Starting again with Humans in a league

Jamie Fameflame · Post by **Jamie Fameflame** » Tue Nov 06, 2007 8:48 am

Hi all.

I'm starting up a Human team for a new league, but am uncertain as to how I should set it up.

I do not like Ogres (very bad experiences!), so my starting roster will be something in the line of:

4 Blitzers
2 Catchers
1 Thrower
5 Linemen

and 3 RR and 30k to use on... What?

I haven't really played LRB5, so I am uncertain what my choices regarding FF, AC and CL should be, any advice?

Also, is it a good idea to start with 12 players, or is it unwise in LRB5? Should it be:

4 Blitzers
2 Catchers
1 Thrower
4 Linemen

and 4 RR?

Looking forward to some good advice

PS: Yes, I have read previous posts on this subject, but would like to raise it again.

Joemanji · Post by **Joemanji** » Tue Nov 06, 2007 8:58 am

12 players isn't essential, but it is certainly nice, and might give you an edge in your first few games.

Don't underestimate the importance of FF however. I've started my last couple of teams with FF 0 and it has been harsh on the kickoff table. I like that first roster if you spend the 30K on FF.

Ogres are great for the Human team btw, but you have to use them carefully. Not as primary blockers, but as big dumb guys to hold an area of the pitch. Doesn't sound much, but it is of vital importance on a ST3 team.

Aksho · Post by **Aksho** » Tue Nov 06, 2007 9:07 am

I just started the new Leage with Human under LRB5 and I´m doing fine with 2:1:0 jet.

I Startet with Ogre, 4 Blitzer, 1 Catcher, 1 Thrower and 4 Lineman witch 3RR.

It worked out pretty good so far. I also played without the Oger some games in the past but the problem is, that the Ogre is nearly a "must have". With St5 he is helping a lot just holding the Line without doing much. Without him you have to go for the passing game much more, but the Problem is, that other Team a a lot better at it. I tryed out starting 3 and 4 Catchers and it worked out for some friendly games very well, but for a leage its a coinflip I think of getting a Monster-Team or get bashed like hell.

When you really want to start without an Ogre I would Invest the 20k extra into a second Thrower from the start. It can help you out a lot if one gets bashed at the start of the game and you can early go for a running Thrower with Block.

At least you should go for a defensive Catcher very early, because without enough bashing power in your Team you will no be in numerical-advantage on the field very often and you need to stop other Catchers and Runners in some way.

mfg Bernd

Jamie Fameflame · Post by **Jamie Fameflame** » Tue Nov 06, 2007 9:44 am

Joemanji wrote:12 players isn't essential, but it is certainly nice, and might give you an edge in your first few games.

Don't underestimate the importance of FF however. I've started my last couple of teams with FF 0 and it has been harsh on the kickoff table. I like that first roster if you spend the 30K on FF.

- That's what I have been thinking as well. It should be nice to have an extra Lineman to put on the pitch instead of the Thrower, when defending. Any thoughts on CL or AC?

As to developing the team, I am taking this one step at a time...
Otherwise I'll just get confused

The Ogre is a no-go. I just don't like it that much and I feel that it compromises the Humans playing style too much. Later on, when the players' roles are fleshed out with appropiate skills, I will no doubt add him as a blocker-style lineman.

Joemanji · Post by **Joemanji** » Tue Nov 06, 2007 11:04 am

Jamie Fameflame wrote: - That's what I have been thinking as well. It should be nice to have an extra Lineman to put on the pitch instead of the Thrower, when defending. Any thoughts on CL or AC?

I had a phase where I thought FF was dead and AC and CL were the way to go. But now I really think that applies mainly in a tournament. I now think FF is better on a starting team, as it helps on all the kickoff rolls and, more importantly, FAME adds to your winnings.

Jamie Fameflame · Post by **Jamie Fameflame** » Tue Nov 06, 2007 11:26 am

No doubt they are important to have, but as you say; more important than FF?

I think I shall go with FF3...

Brokje · Post by **Brokje** » Tue Nov 06, 2007 1:28 pm

Although I think the two teams you proposed are fine, I want to add another suggestion: play without the Catchers.

Ogre 140k
4 Blitzers 360k
2 Throwers 140k
4 Linos 200k
3 RR 150k
1 FF 10k

With this, you maximise Strength. You'll need to use the RR on the catching, but otherwise the Linos and Blitzers are quite capable. Or you could go the running game, with the Throwers scoring the TDs.

Do not get me wrong, I have been quite succesful with the teams you proposed. If you select Catchers, try to make them good on defense. They are good enough on offense, but you can use mobile blitzers (and then give Guard to your Blitzers). Wrestle and Strip Ball make getting the ball loose much easier, especially with Dauntless as a normal skill choice.

Good luck!
M

Joemanji · Post by **Joemanji** » Tue Nov 06, 2007 1:34 pm

I would disagree. Catchers are key to a successful Human team, especially without an Ogre. They are vital on both offence and defence.

Joe

Brokje · Post by **Brokje** » Tue Nov 06, 2007 1:43 pm

Still, maybe I was lucky, but I have been winning more than I lost without Catchers. The point was that I bought them when most of my Linos had a skill, so the Catchers would not soak all the Spps...

Cheers!
M

TuernRedvenom · Post by **TuernRedvenom** » Tue Nov 06, 2007 1:49 pm

Brokje wrote:Still, maybe I was lucky, but I have been winning more than I lost without Catchers. The point was that I bought them when most of my Linos had a skill, so the Catchers would not soak all the Spps...

Cheers!
M

Yep, in short term your team is a bit a weaker without the catchers but in long term it certainly pays off because it is easier to get those linemen skills. Catchers really hog spp's.

Jamie Fameflame · Post by **Jamie Fameflame** » Tue Nov 06, 2007 4:34 pm

TuernRedvenom wrote:
Brokje wrote:Still, maybe I was lucky, but I have been winning more than I lost without Catchers. The point was that I bought them when most of my Linos had a skill, so the Catchers would not soak all the Spps...

Cheers!
M
Yep, in short term your team is a bit a weaker without the catchers but in long term it certainly pays off because it is easier to get those linemen skills. Catchers really hog spp's.

- They sure do that, but they do it by doing what they do best; scoring TDs. I can't see why I would want to use my less able Linemen at something they are less than brilliant at. As I hinted at before, the psychological scarring from my last attempt at using an Ogre, have left me with anything but a desire to start with one

I do agree on Catcher skill-upping though, they already have the two most important skills for their role.

Falkom · Post by **Falkom** » Tue Nov 06, 2007 5:38 pm

Yes catchers start with 2 most important skill for them so it is another reason to get them later.

I also use to start human team w/o catchers and then get get after few games. In this way your team is much more resilent in first part of leaguedue to overall AV8.

You are also sure that blitzers will get at least 1 skill and if all of your linemans will get some spp which can later be easily increased by quick passes.

Important thing is that your oppenents will get used to your mosty running style of game (even you will get used to it!) and then sudenlly you get yourself 2 MV 8 catchers and just transfer to passing game. I was suprised how much it increase my tactical options.

Jamie Fameflame · Post by **Jamie Fameflame** » Tue Nov 06, 2007 8:58 pm

I fail to see how lacking catchers for a couple of games can "increase tactical options".

With them I still have the option of the running game. Missing them severly limits my options, imo...

Brokje · Post by **Brokje** » Tue Nov 06, 2007 9:37 pm

Yes, it does limit your options a bit, but if you dare you can use the Blitzers to score. Also AG 3, and with a rr in hand they are just as capable at catching. The throwers already have Sure Hands and Pass, so you wont need the rr there.

It is a matter of choice. Sure, the Catchers are great scoring machines. I prefer to get them later on (sometimes, I use Hummies in more than one League). In that way the Linos have gotten some valuable skills (Kick, Wrestle), and the Blitzers too, so your Catchers wont be too vulnerable, as they are protected better by their team mates.

In general, I think you might win less in the beginning, but after you earned some skills, you will win more. Also, you will lose less players (all St 3, all AV

.

I play Hummies with and without Catchers, both is fun IMO.

With Catchers, btw, I use them first of all to try and feed the Thrower(s) some completions. Might be risky, but they get som much better with Accurate or Block (I usually develop an offensive and a defensive thrower). The Catchers want Block or Wrestle as a first skill, except of course Doubles or stat increases (take them!). Then you can give one Strip Ball (great on a Mv 8 Dodging Wrestler) or Sidestep, but there are a whole lot of options, really.

Good luck!
M

Jural · Post by **Jural** » Tue Nov 06, 2007 9:53 pm

[quote="Jamie Fameflame"]I fail to see how lacking catchers for a couple of games can "increase tactical options".

[\quote]

I'm 99% sure he said that when he added his catchers to his catcher-less team, his tactical options increased.

As for me, I like to have catchers early on in a league, but I usually choose the Ogre instead. Once the Ogre gets Guard (or Block... but yeah right!) he's extremely useful. And catchers are complete pieces out of the box and develop quickly, so I don't mind waiting until the 3rd to 5th game to pick up my first one.

A decent ogre line-up is:

Ogre 160K
4 blitzers- 360K
1 thrower- 70K
5 linemen- 250K
3 re-rolls- 150 K
10k in the bank (for replacements, or an apothecary after game 1)