Witch Elf - Block or Wrestle

[slup]

I am going to play Dark Elves in our next season (40 - 50 games) and someone in my league recommended wrestle for my witch elves as first skill instead of the obvious block.

What do you think?

[Zoot]

I think placing the witches on the ground just makes them more vulnerable as they are already huge targets. So I'd go with Block over Wrestle for them because I don't like to give my opponent anymore of a reason to attack my witch elves. Although Jump Up, Wrestle, and Strip Ball seem like it'd be fun, I'd probably give it to a lineman before a witch. But that's just me.

[Bucket-Head]

Block. You have doge and FRENZY so you need block.

Wrestle is a good idea in a lineman, but I think is wasted in a witch.

And if you use wreslte, other teamns player are going to stomp your poor witchiy without regret...

[Jural]

I am going to play Dark Elves in our next season (40 - 50 games) and someone in my league recommended wrestle for my witch elves as first skill instead of the obvious block.

What do you think?

This is easy-

Best choice for you- Block
Best choice for the rest of your league- Wrestle.

There are two problems with Wrestle. First you go prone to use it. While this may seem acceptable for a Jump Up player, the potential to be fouled is too high. Second, You want your witch to be a ball carrier some of the time. With Wrestle, she can be knocked down too easily.

[mattgslater]

I hate Wrestle, never take it, and grumble every time I see it. It's a fine skill, utility-wise, but even if I didn't hate Wrestle, I'd never put it on an AV7 110k player. Never never never never. On a 2nd doubles roll, I could see Piling On, but Block will help your WE stay standing (and hence alive), will reduce the odds of getting fouled because you don't put her on the ground, and will help her improve faster by getting more Cas (it doesn't sound like a big deal, but it is).

[Cramy]

I have given some thought about the block vs. wrestle dilemma.

Simplistically:

1) If the player does lots of blitzing and blocking, then go block.

2) If the player gets hit a lot, then wrestle is an option (block could still be better).

Going down on your turn is bad, as your player will stay on the ground for your opponent's turn. Hence wrestle is bad for a Witch Elf, as she will be blitzing lots, and you will try to avoid her getting hit.

Going down on your opponent's turn is not as bad, as it will be harder to plan a foul. And you can get up on your turn while your opponent will be on the ground. You can then foul him if you like .

And yes, wrestle is good on linemen, especially on fast teams against slow teams. They get hit, they don't necessarily hit back a lot.

I plan to try this on a couple of my DE linos. Dodge first, then wrestle.

[Jural]

I use the following rationale:

For Block

1) The player needs to handle the ball OR
2) The player relies on casualties to advance OR
3) The player has guard, tentacles, tackle, or another skill which only works when he is standing OR
4) The player is an obvious foul target, or has a very low AV. OR
5) The player has very low MA (4 or less) OR

For Wrestle

1) The player would prefer to not be in base to base with an opponent AND
2) The player needs to bring down Block players OR
3) The player is going to be hit frequently by Block players

Some players obviously fit both molds, so it's your call.

I have given some thought about the block vs. wrestle dilemma.

Simplistically:

1) If the player does lots of blitzing and blocking, then go block.

2) If the player gets hit a lot, then wrestle is an option (block could still be better).
...I plan to try this on a couple of my DE linos. Dodge first, then wrestle.

[Papa Sebco]

For Wrestle :

"2) The player needs to bring down Block players"

That's, according to me, the only real advantage of Wrestle over Block for specialized players (as you listed it, for Witch elves, Block seem to be better than Wrestle in general).

Cause if your witch elves are dedicated to sack opponent ball carriers, Wrestle+Tackle will be really more efficient than Block+Tackle. Cause with Wrestle you will be abble to sack your opponent on a pow/skull even if he has Block.

[fen]

I personally think Witch Elves are too expensive and fragile to be laying down on the floor ready for fouls.

Additionally Wrestle is no protection against the Mighty Blow, Tackle, Juggernaut Blitzer (who's freaking awesome on Orc, Norse, Amazon and Human teams btw).

[Grogmir]

Block all the way.

I have a succesful DE team. I have one player with Wrestle (Took it for a laugh) its only ever been slightly useful Vs Dwarves.

Grogmir.

[datalorex]

Wrestle is most effective against sure hands ball carriers. Giving it to a Witch Elf is like giving it the death sentence though. She will die an untimely death.

[Digger Goreman]

Hmmmm, make wrestle an agility skill and I believe it would be taken much more often... especially by Gobbos!

"1d block with assist... double down... wrestle!... FOUL!!!!!!! "

[bouf]

If you leave your witch elf on your side of the Line of Scrimidge (as a ball hog/saftey) then I'd take Wrestle and hope for a double roll as Juggernaught. Mix Strip Ball and Tackle (leap maybe) in there and you have a great saftey.

But for witchs I like Block, Diving Tackle, Pass Block, Shadowing, Side Step (Guard)

I guess you could do one WE of each skill set... Wrestle is good but it needs the right acompaning skills to be great, which means thinking outside the norm. Its a great tool but it's not a weapon.

Block is about helping get casualties... (Or avoiding them) But in a long league like yours, you will start to see everyone else has Block too and it's lost it's offencive value. Wrestle has the benifit of countering Block (which almost everyone has) and only being countered by Wrestle and juggernaught (which few players have).

Like I said, Its a great tool but its not a weapon, so it depends how you want to use your Witches.