Are orcs just a one-trick pony?

[Papa C]

Orcs are easily one of my favourite races in terms of background, but I find their play very unimaginative and just can't see any way for them to score quickly or move away from a grinding run game. Is this just my lack of ability as a coach (highly likely!) or am I missing something? Any and all help is greatly appreciated

[Urb]

Lots of high AV and str. Not much AG, faster player moving 6. Strategy pretty much works itself out. Grind and pound. With some ag3 and pass there is opportunity for a air game. Throw in a troll and a goblin and you can 1 turn score. All at a higher risk but atleast there are options.

[Ulthuan_Express]

The Orc coach in our last league had the top passer (and therefore a blitzer who was top TD scorer and overall MVP), with 13 completions in 6 games. An Orc aerial attack can be a thing of beauty, particularly when no-one is expecting it - I genuinely don't know why more Orc coaches don't try it. You've got Sure Hands, you've got Pass, you need a 3+ to catch it and you've got the strength, skills and armour to hold off most defenders trying to bring you down. What more encouragement do you need to try lobbing it around?

[Papa C]

Cheers guys, it's good to know that there are more options out there. I also honestly didn't expect anyone to answer so positively on behalf of the orc throwing game, might have to give it a go - as you say it'll be the last thing anyone expects! And as for the risk involved in lobbing goblins, the way I want to play is the riskier the better. The computer game is good for bland winning tactics, but if you have someone in front of you and haven't made them laugh all game I believe you've done something wrong

[mattgslater]

Just keep it to easy rolls and do it all in the safety of your formations!

[Urb]

Something to keep in mind. Khemri does passing on a 4+ or worse. Funny making completions to a mummy. I mean tomb gaurdian. Not a mummy without MB.

[Coachbalrog]

If you want to open up your offensive options with Orcs, be sure to take +MA when it comes up and Dodge on doubles.

[Ulthuan_Express]

if you have someone in front of you and haven't made them laugh all game I believe you've done something wrong

1 re-roll 1 tends to do that often enough for me

[Papa C]

Ha ha, yeah in one of our tester games to re-acquaint ourselves with the rules my friend managed to roll a knockback and double skulls with a three dice block, used a reroll and managed... a knockback and double skulls. Couldn't script it.

That's good advice about the improvements, they're the other bit that is quite new since I last played so knowing where to go with them is all good ta. If it's not a stupid question, if you were going the passing game with orcs would you still max out on black orcs and only have one thrower, or cut back to take two throwers?

[Coachbalrog]

Instead of a second thrower get a goblin or two. They are harder to use but very effective. Never field more than one at a time until you get used to them.

[Ulthuan_Express]

Ha ha, yeah in one of our tester games to re-acquaint ourselves with the rules my friend managed to roll a knockback and double skulls with a three dice block, used a reroll and managed... a knockback and double skulls. Couldn't script it.

Oh, yes you can script it! On Wednesday night I was watching Nurgle Vs Orcs. A Black Orc 2-dice blocks a Rotter. My friend, watching too, yells 'Double Skulls!' and, lo and behold, that's what comes up. The Orc guy uses a re-roll and I yell 'Double Both Down!'

That came up, too. We high-fived and there was much merriment

That's good advice about the improvements, they're the other bit that is quite new since I last played so knowing where to go with them is all good ta. If it's not a stupid question, if you were going the passing game with orcs would you still max out on black orcs and only have one thrower, or cut back to take two throwers?

You only need the one thrower, really.

As for the Gobbo, there's two different strategies to using him (other than the one turn touchdown), depending on how your opponent plays.

1) He's an expendable target. Some coaches will look at him and see an easy casualty and go all-out to flatten him first. This is fine, as you have a Troll, BOrcs and Blitzers to hit him back.

2) The opponent completely ignores him, knowing Goblins are useless. This is when your Goblin runs around, giving assists, blocking or even Blitzing if you have the right number of assists. He should be an annoying little sod at all opportunities - if your opponent then switches to tactic 1, then you adjust accordingly and deliver a beat-down with the rest of your team.

[Overhamsteren]

Also being the cheapest dude on the roster...fouling.

if you were going the passing game with orcs would you still max out on black orcs and only have one thrower, or cut back to take two throwers?

I am playing a 4 blitzer, 4 linos, 4 gobbos, 2 thrower team and they are good fun and pretty effective though I am finding the gobbos a bit too weak so might switch a gobbo for a troll also to get the throwing option.

I practically never use my linos AG3 though so a couple of black orcs would probably also work instead.

You can check it out here: Blazin' Wyvanz

[Urb]

Orc team without BOBs. Interesting. Maybe an all orc lineman team. Would be reasonably reliable.

[Papa C]

Overhamsteren - I like your approach, but do you not feel any lack of punch at the line of scrimmage without the black orcs? Very much admire how you're thinking outside the box though

[Overhamsteren]

I have to give credit where it's due so: viewtopic.php?f=25&t=30894

I don't really have any punch on the line I just line up 3 line orcs and hope for the best they will however be developed with wrestle and fend to be a little more annoying but I do expect all of them to be prone in my turn.

If I get the troll I guess he will go dead center on the line most of the time but again he is still just a larger punching bag.

As said I don't use my line orcs AG3 much so yeah a line of a guard troll and two block, guard black orcs would give the opponent something to think about.

Team would be troll, 2 black orcs, 4 blitzers, 2 line orcs, 3 gobbos, 2 throwers.

I really like having an orc with kick, it just gives some awesome options for pressuring or delaying the opponent on kick off.

As you can see I have AG4 on both a blitzer and a gobbo now, nuffle makes something like 80+% of my stat increases +AG and I never rolled +ST so I guess I am meant to dodge around and try and play some ball. Can't fight fate.