Dwarves in despair...

The Grifter · Post by **The Grifter** » Thu Aug 15, 2002 5:49 pm

Hi everybody.

Well, as you may think, I've got a problem and difficulties to solve it.

My dwarf team manages realtively well my league's opponents in defence, but these days I encountered two human teams on a row, and have been severely beaten twice.

They both play a running game, but the defensive tactic 3 - 4 - 4 I usually throw against other teams such as undead or dark elves which run quite a lot were useless.

Could anyone give me a clue ?

Post by **Thadrin** » Fri Aug 16, 2002 7:19 am

Seems like Marcus and I are going to have to get around to that Dwarf tactics article.

The trick with dwarfs is to play to your strengths. For one thing, your opponent should be getting the bare minimum number of chances to score. With Dwarfs you simply don't have the players to get caught up in a shootout. A bend but don't break defence works fine. I've spent entire halves camped out in my own half playing denial blood bowl, because I couldn't get to the ball carrier, and he couldn't get through my line.

Lets look at the match ups here: Human Blitzers - quick and have Block. These guys are the dangerous ones on his team. Taking them out in whatever way you can should be a priority. Slayers can be good at this, because they get a second go. The first skill for my slayers is always Mighty Blow.

With Catchers, you have a good antidote in Longbeards, especially if you have one who has gained Stand firm. I have two on my dwarf team, and plan on getting them and both my blitzers guard. These little tag teams will sit in the wide zones, and it should be fairly tough for anyone to move them, because most players are looking at a two dice my choice against that pairing if they try and blitz it apart. Your longbeards have Tackle, so using them to take out his catchers is advisable. Even if they can only get a tackle zone on him it will force your opponent to use a team reroll for a failed dodge.

His throwers will probably be running about behind the line of scrimmage. Let them - just deny them anyone to actually throw the ball to. If you can get yourself a longbeard or two with the Guard skill again (that skill is the best weapon a dwarf team can get) then your longbeards should hand out a whipping on his linemen (a two dice block by a longbeard against a human lineman has a 75% knockdown rate). I usually space four longbeards out on the line, with my slayers just behind as "Linebackers", my tag teams in the wide zones and a runner as my deep safety. Remember: hit him at every oppurtunity, and make the best advantages of the skills you have.

Marcus · Post by **Marcus** » Fri Aug 16, 2002 3:30 pm

Grifter: I would suggest you analyse at length exactly how they were beating you. Were they running at will through your defensive line? Knocking down many players? Turning you over consistently? Was the game mostly played in your half or their half or on the LoS? Were your blocks not coming off?

Figuring out why you were beaten should be your first step in reversing your record.

It's also gives board members a little more information to go on which will help no end in ensuring you recieve relevant advice.

Questions like "How can I stop losing" generally recieve answers like "Win instead"

Post up a bit more information on how the match went and I for one would be happy to offer whatever advice I can.

Thads: I've got a skeleton structure of the article together based on my old Blacknife article. I'll forward it on when I have a draft and you can have a read over and send me back some of your ideas.

Marcus

Post by **Thadrin** » Fri Aug 16, 2002 4:25 pm

OK. You got my mail addy?

The Grifter · Post by **The Grifter** » Fri Aug 16, 2002 5:33 pm

Well, no... but I have some e-mail failures these days... If this occurs again, I'll give another e-mail adress.

For the while, I'll have a break with dwarves, in order to rethink all my strategies in defense, but also all in offense. Although I was scoring at least twice in every match in the previous league, I only scored thrice in the whole league this time. I think I've become too much predictable.

But on the other end, to be unpredictable with dwarves should mean play a passing game...

Ouch, I must be tired, me...

All in all, thanks for the advice, I'll rethink all that, and come back with more precise points to submit for help next time.

Thanks a lot.

The Grifter · Post by **The Grifter** » Fri Aug 16, 2002 5:42 pm

>Were they running at will through your defensive line?
No. Their favorite ploy is to break a hole along a sideline, run like hell through, and wait until I come close to deny me time to score during the remaining time. I tried to deploy more deeply, or more on one side, but a pass and I'm offline.

>Knocking down many players?
Only those who can run after them. They usually leave my Longbeards unscathed, and concentrate on Blitzers (Block then foul).

>Turning you over consistently?
Rather turning around me !

>Was the game mostly played in your half or their half or on the LoS?
Mainly on the LoS, with bumps from my part, and darts towards end zone from theirs.

>Were your blocks not coming off?
Medium luck, I would say.

>Figuring out why you were beaten should be your first step in >reversing your record.
they play on speed (logical), bad luck and deep defense.

>Questions like "How can I stop losing" generally recieve answers >like "Win instead"

I beg your perdon, I'll do better next time !

>Post up a bit more information on how the match went and I for one >would be happy to offer whatever advice I can.
OK, I'll try to report it as accurately as possible, maybe in private mail, if you agree.

>Thads: I've got a skeleton structure of the article together based on my >old Blacknife article. I'll forward it on when I have a draft and you can >have a read over and send me back some of your ideas.
Well, thanks a lot, and see you later.

Marcus · Post by **Marcus** » Fri Aug 16, 2002 11:47 pm

Grifter: No worries, you can PM me if you want to discuss further.

I didn't mean to come off glib but it really is hard to offer broad advice as to why someone is having trouble with their game without something in the way of examples.

If you like I can forward you on an advance draft of this tactics document I'm working on. It covers a few of the things you're getting hurt by. Not the be-all and end-all by any means but I'm writing it with a view to helping players get into the Dwarfball mindset; something that a lot of posters seem to be having difficulty with.

Marcus