Normal skill on a Block/MB Golem

[TalonBay]

The first choice seems to be Guard, combos well with stand firm and gives teammates some much needed help...however, I've run into a lot of piling on while playing (with different teams) online recently and it's been crazy effective, am I better off going the MB/PO route?

[mattgslater]

Golem? Nah. Give POMB to a Wight. Golems are space-eaters.

[JJB]

I agree with Guard and mattgslater above.

Phrasing it in another way:
- using piling on means you have to get back up afterwards. You'd better do it with a player who has average rather than little movement.
- piling on is an "investment" of a player's ability to respond at the next turn, so you'll want to use that skill on more important opposing players if you can, rather than just the next one you can reach. So again, the PO skill should be given to somebody with at least average movement if possible.

[Smurf]

Guard... it has standfirm anyway.

[SunDevil]

GUARD! No Pile On for a player with such low AG and MV.

[DixonCider]

guard or grab

[Hitonagashi]

I'd say you want Guard and PO. Guard is clearly better...but PO will get to the combination quicker. As ever with skill choices, it's your call which order you take.

I don't think PO is the end of the world on Golems. Especially in a Box esque environment, it can be very useful to lie down just to avoid the counter clawbomb blitz.

[MattDakka]

Guard.

[mattgslater]

Guard is clearly better....

Guard. Players come and go. W/L records are forever. Better skill now, always or almost always.

[Hitonagashi]

Guard is clearly better....

Guard. Players come and go. W/L records are forever. Better skill now, always or almost always.

Sure, in a perpetual league.

Seasonal stuff is more fluid..if you have 3-4 easy games against fragile opposition coming up, you might be able to have your cake and eat it too. A worse skill doesn't automatically cost you a game.

[Drool_bucket]

Guard or Grab.

I do favor Grab if you have Guard wights/other Golem/Double'd Zombie cause Grab/Standfirm on a team with two MV 8 Frenzy players is nice. Lots of crowd surfs.

[Iranian Spy]

+1 Guard

[mattgslater]

Guard or Grab.

I do favor Grab if you have Guard wights/other Golem/Double'd Zombie cause Grab/Standfirm on a team with two MV 8 Frenzy players is nice. Lots of crowd surfs.

I love doing this, but in perpetual play, go Guard first. There will be time enough for fun stuff when you've handled the important things.

[Necro10c]

The discussion seems to be going for either guard, grab or piling on, but I believe that you really need to analyse the league you are in, and the opponents you'll face as well as how you play the team.

If you are the big baddie in the league, and are feared for your ability to take out players, and have enough guard on your team I would go P.O.

If you are facing teams that are just as bashing or more, or you are struggling to get 2 dice blocks, get guard. It is a good all-around skill that will be helpful in various situations.

If you are practising pitch-control or need it for 1-turn TDs, pick grab. It'll assist you more than you can imagine with a Stand Firm guy like the Golem. Also great for crowd surfing!

If you are playing a lot of agile team or your team needs it, choose tackle. Having a str. 4, SF, tackle piece on your dodging elves is at least unnerving for any elf coach. Furthermore it is great for your cage corners and usable for getting blodgers down, combined effectively with MB.

Cheerio,
Necro10c

[spubbbba]

It has to be guard.

Short term guard is better than MB, though MB has the advantage of getting you to the 3rd skill that much quicker. But Necros need all the guard they can get since ghouls and wolves are a big fragile to be using for assists and zombies need doubles.

That leaves you with the Golems and since they are usually right in the middle of scrums then they gain the most benefit from it. It combines well with block and SF and since he already has MB it may make opposing teams wary on man marking him.