Options -- more variety, similar power level

[mattgslater]

OK, here's the idea for a house rule in a fixed-format league: tell me what you think. It's ok if any one option sounds kind of powerful, as long as in light of the others no single option looks like a game-breaker. The real goal is to make it so different teams of the same race may opt for different constructions.

Options: Each team gets one option, allowing teams to diversify a bit. Typically, a Big Guy, Secret Weapon or other position is withheld from the team roster, and placed on the Option list with other potential assets that the team may hire, such as extra positionals or big guys, star players and secret weapons. This way, you may build your team to 5th ed. specifications, or you may deviate from those a little bit. Star Players will be recosted to be more 3rd edition-y.

New Players
Assassin: Except DE Assassins, they have Stab at +20k. Assassins in general will be somewhat better, but more unreliable, than they are in LRB5, on account of other rules.
Chainsaws and other Secret Weapons: Still workin' on the cost, but they won't be stars any more. Other rules will make them a fair sight better than they are in LRB5.
Chaos Mutant: 6/3/3/8 one Mutation of choice, GM/ASP, 70k
Chaos Troll: 4/5/1/9 Loner, Mighty Blow, Really Stupid, Regeneration, SM/GAP, 110k
The New Vampire: 6/4/4/8 Egomaniac, Hypnotic Gaze, Loner, Regenerate, GAS/P, 120k. Egomaniac is like OFAB, only worse if you try to field multiple Vampires.

Amazons: Blitzers become 0-2.
Options: 1-2 Blitzers, 1 Ogre(ss), 1 Assassin, plus Star Players.

Chaos: Add 0-2 Chaos Mutants, take out the Minotaur.
Options: Minotaur, Chaos Troll, Ogre, 1-2 Mutants, 1-2 Goblins, 1 Chainsaw Warrior, plus Star Players

Chaos Dwarfs: Take out the Minotaur.
Options: Minotaur, 1-2 Orcs, 1-2 Goblins, 1 Chaos Dwarf Blunderbuss, 1 Hobgoblin Assassin (60k with Sneaky Git and Stab), plus Star Players (Edited 26 Sept 07)

Dark Elves: Blitzers are 0-2
Options: 1-2 Blitzers, 1-2 Witch Elves, Star Players

Dwarfs: Nix the Deathroller.
Options: Bombardier, Blunderbuss, Chainsaw, Deathroller, Star Players

Elves: 0-2 Catchers
Options: 1-2 Blitzers, 1-2 Catchers, Star Players

Goblins: No changes
Options: 1-2 Orc Linemen @ 100k, 1 Ogre @ 280k, Star Players

Halflings: No changes
Options: 1-2 Human Linemen @ 100k, 1 Ogre @ 280k, Star Players

High Elves: 0-2 Catchers
Options: 1-2 Blitzers, 1-2 Catchers, Star Players

Humans: No Ogre
Options: Ogre, 1-2 Halflings, Vampire, Assassin, Star Players

Khemri:
Take out 2 Mummies.
Options: 1-2 Mummies, 1 Skeleton Assassin, Star Players

Lizardmen: Ixnay the Oxigorkray
Options: 1 Kroxigor, Star Players

Necromantic: Take out the Werewolves
Options: 1-2 Werewolves, 1-2 Vampires, Zombie Chainsaw, plus Star Players

Norse: Take out the Snow Troll
Options: Snow Troll, Ogre, 1-2 Berserkers, plus Star Players

Nurgle: Take out the Beast of Nurgle
Options: Beast of Nurgle, Chaos Troll, plus Star Players

Ogre: Ogres are 0-4
Options: 1-2 Ogres, 1-2 Goblins, Goblin Looney, Goblin Chainsaw, Goblin Pogoer, Goblin Bombardier

Orcs: No Troll, 0-2 Goblins
Options: Troll, Ogre, Goblin Looney, Goblin Pogoer, Goblin Bombardier, Goblin Chainsaw, Orc Chainsaw, plus Star Players

Skaven: No Rat Ogre.
Options: Rat Ogre, Assassin, 1-2 Storm Vermin (Blitzers).

Undead: 0-2 Ghouls.
Options: 1-2 Ghouls, Vampire, Werewolf, Star Players.

Vampires: No changes
Options: Star Players.

Wood Elves: No Treeman
Options: Treeman, Star Players.

[Patchwork]

I like the idea, seems like a really nice way to try and add some variety back into the individual rosters. I'm not sure about the star players being an option in it though, personally I really like the way they work as inducements.

[PubBowler]

I don't think it's balanced but it sounds like that's not your objective.

I'll take the Chaos Dwarfs with Black Orcs.

[Jural]

I like the idea, and I guess it's pretty similar to what I've been working on and thinking about for the past few months.

Basically, I think it would be interesting to give all of the teams a lot more options, but maybe at the expense of what they currently get.

I was thinking about having two types of 0-16 players available, and when you build your team you can choose only one of them.

Then, each team gets 6 positional "slots", which can be filled in by each player.

So, here is an example of a bland Human team this way.

(Choose 1)
0-16 Lineman Type 1- 6 3 3 8 50K G/SAP
0-16 Lineman Type 2- 5 3 3 8 40K G/SAP

(Choose 6, each selection can be chosen up to 2 times)
0-2 Catchers- 8 2 3 7 Catch, Dodge 70K GA/SP
0-1 Safeties- 8 3 3 7 Pass Block 90K GA/SP
0-2 Blitzers- 7 3 3 7 Block 90K GS/AP
0-2 Blockers 5 3 2 9 Grab, Tackle 70K GS/AP
0-1 Ogre 5 5 2 9 (Standard) 140K S/GAP
0-2 Thrower 6 3 3 8 Pass, SH 80K GP/AS
0-2 Runner 7 3 3 8 SH, SF 100K GP/AS

So at team creation time, one could build a standard human team by Taking Lineman 1, 2 groups of catchers, 2 groups of blitzers, 1 group of Throwers, and an Ogre.

Alternately, one could make a speedy human team and choose Lineman 1, 2 groups of catchers, 2 groups of safeties, a group of blitzers, and a group of runners.

0-16 Linemen 6 3 3 8 50K
0-4 Catchers 8 2 3 7 80K Catch, Dodge
0-2 Safeties 8 3 3 7 90K Pass Block
0-2 Blitzers 7 3 3 8 90K Block
0-2 Runners 7 3 3 8 100K Sure Hands, Sure Feet

Anyway, this example is purposefully Bland so as to get the concept across. In truth it should be a fun way to make interesting teams and introduce some interesting new positionals without allowing teams to "have their cake and eat it too."

Also, it should allow a bunch of teams to be collected under one umbrella- The Pro Elves and High Elves could be combined, As could the Necro, Undead, and Khmeri teams.

[mattgslater]

Hmmm... I was wondering about that BOB on CD teams thing. You wouldn't want to field all 6 Dwarfs, two BCs and two BOBs at once (10 AG2 players, no Mummies!), but if you take out so much as a single CD from that lineup, you've got killer D (which could be an '80s rock joke). I was hoping I could get away with it: it's extremely Warhammer-fluff-friendly, it doesn't give a net ST advantage (two BOBs vs. a Mino), and it doesn't fill any gaps on the team, but it does make them even better at something they're already very good at, and the Minotaur is unreliable even if he is occasionally brilliant. I don't think it'll come up in our league (we don't have any CD coaches), but maybe I should nip it in the bud and take that one out. Much appreciated. You don't think that the Orcs and Goblins are a problem on that roster, do you? Given that you get only 0-2, any you did take would be a big upgrade over Hobgoblins. Should they be 0-1, or is the opportunity cost of the Minotaur enough?

Does anything else look broken? It's ok if your mind swirls with the possibilities of any of these options, provided that you look at the opportunity cost and sigh. However, if any new options scream "you'd have to be a fool not to do that!" that's a problem.

[Patchwork]

Does anything else look broken? It's ok if your mind swirls with the possibilities of any of these options, provided that you look at the opportunity cost and sigh. However, if any new options scream "you'd have to be a fool not to do that!" that's a problem.

The only other one jumping out at me as being no real choice is the khemri. It doesn't overpower them but I can't see anyone not going for the 2 mummies option.

[mattgslater]

That was deliberate, intended as a nerf.

Good. I think this has to be considered positive initial feedback.