MA5 Dwarf Blocker with DT rolls 5-5 for Third Skill

Gimli · Post by **Gimli** » Mon Dec 08, 2008 5:32 am

I have an MA5 Dwarf Blocker with Diving Tackle who has a charmed life when it comes to Skill Rolls.

On his third I rolled 5-5.

I am very tempted to take the +1MA, thus making him an MA6 Dwarf Blocker with DT. I can't count the number of times his +1MA has made a difference, and surprised (unpleasantly) other coaches. Another MA would compound that effect.

But the doubles open up so many other possibilities. I would have thought Jump Up would be a good combination with DT. Side Step would be good as well - no pushing him off the player that needs to Dodge away from him.

Any and all suggestions gratefully received

Decker_cky · Post by **Decker_cky** » Mon Dec 08, 2008 7:08 am

I'd take either Sidestep or the movement. Jump up is nice, but it really doesn't compare to +MV. Because you have easy access to Stand Firm for his next skill, I say take the movement. An extra MV6 player on a dwarf team is a blessing not to be refused.

Actually, a 3rd choice for him would be dodge, since he'd be blodge/SF/DT after his next skill. I think I'd choose that over sidestep.

But still...I think movement is the best choice, as it lets him defend a large area.

Gimli · Post by **Gimli** » Mon Dec 08, 2008 7:17 am

I take your point about being able to take SF on a normal roll on his 4th advance, if he gets there, thereby making SS less attractive. But I cannot count on rolling a 10 again. In other words, the MA is a once in a career opportunity.

As for Dodge, if it were a "normal" doubles, I'd think about it, but he is only AG2, and there is a fair bit of Tackle in my League.

Jural · Post by **Jural** » Mon Dec 08, 2008 7:26 am

For me, it's side step. next skill guard. Side Step, guard, diving tackle, this is an annoying player. The extra point of MA is great, but once you get him in the thick of things with Side Step and Diving Tackle, you won't need the MA as much.

If you do go MA, he becomes a great man marker or safety type, and stand firm is the logical next choice. But the thing is, this is a third roll. The 4th roll is a long time coming on a piece who isn't a scoring threat and doesn't have Mighty Blow. Just make him a great 3 skill player, don't hold out to make him a great 4 skill player!

Besides, the more I think about it, 5 3 2 9 DT, SS trumps 6 3 2 9 DT, AND 5 3 2 9 DT, SS, Guard trumps 6 3 2 9 DT, SF. So he's better off choosing Side Step now no matter what is next.

Andromidius · Post by **Andromidius** » Mon Dec 08, 2008 11:06 am

I might actually be tempted with +AV. But then I'm a bit strange.

The safe option would be Sidestep. MA6 isn't bad, but with AG2 he won't really make best use of it.

~Andromidius

Rab · Post by **Rab** » Mon Dec 08, 2008 11:21 am

+MA, definitely.

Then you force opponents to spread out more to cover the range of your MA6 chap, making them more vulnerable to your blocking, guarding, tackling slow chaps.

PubBowler · Post by **PubBowler** » Mon Dec 08, 2008 11:32 am

I'd like to know if you have more Blockers with Diving Tackle on your roster.

2 of them makes covering the breadth of the pictch possible, one makes is impossible.

However a MA6 pushes it back to possible.

So, if you have more DT, Side Step (as he's not a cager, it's better than SF)
But only one DT, the MA to cover that shortfall.

Joemanji · Post by **Joemanji** » Mon Dec 08, 2008 12:06 pm

I wouldn't take the MA. Side Step is great, but Stand Firm on a normal roll does a similar job. Dodge might be ok to help him use that MA5. But I'd probably plump for Side Step because it tallies so well with DT.

Wylder · Post by **Wylder** » Mon Dec 08, 2008 10:09 pm

I'd take sidestep. Your fourth skill is a LONG way away one a diving tackle lineman. You need to take what is effective now.

Gimli · Post by **Gimli** » Tue Dec 09, 2008 3:42 am

PubBowler wrote:I'd like to know if you have more Blockers with Diving Tackle on your roster.

2 of them makes covering the breadth of the pictch possible, one makes is impossible.

However a MA6 pushes it back to possible.

So, if you have more DT, Side Step (as he's not a cager, it's better than SF)
But only one DT, the MA to cover that shortfall.

Gentlemen,

Thank you for all of your thoughtful comments.

He is the only DT player I have. While I hope to get at least one more, I can't really count on getting more soon. That being the case, I think I agree with PubBowler's analysis, and will take the +1MA.

While I don't plan to turn this Blocker into a scoring machine, I'd note that in my 22 games with this team, the MA5 Blocker is the only Blocker to get a TD. He was in the right place at the right time to pick up the ball, and was then able to outrun some Orcs (with a few GFI of course).

I guess my point is that while SS/DT is a powerful combination, my hunch is that the extra MA will ultimately prove more versatile. He can keep up with the Runners, if one of them is making a break for it. There is a nice synergy with DT in the sense that I can get back up and still move 3 squares - almost a normal Blocker move. Also, on several occasions I've seen another coach assume he is just a normal Dwarf Blocker, and were rudely surprised when with a couple of GFI I was able to Blitz a player 7 squares away. Being able to Blitz 8 squares away, or tag a player 9 squares away, should be even more surprising!

I have my League Cup Day in early January, and will report back on how the MA6/DT combination works out. Thanks again for all the suggestions.

mattgslater · Post by **mattgslater** » Tue Dec 09, 2008 3:55 am

SS is a linebacker skill. DT is a linebacker skill. MA is a linebacker improvement. SF works on the line, but is really a lineman skill. Don't be tempted by the fools' gold of SF; take SS now! This is one infuriating ILB.