Ernst-August-Bowl

Roster

The tournament was played with the world cup IV rules, but in revers order, which meant that the teams would lose skills as the tournament went on.

2 Blitzers (2xDodge)
3 Catchers (2xDodge, Wrestle+Frenzy*)
Thrower (Leader*)
6 Linemen (Wrestle**,Dodge**)
Apo
2 RRs

* = Removed after game 4
** = Removed after game 2

Game 1 vs Lizardmen

First game of the tournament and I was up against Junior84, a good coach who knows what he's doing with lizardmen. The lizardmen were also at their strongest in game 1 and 2. I would much rather have faced them later in the tournament.

Pro elf defense

I started the game defending and the first half was more or less a text book lizardmen offence where they scored in turn 8. I managed to make it a bit tricky and my opponent had to throw some GFIs to secure the cage in a couple of turns, but nothing failed. I didn't manage to score a OTTD and the half ended 0-1.

For my drive, I tried to stall as much as I could, but still leave me enough turns to hopefully steal the ball back for a win. I scored with a couple of turns left and tried to split the lizardmen team in two halves. The picture below shows the blitz on the lizard in the bottom right (next to my wrestle lineman) to open up a hole for the evles to flood through. 

Blitz to break through and dicid the lizardmen team

This would enable me to score and win the game if something failed in Junior84's turn, ie failed hand off or dodge. Nothing failed and the lizardmen managed to score the winning touchdown instead. In hindsight, maybe I should have gone for the skink next to the boneheaded kroxigor, to try to knock the hand off target down instead, but that would probably have meant giving up on the potential win.

End 1-2

Game 2 vs Skaven

I don't remember too much from this game other than me having quite good dice and I managed to get some rats off the field. This enabled me to funnel the rats towards the sideline and pinn them there. This stopped his drive and I could score a defensive touchdown.

Rats pinned on the sideline and in trouble

I could then score in my drive as well and the game ended in 2-0 win.

Pro elves moving up the board for a 2-0 victory

End 2-0

Game 3 vs Wood Elves

I usually don't get worked up during a game of blood bowl, but this one was really frustrating. I couldn't break AV7, but he could and he used the GW wood elf team (except for the catchers), painted everything white and told me that the linemen with their hand down was the catchers. I was confused where the catchers were and got annoyed. Tilted, yes and not his fault. I played badly and lost the game 1-3.

Future opponents, please mark/paint your base rims in different colours if you insist on doing a mono colour scheme on your team. It's hard to tell if a hand is up or down from across the table when the whole team is just white. Making out the hands can be difficult enough. This is not how you should win a game of blood bowl (I'm not saying that this was the only reason that my opponent won).

End 1-3

Game 4 vs High Elves

I was up against a newer coach and he made an error in turn 1, which meant that I could blitz his ball carrier by passing a 2+ dodge, which I did. He then managed to get the ball back deep in his half and a fight for the ball occupied both teams for a couple of turns. I got it in the end and stall the rest of the half. 

Pro elf defense

I then stalled in my drive and the game ended in a solid 2-0 victory.

End 2-0

Game 5 vs Dark Elves

Once again up against a newer coach and I even ended up coaching my opponent, giving him some tips along the way. I kicked to start the game and lost a couple of elves, which meant that it was hard to keep him out of the endzone. Did mange to force him to score early though and could score before half time.

Pro elf defense

I then stalled as much as I could and ended up giving him two turns, but managed to stop the score.

End 2-1

Game 6 vs Skaven

Last game of the tournament and I was yet again up against skaven. My opponent started with the ball and I could get him to score early. However, in my offense he managed to dodge through my screen and get a double pow on my ball carrier and of course a second gutter runner got through and got the ball, passed it to a third gutter, which was then off for a defensive score.

Pro elf defense

I then answered by scoring two times in the second half, ending the tournament with a draw.

End 2-2

Summary

I ended the tournament on a 3-1-2 record, which I wasn't that happy with. I was told to play pro elves as I was considered for the Swedish national team with them and I just needed one good tournament to make the cut. Sadly, this wasn't it as I needed at least four wins, which made the last game even more upsetting, with the ridiculous sack on my ball carrier (but it happens and my opponent was right in going for it).

I like pro elves, but I regretted not taking slann, which was my original plan, as I had so much fun with them at the world cup IV.

Currently, I'm a bit feed up with elves and I'm looking forward to playing more AG3-based team like slann, lizardmen, skaven and undead/necro. 

Krush Kill N Destroy IV

Roster

2 Blitzers (2xDodge)
3 Catchers (2x(Dodge+Block), Wrestle)
Thrower (Leader)
6 Linemen
Apo
2 RRs

Game 1 vs Humans

Up against the beloved Peterd and his humans, which meant that this was going to be a tough game. I've played Peterd eight times (this game included) and won none. Four of our games have been draws and this game was too.

I don't remember the exact order of events, but it was 1-1 going in to my turn 16 and I received the ball. A riot was rolled and I knew that I had a chance at finally winning a game vs Peter.

Action from the game

A catcher got the ball and went up the field, in to scoring range. All I needed to do was to establish a screen for my ball carrier and I started by doding a catcher out and, snakes! Peter could then blitz my ball carrier and the game ended in a draw.

Action from the game

End 1-1

Game 2 vs Chaos Dwarves

I started the game on defense, which I like and my opponent hadn't played much against pro elves. He had trouble with my blitzers and their side step. I could funnel him and eventually chain push his ball carrier out to a position where I could get the ball and score. I then scored quickly in the second half and put a tone of pressure on and managed to steal the ball yet again.

Defending in the first half

End 3-0

Game 3 vs Dark Elves

Up against Sprinter and his dark elves. Quite similar rosters, but Sprinter had AV8 in larger numbers than I had. He decided to receive first, which was a surprise to me, but as he explained after the game, he did so to be able to control the game in the sense of having 1-0 at half time and then force the opponent to either go for a draw or an early score and steal. I hadn't thought about it this way before, but it makes sense against lower AV7 teams in that a numbers advantage should be achievable, which should then secure the draw or enable the win. Kind of like a reversed grind.

Pro elves on their way to 1-1

It went as expected and I was forced to score early in the second half, but managed to defend quite well. Sprinter had to go for a potato play with one of his witches. I managed to run her down and get the ball on the ground. Sadly, I didn't break her armour and she was still in scoring range with jump up. I even went for a foul with two assist, but couldn't roll above a five. Sprinter then managed to get to the ball and pass the ball to the witch in turn 16. So disappointing as I should have been able to break her armour and the game would have ended in a draw, which would have been fair, in my view.

End 1-2

Game 4 vs Vampires

I was up against an opponent that in my view didn't play vampires as they should be played. The skills were also a bit weird. Long story short, I scored four times and wasn't really threatened at all.

End 4-0

Summary

I was quite happy with the tournament, only losing due to that failed foul. Pro elves are fun to play, but I usually feel that something is missing for them to really shine. The blodger route might not be the answer.