Block x11 on defence

hydemonster · Post by **hydemonster** » Fri Jul 16, 2004 9:54 am

Just wondered what people thought of having 11 players with block on defence.

I am fairly new to the team development aspect of the game and playing in a league with a slight variant on a human team.

My current goal is to beable to field as much block as possible (i.e. all 11 players) as block seems to be the skill.

Block: You need it to protect youself, to stop your players being bashed about and to have 11 players that have a good chance of successful blitzing if they get the chance to go for the opposition ball carrier.

The one downside would be that specalist players such as my thrower with accurate and safethrow would only play on offence, but seeing as though I don't want him killed thats doesn't seem so bad anyway.

I would appreciate thoughts of those who have tried/considered trying this?

Aksho · Post by **Aksho** » Fri Jul 16, 2004 9:59 am

It Depends on the Team you are playing against. If it is Norse or Dwarfs they will be high experienced with other Skill when you just already have their starting skill, and that will not be a funny game for you then.
Human Teams have to be flexible so you shouls use different skills and some of Lineman and Blitzers should take another "Skillway" like the normal "Blocking and doing nothing else" way.

mfg Bernd

MadLordAnarchy · Post by **MadLordAnarchy** » Fri Jul 16, 2004 10:05 am

Block is an extremely useful skill though we'll see where Cutblock/Grapple goes with that one. It's not the only skill in town though and against more dodgy types, you'll probably want to look at tackle and strip ball.

hydemonster · Post by **hydemonster** » Fri Jul 16, 2004 10:15 am

Sorry what are Cutblock/Grapple? are they official skills?

Tackle is useful but agains some teams (the none dodgey ones) is worthless - I suppose it depends on the make up of your league. Some of my players will also develop tackle.

I agree that strip ball is vital - getting a player with strip ball and keeping him as free as possible to take advantage of the opponents one lapse is the only skill choice I would be confident enough to recommend to anybody (unless they already have it).

MadLordAnarchy · Post by **MadLordAnarchy** » Fri Jul 16, 2004 10:20 am

I'm not following the discussion in the Vault but what was Cutblock and has now been named Grapple may emerge as a new skill according to some people who have been reading what's going on over there. It will have the effect of reducing the power of Block slightly.

sven · Post by **sven** » Fri Jul 16, 2004 10:25 am

you are proberly best off picking your skills so that your team can cope with the bashy teams suchs as dwarves and undead, and the agilty teams such as wood elves etc. block is important as it is one less dice face that will put you down but dodge will do this as well (although you may need doubles to get this). but many others are too such as guard and tackle, plus they will help you win games.

sven

ps welcome to tbb

hydemonster · Post by **hydemonster** » Fri Jul 16, 2004 10:39 am

Thanks for the welcome!

I'm still thinking that most of my players will develop block. However, I do need to start rolling some doubles and getting myself some dodge/gaurd.

It would be interesting to know whether many other coaches have ended up with a squad which contains 11 players with block (not including norse/dwarf coaches) and if they ever all play together.

sven · Post by **sven** » Fri Jul 16, 2004 10:49 am

oh yeah i would say for sure that most coaches go for block as either their first or second skill choice, 9 out of my sixteen dark elves have it (and i will all give it to them all eventually) and all my saurus in my lizzy's will get it as their first, and proberly it is not unusual for a whole team to have it as it does keep you on your feet.

sven

alexelf · Post by **alexelf** » Fri Jul 16, 2004 5:35 pm

I think if you give all you players block (especially a human team) your stifling diversity, which with humans this is their main appeal. Perhaps give half the players block as their first skill, and let others specialise. What did you mean by slight variant of a human team? Have you got many positional players?

Nick-O · Post by **Nick-O** » Fri Jul 16, 2004 7:07 pm

I'll second that - the strength of Humans is their diversity, so you want to develop a few specialists. They are good at developing differenty types of American Football-type players like a Strong Safety, Free Safety, or Cornerback. What has given you the most problems so far? Where are you struggling, or what is the 'worst' thing about your team right now? Let us know what you think and we might have some suggestions for specialists that will help you out.

Also, you want to setup a couple of offensive players on kickoffs for the quick counter-attack when you get a turnover - I usually play with my thrower as a Free Safety until I can develop a Dauntless/Strip Ball catcher for defense...

Alesdair · Post by **Alesdair** » Sat Jul 17, 2004 8:52 am

on defence...
Kick X1
Strip ball X2 (on your defencive blitzers)
Passback X2 (on your defencive catchers)
Hail Mary (on your defencive thrower)
Block on the rest

Post by **GalakStarscraper** » Sat Jul 17, 2004 5:01 pm

Its not official stuff yet. But the Vault is now testing two new skills to reduce the fact that Block is currently THE skill to take for many players.

The two new skill are:

Grapple (General) (this might get renamed Chopblock, Cut Block, or Wrestle)
A player may use this skill when he throws a block and a Both Down result on the Blocking dice is chosen by either coach. Instead of blocking his opponent, he grabs him and wrestles him to the ground. Both players must be placed prone in their respective squares, even if one or both have the Block skill. Do not make armour rolls for either player. Use of this skill is not a turnover unless the player with Grapple was holding the ball.

Juggernaut (Strength)
A player with this skill is virtually impossible to stop once he is in motion. If this player takes a Blitz action, then opposing players may not use their Fend or Stand Firm skills against his blocks, and he may choose to treat a Both Down result as a Pushed result instead.

hydemonster · Post by **hydemonster** » Mon Jul 19, 2004 9:27 pm

cheers for the adivce, I'll probably continue getting block for linos, but try to be a bit more imaginative for the players with strength and agility access.

graple in particular sounds like an interesting skill. much more subtle than just "negates opponent's block skill" which had been touted in by somebody in my league.

Duke Jan · Post by **Duke Jan** » Mon Jul 19, 2004 9:54 pm

Take 3 blocks for your linos to start with. But try to get other skills as well. Like a tackle/shadowing combo. Ideal for annoying catcher-like players.