Underworld Dilemma

[GA_SPM]

Hi all,

Longtime lurker, first-time poster with a question regarding the Underworld team.
I've done a good amount of research already, but the one dilemma I still have regarding the team is planning the LOS.

The troll will always be there, but who to put in the other two spots?
I've read about the blitzers with guard flanking the troll, but I feel their abilities would be better utilized taking opposing players off the pitch.

Do coaches who've played Underworld put two gobbos on the line? Or go with the guarding S-access line of scrimmage?

Thank you for your time and expertise!

[Grumbledook]

I use goblins

no point letting them get free hits on the skaven guys imo

a lot of teams will be able to to match the guard up and get the extra assists or strength to hit them anyway as well

[Joemanji]

Not clear cut IMO.

It depends on what your opponent has. If he doesn't have Tackle then putting Goblins on the line isn't that much worse. If he does (and some MB) then the Goblins can become free KOs/CAS, and playing a drive with 9 men from the off is very hard.

It seems counter-intuitive, but I've had people put the Blitzers on the LoS against me and it does work. Or should I say it has worked. It your opponent gets a good hit then being a Skaven down is worse than being a Goblin down by a long way.

[cyagen]

It depends on your style.

I found out that vs non-tackle teams gobos are the way to go. Spread them, put the Troll 1 square behind one of them. They are very annoying. You could put FA on your line gobos to make them even more annoying.

As was said earlier, no point on giving him a shot at skavens and troll.

[GA_SPM]

Thank you for your brains boys!

Pray for my line gobbos

[mattgslater]

Agreed: 2d with Block vs. a Rat = 3/4 to knockdown, and easy to engineer.
3d without Block vs. a Goblin = 91/216 ~ 5/12 to knockdown, about equally hard to engineer.
3d with Block vs. a Goblin = 19/27 ~ 70% to knockdown, and harder to engineer.
3d without Block vs. a Rat = 19/27 to knockdown, about equally hard to engineer.

[Joemanji]

The relevant stats would be KO/Cas vs a Blitzer or Goblin. A knockdown only is a win on the LoS IMO.

[mattgslater]

See, I disagree. A knockdown is a lost zone, especially on a Gob, who can get Side Step and thus a big positional advantage on a push. But here's how that math works.

1 Skaven knockdown = 7/12 prone, a little under 1/4 stun, plus a little over 1/10 of a KO and a bit over 1/15 of a Cas.

1 Goblin knockdown = 7/12 prone, a little over 1/6 to stun, a little over 1/8 to KO, and a bit over 1/9 to Cas.

How likely is a knockdown relatively? Hard to say, but assuming no Tackle, the Goblin is anywhere from slightly harder to knockdown (19/27 vs. 3/4) to significantly harder (5/12 vs 19/27) to a bit easier (1/2 vs. 5/9). But on the line, Goblins are at least about as tough, and a whole lot more replaceable.

[plasmoid]

Agree 100% with Joe.
Depends on the opposition.
I've put blitzers up there many times.

See, I disagree. A knockdown is a lost zone

Perhaps in crazy powerland
Blodgers with sidestep (wood elfs) and stand firm guarders (dwarfs) sure.
Everyone else are just heppy to survive.
IMO this is very true for underworld. Must opponents would justlove to 8-turn grind you, so they're in no hurry. You'll have plenty of time to get up and reposition, as long as the players aren't removed from the pitch.

And I see lots of tackle talk here.
Let's not forget - most teams have block. Gobbos don't have block.
Suddenly blitzers are only hit 2 in 6 (per die) - just like gobbos.
But blitzers have higher ST, higher AV and no +1 to injuries.
Often - my money is on blitzers on the LOS.

Cheers
Martin

[Harry Buddha Palm]

Sure, it's harder to hurt a blitzer than a goblin, but it's still pretty easy to hurt a blitzer and I'd much rather risk losing a goblin, which are cheap and plentyful, than a blitzer of which I only have two of and are pretty vital to my team. I've only suffered one death on my Underworld team so far and it was a blitzer. The goblins have been performing surprisingly well on the line and in other areas, too.

[mattgslater]

It strikes me as a very situational deal. I'd probably be inclined to start with Goblins early, and when the various rats developed, I'd build two or even three as part-time linemen.

[plasmoid]

Hi Harry,
by that rationale put 3 gobbos on the LOS. Why risk the troll?
It's all about the numbers, and it's all situational.
Against many teams, the blitzer will do fine.
And I'd rather lose 1 blitzer than 2 gobbos. Blitzers aren't that super special.

Cheers
Martin

[voyagers_uk]

Perhaps in crazy powerland

love this quote in an Underworld Thread...

[cyagen]

And I'd rather lose 1 blitzer than 2 gobbos. Blitzers aren't that super special.

I got to disagree with you on that Plasmoid. I found the Blitzers to be the best Underworld pieces on defense. To stick them on the line tie them up and risk them for no good reasons.

There are only a hadful of teams that can afford to put their best players on the LOS and Underworld is not one of them.

[plasmoid]

Well - I've lived by it for 18 games, and it has worked out great for me.