Just wondering, what formation works best for you and your ML team? Do you always change the default formation? Was starting an Arsenal masterleague and I find the 4-3-3 to be insufficient. I find the only formation that really works is 4-4-2 and its variations. I actually select the 4-2-3-1, (back four, two DMF, LMF & RMF, AMF and CF) and usually change one of the DMF to CMF and if I want to play with two strikers I'll move the AMF slightly forward and select SS, playing behind the CF. For me this seems the only good formation to really keep possession, defend well, play wide and through the middle. If you need more cover leave two midfield players as DMF and keep 5 in midfield, but it's flexible. What do you think? What works for you?
What formation works best for your team?
- Thread starter Militico
- Start date
ath007
Registered User
I worked with a lot of formations (default team in ML) and found that 4-2-3-1, with wingers shifting as LMF/RMF or LWF/ RWF works good for me. (Attacking down the middle)
Even with this, I am struggling to score a little bit. Defense is scrambled, just try to overrun the opponent with a crowd, and clear or pass the ball away. Seems to help for now.
Even with this, I am struggling to score a little bit. Defense is scrambled, just try to overrun the opponent with a crowd, and clear or pass the ball away. Seems to help for now.
With my Everton team in ML offline I normally play 4-5-1, 2 CMF, LMF, RMF and one AMF. The AMF splits the defence with a through ball (Just like the CPU). When there is 10 minutes left, and the scores are 0-0 or I am behind I am playing 3-6-1, 2CMF, LMF, RMF and 2 AMF, this usually works and I've have a lot of possession 
Pistol SFC
Registered User
4-3-3-1 - I tend to have 4 defenders, 2 DM protecting the back 4, 1 LMF, 1 RMF, 1 AMF and a SS.
kishores_bin
Registered User
Yeah, I usually play 1 DMF to protect the back line and break the opposition attacks and do all the dirty work, then 1 CMF to control the game with passing and movement. Then always have a LMF and RMF to exploit the wings and put in some crosses or drag the defence wider. Then I have an SS and CF upfront if the opposition is little weak. Otherwise, stick with one CF with an AMF providing the suport from a bit deep. If my opposition is too strong or I need do defend my lead, I play two DMFs protecting the back line and my LMF and RMF dropping back as well. I usually play long balls randomly to unsettle the opposition and see if I can cling on to a random one which clicks..
davidmamencr7
Registered User
i have an 4-3-3 with a DMF, LMF and RMF in midfield and in attack two wingers and a CF. but in strategie i've put in standard and then i defined the way wich i score maybe half of the goals, by the wings.
I have a lot of trouble scoring, but I'm good at defence, so I play (with slight variations) with 2 CBs, a LMF and RMF who double as right/left backs, 1 DMF, 2 CMFs, 1 AMF and 2 CF/SSs. Totally unrealistic, I know, but this has produced much better results for me than any formations with 4 defenders. When I'm ahead, I'll often swap out my AMF or a CF/SS for an SW, who I plunk right between the two CBs.
FrenchCobbler
Registered User
I use probably the most widely used formations. 4-3-3, 4-2-3-1. 5-4-1 when winning late, 3-5-2 when losing late. 2-4-4 when desperate for a late goal in a knockout game.
Sabatasso
Banned
4-4-2 (preset 1 and 2) and 4-2-3-1 (preset 3 and 4)
Defenders in the middle between the midfield line and my own box line, backs halfway between the CD's and the midfield line. Midfielders a notch past the midfield line and the strikers on the penalty box line. AMC and LMF and RMF halfway between the opponent box line and the midfield line. I don't use DMC's at all, ever, as a CMF with A/D awareness 2/3 will work better. DMC movement and positioning is broken and they act like center backs.
Preset 1 and 3 / Preset 2 and 4
Support 8 / 14
Range 8 / 10
Switch 10 / 10
Style 9 / 11
Pressing 14 / 20
Line 12 / 12
Compactness 8 / 12
I usually leave attack and defense levels at default, because the formation is perfectly balanced as it is. I do change on corners, though, all the way to defensive and switch to full attack just before you hit the corner to create a lot of movement in the box. Remember to switch back to mid setting right away after the corner, or you will get in trouble. I also use "Switch wings" or whatever it's called, to create attacking width.
I have at least two identical formation presets with different strategy settings, as I actively change instructions during the match 5-10 times per half. If I smell a counter attack, I change to 14 Support, for example. Instead of "shutting up shop" I use normal Preset, and keep possession without any offensive movement towards the end of the match. I almost always use subs on the central midfielders, as they are vital for both attack and defense. Keep them fresh, and you will tear up the opposition. Attack/Defense awareness 3/2 and 2/3 (one of each*), Teamwork and Tenacity are the most important central midfielder abilities, everything else is more or less irrelevant.
*A/D awareness midfield comprised of 3/3 and 2/2 works as well, but the 3/3 guy needs to be subbed early in most cases.
Try it, and rule supreme!
EDIT:
I use this setup for ML, online and multiplayer. Any game mode, really.
Defenders in the middle between the midfield line and my own box line, backs halfway between the CD's and the midfield line. Midfielders a notch past the midfield line and the strikers on the penalty box line. AMC and LMF and RMF halfway between the opponent box line and the midfield line. I don't use DMC's at all, ever, as a CMF with A/D awareness 2/3 will work better. DMC movement and positioning is broken and they act like center backs.
Preset 1 and 3 / Preset 2 and 4
Support 8 / 14
Range 8 / 10
Switch 10 / 10
Style 9 / 11
Pressing 14 / 20
Line 12 / 12
Compactness 8 / 12
I usually leave attack and defense levels at default, because the formation is perfectly balanced as it is. I do change on corners, though, all the way to defensive and switch to full attack just before you hit the corner to create a lot of movement in the box. Remember to switch back to mid setting right away after the corner, or you will get in trouble. I also use "Switch wings" or whatever it's called, to create attacking width.
I have at least two identical formation presets with different strategy settings, as I actively change instructions during the match 5-10 times per half. If I smell a counter attack, I change to 14 Support, for example. Instead of "shutting up shop" I use normal Preset, and keep possession without any offensive movement towards the end of the match. I almost always use subs on the central midfielders, as they are vital for both attack and defense. Keep them fresh, and you will tear up the opposition. Attack/Defense awareness 3/2 and 2/3 (one of each*), Teamwork and Tenacity are the most important central midfielder abilities, everything else is more or less irrelevant.
*A/D awareness midfield comprised of 3/3 and 2/2 works as well, but the 3/3 guy needs to be subbed early in most cases.
Try it, and rule supreme!
EDIT:
I use this setup for ML, online and multiplayer. Any game mode, really.
I've been playing PES for years and I can tell you formation in PES means nothing. Your results against AI only depends on what AI level is. And its not you, who choose AI level, its game itself. Before every match algorythm varies AI team strength and your team strength. It can make it +-30 overall easily. So in fact you control nothing.
But when you play against your friends 1 on 1 best for me is 3-3-4 (not 4-3-3) with 4 CFs.
But when you play against your friends 1 on 1 best for me is 3-3-4 (not 4-3-3) with 4 CFs.
Bite.Me
Registered User
4-3-3
CBs around 2/3 up my midfield , RB and LB halfway between CBs and midfield line, and halfway betwen CBS and touchline.
3 CMF 1 playing slightly behind the others. 2 sitting on the midfield line, on the edges of the central circle.
1 CF place at the penalty marker, 1 RWG tucked inside at the edge of the box, and 1 CF where the LWG should be.
Recently I'm experimenting with 4-2-3-1
With defense in the same place as my 4-3-3.
1 midfielder (CMF or DMF) a halfway in the box where you can but a DMF behind midfield and the other on the midfield line. Both tucked a little inside if you consider the central circle.
LMF, RMF and AMF all in line, halfway between midfield and penalty box. 1 CF slightly behind the box.
CBs around 2/3 up my midfield , RB and LB halfway between CBs and midfield line, and halfway betwen CBS and touchline.
3 CMF 1 playing slightly behind the others. 2 sitting on the midfield line, on the edges of the central circle.
1 CF place at the penalty marker, 1 RWG tucked inside at the edge of the box, and 1 CF where the LWG should be.
Recently I'm experimenting with 4-2-3-1
With defense in the same place as my 4-3-3.
1 midfielder (CMF or DMF) a halfway in the box where you can but a DMF behind midfield and the other on the midfield line. Both tucked a little inside if you consider the central circle.
LMF, RMF and AMF all in line, halfway between midfield and penalty box. 1 CF slightly behind the box.
Flowhunter
Registered User
Im struggling to find the best formation for me, but that´s at the same time as it´s tricky - one of the most fun parts of playing the ML in PES 13. Of course the best formation depends on your strengths as a gamer and the squad you have.
With smaller teams I think you would need 4-2-3-1 in the beggining of your career. To have a good defence with 4 defenders and 2 defencive midfielders. 4-2-3-1 is quite good for counter attacks as well, playing against lets say Barcelona you will not be able to have ball possesion so counter attacks is prob. what you need with a shitty team.
Imo more fun to choose a team that hasn´t won the C.L in the last 5-10 years
but then... with bigger teams you can be a bit more creative and play around with formations.
Manchester United is best with 4-2-3-1 counter attacks and mix between counter attacks-ball possession 4-4-2.
Manchester City is best with long ball 4-2-3-1 or 4-3-3.
Barcelona can play a number of fun formations in PES, besides the conventional 4-3-3, just like they do in real life.
I find these formations would work just fine for FCB: 3-3-1-3 (the 3-4-3 diamond formation) would probably work with FCB, probably Barcelona can play 3-3-3-1 as well (though 3-3-1-3 is more custom made for FCB).
I tried 3-2-1-4 against Bayern Munich with Barca one match with success (including Neymar in the starting 11 as LWF), for me Barcelona is the only team with default (and Neymar) that could do 3-3-4/3-2-1-4 succesfully. Think they did the 3-3-4 formation against AC Milan in 2011 or 2012 and won by 3-0 or 4-0 or something like that but don´t think they´ve done 3-2-1-4 - maybe, but I don´t think so. With my crazy 3-2-1-4 I had 0 in player assistance and 20 pressing, 20 defence line, maximum wide and as narrow assitance as you can have. Pretty good if you play FCB in ML.
Bayern is best with 4-2-3-1 counter attack, like default. Or with a "false 9" 4-3-3. Mandzukic/Muller/Götze as a SF and Robben+Ribery as wingforwards placed higher than the SF.
PSG play the default 4-3-3 and 4-2-2-2 best.
Real Madrid play best with no striker like spain with Del Bosque as coach. The "4-6-0" formation. Ronaldo as a LWF - Özil as an AMF placed high up, Di Maria as RMF, and DMFs and/or IMFs behind the Ronaldo-Özil-Di Maria. As Ronaldo is placed as LWF the formation wont be called 4-6-0 in the game but there in fact is no striker. Very efficient with Real Madrid. Think it would work even better with Spain.
But if your team is shit then go with 4-2-3-1 preset 1 and move the RMF/LMF to LWF/RWF in preset 2 - make it a 4-3-3, change between the 2 in the game you need to.
If you have a good team then play around with formations that allows you to line up your best players.
With smaller teams I think you would need 4-2-3-1 in the beggining of your career. To have a good defence with 4 defenders and 2 defencive midfielders. 4-2-3-1 is quite good for counter attacks as well, playing against lets say Barcelona you will not be able to have ball possesion so counter attacks is prob. what you need with a shitty team.
Imo more fun to choose a team that hasn´t won the C.L in the last 5-10 years
but then... with bigger teams you can be a bit more creative and play around with formations.
Manchester United is best with 4-2-3-1 counter attacks and mix between counter attacks-ball possession 4-4-2.
Manchester City is best with long ball 4-2-3-1 or 4-3-3.
Barcelona can play a number of fun formations in PES, besides the conventional 4-3-3, just like they do in real life.
I find these formations would work just fine for FCB: 3-3-1-3 (the 3-4-3 diamond formation) would probably work with FCB, probably Barcelona can play 3-3-3-1 as well (though 3-3-1-3 is more custom made for FCB).
I tried 3-2-1-4 against Bayern Munich with Barca one match with success (including Neymar in the starting 11 as LWF), for me Barcelona is the only team with default (and Neymar) that could do 3-3-4/3-2-1-4 succesfully. Think they did the 3-3-4 formation against AC Milan in 2011 or 2012 and won by 3-0 or 4-0 or something like that but don´t think they´ve done 3-2-1-4 - maybe, but I don´t think so. With my crazy 3-2-1-4 I had 0 in player assistance and 20 pressing, 20 defence line, maximum wide and as narrow assitance as you can have. Pretty good if you play FCB in ML.
Bayern is best with 4-2-3-1 counter attack, like default. Or with a "false 9" 4-3-3. Mandzukic/Muller/Götze as a SF and Robben+Ribery as wingforwards placed higher than the SF.
PSG play the default 4-3-3 and 4-2-2-2 best.
Real Madrid play best with no striker like spain with Del Bosque as coach. The "4-6-0" formation. Ronaldo as a LWF - Özil as an AMF placed high up, Di Maria as RMF, and DMFs and/or IMFs behind the Ronaldo-Özil-Di Maria. As Ronaldo is placed as LWF the formation wont be called 4-6-0 in the game but there in fact is no striker. Very efficient with Real Madrid. Think it would work even better with Spain.
But if your team is shit then go with 4-2-3-1 preset 1 and move the RMF/LMF to LWF/RWF in preset 2 - make it a 4-3-3, change between the 2 in the game you need to.
If you have a good team then play around with formations that allows you to line up your best players.
You can always play a 4-2-1-3 formation. Put up a DMF on the bottom-most point of the central circle, a CMF on the right hand side, just above the intersection of the halfway line and the central circle and a CMF/AMF on the left side, but a bit higher up. Place the LWF and RWF on their respective corners of the box. Alternatively you can play a 4-2-3-1 by using the LWF/RWF as LMF/RMF.
------GK------
-LB-CB-CB-RB-
--------------
-----DMF-----
---CMF-------
-------CMF---
-LWF----RWF-
------CF------
------GK------
-LB-CB-CB-RB-
--------------
-----DMF-----
---CMF-------
-------CMF---
-LWF----RWF-
------CF------
