Norse and Guard

[Darkson]

I ran a relatively successful Norse team in our last league.

4 of the 7 linemen on the team had the Guard skill, which I placed on the LOS alternatively between my 3 blitzers, to make them effectively ST5 on most blocks and ST 4 at least on the follow-up, yet on the board I regularly see TBB'ers recommending the Blitzers have the Guard skill instead (in addition to?). Now, I obviously missed a coaching strategy here (I admit to being a so-so coach) so could someone please explain the reason behind this (blitzers with guard, not why I'm so-so ).

[martynq]

I'm not experienced with coaching Norse, but I suspect the reason that people give Guard to blitzers rather than linemen is that the blitzers can take it as a normal skill roll, whereas the linemen need to roll a double.

Cheers,
Martyn

[manusate]

My advice on Norse blitzers is:
GIVE THEM PILE ON

First give them Pile On, then Mighty Blow, then Tackle, Guard, Pro or whatever you want. But you need at least three POn Blitzers on a Norse team. They will help you to even the things. Guard won´t help you. They DO have Frenzy, remember?

Give guard to the fouth Blitzer if your linemen didn´t get any doubles yet. A couple guard players and a guard Ogre is all the Guard you will need on a developed Norse team.

The fact that all your players have block from the start doesn´t mean you can play like dwarves. Four Guard Blitzers on a Norse team is NOT a good idea. They still have AV 7.

[Nermal]

just a thought but as said before, blitzers can take the skill without a double, also there may be occasions where blocking with someone other that a blitzer may be helpfull. the blitzers have the frenzy trait, therefore that second block/blitz may be not wanted. if the blitzer has guard then the lineman/thrower or whatever can throw the bloxck and the blitzer assist.

i had a few troubles with witch elves before where i would choose not to use them as frenzy would be unhelpful against another STR 3. a series of 1 dice blocks is not as usefull as 1 2 dice block.

this is all up for strategic consideration. at times the series of pushbacks is what you want.

[shaniepoo]

I play norse and gave guard to all 3 of my blitzers. The reason for this was so that the linemen they were next to could throw the block and so stopping my blitzers from being drawn out on their own because of their frenzy. It was also because it was my blitzers who would go for the TD (i dont have any catchers) and i would send them 2 at a time so both would have the assist if blocked.
My 3 blitzers now have - Frenzy, Block, Jump Up, Guard, PO (1 also is S4)
When on the LOS my S4 Blitzer is able to take on a S6 big guy and still stand a good chance of cumming out on top. Then use PO to take them out, then Jump Up in my next turn. Its a nasty tak'tik.