Tactics in ESMS+

In ESMS games, the choice of tactic is just as important as selecting your team. A good tactic suited to the players at your disposal can go a long way to delivering trophies at the end of the season.

Tactics are compared by the game engine, and if your tactic has a bonus against the opponent's tactic, your players receive a boost for as long as the tactical bonus applies. Be mindful of the fact managers can change their tactic during a game, and they may get the bonus over you as a result!

There will be two further posts in this thread. The first post will explain, in English, the pros and cons of each tactic, as well as a more technical breakdown of each tactic and how much of a boost there is for positions in each tactic when the tactical bonus is gained.

Tactics in plain English

Your tactic, whether you start with it or change it mid-game, dictates how tackling, passing and shooting skills are affected for each of your players on the field.

In this post, a short summary is provided into the pros and cons of each tactic, as well as the tactical bonus that is provided against specific opposition tactics. A more technical explanation is provided in the post after this one.

In general, if you want to create a lot of chances, you want to try and make sure your team's total passing is higher than the opposition's tackling once tactics are factored in by the game engine. If you want to restrict the opposition's chances, the reverse should be true.

Please bear in mind that if the opposition has a T tactic (aka the manager failed to submit a teamsheet), every single tactic listed below gets a bonus by default. The T tactic team also loses 20% skill points for players in all positions.

Also bear in mind that goalkeeper skills are unaffected in all except the T tactic.

Finally, winning the tactical bonus does not always win you the game, but provides you bonuses in certain skills of certain positions while the tactical bonus is active. Full details of tactical bonuses are provided in the final post of this thread.


Attacking (A)

Summary

This provides a major attacking threat from all players, at the expense of a heavily-reduced ability to defend.

Pros

This tactic provides the highest shooting for all outfield positions and the second-most passing collectively between the three midfield positions.

Cons

Only defenders (aka DFs) and DMs provide any tackling whatsoever. Unless your opponent is playing Defensive (D) tactic, your opponent will likely have a lot of attempts on your goal as a result. Definitely a high-risk tactic.

Bonus against

European (E) and Defensive (D)


European (E)

Summary

This tactic has a very high focus on midfielders of all types (DM, MF and AM) at the cost of defenders and forwards.

Pros

Provides the highest passing for all midfield positions, including a huge x1.25 for MF passing. For teams with good DMs and/or AMs, they also provide great tackling and shooting, respectively.

Cons

Defenders have the weakest tackling of any tactic, and forwards have the second-weakest shooting of any tactic.

Bonus against

Counter-attack (C) and Defensive (D)


Passing (P)

Summary

When all of the positions' passing is added, this tactic can provide the highest level of passing of any tactic. However, it comes at the price of lessened shooting stats for most positions.

Pros

Defenders and forwards get the highest passing of any tactic. Teams who have good passers in defence and up front are likely to create a huge amount of chances.

Cons

Other than forwards, only AMs have decent shooting. This can occasionally lead to teams having loads of shots but still fail to win.

Bonus Against

Long Ball (L), Neutral (N)


Neutral (N)

Summary

There is no particular advantage or disadvantage of having this tactic, as each position is represented competently in terms of primary skill multipliers in the game engine.

Pros

There are no particular weakness. DFs, MFs and FWs get x1.0 multipliers for their tackling, passing and shooting respectively. Could also be a solid tactic for teams with strong primary skills across the team, but poor secondary skills.

Cons

There are no particular strengths. In general, secondary skills are poorly represented, apart from DMs and AMs. Even so, those positions are better used with other tactics.

Bonus Against

European (E) and Attacking (A)


Long Ball (L)

Summary

The much-maligned Long Ball tactic has its niche uses but largely ignores anything to do with passing.

Pros

Its an extremely powerful tactic for FWs and AMs shooting (only second to Attacking tactic). Defenders also get the second-highest tackling of any tactic (Defensive tactic is first).

Cons

By far the worst for passing through midfield. Even MFs get a x0.5 multiplier for passing and that is the strongest one. So don't expect much in the way of chances at all.

Bonus against

Neutral (N) and Counter-attack (C)


Counter-attack (C)

Summary

Counter-attack is a strong defensive tactic but relies heavily on those in the final third to score.

Pros

MF and FW tackling is excellent for this tactic without sacrificing any primary multiplier (still x1.0 passing for MF and x1.0 shooting for FW).

Cons

It seems to be much-reliant on having good tacklers in the midfield for it to work. Good shooters will go to waste unless they play AM or FW (or you gain the tactical bonus).

Bonus Against

Passing (P) and Attacking (C)


Defensive (D)

Summary

The best tactic if you're seeking a draw or holding on late for a win. Just don't expect to score very much. The classic 10 man behind the ball tactic.

Pros

The highest tackling for every position bar FW (in which case it is equal-top for tackling in that position with C tactic).

Cons

Easily second-worst tactic for passing, only ahead of L tactic. Easily the worst tactic for shooting.

Bonus Against

Passing (P) and Long Ball (L)

Each tactic contains skill multipliers for each outfield position and each skill which affects the total skill stats for each outfield player. Teams that obtain the tactical bonus will also receive boosts for specific skills in specific positions, should there be anyone in those positions at the time.

Also, please bear in mind that as the game wears on and/or fitness levels start below 100%, the total skill after that is affected. Over a full 90-minute game, a player will lose around 37% of fitness, but recover between 32-35% after the game. More fitness is lost if

Below is a list of skill multipliers for each position, along with how a tactic is affected if the team receives the tactical bonus.


Attacking (A)

Position	TK	PS	SH
DF	1.0	0.5	0.5
DM	0.5	0.9	0.5
MF	0	1.0	0.75
AM	0	0.9	1.15
FW	0	0.65	1.5

A with tactical bonus (against E or D)

AM get +0.25 to shooting multiplier (total x1.40 to shooting)
FW get +0.5 to shooting multiplier (total x2.0 to shooting)

Example

B_Berisha with a 1 5 16 skill set and plays FW. Under an A tactic would start with 0 tackling, 3.25 passing and 22.4 shooting

With a tactical bonus, Berisha would still have 0 tackling, 3.25 passing, but now have 30 shooting


European (E)

Position	TK	PS	SH
DF	0.9	0.3	0.4
DM	0.75	1.0	0.15
MF	0.25	1.25	0.4
AM	0.15	1.0	0.75
FW	0.2	0.4	0.9

E with tactical bonus (against C and D)

DF get +0.25 to passing multiplier (total x0.55 to passing)
DF get +0.25 to shooting multiplier (total x0.65 to shooting)
DM get +0.1 to passing multiplier (total x1.10 to passing)
AM get +0.1 to passing multiplier (total x1.10 to passing)
FW get +0.25 to passing multiplier (total x0.65 to passing)

Example

S_Cole has a 12 8 5 skill set and plays DF. Under an E tactic, he would start with 10.8 tackling, 2.4 passing and 2.0 shooting.

With a tactical bonus, Cole would still have 10.8 tackling, but now have 4.4 passing and 3.25 shooting.


Passing (P)

Position	TK	PS	SH
DF	1.0	0.75	0.3
DM	0.65	0.85	0.2
MF	0.25	1.0	0.25
AM	0.25	0.85	0.65
FW	0.25	0.75	1.0

P with tactical bonus (against N and L)

DM get +0.25 to tackling multiplier (total x0.9 to tackling)
MF get +0.25 to tackling multiplier (total x0.5 to tackling)
MF get +0.25 to shooting multiplier (total x0.5 to shooting)
AM get +0.25 to shooting multiplier (total x0.9 to shooting)
FW get +0.25 to shooting multiplier (total x1.25 to shooting)

Example

C_Goodwin has a 7 14 7 skill set and plays MF. Under a P tactic, he would start with 1.75 tackling, 14 passing and 1.75 shooting.

With a tactical bonus, Goodwin would now have 3.5 tackling, have 14 passing and 3.5 shooting.


Neutral (N)

Position	TK	PS	SH
DF	1.0	0.5	0.3
DM	0.67	0.87	0.3
MF	0.3	1.0	0.3
AM	0.3	0.87	0.67
FW	0.3	0.3	1.0

N with tactical bonus (against E and A)

DM get +0.23 to tackling multiplier (total x0.9 to tackling)
MF get +0.25 to tackling multiplier (total x0.55 to tackling)
MF get +0.25 to shooting multiplier (total x0.55 to shooting)
AM get +0.23 to shooting multiplier (total x0.9 to shooting)
FW get +0.25 to passing multiplier (total x0.55 to shooting)

Example

M_Tavares has a 9 13 2 skill set and is playing DM. Under an N tactic, he would start with 6.03 tackling, 12.18 passing and 0.6 shooting.

With a tactical bonus, Tavares would now have 8.1 tackling, but still 12.18 passing and 0.6 shooting.


Long Ball (L)

Position	TK	PS	SH
DF	1.10	0.25	0.35
DM	0.75	0.4	0.5
MF	0.5	0.5	0.65
AM	0.3	0.4	0.9
FW	0.25	0.25	1.3

N with tactical bonus (against E and A)

DF get +0.2 to tackling multiplier (total x1.3 to tackling)
DF get +0.25 to passing multiplier (total x0.5 to passing)
DM get +0.1 to tackling multiplier (total x0.85 to tackling)

Example

J_Rose has a 14 4 5 skill set and is playing as a DF. In an N tactic he would start with 15.4 tackling, 1 passing and 1.75 shooting.

With a tactical bonus, Rose would now have 18.2 tackling, 2 passing, but still 1.75 shooting.


Counter-attack (C)

Position	TK	PS	SH
DF	1.0	0.5	0.25
DM	0.75	0.85	0.25
MF	0.5	1.0	0.25
AM	0.25	0.85	0.75
FW	0.5	0.5	1.0

C with tactical bonus (against P and A)

DF get +0.25 to passing multiplier (total x0.75 to passing)
DF get +0.25 to shooting multiplier (total x0.5 to shooting)
DM get +0.1 to tackling multiplier (total x0.85 to tackling)
MF get +0.5 to shooting multiplier (total x0.75 to shooting)
AM get +0.25 to shooting multiplier (total x1.0 to shooting)

Example

A_Mooy has a 5 16 9 skill set and is playing as a MF. With a C tactic, he will start with 2.5 tackling, 16 passing and 2.25 shooting.

With a tactical bonus, Mooy will still have 2.5 tackling and 16 passing, but will also have 6.75 shooting.


Defensive (D)

Position	TK	PS	SH
DF	1.25	0.25	0
DM	1.1	0.65	0.05
MF	1.0	0.75	0.25
AM	0.65	0.65	0.5
FW	0.5	0.25	0.75

D with tactical bonus (against P and L)

DF get +0.25 to tackling multiplier (total x1.5 to tackling)
DM get +0.1 to tackling multiplier (total x1.35 to tackling)

Example

S_Lowry has a 15 3 2 skill set and is playing as a DF. With a D tactic, he will start with 18.75 tackling, 0.75 passing and 0 shooting.

With a tactical bonus, Lowry's tackling increases to 22.5, while his passing remains at 0.75 and shooting at 0.