The Treeman Show: Blitzing Treemen, myth or truth?

[Afroman]

I want to build this treeman:

The "HotStepper":
doubles: Block, Frenzy
normal: Break Tackle, Juggernaut, Guard

A Treeman blitzer. Covering a 4-square radius and targeting the cage center. I find myself blitzing with the trees more often than you think. People often leave my trees alone to minimize how much I block with them. This one is made to bank on that. BT to get into that cage. Juggernaut mainly to cancel Wrestle but the pushback option is nice if you do get Frenzy.

I have one tree with block with a second skill waiting, but seeing as I have never tried this one before, I would like to get your opinions before I make up my mind.


Normally I build one of these two trees:

The "RoadBlock":
doubles: Block, Jump Up
normal: Multiple Block, Grab, Guard

MB as first skill, start double-blocking ASAP. Very good at cage defending. Why so late on Guard? two reasons, first because I want the MB/Grab combination and second I want people to put players on this guys TZ in order to take away his assist. More chances for him to use the MB Grab combo.
JU? +4 and you can use MB even if you are prone!(compare to 4+ to just stand there)

The "Classic":
doubles: Block, Pro
normal: Guard, Multiple Block.

This is how I always used to build them. Pre LRB5. Guard and MB were the only skills worth having before Grab and Juggernaut came along(IMHO it was their appearance that made Break Tackle on a tree worth having). Pro is a great skill with out a doubt, but given that you will very seldom roll 2 doubles on a tree is it the best nowadays?



So what do you think people? stick to the old more traditional builds or is the hot stepper something to consider?

[besters]

Get + movement if you can, it makes the tree so much better!

[Overhamsteren]

Sounds ok for halfling trees but for a wood elf tree with loner it's probably not worth the risk of falling over.

[Drool_bucket]

I guess if you play in a targeted MVP league structure you could do it... but if you are in random play do you really think you'll get 2 doubles outta 4 skill ups, and on Trees none the less? I just don't see trees getting to 31 very often, let alone 51. Some Claw comes along and gacks them.

I play both WE and Flings and my Tree builds are different for both.

WE tree gets Grab, so he has something to do when he Takes Root, and then Guard. Block on doubles and +1 MV over anything else.

the Fling Trees get Break Tackle then Multiblock. Sure Feet on Doubles and +1 MV over anything else.

I cut trees sometime after 16 SPP if they don't double or +1 MV.

I like the idea of the Hotstepper, I just don't think it's reasonable to expect.

This all said, if you play tons and tons of game, go for it... I love moving trees on Fling teams.

[Afroman]

I guess if you play in a targeted MVP league structure you could do it... but if you are in random play do you really think you'll get 2 doubles outta 4 skill ups, and on Trees none the less?

No I don't, that's why I didn't suggest three . It does happen that Nuffle smiles the right way and you get another double....or you get none. It just seemed to sugegst two just in case.

I just don't see trees getting to 31 very often, let alone 51. Some Claw comes along and gacks them.

I see your point. Depends on the format you are playing I guess...
On Fumbbl? not impossible since you can avoid claw teams and play a lot of games in shorter times.
And it is common knowledge(at least for me) that the apo in a fling team exist for the trees. So killing them is hard even with one claw on the team.(a claw spammed team is another question of course)

I play both WE and Flings and my Tree builds are different for both.

WE tree gets Grab, so he has something to do when he Takes Root, and then Guard. Block on doubles and +1 MV over anything else.

This I've tried. Getting grab as a first skill. Like it when I'm dealing with anything but elves. They just seem to dodge out again..... Don't question it's usability, just wondering if it is better than Guard or MultiBlock as a first skill. Is IT?

the Fling Trees get Break Tackle then Multiblock. Sure Feet on Doubles and +1 MV over anything else.

Now, I have to disagree( or at least look sceptically at you) on this one. It seems to me BT and Multi are mutually exclusive. If you move you cannot us MB, and if you use BT you move. Of course it makes a more broad Tree, but I think you can get more out of your tree by making the two first skills working together. (like MB/Grab or BT/Jugg)

And sure feet before block? Too vulnerable(Unless I got Jugg already of course....hmm sure feet could be better than block in that case. Maybe).