Double skill on a Skaven blitzer, first skill

[TalonBay]

The options that stand out are Claw and Dodge, any others people like for this guy?

Team is here:
http://server.level10.org/BloodBowl/ind ... obj_id=149

My league is a nice mix of agile (DE and Elf), bashy (CD and Khemri) and a human team. So there's not an overwhelming need for Claw (though obviously it's a great skill).

Claw pairs up wonderfully with Mighty Blow next and he hopefully starts becoming a casualty machine, I'm not aiming to win games with casualties generally but getting ahead in the player count is great for the rats.

Dodge increases his survivability but also lets me move him around more reliably (being marked by a rubbish lineman becomes less of an issue). I do seem to have the blitzers go down on the "defender stumbles" result a lot.

My first instinct was to go with Dodge, but that's because I'm an elf coach at heart and I'm missing having that skill throughout my team. I notice the recommended doubles skill is Claw but when the team is struggling to keep enough players on the pitch I'm wondering why that over Dodge.

Edit: Add Horns to the list of candidates! Can't believe I didn't think of it originally, a str 4 blitz option is useful in so many ways!

[B SIDE]

With a skaven team's high mobility, you're likely to get assists when you need them on blitzes. I don't like horns for rats. It really is tough to turn down the claw. Dodge would be useful, but...

[Magictobe]

Take the claw. THE CLAW!!!

[Ullis]

Tough call I think. Nothing jumps out but I think it's either Claws, Dodge or skip it for Guard or Mighty Blow.

There's not a lot of AV9 players in your league (tomb guardians, human ogre, CD blockers and bulls) and a lot of players that are happy you didn't take MB instead (skeletons, hobgoblins, human catchers, pro elves and some dark elf positionals). Lot of AV8 but the real threat from claws for rats is against slow AV9 teams.

Dodge is a bit iffy too. Only once you get Guard will it prove really useful (at least compared to what you'd get with Guard or MB right away).

How long is the league? If it's short (8-10 games left), then skip the doubles. If longer, then I guess I'd take Claws.

And I'd put that -MA thrower on los duty right away and replace him with a linerat whenever it's possible. A skaven team really doesn't need two throwers.

[TalonBay]

Feel free to pitch in with comments on the rest of the team

I've just picked up the non-injured thrower as I had 70k in the bank and only 11 players for the next game. I figure I'm going to have to cut somewhere soon as I'll be giving away too much inducements already (only played 4 games with the team!). It's a long term league (with promotion to some seriously nasty teams!) so I'm looking to find the balance with the team for the long run.

It's a good point about the limited opponents with AV9, but long term I'll see plenty I'm sure.

[DoubleSkulls]

Horns is good too, but I'd take claw.

[PorkSol]

Claw

Next skills
Mighty Blow
Piling on
Tackle

Next doubles
Jump up

Rats may not be bashers but they still get a blitz every turn and everything will be easier when the opponent is down men.

[Smurf]

I'd go with:
Claw
Mighty Blow
Tackle

if you get another double take dodge.

Busting armour on a 8+ is great, better with MB to help you too.

[Drool_bucket]

Claw +1

Horns in nice but not as nice as Claw...

[Coachbalrog]

I always choose Dodge first as I love abusing the mobility of the Skaven team. However I can definitely see the appeal of having a Claw/Mighty Blow Blitzer. Does your Blitzer do a lot of hitting? If so then take Claw.

[TalonBay]

I always choose Dodge first as I love abusing the mobility of the Skaven team. However I can definitely see the appeal of having a Claw/Mighty Blow Blitzer. Does your Blitzer do a lot of hitting? If so then take Claw.

Yes, but he gets hit quite a lot too. I've gone through a patch of getting knocked down because I didn't have dodge!

In the end I went with dodge for mobility/survival. I'd love Claw and may regret the decision later but in the 5 games I've now had the number of times Claw would have been used is minimal. This might turn out to be a short term view but I plan to roll doubles on his next skill anyway!

[TalonBay]

In the end I went with dodge for mobility/survival. I'd love Claw and may regret the decision later but in the 5 games I've now had the number of times Claw would have been used is minimal. This might turn out to be a short term view but I plan to roll doubles on his next skill anyway!

And his next skill roll? This guys a star in the making, double 5 So even more choice, +AV, +MA, Claw and Horns all good choices!

[Wanchor]

Same situation as before. Claw or Horns. Unless you want more of a support role and less of a can opener, which case I say Jump Up, to be followed by Guard and Stand Firm.

[Ullis]

Claws now and Mighty Blow on 31 spp's.

Jump up would really only help when it gets to Piling On. Skaven are fast enough anyway and this guy's a blodger so it gets knocked down less often.

Horns would leave you lacking Strength skills (I think Claws counts as a S skill).

+AV is a bit much, considering that he's a blodger. Too much protection.

+MA is not too useful given that you have Gutter Runners.

[Corvidius]

Diving Tackle to break Ag 3 Dodgers.