Dark elf development

[mattgslater]

Code: Select all

- - - -|- - s x x - -|- - - -
- - - -|- - - - - - -|- - - -
- s - -|b - - - - b -|- b - -
- - x -|- k - - - - w|- - x -

Almost. The Kicker is actually in the strong point in your diagram: people won't blitz the Blitzer if they're trying to get in, because it doesn't open any holes. For this reason, against speed teams I'd swap the kicker's spot with the Blitzer's, so the Guard player is free to assist. Not vs. bash, though: I'd trust the Side Step lino to hold the way in, and leave the Kicker mobile to put Guard where you need it

[dines]

Ok ill just update it a bit with skills on blitzers and make two versions, against str and ag teams:

vs AG teams:

Code: Select all

- - - -|- - s x x - -|- - - -
- - - -|- - - - - - -|- - - -
- 1 - -|k - - - - 2 -|- 3 - -
- - x -|- 4 - - - - w|- - x -

vs STR teams:

Code: Select all

- - - -|- - s x x - -|- - - -
- - - -|- - - - - - -|- - - -
- 1 - -|3 - - - - 2 -|- 4 - -
- - x -|- k - - - - w|- - x -

s sidestep lineman
1 blitzer side step blodge
2 blitzer guard blodge
3 blitzer strip ball blodge
4 blitzer block
k guard kicker
w witch
x linemen

The witch is safe in both setups, I have several players ready for putting pressure on him after a deep kick and a guard ready in each side of the midfield.

[mattgslater]

One more question, kind of an open-ended one.

Why the SS'er on the inverted end of the line, rather than the nose? There's not really a right answer on that one, I don't think, unless you're concerned about 1TTD games or chain-pushes using Grab.

[dines]

Initially I thought that the left side of the centre were more vulnerable to attacks, therefore I placed him there, but dont think it makes that much of a difference, if hes not down, then the free road is blocked, no matter where he starts.

[mattgslater]

Then stick him in at the nose. That way, even if he does go down, you may be able to block the route. Also, the opening block is usually made from the center diagonally out to the off-side end, no? You don't want this guy blocked first: you want the opponent to commit to a pushing direction before he hits SS-boy.

Also, #2 isn't positioned well for use of Guard: he's likely to get hit, and won't be free to assist. I'd put #4 or the lino there, and use #2 to flank the other one in the standard-zig side of your defense. Leave #3 in at strong safety, next to your kicker. That way, he can get use of Block defensively if needed, but is also probably near the action and ready to go strip that ball.

The free flanker spot, behind #1, is a great place for a blitzer or a recovery specialist. Any positional is good here, as long as it's not a Guard player: Runners and Witches are the best, but Blitzer #3 is also a solid choice. Whoever goes there will improve rapidly, so you could also reserve that spot for a lino who needs a TD or Comp.

[dines]

Like this? Thx for the comments, really appreciated.

vs STR teams:

Code: Select all

- - - -|- - x s x - -|- - - -
- - - -|- - - - - - -|- - - -
- 1 - -|3 - - - - 4 -|- 2 - -
- - x -|- k - - - - w|- - x -

s sidestep lineman
1 blitzer side step blodge
2 blitzer guard blodge
3 blitzer strip ball blodge
4 blitzer block
k guard kicker
w witch
x linemen

[mattgslater]

Yeah.

[DiddleySquat]

Thank you for the very insightful discussion.

I'd like to tack on my DaE team development question to this thread, if you don't mind.

My team consists of:
Blitzer + Dodge, Guard
Blitzer + Dodge, Guard
Blitzer + Dodge, Side Step
Blitzer + Dodge
Witch Elf + Block
Witch Elf + Wrestle
Runner + Pass, Dodge
Lineman + Wrestle, Kick
Lineman + Wrestle, Fend
Lineman + Wrestle
Lineman + Wrestle
Lineman + Wrestle
Lineman
3 RR, 1 Apo

TV 1780. I'm in the 1701-2000 = -20K Spiraling Expenses bracket.

I won the first season (8/0/1) and now I have 160K in the bank to start the new season (in a rather agile league: 3x Ska, 1 WoE, 1 Hum, 1 other DaE, 2 Chaos, 1 Orc).

Now I'm wondering what to do with the money.
a) Buy a 2nd Runner ASAP and start developing him. My first 2 games are against significantly lower TV team, I should have it rather easy. IT puts me at 14 players, with sounds final to me.
b) Save my money for harder times (to be able to replace forced retirements).
c) Buy a 4th RR. I'm top TV value, so I aspect a lot of Injured in Training (-1 RR) inducements against me.
d) Buy an Assassin. Not fond of them at all, but in this season with the Skaven and Elves, they might have a use.

[dines]

Might try an offset defence too. Could be interesting to see the opponents reaction.

Code: Select all

- - - -|x x s - - - -|- - - -
- - 1 -|- - - - - x -|- 2 - -
- 3 - -|k - - x - - w|- - 4 -

s sidestep lineman
1 blitzer side step blodge
2 blitzer guard blodge
3 blitzer strip ball blodge
4 blitzer block
k guard kicker
w witch
x linemen[/quote]

Here I don't get that much out of the guard kicker, but he's free to assist if needed. I have moved the second line forward, but that would depend on the opposition. If he sets up aggresively in one flank ill kick short to the other, else its going deep.

Diddley> in that league I would try out the assassin, you have quite some players, so you can bench him against chaos and orcs. But that depends on your focus, the assassin is more for fun than winning.

[dines]

Our league is almost at the end now with one standard game left. After that game, there is a bonus game for 5 points before the playoffs. I just need to win the bonus game to get to the playoffs and here is my problem.

The normal game should not be too difficult against a not very successful Chaos Pact team. But if I win that, I am most likely going up against a mean dwarven team. If I loose (on purpose?) I'm probably up against a much easier game against either chaos or chaos dwarves. Should I loose on purpose?

As you can see, I have plenty of blodge and therefore the dwarves is bad news for me.

[Carnis]

I'd stick with the crew you have, Diddleysquat. I don't believe elves need more than 13 players ever. You should focus on getting those linemen dodge asap.. If you lose a lineman you can consider getting one replaced by an assassin or a runner. I guess an assassin can have some role, but getting it up to Blodge/SS is a lot of effort..

[DiddleySquat]

Well, I bought a 2nd Runner in the mean time and have played 3 games with him. He's only up to 3 SPP yet, it's not so easy to skill up such a fragile guy anymore (my skill up plan for him is Block and Dodge first for sure, then maaaaybe Nerves of Steel/Side Step/Pass block).
Even my primary Runner stays on the bench on most defensive drives now, unless I'm really dominating the match.

The team has evolved to:
Blitzer + Dodge, Guard
Blitzer + Dodge, Guard
Blitzer + Dodge, Side Step
Blitzer + Dodge, Guard
Witch Elf + Block, [Normal Skill]
Witch Elf + Wrestle
Runner + Pass, Dodge
Lineman + Wrestle, Kick
Lineman + Wrestle, Fend
Lineman + Wrestle, [Normal Skill]
Lineman + Wrestle
Lineman + Wrestle
Lineman
4 RR, 1 Apo

I've got 6 more games coming up this season: against Wood Elves, Skaven, Orcs, Skaven, Dark Elves and Chaos.
That's 4 agile teams and since I have no Tackle at all yet, I'm thinking to give Tackle to both the Lineman and Witch Elf.

The skilless Lineman will serve as a fouler. The other 2 Lineman... I'm not sure about Dodge as a second skill yet. Fend really is annoying too.

Thanks for the feedback anyway.

[mattgslater]

I'd go Tackle on the lino and Side Step on the Witch. You have so much Wrestle (too much, if you ask me) that you're still 5/9 vs. Blodge with most of your guys. I'd be more concerned about your lack of positioning skills. Side Step is useful for strong-point defense, cage-busting, screening, man-marking and crowd-pushing; spammed, it's the thnead of Blood Bowl. But one of them is a waste, except on a heavy team with a lot of Stand Firm and Guard.

[ombwiri]

Hey i might ask for my own help here. I've got a new (2 games) Dark Elf Team and am trying to plan my progression.

I currently have 4 Blitzers 2xDodge 1xGuard 1x-1MV a Runner NoS and 6 Linemen 1xKick

I'm playing a 101 Zig on defence and once I get the cash I'm planning on getting 2 WE and another Runner.

I think my ideal set up will be 3xLineelves on the line then WE, B, B, WE and then on the back row B, R, L, B

I'm trying to think of a way of developing those back row blitzers into safeties that will survive the first turn. They will get Dodge and SS as their first skills but then what? Tackle seems like a good choice to stop catchers sneaking past, but I'd love to make more use of Shadowing and Diving Tackle.

I think I'll try to make the centre back row players Runner and lineman with kick into pass blockers but is that a waste of a skill?

[DiddleySquat]

Oh, I absolutely appreciate Side Step. It was my initial choice on the Block Witch (with Diving Tackle as a tempting 3rd skill), and Side Step will without any doubt (even when doubles are rolled) be the next skill for all 3 Guard Blitzers.

The Wrestle Witch was supposed to be getting Tackle, but she still needs 6 SPP. With 4 of 6 games left against agile team, I started to doubt my initial progression plan and hense thought of Tackle on the Block Witch now.

I agree that I took 1 Lineman too much with Wrestle. Still, on LoS pieces, I like Wrestle.

Tough choices, tough choices...

(The team has a W/D/L of 11/0/1, with the loss being their 3rd game, against Dwarves - with me playing poorly. I very much have to thank my Blodge Guards for that track record.)