Cursed Dark Elf Team!

[Catt]

I love my Dark Elf team but they have been so incredibly unlucky!

3 deaths in 9 games: lineman in their first game, lineman with block (and niggling injury) in their 8th, and a blitzer in the 9th. Bizarrely all have been my number 4 player - I imagine that none of them want to put that vest on! I've also been very bad at rolling winnings (like REALLY bad)

I have a 4W:2D:3L record with them. Two of the games I lost I was unfortunate too loose - bad dice rolling combined with few rerolls.

The team stands like this:

4 Unskilled lineman (all on >1spp)
1 Lineman (kick 6spps)
1 Unskilled blitzer (3spps)
1 Unskilled blitzer (Niggling Injury, MNG, 4spps)
1 Blitzer (dodge, leap, guard 32spps)
1 Runner (nerves of steel, dodge, 27spps)
1 Witch Elf (block, tackle, 27spps)
1 Assassin (block, 12spps)

Apoth
FF 6
2 rerolls (I know!)
80K

Due to having to replace various dead people I have been unable to afford a third reroll. This was a MAJOR problem early on. Its less of a problem now that my positionals are getting skills BUT this is only in terms of turn overs - the real problem is that I often can't risk using my unskilled blitzers to score touchdowns because I often have no rerolls. This basically means things like dodging are OK because of AG4 but obviously less safe than with my other players. I also want to push my Assassin to his second skill (he's been lucky with a defensive block casualty and 2 MVPs).

Anyway my main question is this:

Do I buy a third reroll after my next game or replace my dead blitzer? This is assuming that I don't loose and roll a one.

I am fairly sure that the reroll is the way to go but I'll have at least two games after this without a 12th player. The league I play in has five coaches but many teams so I can probably choose low impact opponents for those games (their are three wood elves for example) which might help.

[Smeborg]

May I suggest Leader on the Runner as a simple and effective way to get that third Re-roll? (Or, if you have the time and patience, Sure Hands on the Runner - to save Re-rolls - and buy a second Runner with the aim of getting him Leader ASAP.)

Dark Elves need lots of Blitzers, in my experience. They are the workhorses of the team. Block + AV8 gives them better survival rates. So I would be inclined to buy more Blitzers before worrying about other aspects of team development.

It also seems to me that the other positional players on this team work well in pairs (i.e.. 2 Witch Elves, 2 Assassins, 2 Runners). So this may be something to think about for longer term development.

Hope this helps.

[Catt]

May I suggest Leader on the Runner as a simple and effective way to get that third Re-roll? (Or, if you have the time and patience, Sure Hands on the Runner - to save Re-rolls - and buy a second Runner with the aim of getting him Leader ASAP.)

Dark Elves need lots of Blitzers, in my experience. They are the workhorses of the team. Block + AV8 gives them better survival rates. So I would be inclined to buy more Blitzers before worrying about other aspects of team development.

It also seems to me that the other positional players on this team work well in pairs (i.e.. 2 Witch Elves, 2 Assassins, 2 Runners). So this may be something to think about for longer term development.

Hope this helps.

Thanks for the advice, it is helpful to get another perspective.

I had considered leader on the runner. One of the reasons I haven't gone this route is simply because of my runner being a key team member on my drives - I need him to help score touchdowns either by himself or using dump off to set up others. So additional skills on him are helpful. BUT if I rolled a double on a lineman I'd have a tough choice between leader and guard.

I was going to get a second runner and develop him with Leader after my third re-roll but the death of my fourth blitzer has really put a spanner in the works.

I know what you mean about the pairing. My initial player choice was unwise. I went with one of each positional which whilst fun, and I don't regret it from an enjoyment perspective, definately wasn't the best for decision for helping me actually win matches!!

Ultimately my goal now is to get to 3 rerolls and 4 blitzers which might not be until halfway through my leagues current season (7 games). Then I can start thinking about an extra runner and witch elf.

[Smeborg]

If you roll a doubles on either Linemen or Blitzers, you need to take Guard. It is incredibly valuable on any AG4 team.

So I suggest you need to take Leader on one of the Throwers (could be the second one if you want to keep developing the first one as a pure offensive Runner).

All the best and let us know how you get on.

[Captain Hook]

I feel your pain...
Although none of my players have died, I have never played any game after the first one with a full roster - at least 2 MNGs every time.

After six games I've lost 3 and won 3 and have 120k banked. Right now my roster is 1 WE, 4 Blitzer, 7 Line; As I have only two RRs I'm torn between getting a second WE or a third RR - or maybe a runner? (I bought an Apo after my first game - paid of in the second game when he saved one of my blitzers)

As usual my first WE really started to shine after she got Block, so I'm tempted to get a second WE asap. On the other hand my incredible bad luck causes me to burn my two RRs really fast.

Any experiecened DE players out there who can point us to their tactics when developing the team roster?

(Edit: Spelling, thanks!)

[Grumbledook]

My Dark Elf team won our league 17 games without a loss

Id suggest getting lots of dodge on your players, you will need less rerolls and it keeps them alive a bit longer

2 rerolls is painful though, I would get the reroll first even though the blitzers are great

it is all very well saying get another runner and getting leader but if you are buying the blitzer first then saving for a runner who then needs to also get 6SPP that will take time

having the extra reroll will make games easier and help with getting more skills on everyone

(oh and lose and roster only have one o in them)

[El Hombre]

what roster did you start with? feels weird to see the assassin but not one witch...

or are you one of those strangers who prefer assassins over witch elves

[voyagers_uk]

you say it is cursed..... your players have gained skills and you have wins......


Bah!

[Catt]

you say it is cursed..... your players have gained skills and you have wins......


Bah!

Well shirt number 4 is certainly cursed!

[Catt]

what roster did you start with? feels weird to see the assassin but not one witch...

or are you one of those strangers who prefer assassins over witch elves

I started with one of each positional because I was keen to try them all out! Poor tactical choice I know.

The Witch Elf is a great defender and is good at putting pressure on the sidelines. Two would certainly be better but my assassin has done well for me it has to be said. But I've been lucky with armour rolls.

My brother's Pro Elf team won our league's first season with only one loss out of ten - that was to my DEs. The assassin was instrumental in that helping the team to reach 9 casualties against the puny pro-elves.

[Catt]

My Dark Elf team won our league 17 games without a loss

Id suggest getting lots of dodge on your players, you will need less rerolls and it keeps them alive a bit longer

2 rerolls is painful though, I would get the reroll first even though the blitzers are great

it is all very well saying get another runner and getting leader but if you are buying the blitzer first then saving for a runner who then needs to also get 6SPP that will take time

having the extra reroll will make games easier and help with getting more skills on everyone

(oh and lose and roster only have one o in them)

I think I will go for the reroll and try to pick nice calm teams for my next couple of matches.

I think Dodge is the way I will go for my lineman now I have kick on one of them.

[zephard]

Take a way the TRRs and you drop the TV by 10.
Yeah you lose more that way, but it offsets your "bad" luck with #4.

I thought you had bad luck like me, 3 deaths in the first 3 games and thats with Dwarfs.

My no TRR Dark Elves played 43 games with only 3 total retiring injuries given them, but they lost about 55% of their games and only won 25%. Maybe I should pull them out of retirement.

[boxjuggler]

I love my Dark Elf team but they have been so incredibly unlucky!

3 deaths in 9 games: lineman in their first game, lineman with block (and niggling injury) in their 8th, and a blitzer in the 9th.

Is this the same unlucky Dark Elf Team that caused 7 casualties to my Pro Elf team in one game? Hmm, yes I think it is

[Catt]

I love my Dark Elf team but they have been so incredibly unlucky!

3 deaths in 9 games: lineman in their first game, lineman with block (and niggling injury) in their 8th, and a blitzer in the 9th.

Is this the same unlucky Dark Elf Team that caused 7 casualties to my Pro Elf team in one game? Hmm, yes I think it is

Hmmmm..... I have a sneaking suspicion it is. But you really remind me of the person who killed my two lineman...

Can't quite put my finger on it....

[Catt]

The Monarchs of Malice just beat a halfling team 2:1

It was actually a challenging match because they stole all my rerolls with a Master Chef plus pouring rain in the first half made picking up the ball for both of us a challenge. I also fumbled a quick pass in the second turn then it took me most of the first half to get it back after my opponent skillfully positioned the ball carrier between his two trees and Deeproot.

Thankfully no one died! Hurrah.

But as predicted I did role a 1 for my winnings so with plus one for winning I can afford a 3rd reroll. But it means my fourth blitzer will have to wait for another two games at least. If I were to get 80K in my next game I would actually be tempted by a 2nd runner but we'll see how it works out.

The good news is my assassin (Malevolent Joe) gained his second skill and he rolled a double - multiple block FTW! So he'll be dead in a week from violent retribution...

My Witch Elf (Eva Blight) gained her third skill. I am not sure what to go with for her. She has block and tackle so far. I am leaning towards sidestep but other suggestions are very welcome.