:
This formation works best with player instructions. As you don?t have any CDM so you have to use those critical instructions on your CMs.
- Full Backs: Stay back while attacking.
- 3 CMs: Stay back while attacking for the CM. You can also use the same instruction for RCM or LCM, depending upon their defensive stats.
- RF/LF/ST: Get in behind for RF/LF and fast striker, press back line.
Custom Tactics:
BUILD UP PLAY
Speed 75
Passing 50
Positioning Organized
CHANCE CREATION
Passing 65
Crossing 67
Shooting 60
Positioning Free Form
DEFENCE
Pressure 48
Aggression 55
Team Width 55
Defender Line Cover
4?3?3(2): The Possession Master!
A legendary formation that has been used by Barcelona for a long time. It suits the possession style of play. You are gonna have one holding CDM which will run the game and make critical interceptions. Two CMs will assist in attack and defence. You need to have fast players on the wings who can cut inside and take shots. You can have a big target man in the striker position and feed him crosses or you can have a fast striker, make one twos with him and open the opponent?s defence. You can also use 4?3?3(2) formations. But according to me, it is defensively vulnerable as you lose the all-important CDM for a CAM.
Player Instructions:
Using the right player instructions can greatly improve your build-up play, possession and defence with this formation.
- Full Backs: Stay back while attacking.
- CDM: Stay back while attacking.
- RCM/LCM: Depending on their defensive stats, you can have stay back while attacking for one of them.
- RW/LW: Get in behind, get into the box for cross or balanced instructions.
- ST: Get in behind for fast striker, otherwise balanced instructions.
Custom Tactics:
BUILD UP PLAY
Speed 72
Passing 50
Positioning Organized
CHANCE CREATION
Passing 80
Crossing 75
Shooting 71
Positioning Free Form
DEFENCE
Pressure 45
Aggression 55
Team Width 52
Defender Line Cover
3?4?1?2: Best Formation for Comebacks!
This formation works best when you are a goal or two down and are looking for a comeback. You can play narrow with your CAM, RS and LS or you can play on the wings with your RM and LM. There is always an option available. You can put overwhelming pressure on your opponent. Get those passes going and there is no stopping you. Your players are always in position to receive a pass and start counter attacks. The drawbacks of this formation are obvious. It is risky. You have 3 defenders who can be left isolated. You can be hit hard on counter attacks.
Player Instructions:
You can use player instructions and custom tactics to make this formation more balanced yet still use that explosive attacking prowess.
- 3 Center Backs: Stay back while attacking.
- 2 CDMs: Stay back while attacking.
- RM/LM: Come back on defence, get in behind and get into the box for the cross.
- CAM: Free Roam.
- 2 STs: Get in behind for fast strikers, otherwise keep it to balanced.
Custom Tactics:
BUILD UP PLAY
Speed 62
Passing 50
Positioning Organized
CHANCE CREATION
Passing 65
Crossing 67
Shooting 50
Positioning Free Form
DEFENCE
Pressure 53
Aggression 55
Team Width 47
Defender Line Cover
In the end, it depends on you, your team, your playing style and the situation you are in to chose the right formation, instructions and tactics. We have explained everything you needed to know about the best formations in FIFA 18.
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