Best tactics to start in ELDT: formations and when to use them

When you start a club in ELDT, the first question any manager asks is which formation to use. The best tactics to start with are not the fanciest ones: they are the ones that suit the players you have in your squad. In this guide, we look at the game’s six main formations, what each one asks of your team, how to combine them with mentality and tactical style, and how to share out the roles of captain, penalty-taker, free-kick taker and corner taker.

If you have not played your first match yet, start with the beginner’s guide first. Here we go straight to beginner tactics and how to set your team up without giving away points.

Before choosing a tactic, look at your squad

In ELDT, every player has a natural position and performs at their best when playing there. If you use them in a similar position, for example a central midfielder as a holding midfielder, they lose a bit of performance (-2 OVR). If you use them in a very different one, they lose much more (-4), and putting an outfield player in goal is a disaster (-5). The Line-up screen highlights players in colour when they are out of position; the abbreviations are covered in the positions guide.

That is why the central advice from the line-up guide is the same as the one we give here: choose the formation according to the players you have, not the other way round. If your squad has no wingers, playing 4-3-3 is a waste. If you have three good centre-backs and weak full-backs, 3-5-2 will serve you better than any 4-4-2.

The best tactics to start, formation by formation

These are the six ELDT formations most managers use, with the positions they fill and the type of squad that gets the most out of them.

4-4-2: the classic all-rounder

Two full-backs, two centre-backs, two wide midfielders (ML and MR), two central midfielders and two forwards. It is the most balanced formation and the one that asks least of you: it does not need proper wingers or a playmaker. If you have just taken over the club and you are not sure what you have, start with 4-4-2 and Balanced mentality: it gives you a base to read the first results without exposing yourself.

4-3-3: attacking with wingers

A back four, three central midfielders and a front three with a left winger, right winger and a forward. It is the most attacking of the six and the one that depends most on having proper wingers (LW and RW). With full-backs who get forward and the style "Down the wings" it creates plenty of play out wide. Without natural wingers, best not to touch it: a midfielder playing as a winger will do less well and the three in the middle will be left on their own.

4-2-3-1: modern, with two holding midfielders

Four defenders, two holding midfielders (DM), a line of three with two wingers and a playmaker (AM), and one lone forward. The two DMs protect the defence and the playmaker links up with the number 9. It is ideal if you have a good playmaker and a striker who can finish, and if your holding midfielders are better than your central midfielders. As there is only one man up top, pick the best finisher in the squad.

3-5-2: for teams with strong midfielders

Three centre-backs, two wing-backs (ML and MR), one holding midfielder, one central midfielder, a playmaker and two forwards. It is the formation for the manager who has plenty in midfield and weak full-backs: the wing-backs cover the flanks and up front you play with two strikers. The three centre-backs need to be natural centre-backs; a full-back used as a third centre-back is out of position.

5-3-2: the ultra-defensive option

Two full-backs, three centre-backs, three central midfielders and two forwards. It is the tightest of the six and is useful against a much stronger opponent, away to the leaders, or when you need to protect a result. With the style "Counter-attack" and Defensive mentality, it sits deep and breaks quickly with the two forwards. Do not use it at home against teams at your own level: you will end up drawing matches you could have won.

4-5-1: defensive with a packed midfield

Four at the back, five in midfield (two wide midfielders, one holding midfielder, one central midfielder and a playmaker) and a lone forward. It controls the middle without giving up the defence and works well with Defensive or Balanced mentality and the style "Through the middle". The weak point is the attack: with only one number 9, you rely on him a lot.

Mentality and style: the other half of the tactic

The formation tells you where the players stand; mentality tells you how much they take risks. There are five: Very defensive, Defensive, Balanced, Attacking and Very attacking. The more attacking you go, the more you push forward and the more space you leave behind. To begin with, Balanced is the safest choice, and you can move one notch up or down depending on the opponent and whether you are at home or away.

Next to that you choose the tactical style: Normal, High pressing, Counter-attack, Down the wings, Through the middle and Long ball. One simple tip: make the style suit the formation. Wings with 4-3-3, middle with 4-5-1 or 4-2-3-1, counter-attack with 5-3-2, and long ball only if you have a forward who wins the aerial battles.

Captain, penalties, free-kicks and corners

In the line-up you assign four roles. The captain, while he is on the pitch, gives the team a small boost to progress when attacking; the boost depends on his leadership (more with 16 or above, and more still with 19 or above). If he is not on the pitch, the vice-captain takes the armband. Pick a regular starter with good leadership as captain, not just your best player for the sake of it.

The penalty-taker takes penalties during the match; look at composure and finishing. In a penalty shootout, it is not used: the game chooses the five outfield starters who finish best. The free-kick taker takes direct free-kicks and the corner taker takes corners. If you have a player with good set pieces, give them all three roles.

Templates and individual instructions

Save tactical templates from the start: you can have several (for example "Home", "Away" and "Strong opponent") and apply them with one click before each match. Once you know your squad better, you can fine-tune with individual instructions: mark a rival, push up or drop off, hug the touchline or come inside and deliver the ball into the box.

Common mistakes when setting up your team

The most common mistake from a new manager is setting everything up and not clicking Save: if you do not save, the match is played with the previous line-up. The second is forgetting the deadline: the line-up closes 15 minutes before each match.

The third is using the same eleven every time. A very tired player performs worse and is more likely to pick up an injury; the "Pick by form and fatigue" button sends the knackered ones to the bench. We explain it in moral, fatigue and injuries. And remember suspended players: in official matches the game removes them and puts in the best available player in that position, but you do not get to choose who comes in. More on what affects the result in the match guide.

Frequently asked questions

What is the best formation to start with in ELDT?

For most starting squads, 4-4-2 with Balanced mentality and Normal style. It does not require wingers or a playmaker, and it lets you read the first results before making changes.

What happens if I play a player out of position?

They lose performance: -2 OVR if it is a similar position and -4 if it is a very different one. An outfield player in goal loses 5. The Line-up screen shows this in colour.

How do I choose the captain?

Pick a regular starter who always plays and has good leadership: the boost only works while he is on the pitch and grows with leadership of 16 or above. Also appoint a vice-captain.

Does the penalty-taker take the shootout penalties?

No. The penalty-taker you choose takes penalties during the match. In a shootout, the game chooses the five best-finishing outfield players from the starting eleven.

The best tactics are not a formula: they are the formation that uses your squad best, the right mentality for the opponent and roles shared out properly. If you want to try them on the pitch, create your club and set up your first line-up.