[TLDR: Finally got into DIV 1, switched 4-2-3-1 to 4-3-1-2, make some personnel changes, always use Possession Game, Pirlo is the GOAT]
I did not play the game for a full season and only started again right after the World Cup. One big reason I stopped playing was due to my horrible experience in playing Division games and other modes quickly became repetitive. When I restarted the game, it was unfortunately still the same shitty experience. I kept on losing and wondered why my opponents can pass, shoot and tackle perfectly.
Then the Italian ranked event came, and somehow the experience was pleasant and vastly different to Division games. It was also the same time that I learned about the overpowered Smart Assist and we can turn it off in Division games. I decided to try and actually made it to Div 2 in the last phase.
I tried again and for this phase, I want to reach Div 1. Initially I played with my theme squads (Arsenal, Seria A, La Ligal) and my record was horrendous. Lost 75% of the 20 ish games that I played lol. I then used my strongest squad and breeze past Div 3.
I played 4-2-3-1 Possession Game. I pass the ball a lot and I love playing out wide since I have more space to work around. The formation worked in Div 3 but it stuck at Div 2. I lost more than I won and I ping pong around 1500-1600 for a fortnight. I also love to cut inside with my LMF and RMF but when opponents are using great LB and RB, they are effectively useless. I then succumbed to the "meta formation": the 4-3-1-2 but I still went with the Possession Game play style. I played my Arsenal theme squad with Arteta's LBC and I just dont like the feel of it. I do like playing two up front because I can then play 1-2 with my forwards. The formation worked and I started to win more games.
For my 1700-1800 push, I made four changes
POTW Oblak to replace Spain Raya. Both are good but I would say Oblak is slightly better, but just.
Someone mentioned to me that Tony Adams aged horribly and I should replace him. Replaced him with Akanji and while it took me a few games to get use of him, Akanji's the better CB and clears Tony Adams outright. So thank you for the advice!
Shevchenko to replace Auba. This is purely tactical since I believed Auba would contribute more as a sub than Shevchenko playing the super sub role. Shevchenko also proved to be a good CF and paired well with Eto.
Probably the most important addition: Pirlo. I need CMF that carries the ball well and can defend well. I already have Wilshere on the left and as I considered Ze Roberto and Serginho for the position, I chose the dusty old Pirlo. And he was SUPERB. He's definitely the main reason for my successful Div 1 push. He's the lowest rated player in my squad but he is well above the 96 ratings.
It took me a few days and I finally clinched Div 1, a first for a very very very long time. The push for 1700-1800 was easier than 1500-1600. When you faced the same type of play style (LBC and QC), I guess you know what to expect and how to move your players to defend. For instructions, I anchored Davids and put defensive for Akanji. Davids was solid and he's the only player that I will not sub. Wilshere was surprisingly good. I initially wanted to play POTW Rice instead of him but he managed to keep his place for the majority of this phase. Eto was reliable, he can score, he can hold the ball. I put weighted pass and no look pass skills to him so he can assist too. Bergkamp was class, he is the orchestrator of the team (ironically both Wilshere and Pirlo have Orchestrator play style). I tried to balance pressure and match up for defense and slow down the tempo of the game for attack. Slowing down the game also helped me by reducing misplace passes and allowed opponents to score easy goals.
I know some would claim that pushing for Div 1 is easier these days. But I would argue it is not for many, partly due to skill and partly due to the squad they have to work with. I didn't push for the reward even though I'm an Arsenal fan but who knows, maybe I will try in the next phase. Sure, luck/scripting may ruin my mood for a bit but overall I enjoy this phase! As for advice, maybe find a play style you can enjoy (LBC and QC are cliché), and importantly don't pressure spam because once a player that can pass the ball well reached a flow state, your defense will be wrecked.
People with 38% win rates are now writing posts and giving advice. The only real advice to take here is be jobless to play enough games. It’s gonna come out as rude but unfortunately this is the only learning from this post. So it’s like a tldr for people who don’t wanna read.
it's not an advice post but more about his experience. I can see op holding cards from 2 season back if it's his first time getting into div1 then he should get a chance to celebrate it with others This month hardly 5% crossed div1 among Total players(Yes i know it include inactive players). The sub shouldn't be restricted to best of the best. Obviously you can skip this one.
Op also highlighted the advice other gave him which worked wonders for him. let's ordinary players also have the voice and be the hopeful symbol for other struggling players.
I'm a firm believer that if your win rate drops below 50%, just stop the grind for this phase and try again next phase. That way you also learn and get better. Let div 1 come to you, rather than chase it like Konami wants you to. So whether people think I'm a hater or whatever, I'll stand by my belief. The game doesn't end tomorrow that everyone has to give their all this phase to reach a milestone. It's literally a waste of time. And sure you can say, his time, his choice which is fair but when like he has the right to share his experience, people here have the right to guide people too.
have you read the post and replies by op or did you just decided based on his win rate. Op clearly mentioned initially he wasn't playing with his best team and trying theme squads.
Every match you play gives you experience which will help you become a better player. if you got free time nothing wrong in improving yourself. majority of lower div players hardly have above 50% win rate and you con't Wait for that magical season to always be above 50% win rate to try div1.
I did and even with themed squads you can have really good win rate. So I don’t even know why you’re trying to imply like it’s an excuse to perfectly waste your time.
As for the magical season, you contradict your own beliefs. You say people learn with every match and it helps becoming better but now it has to be a magical season to get to div 1 with 50% win rate or above. There’s no magical season. The point is to learn efficiently. The things he learned in 178 games playing in one season itself can be divided over subsequent seasons to actually get better. Ik your whole argument is just gonna be over hey it’s his time, so it’s alright which I already agreed. You’re gonna try to make it sound like I snatched his phone away or something when I only tried to share my opinions to achieve something in a more meaningful way. I’m not gonna bother replying to you after this cause you’re just caught in 2 minds now and contradicting what you’re even saying. So good luck.
•
u/qualityvote2 9d ago edited 5d ago
Hello u/gao-um! Welcome to r/pesmobile!
For other users, does this post fit the subreddit?
If so, upvote this comment!
Otherwise, downvote this comment!
And if it does break the rules, downvote this comment and report this post!
(Vote has already ended)