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Confessions of a newbie coach

dminer | June 12, 2009 - 2 years 33 weeks

So I'm seriously considering starting my first team in the next upcoming season in August.  I've maybe played 5-6 games of bloodbowl period over the last 5-6 years so I'm woefully out of practice.  I'll be playing Skaven, which probably isn't the ideal learning team due to their low AV.  But hey, I'm a sucker for punishment and Skaven were my first Fantasy army that I started with about 14 years ago.

 

I decided I'll probably start with an apothecary to try to minimize some of my better players (stormvermin and gutter runners) from leaving the game early.  I won't bother wasting it on linerats as they're a dime a dozen.  My largest concern is the lack of players as I'm at 11 exactly so every casualty will hurt, but I'm of the understanding that most teams have this issue when they first start out.  I'll likely buy a few more linesmen before investing in 2 more gutter runners.

So with that here's my starting team:

6 Linerats

1 Thrower

2 Gutter Runners

2 Stormvermin

3 Rerolls

6 Fan Factor

1 Apothecary

 

Looking forward to coming out this weekend and playing some bloodbowl.  I'm going to read the guide to blocking to get some insight on some of the tactics of this game as I understand the mechanics.

See you on the field!

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Warpstone
June 12, 2009
2 years 33 weeks

Welcome aboard

It's a solid lineup, though I would recomment the following:

5 x linerats

1 x thrower

3 x gutter runners

2 x blitzer

3 x rerolls and an apoth (no FF, CL or AC)

Three gutter runners really rule the board in the early season. It will help you rack up TDs before the inevitable clobbering you're going to face.

Fan factor is free in our league, plus there's not much point buying a ton of it in LRB5 anyway.

BTW, if you want to get a few tune-up LRB5 games under your belt, I recommend you try PbEM on MBBL. It's how I got up to speed with the Living Rulebook after not having played since 3rd edition.


dminer
June 12, 2009
2 years 33 weeks

Thanks!

Thanks for the advice.  I got lots of gutter runner models, but not many that are the "bloodbowl" ones... (ie they've got swords!)

I guess this wouldn't be much of an issue?I hope not, as I hope to hire more gutter runners in the future.

I'm hesitant to have almost 30% of my team being S2 though. Would I be better off with a 4th reroll or a 7th linerat?

I expect to pick up the game relatively quickly, and really like Michael Adams, I don't mind losing 20 or so games while I'm learning.


Warpstone
June 12, 2009
2 years 33 weeks

It's all about the Gutter Runners...

GJ makes the call on proxy figs, but really, I doubt you should have a problem.

Honestly, if you're relying on ST rather than MA, you could be in trouble. The only players on your team that should be doing any hitting are your blitzers, and thats just to open holes so that your gutter runners can make plays.

Since you have journeyman for the long run, I'd say take the 4th reroll over the bonus linerat. Numbers really aren't going to help you in the early games, but that 4th reroll will always be there.

Glad to hear you're willing to learn on the bounce. Skaven teams don't tend to be very forgiving if you go in the tank early. Heck, they don't to very forgiving ever as one early turnover can squander your only edge (speed) and get your team killed. Let me know when you're at the game day and maybe we can get some games in.

Talk to Bear and Lil Jon if you get a chance. They can tell you what it's like playing with rats against heavy-hitters at a high TV.


dminer
June 12, 2009
2 years 33 weeks

-

I should be there this upcoming Saturday to throw down some games, we'll see....

 

EDIT: I'm going to see about getting some FUMBBL games in as well I think just to work on positioning.

I see your point about Strength though, the blocking article I was reading pretty much talked the same way.  I'm guessing to keep my guys alive I'm going to want to have as few lined up next to others as possible to maximize the fact they can only make the one blitz a turn.

I'll be taking lumps though I'm sure.


Warpstone
June 12, 2009
2 years 33 weeks

Fly like a butterfly...

Yup, basically you need stick and move with your positioning rather than get stuck in a scrum. This is so you can pressure the ball not just to score, but also just to keep your team alive!Wink

BTW, I guess the upcomig video game would be a great resource too. Just watch out FUMBBL as it's LRB4 and the long term team play is no where close to the way teams are managed in LRB5 (journeyman, aging, crazy-fouling-weirdos).


General Jason
June 12, 2009
2 years 33 weeks

skaven

I have to confess that outside of an exhibition match I have never played Skaven in tournament or league play. Lots of AV 7 scares me as I get beat up with AV 9 in games, which is why I don't play Wood Elves or Pro Elves either.

Kavin's accessment of the importance of Gutter Runners is dead on. Once you can form a 4 Gutter Runner ratpack you can swarm the ball on defence and score off the bat on offense.

AV 7 teams have won the Thunderbowl 11/21 times: 4 Skaven teams, 1 Norse, 5 Wood Elves, 1 Pro Elf Team and a Vampire team. 


Harbinger
June 12, 2009
2 years 33 weeks

Game on... perhaps

If things work out I could play and exibition game against you on saturday. I have a game at 8am and none after that due to my game 10 going to a wedding. I've got other things on the go for that day but we could play it by ear.


dminer
June 15, 2009
2 years 33 weeks

Never made it

Wasn't able to make it sorry, I had to be reminded that my wife was gone all weekend to a stagette for one of her friends, that left me at home with my son all weekend.  I do hope to make it out sometime soon.  I'll make a decision on the August upcoming season soon.  I may be just learning on the fly in my first season.