First tourney with Norse - Greenstone Cup
Posted: Tue Sep 16, 2014 12:24 am
The weekend just past saw my virgin tourney with Norse, in Auckland, New Zealand, held most appropriately atop an "inn" (= local pub/family hotel). 18 coaches in the end, including a lot of new faces and 2 ladies. A little playtesting led me to the following roster (TV110 plus skills):
2 Ulfs with Block
2 Runners
1 'Zerk with Dodge
2 Throwers with Block and Leader
7 Linos
2 RR
GAME 1: Won 1-0 against Orcs (CAS: 3-2). A new and enthusiastic opponent. Orcs are always a worry for Norse, with that huge AV differential (a reason I took 14 players). Received, got an early CAS (Orc Blitzer), scored on turn 5. My opponent then started his first offensive drive with a Stun and 3 KOs. Somehow I managed to put just enough pressure on the ball to stop him scoring. In the second half, an Orc Blitzer with Dodge caught the kick-off, but I managed to put a lot of pressure on the ball. Meanwhile I got another 2 CAS (Bitzer and Lineorc), and by the end had surfed 2 Blitzers, meaning my opponent had no Blitzers left. I seized the ball and thought I would be able to score, but a rookie Lineorc sacked the ball with an uphill blitz, and the score stayed at 1-0.
GAME 2: Lost 0-2 against Pact (CAS: 0-1). An old foe. I made 3 "minor" positional errors in this game and was duly punished with a thumping loss. The game started very well, I got a Blitz! combined with a kick to the far corner. I pushed both Runners forward, allowing me to sack and stun the ball carrier (Lewdgrip) on my first proper turn, but the ball scattered favourably for my opponent. A long scramble ensued, my players flew into the dugout (5 or 6 of them), my opponent remembered to move the ball just in time, scoring on turn 8. I then had a one-turn-score attempt, which failed dismally (the first block was Both Down/Pow, re-rolled to Double Skulls, another player to the dugout). I managed to get 11 players onto the pitch for the second half, picked up the ball on turn 9, made a GFI with the ball carrier on turn 10, it failed (double 1), and 3 players immediately flew into the dugout. 0-1 down, with 8 players vs. 11, and with my opponent having caged the ball, the game was effectively over at this point.
GAME 3: Won 3-0 against Skaven (CAS: 0-0). A new and enthusiastic opponent, who chose to kick. I duly punished him with an 8-turn grind, then had to survive a one-turn-drive which turned into two turns thanks to a riot. In the second half, I manged to turn my opponent over twice, to score once with each of the Runners.
GAME 4: Won 2-1 against Orcs (CAS: 2-6). Orcs again (at least I only played Orcs twice, one hapless coach had to play against all 4 Orc teams). A new and enthusiastic lady opponent with a neatly painted team. I knew I would be in for a great game, and I was not disappointed. I kicked, my opponent failed the first pick-up, and I put immediate pressure on the ball, leading to a turnover score. On their first offensive drive, the Orcs started to mash me, but I somehow managed a shut-out. In the second half, I managed an orthodox running TD, but then got obliterated on the last drive, which saw a consolation score for my opponent. Probably a much closer game than my opponent realised.
GAME 5: Won 2-1 against Lizzies (CAS: 1-2). An old foe from my own club, indeed we had had a practice game 2 days before the tourney, which saw the same result. I kicked, but things went badly for my opponent, who failed to dent my team. I stunned 1 Saurus and knocked down a good few players, while blocking the ball from being moved forward. Another Saurus was Badly Hurt on a 1-die block, this helped a lot, after a long scramble I managed to get the ball and scored with quite a bit of luck at about the 3rd attempt (5/18 chance) on turn 8. The second half saw me with 11 players vs. 9, I took advantage and ground down the pitch, but was forced to score before i wanted to. My opponent scored back, and with 2 turns to go, I had only to secure the ball and keep it safe. Luckily I was alert to a Blitz, and deployed 6 men deep. The Blitz! duly came, my opponent swarmed the ball, then my Sure Hands Thrower failed to pick it up! Nightmare! I somehow survived when my opponent forgot he still had a RR remaining (I forgot too, alas, otherwise I would have reminded him), then for safety I picked up the ball with my Blodge 'Zerk. He survived the 4 dice of blocks on the last turn to give me the win.
GAME 6: Won 2-0 against Underworld (CAS: 4-2). A new opponent, but a very experienced and wily coach, who had occupied the first board for rounds 2-5 of the tourney. Expecting a hard-fought game, it was not to be. I received (a great toss to win) and immediately KOd 2 Linegobbos. Shielding the ball cautiously, I had to survive the depredations of Skitter, who was Stabbing away quite merrily (and quite effectively too). A failed Stab allowed me a Block, which CASd Skitter, making my job much easier. I isolated the Troll for most of the half, continued to put players in the dugout, and scored an easy turn 8 TD. A one-turn-score attempt by my opponent failed in comical fashion when all 3 players who might have picked up the ball were Stunned by a Pitch Invasion (I had +2 Fame). In the second half, my opponent was a player short (and Skitter and 2 Skaven were in the dugout IIRC). This helped me put pressure on the ball, my opponent was forced to take risks, they failed, I seized the ball, and held on for a turn 16 grinding score. My opponent had a few longshot chances to sack my ball carrier, they all failed. Whereas I could do little wrong in this match. My opponent finished with 5 players on the pitch and 10 in the dugout, including the Troll.
SUMMARY: 5 wins and a loss, TDs: 10-4, CAS: 10-13. I finished in 2nd place on tie-break, entirely fair as I would have had by far the easier playing schedule (I did not play against the coaches who finished 1st and 3rd). My last round win allowed a club-mate to sneak into 3rd place, which was nice. All my opponents were enthusiastic and very sporting, this bodes very well for the future of Blood Bowl in Auckland. I had a blast. The roster worked very well, it seemed very well balanced, every player played their appointed part, all the positionals were outstanding, perhaps especially the Ulfs.
[Edit: I forgot to mention that the "final" (deciding match at board 1) was Humans vs. Humans, a rare event! The winner succeeded at his 9th attempt with Humans in this tourney (in the other 2 tourneys he was not playing, being the organiser). My prize was very neat, a much needed Snow Troll figurine! Although I don't rate the SnoT, he can work well in some tourney formats or as a Merc.]
2 Ulfs with Block
2 Runners
1 'Zerk with Dodge
2 Throwers with Block and Leader
7 Linos
2 RR
GAME 1: Won 1-0 against Orcs (CAS: 3-2). A new and enthusiastic opponent. Orcs are always a worry for Norse, with that huge AV differential (a reason I took 14 players). Received, got an early CAS (Orc Blitzer), scored on turn 5. My opponent then started his first offensive drive with a Stun and 3 KOs. Somehow I managed to put just enough pressure on the ball to stop him scoring. In the second half, an Orc Blitzer with Dodge caught the kick-off, but I managed to put a lot of pressure on the ball. Meanwhile I got another 2 CAS (Bitzer and Lineorc), and by the end had surfed 2 Blitzers, meaning my opponent had no Blitzers left. I seized the ball and thought I would be able to score, but a rookie Lineorc sacked the ball with an uphill blitz, and the score stayed at 1-0.
GAME 2: Lost 0-2 against Pact (CAS: 0-1). An old foe. I made 3 "minor" positional errors in this game and was duly punished with a thumping loss. The game started very well, I got a Blitz! combined with a kick to the far corner. I pushed both Runners forward, allowing me to sack and stun the ball carrier (Lewdgrip) on my first proper turn, but the ball scattered favourably for my opponent. A long scramble ensued, my players flew into the dugout (5 or 6 of them), my opponent remembered to move the ball just in time, scoring on turn 8. I then had a one-turn-score attempt, which failed dismally (the first block was Both Down/Pow, re-rolled to Double Skulls, another player to the dugout). I managed to get 11 players onto the pitch for the second half, picked up the ball on turn 9, made a GFI with the ball carrier on turn 10, it failed (double 1), and 3 players immediately flew into the dugout. 0-1 down, with 8 players vs. 11, and with my opponent having caged the ball, the game was effectively over at this point.
GAME 3: Won 3-0 against Skaven (CAS: 0-0). A new and enthusiastic opponent, who chose to kick. I duly punished him with an 8-turn grind, then had to survive a one-turn-drive which turned into two turns thanks to a riot. In the second half, I manged to turn my opponent over twice, to score once with each of the Runners.
GAME 4: Won 2-1 against Orcs (CAS: 2-6). Orcs again (at least I only played Orcs twice, one hapless coach had to play against all 4 Orc teams). A new and enthusiastic lady opponent with a neatly painted team. I knew I would be in for a great game, and I was not disappointed. I kicked, my opponent failed the first pick-up, and I put immediate pressure on the ball, leading to a turnover score. On their first offensive drive, the Orcs started to mash me, but I somehow managed a shut-out. In the second half, I managed an orthodox running TD, but then got obliterated on the last drive, which saw a consolation score for my opponent. Probably a much closer game than my opponent realised.
GAME 5: Won 2-1 against Lizzies (CAS: 1-2). An old foe from my own club, indeed we had had a practice game 2 days before the tourney, which saw the same result. I kicked, but things went badly for my opponent, who failed to dent my team. I stunned 1 Saurus and knocked down a good few players, while blocking the ball from being moved forward. Another Saurus was Badly Hurt on a 1-die block, this helped a lot, after a long scramble I managed to get the ball and scored with quite a bit of luck at about the 3rd attempt (5/18 chance) on turn 8. The second half saw me with 11 players vs. 9, I took advantage and ground down the pitch, but was forced to score before i wanted to. My opponent scored back, and with 2 turns to go, I had only to secure the ball and keep it safe. Luckily I was alert to a Blitz, and deployed 6 men deep. The Blitz! duly came, my opponent swarmed the ball, then my Sure Hands Thrower failed to pick it up! Nightmare! I somehow survived when my opponent forgot he still had a RR remaining (I forgot too, alas, otherwise I would have reminded him), then for safety I picked up the ball with my Blodge 'Zerk. He survived the 4 dice of blocks on the last turn to give me the win.
GAME 6: Won 2-0 against Underworld (CAS: 4-2). A new opponent, but a very experienced and wily coach, who had occupied the first board for rounds 2-5 of the tourney. Expecting a hard-fought game, it was not to be. I received (a great toss to win) and immediately KOd 2 Linegobbos. Shielding the ball cautiously, I had to survive the depredations of Skitter, who was Stabbing away quite merrily (and quite effectively too). A failed Stab allowed me a Block, which CASd Skitter, making my job much easier. I isolated the Troll for most of the half, continued to put players in the dugout, and scored an easy turn 8 TD. A one-turn-score attempt by my opponent failed in comical fashion when all 3 players who might have picked up the ball were Stunned by a Pitch Invasion (I had +2 Fame). In the second half, my opponent was a player short (and Skitter and 2 Skaven were in the dugout IIRC). This helped me put pressure on the ball, my opponent was forced to take risks, they failed, I seized the ball, and held on for a turn 16 grinding score. My opponent had a few longshot chances to sack my ball carrier, they all failed. Whereas I could do little wrong in this match. My opponent finished with 5 players on the pitch and 10 in the dugout, including the Troll.
SUMMARY: 5 wins and a loss, TDs: 10-4, CAS: 10-13. I finished in 2nd place on tie-break, entirely fair as I would have had by far the easier playing schedule (I did not play against the coaches who finished 1st and 3rd). My last round win allowed a club-mate to sneak into 3rd place, which was nice. All my opponents were enthusiastic and very sporting, this bodes very well for the future of Blood Bowl in Auckland. I had a blast. The roster worked very well, it seemed very well balanced, every player played their appointed part, all the positionals were outstanding, perhaps especially the Ulfs.
[Edit: I forgot to mention that the "final" (deciding match at board 1) was Humans vs. Humans, a rare event! The winner succeeded at his 9th attempt with Humans in this tourney (in the other 2 tourneys he was not playing, being the organiser). My prize was very neat, a much needed Snow Troll figurine! Although I don't rate the SnoT, he can work well in some tourney formats or as a Merc.]