There are hundreds of tactics available on YouTube, Twitter, Reddit and elsewhere, so choosing the right one can be difficult. These tactical reviews will feature the best Custom Tactics from the FIFA community, they will be comprehensively tested and explained. This will give you a sense of how competitive they are, how fun they are to play, and help you determine the best tactic for your game.
H00bear's FIFA 23 4321 Tactics
After reviewing three tactics from the community, I decided to provide a review of my own 4-3-2-1 tactics. This is a very common formation at the moment, but this tactic approaches it a bit differently.
Defensive Tactics
- Defensive Style: Pressure After Possession Loss
- Width: 45
- Depth: 75
Attacking Tactics
- Build Up Play: Balanced
- Chance Creation: Forward Runs
- Width: 35
- Players In Box: 6
H00bear's FIFA 23 4321 Instructions
Below are the player instructions, if a specific instruction is not specified, the instruction is set to its default.
- GK: Sweeper Keeper, Comes For Crosses
- CBs: All Default
- RB: Join The Attack, Overlap
- LB: Stay Back While Attacking, Inverted
- RCM: Stay On Edge Of Box For Cross, Cover Wing
- CCM: Stay Back While Attacking, Stay On Edge Of Box For Cross, Cover Center
- LCM: Get Forward, Get Into The Box For Cross, Drift Wide
- RCF: Get In Behind, Come Back On Defense
- LCF: False 9, Stay Forward
- ST: Stay Forward
Note: If you wish to "flip" this tactic with the RCF on False 9, etc., you can do so, but you must flip the instructions of the RB/LB, RCM/LCM, and RCF/LCF.
What are the best players for this 4321 tactic?
Below is an 11 of ideal players for this setup at the time of writing, next to that you'll find a more budget option. Bear in mind these players are amongst the best options at the time of writing. It is worth noting that you can start your players in a different formation and then switch to this 4-3-2-1 using "Gameplans". "Gameplans" can be set up within the "Custom Tactics" menu, which is accessible via "Squad Actions" (L2 or LT) when looking at your squad.
- GK: Highest Rated/Best for Chemistry
- RCB: TOTY Eder Militao/Phenoms Jules Kounde
- LCB: TOTY Virgil Van Dijk/OTW Antonio Rudiger
- RB: Moments Juan Cuadrado/Centurion Trent Alexander-Arnold
- LB: WC Hero Joan Capdevila/Gold Theo Hernandez
- RCM: Mid Icon Zinedine Zidane/WW Toni Kroos
- CCM: WC Icon Patrick Vieira/Centurions Fred
- LCM: TOTT Angel Di Maria/EOAE Gareth Bale
- RCF: Mid Icon Jairzinho/WW Adama Traore
- LCF: TOTY Messi/Gold Neymar
- ST: TOTY Benzema/Mid Icon Samuel Eto'o
Are these the best ‘Meta’ 4321 tactics in FIFA 23?
Yes, a case could definitely be made for this being the best 4-3-2-1 tactic for FIFA 23. This is a strong tactic for having creative runs from every area of your team.
The main strength of this team is the interchanging positions and runs from deep areas. The LCF drops back into midfield while the LCM runs ahead of him. Also, the RCF moves forward from his RM defensive zone and the RB moves into that area.
The tactic allows you to defend in a 4-4-2 shape with the RCF dropping back and the LCF staying forward. The LCM defends in the LM zone. This allows you to defend well against formations with four attackers, such as 4-4-2, 4-2-2-2, and 4-2-3-1.
You can also alter this tactic by setting the RCF to stay forward, which makes you defend in a more standard 4-3-3 shape. This is effective against opponents with three central midfielders in narrow areas, such as other 4-3-2-1s or 4-3-3s.
Strong Against: 4-4-2, 4-3-2-1, 4-2-3-1
What are the drawbacks of this 4321 tactic?
The main weakness of this tactic is with the full back going forward, which can leave part of the defense exposed on the counter. This can be difficult against opponents that have four attackers staying forward at all times to counter into the space.
Weak Against: 4-2-4, certain 4-2-2-2s
H00bear’s Verdict — FIFA 23's Ultimate Tactic?
Overall, this is a good tactic for those looking to play a fluid attacking system with lots of creative runs. The strength of the tactic relies on player movement rather than skill moves or special through balls.
It provides creative and exciting attacking runs against opponents with two-man midfields, and can also be strong against three-man midfields with a slight modification.
Meta Rating: 7.5/10
Fun Rating: 9.5/10
Ultimate Tactic Score: 8.5/10
You can follow H00bear on Twitter, or message him in the FUTWeekly Podcast Discord. For more gameplay advice and tactical breakdowns, keep an eye on fut.gg. If you have any questions, or thoughts on this tactic, then be sure to drop them below.