[Slann] 5-5 on a Catcher, 170k in the bank

[Sword of Solkan]

One one my catchers skilled up after tonight's match and rolled a double 5, which presents some interesting options. He's now Level 3, and already has Dodge.

Block feels like the sensible choice. Slann catchers might as well have targets painted on their backs, and Block + Dodge would give this skilled player some extra survivability.

+MV would bring him up to a majestic MV8. All the better for running in those TDs.

Pass or HMP would give some extra versatility for moving the ball around the pitch. However, I'm not convinced that this is a good second skill after Dodge.

We've also got 170k in the bank.

I'm tempted to go for a Kroxigor to give the team some extra punch. I've been lucky to avoid permanent injuries so far, and my team are normally heavily outnumbered by the end of the match (I had 4 players left on the pitch at the end of today's game... and that was against Halflings!) A Kroxigor would add some staying power.

The alternative would be to buy another 2 Catchers for extra versatility in moving the ball around. This could work especially well with the Pass skill.

My current roster is 7 Linemen, 2 Catchers, 2 Blitzers. One of the Linemen has Guard, both Catchers now have Dodge and one of the Blitzers has Block.

Thoughts?

[Jimmy Fantastic]

Ma/Guard, Krox

[Chris]

Guard. Hop it wherever it is needed.

[MattDakka]

+MA.

[Sword of Solkan]

Thanks for the replies. Why would you go for +Ma over Block?

Guard's an interesting suggestion, but I'm leery of leaving a ST2 Catcher in base-to-base contact with the opposition.

[stashman]

MA8 and hope for another 10

Then MA9 and sprint for a one-turner

[Joemanji]

Thanks for the replies. Why would you go for +Ma over Block?

Guard's an interesting suggestion, but I'm leery of leaving a ST2 Catcher in base-to-base contact with the opposition.

Guard or +MA.

You can take Block on any skill roll. Guard and MA are possibly one offs.

As for putting him in contact - no point keeping him alive if you lose. A 2+ roll to put a Guard in for your leaping blitz is absolutely priceless. And if it works, your opponent is likely to be too busy trying to recover the ball to concentrate on killing him. Block next of course, surviving is useful too.

[Loki]

Thanks for the replies. Why would you go for +Ma over Block?

Guard's an interesting suggestion, but I'm leery of leaving a ST2 Catcher in base-to-base contact with the opposition.

Guard or +MA.

You can take Block on any skill roll. Guard and MA are possibly one offs.

As for putting him in contact - no point keeping him alive if you lose. A 2+ roll to put a Guard in for your leaping blitz is absolutely priceless. And if it works, your opponent is likely to be too busy trying to recover the ball to concentrate on killing him. Block next of course, surviving is useful too.

+1

[Sandwich]

I've got an MA9 catcher on a FUMBBL team. As MA8 he scored 2 one-turn touchdowns and generally caused a nuisance. Taking the next +MA was an easy chioce... he's only played one game since and he got MNG'd (twice... apo saved him first time), but I can strongly recommend the movement.

On the other hand... I also have guard on a different catcher... and that's pretty useful as well.

As for the cash: you probably want more catchers (all 4 asap really) and you definitely want a krox, so whichever. Maybe just get one catcher for now until he skills up, so you've less unskilled ST2 on the pitch to protect...

[Gaixo]

I would only pass on Guard for a ST increase. Guard catchers are the key to the team in my experience.

[Sword of Solkan]

This is an interesting one – I hadn’t even considered taking Guard on a Catcher before starting this thread.

Do you find that the increased reward of breaking a few more cages justifies the risks of putting an expensive but squishy player in situations where he’s going to get splatted?

We’re talking about an 80k, Level 3 player – if he gets taken off the pitch then I’ll only have one Catcher for the rest of the match (which will take a bite out of my ability to score). If he takes a stat-break then it will take an average of 2 games to scrape together the money to replace him (and even longer to skill up a replacement).

By my calculation, the odds of leaping in my Lineman with Guard followed by a second Lineman (i.e. 2 3+ rolls) are 45% (74% with a reroll). The odds of leaping in the Catcher and then a Lineman (2+ followed by a 3+) are 56% (83% with a reroll). And the Lineman’s more resilient, less expensive and will leave less of a dent in the team if he’s taken off the pitch.

Just want to be sure that I understand the trade-off before committing.

Edit: Probabilities now the right way around.

[Darkson]

You odds are the wrong way round - no way a 3+/3+ is more likely than 2+/3+.

And you're not taking into account the actual block. Assuming you get a 2D, and need a Pow/Pow!, then using the catcher gives an over all success of 31% (60% with RR), using the lino gives 25% (52% with RR).
http://www.elyoukey.com/sac/

[lunchmoney]

3+/3+ is 44.4% (74.1% with reroll)
2+/3+ is 55.6% (83.3% with reroll).

[Shteve0]

Guard, all the way. Live fast, die young, leave a good looking corpse.

[Sword of Solkan]

You odds are the wrong way round - no way a 3+/3+ is more likely than 2+/3+.

That's what I'm saying!

3+/3+ = 45% (74% with a reroll)
2+/3+ = 56% (83% with a reroll)

But the trade-off for that extra 11% is throwing in a more expensive and squishier player.