DE skill usage

Ratchet · Post by **Ratchet** » Tue Dec 23, 2008 11:19 am

Hi there, Ive just started a DE team after player orcs for more than a year, and ive got my first three advancements after my second game (Win vs Orcs). The three Advancement were
Normal on a DE Blitzer - I took Dodge
Double on a DE Blitzer - I took Nerves of Steel
Double 6 on a DE Lineman - I took the +ST (W00t!)

My question was how should I now use these players.

I can see the blodging Blitzer as a standard part of my running game. I think I would use the NOS blitzer as a ball retreiver/runner. I was unsure as to whether to use my ST4 Lineman to anchor my other lineelf's on the LOS or whether to use him as part of the cage/route clearance team.

Any advice would be neccesary.

I am fully aware I am still playing my DE's like I played my orcs, so any other advice would be greatfully received.

ps AG4 rocks.

Post by **DoubleSkulls** » Tue Dec 23, 2008 11:58 am

Do NOT but a S4 elf on the LOS. He is far too valuable to provide your opponent easy hits against - for most bash teams getting a 2 dice hit on him is easy, then he is foul bait.

The NoS on a blitzer is unusual (most popular choices would be guard and mighty blow). If you've got a runner then I'd use him near the runner to receive any dump off passes. If not, then NoS is a good retriever skill since if he makes the pick up he can pass in zones.

Nichren · Post by **Nichren** » Tue Dec 23, 2008 12:53 pm

NOS doesn't apply on pick up rolls.

Mad Jackal · Post by **Mad Jackal** » Tue Dec 23, 2008 1:20 pm

Nichren wrote:NOS doesn't apply on pick up rolls.

correct, but ian said (or meant) is that

"IF he makes the pick up, the Blitzer can then [use NOS] to throw from zones."

Nichren · Post by **Nichren** » Tue Dec 23, 2008 1:22 pm

I've been caught out trying to use it for pickups...trying to make it very clear for the OP.

s031720 · Post by **s031720** » Tue Dec 23, 2008 2:09 pm

Here is one way of utilizing that NoS blitzer.

1. 2turn TD with DE
NoS Blitzer at front. Can reciev Dump-off. Preferably with dodge.
Runner in the middle. Have dumpoff.
Lineman at back. Preferably with guard.

With optimum conditions, this will force your opponent to make a 2d against blitz against your runner, who additionally have the choice to make a dumpoff to the blitzer.

As ian said, NoS on a blitzer is rare, since you can get NoS more easily on your runners as they have access to passingskills.

A st 4 lineman is nice. Blodge will make him very versatile and survive longer.

Odium Khan · Post by **Odium Khan** » Tue Dec 23, 2008 2:14 pm

If there are lots of wardancers in your league, ST4 dark elves make good ball carriers. Add Block, dodge, sure hands as you go along.

Alternatively, just by adding block you can use him to take out those annoying corners of orc or chaos cages. Given assists, he can even have a go at mummy cages.

With block and tackle he is a god send in the back field against high elves, elves or amazons.

Before you have acquired these skills, just use him for all three of these roles. He makes a fine corner of a dark elf "liquid cage" as well.

s031720 · Post by **s031720** » Tue Dec 23, 2008 2:26 pm

odium:
What do you mean with a liquid cage?

Odium Khan · Post by **Odium Khan** » Tue Dec 23, 2008 2:37 pm

Sorry for the jargon. It's just a term someone on here coined a while back about dark elves running cages. It's just a normal cage, but it rearranges more easily (due to AG4).

s031720 · Post by **s031720** » Tue Dec 23, 2008 2:47 pm

Aha, then I see

s031720 · Post by **s031720** » Tue Dec 23, 2008 2:48 pm

Oh, and I made a thread about DE here if you need some inspiration with skills etc.

viewtopic.php?t=26388

Ratchet · Post by **Ratchet** » Tue Dec 23, 2008 8:06 pm

Damn, i thought NoS worked on pickup rolls! oh well, i suppose its not a totally wasted skill, but if i knew that i suppose i would have chosen something else. oh well. im sure it will come in useful!

Andromidius · Post by **Andromidius** » Wed Dec 24, 2008 1:52 am

Nerves of Steel + Diving Catch = fantastic ball snatcher.

Against an enemy ball carrier have him provide the assist for whoever is blitzing him (preferably with Strip Ball). He's then got a rather large chance of being able to catch the ball (infact, only 3/8th chance of not being able to).

Add in Guard if he gets another double and he's ridiculously good in a cage break.

And the reason why it's better then a Runner at doing this? AV8 and Block.

~Andromidius

grampyseer · Post by **grampyseer** » Wed Dec 24, 2008 4:01 am

I've found my Str 4 dark elf lineman to be an excellent big guy hunter. His next skill was wrestle, and with only one assist...he's able to drop big guys down to the ground
....where my sneaky git, dirty player awaits

Master Wang · Post by **Master Wang** » Fri Dec 26, 2008 11:10 am

You could always just ask your commish if you can change the NOS pick due to reading it wrong. It is, IMO, a bit of a waste on that player where Guard or MB would have been more useful.

That said, it is unusual and could cause opponents problems, but will it do enough for you to be worthwhile?