Level 4 thrall rolls a double...need skill advice please

greymurphy42 · Post by **greymurphy42** » Thu Sep 13, 2012 2:50 pm

My ST4/wrestle thrall took the MVP in my last match and is now level 4. The plan was for tackle, but he rolled a double! Are there any doubles that'd help in his ball stealing role...or should I stick with the plan?

The rest of the team looks like this:-

Vampires

Jean Claude - Block, Tackle, Mighty Blow, +MV, Dodge
Asher - Block, Dodge, Sidestep, Diving Tackle
Damian - Block, Dodge, Stand Firm
Requiem - Block, Dodge, Mighty Blow, Niggle

Thralls

Nathaniel - Block
Marcus - Block
Gabriel - Wrestle, -AG
Edward - Block, Fend
Micah - Kick
Caleb - +2AG
Zane - +ST, Wrestle [Double pending]
3 rookies

4 RR
Apo

Thanks in advance

mattgslater · Post by **mattgslater** » Thu Sep 13, 2012 3:20 pm

If you have to ask, take Guard. That's my rule of thumb for doubles on G-access players.

eldritchfox · Post by **eldritchfox** » Thu Sep 13, 2012 3:37 pm

Guard is always a good choice. For survivability I'd also consider dodge. Neither of those will help on his role a ball winner. As tough as it might be tackle or strip ball suit that role more.

RogueThirteen · Post by **RogueThirteen** » Thu Sep 13, 2012 3:50 pm

A STR4 Guard piece is nice, as it's much harder for the opponent to start off by shoving the Guard player away. However, two things make me suspect you don't need Guard:

(1) You don't have any other Guard pieces, so are you getting by without it? Depending on how you are using Hypno Gaze, perhaps vamps don't really need Guard as desperately as other teams. Are you playing against human opponents or Cyanide's AI?

(2) This is your only Wrestle piece, and obviously the guy who goes into the cage for the STR4 blitz after your vamps hypno the corners. Tackle or Strip Ball (I'd go with the former) seem to fit this guy much better.

Iranian Spy · Post by **Iranian Spy** » Thu Sep 13, 2012 3:53 pm

I like Dodge for this guy. I generally avoid guard on vamp teams for the most part with the exception of a thrall or 2 but I think this guy would be great with dodge. He'll be great at chasing the ball carrier (getting 2 sides of the dice with a STR 4 despite no tackle or strip is probably still adequate for getting the ball on the ground), able to go toe-to-toe with most things as a blodger, able to run up field and hold his own and act as a bite target when you are in a real pinch on theoffence due to his mobility. I'd even consider sticking him on the line in some situations as he'll be a massive nuisance there, particularly against STR3 teams - think of a STR 4 amazon blitzer. If this guy is on the line in the middle of the field and you've spent time chasing the ball carrier with your vamps only for the carrier to break away from your main line, dodge allows you to make a quick dodge away to blitz any strays. This is particularly important in a team like vamps where the opponent might try to run the ball away since no cage is safe for him.

As a rule of thumb on vamps I generally go odd numbered players get wrestle/dodge route, even numbered players go block/guard route (with the odd exception for Dirty Players or maybe Kickers depending how much I feel I need them) and I'd probably stick with that rule of thumb here. The only thing that makes me hedge here is that you have no Guard any where else and you've went a fairly bashy route with your vamps (2 MB, no pro) but I'd probably still go with my first instinct.

I would say Guard benefits the team more while Dodge benefits the player more. In a team like vamps when your team is getting torn to pieces by your players and theirs I think you'll want to rely on a few strong players over an overall strong team.

My quick comment turned into an essay - whoops!

Post by **Loki** » Thu Sep 13, 2012 5:47 pm

I honestly probably wouldn't take it above dodge/guard but the only other double I would consider is Jump Up to get him back in action or up with the play after wrestling.

mattgslater · Post by **mattgslater** » Thu Sep 13, 2012 6:03 pm

On a Vamp team, I could see how Dodge might be useful. I'd still take Guard, but I have to warn you my style doesn't work well with or against certain teams, and Vamps are at the top of that list.

But only Dodge or Guard. If he doubles again, then you can get cute with Side Step or something.

Iranian Spy · Post by **Iranian Spy** » Fri Sep 14, 2012 12:59 am

Last point re: Dodge. I foresee your offense as the double AG boosted thrall sitting in the backfield waiting to throw while your 4 vamps run up the field. I think dodge helps you more to achieve that as he can peel off the line or head up with the vamps into their side of the field and dodge away later if necessary.

Megr1m · Post by **Megr1m** » Fri Sep 14, 2012 2:32 am

Be a man, take Juggernaut.

You haven't got any Strip Ball on that team, so you may as well.

Alternatively, take Jump-up.

Shteve0 · Post by **Shteve0** » Fri Sep 14, 2012 9:08 am

Diving tackle might be a laugh

Chris · Post by **Chris** » Fri Sep 14, 2012 10:52 am

I can't see past Guard, but... not much tackle on your team is there? My OCC league team has had to develop tackle big time due to the number of dodgers I'm facing this season. In general Guard is the winner, but your league might require tackle to be taken.

solarflare · Post by **solarflare** » Fri Sep 14, 2012 4:05 pm

I like dodge. It will help keep him alive and will help him go where you want him.

But guard is never a mistake. Ever.

DixonCider · Post by **DixonCider** » Fri Sep 14, 2012 4:26 pm

Guard is a great skill.

If you want to throw a curve ball at your league put Jump Up on him. Makes him a threat even when he is knocked down

Drool_bucket · Post by **Drool_bucket** » Mon Sep 17, 2012 12:36 pm

Dodge. Strip Ball or Tackle next. Guard on another Doubles. This guys gets 2nd half apoth considerations.

If it was an AV8 Piece, then Guard. But with AV 7, Vamps like mobility and Guard pieces taking so many hits, I would run with Dodge every day of the week and twice on Sundays.

greymurphy42 · Post by **greymurphy42** » Sun Sep 30, 2012 6:44 pm

My AG 5 thrall just levelled with the MVP and a completion in my last match. So what does he go and roll...another 6 + 5!

Obviously I can't take another AG boost, so it's got to be a normal skill. Block or sure hands?

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