But here is something that I love and was suggested by a coach that I have an enormous amount of time for and frankly I love it and would love to include it in my rules, it is again a throw back to 2nd ed, but simplified, but the reason I haven’t included it is because I want the basics right first. Anyway here it is -
Now there are a couple of little points I would change if this were mine and i have put them in red above.I've always thought it a bit unrealistic that BHs and SIs only miss the rest of a match and 1 match respectively.
So I have thought of a 2 part rule (new injury chart & reserves) to compensate for this.
Apo is still used in game in the same way as before. Post game works differently.
Injuries
Injuries would be longer lasting than they are now, any players with these injuries post game must do the following -
BH’s
At the end of the game roll a D6.
1-2 The player is available next game as normal.
3-4 The player will miss the next game.
5-6 The player will miss the next 2 games.
SI’s
At the end of the game roll a D6. The number you roll is the number of games your player misses. If you had any rrs left at the end of the match, you may RR this dice.
SI/Perms
Consult the doctor
If your player has regeneration or you have an apothecary you may consult him, on your players injury.
1-3 'Sorry coach, it's nasty. Nothing I can do about that'.
4-6 'Well with the proper rest and recuperation, he should be ok'.
Sorry coach, it's nasty: Treat the SI as normal. The player is rushed through physio and misses one game. However they keep the permanent stat drop or niggle. If you roll a 4-6 you can opt to ignore the physio and go down this route if you wish.
Well with the proper rest: Roll a d6 and plus 2 This is the amount of games the player will miss. When he returns, he is as fit as he was before. If you have a RR left after the game, you may use it to RR this dice.
Reserves:
With players missing more than 1 match, there is a need for a reserves/injury squad. These are for players 17-20. Players 17-20 are not considered part of your squad, and can be made up with 0-4 players of your choice.
*You may swap players in or out of your roster and reserve squad in the post match phase.
*Your roster doesn't have to have 16 players to make use of the reserve squad.
*The reserve squad doesn't follow roster limitations.
Example: Your roster has 4 Black Orcs, you can have 4 more Black Orcs on your reserve squad if you wish. However if a Blitzer was to be injured and put into the reserve squad. One of the Black Orcs cannot be put into the roster, as there are 4 already. The Black Orc removed from the reserve squad would have to be discarded.
I would possibly make that first table –
1-3 The player is available next game as normal.
4-5 The player will miss the next game.
6 The player will miss the next 2 games
Though I’m not sure, I think the current one is fine too really.
And the second part I would change to +1 day not plus 2.
But these are very very small details.
The positives of this system are plentiful.
Here are some of my favourite things about it –
I love the idea of having a difference between selection (11 on the pitch), bench (up to 5 who can fill in) and this new reserve category. What I like about this idea is that there are significant benefits to building good extra players without necessarily loading on TV, as they don't affect an individual game's performance, but do affect the long-term viability of the team.
In addition, it would be interesting to swap reserves in and out for specific matches. You'd have to make final player selection for the next matchup invisible to the opponent until both have finalized their decisions.
Want to prevent an opponent's wizard? Put your superstar blitzer on the bench and put in a rookie. Know you'll be playing against wood elves? Be sure to put in both that tackle mb and that sure hands guy and your pass block player.
Playing against dwarves? Ditch the dodgers.
Etc...
It's brilliant because it adds a whole layer of strategy to the post-match phase.
Another side benefit however a possible problem is your TV wouldn't be static. You could swap players around to alter your TV.
In fact after reading this again I think it is an amazing idea. Possibly needs a little work, but I love it.