How to develop Pro Elf Catchers?

corlm · Post by **corlm** » Tue Nov 11, 2008 7:00 pm

Hello,
I'm about to start a Pro Elf team for a short league and I don't really know what do do with the catchers. I'm not really concerned about making the TD when receiving, with 3-4 catchers and 2 blitzers there's enough movement to make a pretty reliable 2TTD.

If i get a double as first skill I'll take safe throw, If i get a stat upgrade I'll develop them accordingly. My issue is that I'm not really certain what to do with the normal catchers. I'm assuming to be on defense most of the time and thinking that I'll need a ball retriever with sure hands and leap other then that I'm at a loss at what to do. Developing them as blitzers feels tempting but I don't really want to put them anywhere close to where they can get hit, same with shadowing/blodge. Another problem is that I feel like once you give them something other then dodge they get specialized and potential stat upgrades or doubles might get wasted because they are to far developed as a certain type of catcher to switch "career".

Is there some merit to develop the catchers as blitzers and if there is, how would you develop one?

Grumbledook · Post by **Grumbledook** » Tue Nov 11, 2008 7:23 pm

block and dodge (in any order) are fairly generic and useful starting skills to go for

after that sidestep is handy

once they have these 3, diving tackle/shadowing on a couple combined with blodge and sidestep these guys are a pain next to the opposing ball carrier, or even used to block lanes for someone to run through

doubles guard is nice otherwise i'd probably stick to normal rolls, there are plenty of useful skills they can take which will also keep your TV down over a doubles roll

other useful ones tackle, jumpup (specially if you have diving tackle), leap

I'd not bother with sure hands or passing skills, you have throwers for that

any skills that let you harrass the ball carrier are going to be useful

Johnny KTOU · Post by **Johnny KTOU** » Tue Nov 11, 2008 7:36 pm

I'm just a starter coach with pro-elves, but had a few thoughts about it: I want to steal the ball from the carrier, shut down the passes and be able to recover... So two leap/wrestle/strip ball, one dodge/passblock and one as you said a ball retriever.

The thing is, it depends when you get a double: if you get a single on the first one, I'll take straight dodge, because 1/ it makes him last longer, 2/ it'll help for scoring and assists and 3/ it's one of the only skills which will be useful on any catcher. After, if you still don't get a double with another one, I'll start to take leap/strip ball: even with a double after, you'll always find some nice skills like juggernaut...

I've been given the advice to use side step in tournament, but in a league I find it a waste of skill: side step will be for my lineelves, same as diving tackle.

As I'm not an expert (yet

) I'm open as well for any criticism and advices !

mattgslater · Post by **mattgslater** » Tue Nov 11, 2008 9:15 pm

Catchers: I tend to get one with Leap first, and then start thinking about Dodge first on the others. I like to give Block next to the Leaper, but in a short league I might go for Sure Hands, as quick turnovers are the most important element for Pro Elves. I never ever give Catchers Side Step, though (except for the Kicker) Side Step is my universal first pick on a lino.

PubBowler · Post by **PubBowler** » Tue Nov 11, 2008 10:18 pm

Start out ny saying that I don't take Dodge on Pro Elves.
If you want to, it's a good skill for Catchers.

I aim to build them as extra Blitzers so I try for:

Block, Frenzy, Side Step, Leap
Wrestle, Tackle, Strip Ball, Leap
Block, Side Step

Doubles: MB, Guard

Johnny KTOU · Post by **Johnny KTOU** » Tue Nov 11, 2008 10:38 pm

What about what I said about dodge/passblock ? I used on francebloodbowl (the french FUMBBLE) and it worked quite good: against average players I get the opportunity to intercept ('cause they try to pass) and against more experienced player, I just shut down the pass (or at least it gets limited). And he's still good on offence (even better with dodge)

AK_Dave · Post by **AK_Dave** » Wed Nov 12, 2008 3:24 am

My DE team has a Blitzer with Block/Dodge and Pass Block. He basically shuts down the pass or makes it very difficult.

I agree with building out Pro Elf Catchers as Junior Blitzers.

mattgslater · Post by **mattgslater** » Wed Nov 12, 2008 3:40 am

Dodge/Pass Block on a Pro Elf Catcher is pretty sick against QP-based cage games like Orcs, and has some use against agility teams, but is worthless against run-only teams.

Smeborg · Post by **Smeborg** » Sat Nov 15, 2008 11:14 pm

I found the following development exceedingly powerful:

Develop all 4 Pro Elf Catchers into Blitzers (i.e. players whose sole job in defense is to sack the opponent's ball carrier).

The skills I gave were: Dodge, Wrestle, Tackle. One of them also got AG5, which made him a serious star. Had I got to a 4th/5th skill I would have given them Leap (and then Pro). If I had the same team again, I might give Leap before Tackle (to increase cage-breaking ability).

ST3, AG4, MA8 players are natural Blitzers (cheap Wardancers). Wrestle is way better than Block for sacking the ball carrier. The Pro Elf "Blitzers" are natural Blockers (give them Dodge, Fend, Tackle, Diving Tackle). Give "Blitzers" and Linemen Guard on a doubles roll.

Catch/Nerves of Steel is a natural fit with sacking the ball carrier, as it enables the player to catch the bouncing ball with ease.

The underlying philosophy of this aide is (a) to score as quickly as possible on offense and (b) to sack the ball carrier and score as quickly as possible on defense. This is highly compatible with an AV7 side which has no staying power, and which therefore outperforms on short drives and underperforms on long drives. The side loves re-rolls, so take plenty.

Applying this philosophy I managed to win a league (mixed races) with a 4-0 win over Orcs in the final (against the Catchers developed as above, the Orc player was unable to hold the ball).

Violent counter-attack on the ball is the best defense. Give it a try.

Hope this helps.

Smeborg

Marlow · Post by **Marlow** » Sun Nov 16, 2008 8:21 am

I develop my Catchers into Wardancers and use them for cage breaking. My Skill progression is usually: Dodge, Leap, Block/Wrestle, Side step or Strip Ball. Guard on a Double

That set of skills makes them even better at scoring as well on the defence. Shadowing, Diving Tackle and Jump Up are also useful skills for them athough I tend to put those on my Blizers.

katadder · Post by **katadder** » Sun Nov 16, 2008 9:13 am

mine get dodge, block, side step in that order. after that I dont know where i would go but leap seems quite a good idea.

Otake · Post by **Otake** » Mon Nov 17, 2008 2:35 pm

I once read somewhere about a guy who managed to put several "Dump off" on his catchers. His team was said to be unstoppable on attack drives.

Magictobe · Post by **Magictobe** » Mon Nov 17, 2008 4:27 pm

Otake wrote:I once read somewhere about a guy who managed to put several "Dump off" on his catchers. His team was said to be unstoppable on attack drives.

The only problem is that Dump off is a good skill when you have the ball. Otherwise it would not help you.

I like skills that always help you. On offense and defense.

I will sound classic but I like block, dodge and sidesteo.

irlandes · Post by **irlandes** » Tue Nov 18, 2008 12:57 pm

I thought dump-off on doubles was quite obvious...

I have a dumper with wrestle-dodge (wrodge?? XD) and he is the most hated in my tabletop league.

and as dump off awards spps... the only drawback is that you cannot rerroll if you roll the omnipresent 1...

sirsebstar · Post by **sirsebstar** » Tue Nov 18, 2008 2:19 pm

wrestle dodge on the ballcarrier?