neonlights

It seems to me that there is an terribly strong vibe running through these boards at the moment, pointing to the idea that the AI cheats, specifically tactically (hence the placement of the thread in this board). It is funny that the most difficult part of this game - the area that influences success the most - the tactics, is the area which receives the most criticism. Note that, the HARDER it is, the more one accuses the AI of CHEATING. Coincidence?


The main body of this thread is to offer reasons why the AI does not cheat, and not to stir up more trouble and arguments on the board. From my position, there are 3 brands of people on these forums - those who know the game doesn't cheat and can find success, those who have an openmind and attain mixed success, and those who accuse the system of cheating and cannot garner any success. It is rare (if in fact it has happened at all) that a successful FMer suspects misplay on behalf of the AI, and why would they? They manage to win trophies against the AI, so surely the AI is not cheating, or it would win the trophies? Make sense? Good. And furthermore, why the hell would SIGames program a cheating system, when if caught they have a vast reputation to destroy, and when they gain absolutely nothing from causing continuous defeat and disillusionment to the player? The fact is, SIGames have not cheated, the AI does not cheat, and none of the features within the game are given any sort of bias or imbalance. End of.


So then, why is it there is such a divide between those who can and can't find success? One factor to be called into question is our own definition of success. The sensible among us will recognize the significant achievement of taking Spurs into the top 4, and will play the game with an aura of progression, rather than sending the game back to the shop for simply not winning the league in the first season. It is funny how by simply adopting a more realistic expectation, you find the AI cheats far less...


Also to be called in to question, and perhaps most significant of all, is how one treats the tactical side of the game. I am an FMer who plays the game as I feel the real life counterparts would. When I feel I will win a game, I'll attack (which means attacking mentality and all the aspects of that such as high width and def. line). My attacking tactic will have no anomalous settings, such as those used because it might outsmart the AI rather than simply being true to an attacking tactic. In short, don't try to outmanouvre the AI using minute and detailed changes, since you'll be at a loss then as to what is causing your defeat (which is common when one isn't clued up to what to change in terms of the little details). Similarly, don't play the game changing instructions every 5 minutes; give tactics time and be more general - if attacking isn't working, try a general tactic rather than tweaking width 1 notch, which will do very little.


I hope people will be open minded enough to adopt this sort of a strategy before they come back shouting their mouths of. I know one thing - it works for me. Good night.

Leroy1883

Hi neonlights,

The AI does not cheat. In fact after studying the AI, I can say that SI have done a great job with it. Everything the AI does tactically is for a tactical purpose.

You will not succeed if you play with a static tactic.

However whether you choose to use a tactical set or tweak one tactic as long as you think about how football works you will have success.

Marseille07

I must disagree on this. I have taken a Serie C2 team to Serie A with a static tactic, no tweaks without going on holiday mode. It can be done if you know how to find good players. After all, players bear more weight in this FM than tactics.

Leroy1883

Apologies Marseille,

You are less likely to succeed with one static tactic.

kolobok

Agree, especially if players have been chosen such that they fit to the tactic, not just well known names.

Rafalution

I must disagree on this. I have taken a Serie C2 team to Serie A with a static tactic, no tweaks without going on holiday mode. It can be done if you know how to find good players. After all, players bear more weight in this FM than tactics. </BLOCKQUOTE>

Oh my god here we go again. You buy the players, set up a formation to play and adjust the sliders, then you go on vacation and leave the actual ingame tweaking to the assistant manager. You don't any tweaking yourself, but the assistant manager will do some tweaking ingame that you are not aware of. We had this discussion before, remember?

Marseille07

Did you read this part?

Rafalution

Obviously not :thdn:

My apologies.

deadlydevices

Agree, especially if players have been chosen such that they fit to the tactic, not just well known names. </BLOCKQUOTE>

I 100% disagree. Playing as Arsenal, I won the league 3 seasons straight and only improved my squad. My 3rd season I had a very high-powered team that won the league easily (15+ from 2nd) and with the EXACT same starting 11 (a few reserve, youngster changes), I struggled heavily the next season with the same tactics. I ended up at 12th place by the end of the season, with the exact same team that won it a season ago.

I believe tactics do get cracked and tactics are MUCH more improtant than your players. At the same time I can boast that I've come in at 1st with teams ranked to end 15th+ only because of my tactics rather than a very weak team.

Marseille07

Going into next season with the same starting 11 is a big no-no. I can't tell you why not, but squad suffers heavily no matter you have a championship-winning squad or not. Is this fair or not, is a good question, but if you bring in some fresh faces you would do just fine.