Intercepting a ball without catching it

Smeborg · Post by **Smeborg** » Fri May 02, 2003 11:05 pm

I'd like to suggest the following (modest) change to the rules for interceptions:

- Making an interception can stay much as it currently is in the LRB.

- However, once you have made an interception (meaning that you have touched the ball), I suggest that you should still have to make a catch roll (as though catching a bouncing ball or inaccurate pass).

- If you fail to catch the ball, then it scatters just like a failed catch. It will still be a turnover (except in the rare case that the bouncing ball is caught by a player from the moving team).

It seems to me that this would be more appropriate. For example, an Ogre pauses from picking his nose and sticks a thumb (or other body part) up in the air. Allowing for the fact that he might hit the ball, what is the likelihood that he will imitate an Elf and make a graceful clean catch.

What do you think? At least, it could lead to some fun situations.

If you like the concept, you could also give Big Guys a +1 chance of intercepting the ball (analogous to Long Legs). For a Mino or RO with Long Legs, I guess that could be +2. So the ultimate interceptor would be an RO with AG5, VLL, Catch and NOS (yeah, right).

I guess you might also have to say that intercepting the ball without catching it is worth 1 SPP, rather than 2.

Cheers

Talafar · Post by **Talafar** » Fri May 02, 2003 11:10 pm

I quite like that actually, as it is does make sense.

Moonsong · Post by **Moonsong** » Fri May 02, 2003 11:14 pm

Yeah, much more realistic, but don't you find that interceptions are already too rare?

And, for the Ultimate Interceptor, you forgot to mention Pass Block!

Moonsong

Darkson · Post by **Darkson** » Fri May 02, 2003 11:43 pm

As a rule, I'd say it makes sense in a "real world" enviroment, but seening as it's based on a event which doesn't (ie intercept before the throw is made) and that many people think interceptions are rare enough as it is, I wouldn't allow it in my league

Mirascael · Post by **Mirascael** » Sat May 03, 2003 2:55 am

I really like that suggestion. Actually, it might be the best idea I've read on this forum so far.

Nevertheless, I still think that making the pass roll prior to interception attempts is even a more urgent issue.

Furthermore, I also like Zombies proposal to award successful interceptions with 5 SPPs. With regard to your idea 5 SPPs for a successfully catched interception, 0 SPP for a scattered one.

Mestari · Post by **Mestari** » Sat May 03, 2003 7:04 am

Although this definitely is more realistic, but there's one thing I don't like:

SPP earning from interceptions becomes pretty much limited to high-AG teams as the "lucky 6" interceptions get a lot more infrequent. Unless of course, you get the 2SPP whether or not you catch the ball.

After pondering for this for a while there could be a small positive effect on the number of interceptions by this rule:

Interception is no longer automatically that drastic change in the game flow as the intercepting team may have to pick up the ball. This fact might encourage coaches to throw a bit more often over opponents players than previously.

Grumbledook · Post by **Grumbledook** » Sat May 03, 2003 10:46 am

i agree with mestari

interceptions are hard enough to make anyway, they are before the pass roll for that very reason, by all means house rule it but its a mechanic that works, if it aint broke...

Dark Lord (retired) · Post by **Dark Lord (retired)** » Sat May 03, 2003 7:13 pm

how about an option to either intercept at -2 to your roll or deflect the pass at -1?

A deflected pass becomes an innaccurate pass.

Talafar · Post by **Talafar** » Sun May 04, 2003 12:20 am

That would certainly make safe throw more popular...

Mestari · Post by **Mestari** » Sun May 04, 2003 5:39 am

And interceptions practically nonexistent. Do not, I repeat, do not tamper with the interception roll modifiers! If the roll is made even a bit easier, interceptions will practically disappear from the game. Why? Because people are a lot more reluctant to pass over opponents and a lot more eager to take safe throw.

Robotorz · Post by **Robotorz** » Sun May 04, 2003 11:04 am

Most leagues suffer from having almost no interceptions.
Why? Because if you want to rely on intercepting the ball you need at least 2 or 3 players with passblock (+ag and catch would be nice). For a elventeam this works out ok if they have ag+. Intercepting at a 4+ with a reroll (asuming ag+).
What happens if you have 2 passblocking Lionwarriors and 3 passblocking Lineelfes? Nobodey passes. Not even Elfes try it.
Not a bad thing for me since i had lucky skillrolls on my Dragonwarriors (st4 ag5 leap, block, strip ball pro and ag5 leap block guard)

Nobodey takes the risk of throwing the ball if he has not chances 75% or higher. They rater sprint with 3 players 6 squares + blitz a 2dices opponents choice to get a free passinglane then to gamble with a 5+ interceptionroll without catch.

So leave interceptions as they are and make them 5Spp!