Second Skill on a High Elf Kicker

[Smurf]

Wrestle

Can create gaps in lines too.

[TheDoctor]

I actually took Tackle as 2nd skill on my Kick DE Linman, because opposing receivers are more likely to have Dodge than Block (first).

[Coachbalrog]

I actually took Tackle as 2nd skill on my Kick DE Linman, because opposing receivers are more likely to have Dodge than Block (first).

That is a good choice too.

[dodolulu]

im in a somehwat similar situation, but i got a double and im low on guard (only one other lino has guard yet)

if i take guard, he will have to be in the middle of the action and it will be a long time till his next skillup(s) to get him more skills for brawling, so i think thats a little bit risky.
what are your thoughts and suggestions?

[mattgslater]

Guard is a fine skill for a Kicker. Against ST3, set him up in a "free" role, where he's exposed but not defending anything, so he can support an adjacent player in a "strong"role. Against ST4, put him in a "safe" position so he can't get blitzed. Then, with AG4, he can dodge to freedom on a 2, or help his buddy block him into the clear, especially if said buddy has Block and/or Side Step.

Really, there are two kinds of safeties. Sure, the Wrestle guy makes a great hammer, but you also need a guy ready to help the defense cope.

[Jimmy Fantastic]

Guard on all doubles for elf teams. Except if you fancy a MB/PO blitzer.

[dodolulu]

thanks for your feedback. i guess ill take guard then.

[mattgslater]

Guard on all doubles for elf teams. Except if you fancy a MB/PO blitzer.

I can think of a few exceptions. I'm writing a Pro Elf Playbook right now, and this is part of the section I'm working on.

1) If you already have at least one Guard player and get doubles on a Catcher, you may consider a Passing skill... or more Guard. A P skill on a Pro Elf Catcher, such as Dump Off or Safe Throw, can be tons of fun, and Nerves of Steel is so useful on Pro Elf Catchers that some coaches chance it on doubles with High Elf Catchers, albeit not usually with the same results (NoS Catchers are best in multiples).

2) Elf teams don't block much, and good ones don't take a lot of blocks, so a little Guard goes a long way. You don't want to get them stuck in. There are teams that can't have enough Guard, but elves aren't dwarfs. If you have at least two Guard, and certainly if you have three, all four elf teams can get mileage out of other S skills, like Grab and Juggernaut.

3) If you really need a skill on a player, and it's gotta be that skill on that guy, and you've already got one Guard player, then you can ignore doubles. Similarly, on a MA8 player, +MA might be worth more than Guard... maybe. And then there are the boxcars of course: +ST is like a superior version of Guard. But I figure Jimmy was talking about normal doubles.

But the kicker, or any other lino? Guard.