Why manipulating draws might actually diminish your fun

[Abbas]

I started manipulating draws like 3 seasons ago and I love it!

I'm level 46 now and never cheat or anything but from level 39 to 42, I kept a decent team of 120-130% but my problem was when a tanker drops a level, he gets paired with me, just when his team is getting weak another tanker drops. It got to a point that 4th was my portion like Arsenal during Wenger days. I was miserable.

When a special event roll out these tanker don't win because they are not top managers, if these tankers meet me in association matches I beat their asses. I'm that good a manager. I can't remember the last time I was in gold division 1, it'll be like 16 seasons ago.

When I started manipulating the draws by selling 3 strong players and replacing them after the draws, I was happy. I get the draws I want. Managers my level. I don't win threble/quadruple whatever. Playing against managers mostly equal to my team level is all I am after.

If that is manipulating draws for you, then so be it - I won't stop that. Between having tankers dropped on me every season and having a level playing field with teams my level, I picked the later, and I love it.

[Der_Ryan_M]

I started manipulating draws like 3 seasons ago and I love it!

I'm level 46 now and never cheat or anything but from level 39 to 42, I kept a decent team of 120-130% but my problem was when a tanker drops a level, he gets paired with me, just when his team is getting weak another tanker drops. It got to a point that 4th was my portion like Arsenal during Wenger days. I was miserable.

When a special event roll out these tanker don't win because they are not top managers, if these tankers meet me in association matches I beat their asses. I'm that good a manager. I can't remember the last time I was in gold division 1, it'll be like 16 seasons ago.

When I started manipulating the draws by selling 3 strong players and replacing them after the draws, I was happy. I get the draws I want. Managers my level. I don't win threble/quadruple whatever. Playing against managers mostly equal to my team level is all I am after.

If that is manipulating draws for you, then so be it - I won't stop that. Between having tankers dropped on me every season and having a level playing field with teams my level, I picked the later, and I love it.

Sounds like you are soft manipulating, it is a good strategy I think as well, to avoid tankers and such and approach the game in a more relaxed way, which might also feel more fair and a level playing field.
But many people also are hard manipulating, meaning they drop their % so hard, that they are as low as a bot team and then only play vs bots or inactive accounts. Especially in low levels it is a common strategy from "experienced players" to get insane records while also saving ressources and collect "meaningless" trophies.
This thread back then was created for those people, to tell them they are missing a lot of fun experience from the game.

[RaiKo]

I'm level 46 now and never cheat or anything but from level 39 to 42, I kept a decent team of 120-130% but my problem was when a tanker drops a level, he gets paired with me, just when his team is getting weak another tanker drops. It got to a point that 4th was my portion like Arsenal during Wenger days. I was miserable.

Lol. I really know what you feel man. Next season, i will give soft manipulation a try as Ryan described.