Demystifying the FIFA 23 Body Types for Ultimate Team Domination
Hey friend, it‘s your guy Terry here! Now that FIFA 23 is out, you‘re probably obsessing over building the perfect Ultimate Team. Well let me save you some headaches right away – you absolutely need to get the new body types down if you want to climb the divisions.
Trust me, I learned this lesson the hard way after chucking the controller across the room one too many times thanks to lengthy defenders catching my striker on a breakaway!
But after digging into the new Accelerate system and poring over the FUT stats, I‘ve got you covered on everything you need to know about these game-changing body types in FIFA 23. Time to put that knowledge to work towards surpassing your stick-throwing friend on the couch!
The Need-to-Know on FIFA‘s All-New Body Types
In previous FIFAs, player cards had generic body type categories like "lean", "stocky", and "average". But in FIFA 23, EA Sports has introduced a completely new body type system called AcceleRATE. This divides players into three distinct styles:
Controlled – Agile and quick with tight turns but limited top speed
Explosive – Rapid acceleration with a blazing first step but tires quicker
Lengthy – Takes longer to reach top speed but can sustain it with long strides
How do these translate onto the virtual pitch? Well strap on your data analytics visor friend, cause we‘re about to break this down:
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Controlled players have a quick first step and high agility for smooth turns in tight spaces. In algebra terms, it‘s Acceleration + Agility = Ankle Breaking Ability. But their max speed tops out once they hit the open field.
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Explosive get up to pace crazy fast. We‘re talking reaching top speed like an Olympic sprinter. But they fatigue quicker over long distances. I see you slowing down at minute 70 Mbappe…
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Lengthy are like diesel trucks – takes them forever to get rolling but once they hit top gear good luck catching up. Yet when it comes time to shift direction, lengthy players turn like…well, an 18-wheeler. Vroooom!
So that‘s the basics on how body types impact a player‘s movement and speed. Next let‘s get into how to take advantage of each one in your squad.
Controlled Attackers: The Meta for Dribbling Deceivers
When it comes to attackers, you‘ll typically want controlled or explosive body types to take advantage of high agility and acceleration.
Controlled forwards are the prime targets if you love skill moves and close control dribbling. Their agility lets them glide across the field, chaining fakes and skills that leave defenders in the dust:
| Controlled Attackers | Overall Rating |
|---|---|
| Lionel Messi | 91 |
| Neymar Jr | 89 |
| Paulo Dybala | 85 |
| Bernardo Silva | 84 |
I‘ve found controlled attackers work best central at striker or CAM where you can really take advantage of their nifty footwork in tight spaces. Out wide they‘re liable to get run down by pacy fullbacks.
Personally I‘ve been having a blast using controlled dribblers like Bernardo Silva at CAM in the 4-2-3-1 to dance through the middle and feed through-balls to my lengthy strikers. Take that drop back merchants!
Explosive Forwards: Kings of the Counter
If blistering pace and rapid counters are your go-to, then target explosive forwards. Their instant acceleration allows them to blow by backlines on a turnover and break in on goal before lengthy defenders can catch up.
| Explosive Attackers | Overall Rating |
|---|---|
| Kylian Mbappe | 91 |
| Vinicius Junior | 86 |
| Ousmane Dembele | 84 |
| Antony | 82 |
I‘ve been using explosive wingers in the 4-3-3 false 9 to punish opponents on the counter. Their top end speed causes havoc running off a false 9 onto throughballs over the top from my midfielders.
Now the one warning is they can tire in ET, so you may want some controlled attacker subs ready come minute 70. Looking at you again Mbappe…take a seat and drink some Gatorade!
Lengthy Strikers: Late Runs for Days
If you enjoy playing on the counter or sending balls in behind, lengthy strikers like Haaland are tempting. They take a while to reach max velocity, but once they do good luck catching up!
The key is using lengthy strikers in tactics that complement their strengths:
- Fast build up – start the break quickly to give them time to reach top speed
- Get in behind – make runs onto throughballs over the top
- Target man – use size and strength to hold up play
Here are some of the top lengthy forwards to breed absolute fear into the heart of any defender:
| Lengthy Strikers | Overall Rating |
|---|---|
| Erling Haaland | 88 |
| Romelu Lukaku | 88 |
| Olivier Giroud | 81 |
| Ivan Toney | 78 |
I‘ve personally been using Haaland at striker in a 4-1-2-1-2 narrow formation. With fast build up and an agile CAM behind him, it gives Haaland the space and time needed to reach his terrifying top speed running onto throughballs.
Now let‘s check out the best body types to boss the midfield and defense in FIFA 23.
Midfield Maestros: Blend of Controlled & Lengthy
For midfielders, a combo of controlled and lengthy body types tends to work well in my experience.
Controlled midfielders are great for central roles where you want someone who can turn quickly out of traffic and distribute cleanly. See the table below for some prime choices:
| Controlled Midfielders | Overall Rating |
|---|---|
| Luka Modric | 87 |
| Frenkie de Jong | 87 |
| Pedri | 85 |
| Marco Verratti | 87 |
I use controlled midfielders as more offensive minded CMs in formations like the 4-3-3 (4). Their mobility and close control helps retain possession high up the pitch.
For more defensive oriented midfielders, lengthy is an excellent option. Their huge stride allows them to cover ground rapidly both pressing and tracking back:
| Lengthy Midfielders | Overall Rating |
|---|---|
| Joshua Kimmich | 89 |
| Rodri | 87 |
| Marcelo Brozovic | 87 |
| Wilfred Ndidi | 84 |
My tactic is to pair a destroyer DM like lengthy Fabinho with a more creative controlled CM in a double pivot 4-2-3-1. Balance is key!
Lengthy Defenders: Must-Have for Any Backline
Let‘s be real – you‘re going to want lengthy body type defenders in your squad if you like winning games. Their speed and size combos extremely well with most tactics:
- Recovery pace prevents getting beat over the top
- Strength and size to win headers and tackles
- Hold a high line since they‘re so rapid
Pretty much every meta defender has the lengthy body type. Here are some of the most popular options:
| Lengthy Defenders | Overall Rating |
|---|---|
| Virgil van Dijk | 90 |
| Marquinhos | 87 |
| Antonio Rudiger | 87 |
| Eder Militao | 86 |
I‘ve been running a back four of Davies – Van Dijk – Marquinhos – Hakimi and it‘s just unfair! Those lengthy centerbacks stop counters before they can even start. Good luck trying to outrun Rudiger too.
For fullbacks, lengthy is solid but controlled can work too if you want them joining the attack. Just don‘t use explosive unless you like conceding goals!
Tweak Body Types with Chemistry Styles
Here‘s an awesome tip if you want to override a player‘s natural body type – chemistry styles!
Styles like Architect, Hunter, and Hawk have been found to change in-game body types. For example:
- Architect turns Med/Med players into Lengthy
- Hunter turns High/High into Controlled
- Hawk turns High/Med into Explosive
This lets you mold players into your preferred body type regardless of their base card. Pretty cool right!?
I‘d recommend trying out some popular style and body combos like:
- Architect on Kroos for a Lengthy CM
- Hunter on Benzema for a Controlled ST
- Hawk on Leroy Sane for an Explosive LW
Get experimenting to find what works for your playstyle and formation.
Closing Thoughts from Your FUT Friend
And there you have it friend – an expert data deep dive into FIFA 23‘s game-changing body types! Hopefully now you‘ve got the knowledge to build a squad that dominates on the pitch.
The key lessons to remember:
- Controlled: Agile and quick, best for dribblers
- Explosive: Rapid acceleration, perfect on counters
- Lengthy: Slow to start, fast at top speed
Combine the right body types for each position with some chemistry style tweaks, and you‘ll be destroying opponents in no time. Just beware of lengthy defenders – my controller has the cracks to prove it!
Let me know if this helped give you a better understanding of body types. And hit me up if you need any tips on custom tactics or want to geek out over spreadsheet stats. Always down to help a fellow FUT fanatic out.
Now get out there and put together the ultimate collection of controlled, explosive, and lengthy ballers!
- Terry