On Orcs and Dwarves

Xorin · Post by **Xorin** » Tue Jul 13, 2004 8:30 am

Playing a dwarf team in a 10 team league, leaves me with certain observations. First some background.

Our league consists of a decent mix of "bashy and flashy"teams (Wood Elves, Humans, Skaven, Dwarves,
Necromantic, Khemri, Orcs, Dark Elves, Lizardmen, High Elves). All teams are roughly between 150-200
in team rating. My Dwarf team is doing well and is ranked at 4rd place, behind the Wood Elves (Durnned
tree huggers, Orcs and Humans). After playing 12 matches I'm noticing that I can put up a decent fight
against most teams except for the Orc team! This (any?) Orc team just has too many advantages over my
(any?) dwarf team to cope with.

The Orc team fields 4 BOB's (3 with block) and 4 Blitzers (3 with guard) and a big guy troll on the LOS,
for their "scoring game" their coach fields a thrower and a goblin (that can do a TTM with the troll).
I'm really looking for advice here, how can my dwarves cope against 9 people on the LOS with armour 9
and ALL access to strength skills, with 4 having strength 4 and one strength 5. Even his scoring
potential seems bigger with the thrower and goblin. The orc team, with the goblin, is one of the few
teams that has access to all skill types (excluding physical), they can hire a big guy, a regular wizard
(Dwarves can't), have access to better star-players (cheap and mean gobos, varag, morg, etc) and
really have no need to field any line-man with access to so many good positional players!

My dwarf team consists of:

runner (block, dodge)
runner (block, accurate)
slayer (MightyB, MultiBl)
slayer (MihtyB)
Blitzer (Guard, MightyB)
Blitzer (MightyB, catch)
8 Lineman (4 Guard, 4 Mighty Bl)

I think I can hold my ground against an advanced chaos (I can try to outscore them), advanced Kemri or Undead (OK they have high strength players, but not so many players with strength access), but these
Orcs are just too deadly in both scoring and bashing imo.

So the question(s) are:

1] Can a developed dwarf team win from a developed orc team
2] Are Orcs overpowered with such a broad collection of highly specialized players, wizards and starplayers and big guy access?

kithor2002 · Post by **kithor2002** » Tue Jul 13, 2004 9:19 am

I think that you have good chances with this team.

For Defence I would only place three Longbeards at the LOS especially those with less SPP.
Your Troll Slayers should be placed at the midfield guarded by your Blitzers.

Duke Jan · Post by **Duke Jan** » Tue Jul 13, 2004 9:50 am

Yes, if you're outmuscled keep the LOS as empty as possible. (Put a guard guy in the middle and a MB guy on either side next to them). That way you can throw 1 die blocks at the BOBs. Put the rest of your lino's a square back so he'll have to Blitz them. Use your runners to wait for the gobbo and beat him up. Have the Blitzers and Slayers beat a hole in the advancing orc lines, try to pull them apart and then hunt the ball carrier. Try to get him nervous and panic out of the cage formation if he forms one.

Next. Get the ball and take the initiative.

Oh, and don't forget to foul.

Xorin · Post by **Xorin** » Tue Jul 13, 2004 2:31 pm

Thanks for the reply. However if the dwarves cannot hope to outbash the Orcs, how can they hope to outscore the team. On average the orcs have higher move and agility (better maneuverability) and they have a decent thrower and catcher (compared to dwarves anyway!).

Duke Jan · Post by **Duke Jan** » Tue Jul 13, 2004 5:10 pm

For one thing try to get them to pass by putting pressure on the ball carrier.

kithor2002 · Post by **kithor2002** » Tue Jul 13, 2004 5:36 pm

Duke Jan wrote:For one thing try to get them to pass by putting pressure on the ball carrier.

Yes.

And try to score as late as you can so that he has no opportunity to score again.

jordellfreshbreeze · Post by **jordellfreshbreeze** » Tue Jul 13, 2004 10:09 pm

yes i agree you have a chance of winning aganist orcs

the only thing you have to worry about is that dwarfs dont move that fast if the orc has a goblin you must kill him first

Circular_Logic · Post by **Circular_Logic** » Wed Jul 14, 2004 6:19 am

As dwarf-team you have 2 advantages:
1) You last longer on the pitch.
Yep. That thick skull is very important in AV9-vs-AV9-matches.
2) You have WAY more skills.
Compare your number of guard with his number of guard and your number of MB with his. You see your strenght.

If you kick, leave 3 players on the LoS. The Rest form a solid rock midfield about 2 squares away from the LoS. This way you force the orc either to make a passing game (risky and gives you time to couterscore) or move his cage down one side. As soon as he goes on the sidelines, you have the advantage, as you can frenzy his players from the pitch. Your initial 3 longbeards should tie up 2 BoBs and a troll for long enough, so that he cannot use them to support his cage.