The bashy defensive line poll

[mattgslater]

OK, so the last couple polls have mostly covered ST3 defensive lines. Let's talk about the hogs: Orcs, Chaos, Khemri, Necro, Lizardmen, Nurgle, Ogres, whatever team doesn't necessarily put 3x ST3 on the LOS. Now I know some of those teams still do primarily put ST3 guys on the LOS (esp. Necro and Chaos)... I'm just talking about teams for which the coach in question routinely puts ST4+ players on the line, which includes at least some of each of the teams above. Because these lines vary widely and they often play out differently against different opposition, I'm just asking for a poll of first resorts, with 11-on-11 and no unusual concerns. Note that options D on do allow differentiation if the opponent is also high-ST. If you do it differently for two different teams of this sort (say, an all-ST4 Lizardman lineup might vary from an all-ST5 Khemri positioning), then please answer for whichever team you play more or think has a better D or whatever, and post to explain the difference. Oh, and don't consider any team that must field any ST2 on the line, like most Goblin or Halfling teams.

Cluster: 3 men clumped together. I'm assuming it's symmetrical (nose at the Zero square, and ends on either side); if not, please post.

Spread: 3 men not clumped together. I'm assuming it's symmetrical, as above.

Stacked: More than 3 men in any formation.

I voted A: though I frequently build a stacked line against light teams, I'll usually only do so if either my team is well-developed or the opponent is seriously down men. I have limited experience with an all-ST5 line, but I had an Orc team with a ST5 BOB once, and he put me into a permanent (and devastating) 5-4-2 with that team.

[voyagers_uk]

I only really start to really "THINK" defence when I have some skills and my opponent has some skills. Prior to that I just play for fun and roleplay the race...

Flood the box with Orcs/Dwarves
Stagger with Undead
Hold back with Halflings etc etc etc


I voted F when considering the more advanced teams.

[ulvardar]

Hey matt, i won't vote as none of your choices fits me, but i'm lately playing Chaos Pact; so i could put 3 St. 5 guys on the line.

But i guess it's better (and with St. guys, the same) to mix St. 4-5 and St. 3 guys on the line, setting some high strength guys near the wide zones to block that zones.

I deploy ogre and troll in the line, with a marauder between them, or next to the troll (depending if i attack or defend). Having more high strength people (lizards, khemri) would be the same. Usually, having a powerful guy caring of a wide zone makes your opponent go the other way.

So i suppose i deploy in a clumped way, if you need me selecting an option

[Axtklinge]

I voted D, yet while playing mostly against heavy oponents I rarely drift from the cluster.
Still, as I'm currently playing Nurgle the option of spreading the line more than usual makes me reconsider either because of Disturbing Presence skill or if in the drives before I've menaged to send a couple of oponent players to the dugout.
Then again if I'm not playing against an 'agility/passing team' the LOS will probably turn to cluster again.

[mattgslater]

@Axt, Ulv: I haven't seen your teams in action down here, though I've thought a few times about running Nurgle (and I'm not the only one... next season, maybe). Can you diagram your base defense for me?