First Skills for Elves "in general"

[bradw71]

Surely the doubles roll would depend on the position of the player in question? If it is a Dragon Warrior, wouldn't Dauntless or Mighty Blow be a better skill than Guard? As this would be the player that is generally 'hunting'?

If it's a Lion Warrior, Jump Up is handy, and a Phoenix Warrior Strong Arm? For Line Elves I agree that something like Guard may be a good doubles option, but even then (depending on style of play) other options such as Dauntless might be a good choice?

[DoubleSkulls]

As for doubles I was thinking of line elves take guard.

I'd be very tempted by Jump Up on Dragons since it lets them block even if they get knocked down. Dauntless is good if you have a lot of S5 players in the league.

As for Lions it depends on what you want them to do. Jump Up isn't as useful on catcher types anymore as you can only stand up at the start of your action. Personally I'd go for Nerves of Steel - so you can catch the ball and then worry about blitzing a way out.

Phoenix has to be Strong Arm or Nerves of Steel (depending on their other development).

[Khrys_Antos]

I usually "id" three line elves as LOS elves. They get Blodge and side step.

All the other elves get dodge first and then pass block if their are many passing teams or sidestep against block teams. Variety is important in a team.

[Korhil]

Dbls for non-Line Elves:

Dragon Warriors: Dauntless/Jump-Up (First dbl Dauntless on one, after that Jump-Up works well for them, AV8 is enough to not get stunned all the time)
Lion Warriors: NOS/(Jump-Up or Dump-Off) (These dudes dont really need a 2nd Dbl, most of the skills the want they can get anyway)
Phoenix Warriors: Strong Arm/NOS (I reckon Strong Arm is slighty better than NOS, if you in 1TZ they are the same thing, if your in much more perhaps you should be looking at a 3+ dodge first)

And, Antos, you ned Tackle on LineElves as well:

Block/Dodge/Tackle
Block/Tackle/Diving Tackle
Block/Dodge/Guard
Block/Dodge/SideStep

and one:
Block/Dodge/Kick

Leave Pass Blocking to the Lion Warriors with some of:
Catch/NOS/PassBlock/Shadowing/Dodge/Side Step

---Korhil

[DoubleSkulls]

Leave Pass Blocking to the Lion Warriors with some of:
Catch/NOS/PassBlock/Shadowing/Dodge/Side Step
---Korhil

No block? With Av7 you really need more protection, and these guys can be great blitzers.

I'd take dodge 1st and block 2nd. Then start stacking up the nice to haves (Side Step, Shadowing, Pass block)

[bradw71]

From what I have seen on this forum, most players can be divided into 2 categories:

1: Those that go initially for the 'safe' skills such as block, dodge etc. then build the 'more specific' skills on top.

2: Those that like to specialise early and vary the team a great deal, right from the beginning.

Which one is right? I would dare say both have their place. And it probably comes down to personal preference. I like the idea of having Dodge as the first skill (which is what I have given my sole surviving Lion Warrior...) as it not only protects him, but can also be used for his role of running around!

But his next skill is likely to be something a bit more 'specialised', rather than just Block. Something like NoS (on a doubles), perhaps Passblock. Maybe even Sure Feet then Sprint?

[DoubleSkulls]

From what I have seen on this forum, most players can be divided into 2 categories:

1: Those that go initially for the 'safe' skills such as block, dodge etc. then build the 'more specific' skills on top.

2: Those that like to specialise early and vary the team a great deal, right from the beginning.

Which one is right?

Well #1 obviously

For most players more dice are rolled blocking than anything else. For this reason alone all skills that effect blocking are generally more important than anything else. Block is the #1 skill as it effects both making and receiving blocks.

There are exceptions - throwers & receivers - who need to be able to pickup the ball, pass it and catch it, as well as move around; or a dedicated kicker or dirty player.

Its only once you've "mastered" the basic skills that you should specialise into more fancy skills.

I'd much rather play against a team with a lot of linemen with specialist skills than one with Block/Dodge/Tackle across the board.

[harley_topper]

i think it depends on what position the player is.

lineman - first skill - block
catcher - first skill - dodge, they need dodge, because you can dodge through your opponents defence
blitzer - dodge - then he is a blodger
thrower - accurate

when you role a double you my choose
lineman - guard
catcher - nerves of steel or jump up
blitzer - mighty blow or guard
thrower - strong arm

[Longshot]

harley_topper: you should take some tackle with your dragons
too much guard is not the way elfs play.

bradw71: i prefer a lot of anoying little combo than Blodge

[Rogerg1979]

I can't think of many more annoying combos than Blodge!

If your player isn't standing then he can't use his annoying little combo!

Gk.

[Longshot]

have you though about 'dodge, sidestep' or ' Tacle,shadow' and a double will never be sacrificed for a blodge but for Leader(with kick), Nerves of steel(with catch), jump up for example...and there is many more (leap,block)....
There is not only two skills in the game. And a lot of combos is always difficult to handle for your opponent.

[Rogerg1979]

But try keeping those players on the pitch.
The amount of times people DONT run away from my Tackle/Shadowing Witch Elf is amazing, she just tends to get knocked over, and then the person she was coving runs away!

With a solid base of Blodge (rem most people throw Block dice more than any other), she's not going to get thumped so often, and then can develop those "annoying little combos"

Lots of these combos have other problems, yes shadow/tackle can be annoying, but it can also lead you into trouble (The dodger suddenly running behind some friends waiting to hit you!)

Tackle/Shadow is also not an auto skill (Blodge when being blocked is auto unless tackle involved), you need to roll dice to get Shadowing going. Same with leap, not safe skills.

Build up on the safe stuff first, then put specialist skills in after. Going straight for the cool stuff is a guarenteed way for your players to end up injured or dead!

[DoubleSkulls]

I couldn't agree more with Rogerg1979. Tackle & Shadowing is a nice combo - but when backed up by Block, Dodge and Stand Firm or Side Step its awesome.

However it partly depends on the league. In a tackle heavy league - like ECBBL - dodge is of marginal value so sometimes side step is a better skill to take. Block there is no question this is the best skill for many players to take first.

[Ithilkir]

Of course, if you get lucky and get a few doubles early in the teams life then you can immediately start specialising players.

Block/Dodge is ALWAYS useful in any situation, however shadowing/tackle isn't exactly great against Dwarfs or Undead (Ghouls excepted) Basically it all comes down to your play style. If a player gets that +1 ST on his first roll then you know block has to be second, +1 AG and you gotta be tempted with leap...

[DoubleSkulls]

however shadowing/tackle isn't exactly great against Dwarfs or Undead (Ghouls excepted)

Shadowing is a great skill against Dwarves because they are so slow. Its fast teams who aren't bothered by it.

The strength of shadowing is not in forceing your opponent to keep rolling dodges - its forcing your opponent to blitz a player of your choice.