The DE runner...

[Smeborg]

I think it is a matter of taste whether to develop the DE Runner as a true Dumpster or not. Certainly it makes the team even more annoying to play against. This has to be quite a strong recommendation in itself.

The main downside of the Dumpster route (for me) is the number of skills needed (a minimum of say 4: NoS, Pass on one Runner and NoS, Catch on the other). Without such skills, dumping off is not reliable. These skills displace bread-and-butter skills (e.g. Dodge) which may be more useful in general play.

A secondary downside is that a Dumpster increases the fragility of the team (compared to Block, Dodge etc. on an AV7 player).

I think playing environment is quite important, especially the number of games you expect to play. The longer the league, the more appealing a true Dumpster becomes, I suspect. As with any highly specialised player, TV effectiveness may also come into question, especially if the Dumpster sits on the bench on defense.

I find with DEs that I often run the ball with other players for SPP farming, which militates against a proper Dumpster strategy. I prefer a more generalised development with 2-3 skills on every player, something that seems to work particularly well for DEs. Again, a matter of taste.

Lastly, as a Nurgle coach, I have to point out that Disturbing Presence is particularly effective against Dump Off, meaning it is not quite a universal skill. D-Pres exists in small doses outside of the Nurgle team (Snow Troll, Icepelt, Fezglitch). Even 1 player with D-Pres can alter the odds of a successful dump off quite significantly.

All the best.

[nick_nameless]

If you are going down the DO route Wrestle is much better than Block since you put the blitzing player prone so they can't carry on moving.

Agreed, with skills like Jump Up, Dodge, Side Step, Nerves, Accurate, Pass, Diving Catch all coming into consideration between the two runners (I like two together), and skills like tackle and diving tackle is you want the player to be a dual threat.

I can't say which build is best....haven't gotten to use them all extensively yet.

[dode74]

If you are going down the DO route Wrestle is much better than Block since you put the blitzing player prone so they can't carry on moving.

I disagree. It puts the blitzing player down but does nothing to his mate who runs in behind him and gets a TZ on your new BC. With block then you remain standing and force the opponent to roll to dodge no matter what his positioning.

[Smeborg]

Reading this thread has made me realise that one of the reasons I like playing DEs is because they are Elves who do not play a passing game. Perhaps that is why I do not develop the Runner(s) as Throwers or Dumpsters, because doing so would make them more like the other Elven teams.

[KFoged]

Reading this thread has made me realise that one of the reasons I like playing DEs is because they are Elves who do not play a passing game. Perhaps that is why I do not develop the Runner(s) as Throwers or Dumpsters, because doing so would make them more like the other Elven teams.

Yeah, i'm so much in line with that (have pass on him, for just making the side shifte with a little pass safer), but after that no passing skills.

If i would pass the ball, i could play my HE's!

[DoubleSkulls]

Reading this thread has made me realise that one of the reasons I like playing DEs is because they are Elves who do not play a passing game. Perhaps that is why I do not develop the Runner(s) as Throwers or Dumpsters, because doing so would make them more like the other Elven teams.

I always think of Dumpsters as a specifically DE build which the other elves don't normally go for.

[Smeborg]

I always think of Dumpsters as a specifically DE build which the other elves don't normally go for.

I think HEs have a better (faster) Dumpster build.