A firm plan, or make up as you go?

[Vanadium]

I'm just curious of how many of you play with a "set" plan or strategy, or if you just make things up as they go. Of course I know things vary with a situation, but do any of you guys use any definite offensive/defensive strategies when you plan your play?

I know that alot of people use the cage or a similar trick. Any others?

[Andy-K]

1. Set up with a strategy in mind.
2. Try to go for the strategy.
3. Abandon strategy when something unpredicted happens.
4. Improvise.
5. Try to find a new strategy.
6. Start over from 1.

[MickeX]

When I'm playing newbies, I usually ask them what their strategy is right after they have set up their offense. Just getting them to say "I'm going to block the guys in the middle, pick up the ball, throw it to that catcher, form a cage, and then blitz somenone" is a good way of making them think.

They might still set up the "supercage" (ballcarrier surrounded by 8 players on all adjacent squares...) but at least they've thought about it!

Personally, I think I could get a little bit better by planning the first move on offence more carefully. I usually just have a main idea about what kind of drive I want, and go from there.

[NightDragon]

I tend to have a much better picture of what I want to do when defending. On the scoring front it seems to very much depend on what the opponent does. I am much better at defending.

[berserker]

i also think defending is easier, you just need to annoy your opponent as much as you can

on attack I have often my movement in mind but it varies a lot given the dice rolls I get...
The number of RR I have is also an important factor.

[Nosuphoru]

LMAO: Set stratagy in BB Good one!

IMHO: Besides playing to your teams strenths (um...I hope that is common sense but just in case..) it is virtually useless to plan beyond even the current turn besides generalities like "move the cube forward", "kill his ball handlers" or "stay away from the mummies". Waaaaay too much can ,and will, happen.

If you are lookin for general tactics like that check out:

http://www.blood-bowl.net/Tactics/BBTactics.html

Otherwise:
At the beginning of each turn I try to quickly think of what would happen if:

1) Every roll went my way (Perfect World)

2) Not a single roll went my way (Thanks Nuffle)

3) Only the most probable rolls went my way (Real World)

#1 and #2 give a good "window" as to what is possible that turn. #3 gives a good baseline as to what I can actually do.

When on Defense my planning favors #2, on Offense #3. And if I am winning or losing by a large margin #1.

[Skummy]

On offence, yes. Since you see what the defence is setting up, you should have a very clear idea of where and who will be throwing your block, blitz, and possible foul. Setting up a viable cage as deep in enemy territory should also be a priority, if you want to score quickly.

Defence is a reactionary process, since you don't generally get to dictate how an offence will play. Perfect D and Blitz aside a defence should force the offence to drop as many dice as possible to secure/advance the ball each turn while targeting the opponent's best players. It is sometimes more fun to play, since you don't have to worry about protecting the ball.

[Munkey]

Usually I have tactics on offense and a strategy on defence.

But on defence sometimes you can see where you want to crack open a cage to shut down a play and focus your efforts there (making sure to cover your arse first), especially if your opponent has left a gaping hole to Blitz through.

[ScottyBoneman]

Defence is a reactionary process, since you don't generally get to dictate how an offence will play. Perfect D and Blitz aside a defence should force the offence to drop as many dice as possible to secure/advance the ball each turn while targeting the opponent's best players. It is sometimes more fun to play, since you don't have to worry about protecting the ball.

Not to disagree with Skummy but to add the point that while on defence you are very limited on how much you can dictate, the degree to which you can dictate is important. Taking away options as much as possible.

An example of this would be that I never expect 'Passblock' to suddenly increase my Interception level, and in fact I don't regret taking it with players that have never even got one if that player has often forced opponents to move along the other side.

[Skummy]

Exactly. Skills that force people to play a certain way are just as important.

Strip Ball is another good example. Even against a team with throwers, it's a great skill for a safety because it forces either holding the ball deep or a cage play. The classic breakaway sideline is pretty much out of the question.

[MadLordAnarchy]

With the caviat that I play a ruleset that requires a seemingly different set of strategies (ie far less reliance on player skills), I always have a strategy in mind. For defence, I will think specifically about what my opponent might do and attempt to force them to play differently. On offence, I have a couple of set strategies which I will use depending on what my opponent is doing.

Having said that, the best strategy is always to be on the winning end of the banter.

[MadLordAnarchy]

With the caviat that I play a ruleset that requires a seemingly different set of strategies (ie far less reliance on player skills), I always have a strategy in mind. For defence, I will think specifically about what my opponent might do and attempt to force them to play differently. On offence, I have a couple of set strategies which I will use depending on what my opponent is doing.

Having said that, the best strategy is always to be on the winning end of the banter.

[Dave]

I allways use a fixed way to score, but the eventual execution depends on how the blocks, dodges etc go.

My defence differs per team. My Welfs and Helfs use pass block to harras the ball carrier ASAP, trying to force an early pass and thus interception ..

[Dave]

connexion going mad

[Dave]

very, very mad, sorry