Unfortunately I'm not aware of any line that affects the build up. I mean, there are a few lines which probably help, but don't know to what extent. They are listed as "AI objectives", I think
The build-up is there, sort of. If you can get some bodies in the midfield, properly positioned blocking a couple of passing lanes the cpu will pass sideways and backwards. The AI is smart in fifa, in the sense that if you can change some variables it will alter its decision making in response. Not because it's thinking like a human would but because it has another advantage: The cpu knows the outcome of any action. It won't think
"hey let's try this pass/shot and hope for the best/see what happens", it already knows the outcome so most of the time it will choose to not lose the ball. If that means not going forward for a moment then that's great, you've got some buildup/possession gameplay (obviously it will make random mistakes depending on the difficulty level, otherwise the game would be unplayable).
Which is why proper
positioning/tactics are soooooo damn important and perhaps my #1 focus/gripe. Also I'm not using any kind of
locale.ini variables or an
edited db or anything else for a simple reason: I'm only interested in learning what all these gameplay files do and how the game is designed. I don't expect I'll start a CM in fifa 20 anytime soon. I didn't even buy the game, 21 will be out soon and If I just wanted to play I would do so in a game I actually already enjoy (like 16 or 14). I have no doubt that you can make passing/shooting feel really great and even improve 1v1 defending a lot. Given enough time. It's like sliders but there are hundreds of variables you can tweak/test. But the fundamental problem will be making teams keep a decent shape and convincing the 10 "inactive" players to actually participate rather than just stand there waiting for you to switch to them.
So for getting some proper midfield/build-up there are 3 things at play. One is passing and can be fixed. Slower passes and increased error rates will mean that both you and the cpu will have to make some safer choices and be a bit more patient going forward. No problems there. But then we get to the other two:
Pressing-defensive mentalities/tactics/player instructions. Unfortunately this seems like a separate thing that I see no way of tweaking yet. For starters, it's how pressing is programmed:
I don't mind you running like Usain Bolt after my guy with the ball. As long as you're not blocking/marking a passing option I'm one pass away from your final third. Or one dribble + a sprint. Fifa has this completely wrong. Pressing is actually creating space for me so that I don't have to do it.
First block my options going forward THEN go after the guy with the ball.
Then you have all the teams with a front 3 (a striker + 2 wingers) hanging around for tea with my back 4 (I suppose this is down to player instructions?), so now you've got an extra empty pitch somewhere in the middle with enough empty space for a quick counter or for planting some crops.
And then we get to teams with decent enough default tactics/formation and you can sort of have a good game playing them... as long as you're not hit with the last issue: Just keep possession of the ball for a while not letting the cpu have it. Not sure for how much, maybe 2 or 3
in-game minutes if you're playing with 10 minute halves. There's an internal timer and when hit, the cpu will abandon its shape/formation. You will suddenly see them rush to man mark your defenders. Even if you're close to their final 3rd and they're standing there blocking you, they will just leave and sprint to man mark your defenders. So that you don't pass backwards I guess. Absolute madness. You might think that it shouldn't happen if you play normally, but it will. 2-3 ingame minutes is not too much if you're not in a hurry when playing.
TL;DR: To have a midfield and buildup you need some players occupying the right space, not a magical hidden game option. Unless that magical hidden game option is literally something like "Prioritise_blocking_passing_lanes_over_marking_the_GK". Anyway I was kinda stuck with this so I'm no longer testing stuff (I might get back to it) unless someone discovers that we can edit the new tactical system, some of its options are simply too dumb and impactful on gameplay.
