Using the best custom tactics and formations in EA FC 25 will make a huge difference in your team’s performance. Like its previous versions, EA FC 25 lets you customize your tactics to a fine degree. By editing these settings, you are acting as the team manager, instructing the players how they play both on and off the ball.
Different formations and tactics work differently for each individual player, depending on their play style. This means that there are many different approaches you can take either to support one particular player or to mask weaknesses within your team.
These custom tactics and formations are a great place to start when editing your custom team in EA FC 25 Ultimate Team. From beginners to pros, everyone will benefit from these customizations. We even mention a few options that the pro esports players themselves use!
The Best Custom Tactics And Formations In EA FC 25
4-4-1-1
Tactical Preset: Custom
Formation: 4-4-1-1 Midfield
Build-up Style: Balanced
Defensive Approach: High (70)
Goalkeeper: Sweeper Keeper (Balanced)
Center Backs: Defender (Defend)
Right Back: Wingback (Balanced)
Left Back: Fullback (Balanced)
Left Center Mid: Holding (Ball-winning)
Right Center Mid: Box-to-Box (Balanced)
Right Mid: Winger (Attack)
Left Mid: Inside Forward (Attack)
Center Attack Mid: Shadow Striker (Attack)
Striker: Advanced Forward (Support)
The latest update in EA FC 25 has ushered in a new meta, the 4-4-1-1 formation. This shape has made a good impression with players who are equipped with overpowered teams.
The initial Team Tactics mimic the meta most seasoned players are likely familiar with. The first big change is using your RB as a Wingback with their focus on Balance. Pairing your RB with a player that possesses good stamina will allow them to push up the pitch and support the attack while also getting back quickly to defend. Keeping the LB on Fullback ensures you still have a solid defense, even when the right fullback is attacking.
It is best to be patient with your defending style and focus more on your midfielders intercepting the ball rather than bringing your defenders higher up. That is why this formation utilizes the CMs in a more defensive role. By placing one of their focus on ‘Ball-winning,’ you should get more interceptions.
Up front, having the left midfielder as an Inside Forward will have the player start on the wing and then cut inside to attack in the box. This will let you have more variation in your attacks and also make them harder for the opponent to predict.
You will need a CAM with high dribbling, vision, and passing stats to take full advantage of these tactics and formations. By putting their role to Shadow Striker, you can feed your striker quickly and easily while also providing different options for your LM to pass to.
This custom tactic and formation can even work great as a 4-4-2, with the CAM moving up to the Striker position.
4-2-1-3
Tactical Preset: Custom
Formation: 4-2-1-3
Build-up Style: Short Passing
Defensive Approach: High (70)
Goalkeeper: Goalkeeper (Defend)
Center Backs: Defender (Defend)
Right Back: Wingback (Balanced)
Left Back: Fullback (Balanced)
Center Defensive Mids: Holding (Defend)
Center Attack Mid: Playmaker (Balanced)
Wingers: Inside Forward (Roaming)
Striker: Advanced Forward (Attack)
The 4-2-1-3 is an excellent overall formation for people who don’t have a great grasp on tactics. The combination of a strong defense and a varied attack makes for plenty of options up front while ensuring your goal stays protected.
This setup may be a formation you are familiar with, but the small tweaks help combat changes made since the latest update. The short passing Build-Up Style is great for Tika-Taka play to help you get quick counterattacks.
By placing your LB as a Fullback and your RB as a wingback, you are allowing more depth in your play style. This is similar to the formation above, but the difference here is that you have two CDMs in a more defensive style. So, this formation is best for those who need to feel more protected in defense, especially as the 4-4-1-1 uses a Sweeping Keeper.
Although it seems like a lack of bodies in the midfield, this formation works out nicely while in-game. Placing the Wingers in a Inside Forward role guarantee players in the box for both counter attacks and slow build-up plays.
4-2-1-3 (Vejrgang Edition)
Tactical Preset: Custom
Formation: 4-2-1-3
Build-up Style: Balanced
Defensive Approach: High (70)
Goalkeeper: Goalkeeper (Balanced)
Center Backs: Defender (Defend)
Right Back: Fullback (Balanced)
Left Back: Fullback (Balanced)
Center Defensive Mids: Deep-Lying Playmaker (Build-Up)
Center Attack Mid: Playmaker (Balanced)
Wingers: Inside Forward (Roaming)
Striker: Advanced Forward (Attack)
Vejrgang is the current reigning FC Pro world champion, and this is his most recent Team Tactics setting. So, if you want to take advice from the best in the world, then note down the tactics and formation above.
This 4-2-1-3 is similar to the previous tactics, but it tends to be slightly more defense-orientated. Keep in mind that Vejrgang is playing in a professional league, so he has to be especially careful in each game, as they are competitive games.
Notice how both the LB and RB are set as Fullbacks to provide this extra bit of defense. Also, the CDMs are Deep-Lying Playmakers, allowing him to create plays from further back while also ensuring gaps aren’t created at the back.
The roaming Inside Forward roles allow the wingers to exploit defensive gaps up front. This role also allows them to be played in multiple ways to set up crosses into the box and offensive runs.
4-4-2
Tactical Preset: Custom
Formation: 4-4-2 Flat
Build-up Style: Balanced
Defensive Approach: Balanced (50)
Goalkeeper: Goalkeeper (Defend)
Center Backs: Defender (Defend)
Right Back: Wingback (Balanced)
Left Back: Fullback (Balanced)
Right Mid: Inside Forward (Balanced)
Center Mid: Holding (Defend)
Center Mid: Playmaker (Attack)
Left Mid: Winger (Balanced)
Strikers: Advanced Forward (Attack)
A 4-4-2 formation is a favorite for both beginners and professionals, and this new customization ensures a balanced team with a great attack.
The defense is the same solid defense as the 4-2-1-3 formation, but this time we don’t have CDMs to reinforce this line. Instead, we will use the one of the CMs as a holding defender and the other as an attacking playmaker. This ensures an even split across your midfield to both help in defense if you need it and to feed the players up front.
Having the RM as an Inside Forward allows you to make good connections in the midfield to create short passes to set up a goal-scoring opportunity. The LM is placed as a Winger. If both players were wingers, the players could be too spread out. You may want to do this if you like crossing into the box, but you can still make those opportunities with this setup.
The 4-4-2 is one of the most common formations you will come across in EA FC 25. This is thanks to its ease of play while providing a good spread of your players across the pitch. So this is the formation you want to use if you don’t know where to start in FC Ultimate Team.
5-2-1-2
Tactical Preset: Custom
Formation: 5-2-1-2
Build-up Style: Counter
Defensive Approach: High (70)
Goalkeeper: Sweeper Keeper (Balanced)
Center Backs: Defender (Defend)
Right Back: Attacking Wing (Balanced)
Left Back: Fullback (Balanced)
Center Mids: Box-to-Box (Balanced)
Center Attacking Mid: Classic 10 (Balanced)
Strikers: Advanced Forward (Attack)
The 5-2-1-2 formation is an excellent way to decrease the chances of your opponent scoring. It gives you five defenders. The three CBs are able to hold down the goal, whereas the LB and RB can play up and down the wing with the Attacking Wing role. You will even find the LB and RB get into crossing opportunities if you’re playing an attacking play style.
In addition, having the CMs in a Box-to-Box role enhances this formation’s defensive nature and allows support when setting up attacking options. So, the CMs, LB, and RB will command the midfield. These slots should be filled by players with a healthy amount of stamina.
With the CAM as a Classic 10 role, you can set up plays with the help of the CMs. This ensures a good connection between the midfield and the strikers.
The only downside to this tactic is that the midfield can be spread a bit thin in areas. Also, many other players frown upon a 5-at-the-back formation. You will have a reinforced defense, but the opponent will have more time on the ball, letting them wait until mistakes are made or options open up, especially on the wings. If you don’t feel comfortable handling this type of gameplay, try one of the other tactics above.
These are the best custom tactics and formations in EA FC 25. Let us know which one worked best for you in the comments. And if Pro Clubs is more your speed, then be sure to check out how to create a really strong CAM build.
Published: Jan 14, 2025 02:17 pm