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Purplegoo



Joined: Mar 23, 2006

Post   Posted: Jan 16, 2015 - 19:32 Reply with quote Back to top

It’s time for Purplegoo’s Purple Picks; Road to the NAFC edition!

As the tournament continues, I’m going to be casting an eye over the big games of each round, culminating in the final and the race for the Stunty Cup. But before we even get going, I’m going to profile 10 entrants of interest. Some are competitive, some madcap, some interesting for other reasons; all teams to watch as the tournament goes on. Of course, if I’ve not profiled you you’re very likely still interesting! But here are a sprinkling of teams that have jumped out at me as I’ve accepted teams this week:

1. Sizzler - Norse - Crows of Loki

Here we go, then, let’s start at the top. For those unaware of the man, the legend, the Sizzler is the reigning and defending NAFC Champion. A night out culminating around 5 am on the Sunday morning did not stop his march to the 2014 title, and a more popular victor I’m yet to see. The Sizzler has brought Norse to the dance; very solid stuff, 12 men, Apo, MB Snow Troll and some Block Ulfs. Norse are very much the glass cannon; when it works, it really works, and when it doesn’t, AV7. Can the Sizzler overcome the frailties of his race and reign both tabletop and online? If so, I’m sure he’ll break out his patented dance maneuvers (search the Internet, it’s worth it…).

2. Tripleskull - Wood Elves - Oppers

Tripleskull is going to be a tough nut to crack. His Wood Elf build is very interesting; 4 Catchers over 3 + Thrower (the Thrower can be seen as a Leader caddy, this build drops the WE to 2 RR), and lots of Dodge for skill picks, even prioritising Dodge over a second WD skill, which drops to game 4. He’s also gone Block Treeman, not Guard Catcher, which is intriguing. I’ve played this coach / team combo before, and it is a nightmare pinning the Elves down as they run away reliably, almost all of them on 35/36 attempts. Trpleskull is a op coach (see what I’ve done there?!) with a great pedigree, expect him to go far and contest the sharp end.

3. FRSHMN - Skaven - Ma9 – Too Fast to Ketchup

Perhaps the most no holds barred, boom or bust, rock n’ roll team in the contest is FRSHMN’s Skaven. No re-rolls. No Apo. No Rat Ogre, no Storm Vermin, no fans. But what do we have? Gutters, Skitter and Hakflem. It is all out pace, and speed (as they say) kills. In order to cover for the lack of re-rolls, we have a Leader and two Pro Gutters in games 1-3. But is that enough? I somewhat suspect that these guys had better get ahead early, or it may be a long afternoon at the office when the ball is tucked up a Dwarf Runner jumper. It’s bold, it’s brave, it’s going to make for fascinating Blood Bowl. I’ll be watching these guys (peeking through a gap in my fingers)!

4. PeteW - Norse - Frenzy to Nottingham

It’s different to the Sizzler’s build, this. In what may as well have been titled ‘An ode to Crowdpushing’, Pete has gone all the way and induced Willhelm Chaney for maximum Frenzy privileges. This is really going to ruin someone’s afternoon. In an inevitable Norse race to the bottom, games will revolve around whether Pete can clear the pitch before his Norsemen become a red smear across the turf. I’d rather him than me! Chaney is one of the better bang for buck Stars for my money, expect him to be central to Pete’s plans.

5. azzroag - Undead - Road to nottingham

At the risk of offending lots of excellent French coaches, azzroag is surely the best coach never to play for France? The 1.1 M Undead conundrum is always whether to go 4 Ghouls, 12 players or 3 Ghouls, 13 players, and azzroag has chosen the more resilient (if slower) 13 man variant. He has the single Skeleton option (the professional’s choice – that extra MA point makes all of the difference when running 3 Ghouls), and a set of skills more solid than a brick wall. When the Block Mummy arrives in game 4, this roster is going to pack a punch, and the Tackle Wight / Sure Hands Ghoul combo is a Wood Elf disaster. Tasty.

6. Strider84 - Ogre - [RES] Weichier

Ogres, eh? Rubbish! Or are they? Strider has had success with this 4 Ogre, 3 RR roster, and with Bomber Dribblesnot induced as an ‘X factor’, it’s actually a lot more solid of a lineup than you first imagine Ogres would be. Traditionally, Ogres are underdogs even in the Stunty Cup running, but perhaps this is the way to do it? I’m going to be watching replays of these games on the basis I have yet to tick off Ogres on tabletop, I have many notes to take before I take my bow!

7. Topper - Amazon - Desperate Ladies

Topper is one of a few that have gone for a variant of this build. 1 RR, Thrower for Leader, lots of Dodge, Roxanna. If any race is going to be able to prop up a star, surely it’s Amazons? Cheap, Guard heavy, in built defence systems. The Roxanna build is boom or bust, and the coaches that have gone this way must be crossing their fingers for boom. If anyone can do it, perhaps it’s Topper…

8. SpecialOne - Lizardmen - Championship Tryouts

This is a great example of the strong Lizardman roster done properly. SpecialOne has gone for a 12th man over an Apo and a ‘bit’, and has also gone for one BT and 5 Block in all (others might go 2 : 4, which makes this roster interesting). Is he going to be able to keep that single BT mobile and available? Interestingly, it comes games 1-3 too, leaving 2 lots of Block to avoid turnovers early in the tournament. It’s a bold policy, but the strength of the roster should see SpecialOne into a good final position.

9. LuckyLysenko - Halfling /- Porky’s NAFC Rashers

Here is an example of the standard Halfling proposition. 2 Treemen, Deeproot and a Chef, and Halflings go from walk in the park to actually quite a tricky little problem to solve. Assuming they steal a couple of your re-rolls and the wall of ST6+ remains mobile, this is actually a royal pain in the backside. There will be more than one non Stunty team ruined by this build, and I look forward to ripples of spectator cheering as Deeproot pins 3 Black Orcs with a Halfling moonwalking into the endzone to win the game.

10. Nippylongskar - Dwarf - Khazad Drakk Detonators

Nippy is one of the great Blood Bowl innovators, and he is bringing his most celebrated creation to FUMBBL. The Diving Tackle Deathroller generates the same response every time it’s used. ‘What’s that?’ ‘A Diving Tackle Deathroller’ ‘Riiight’ (internally, mwhahaha: Disregard that guy. This coach is on several drugs). Only when the DT DR is then engaged does the opponent understand the gravity of the situation with which he is presented. I remember being on the end of this for the first time; it is a full on, non lubrication manoeuvre. A bone-fide genius, Nippy will wield his weaponry from games 4-6. Watch out! (I am looking forward to further favourites as online tournaments go on)

How will our 10 to watch get on? What are the big round 1 games going to be? Watch this space for more “analysis” (read ramblings)! Who is your favourite?
sann0638



Joined: Aug 09, 2010

Post   Posted: Jan 16, 2015 - 19:36 Reply with quote Back to top

Excellent.

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mrt1212



Joined: Feb 26, 2013

Post   Posted: Jan 16, 2015 - 19:43 Reply with quote Back to top

Excellent post and good commentary!

I will be really interested in FRSHMN's run.
straume



Joined: Dec 01, 2003

Post   Posted: Jan 16, 2015 - 19:44 Reply with quote Back to top

Great read!
PurpleChest



Joined: Oct 25, 2003

Post   Posted: Jan 16, 2015 - 19:45
FUMBBL Staff
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I, and I am sure many other FUMBBLers, am incredibly excited to see, learn and partake in this utterly new and different form of the game.

I feel like a total noob, staring up at that learning curve.

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PeteW



Joined: Aug 05, 2005

Post   Posted: Jan 16, 2015 - 20:18 Reply with quote Back to top

Haha. Very amused. I'm interested to see how i do too!

Zero RRs is where the real men hang out. I want flings first round so i can laugh at their chef. Very Happy

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Verminardo



Joined: Sep 27, 2006

Post   Posted: Jan 16, 2015 - 20:20 Reply with quote Back to top

Aw man, this is me bouncing my head on my desk for not being able to participate in what is probably the coolest thing to happen on Fumbbl this year. Why couldn't it have been two weeks later?
mrt1212



Joined: Feb 26, 2013

Post   Posted: Jan 16, 2015 - 20:39 Reply with quote Back to top

Verminardo wrote:
Aw man, this is me bouncing my head on my desk for not being able to participate in what is probably the coolest thing to happen on Fumbbl this year. Why couldn't it have been two weeks later?


You and me both! Lets just take fastidious notes so we can dominate next year Wink
Garion



Joined: Aug 19, 2009

Post   Posted: Jan 16, 2015 - 20:40 Reply with quote Back to top

mrt1212 wrote:
Verminardo wrote:
Aw man, this is me bouncing my head on my desk for not being able to participate in what is probably the coolest thing to happen on Fumbbl this year. Why couldn't it have been two weeks later?


You and me both! Lets just take fastidious notes so we can dominate next year Wink


ditto, sooooooo gutted I dont have time for this atm. looks like its shapping up to be an awesome event!!!!

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Purplegoo



Joined: Mar 23, 2006

Post   Posted: Jan 16, 2015 - 20:43 Reply with quote Back to top

Bear in mind this is the first in a series of events. You won't have to wait a year to plan an online NAF event, just this one. Wink
ahalfling



Joined: Aug 16, 2008

Post   Posted: Jan 16, 2015 - 21:06 Reply with quote Back to top

Personally, I'm going much more standard Norse -- three rerolls, no 12th man, block on everybody, crossing fingers that all that frenzy will make up for the lack of tackle games 1-3 and my experience with the roster will make up for the rest. I'm convinced we can win on the line against everyone, even dwarves and lizards, but the line isn't where we need to worry... (that woodie team looks like a nightmare!)

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(Hell, I ran a forward passing orc team back in the '90s. You probably shouldn't listen to me. Ever.)
giorss



Joined: Nov 22, 2007

Post   Posted: Jan 16, 2015 - 21:20 Reply with quote Back to top

what about Spartako and Joemanji? Very Happy

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Purplegoo



Joined: Mar 23, 2006

Post   Posted: Jan 16, 2015 - 21:40 Reply with quote Back to top

Feel free to analyse their chances. Wink
LuckyLysenko



Joined: Jan 16, 2014

Post   Posted: Jan 16, 2015 - 21:59 Reply with quote Back to top

Haha. Thanks for the mention of Porky's NAFC Rashers! We will indeed attempt to continue annoying Black Orcs and bucking trends...
Purplegoo



Joined: Mar 23, 2006

Post   Posted: Jan 17, 2015 - 00:00 Reply with quote Back to top

No worries. Go Rashers! Very Happy

Now we're underway, I'll break down some round one action later in the weekend. Good to see so many games already going, I might not have that many un-played to choose from!

Good luck to all of the interesting 10...
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