All about Dark Elves

[mattgslater]

The trick to any kind of defensive setup that leaves a WZ open is that in exchange for letting the opponent set up deep/wide, you get to protect extra players and shut out the interior routes. The important thing is to run a set of screen-stacks (or some variant, like zigs and/or zags) that keep offensive players out of the box and assure you'll have your fast guys free to do their thing.

The reason to go asymmetric rather than "truncated" is that you can kick directionally, and that you can protect the line by discouraging overinvestment in line-blocking and making midfield cages take extra actions.

– – – –|x x x – – – –|– – – –
– – – –|– – – – – – –|– – – –
– – x –|– x – – x – –|x – – –
– x – –|x – – x – – x|– – – –

What it takes:
1) Schmoe AG4 linos. They have to be able to reposition after getting shoved out of the action. They don't need skills. This is strictly an elf defense, though all four types of elf can do it. I guess Amazons or stunty teams could do it too.
2) An opponent without multiple fast players or a good deep passing game. MA≤6 bash is the best target for asymmetry, but it works okay against the Undeady types too.

What you'd like:
1) Kick. Asymmetric defenses are a good way to get a maximum number of guys in the box, making it easier to get a kicker into the mix. Also, these defenses tend to force the offense to build a strong side for you to kick away from.
2) A couple Side Steppers or Stand Firmers, to let you expand your front. The great thing about this kind of defense is that you can put up a minimum investment in such players.

A little SF/SS can change a lot, especially if accompanied by Blodge and by Guard neighbors. Note a knockdown means the midfield route is free with just one dodge. But dodge-happy teams see symmetrical defenses from you, so whatever.

– – – –|x x x – – – –|– – – –
– – – –|– – – – – – –|– – – –
– – x –|– x – s – x –|– s – –
– x – –|x – – – – – x|– – – –

You can see the two safe positions, where you'd put the Witches (or Assassins, if so inclined). If you run three guys to protect (likely on DE), run perhaps the defense indicated at the top with no SS required. If you have a bunch of DE with SS and still want to run asymmetric, here you go.

– – – –|x x x – – – –|– – – –
– – – –|– – – – – – –|– – – –
– s – –|x – – s – – x|– s – –
– – x –|– x – – – x –|– – – –

If you've loaded up on line skills, you have other options to go along with it. With a SS defensive end on the interior side of the line (L1), you can totally lock out the inside and keep four safeties without needing to load up rookies on the LOS. When he gets pushed or knocked down, he goes to the point labeled *. Just make sure you use an AV8 guy with Block, because if he goes down in square or gets KO'ed, you're getting hit right up the gut. I'm not as keen on this unless the offense is both slow and down men, and in that case you may well be winning.

– – – –|s x s – – – –|– – – –
– – – *|– – – * – – –|– – – –
– s – –|– x – – – x –|– s – –
– – x –|x – – x – – x|– – – –

If you're in a big lead and highly skilled, cheating up on the defensive backfield may not be bad. The opponent can't chain, so unless he gets a Quick Snap, it just helps your turnover odds.

– – – –|x x x – – – –|– – – –
– – x –|– – – – x – –|– – – –
– x – –|– x – – – – –|x – – –
– – – –|x – – x – – x|– – – –

A note: Amazons with Stand Firm Blitzers may use the same players, but will want to drop the interior player back another square, using a Stand Firmer. Given the propensity to Guard up the Blitzers, it's most likely the outer player on the right side in the above diagram (the one at R5-3) is a SS Catcher, while a Blitzer with Stand Firm mans the interior post (b). The players labeled g are good candidates for Guard.

– – – –|x x x – – – –|– – – –
– – – –|– – – – – – –|– – – –
– – g –|– g – – – g –|– s – –
– x – –|x – – b – – x|– – – –

[danton]

Some nice formations there - thanks for posting those.

I think that one that would suit one of my high TV delf teams the most at the moment is:

– – – –|x x x – – – –|– – – –
– – – –|– – – – – – –|– – – –
– s – –|x – – s – – x|– s – –
– – x –|– x – – – x –|– – – –

I have 3 SS blitzers, 2 of whom have Guard and one with DT to man the S spots (DT blitzer probably best on the left wing), while my two witches would go in the back row along with my Pass Block blitzer or Runner if I have to field him on defense.

[Asperon Thorn]

Matt,

I thought we gave up on the offset line?

Asperon Thorn

[mattgslater]

No, I gave up on the 303. After using it once. Even then, I could see it with Fend or Stand Firm. The problem is that with three blocks, the opponent could lock (see page 4 of the meditations thread) all of your LOSses, and could also provide the interior of a screen spine in the -0 column, exactly where a bash team wants to cage/hedge.

[otherdave]

I tried a slightly offset line (I think you'd call it 012) on the first turn of my playoff game last night against Orcs, and it worked pretty good. As anticipated the setup and subsequent blocks skewed the line and bowed back the left side of my defense rather than pushing on the right, which put my Leaping Blitzer in range of the ball carrier. After a scramble I got the ball and broke away back and to the left (a la Zapruder) and tied up his left side at the same time, leaving him with very little to prevent the TD.

I'll try it again on occasion, if only to keep the opposition guessing.

[mattgslater]

Nowadays, it's my default in speed vs. bash situations, unless I'm facing a downfield passing game. Some teams can make me modify it a bit (Undeady types in particular, but any team with a lot of MA7), but nobody down here has figured out how to beat it with any regularity, and it leads to a lot of quick defensive scores.

[Anglakhel]

Some nice formations there - thanks for posting those.

I think that one that would suit one of my high TV delf teams the most at the moment is:

– – – –|x x x – – – –|– – – –
– – – –|– – – – – – –|– – – –
– s – –|x – – s – – x|– s – –
– – x –|– x – – – x –|– – – –

I have 3 SS blitzers, 2 of whom have Guard and one with DT to man the S spots (DT blitzer probably best on the left wing), while my two witches would go in the back row along with my Pass Block blitzer or Runner if I have to field him on defense.

I would use your DT Blitzer on the Right Wing.

Ideally, he'll be one of your players to penetrate deep for the heavy pressure. If you can Kick in a way so as to leave the Ball Carrier deep, he's the one you want to get there and Mark the Ball/Ball Carrier.

If they move the ball effectively, he's still in position to get behind most of their force and put pressure on the Ball and restrict mobility in the offenses backfield with his DT.

[danton]

Yeah could work on the right wing too. Matt where do you normally kick the ball (assuming Kick skill) with this line-up?

I imagine it depends on how the bash team lines up, but what are your typical options for where to place the kick when using an asymmetrical defense?

[mattgslater]

The intended off-side of the play. One big advantage of an asymmetric front is that it forces the offense to telegraph their strategy, either by stocking the LOS to go up the middle or by splitting the mobile players out wide. If they look like they're planning a sideline run on the open side, kick to the loaded side. If they look like they're planning to march up the middle, kick to the open side.

[Uldreg]

The Funkadelic's

"Starchild" Blitzer: Dodge, Sidestep, Dauntless
"Dr. Funkenstein" Blitzer: Tackle, Guard, +1 AG, Dodge
"Marvin Gaye" Blitzer: +1 AG, dodge, leap
"Mothership Connection" Lineman: -1 MV, Dirty Player, +1 STR, normal skill
"Rumpofsteelskin" Lineman: Wrestle, Guard, dodge, niggle, -1 MV
"Uncle Jam" Lineman: Wrestle, Sidestep, dodge, guard, -1 av
"Maceo Parker" Assassin: Block, +1 STR
"Flash Light" Runner: Block, +1 STR, Dodge, Frenzy
"Aretha Franklin" Witch Elf: Wrestle, Tackle, Sidestep, mightblow -2 mv
"Tina Turner" Rookie Witch Elf
"Tenor Man" Rookie Blitzer :
"Fred Wesley" Lineelf: Wrestle, -1 AG
"Soloman Bird" Rookie Lineelf:

4 Rerolls. I like em. 4 they still make me feel all warm inside.

Any ideas for my favorite player The Mothership Connection?

[Runejack]

Here's my 2¢.

Line-Elf #1: Kick, Wrestle, DT (safety)
Line-Elf #2-4: Side Step, Wrestle (nose) or Dodge (end), the other one.
Line-Elf #5-7: Block, Side Step (ILB/backup lineman)
Doubles: Guard, Block ("joker" #5 linebacker or OLB after getting Guard, then nose after getting Block).
Doubles on #2 roll: Side Step, Guard (nose) or Kick, Guard (joker LB), or Block, Guard (nose or OLB).
10: +MA, then Block or Wrestle, as OLB or backup OLB.
10 on #2: Skill unless has Kick; then +MA.
11: +AG, then Leap or Dodge, as safety or OLB or offensive specialist. If already has Side Step, get a skill.
12: +ST as safety, then Block and an ILB spot. If already has Side Step, +ST and promote to ILB immediately.
...

I quite like your two cents for line elves. In a league setting, if you had +ag and leap, what would you take next?

My line elves are currently 1 rookie, 1 rookie with 4mv, 1 with block, 1 with wrestle and kick, and this guy.

Thanks,

Joel

[dines]

Sack the ma 4 lino and take wrestle or block for the ag 5 one. Depends on his role, wrestle gets the ball loose, block is better for ball duty.

[mattgslater]

Sorry to recommend a boring skill, but you gotta protect that guy. Dodge or Wrestle, maybe Block. Maybe Wrestle, in anticipation of Strip Ball. But if you have a stripper....

[Runejack]

Sorry to recommend a boring skill, but you gotta protect that guy. Dodge or Wrestle, maybe Block. Maybe Wrestle, in anticipation of Strip Ball. But if you have a stripper....

I do have stripper, but he's a 7 3 5 6 Block leap strip ball guard Blitzer with 75 skillpoints that may be on his way out soon due to his 6 armour. I also have been lucky enough to own an 8 3 5 8 blodge blitzer and a 6 3 4 7 blodge sidestep leap witch elf! In all honesty, Dodge, Block, and Wrestle were the three skills at the top of my list to get for him. I had been hoping for doubles, but my luck with that has been horrendous. Here's the team: http://www.brawl.bloodbowlleague.com/de ... =ro&t=wes2

Pay no attention to their 0-1-2 season start ... This has definately been a rough season start for them.

So whick of those 3 skills would you pick? I'm leaning towards dodge, very closely followed by block.

[The Dazzler II]

I'm stuggling playing DE in a first attempt with them ( 0 0 3) but they're fun to use and i can see the potential. Close games though