The use of Fend?

Ikterus · Post by **Ikterus** » Fri Aug 22, 2008 11:36 am

I'm a newbie at this forum but veteran BB-player. I have however only played 6-7 games with LRB 5.

I might make a fool of myself but I really can't see why so many people praise Fend.

I read the guide to choosing skills in LRB 5 in this forum and Fend appear as a recomended skill on every other team...http://www.talkbloodbowl.com/phpBB2/vie ... 17d#440084

Sure it can be useful in preventing the break up of cages and such but there must be other uses that I don't realise... Why choose it before stand firm (on a double roll) for instance, Fend seems like a lesser variant of stand firm in all respect.

Is there any reason to take it if you seldom build cages?

Please enlighten me!

/Ikterus

plasmoid · Post by **plasmoid** » Fri Aug 22, 2008 12:14 pm

In my old league, piling on was king. Linemen with block + Fend or Wrestle + Fend stops piling on dead!
So they refer to fend as "the silent revolution".

Cheers
Martin

TuernRedvenom · Post by **TuernRedvenom** » Fri Aug 22, 2008 12:39 pm

Yep you need some to counter those piling on monsters. And for low ag teams it frees up your players to be redeployed next turn. Eg black orc vs linerat. Without fend the linerat will be stuck in the orc's tackle zone unless he tries a risky dodge. With fend he can break free when he's blocked and be redeployed somewhere more usefull next turn.
Plus it stops the opponent's advance dead in its tracks.

Andromidius · Post by **Andromidius** » Fri Aug 22, 2008 12:59 pm

Also very good at making sure cages don't move at all. They knock down or push back your players, and then find themselves unable to even take a step forwards.

~Andromidius

Post by **GalakStarscraper** » Fri Aug 22, 2008 1:11 pm

I use Fend on my AG 3 teams for the LOS players. This allows them to hold the LOS from advancing and then normally be free on my turn to redeploy where they are needed most.

So its not a skill I put on my whole team ... just the 3 guys who I put on the LOS.

Galak

Ikterus · Post by **Ikterus** » Fri Aug 22, 2008 1:39 pm

Three great answers.

Thanks!

/Ikterus

stashman · Post by **stashman** » Fri Aug 22, 2008 2:53 pm

Teams with great use of Fend

Amazon Linewoman
Dodge, Wrestle and Fend
Stops the LOS. Makes the opponent have to choose either to let go of defender or be wrestle to the ground.

Norse Lineman
Block and Fend
Cheap stand firm on a whole team (there isn't much more suited for the team except for doubles, some tackle and some usefull lineskills)

Skaven Lineman
Wrestle, Fend
Good to take down opponents movement and get free with the AG3 players so you don't have to dodge away.

Elf Blitzers
Block, Dodge, Side Step and Fend
As you see the blocked player is in command!!!

Craigtw · Post by **Craigtw** » Fri Aug 22, 2008 4:02 pm

I think any team that has to face Khemri would do well with Fend! Put the fending linemen on the LOS and after the first round of hits, the mummies will be forced to one blitz/turn!

Aliboon · Post by **Aliboon** » Fri Aug 22, 2008 4:35 pm

Mmm, actually the more fend there is, the more grab there would be too, both quite underchosen skills imo.

Ikterus · Post by **Ikterus** » Fri Aug 22, 2008 8:59 pm

Hey stashman post 666! Nice!

Hmm I see that I've undersetimated Fend... I do play a Norse team but in this incarnation only played three games... Maybe I will try Fend on the linemen.

The fact that players that get pushed and beaten down get away from their assailants is a good thing when you have AV7...

Andromidius · Post by **Andromidius** » Fri Aug 22, 2008 9:19 pm

Stops the blocking player assisting in any fouling that might happen as well.

~Andromidius

Mad Jackal · Post by **Mad Jackal** » Fri Aug 22, 2008 9:34 pm

Fend stops frenzy as well.

Handy when you see lots of norse or dwarves or have frenzy chosen in your leagues too.

I like it on my dwarf blitzers and runners to free them up on defense. It is much harder to blitz and mark them when they fend.

mattgslater · Post by **mattgslater** » Fri Aug 22, 2008 11:15 pm

Fend is a great #3 skill for any elf lineman. Side Step is better, and you'll want Block or Wrestle to reduce the armor roll quotient, but add Fend to that and stick the guy in at inside linebacker, to take inside blitzes, and he's just totally dominant.

On an AV7 G-only lineman, like Norse, Rat or Zon, it's huge as a #1 selection, since Side Step isn't available. S-access players usually get it only if they somehow get Side Step, which is generally seen only on Blitzer-types who often have to play cornerback against Juggernaut.

Master Wang · Post by **Master Wang** » Fri Aug 22, 2008 11:16 pm

Fend is optional (unless otherwise stated skills don't have to be used), right? I like that pro elf blitzer build (2nd ed. team waiting back the UK to be collected at Xmas

), but can think of cases were I might want the attacking player to follow up, especially the frenzy ones as side step is great for pulling players out of position, setting up crowd surfs, etc.

Master Wang · Post by **Master Wang** » Fri Aug 22, 2008 11:19 pm

Stashman,
Assuming you meant wrestle, fend on the skaven lineman