Norse team - skill advice and Snow Troll management

[Halskov1]

Hi, I’m coaching the following Norse team:

1. Berserker 6337 block, frzy, jmp-up +guard
2. Berserker 6337 block, frzy, jmp-up +might bl +norm skill
3. Ulfwerener 6428 frzy, +block
4. Ulfwerener 6428 frzy
5. Runner 7347 block, dauntless, +AG, +dodge
6. Runner 7337 block dauntless, +dodge
7. Lineman 6337 block,+ tackle
8. Lineman 6337 block + normal skill
9. Lineman 6337 block + normal skill
10. Lineman 6337 block
11. Lineman 6337 block
12. Lineman 6337 block
13. Snow Troll 5518 frzy, clws, dis pres, loner, wild animal

RR:3 APO: yes FF:5 Gold: 90:000

The team recently won a 6-game tournament and got a couple of skill-ups on a berserker and two linemen. I lean heavily towards guard on the berserker and kick on one of the linemen, for the last lineman I am considering tackle. I want the team to be as good as it can be against an open field. Any suggestions?

The team has been pretty successful so far, but it is very dependent on the AG+ Runner, who tends to score without too much effort against everybody and has the mobility to cause turnovers on defense.

I just hired the Snow Troll and I am a little unsure of how to use him best on defense. I have never played with one, and generally have mixed/bad experiences with big guys. I will probably put him on the line against weaker teams as it will both spare my AV7 players and potentially pose a problem for them. But what about bashing teams, who could put him down without too much effort? Do I still put him on the line to spare the rest of the team or do pull him off to deny my opponent an easy opportunity to knock him over? Where would he go then?
Suggestions are most welcome.

[Leipziger]

I just hired the Snow Troll and I am a little unsure of how to use him best on defense. I have never played with one, and generally have mixed/bad experiences with big guys.

Do I pull him off?

Never pull off a big guy, especially one with claws


Back on topic, your snow troll can act as a good way to fill up your LOS, even against bashy teams. They will still have to assign people to deal with him.

As for your lineman, there is nothing wrong with having a second tackler. With a troll, 2 Ulfs and 2 tacklers you could put together quite a nice defence when kicking.

[Gesmachiene]

I would take Piling On for the berserker. I play a norse team in a league, my Piling On + Mighty Blow Berserker got himself over 10 cas in little over 10 games.

Linemen with Fend do well vs bashy teams.

Personally, I take the Snow Troll of the LoS when defending against a bashy team. Had a lot of fun with his Disturbing Presence too! People always seem to forget about it...

[cyagen]

Wrestle is also a good skill for a Norse lino, especially on defense since it gives your opponent a lot to think about before they block him.

[PubBowler]

I would take Piling On for the berserker. I play a norse team in a league, my Piling On + Mighty Blow Berserker got himself over 10 cas in little over 10 games.

Linemen with Fend do well vs bashy teams.

Personally, I take the Snow Troll of the LoS when defending against a bashy team. Had a lot of fun with his Disturbing Presence too! People always seem to forget about it...

This is how I run Norse.

I would also suggest buying a thrower when one of your linemen dies.
Leader is very TV efficient for Norse.

[DoubleSkulls]

Wrestle is also a good skill for a Norse lino, especially on defense since it gives your opponent a lot to think about before they block him.

Given they start with Block I would have thought a great many skills would help more than wrestle - tackle, dauntless, fend, kick etc.

Basically I think wrestle just doesn't add enough value on players who start with block, so on a Norse team I'd only consider it for the ulfwerners.

[mattgslater]

I think Wrestle is good after Tackle. Good for taking out ball-carriers and dropping Wardancers. For a first increase on a lino, I think the best options are Kick, Fend and Pro.

ST5 is great vs. ST3 speed, so if you get a Snow Troll and a couple Fend linos on the line, you can do well vs. elves. Against bash, I like a 3-3 setup, with the Snow Troll at middle LB to discourage follow-up movement.

[cyagen]

We are talking about a lino ian. Linos in teams like Norses, human and orcs are glorified speed bumps. He will never blitz, unless the situation is desperate, so he needs to be as annoying as possible to get rid of. Tackle is OK if you play a lot of elves, Fend if you manage to stay on your feet, but IMHO wrestle is the best.

Anyway, the lino is gonna to be dead after a couple of game so you can afford to make a mistake

[Jural]

Wrestle is only good when your opponent has block (since you have block.) In early leagues, most lineman targets will not have block, so Wrestle isn't as useful in my mind.

But then again, tackle is situationally useful only, and kick is only needed on one person. Fend is great... against some teams only.

That's why I prefer unskilled Norse lineman or those with doubles! Who needs a 90k piece when a 50k piece is almost as useful?

[Halskov1]

ST5 is great vs. ST3 speed, so if you get a Snow Troll and a couple Fend linos on the line, you can do well vs. elves.

Could you explain this a little bit more? How are the Fend linemen going to make such a big difference in this scenario?

Thanks

[mattgslater]

They'll keep your opponent from following into assists, ensuring that ST3 oppos really have to work to get 2d on your Troll.

[PubBowler]

Fend (3 for the LOS)
Kick (one)
Tackle (depending on league)
and Sure Hands (because I don't take it on Runners or Throwers and every team needs it)

are my Norse lino skills of choice.

But, as Jural said, doubles and stat increases are golden.
Journeymen are pretty good as well.

[Halskov1]

Fend (3 for the LOS)
Kick (one)
Tackle (depending on league)
and Sure Hands (because I don't take it on Runners or Throwers and every team needs it)

are my Norse lino skills of choice.

Now, Matt answered my (pretty silly) question, as to why you would benefit from fend linemen on the LOS when they are flanking a Snow Troll. Hopefully this question isn't quite as silly :

If the Fend linemen are NOT flanking a Snow Troll, do you really benefit so much from denying your opponent the follow-up?

I understand that fend is decent in other situations and that Norse linemen can have difficulty in picking really useful general skills. But please paint me a picture: how are three block+fend linemen going to make such a big difference?

I can see is that it might force the opponent into using resources to mark pushed players, that for some reason couldn't be pushed sideways into other TZ's. But compared to Tackle, that ranges from "completely useless" to "completely game-winning", and Pro which should always be at least "nice to have", I still can't see the appeal.

I'm perfectly ready to be convinced though.

[PubBowler]

It's (IMO) two fold.

First it slows down a caging team.

Second it protects your (fairly fragile) Norse linos from being sat on and bashed until they die. Dodging isn't normally a good option.

With Fend and the loss of follow up they have to task a different guy to mark them or have them free to reposition next turn.

I would never put a Snow Troll on the LOS when kicking (even elves can bring down a AV8 blockless big guy) so I won't comment on that aspect.

[DoubleSkulls]

Fend means they can't follow up - so even if you are knocked down its quite likely you won't be marked. That is very useful on AG3 (or lower) players.