Big Guy Doubls discussion

[browwnrob]

There is a discussion on FUMBBL as to what to choose for a Big Guy on Doubles

some of the arguements, Block will make you block more, leading to more Bonehead rolls, and loss of Tacklezones, but also gives you more protection vs the opposition, but does that really matter on a S5 player, maybe if you are using him as a roadblock?

pro gives better all round odds, but is more vunerable on defence, loses TZ's less often.

Dodge can be very nice, perhaps tying up tackling players, and useful if you get break tackle, and guard to make mobile assists

stand firm, very good roadblock skill, not used much of it myself

the emphasis though is on whether block or pro is better, i would do stats on blocking, BH etc with block or pro, but i stopped maths at GCSE

[kadu-c]

Block ! Although I sometimes hesitate with Mutations for Minotaures.

[Joemanji]

I don't understand how we can talk "generically", since different Big Guys have different negatraits. Wild Animal is just as common as Bonehead (and is more so in PBBL). But generally Block is a safe bet ... Big Guys often get taken down on 1D blocks, and so the Block skill gives them that protection, and dramatically reduces the risk of turnover when activated on your own turn.

However, I would argue that Pro is probably a better choice for Wild Animals and Treemen. Failing Take Root is potentially the most detrimental negatrait, and Treeman work best when given an assist for 3D blocks anyway.

[Darkson]

Voted something else, because as Naz said, there is no generic Big Guy, it totally depends on the type of BG, and the team it's on.

[browwnrob]

hmmm ok

[mlindsay2706]

yeah, id also agree. for a Mino on a double id be sorely tempted on a mutation.

[DoubleSkulls]

What Darkson/Nazgit/et al said. There is no general rule. Trolls on Orc teams are best off with Block - those on Gobbo teams with Pro. Every BG (near enough) has a different set of "best options".

[browwnrob]

oh ok, i realise that now, i was more interested in finding out the relative stats for blocking and bonehead with block or pro (i have tried, but my math probabilities are really awful)

eg failing a flock with pro, failing a BH roll etc

[Joemanji]

I can do those for you Rob, but they are highly situational. For example, completing a block without falling over are:

P(with Block) = 81%
P(with Pro) = 84%

But that doesn't tell you much - they don't show that using Block you are more likely to knock down an opponent, but also more likely to lose your tackle zone, for example.

[wesleytj]

However, I would argue that Pro is probably a better choice for Wild Animals and Treemen. Failing Take Root is potentially the most detrimental negatrait, and Treeman work best when given an assist for 3D blocks anyway.

I disagree. I couldn't care less when my treeman fails his take root. He wasn't going anywhere anyway, and his whole job is to stand on the line and NOT be a wood elf. It's getting up that's a pain in the arse for him, therefore block so he doesn't fall as much.

[Axtklinge]

I agree that choosing a skill (on doubles) for a BG highly depends on the BG and on the team he's playing for.
Usualy I would recomend Block as it reduces a lot the chances for him to cause turnovers (on block or blitz actions) and it even protects him when he's the one being blocked.
Other than block it there is a handfull of interesting skills for them but as said before, depends on the situation.


Cheers
Axt

[stormmaster1]

overall i'd say block. Simply because it is never a bad skill for any big guy. Whatever you use the big guy for, block will either make him better for killing, less likely to cause turnovers, or at the very least make him a bit tougher. Depending on your team and playing style, pro might be better, dodge if you want to blitz and have break tackle, claw might kill more, or even pass for a high flying team to prevent fumbles. Most options are valid, but block is useful for almost all big guys almost all of the time.

[Pregal]

I'd go for block for the one reason that he will increase faster to his next skill. When he stays standing longer and be able to knock down more opponents, he's bound to cause more injuries. And maybe you're lucky enough then to roll another double and then choose pro. Then he's near unstoppable.

[DoubleSkulls]

I can do those for you Rob, but they are highly situational. For example, completing a block without falling over are:

P(with Block) = 81%
P(with Pro) = 84%

But that doesn't tell you much - they don't show that using Block you are more likely to knock down an opponent, but also more likely to lose your tackle zone, for example.

That's not quite right - Pro is better at completing the block, but Block leaves you on your arse less since failing your nega-trait roll doesn't cause a turnover. So although less reliable the Block BG will turn over less than the Pro one (about 2.3% vs 5.5% - unskilled is 9.2%)