Speaking of Slann

[nick_nameless]

My next 4 league games with my Slann are: Nurgle, Dwarf, Dwarf, Chaos Dwarf.

Needless to say I am a little concerned for the health of the little guys.

My Roster

I have a fair grasp of what I want to do tactically against them (score, score, score, and score. Do what's necessary to get the ball. Score some more. Don't get hit. Move faster!)

My question is more of how to proceed skill wise.

The next rookie catcher to get a skill will get Kick Off Return. The other 2...depends on the roll, but on a normal roll they are both likely to get block.

The line frogs are all in line to get wrestle, unless they have wrestle or block now. If they already have wrestle, then tackle or fend. If they already have block, frenzy or mighty blow. I don't have a kicker, and I am a little hesitant to spend the skill on it at this point in the team's development. It's an option, but I feel like I need defensive skills here first.

The Blitzers are likely to get tackle, side step or stand firm.

I am just wondering if anyone has alternative suggestions that would help against a bash heavy schedule.

[stashman]

I've played a couple of games on FUMBBL and it's very hard.

Last season one coach in the gaming groupe played slann and it went so so, noting special, didn't get in the top 4 to go to semi-finals (2orc, necro, 2 chaos pact, elf, underworld in the league rookie teams)

It seems very difficult to make the team work, its only AG3 and MA6 with no skills!!!

I did this starter team: 2 catcher, 2 blitzer, 7 linos and 4 rerolls.

BUT blitzers are expensive and catchers are weak!!! So I think a better strt-up will be more linos, less positionals. Maybe one blitzer (for MA7) and one catcher (for AG4) and 9 linos, 4 rerolls, 1 cheerleader, 1 asscoach and an apo.

Don't try to use dving tackle on the teams you are facing, they just bash you so stay out and use MA7 for more importatnt things. Stay out of trouble with the catcher.

[Wanchor]

If you want a positioning skill, Side-Step is probably a better choice than Stand Firm. The Blitzers getting Guard could really help fight the other team off, probably recommended as a first skill above Side-Step (despite that mattgslater will likely disagree, hah).

[Oxynot]

Even though you say you are hesistant, I'd wager you'd get immense value out of Kick against such slow teams. most of the time the ball would start in the backfield, the farhter away from the LOS the better for frogs and worse for any kind of dwarves

[Carnis]

I really think you need to block dodge SS those catchers asap, before that they just die.

[MKL]

(...)
The next rookie catcher to get a skill will get Kick Off Return.
(...)

Can I ask you: you already got a +ma/kor Catcher. Why another?


PS: not native speaker here. My question isn't sarcastic nor challenging. I truly want to know your reasons.

[Wanchor]

I assume it's because with two Kick-Off Return Catchers who both already have Diving Catch, he can position himself to catch any ball kicked to any of the back seven squares of the pitch.

[mattgslater]

If you want a positioning skill, Side-Step is probably a better choice than Stand Firm. The Blitzers getting Guard could really help fight the other team off, probably recommended as a first skill above Side-Step (despite that mattgslater will likely disagree, hah).

No disagreement here. I may have a different opinion on the relative power level of positioning skills (not so much anymore, as much of the community seems to be seeing it my way more or less these days), but Guard before SS/SF on a team like this shouldn't be too controversial. Maybe it's a different story on a Big-Nine team like Orcs or Nurgle, or on a team that's already got its blocking skills lined up, especially if it lacks for S-access, like Dark Elves. But Slann? Shore up the basics first.

I can see the synergy of positioning skills on the Blitzers. Fortunately, you have a long time before they have Blodge, so you get to see if you score some doubles before you have to decide. After all, if you have 3x Guard before your Blitzers hit 31 SPP, you can start making combo picks to go along with that delicious Diving Tackle (and discourage blocking your AV8 170k monstrosity). But barring that, Guard.

[nick_nameless]

I assume it's because with two Kick-Off Return Catchers who both already have Diving Catch, he can position himself to catch any ball kicked to any of the back seven squares of the pitch.

Back 9 even. Plus the coverage from the 2 forward catchers. I cam start with the ball in my hands on a large percentage of drives.

The +ma came after the choice of KOR, and I don't regret having the ext a move one bit.

[MKL]

I assume it's because with two Kick-Off Return Catchers who both already have Diving Catch, he can position himself to catch any ball kicked to any of the back seven squares of the pitch.

That I can understand. And I understand multiple KOR on a slow, caging team.
But is that such a priority on a Slann team? Before Block/Dodge/Sure Hands etc?
I have no experience playing Slann, so I'm just asking.

-edit: i wrote this post before reading Nick_Nameless's own-

[nick_nameless]

I really think you need to block dodge SS those catchers asap, before that they just die.

I have already had to cut one.

I know they need it. I couldn't pass up the guard or the + mv when I had the chance at it, but those are the skills I am targeting for them as they develop.

[nick_nameless]

So...a rookie catcher was my only skill-up vs Nurgle. I suffered 6 casualties, but 5 of the 6 were BH...one was NI, and on the Blitzer that had busted AV already. He'll probably get cut after next game when I have the funds to replace him. I managed to win the game on a barely executed long bomb late in the first half (lady luck gave me a moment of her time...and the 6 necessary to throw the accurate pass), and then managed to stymie his team long enough in the second half to keep him from having a realistic chance at the second TD.

Tough game...and more to come with dwarves, dwarves, chaos dwarves.

Kick-off return is where I am leaning for that catcher.

[mattgslater]

That or Block, given all the Dwarfy goodness.

[nick_nameless]

The more I think about this, the more my mind keeps repeating something to me: mobility skills.

Although many people think of the Slann as a fast team, they are not. And they have some agility 4 players, but they are not an agility team in the same fashion as an elf team. They don't have the advantages of a human team or an amazon or norse team. They are unique, and what makes them unique is their surprising mobility. I find that my opponents have a tough time dealing with it.

Some skills I think I should be spreading around my team a little more: Wrestle (generally instead of Block, but not everywhere), Dodge (obvious, I know), side step (see dodge), jump up, Juggernaut, grab, Sure Feet, Frenzy, Fend, Shadowing, Pass Block.

I don't think I'll end up taking skills like Catch, Pass, or Sure Hands (maybe one player). I'll be living and dying by the TRR for these rolls. Accurate on a doubles for a catcher that has Kick-Off Return (or for both)

I'm generally thinking of skills that will surprise my opponents with my ability to regroup and get in their way after they think they are in the clear with a bunch of knockdowns. Juggernaut for when they think they can block up a critical spot with Stand Firm. Side Step to stay in annoying places. Grab to move someone out of the way. Wrestle to make a pile to leap over. Jump Up to get my players back in the game faster. Fend to create space. Frenzy to open up the wings. Sure feet because when you are not that fast you just need to Go For It. Shadowing to force more dodge rolls and Pass Block to get in place to make interception rolls.

We'll see how this goes and what Nuffle provides for dice rolls. + Str and + AG will alter paths for models. + MV will alter some choices on the Blitzers and Catchers.

[mattgslater]

Power skills. All teams need power skills. Block/Wrestle, Dodge, Guard, positioning skills (SS/SF). When in doubt, always take a power skill. That doesn't mean you can only take power skills; there's something to be said for toolbox-building with Kick, Tackle, Frenzy, whatever, but you should generally make power skills the bulk of your selections, and only go off the power skill track when you have a good reason for it. That's not Slann-specific, but it is at least as true for Slann as it is for any other team.