Speaking of Slann

[nick_nameless]

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.

Wrestle, dodge, SS are all on my list. There are places for Guard on the right doubles. I have Block on 2 players where it fit the way I wanted it to.

I am talking about mixing in some other things along the way. Things that will create unexpected moments (a little more than the Slann already do)

You're a little funny in that regard, because you generally advocate positioning skills above other skills. I assume that comes from some experience on the pitch. You play that game well. So far my play style with the Slann has been all about maximizing their mobility, and especially on defense. I get people into cages and watch my opponents roll their eyes and start sweating it out. I get around their defents and get a screen up where they wouldn't expect to find one.

Granted I am just below .500 with the team at this point so I am not claiming to be an expert yet, but I want to try and build something with them that's a little "out of the box". I'm going to get hit. I'm going to get out hit if I try to mix it up. Teams are going to be faster than me. I'll lose plenty of foot races. The team's big edge is in mobility, and that's where I want to increase my edge. I can reposition this team faster than a dash team, and without having to push through opponents like a bash team

[GalakStarscraper]

I've been told there is an okay strategy discussion on Slann at www.threedieblock.com back in 2010.

Tom

[nick_nameless]

I've been told there is an okay strategy discussion on Slann at http://www.threedieblock.com back in 2010.

Tom

I've listened to that several times, good sir. I've also read Plasmoid's strategy guide a few times.

I love this game, so I am not trying to complain about anything, but one thing I don't particularly love is that you almost need to take block or wrestle as your first skill on any player that doesn't already have it. It makes that choice a little boring and the time leading up to that choice a little stressful. Cest la vie, I don't have a suggestion for how to fix it, and if I can't beat 'em I'll join 'em.

But, I am laying that foundation with my team, and then looking at how to do some different things after the fact. Mobility, mobility, mobility.

[mattgslater]

I love this game, so I am not trying to complain about anything, but one thing I don't particularly love is that you almost need to take block or wrestle as your first skill on any player that doesn't already have it.

Strongly disagree. Many players should take Block or Wrestle first, but there are tons of exceptions. G-access-only players are pretty much the only guys who have no viable alternative, and even then there are a few exceptions, like kickers.

[nick_nameless]

I love this game, so I am not trying to complain about anything, but one thing I don't particularly love is that you almost need to take block or wrestle as your first skill on any player that doesn't already have it.

Strongly disagree. Many players should take Block or Wrestle first, but there are tons of exceptions.

As I said, almost. There are exceptions, sure All the line players that don't have it, many of the catchers (although dodge can be more useful and it does fill some of the same role), any of the blitzers that don't have it all need to seriously consider it as their first skill. Any big guy that rolls doubles. That leaves out throwers as the large category.

[mattgslater]

I love this game, so I am not trying to complain about anything, but one thing I don't particularly love is that you almost need to take block or wrestle as your first skill on any player that doesn't already have it.

Strongly disagree. Many players should take Block or Wrestle first, but there are tons of exceptions.

As I said, almost. There are exceptions, sure All the line players that don't have it, many of the catchers (although dodge can be more useful and it does fill some of the same role), any of the blitzers that don't have it all need to seriously consider it as their first skill. Any big guy that rolls doubles. That leaves out throwers as the large category.

GA-access linos, like elves, don't have to take Block or Wrestle first. In a young format, Dodge is better. In any format, Side Step has comparative advantages and disadvantages. Many teams open with a Kick player instead of just spamming Block/Wrestle.

GS-access ST4 Blockers don't need it first, either, though it's certainly on the shortlist along with Guard and maybe Stand Firm.

ST3 Catcher types may take Dodge first, or even open with a toolbox skill.

Some teams really lack for ball skills and may consider Sure Hands or Extra Arms on one guy before or while spamming Block. Examples: Chaos Beastmen, Chaos Dwarf Hobgoblins, Chaos Pact Marauders, Nurgle Pestigors, Undead or Necromantic Ghouls.

[nick_nameless]

GA-access linos, like elves, don't have to take Block or Wrestle first. In a young format, Dodge is better. In any format, Side Step has comparative advantages and disadvantages.

GS-access ST4 Blockers don't need it first, either, though it's certainly on the shortlist along with Guard and maybe Stand Firm.

Aren't you being a little nit-picky and literal with the statement? Okay...so when it's not the first skill you need to take, it's one of the first 2 skills you probably need to take as some mandatory path...is that what you're dishing out?

It you don't want your team to end up on it's rear end looking up at the sky, then you need to take it. They are must have skills.

[mattgslater]

Definitely, Block/Wrestle is an aspiration for every player (FWIW, Wrestle is #3 for me on most elf linemen). But you said

you almost need to take block or wrestle as your first skill on any player that doesn't already have it

and I don't agree. I do agree that you should focus on power skills first, but the order is debatable.

[nick_nameless]

League Game #5 happens tonight after a long drought. My Slann vs. a scrappy Dwarf team.

I have to face Dwarves again in game 6 and then Chaos Dwarves in week 7. *gulp*

Needless to say I'll be trying to keep my distance from the Dwarves tonight and picking my fights carefully. I am not sure what kind of defense to expect, but if he's a "stack the line" player I'll most likely be in for a better game as I can get the ball down field fairly quickly.

I have not faced off against Dwarves with an AG team. I have coached Dwarves against, and will be looking to take advantage of anything that looks like a mistake I have made in the past.

[MeatLoafX]

I've had success with my Slann team (http://iowa.bloodbowlleague.com/default.asp?p=tm&t=21j) and I've found that I do much better against bashy teams. When I struggle, it's often against a fast team - like my 4-3 playoff loss against wood elves.

Your players can get hurt, and I hope you have some wrestle that you can use to break the ball free from the SH runners. (almost always a 50/50 shot if you have wrestle on a dwarf since they rarely have dodge). All it takes is one good defensive strike to derail the slow teams as they often have a tough time coming back from a defensive score.

Good luck! Go froggies!

[bwood42]

Needless to say I'll be trying to keep my distance from the Dwarves tonight and picking my fights carefully

Just do what you did vs my Nurgle and throw a long pass while wrapped up by the beast and completely eveloped in Disturbing presence... freaking 6's!


On a side note: MeatloafX... how come most every team in Iowa is "co-coached" by Blood Bowl God Tim Lyons?

Anyway... Go Froggies!

[nick_nameless]

Needless to say I'll be trying to keep my distance from the Dwarves tonight and picking my fights carefully

Just do what you did vs my Nurgle and throw a long pass while wrapped up by the beast and completely eveloped in Disturbing presence... freaking 6's!


On a side note: MeatloafX... how come most every team in Iowa is "co-coached" by Blood Bowl God Tim Lyons?

Anyway... Go Froggies!

I'll need to figure out where that D6 went...

[MeatLoafX]

On a side note: MeatloafX... how come most every team in Iowa is "co-coached" by Blood Bowl God Tim Lyons?

The software only allows coaches to buy/fire players - not even the commish can do that. So for that league, to give the commish greater power to alter a league roster in case of a coach mistake, the commish was added as a "co-coach". This was the easiest way for the commish to do things for players who either don't know how to do it or don't use the website.

In the HGC league, we do things a bit differently.

[nick_nameless]

2-2 tie, and no skill up opportunities for the Frrrogs. It was a tough match. I was down a player before turn one as he blitzed and scored a casualty on one of my catchers. Three players were out for the match by turn 3, and I lost another later in the match. I was fairly happy with the draw considering that. I could maybe have won, but I made a few positioning errors and a few errors on other decisions . Cest la vie. On to the next batch of Dwarves.......

[nick_nameless]

Tomorrow night my 2-2-2 Slann team goes up against a well outfitted but also 2-2-2 Chaos Dwarf team.

I have 340K in inducements. He is not using a minotaur.

I thought about taking Hemlock, Wandering Apoth and a babe, but I am leaning towards taking Hemlock and a Merc Krox. I plan to use Hemlock to hunt hobgoblins, and the Krox to bog down the action...not on the line on defense, and helping to tie down CD players away from the action on offense. If I can take out 2 pieces with the Krox while on offense, then I am in good shape even if they are Hob Gobs. He has a dirty player that will be Hemlock's target #1, and then a player with kick who will be Hemlock's target #2.

I plan to set up the Journey Frog and the 2 unskilled line frogs on the line if I have to kick. I'll probably use a half-zig with Hemlock taking the front wing spot on one side and my ST4 LF taking the front spot on the other wing.

If "Fuffer Hower" goes down (Chaos Dwarf, Block, Tackle, Thick Skull, Mighty Blow, Piling On, Claw/Claws) I plan to foul him into oblivion. I might wast a foul action on Hacker Blacklung (Bull Centaur, Sprint, Sure Feet, Thick Skull, Block, Dodge, Diving Catch) if he goes down as well. I'm not normally a big fouler, but this guy is and I can't afford to be chivalrous in this match.

Thoughts?