Crush the stinkin' pointy ears!

[Tzeentch Lover]

So my line up of teams I need to face this month is(in no set order), High Elves, Elves, and Dark Elves.

Any pointers or tips for a budding Goblin player? I don't know what their teams are, but mine is:

10xGoblins
Fanatic
Bombardier
Loony
Pogoer
2xTrolls
2xRe-rolls
4xFan-factor

We are running the league with fresh legs(first two games, Dead! players only miss the next game) and we are allowed up to three extra games(with any player in the league) outside of the ones we are set for money only(no star player points and injuries carry over).

[jlmb_123]

Looking at that list, I think I'd drop the amount of Fan Factor and take more Re-rolls instead (if not drop the Fan Factor all together, although you may need it to generate cash as your players die in horrible ways and need to be replaced), they're absolutely essential to a Goblin team. Although I'm not a huge fan of a 'mathhammer' approach to gaming, it may be worth while maximising the amount of players you have, and drop a couple of the special weapons players in favour of more basic Goblins, probably the Bombardier and maybe the Fanatic. With all of those Elf teams, you may see some early scores being put down against you, and then your special weapons players will be sent off.

As for tactics, I'd have thought that ganging up on individual Elves, knocking them over and then Fouling them would be a good way to go, whilst hoping that your Trolls stay active and bash a few themselves. The Elf teams will be small, whilst you'll have lots of replacements, so in the second half, if you've taken enough Elves out, you'll be able to run in a few cheap touchdowns to even the scores. You'll have to make sure you don't let your Goblins be caught on their own as well, so you may have to let the Elves score and get on with slapping them about until you've removed enough from the pitch. Perhaps trying the '2:1 Grind' may be useful, always allowing the Elves to receive the ball first, then holding onto it and causing damage when they've scored and you've received in turn.

If I were you, I'd save Pogoer and Loony for when you're receiving the ball - they'll be on the pitch for longer as you probably won't be able to score as quickly as the Elves, so you'll get most use out of them, scoring with the Pogoer and murdering with the Loony's chainsaw. The Fanatic may not be a huge amount of use, as he doesn't move far, and randomly at that, so the Elves will probably run away from him and he'll be left spinning on the line of scrimmage all alone, possibly knocking your Trolls over.

If you can, I'd also try to make your blocks (heavily weighted in your favour, of course, thanks to assists from ganging up) and your touchdowns with the same Goblins, as they can skill up a bit faster and you'll have something a bit more useful. As for skills, I can't be too helpful, but I'd have thought Diving Tackle and Dodge would be good bets compared to the other skills available, so that you've got some Goblins for marking and others outfitted as runners, and take Block if you roll doubles for advancement.

[Toffernz]

I am no expert on Dark Elves or High Elves but I have a Pro Elf team and I can say with confidence that you must jump on their catchers asap. Take them out however you can and you will put a severe dent in their tactical play and make it much much harder for them to score.

[Lord_Squinty]

I am no expert on Dark Elves or High Elves but I have a Pro Elf team and I can say with confidence that you must jump on their catchers asap. Take them out however you can and you will put a severe dent in their tactical play and make it much much harder for them to score.

But remember at the end of the day they're all still elves - so even a lineman can work as a decent catcher. Soo dont think that if you take out both catchers that the passing plays will stop.

[jlmb_123]

But remember at the end of the day they're all still elves - so even a lineman can work as a decent catcher. Soo dont think that if you take out both catchers that the passing plays will stop.

Absolutely, but I'd still concentrate on taking as many out as possible, the numbers game strikes me as an important part of the Goblin strategy. If your opponent is putting out less players on each drive, it limits his/her options.

[Oakwolf]

Indeed all elves can catch, but in that particular team, there's a much bigger threat from the catchers than the linelves.

The bonus movement, catch and especially nerves of steel make them seriously more likely to complete passes. Any pass that is accurate on them will be caught on 2+ (with free re-roll) no matter what is around. All they need is a square to dodge through and run along. They are prime targets for the looney.

The blitzers are the next serious pests with sidestep and 7 MA.

[Tzeentch Lover]

Progress Report!

So I played two of my three match up games and one of my optional games(for money only, and injuries carry over) and so far my team is:

10xGoblins(one with Block)
Looney
Fanatic
Bombardier
Pogoer
2xTrolls(One with Grab)
2xRe-rolls
5xFanfactor
Apothecary

190,000 in the Bank

Everyone's still healthy so far.

I lost my first game to a WE player 3 to 0. He was the Dark Elf player I mentioned eariler, but switched to WE at the last minute. The guy was a pro. He total out-maneuvered me and completely crushed me in the passing game.

The next game was against a rookie (generic)Elf player. He was making a lot of mistakes and I only beat him 1 to 0 because he did a decent job keeping my ball-carriers moving slow and I tried not to be too hard on him(he was repeatedly making mistakes like dodging into three tackle-zone over and over again).

The optional game was against a Norse player who was a fine player, but called the game at the end of the first half in order to minimize casualties(I had already almost got his Yhetee, a Blitzer, and two Lineman). He called it since he was not going to get SSPs or anything besides some money anyway. I got a big load of cash out of it though.

I'm thinking of grabbing another Re-roll.

I'm playing against the HE player this weekend.

[Oakwolf]

As a side note, Wood Elves fear goblins due to the chainsaw and fanatic.

Wardancers really must avoid your Looney, because it's one of the fiew pieces that can reliably stop them right on their first games. They will blitz the chap if they can though.

The Fanatic is not great against elves in general because they can dodge away, but wood elves sometimes field the one guy that they don't want to go down: the tree . This will free your trolls to move around.

Foul! You'll loose the game 90% of the time even against a new WE player, so why not make the elf gnash its teeth for its "easy win". If you kill or cripple 1 elf, we're talking of 70k a pop, minimum. That's about as much he can make if he wins.

VS HE, it's really the catchers you need to take out (a bit like pro elves). Just don't be in a hurry with your illegal weapons. Use the bomber on defense, so you don't have to move him up the field (costing you a bomb per turn, doing so).


Agreed: you need more re-rolls

[Toffernz]

Re-rolls win games

[Pokey ork]

Nice to see another BB coach enjoying the wee Gobbies. Pretty snazzy team you got so far but il add my two cents.

- I am not too sure how well the bomber has been performing for you, but in my experience I would suggest firing him and replace with a regular goblin. Your experience could have been drastically different from mine mind due, but thus far he has lost me several games more than he has won. In fact he has only won me one game while causing havoc to my own team almost ten fold more. Particularly vs elves.

- As has been said already, Gobbo vs Elf is a pretty poor matchup for the greenies, particularly with the full weapon load out, only the chainsaw being particularly powerful.

I would suggest starting as kicker and instead of focusing on defence, ignore the ball and try to wreck his lineup as much as possible and make him score quickly. Once this happens, set up appropriately to break through the middle but screen the side of the pitch where the ball has landed as Elves are notoriously unforgiving if you cough up the ball.

The one main advantage you do have over all the Elves bar perhaps the Wood Elves are your two trolls. Get both to mark at least two elves but don't separate them too far from each other and support them with goblins spaced two squares between each other, one baby-sitting a troll each. Force him to dodge as there is only so many 2+ he can make.

As what has been said already too, get that third re roll! Good luck with them gobbies.

[Tzeentch Lover]

Yeah, the bomber really has not done much for me against all this silly elves, but it was so funny to use during practice games against most other things

Another update.

I bought the 3rd re-roll before playing the High Elf player.

I played against the High Elf player and it was a very fun game. I got off to a bad start with my Looney falling on his chainsword(with re-roll) for my first move of the first turn and getting removed from the game and causing a turnover. He took advantage of it, raced in and scored pretty quickly. I spent the rest of 1st half trudging up the pitch to score an eventual Touchdown. During the second half he scored again, but I got really lucky with him fumbling a few vital throws and the ball bouncing into my arms and then racing off with it. I won 3-2. I got a 4th re-roll with the help of the winnings.

I played a money only game against a nurgle and it was pretty annoying. I was failing all my dodge rolls and his skills were killing me. Foul Appearance was basically a 2nd stupidity roll for my trolls to hit him and disturbing presence cost me my bombardier and I just couldn't play with the ball. I lost 1-2 with overtime. I did get a lot of money though and none of my players were really injured.

Oh, and I learned that my Pogoer is not a secret weapon(I've been playing him as such this whole time), which is really awesome!

Current standing:

10xGoblins(one with Block, three others have three SSPs)
Looney
Fanatic
Bombardier
Pogoer(With Sidestep)
2xTrolls(One with Grab)
4xRe-rolls
5xFanfactor
Apothecary

100,000 in the Bank

[jlmb_123]

Oh, and I learned that my Pogoer is not a secret weapon(I've been playing him as such this whole time), which is really awesome!

That really is, I'd not noticed he wasn't. The 3rd edition (or 3.5?) that comes with the boxed game lists it as one, so I've always assumed it is one without checking the skills in the stats carefully enough. Great find that man!

[Tzeentch Lover]

Well, I've got my line up for this month.

A Lizardmen team that has been doing fairly well. I know he's got a Kroxigor, 4 Saraus, and about 8 Skinks. I'm hoping to knock down the number of Skinks on the field quickly and pray to Mork that the bigger dinos don't murder my team.

A Dwarf team that has been doing very well. I'm pretty sure he's got some of everything(Slayers, Blitzers, Throwers) and I know he has the Deathrolla. I hope to give his Rolla a quick bomb(No Hands sucka! ) and get rid of it quick at least. Not sure what I'm going to do, really. I imagine my team is going to come out of this one pretty banged up.

Not sure what the third guy has, I'll find out soon though. I think it might be Norse.

Team pic!

[Lord_Squinty]

A quick Bomber tip Vs Elves (not everyone realises this so apologies if you already know)

You can throw the bomb to an empty square - so If those pesky Elfs keep catching it and throwing it back at you, then throw to the square in front of them, they cant catch or intercept Downside - you'll injure less and only on a 4+

[Tzeentch Lover]

I played a game against a Norse player for just money and my game against the Dwarf player.

The Norse player didn't have any werewolves or a yhettee, just a lot of throwers, blizters, catchers, and Linemen, so it was really annoying to play since I really could not get the advantage of numbers on him(the only real advantage Goblins have) and his whole team having block was killing me. I also made a rookie mistake of misjudging the timer and leaving my ball carrier standing alone going on my first turn. So he got a quick TD from the get go. I lost 3-1, but made his team suffer for it. I gave one of his Linemen(who had -1AV already) a Niggling Injury, my Rock'Em the Troll killed(Dead! dead) one of his Blitzers, and my Pogoer Fouled one of his catchers into a -1AV.

The dwarf game pretty much went as I thought it would. He had Block and Tackle all over the place and three guys with Guard so 3 out of 6 block results downed a goblin. He also had 3 guys with Guard so I was having a really hard time keeping my trolls up and hitting things too. My goblins were down pretty much the whole game and I had to keep them down so he wouldn't just knock them right back down again and maybe kill them. I lost 1-2. My only touchdown being my Pogoer leaping to the ball, picking it up on a 6, and getting far enough away for his slower guys to not be able to catch him,
Highlight of the game: a single downed goblin blitzing his catcher with the ball on his own and removing him from the pitch for this game and the next.

Thanks for the tip Lord_Squinty.

[Tzeentch Lover]

Also played against the third guy(which turned out to be necromancy team). It was a pretty close game and we went into overtime, but he had KOed a bunch of my gobbos before Overtime so I didn't have enough guys on the pitch to stop his Ghouls and Werewolves racing past and scoring.

Current team standing:

10xGoblins(One with Block(9SSPs), one with Wrestle(6SSPs), two with 2SSPs, one with 5SSPs, and one with 3SSPs)
Looney
Fanatic
Bombardier
Pogoer(With Sidestep and Sprint(16SSPs))
2xTrolls(One with Grab, the other has Guard(9SSPs on both))
5xRe-rolls
6xFanfactor
Apothecary

Bank: 100k
Team Value: 1,390k
No one injured or missing next game.