Usefulness of dodge

[Grumbledook]

Right i know how useful dodge can be in a starting team (except vs dwarfs :p), but i was wondering about the merits of giving my players dodge on a double in a league. This is because of the higher chance to come across a los player with tackle or worse, getting your ball carrier blitz with someone with tackle. I was thinking it could be a useful take of a double for my choas dwarf blockers, but then again would it not be a waste if i am just going to come across los players who are going to negate the skill, would i not be better off taking something else.

So basically i am asking what teams/players/positions would taking dodge to help with blocking be of use.

Also what other generic choices would be taken instead if a double was collected, or any skill roll if u can get dodge anyway. I am not looking for specifics on my choas dwarfs though, just examples from any team or player, with people who have experienced something along these lines.

Thanks Grumbledook.

[Zombie]

Dodge is more fit to mobile players. On a MA4, AG2 player, it's just too easy to attach a tackle player onto him. For a bull centaur or a hobgoblin e.g., it's much more effective, even against veteran teams. They won't always be able to hit them with tackle, and if they can, sometimes it will require a few dice rolls to get them there, which means turnover possibilities.

For your chaos dwarf blocker, stand firm is the obvious choice on a double, and diving tackle isn't bad either.

[Mestari]

After tonights Dungeonbowl game my Dwarven Blitzer who had already taken dodge got +1ST!!!
My other blitzer got +1MA... sadly one of the linedwarves got +1AG... and the five almost ended up as a 6, but I admit that getting two ST increases in one game for dwarves would've been too much..

But think about it:
5 4 3 9 Block, Dodge, Thick Skull - Dwarf



I have Dodge on one of the linedwarves too: so far (in two games) dodge has kept him standing during five blocks. In addition he has been able to complete two dodges with the help of that skill - it's always good to be able to move them surprisingly in order to shift the odds to your favour. Dodge is an excellent skill and useful for every player that is going to be blocked at some point. Which means for everyone.

Now, I realise that in a tackle-happy league it's efficiency might be lessened a bit, but in most cases I recommend taking it. Dodge is one of what I call the "probability skills" - they get used often and result in a great probability shift to your favour. Just like block. Some more exotic skills might seem really useful at times when you get to use them, but for most of the time they're not used - which cannot be said about block or dodge.

[Grumbledook]

I know how dodge can be useful, in the case of blitzers your choosing who you are blocking/blitzing most of the time and they won't come across tackled up players very much.

As far as i am aware tackle is considered a lineman for the LOS skill on the whole, so is dodge worth taking on a double for a player being dumped on the LOS than a different skill or traight would have been?

[Mestari]

As far as i am aware tackle is considered a lineman for the LOS skill on the whole, so is dodge worth taking on a double for a player being dumped on the LOS than a different skill or traight would have been?

Well that thing must depend on the league:

To me tackle is the skill chosen for the players that are designated to attacking opponents key-dodge players: ball-carriers, catchers etc.

And this means that blitzers and (defensive) throwers are the ones taking tackle quite often.
Most linemen are taking block as their first skill anyhow so there won't be too many tacklers around most likely as linemen are known for advancing quite slowly (especially now with the 16SPP limit).

So my answer depends on the league: IF your opponents put tackle on their linemen in so big amounts that it is certain to negate any use from having dodge on the line, then don't give him dodge. Otherwise I recommend giving dodge even to the line.

[Grumbledook]

Fair enough, i was just thinking of ahead in case i got doubles, stand firm being the first choice for my doughty bearded ones, i like to keep my line strong and firm and i suppose that dodge will be useful more often than not, what other doubles options are there though and would any be of worthwhile consideration?

[DoubleSkulls]

I think for most positions dodge is a good choice.

However AG2 players with Strength access should take Stand Firm instead (e.g. longbeards). This is probably true even for the mobile BC types - S Firm means you can't fail a dodge and has great tactical use.

The common problem is what are you turning down? Take a line orc. He could take dodge, or nerves of steel, or diving tackle or guard or ...

Does a giving this one player dodge help the rest of the team? Are there other skills that might help team balance more? Are there skills you really need to get on one or two players (e.g. Dauntless) ?

[Kri]

I think Side Step is greatly underrated. It´s a great skill for players on the LOS. They can only be blocked once and you can also use it offensively. Besides, a Dwarf with Block, Tackle, Guard and Side Step is fantastic in cages...