Lapsed Player Returns...Chaos Dwarfs in a League

[jmw23]

I haven't played Blood Bowl in a few years, but when I saw some advertisements for a new league, I couldn't resist. My team:

6 Chaos Dwarf
1 Bull Centaur
4 Hobgoblins
4 Reroll

I'm facing:

9 Gobbos
1 Loony
1 Doom Diver
2 Trolls

I can't remember the last time I played against gobbos. I've read a little about stopping a 1TTD using Tackle to make things difficult. How often should I be worried about that, as opposed to setting up closer to the LOS to just bash the gobbos? Can someone recommend a few simple plays? I figure if I'm on offense, I want to set up on the LOS, with a hobgoblin and the Bull Centaur a bit back (I plan to us the Bull Centaur to carry the ball) to retrieve. If I'm on defense, I'm a little less sure how I should proceed. I know that Tackle on six players has to help against all that Dodge, but beyond that? Thanks gang!

[Ullis]

You have a clear advantage going into the match with all the Tackle.

Mark goblins with Tackle dwarves and separate the goblins from the trolls to make activating them harder. Plus always use your blitz to hit a gobbo with a dwarf. Watch SPP's pour in and goblins get carted off the pitch.

You really shouldn't worry about a 1 turn TD attempt from goblins. Throwing a ball carrying goblin is hard and more likely to result in a dead gobbo than a TD. Plus if he scores fast, then you have more time for your offense. If you set up and position to prevent a 1 turn TD, then your opponent will have an easier time with a more conventional running offence. You can keep a hobgoblin as a safety type player hanging a bit back from your main defense line.

[jmw23]

I wanted to take a minute to thank you for your advice. I ended up going up against a LOS made up of two trolls and Ripper Bolgut, but my 9AV held firm and I won 2-0. I caused a number of casualties, though, sadly two were from fouls. Still, I managed to skill up a Dwarf, giving him Guard. With my winnings I purchased an apothecary, and now I can start saving up for that second Bull Centaur. My next round opponent is playing Humans, his roster is:

5 Linemen
1 Ogre
2 Catcher
2 Thrower
2 Blitzer
2 re-rolls
apothecary

It feels like a weird line up to me, but it's been a while, so maybe things have changed. Anyway, if anyone wants to chime in with advice, feel free! Would I be smart to hide my Guard Dwarf on Defense by keeping him off the LOS?

[besters]

No, you are right, unusual to see Humans without four blitzers. I would have dropped thrower, catcher and apothecary to fit them in.

[lunchmoney]

It looks unusual but it looks like a starter box set.

[besters]

It looks unusual but it looks like a starter box set.

Agreed, that could well be it.

[jmw23]

Update: Tied me game against the humans 1-1. I felt a little hard-done by the dice, as he threw block after block with linemen and the Ogre, all lacking the Block skill, and turned over not a single time the whole game. Still, that's Blood Bowl sometimes, I guess, and I did manage to skill up another Dwarf and my Centaur, giving them Guard and Block respectively. I rolled a 1 for my winnings, and even with a Fame bonus only made 30K. It will be a while before I can afford that second Centaur. Next match is Lizard Men!