Orc Lineman +1 Str

[duttydave]

Hello all

I have just rolled +1 Str for an Orc Lineman.

My team is 1 Troll, 2 Gobbos, 3 Linemen (including the Str 4 one), 1 Thrower, 3 Blitzers and 2 BOBs.

My first thought was to use the Str 4 Lineman just as I would an additional BOB. However, because the Lineman has AG 3 he may even make a useful ball carrier.

Do any of you more experienced coaches have any thoughts about the best way to utilise a Str 4 Orc Lineman?

[PubBowler]

Extra BOB but with more ball handling abilty. So more like a slow Blitzer.

Ball Handling to get him SPPs and when you need the ST4
carrier.

A mobile cager. Or using MA5 & AG3 to get in the way of them.

Even, with Block & Tackle, your go to guy for ST3 blodgers

Just get him Block and you can't go far wrong.

[whitetiger]

I agree with PubBowler. (Wow, imagine that.) On defense, you could use him as a linebacker to move into any holes the offense makes in your line. With 5 MA and that 4 ST, he could react anywhere in the middle of the line and fill the hole. You could use him on the LOS, but I really think I'd save him for use as a reactionary player. You could put him right behind your LOS, set up something like: BOB, lineman, BOB, with this 4 ST guy a square or two behind the lineman. Then have your blitzers set up in the wide zones. Now you can react clear across the field with a combo of a blitzer coming from the outside and your 4 ST lineman coming from the inside; and if he is set up in the middle square, with GFI, he can reach either out of bounds line on both sides of the field. That could be nasty.

On offense, you could use him as a fullback to carry the ball. Or, you can use him to blitz with and bust a hole in the defensive line. Sure hands might be a great 3rd skill for him. I think I'd get him block next, though.

[mattgslater]

Once you're well along and have four BOBs including two with Stand Firm, then this guy makes an awesome middle linebacker in the nickel formation (for deep D against dodgy teams): two squares back, and the opponent has to knock the line down and still have room to move 3 guys up (or at least 2). After he's got Block and Tackle (or Block and Frenzy), drop him back to free safety against Skaven, and watch him wreck any breakaway GR (otherwise, keep your Dirty Player at FS, so this +ST guy can soak up any blitzes down the middle and the DP can mop up in the aftermath.

At full team composition, you have a Troll, 4 BOBs, 4 Blitzers and a ST4 Lino. That's humongous.

[stormmaster1]

6 ST4+ players will make life very difficult for any ST3 opposition. get him block, then decide whther he is likely to see use as a blocker, blitzer or ball carrier to guide his development. doubles=MB or guard

[stashman]

Do any of you more experienced coaches have any thoughts about the best way to utilise a Str 4 Orc Lineman?

Don't worry, you will find plenty of things to do with a ST4 AG3 AV9 player!

[duttydave]

Thanks Stashman

I am rather looking forward to getting stuck in with him. I've got a couple of real bashing matches soon.

My next league match is against Chaos Dwarfs. The player has a Minotaur, a Bull and six Chaos Dwarfs.

I am then due to play a Lizardman player in our league who has six Saurus and a Krox. Ouch.

I have 50k banked, so after my match with the CDs I am hoping to purchase another BOB before the match with the Lizzies.

[whitetiger]

Against the Chaos Dwarves, I'd tee off on the Bull Centaur. Use a blitzer to catch him and give the assist, and blitz with that lineman or if he's close enough, with a BOB. Nail that sucker and you've just halfed his strength. Then use your blitzers to swarm his hobs and the ball. Beat the snot out of those hobs. Don't let him form a cage. Get into his backfield early and keep the game played on his side of the LOS. He doesn't have a break away offense like an elf or skaven team. So just get fast and furious in his backfield. You steal the ball a time or two in his backfield and you win.

[mattgslater]

WT and I think a lot alike.

I think you've got a good team forming, Dave. You're right about the importance of BOBs. I think a lot of guys (myself included) get hung up on the absolute coolness of the Orc Blitzer and forget just how awesome a deal (if not how awesome a player) those linemen are. Since you didn't start with the BOBs, this gives you a chance at a nice even distribution. Grab a BOB or a Blitzer: you can't go wrong in your next two picks, but you do need to even out, if needed firing underperforming linos, or even late-jumping Block linos unless they're close to going up again, to keep yourself to 13-14 with a full roster of BOBs and Blitzers. You should be able to do it without any firings, really, unless you decide eventually to incorporate Gobs.

Damn, I miss Orcs. Best team in the game, if you ask me.

[DoubleSkulls]

On Orc teams he's fine as ball carrier, and I'd strongly recommend trying to get him to 2nd skill asap. That should be block or wrestle (maybe wrestle since you aren't giving it to BOBs or Blitzers).

I'm actually changing my mind since the post in the other topic...

wrestle, then frenzy, then tackle. He's a bit slow but he'll cause lots of damage with that and give real value to the team.

[whitetiger]

I'm not a real fan of the wrestle skill. I don't like skills that voluntarily put my guys on the ground without a chance of doing damage to the other guy, like diving tackle or piling on. I definately don't like the idea of laying my own guy out , especially an important team member) so that he's down during the other team's turn. Seems like I'm just setting myself up for a foul.

I'd much rather see this 4 ST lino going with block and then either tackle or sure hands.

[DoubleSkulls]

I'm not a real fan of the wrestle skill. I don't like skills that voluntarily put my guys on the ground without a chance of doing damage to the other guy, like diving tackle or piling on. I definately don't like the idea of laying my own guy out , especially an important team member) so that he's down during the other team's turn. Seems like I'm just setting myself up for a foul.

I'd much rather see this 4 ST lino going with block and then either tackle or sure hands.

Wrestle gives the same confidence hitting opponents as block (i.e. the same reduction in turnover). The big advantage is that against block ball carriers you have a better chance to get the ball free - and otherwise tactically you have better odds at removing their TZ if you need the whole. Also you really really might want that blodge sidestep war dancer on the floor so you can foul him

With Orcs all the blitzers start with block so wrestle is very marginal. With BOBs you want a solid (upright) wall of S4 and Guard. So block is much better than wrestle.

With this line orc you have the opportunity to develop him into a very effective sweeper/safety. Its just good to have variety.

[fen]

Actually, Wrestle is best on a Blitzer type imo. If the player already has Block to start with tagging Wrestle onto it means he can do useful things and has that added flexibility when you absolutely need him to go down. Also it means Block, Juggernaut players don't get to make you their bee hatch.

[DoubleSkulls]

Actually, Wrestle is best on a Blitzer type imo. If the player already has Block to start with tagging Wrestle onto it means he can do useful things and has that added flexibility when you absolutely need him to go down. Also it means Block, Juggernaut players don't get to make you their bee hatch.

Really? If you've already got block 50% of the reason for wrestle goes. You are better off with frenzy, tackle, strip ball etc IMO. For players with more than G access there are lots of other skills that I think would add more value.

[whitetiger]

I see. It overcomes the block skill so you can take the ball from a human blitzer with sure hands. Say, a good mix on a human blitzer might be:

the block he comes with, tackle, wrestle

I got it. I've never bothered to take the skill. I've had good luck with the skill sets I've used. And I've never played anybody that had it. So, I've never really thought much about the skill much. Sounds like a good thing. I'm running a human team in a league right now and I've got a blitzer about to skill up. He may be getting that skill.