Dark Elf Team Development in a Bash/Tackle Heavy League

[MadMac32x]

Hello, I would like to have a discussion on my Dark Elf Team in a Bash/Tackle Heavy League.

I have read the threads on Dark Elf Optinal Development viewtopic.php?f=25&t=37777 and Developing a Dark Elves in a Bash Heavy League viewtopic.php?f=25&t=37256.

They are good discussions and have convinced me that NORMALLY Dodge / Wrestle is a good combination.
In this case I am not talking a typical situation. I am talking about a League with a lot of Tackle on 1/3 of the teams and no Tackle on 2/3 of the teams. Of note is the fact that since I have already played two of the non-Tackle teams, I will be players almost 50% of my games vs Chaos Dwarf Tackle.

I am playing a new Dark Elf team in a 10 Team Bash Heavy League. 7 Bash Teams (3 x Choas Dwarf (Yeah 3), 2 x Khemri, Chaos, and Nurgle). 3 Agility Teams (2 x Dark Elf and Skaven). My team is a standard 4 x Blitzer, 7 x Linemen, and 2 x Re-rolls. I minimize the risk of playing first game without an Apothecary by saving AV 7 positions for later.

Normally early Dark Elf Team development is not a tough choice. I like to go with Dodge on Blitzer and Line Elf in the beginning. Dodge on a Line Elf is great because most teams do not have a lot of block yet.
My dilemma is to Dodge or not to Dodge?

I am 2-0 after two weeks after facing the lone Skaven team and one of the Khemri teams. 7 more games to go and 6 of them are with Bash Teams. 50% of the bash teams are loaded with Dwarf Tackle so Dodge would be a total waste of a skill. On the other hand 50% of the bash teams are short on Block and Tackle, making Dodge almost as effective as Blodge.

The tipping point may be the lone Dark Elf opponent meaning that Dodge is a good choice vs 57% of my opponents.
On the other hand the only other teams that are 2-0 are two of the Chaos Dwarf Teams.

Another consideration is to try and figure out how many teams will add more tackle when there are so few Dodge and Blodge players in the league.

My initial plan is to go for Blodge and Side Step on the Blitzers while I take a few Wrestle as first skill on the Line Elves.

Normally I would go with Dodge then Wrestle but I hate to take skills that are neutered by half my opponents. Especially when two of those opponents are the ones I need to beat.

Bottom line: I am on track to have an advantage or at least even odds vs my future Khemri, Choas, Nurgle, and Dark Elf opponents. It is the three Choas Dwarf teams I am worried about.

PS: I am sure some expert advisors will want to know what skills I currently have before offering their opinion. The 2nd match results are not approved, so I have not rolled any skills yet. I did use liberal passing to ensure that 4 Players (2 x Blitzer / 2 x Linemen) will skill up before I play my third game.

I guess one technique I can use is wait until I know who my next opponent is. If I am playing a Chaos Dwarf team it makes little sense to take 4 Dodge. LOL

[MKL]

(...)
My initial plan is to go for Blodge and Side Step on the Blitzers while I take a few Wrestle as first skill on the Line Elves.

Normally I would go with Dodge then Wrestle but I hate to take skills that are neutered by half my opponents. Especially when two of those opponents are the ones I need to beat.
(...)

Since no-one from the expert DE coaches is answering, I'll give my 2cents (usually I play AGAINST d-elves).

Your basic plan (dodge for the blitzers, wrestle for the lines, no other starting positionals) looks like a sensible, well-trodden path.
In the past I read about a DE team that -in a similar context- developed their lines like this: Wrestle-Fend and then some Dodge/S.Step/Kick.
For the Blitzers, after mandatory Dodge it would be S.Step or Tackle, or maybe Fend , if you meet too few dodgers and are facing a lot of Piling On and Tackle.

Hope that helps, and good luck

[NightDragon 2]

I would take dodge. Personally I have found that it's better to have your players on the pitch so dodge is very useful against bashy teams. My blitzers I like to turn in to hard hitters, catchers and sweepers after that.

[neverworking]

While dodge is going to be less valuable versus the chaos dwarfs, they will still be fielding 5 players that will most likely be without it and you will occasionally want to dodge through zones that don't involve a lineman with tackle. Dodge will stay valuable versus the other teams too. You may want to consider mixing it up a little more than normal, but I wouldn't avoid it as if its a useless skill. Your LOS players may be wise to go wrestle first, but your blitzers are considerably less likely to get tied up by a CD blocker. If a lineman levels twice you may want to go Wrestle Dauntless given the number of high strength teams in your future.