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Magus' Fifa 2000 Guide v1.0
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Copyright Magus (shinra9@yahoo.com) 2000.
Legal Stuff
This entire FAQ is copyright Magus 2000. The only sites that it should
be found at are :
http://www.gamefaqs.com
http://kengc.alphalink.com.au
http://vgstrategies.about.com
http://jump.to/magus.
Fifa 2000 is copyright EA Sports 1999. Please do not leech any
of this to make your own FAQ out of it.
To get in touch, e-mail me at shinra9@yahoo.com.
My ICQ# is 34601221.
My webpage is http://jump.to/magus
Version History
v1.0-First Version, 1-6 put up.
1)Introduction
2)Different Skill Levels
3)IGM and Team Management
4)Best Teams
5)General Tips
6)Acknowledgements
GOAL!!! Was the roar when France slotted their third goal in the '98
World Cup final. And that's when I really tuned into soccer. I bought
World Cup '98, and that satisfied me until I decided, hey, I need league
action. And Fifa 2000 came into the picture.
EA Sports have once again created a soccer (okay, FOOTBALL) game which
is virtually flawless. From the very cool intro, the blazing Robbie
Williams rock tune in the background, to the slick graphics and the
enormous amount of options, I knew that this was going to keep me
playing for a while.
While the graphics aren't much an improvement over Fifa '99, they are
still very good, as you can't improve perfection. Another neat graphical
enhancement 2000 has gone under is the huge amount of things you can
do with a player's face, and the huge amount of looks a player can have.
Don't like that long hair? Shave his head. Want a goatee? Bring it on.
Want to dye Beckham's hair red? Want to give Kewell a beard? Almost
anything can be done to a player's appearance and facial expressions.
The sound is top notch. As usual, the commentary gets a little repetitive,
but the kickass music makes up for it. While it may not be to everyone's
taste, I reckon the rock/dance/techno score is an effective one. Robbie
Williams pops in with the catchy It's Only Us, a great rock tune,
while other artists such as Apollo Four Forty and Gay Dad popping in
to help. Sometimes you'll purposely stay in the menu screens to listen
to the tracks.
The interface isn't ground-breaking, but it's nice and does the job. The
game's real selling point though is the sheer amount of teams and the
vast array of options you can use to customize your team. Pick from any
international side, league, or classic teams. Leagues include the FA
Premier League (GO LEEDS!), Serie A (Juventus...), and even the MLS, in
a ploy to open up the USA's eyes to soccer/football. The classic teams
are those old, but very cool teams from the past, and the best part is
that you can play as Pele (I think), Maradonna, and much, much more.
The options that you can use to your advantage are great too. Click a
button, you've changed your 5-4-1 formation into a more practical
4-4-2. Don't like your team passing short? Make them go long. Don't want
to play zonal? Go man-to-man. Also included are three handy IGMs, or
In Game Management. This allows to to switch to one of three formations
whilst in the middle of play, so if you've got the ball in your half
you can quickly go to a 3-4-3 attack, or switch to a 5-4-1 defense.
Gone are the days of those stupid skill buttons, and everything can
be pulled off with the use of only one button! Well, almost. EA have also
included a handy passing indicator when you have the ball, so that you
actually know where the pass is going.
Any complaints? Well, the Amateur skill level is just too damn easy. But
take it up to World Class, even Professional, you'll get your butt whipped
in no time at all. And the commentary is just a bit boring. You'll get
sick of hearing "Great Stop!" everytime your keeper saves the ball.
Put the cons against the pros though, and you'll find out that the pros
come on top...and Fifa 2000 is a worthy addition to that soccer/football
game collection of yours.
In the game there are three different skill/difficulty levels you can
choose from; Amateur, Professional and World Class. Here's a guide
on how to beat the opposition on each of these levels.
This is the ideal level for beginners. The AI hardly ever challenges
you, unless you're near goal, and the experienced player can hammer
in 10 goals in a half.
Tips for scoring:
-Straight from the start, run towards goal. Once you get into enemy
territory, slow down and just weave your way through them. Come close
to the goals, and take a shot. Depending on how far away the goalie
is from the ball, you'll probably score.
Tips for defending:
-Just run up and do a normal tackle (O on PSX, D on PC). You'll steal
the ball and lob (Square on PSX, A on PC) it up the field.
If you've played a Fifa before, use this to brush up on your skills.
Otherwise, you shouldn't bother with this unless you are a beginner,
or play a crap team (e.g Watford, sorry to you supporters) against
someone like (sigh) Manchester United.
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Professional
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This is where you stop practising and get into the real stuff. If
you've just built up the courage to move up to here from Amateur, you'll
find the going tough. Here, the AI is much more likely to challenge you
and use all the fancy passing skills they have.
Tips for scoring:
-Do not, attempt to run through like you did in Amateur Mode. The ball
will get stolen, and you'll have to gain possession again.
-Keep moving. Don't try to run straight through the opposition, or
stay in one spot. Weave in and out, use the sidestep (press Left Shift
on PC, I'm yet to figure it out for PSX) and the Spin (ALT on PC, I
think it's R2 on PSX) to get through the opposition.
-When going for goal, it's good to run in from an angle, and then either
shoot it in the same direction that you're running in, or shoot it in
the opposite direction. It's bound to get in goal that way. You could
also try whacking shoot (O on PSX, D on PC), in the hope that the goalie
will punch it away, resulting in a corner, or you possessing the ball
again.
-When taking a corner, do not shoot anywhere near the keeper, instead,
pass it to the guy who's right on the edge of the penalty area, near the
semi-circle. Then, either bicycle kick it in, or chest it down and take
a shot.
-If you're running for goal, and someone's on your tail, running in on an
angle will make you stick your arm out and guard yourself from being
tackled, so that's one to try.
-Sometimes, when you're just in front of the keeper, simply passing it
into the goals (X on PSX, S on PC) will work.
Tips for defending:
-Try to restrict use of the sliding tackle (Square on PSX, A on PC) to
last-ditch efforts. Sliding in from anywhere apart from straight in
front of them will result in a free kick, and sometimes a card.
-Use the tackle (O on PSX, D on PC) wisely. Mistime it, and it can result
in a free kick, or the player will run off with the ball. Sprint until
you're just in front of them, whether it be directly in front of them,
or to the side of them, then tackle and lob it up the field.
-When the goalie has the ball, make him drop it (L1 on PSX, Q on PC), and
then tap the lob button twice. This should result in a kick which goes
pretty far.
-When defending a corner, make sure that one of the men with a symbol above
their heads is being guarded (press the symbol that's above him). If you
don't do this, if the ball is passed to them, they'll have an "open" shot
at goal.
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World Class
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Designed for those with a high tolerance level. Even against the easiest
teams, they'll provide a relentless attack, and a tough defense.
Tips:
-Just use the tips outlined in Professional to your advantage, and make
sure that you do not waste possession of the ball.
-Make full use of the advanced controls. Thorough passes, sidesteps and
360 spins are vital to keeping possession of the ball.
-When rushing towards goal, the goalie will more than often dive at your
feet. To counter this, use the hurdle (L2 on PSX, CTRL on PC) to flick
the ball up, and then tap it in.
-Keep on hitting tackle to ensure a change in possession. Don't just hit
it once and hope that you'll get the ball. World Class is the time where
if you don't get the bal' within the first couple of tries, you'll need to
slide.
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3)IGM and Team Management
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Fifa 2000 utilizes an IGM system, where you can select one of three
formations during the game to suit the pace. To do this, head into
the Team Management menu and click on IGM. To change the positioning
of your offense/midfield/defense, hit the arrow next to the position
you want to change. To change IGMs in the game, hit Select for PSX,
Spacebar for PC.
Key:
ST=Striker, main attacker
LF=Left Forward, attacker
CF=Centre Forward, if no ST, he's the main attacker
RF=Right Forward, attack
AM=Agressive Midfield (?), midfield who jumps in to attack.
LM=Left Midfield, covers the left wing area
LW=Left Winger, covers the left wing area, runs in to attack and defend
CM=Central Midfield, covers the centre and may run into attack and defend
RM=Right Midfield, covers the left wing area
RW=Right Winger, covers the right wing area, runs in to attack and defend
DM=Defensive Midfielder, usually defense but can also attack
AB=Agressive Defender, can also attack
LB=Left Defender, defends
LWB=Left Wing Defender, runs into midfield
CB=Centre Defender, should be the main defender
RB=Right Defender, defends
RWB=Right Wing Defender, runs into midfield
SW=Sweeper, last line of defense
Your default formation. Usually this will be a 4-4-2 or 3-4-3 formation.
4-4-2 is the most versatile formation. Default, the positions are:
LF RF
LM CM CM RM
LB CB CB RB
This is a fine formation. My style is:
LF RF
AM
LW RW
AB
LWB CB CB RWB
But it's up to you. With my style, you sort of have an extra striker,
your AM player. Same with the defense, you've kinda got an extra
defender in the form of the person at AB. However, this formation
is vunerable to players rushing down the wings, so be careful. With
the default 4-4-2 style, watch out for the gaps in the middle.
In 3-4-3 style, this is the default:
LF CF RF
LM CM CM RM
LB CB RB
This is a great attacking formation, but the defense could be improved.
The wing is covered fine, you've got a nice attack, but a small defense.
CF
LF RF
LM RM
DM DM
LB RB
CB
This style, however is great as it's a "box" formation and it's only
vunerable to wing attacks, which I think most formations are. Your DMs
serve as extra defenders, so it's not so bad.
This should be your defensive IGM. Good defensive formations include
5-4-1, 5-3-2, and 4-5-1.
The formation that I use is 5-4-1. In default, it looks like
ST
LM CM CM RM
LB CB CB CB RB
This is a great defense, but I've tweaked it just in case someone
sneaks past.
ST
LM CM CM RM
LWB CB CB RWB
SW
The sweeper is a vital part of the defense, being the last man before
the goalie. The person assigned to the role of sweeper should be fast,
fit and a good tackler.
This is a default 5-3-2 formation.
LF RF
LM CM RM
LWB CB CB CB RWB
Which is fine, but I don't think two strikers are really necessary
for a defensive formation.
This is a 4-5-1 formation.
ST
LM CM RM
DM DM
LB CB CB RB
or
ST
DM DM
LM AB RM
LB CB CB RB
This formation is very useful when you've just been disposessed in
your offensive half. The midfield is staggered out, so it covers both
the wings and the middle, and with the second style, almost makes a
six man defense.
The last IGM should be your all out attack formation. Good formations
for this are 3-4-3, 4-3-3 and 4-4-2 can also be used to your advantage.
I've read up on the tips at www.fifa2000.net and it says that you can
have a 3-3-4 formation! Someone please tell me how to get this, as if
you can it would be a killer. Mail to shinra9@yahoo.com
In 3-4-3 style, this is the default:
LF CF RF
LM CM CM RM
LB CB RB
or
CF
LF RF
LM CM CM RM
LB CB RB
This is a great attacking formation, but the defense could be improved.
But since it is an attacking formation, you shouldn't need to worry.
CF
LF RF
LM RM
DM DM
LB RB
CB
This style, however is great as it's a "box" formation and it's only
vunerable to wing attacks, which I think most formations are. Should
the ball be lost, I'm sure it'll say inside the "box", and one of your
people should be able to pass it off again.
A 4-3-3 default style:
LF CF RF
LM CM RM
LB CB CB RB
This is okay, but to me, there should be a slight change in the front
line.
CF
LF RF
CM
LM RM
LWB CB CB RWB
Now you've got basically four strikers, and two defenders that will run
down and act as midfielders.
A 4-4-2 default:
LF RF
LM CM CM RM
LB CB CB RB
Now, that's basic. Let's tweak it a little.
ST
CF
AM
LM RM
AB
LWB CB CB RWB
You've now virtually got three strikers in a row, with three midfielders
who will keep the area secure, and once again two defenders that can act
as wingers.
Does anyone else have formations that they think are good? Send 'em
in to shinra9@yahoo.com
ST
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2 Strikers
ST
LF RF or CF
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3 Strikers
ST ST ST
LF CF RF or LF RF or CF
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Midfield
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3 Midfielders
AM LM RB
LM CM RM or LM CM or AB
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4 Midfielders
LM RM AM
LM CM CM RM or DM DM or LM RM
AB
LW CM CM RW or AM
LW RW
AB
--------------------------------------------------------------------- AB
5 Midfielders
With that information you should be able to create the perfect formation
for your team. Soon I'll put up formations suggestions for different
teams.
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4)Best Teams
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There are a number of leagues available in Fifa 2000, and I'll be
pointing out the talented teams in some of the leagues.
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Brazil
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The league of the South Americans. All the power teams are in here,
and while there's only a few, they're damn good.
Corinthians- 3-5-2, power attack and good defense.
Flamengo- 3-4-3, great attack, but the defense...
Vasco De Gama- 3-4-3, blistering attack and a midfield to back it up.
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England
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Probably the most well known league in the world, with some of the top
clubs.
Aston Villa- 4-4-2, great midfield, and a strong defense led by
Southgate.
Arsenal- 4-4-2, absolutely brillant. Let's list the good
players! Seaman, Adams, Vieira, Overmars, Suker, Bergkamp, Kanu,
Henry...
Chelsea- 4-4-2, another great midfield/attack. Wise and Zola
lead the attack, while Petrescu is an excellent defender/midfielder.
Leeds United- 4-4-2, don't write these guys off. With Kewell,
Bowyer, young McPhail, Bridges and Martyn, there's a lot of hidden
talent.
Liverpool- 3-5-2, look at that offense. Owen and Fowler. The
perfect combo?
Manchester United- 4-4-2, ...what can I say. Even though I hate them,
they are the best club in the world. Beckham, Cole, Stam, if only
Bosnich could decide to play good or bad.
Newcastle- 5-3-2, strikers unite! Shearer and Ferguson are a
deadly couple.
Tottenham- 4-5-1, great midfield, but the offense could be
tweaked. Use Ginola for those spot kicks.
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France
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While not doing so well in the UEFA (1999-2000), French teams are quite
powerful.
Bordeaux- 4-4-2, nice offense.
Marseille- 4-3-3, with Dugarry in the striker's seat, oh yeah!
A well balanced league, with some of the best European clubs.
Barcelona- 4-4-2, simply brilliant. The De Boers, Ronaldo and
Kluivert make this side the one to beat.
Real Betis- 4-4-2, the offense is superb, backed up by Denilson in
midfield.
Real Madrid- 3-4-3, the other Spanish giant, features striker Anelka
and top defender Roberto Carlos.
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Rest of the World
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Not much to pick from here...
Croatia Zagreb- 4-4-2, good all round.
Dinamo Kiev- 4-4-2, great midfield.
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International
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Now we get to the REAL power teams.
Argentina- 4-4-2, great all round.
Brazil- 4-4-2, gee, would I be so stupid to leave these guys out?
England- 4-4-2, I'd pick these guys over any team. Bring it on!
France- 4-4-2, very, very nicely constructed. You can't go past
their offense, defense, or midfield!
Germany- 4-4-2, slanted to attack.
Holland- 4-4-2, great all round, focuses on midfield/offense though.
Italy- 4-4-2, nice offense.
Australia- 4-4-2, an underdog, but with their defense, and midfield,
I think these guys can hold their own.
Nigeria- 4-4-2, another overlooked team, features a great midfield
and good strikers.
-Head to www.fifa2000.net and into the downloads/rosters/mix section.
Grab the patch by Jay Jones. It's a great patch which updates many
wrong stats, and new teams (finally! Porto!)
-When taking a free kick near goal, and if you have a wall in front
of you, aim it to the extreme left or right of the goal, then curve it
around. Use middle-full power, and the shot is destined to go in.
-Don't forget to watch the fatigue level of your players! Head into
the menu, team management, then check out the fatigue level of your
players. If there are any players under 70%, definetly switch them
with a substitute.
-I've got cheats for the PC version. Head into Options and into the
cheat menu.
LIGHTSOUT-Glow Mode, where the players are outlined in light and the
field is pitch black.
BURNABY-EAC Pitch, gives you a nice pitch where there aren't too many
spectators.
SIZZLE-Lightning Mode, get zapped and it's the equivalent of a red
card.
MOMONEY-Unlimited Bankroll, finally you can create a superteam with
your unlimited transfer money!
DIZZY-Alien Mode, if the aliens get you, it's a red card.
HOOLIGAN-Bonus Teams, gives you some bonus teams, EA Teams 1-4, and
Guests. You can then just use these teams, or say create your own teams
(ones which aren't in there, a superteam, or a team full of your
friends).
EA-Bringing the "world" game to life. I mean, virtual life. I mean, oh,
just shut up Magus. You're confusing yourself.
www.fifa2000.net-Giving me those needed team updates, and all the latest
info. I've updated my Fifa2000 copy with the patch that they put up, I
recommend it.
GameFAQs, especially CJayC and VGStrategies, especially Al Amaloo-For
being the first to recognize me. Thank you for jump starting my FAQ
career!
