Oathbreaker - a Plug & Play 433 for FM18 (UPDATED TO .fmf)

I'd really like to read your synopsis. I'm new to FM but I really enjoy tinkering with tactics in order to get a team playing the way I'd like. To do this, a thorough understanding of how instructions, roles, and other components is essential. I've read a lot of guides but I find reading tactic descriptions more insightful.

Thank you

Thanks for the interest, historically every version of FM and indeed every version of the Match Engine within each addition would generally be favourable to certain combinations, formations, roles/duties, mentalities and team shape.

The objective is to find out what that is so we can get the maximum return from our saves.

After playing around with various formations and watching them in game I noticed Strikers are very effective this year, the more the merrier in fact so I believe a front 3 is a good way to go.

In FM Strikers don’t track back so my main concern was whether only having 7 players effectively defending would be too much to ask, conceding around a goal a game is acceptable considering the goal scoring upside and I’m pleased to say all my tests hit that benchmark (or close enough).

Having established this my first instinct was to employ a straightforward flat 433, I never needed to deviate from this. My first instinct on player roles was also correct a standard back 4 of Central Defenders/D and Full Backs/S. A Midfield see’s us employ the new Mezzala role flanking a Holding Central Midfielder. The Mezzala role is a half & half role which sees them operate wider enabling simple link play with the FB’s and Wide Strikers. Our frontline sees a Central, Deeper ‘pivot’ feeding slightly more advanced wide Strikers who operate in the channels. All sensible stuff.

This left Mentality, Shape, Team and Player instructions.

I tested all mentalities and to my surprise ‘Attacking’ was the sweet spot, it essentially scaled as you moved down the mentality ladder, you scored less & less whilst still conceding roughly the same number of goals so an easy decision.
Team Shape, I couldn’t be bothered throwing in a load more variables to test so I just left it on Flexible.

Team Instructions, it is my belief that Team Instructions should only be used to accomplish things that cannot be achieved via the Player Instructions, so I rarely use more than one or two as is the case here.
I have added player Instructions to achieve the Closing Down and Tackling preference I require and to restrict long shots.

And that’s that!

In terms of what’s happening on the pitch, its stupidly simple. Your front 3 will do the VAST majority of your Goalscoring & Assisting. You can basically leave them to sort out attacks amongst themselves. Unless you have a standout player (or a weaker one) goals and assists will be nicely spread between them, this helps when 1 gets out of form, the other 2 pick up the slack. Pretty high scoring tactic by FM18 standards.

The midfield trio break up play and shuffle the ball to one of the forward players, beyond that they offer a deeper layer of support to attacks, enabling the easy recycling of possession and providing a solid defensive shield.

The back four can concentrate on defence, pushing the ball into midfield when in possession or hitting your front 3 early. The Full Backs offering wide/deep support most of the time ensuring they can help deal with Counter Attacks.

Essentially you have 3 distinct units in defence/midfield/attack each with clearly defined responsibilities.

You have 3 players forward at all times, positioned in our opponents weak spots. imagine a back four set up.


FB CB CB FB

STR STR STR

Our Central Striker attacks the space between the Centre Backs, our wide Strikers attack the space between the Centre Back and Full Back.

Our attacking mentality means we move the ball forward quickly, and its ideal for counter attacking, you will see lots of direct balls into your wide strikers played by your back 4 which results in a lot of goals.

I hope this helps.

The only caveat being I’ve only used this in lower leagues, I would expect it to be fine in higher divisions, especially for underdog teams.

Downloaded Oathbreaker last night when I was on the brink of getting sacked by arsenal due to inconsistency. Went on to win the league and EURO cup with this formation (with a few personal tweaks). The strikers banged in around 90 goals between them. Many thanks I think you should rename it Oathkeeper as it brought good fortune to me.

Thanks for feedback, glad it went well.

What tweaks did you make if you don't mind me asking?

I do love a 4-3-3, will be giving this a go on full release!

Let's hope they don't tweak the match engine too much!

Not possible to download using Chrome. Webpage waits for answer, then nothing happends.

Three strikers. This years glitch.

Tactic does not open in FM 2018

File couldn't be imported into the game.

Downloads as a 1kb file and then this message: "File could not be imported into the game". Broken for now.

still broken

But you use OP 3 strikers?