Looking for good Nurgle resources/advice

[Smeborg]

I too face Strip Ball players, therefore Sure Hands is essential. Sure Hands also saves re-rolls, which I find very important in a team that only starts with 2.

I also find that KoR is very handy as a second skill, as it enables one player to (more or less) cover the backfield by himself.

[mattgslater]

How about carrying the ball with a Warrior? If you can keep your opponent from getting an assist, a Block Warrior gives a 3/4 chance of failing a leap/blitz without a TRR, and still about half with a TRR. For a Pesty, you need both Block and Sure Hands to get those odds.

'Course, the 3/4 vs. 8/9 on the pick-up attempt doesn't help, and neither does your best blocker having to take Move actions. But against ST3 elves, you should be able to drop the hammer ok anyway.

[Blammaham]

The problem is that they are too easily bogged down by low ag and only moving four is a great hinderance. A double line D would make short work of that Offence I fear.S.

[mrinprophet]

Well... I'm 7 games into my nurgle experience. Good news is that I've only allowed 5 TDs. Bad news is that I've scored only 4 so I'm 1/2/4 W/L/D.

I'm coming back to BB after a 2.5 yr hiatus due to real life complications (third child). My past experience is really with orcs, amazons, WE and skaven. I've been pleasantly surprised by my defense. I'm able to stall out offensive drives, but haven't had much of any luck turning the ball over. In fact, 2 of the 5 TD's I've allowed have been because my offense is so bad that I couldn't pick it up to even to begin the drive.

I'm trying to use Smeborg's reefs and sharks plan. I've been a bit unlucky as I've had 4 or 5 rotters die, including one at 14SPPs and block. I've failed all 4 of my Regen rolls. Every one of my quick pass at the end of the half for 1 SPP have failed. My beast was worthless and played just 7 turns in my first 64 (4 games). Also, my MVPs didn't go where I needed them and I rolled just about minimum cash my first 5 games.

My team is just now about to make some strides as my Pestigor picked up Sure Hands and now Sure Feet. I wasn't too keen on Sure Feet but the lack of speed on this team has kept my offense non-existent. I'd like to spread out some SPPs, but when you only score 4 TDs, you have to take them when you get the chance. The new pestigors help with the speed, but I can't seem to get them any SPPs.

You can find my team here http://www.midgardbb.com/MBBL/teamView.php?teamid=1115

This thread has been very helpful. Any specific pointers are appreciated.

[Smeborg]

miniprophtet - the best of luck with your Nurgle team! Some of what has happened to you is just bad luck. Here are some tips.

You can take 3-dice blocks with the Beast in order to get him some CAS and (eventually) a second skill. Stand Firm would be a good second skill for him.

You can protect the Rotters (especially the skilled ones) by using them in a relatively quiet way, for example to provide assists, to escort or screen the ball carrier. They will still be targets, but they will survive better if you keep them out of the scrum.

You need some Wrestle on the team. I prefer Wrestle as a first skill on the Pestigors, others prefer it on the Rotters. The main advantage of Wrestle is that it is a poor man's Tackle (you can use Wrestle to blitz a ball carrier with Block/Dodge).

If you do not retain skills on the Rotters, and do not get any Guard on them, you will need Guard on (say) 2 Warriors.

You need to nurse the team to the point where you have about 14 players on the roster, so that you can last the distance against bash teams.

Do not try to stall too much with Nurgle. If you get a chance to score, take it, and trust your defense.

Hope that helps a bit.

[ShriekBob]

200 get

So....last night I took the unbeaten Chaos Dwarf team in our league to a 1-1 draw. It would have been a 2-1 to me, but for a lucky dodge to let a Bull Blitz the ball carrier.

So...what have I learnt? Guard is HUGE, Block is a must. I'm unsure as to what to take next on my Sure Hands/Block Pest. The team is amazing at just stopping a game dead and grinding it down to nothing. I'm having a lot of difficulty scoring, mostly because its hard to uncommit players to get them to shield the ball carrier. The beast hasn't really done much yet, but when it has, its been....very very potent. High armour, runny leagues (which I'm playing in), make your life a little harder.

So yeah, still going well. Getting there with skills. I'm at TV131, having just bought my third Pestigor, and fired a MA broken Rotter (taking me to 12 players again, ideally I want to be 13, but I should get my last Pest after the next game).

Once again though, I can't state enough just how HUGE Guard is.

[mrinprophet]

I've decided to put my team on the shelf for a while. In 8 games I've scored only 4 TDs and I'm afraid I don't seem to be getting any better. I also think I should have taken Dodge with my ball handling pestigor. My opponents drop him way too easily and I think I'd rather have Blodge then Sure Feet. I understand the logic for Sure Feet, but all I seem to do with Sure Feet is get myself into trouble or roll double 1's. While I enjoy the team, I need a serious break from them. Going 1/3/4 with just 4 TDs is demoralizing. Plus, I think the MBBL is bashy and I stumble on offense when I can't outbash them, throw the ball or run around them.

[Smeborg]

So yeah, still going well. Getting there with skills. I'm at TV131, having just bought my third Pestigor, and fired a MA broken Rotter (taking me to 12 players again, ideally I want to be 13, but I should get my last Pest after the next game).

I would have kept the crippled Rotter for a while, until all 4 Pestigors have been bought, probably. Mostly the cripple will just be a bench-warmer, or can be placed on the LoS in case of need.

I run with a 14 player roster, including all the positionals, and I try to replace injured Rotters, although I will take -MA or -AG on a skilled Rotter.

Congrats for 200.

[Smeborg]

I've decided to put my team on the shelf for a while. In 8 games I've scored only 4 TDs and I'm afraid I don't seem to be getting any better. I also think I should have taken Dodge with my ball handling pestigor. My opponents drop him way too easily and I think I'd rather have Blodge then Sure Feet. I understand the logic for Sure Feet, but all I seem to do with Sure Feet is get myself into trouble or roll double 1's. While I enjoy the team, I need a serious break from them. Going 1/3/4 with just 4 TDs is demoralizing. Plus, I think the MBBL is bashy and I stumble on offense when I can't outbash them, throw the ball or run around them.

mrinprophet - you are bound to get out-bashed while you have only 11 starting players. If you are playing in a bashy league, you need a roster of at least 14 players. Always re-build a Nurgle team by buying positional players first (e.g. Pestigors, Warriors). If you buy Rotters first, you risk getting into a death spiral (the Rotters die faster than you can replace them). Like Chaos, Nurgle are the kind of team that can get damaged - it's one of the things you have to be prepared for. Last season my Nurgle team were outstanding for the first 19 games, then they suffered multiple deaths/retirements. It took 20 games to recover, but they did so eventually. With each season, I seem to get better at playing and developing the team in a way that protects them from damage. Interestingly, building the team as a slayer side does not seem to protect them from damage against other slayer sides.

Some other tips:

- Kick-off Return would be an outstanding 3rd skill on your ball-carrying Pestigor.

- Be patient with the other Pestigors - the SPPs will come (just not when you expect).

- Your Beast badly needs Stand Firm.

All the best, and I hope you return to "the joys of Nurgle" some time.

[Ullis]

This is going a bit off the tangent here, but I think I'd post it here anyway. My Beast got a skill from the very first game (cas+MVP) and I took Break Tackle on it.

The two next games I didn't use Break Tackle a single time and I was regretting taking it over Guard or Stand Firm. But then I actively started looking for opportunities and so far it's proved great. I just have to overlook the fact that the Beast has Loner and brave the 1's or 2's on dodges and GFI's. The fact that he's ST5 and has Tentacles and Disturbing Presence means that the rewards from getting him next to the ball carrier usually outweigh the risks of failing. Plus the fact that I show that I'm willing to take risks with him means that my opponents have one more thing to try and avoid on their offence. And limiting the opponent's options is a key to good defence.

[Ikterus]

Carnis - I agree with you. Sure Hands is by far the best first normal skill on one Pestigor. I only develop one Pestigor as a specialist ball handler, as I believe developing more than one is a waste, when you aim to run (or rather walk) the ball into the end zone.

Have to disagree with you guys on this one. I prefer to go with the Extra Arms on the pestigors first (the first two to skill up), this gives me the ability to cover the backfield more effectively unless I would decide to give them KOR (which would be a later skill). By having two Pestigors with XA, then I am able to cover the backfield to retrieve the ball early and then effectively hand off or pass to the other and thereby move the ball faster to where I want it.

Maybe it is a matter of opinion or playing style, but I would certainly not go so far as to say that it is "by far" the best first skill.

After a hiatus here on TBB (well TFF) I'm jumping right back into a discussion about my favourite team! (well tied with Slann)

I must say that I'm surprised over the love that Sure Hands is getting.

I agree with Craig that extra arms is superior. Sure Hands is maybe better if your opponent is loused with Tackle but only then. I see that many complain about scoring, and Xtra arms is the answer! You need Four Pestigors in a developed team and at least 2 of them should be ball handlers. Extra arms helps you every time, Sure Hands only at special occasions.

Extra Arms, Block, Two heads in that order is a very nice combo taht will help you score TDs. I give my first ball handling Pestigor this combo and the second gets Block first, then Extra Arms.

Remember Warriors can blitz, but thay can't be relied on to handle the ball... Defence isn't Nurgle's problem, scoring is. So Pestigors are ball handlers first, blitzers second.

[Ikterus]

Also concerning The Beast.

I'm not a fan of Big Guys. I like reliable players and Big Guys are everything but.

The BoN is an exception. It's great and an essential part of the Nurgle team. But the trick is not to use him!

The BoN is best when used as passively as you can. Place him in a good spot from the beggining and let him stand there... That means that he should not be on the LoS to avoid tying him up.

On setup, place him at the centre, no more than 3-4 squares from the LoS, with a minder next to him. Your first turn you find a good spot and place him there, ideally tying up some S2 opponents. Then you leave him there, don't block unless you have to. Push opponents into him if possible.

You need to "paint" the pitch with Disturbing Prescence (DP) and it's no big deal if he ends up in a position far from the ball. As long as he's hugging one or two players and providing DP coverage he's well worth his points.

On offence, do use him as a corner in the cage but stand ready to replace him at any given time and don't depend on him. He will go stupid or find a tempting target to hug. If so leave him behind to cause mischief for the opponent.

It will take long time for him to skill up, but he really doesn't need the skills! I find Stand Firm and Guard to be the best skills. Break Tackle makes you use him more and every time you do you risk losing tentacles! No, careful placement is the key, and then relax...

[Carnis]

In a developed team I agree the beast needs to stay put. In a less developed team though, getting those 3die MB blocks is imo worth risking a 1/6 chance of losing his TZ. I gotta admit my beast has always had Block, so it makes him more active. Generally I feel not using Block/MB on any big guy is a bit wasteful. You can win games without it, and often in defense you are better off not moving him.. But in offence it really helps if you can get a few stuns/KOs at the right moment. You generally only lose your TZ 3 times per game, if that gives you 13 2d-3d MB blocks it seems well worth it to me.

I'm now leaning towards a more conservative line with my Nurgle's slayerskills though, possibly limiting myself to just a single piling on pestigor. Getting my guys standing up is a bigger issue, than with some other teams.

What do you guys think of Wrestle/Claw rotters? IMO they could be perfect for annoying the hell out of both Dwarves & Elves! Wrestle mostly kills guard/standfirm & claw kills AV8-AV9. Wrestle also significantly weakens BLODGE, combined with Claw it's like getting freehits every now and then.

[Ikterus]

In a developed team I agree the beast needs to stay put. In a less developed team though, getting those 3die MB blocks is imo worth risking a 1/6 chance of losing his TZ. I gotta admit my beast has always had Block, so it makes him more active. Generally I feel not using Block/MB on any big guy is a bit wasteful. You can win games without it, and often in defense you are better off not moving him.. But in offence it really helps if you can get a few stuns/KOs at the right moment. You generally only lose your TZ 3 times per game, if that gives you 13 2d-3d MB blocks it seems well worth it to me.

Hunting 3D blocks consumes a lot of resources and I find it seldom to be worth it... Block on a Big Guy always changes everything. But I still make the argument that a BoN with Block should block as little as possible!
Losing tentacles 3 times per game is devastating and makes the BoN virtually useless in my humble opinion (maybe a bit harsh but...) Also blocking might move the BoN out of tentacle range alt. push the opponent out of tentacle range... The skill Block is however very usefull to keep the BoN on his feet.

I'm now leaning towards a more conservative line with my Nurgle's slayerskills though, possibly limiting myself to just a single piling on pestigor. Getting my guys standing up is a bigger issue, than with some other teams..

Yes, Pestigors are best on their feet with the ball in their hands. They are your only "flair" players. The other guys can kill but only Pestigors can score...

What do you guys think of Wrestle/Claw rotters? IMO they could be perfect for annoying the hell out of both Dwarves & Elves! Wrestle mostly kills guard/standfirm & claw kills AV8-AV9. Wrestle also significantly weakens BLODGE, combined with Claw it's like getting freehits every now and then.

Wrestle and Claw is a waste of SPP in my opinion. If you take Claw you want to make it as effective as possible. Wrestle makes Claw useless everytime you roll both down (unless you choose to ignore Wrestle when blocking a non-Block player and that makes picking Wrestle a bit silly)
Wrestle and Tackle is better.
Also remember that Rotters seldom get their second skill...

[mattgslater]

My Rotters are coming along nicely. I've only played four games, but I've kept it to one Casualty against the Rotters, and was lucky in getting BH/BH on it. If you can shunt the beating to the Warriors, you're golden: so far, the Warriors have taken two Cas and Regenned both, as opposed to just the one on the Rotter and no others. I have two with Block and one with Extra Arms: XA boy has let me start my Pests with Block and Wrestle, and has skilled one of my Warriors, too. I figure that when he dies I just won't replace him and I'll start getting XA on Pests. But I'm glad to have had his accelerant ability early-on: the ability to focus on blocking skills with the Pests has done them a lot of good, knocking down five players, freeing the ball and saving both a knockdown and two turnovers, all in just one game.

I think that BON management is similar to Troll management, with the caveat that he can man-mark agile players, so you may be slightly more likely to deliberately leave him out. But there's no way I'm giving up a block on most players just because of Stupid+Tentacles. Against Skaven, I found myself forgoing actions with the BON once or twice, but otherwise I've mostly just applied the standard principles of stupid-minimization, plus a concern for Tentacles when no counter-block is intended.