Wood Elf Thrower - 4th Skill

[AviStetto]

I just earned a fourth skill (normal skill choice) for my wood elf thrower. He already has AG+1, Accurate and Kick-Off Return. I try to keep him out of the fray and only use him for what he does very well - throw long passes.
On offense he takes the kick off and either drops back near his own end zone and passes on the second turn, or he makes the pass right away (depending on what the defensive setup is and where the ball scatters).
Since I'm usually short-handed he also has to be on the pitch for defense. His role in that case is to grab the ball when the wardancers knock it free and throw it to an elf streaking toward the endzone. He often has to pick up the ball in tackle zones, might have to dodge in or out a bit, and the passes typically allow the opponent a chance for an interception.

What should I take for his fourth skill?
- Dodge
- Sure Hands
- Nerves of Steel
- Safe Throw
- Leap
- Pro

Eirlasdrim (aka Earl) - Wood E1f Thrower - 7 3 5 7
Accurate, AG+1, Kick-Off Return, Pass, ???
Comp: 33; TD: 2; Cas: 1; MVP: 2; SPP: 51

-Avi Stetto

[kithor2002]

As you mentioned that you haven't much players in the reserve I'd go for block.

[mattgslater]

If you're worried about durability, that's a good argument for Dodge. However, if you're worried about utility, then I ask, how many RRs do you have? Two or fewer? Sure Hands for sure. Three? You might want to look into Sure Hands or Nerves of Steel, or if your league is very AG heavy, then maybe Safe Throw. Four or more? Leap!

[Aliboon]

Mmm, I've an accurate, +AG thrower too and was just gonna get him safe throw next, almost without thinking about it.

I hate getting intercepted (at the moment, my game plan is generally to throw in my own half, so it can't happen, then cage up in the oppo's half, then score).

With safe throw, you can throw over other players heads almost with inpunity (2+ag roll) and not really worry about it. This can also be rerolled if needed.

Otherwise I'd prefer Leader over sure hands-on average I think that extra team reroll will come in more useful than a free reroll when you are picking up (which is still a 2+ in a TZ).

[whitetiger]

I'd go for dodge. It'll help keep him on his feet when he gets hit, and on the times he has to go into multiple tackle zones to get the ball, that would definately help get him in and out. Use the dodge roll going in and a team reroll on the way out.

[mattgslater]

Aliboon has a point on Safe Throw. It was perhaps my Pro Elf bias (where Safe Throw is a doubles skill on a Catcher) that pushed me to Sure Hands. Safe Throw means he can QP from anywhere: get him SH last, and with +AG and Accurate who needs NoS? Dodge or Leap can often obviate Safe Throw, especially with your high MA. I still think I like Leap best if not SH.

I'd def get this guy SH over Leader. With AG5/SH you can attempt to pick up even in 3 TZs if you have to (though 2TZ is safer), letting you use a TRR elsewhere in the same turn (say, getting the ball free or knocking a TZ off it). Plus SH works late in the half, when you may really need to score to keep healthy and you're likely out of TRRs.

I'm really sorry to say it, but Leader is a doubles skill for Wood Elf linos. Yeah yeah Guard whatever... that's why you can have a Tree (yes, more Guard is good, but it's a fair trade at minimum). You have the second-best Thrower in the game (after High Elves), but he's kind of pricey to buy for Leader, as opposed to a super-cheap PE Thrower or a Human/Skaven Thrower who comes with a great second-instance skill that you can package on a toolbox player. It's sad, too, 'cause if there's one team that can't afford even comparatively cheap RRs....

[whitetiger]

yep. definately either dodge or sure hands. either skill will help him in the role you have him playing.

[juggler434]

Safe throw is definatly a good option, but if your wood elves roll as many ones as mine you might want to go with sure hands.

[FischerKing]

I would say safe throw. Only skill the REALLY helps him doing what your using him for Sure hands is also nice, it depends a little on how much kick is in your league (lots of kick means he will need to catch a handoff or quick pass more than picking up the ball himself)