Blood Bowl Tips and Tricks

Shift81 · Post by **Shift81** » Mon May 19, 2003 2:53 pm

Here's my predicament, ladies and gentlemen. I'm not very good at Blood Bowl.

I comfort myself by saying I just recently started, but I am still not very good. For example, for all 4 teams I have entered in the FUMBBL league, I have a combined record of 5/2/9, win, ties and losses respectively.

However, I have seen myself getting better recently, so I am learning, albeit slowly.

The request I have is this. Many of you here are quite experienced and skilled BB coaches. I'm sure in the time you've all been playing you've picked up a few tips and tricks that could help a relative newbie out. Perhaps you have a defensive set that can't be beaten. Or maybe you've mastered the art of setting up overlapping tackle zones. Whatever it may be...

If you have any tips or tricks whatsoever, I would be honored to hear them. Thanks very much!

Grumbledook · Post by **Grumbledook** » Mon May 19, 2003 2:57 pm

best thing to do is watch other matches, its quite easy to do this on fumbbl with the pp proxy command to list the matches going on at the time

you will get to see the tactics (and mistakes) that people make, if you want i often sit and watch matches and sit there laughing at some things that some coaches do, as the spectators can talk to each other you can discuss options behind the backs of the guys playing, thats prob the quickest way to learn stuff as you can see whats happening at the same time

sean newboy · Post by **sean newboy** » Mon May 19, 2003 2:59 pm

Most importantly scour this section for many topics. Secondly tell us what teams u r using and what problems do they have. I dont know about the rest but it would take me years to make some how to report that made sense and was even vaguely complete.

Agentrock · Post by **Agentrock** » Mon May 19, 2003 3:09 pm

Yeah, tactics vary greatly depending on what team you are using.

But as Newboy said, scouring these rules and tactics forums is a good way to "open your eyes" to see how different coaches approach situations given to them.

Shift81 · Post by **Shift81** » Mon May 19, 2003 3:24 pm

I have been scouring this forum for a couple of weeks already, and I can see it has definitely helped so far.

I like the spectator idea...I should be able to figure that out, be nice to sit in on a match with two skilled coaches.

The teams I have running on FUMBBL are:

Norse: TR 135 2/1/3 record.

The problem I have with my Norse are: 1.) With an AV of 7 I often end up knocked out and outnumbered fairly quickly, any help for this? 2.) I have problems spreading my SPP's around (and that goes for all my teams.) 3.) I have difficulty breaking cages. I know my Blitzers (I have 4) should be good for this, I just have trouble actually DOING it.

Skaven: TR 121 1/1/2

Problem: Keeping them alive!

Human: TR 128 0/0/4

Problem: I have no idea I just can NOT win with this team.

Orc: TR 119 2/0/0

Problem: I think this team may fit my style. I can grind it out with the best of em. I have a little problem scoring, only scoring 2 td's in 2 games, and just barely scoring those, but defense goes well for me.

Skummy · Post by **Skummy** » Mon May 19, 2003 3:26 pm

Good positioning is often one of the hardest things for a player to learn. It sounds simple, but try to make sure that the opposition can't reach your ballcarrier on offence, and figure out the best way to hit theirs on defence. In some ways, movement is the most important attribute in the game becasue it dictates how much you can do each turn. Look for topics on caging and let us know what teams you play. There are some good threads out there with some valuable coaching tips.

Agentrock · Post by **Agentrock** » Mon May 19, 2003 3:36 pm

I think Orcs and Humans are the best teams for people to start out with normally...they give you a very good balance of player types, skills, and stats.

AV7 teams usually have the problem of staying alive if you play a toe-to-toe game.
With Amazons and Wood Elves you can play a "dodegy" game where you dodge away and only grant your opponent a limited number of blocks.
Norse all have Block which helps with the toe-to-toe game...unless you are finding yourself on your back alot.
I believe with Skaven the name of the game is to just score...concentrate on your ball handling first, and then your blocks. Your speed is one of your greatest assest on that team...so use it. Again, getting away from your opponent (lowering his number of blocks) is a good idea with this team too...albeit it isn't as easy without the AG4 on the entire team (WEs) or Dodge on everyone (Amazons). I tried to play an "in your face" type of team with Skaven and it cost me many, many rats...and a losing record.

McDeth · Post by **McDeth** » Mon May 19, 2003 3:39 pm

Shift81 wrote:I have been scouring this forum for a couple of weeks already, and I can see it has definitely helped so far.

I like the spectator idea...I should be able to figure that out, be nice to sit in on a match with two skilled coaches.

The teams I have running on FUMBBL are:

Norse: TR 135 2/1/3 record.

The problem I have with my Norse are: 1.) With an AV of 7 I often end up knocked out and outnumbered fairly quickly, any help for this? 2.) I have problems spreading my SPP's around (and that goes for all my teams.) 3.) I have difficulty breaking cages. I know my Blitzers (I have 4) should be good for this, I just have trouble actually DOING it.

Skaven: TR 121 1/1/2

Problem: Keeping them alive!

Human: TR 128 0/0/4

Problem: I have no idea I just can NOT win with this team.

Orc: TR 119 2/0/0

Problem: I think this team may fit my style. I can grind it out with the best of em. I have a little problem scoring, only scoring 2 td's in 2 games, and just barely scoring those, but defense goes well for me.

With the first three, if you are having problems keeping them on the field, can i ask when you block do you follow though more often than not. With low AV teams this is not a particul;arly a great tactic, unless you want to try and tie players up, as you are giving the opposition plenty of free block, limit his blocking to as little as possible. I've played in plenty of games where the only block i've left my opponent with is the blitz. of course when your kicking you may have to take a few hits on the LOS, but when the opposition is attacking do the same, just restrict his running game by forming a defensive line and not getting involved too much in the blocking. If you commit first then its likely you'll end up worse of against bashy teams

sean newboy · Post by **sean newboy** » Mon May 19, 2003 3:44 pm

Definately, following up is an important tactical decision. Skaven should definately not follow up as much as norse or orcs. My skaven in particular play alot like most peoples elves, dodge away and limit the blocks my opponent can make, with ag of 3 and mv of 7, they cover alot of field and take less hits.

Agentrock · Post by **Agentrock** » Mon May 19, 2003 3:46 pm

McDeth wrote:With the first three, if you are having problems keeping them on the field, can i ask when you block do you follow though more often than not.

Yeah, this is another way to lower the hits against you. Also, you didn't mention it but one problem I see with newer players is that they put many players on the LOS when they are kicking...if you are playing a lower AV team, just place your required 3 on the LOS and the rest 1 or 2 squares back. A good or lucky coach can decimate your entire LOS kicking line with the right combination of blocks, pushes, skills, rolls, etc...

Shift81 · Post by **Shift81** » Mon May 19, 2003 3:49 pm

Ok, don't follow up so often....gotcha.

And my normal defensive set is the 3-4-4 such as listed on www.tbbf.com. I only vary it if I have a shortage of players.

Grumbledook · Post by **Grumbledook** » Mon May 19, 2003 3:51 pm

you shouldn't be using that for most teams, that really works for teams like chaos

Agentrock · Post by **Agentrock** » Mon May 19, 2003 3:53 pm

Shift81 wrote:And my normal defensive set is the 3-4-4 such as listed on www.tbbf.com. I only vary it if I have a shortage of players.

That's good. Another point to highlight is that the set up greatly depends on what team you are playing with, what team your opponent uses, and what skills you have on your players.

Shift81 · Post by **Shift81** » Mon May 19, 2003 3:55 pm

Grumbledook wrote:you shouldn't be using that for most teams, that really works for teams like chaos

What do you suggest Grum? The 3-4-4 has worked fairly well for me so far.

Grumbledook · Post by **Grumbledook** » Mon May 19, 2003 4:00 pm

varies for each team, i don't have hard and fast set ups