+AG on a Snotling - is it worth it?

[Smeborg]

I am new to the Ogre team, having played just 4 games with them (unexpectedly, these have been 3 wins and a loss, a much better record than my other teams in the same league). Here is the team:

Ogre: Block (7 SPPs)
Ogre: Break Tackle (6)
Ogre: - (2)
Snot: ? roll of 11 (8)
Snot: D-Tackle (8)
Snot: D-Tackle (6)
Snot: D-Tackle (6)
Snot: - (0) MNG
7 Rookie Snots
3 RR/FF3/90,000

Sadly, one Ogre has died, meaning the rebuild will be long.

I have followed with interest previous discussions on this forum, and I recall that the orthodox wisdom for Snots is that you do not take +ST on a roll of 12. However, what is the view for an 11? Just a normal AG skill (Diving Tackle) is tempting, but might there be some sort of case for +AG? It would bring an improvement in ball handling for those times when you want to pick the ball up with a Snot (rare?), brings a modest passing ability, provides a degree of protection against pouring rain, and, perhaps most importantly, improves the odds of a one-turn-score (but this is situational - if you receive at the beginning of the match, surely the +AG Snot is unlikely to be around by turn 16 - also, against a team with Kick, a one-turn-score appears rather unlikely).

Let me know. All the best.

[Mr_lemon]

I would say: Absolutely!
I have a snotling with AG+, he has reached 69 SPP and is great for retrieving the ball. Sure the AG+ doesn't affect the dodge rolls at all but it improves all catches, passes, landing rolls and pickups.

[Heff]

Hell yes

[Piousman]

what they said.

[inkpwn]

HELLS YES! Hes going to be a touch down extravaganza, that one turn touchdown is also far more feasible. Go for it.

[narg]

A bit off-topic but do you find that the diving tackles are helping? In my experience opposing players don't dodge away from snotlings, they hunt them. Isn't it better to have one or two sneaky gits to finish off the ogres' job?

[spubbbba]

A bit off-topic but do you find that the diving tackles are helping? In my experience opposing players don't dodge away from snotlings, they hunt them. Isn't it better to have one or two sneaky gits to finish off the ogres' job?

I think the common tactic is to team them up with an ogre.

The ogre will hopefully have guard so reduce it to a 2D block and the snot will keep the opposing player in hitting range so even if they take the snotling out they'll still be stuck next to the ogre.

[Mr_lemon]

The "correct" way to use the diving tackle Snotlings is to put them in a way that forces your opponent to blitz the sorry bastard instead of the ballcarrier or try a risky dodge past him. Yes, those diving tackle-snotlings will be shortlived but they are often the difference between a TD and a situation where you get stuck in a bashingcontest or scored against.

About the AG+ Snot. Bear in mind that Ogres only have 6 real players to count on (if one can ever trust a bonehead is another question ) so the opportunity to get a snotling with AG+ is excellent since then you almost got the chance to get 7 decent players. Sure it's not worth 60k compared to a Norse Lineman etc but for an ogre team he's excellent...

[cyagen]

(...)Yes, those diving tackle-snotlings will be shortlived but ...

I though it was the case for all Snots...

[Smeborg]

Thanks, guys, for the clear advice on the +AG.

I find Diving Tackle extremely useful on the Snots - almost a perfect skill, perhaps because it is a passive one, and obviously because it magnifies the otherwise weak tackle zones of the weakest players in the game. I use the D-Tackle Snots for the following:

- Cage corners (especially if an Ogre is holding the ball);

- Screening duties (for example when another Snot is holding the ball);

- To mark prone opposing players (a common and excellent use of the skill - Ogres mark the standing players, Snots the prone ones, this seems to exploit the mini-max qualities of the team rather well);

I try to avoid exposing the D-Tackle Snots to being blocked (although marking a receiver or ball carrier at the right time can be appropriate). Surprisingly good value at 40,000 GPs, I would say. I imagine a team with lots of them will do fine (relatively speaking, of course).

All the best.

[estyles]

I agree with everything said so far. To expand - I think that +ST is a waste on a Snotling because it increases their TV from 20 to 70, and they are now 2 ST instead of 1 ST, or in other words, still too weak to throw a block (in most cases). Yes, it would mean one less assist for the occasional Snot-thrown block, but it is too little to justify more than tripling their TV hit. Not to mention that giving them +1 ST gives them almost the same statline as a Halfling, but more than double the cost.

+AG is far from a waste because the Snots do most of your ball handling already. Yes, you'd rather have an Ogre do the ball-handling so they can get the SPP's, but with low AG and Bonehead, the Snots usually have to do it. Making them better at it is always useful. Less chance of fumbling the pick-up or falling after a TTM. I guess it doesn't matter on Dodges since all dodges made by 3AG Stunty+Titchy players are 2+, right?

There's some debate as to whether skills on a Snotling are worth it at all because even a non-doubles skill gives +20 TV (doubling their base value), and is a Diving Tackle Snotling really worth 2 rookies? The answer, IMHO, is yes, if you use them right. Which some other people already discussed. Not marking enemies (at least not the standing ones), but standing one square off where they either have to blitz the worthless Snot or try to dodge past him. Since his tackle zones stink normally, DT helps a lot. Also Dirty Player on doubles is awesome.

I really think Stunty should reduce by half all TV increases from skills and stats. Still don't think +ST would be worth it, but it would make all of the Stunty sides scale a little better with TV.

[Smeborg]

+AG is far from a waste because the Snots do most of your ball handling already. Yes, you'd rather have an Ogre do the ball-handling so they can get the SPP's, but with low AG and Bonehead, the Snots usually have to do it. Making them better at it is always useful. Less chance of fumbling the pick-up or falling after a TTM. I guess it doesn't matter on Dodges since all dodges made by 3AG Stunty+Titchy players are 2+, right?

+AG on a Snot does help on a Dodge, if your opponent has D-Tackle or P-Tail.

[Smeborg]

Just had a crazy idea: mutant Snotlings. Now that would be fun...

[cyagen]

+1 to that!

Tentacle Snots

Disturbing P or FA Snot

[The Golden Arrow]

What about prehensile tail snots... that would be a chuckle