+1AV or +1MA on Thrall with block?

tigershark2000 · Post by **tigershark2000** » Wed Nov 18, 2009 2:09 pm

Hi guys,

I'm wondering if my first thrall to gain his second skill should take either +1MA or +1AV after taking block for first skill.
It was no double roll, so I would go for Armour since Armour 8 is so much better than Armour 7. But a faster player on a team with Movement 6 throughout the team seems tempting too.
So, what do you think?

Leipziger · Post by **Leipziger** » Wed Nov 18, 2009 2:15 pm

If you can remember not to bite him, then I would take +MA.

mattgslater · Post by **mattgslater** » Wed Nov 18, 2009 2:40 pm

Don't dare take +AV on a Thrall! Waste of a skill. I know, AV7... but he's 40k. An MA7 player is a stud, and if he lives will soon get Block. He's not your MoW (Meal on Wheels), and he should play safety, but he'll be a star Thrall soon. Developing 1-2 of those guys is important on a team with so few positionals. But AV on a Thrall is for after two MA increases and Block... on a 6,4. I could see it as a vanity selection after just one MA increase and Block: "my Thrall is a Blitzer!"

SunDevil · Post by **SunDevil** » Wed Nov 18, 2009 4:20 pm

I'd consider passing them both and giving him Tackle or whatever skill your Vamps might lack.

Or Sure Hands.

SillySod · Post by **SillySod** » Wed Nov 18, 2009 6:16 pm

Personally I'd ignore it. +Av is very seldom better than +Ma, this is not an exception. +Ma is ok but was very ignorable even in LRB4 where it didnt cost you more.

Carnis · Post by **Carnis** » Wed Nov 18, 2009 8:30 pm

I'd probably take that +AV.. AV got seriously stealthbuffed when MB/Piling On was upgraded in LRB5.

mattgslater · Post by **mattgslater** » Wed Nov 18, 2009 9:12 pm

MA7 = 2TTD option. Got any other good 2TTD options?

Carnis · Post by **Carnis** » Wed Nov 18, 2009 9:54 pm

Yep, 2-6 AG4ST4 vampires and one go-for-it.

Was that even a serious question, I mean really..?

mattgslater · Post by **mattgslater** » Wed Nov 18, 2009 11:40 pm

Do you really field 6 Vamps? I've never seen 6 Vamps, or 5 Vamps. And I still say MA7 is way better than MA6, and in fact outside of 2 vs. 3, the biggest MA gap of all. Same could be said of AV8 vs. 7, but AV is generally less valuable.

Digger Goreman · Post by **Digger Goreman** » Thu Nov 19, 2009 12:36 am

Eh, with the need to have thralls to bite, and AV8 breaking half as much as AV7.... I'm-a taking armor!

Craigtw · Post by **Craigtw** » Thu Nov 19, 2009 1:37 pm

I would go with movement.

A Vampire bites through AV8 just as easily as AV7 (i.e. automatically) so I would try to make him as useful as possible while he is still on the field!

Carnis · Post by **Carnis** » Thu Nov 19, 2009 1:45 pm

Craigtw wrote:I would go with movement.

A Vampire bites through AV8 just as easily as AV7 (i.e. automatically) so I would try to make him as useful as possible while he is still on the field!

DG was referring to the fact that, in addition to the vampires biting your thralls, the opposing team will be blocking & fouling your thralls into oblivion. Though AV does not affect his halflife vs biting, it significantly prolongs it vs blockers, especially ones with mighty blow and piling on. Hence the vote for +AV.

Master Wang · Post by **Master Wang** » Thu Nov 19, 2009 2:01 pm

I'd get the AV. Once your opponent removes a few thralls, it is a slippery slope into oblivion as there are less for you vamps to bite, so more leave the field, etc and so on. My team has 3 vamps and 12 thralls and I wish I had more. At one point in a recent game against halfings

I had 9 players either BH or MNG, all thralls.

Furthermore, I took +MV on a thrall, and he hasn't score since. Although I could force it with him and get him to a second skill, his main use has been getting down the pitch a little further so he's in position to be bitten. I don't think I've ever tried to 2 turn score with the team, and if I need to I'm probably already screwed. I just don't see it as an important part of the vampire game plan, whereas keeping thralls on the pitch is essential.

However, as stated earlier, halflings beat my team up, so feel free to ignore all this.

tigershark2000 · Post by **tigershark2000** » Thu Nov 19, 2009 4:15 pm

Thanks for your replies, but I'm still not sure, what to do.
+1 AV seems to me slightly more appealing, but I can't precisely state why, just a feeling.

Maybe you should see how I developed the team.
So far I rolled no doubles or stat-increases and I chose my skills very conservative, but the teams record is 2 win, 3 draw, 0 loss.

Black Forest Bats

4 vamps (2*block)
8 thralls (3*block, 1 sure hands)
5 rerolls
Apo
7 FF

After the next game I'll buy one or two more thralls. But not before the game, although I could afford at least one, because my next opponent will be an experienced coach with Lizzards and his TV is 140k less than mine.

Wanchor · Post by **Wanchor** » Thu Nov 19, 2009 4:55 pm

I was going to vote for the MA, but after reading the thread, I say AV. Thralls can be a precious commodity.