Whats better S4 or S3 block?

[Sixpack595]

Has anyone done the math on what is better for a starting player? I'm deciding on BOBs or Blitzers on my team of Orcs, but which one works better? OK, let me rephrase that...how much better is S4 over S3 with block? What about when reciving a block vs S4 or 5? I usually run 2 BOB and 3 or 4 blitzers to start since I play a West Coast offence with mo Orcs, and need the speed. I'm wondering just how much punishment I miss dealing out by skipping the 2 S4 guys.

[gallowin]

Offensively give me ST3 with block any day. But defensively I prefer having the ST4 guy. It ties up two guys just to get an even die hit and a third to get two dice.

But another question to ask is what are your opponents playing?

[Korhil]

Reguarding whats the better player to start with, Black Orc Blockers.

They have Ma 4, & Ag 2 and dont have Block... so they will take a while to get a skill. Having them from the start means more chance of getting the MVP or causing a CAS and getting the skill.
A Blitzer with Ma 6, Ag 3 & Block can score easily, gaining skills that way.

This is the reason for taking more Black Orcs early on. Development of the team. A starting Black Orc isnt much use in the middle of the season because most of the people he will want to hit will have Block or Dodge. The Starting Blitzer always has the Ma & Ag to score and gain skills quickly.

---Korhil

[Edit] Ag 3 for the Blitzers... not 4

[Zy-Nox]

I agree with Korhils points.
However How you use the players is important.
Blockers are pretty crap at rookie level mid season,
maybe try 3 blockers and 3 blitzers in the starting line.
Dunno if it works, but you get a even split of the players, so at the most will look at 1 rookie BO joining the squad.

[cyric612]

I started a Orc team in the league we have here and started with 3 BOB and 3 Blitzers seemed to work out good! I Got the 4th blitzer as soon as I could afford it and my team has done pretty well although I have been accused of selling my sould for good dice

[kaboom]

st3 and block will be the good choice.
and, u have 6VS 4 in movement

[slackman]

having block on more players early on can obviously be beneficial to your success. however, its much easier to gain block than it is to gain a st+1. not to mention it will likely be more difficult mid season to add that blockless BOB. my vote would be for the extra bob over the blitzer. but then again, the only time i roll both down is when i have a st advantage and no block.....

slackman 42

[harley_topper]

I think it depends on what you use the player
In offence the ST3 and block is better than ST4,
being blocked the ST4 is better, because you bann two or three players of the opponent team.
If you playing an orc team then it depends on what your roster looks like
Starting an orc team then I would suggest to hire an black orc blocker instead of a blitzer, cause a black orc needs a lot of games to gain SPP
A blitzer has the AG and the MA to score TD, he will gain SPP quickly.

[valdric]

OK, I did the math.

For a STR 3 w/ Block, this is what will happen against various foes:

STR 3 opponent (one die roll)
1/6 you down (appx 16.7%)
1/3 push (appx 33.3%)
1/2 opponent down (50%)

STR 3 opponent with Block (one die roll)
1/6 you down (appx 16.7%)
1/6 nothing (appx 16.7%)
1/3 push (appx 33.3%)
1/3 opponent down (appx 33.3%)

STR 3 opponent with Dodge (one die roll)
1/6 you down (appx 16.7%)
1/6 both down (appx 16.7%)
1/2 push (50%)
1/6 opponent down (appx 16.7%)

STR 4 opponent (two dice, opponent picks)
11/36 you down (appx 30.5%)
16/36 Push (appx 44.5%)
1/4 opponent down (25%)

For a STR 4 w/out block Player, this is what will happen against various foes:

STR 3 Opponent (two die rolls, my pick)
1/36 you down (appx 2.8%)
3/36 both down (appx 8.3%)
12/36 Push (appx 33.3%)
20/36 opponent down (appx 55.3%)

STR 3 Opponent w/ Block (two die rolls, my pick)
4/36 you down (appx 11%)
12/36 Push (appx 33.3%)
20/36 opponent down (appx 55.3%)

STR 3 Opponent w/ Dodge (two die rolls, my pick)
1/36 you down (appx 2.8%)
3/36 both down (appx 8.3%)
21/36 push (58.3%)
11/36 opponent down (appx 30.5%)

STR 4 Opponent (one die roll)
1/6 you down (appx 16.7%)
1/6 both down (appx 16.7%)
1/3 push (appx 33.3%)
1/3 opponent down (appx 33.3%)

So, if your goal is to avoid turnovers (i.e. you down), I'd go with STR 4 w/out block. You cause a turnover less against each opponent and have a greater chance to knock your opponet down against each opponent. Plus, it is easier for a STR 4 player to get block than it is for a STR 3 Block player to become STR 4.

[Darkson]

STR 3 opponent with Dodge (one die roll)
1/6 you down (appx 16.7%)
1/6 both down (appx 16.7%)
1/2 push (50%)
1/6 opponent down (appx 16.7%)

How do you get a "both down" if you've got block? Or am I just being thick this Sunday morning?

[Radagast666]

Why don't you get both??? 4 blackorks and 4 blitzers and a troll to put on the los

[wardancer434]

Personally I would take a 3 3 split between BOB and Blitzers.

[valdric]

Darkson,

you're right, I screwed up. Take the 1/6 both down percentage and add to the opponent down. (so it will be 1/3 opponent down).

Now, if you are going up against a STR 5 opponent, then STR 3 with block is better than STR 4 because in both cases, you're rolling two dice and the opponent picks. Having block will knock the opponent down in the event that you roll either a both down, opponent down, or opponent down unless they have dodge roll on both dice.

[valdric]

You can easily buy four Blitzers and four BOB's, two linemen, and a thrower at the start for 81K. The rest go for buying rerolls and FF. That's what I have started with and it works fine.

[DoubleSkulls]

S4 is better. Its got nothing to do with performance - everything to do with potential. Once your S4 has got Block he is a better blocker than almost any S3 player.