Vampire skill up question

[greymurphy42]

Jean Claude, the head bloodsucker in my UKBBL league team has just managed to earn the last two points he needed to get to level 5, and he rolled a 6+4 for his new skill. Team list is below...

Vampires
Jean Claude - Block, Tackle, Mighty Blow [6+4 pending]
Asher - Block, Dodge
Damian - Block, Dodge, Sidestep
Requiem - [normal roll pending]
Thralls
Nathaniel - Block
Gabriel - Wrestle
Edward - Block, Fend
Micah - Kick
6 rookie thralls

FF - 5
Coaches - 1
Cheerleaders - 1
RR - 4

I'll probably take block for Requiem as the next two matches are Dwarfs, but any input on what to pick for Jean Claude would be much appreciated

Thanks

[Digger Goreman]

While the voices in my head are screaming, "Where is dodge and pro?!", I am inclined to go against my normal grain and with the masses to say, "Take +Ma!" Reasoning is he looks to be a headhunter/blitzer and could use the movement both to reach his targets and to reach a thrall when those 4 rerolls dissipate....

You'll wish you'd taken a liberal amount of wrestle on those thralls when the cheese-beards get through with them....

[Ullis]

Is Piling On worthwhile for vampires? It probably is but if you can't suck on a thrall from prone position, then it would change the equation a bit.

[Smeborg]

I would be inclined to take Dodge and to ignore the stat increase.

The best league Vampire team I have ever faced (once beat my Nurgle team 4-0) was developed along the following lines:

- First double on Thralls was Leader, otherwise Guard.

- First normal skill on Thralls (those without Guard) was Wrestle.

- First skill on all Vamps was Dodge, followed on all but one by Block, Tackle, M-Blow.

- One Vamp went (IIRC) Dodge, S-Hands, K-Ret, S-Arm for a convincing Thrower (also good on defense when the ball was spilled).

Hope that helps.

[greymurphy42]

Vampires can't feed from prone...although you don't have to pile on every time

[Jimmy Fantastic]

you don't have to pile on every time

What game are you playing??!??!!

On a more serious note I think I would take the +MA, Vampires are one of the best players to get +stats on and as a team they really lack MA.

[klauser]

+MA now, Dodge at 76spp. Makes for one scary mofo vampire.

[odinsgrandson]

I think Pro is a little overrated on Vampires, although Dodge is great.

But on a team where everyone is MA 6- you take the MA 7 on your AG 4 player. Maybe he'll be a better blitzer, maybe he'll be a better catcher, but overall, he'll be a better player.