[Tactics] Are there teams that need more/less stat rolls ?

[Captain Thorrek]

To be honest, if I rolled boxcars on my elf players for skill rolls, I'd take Guard instead of the strength increase. It's less bloat and there's the possibility of more ST 4 hits to go around that way. Now if the player already has guard and likes bashing that much, I'd give him the ST increase, then blodge, and tackle if he can fit it.

[Lebe666]

I have a Str 4 Pro-Elf... he must be worth it... bash teams make quite an effort to blitz or foul him

[Barmution]

Originally Posted by Captain Thorrek

To be honest, if I rolled boxcars on my elf players for skill rolls, I'd take Guard instead of the strength increase. It's less bloat and there's the possibility of more ST 4 hits to go around that way. Now if the player already has guard and likes bashing that much, I'd give him the ST increase, then blodge, and tackle if he can fit it.

Seriously? I think you underestimate the potential of a ST4, AG4 blodging ball-carrier. Your goal as an elf is usually not to maximize the number of blocks, it's to get to the end-zone alive.

[Nikolai II]

Others say that the goal of an elf is not to get to the endzone - the endzone is just a detour in a game-long struggle to prevent the opponent from reaching the elf endzone.

And guard can easily allow two blocks when ST4 allows only one.

In short: Elves can score - they are bad at stalling or defending, since if you keep dodging people back your opponent will reach the endzone sooner or later - you need to fight back.

That said, on a Blitzer/Dancer/Witch/Cather I'd take ST4 every day (or if rolled on a skilled lineman that already has block/wrestle, if it is the first ST boost on the team)

The ability to do blitzes without assists means it saves people for stealing the ball afterwards, an ability that increases the amount of defensive touchdowns.

[Barmution]

Originally Posted by Nikolai II

Others say that the goal of an elf is not to get to the endzone - the endzone is just a detour in a game-long struggle to prevent the opponent from reaching the elf endzone.

I'll have to admit that I stand corrected here.

[Lebe666]

Very true... the elven game is mastered in the defense...

[Jasper]

Having a single ST 4 player on an elf team is easily worth the 20TV over Guard. Sure, Guard is great, but when your opponent also has Guard or higher ST it only goes so far.

ST 4 lets you blitz most players without an assist, freeing a player for elsewhere and giving you more scope to attack the ball while still maintaining the columns of your defense.

Combined with a few elves with Guard it also lets you get more "bashing density", which may for example let you 2d block down the line of scrimmage on offense, where Guard alone might force you to start off with a 1d block.

Also, one player with ST 4 is easier to dodge through a screen to seize an opportunity than having to also dodge in an assist.

ST 4 players are also great to mark other players.