Dark Elves in tournaments - your experiences?

Jeremiah Kool · Post by **Jeremiah Kool** » Mon May 22, 2006 5:10 pm

Once again IÂ´m tempted to play Dark Elves (current LRB version without Assassins or Runners) in a TR 110 tourny. The team just appeals to me, though they have mediocre speed, no real defining strength (other than their Blitzers and having mostly AV8 / AG4) and expensive players.

IÂ´m still intrigued by them. But I also want to win games. So IÂ´m looking for some data / stories from DE coaches that played in tournaments against the usual better teams that appear. I imagine itÂ´s harder to succeed with Dark Elves but if played right they should have a shot.

IÂ´m also interested in skill choices and chosing a Witch Elf for the roster or not. I guess Dodge for the Blitzers is the normal option, but did somebody pick things like Strip Ball or Leap? Or even Dirty Player?

Also I see a lot of negative talk regarding Witch Elves in tourneys. I wouldnÂ´t take two of them but one (especially with Block) seems like a valuable addition with a TR of 110. With Blodge sheÂ´s not that easy to take down and who doesnÂ´t like a fast player with Frenzy to wreak havoc on the sidelines? Instead of a Witch you can take an Apo. ThatÂ´s good too, but I would rather have a fifth faster player with Blodge and take my chances. AV 8 on nearly everbody on the team isnÂ´t that bad.

This would be my roster:
4 x Blitzer
1 x Witch Elf
6 x Lineman
3 x RR
2 x FF

wesleytj · Post by **wesleytj** » Mon May 22, 2006 5:22 pm

in general dark elves make a good league team, but not so good in tourneys. if you want hard data, look at how many dark elf teams have won NAF tourneys...that should give you an idea.

that said, they would likely do a good bit better at tr110 tourneys. one of their main weaknesses in tourneys is that they can't get many position players. at 110 that is better, as demonstrated with your roster. you've got 4 blitzers and a witch.

as for the witch, again, most of the time that's not a great idea, but as you say, at tr110 it's a different story. you can give her block right away and she'll have decent support from the 4blitzers, and still be able to manage 3rr.

bottom line: if you are ever going to take dark elves to a tourney and expect to be competitive, ar tr110 tourney is the one to do it with. i honestly think you'll still face a somewhat uphill battle against some of the more conventional tourney teams, but not insurmountable by any means.

tanka · Post by **tanka** » Mon May 22, 2006 6:42 pm

at the bb recently the dark elf player I played was quite good
he did the running play but and gave is thrower dump off, which gave me a lot of problems trying to get the ball

Jeremiah Kool · Post by **Jeremiah Kool** » Mon May 22, 2006 8:18 pm

I wouldnÂ´t play DEs at TR 100, thatÂ´s for sure. 2 rerolls wouldnÂ´t be enough.

@Tanka: Was the BB TR 100 or 110? What setup did the coach use? I myself wouldnÂ´t dream of using a Thrower. Maaaaaaybe only in that super-crazy way with 4 Blitzers, 2 Witches, 1 Thrower, 4 Line, 2 RR, 1FF. This would be fun but 2 RR doesnÂ´t cut it on this team, IMO.

besters · Post by **besters** » Mon May 22, 2006 9:23 pm

I'm thinking of taking Dark Elves to a TR 110 tourney.

I was thinking of going with:

3 Blitzers
2 Witch Elves
6 Linemen
Apothecary
2 Rerolls
1 Fan Factor

This seems to give some success in one off games, 2-1 and 4-0 wins this weekend , but the lack of re-rolls is still a worry, although I think the sacrifice for an apothecary is probably right.

Would appreciate peoples views.

I have taken Dark Elves to a Bloodbowl (2w 2d 2l) but that was with

2 blitzers
2 witch elves
1 thrower
6 linemen
1 reroll
3 fan factor

I think there could be a way to winning team, I'm not sure I have found it........

Besters

Xtreme · Post by **Xtreme** » Tue May 23, 2006 2:40 am

Dark elves won the Chaos Cup this year at TR 100.

I don't think they are a bad tournament team at all, they just give you the elf challenge of having a shortage of rerolls.

shagga · Post by **shagga** » Tue May 23, 2006 3:45 am

Witch Elfs can be a blessing and a curse all at once because of frenzy and ST3. I think you can do well with DE, but you really dont have room for any mistakes in your game.

Jeremiah Kool · Post by **Jeremiah Kool** » Wed May 24, 2006 7:24 am

Good to hear that DE won the Chaos Cup.

When I have to chose an Apo or a Reroll IÂ´d go for the RR. These guys have absolutely no skill rerolls, only Dodge on the Witches. No Sure Hands, Catch, Pass (in my setup at least) etc. IMO I need the most RR while still fielding a capable team. During the tourny I see myself mostly giving Block to the Witch and Dodge to the Bliters so it gets better regarding RR but IMO a DE-team really needs 3 RR. If I could chose a trait/double and could get Leader I might think different, but thatÂ´s no option this time. And even then I would take Guard. When you get two Witches an Apo could be vital, though.

Four Blitzers and one Witch vs. three Blitzers and two Witches: While I really like Witch Elves I think one is enough. A Blitzer has the same speed and better armor. You can get Blodge on both of them. While the Blitzer lacks Frenzy and Jump Up I feel heÂ´s the more reliable player.

besters · Post by **besters** » Wed May 24, 2006 4:53 pm

You are probably right, blitzers are the better option for the team, but there are two things:

1. I like my witch elf figures better.

2. The Frenzy/Jump Up options do seem to catch people out.

Bester

Jeremiah Kool · Post by **Jeremiah Kool** » Thu May 25, 2006 9:29 am

1. is a good reason.

IÂ´m in the process of painting a Witch Elf and two look certainly nice on the team. Good luck with them.