Season 4 - League Champions - The Mighty Undercheesers

[andy]

Sorry! I'm back. I'm happy to schedule catch-ups.

I can do after 9 tomorrow, any time up until 6 on Saturday and after 9 any day next week except for Tuesday. It's probably not convenient for anyone else, but I'm guaranteed to be available any night after 10pm if that helps?

[DaigaroOgami]

Remember that bit from Dusk Till Dawn where Cheech stands in front of the club? Well, lets replace a few words…

“We got STUNNED Elves! We got KO’ED Elves! We got Badly Hurt Elves! We got Seriously Injured Elves! WE GOT DEAD ELVES!!!”




After last week's rather large setback, the Ducklingz Chairman decided it was time to invest - PirlOrc was close to quitting, and Percy was losing valuable mushroom customers - Leroy had rustled up a hopefully not so fragile Black Orc from his tribe (Mandela) and Percy gave two of his mushroom pushers 'employees' a place on the roster - hoping to employ his customs-dodging techniques on the BB field...

The the Chairman spent big - hiring two star players for the game - Ripper the Troll and that Bombadier fella - the latter to offer comedy value more than anything else

The Elves weren't too happy to find out it was raining - the Ladz seeing the weather decided that they might worry about the ball, but there was a bigger prize at stake - PirlOrc had promised to buy all Percy's stock for anyone that could kill an elf...

The Guru's put a fantastic kick right in the Ducklingz backfield, that Harriet could just about get to to promptly fail to gather, much to PirlOrc's disgust. The Guru's piled on the pressure, and when Harriet did get the ball she then got slightly distracted and threw it straight to an Elf, who couldn't believe his luck, and had time to see which of his mates had the best make up on for the cameras, who took the ball for a turnover TD in only the 2nd turn of the match.

So we tried again, and this time the Ladz remembered how to be Orcs - pummelling the Elves into the turf. However, the Ducklingz recruitment team really needs some work because new signing Mandela spent most of the match on the floor... SO, Jamal, one of the only original Black Orcs left, releases all his rage and splatters Elf brains all over the pitch in an attempt to rescue SOME Black Orc pride... The Ducklingz were pretty sure and Elf Death counts as a TD, so move the score counter to 1-1*. Inspired, the Ladz start hitting more Elves HARD, and the elves begin to break. I think the Elves were down to 6 or 7, and Ripper was playing a fantastic bodyguard to Di Goblinio and the Orcs were ready to swan in for a TD before halftime... then SOMEHOW the elves break the cage and frantically shift the ball upfield... and the Ducklingz breath a sigh of relief when they run out of turns to score.

2nd half the weather changes from raining to raining (sigh), Guru's receive, bravely gathering the short kick and then running away to hide deep in their own half. The Ladz have been told to forget about the ball, and happily set of hitting elves again, even the bombadier chucking a bomb the right way and stunning an elf. The Guru's dont like the bombs, and shift the ball about nicely for another score and tell the ref that the Orcs are cheating to get the bomber sent off, along with a Reginald who also gets sent to the stands for stomping on a elf's head. 2-1* to the Guru's.

The crowd don't like it, and a riot shifts the clock on. PirlOrc has had enough, and issues his orders to the Ladz; formulating classic Cage 1.0 Vs Column 1.0 as the elves attempt to stall the Ducklingz trudge downfield. In the final turn of the match; the Orcs break cage, and clear enough space for PirlOrc to sprint in for a TD to tie up the match 2-2*.

Was a really fun game; Idan is a great coach to play against - felt like a proper blood bowl match - each team playing to their strengths and the dice not really affecting much (I think we both had it pretty even luck wise).

Post match PilrOrc started working on a new throwing technique, (he's levelled up to AG4) and is eager to see what this means now for the Ducklingz ability to handle balls... Thankfully, no Black Orcs were harmed during the making of this match (For once).

[DaigaroOgami]

Maybe I could play Diagro tonight, if he is around & wants to?

Sorry Gandalf, hadn't checked the forum; then when I DID get in touch with you Idan showed up so we stuck to schedule.

[Gandalf]

Sorry! I'm back. I'm happy to schedule catch-ups.

I can do after 9 tomorrow, any time up until 6 on Saturday and after 9 any day next week except for Tuesday. It's probably not convenient for anyone else, but I'm guaranteed to be available any night after 10pm if that helps?

Can I provisionally book in for 9pm tomorrow (Thursday) please? I will check with the wife tonight but I think that should be fine. The earlier the start, the better, as my games seem to take a long time....

Sorry Gandalf, hadn't checked the forum; then when I DID get in touch with you Idan showed up so we stuck to schedule.

No problem at all. I feel like the bigger idiot for thinking you had mumble problems until some 20 minutes later when I realised you were on local mute I think it was because you left your mic open the last time we were both online.

You will get your second shot against some elves this weekend. I asked my elven brother Idan for some advice, he said "intercept the ball" - which is tricky as I have a penchant for throwing interceptions rather than catching them. This season has seen 4 interceptions in total - 3 were thrown by me and caught by mercenaries, and 1 was Idan's catch. I really hope it doesn't rain for our game, or that Idan can lend me his team's wet-weather gloves.

[andy]

Sorry! I'm back. I'm happy to schedule catch-ups.

I can do after 9 tomorrow, any time up until 6 on Saturday and after 9 any day next week except for Tuesday. It's probably not convenient for anyone else, but I'm guaranteed to be available any night after 10pm if that helps?

Can I provisionally book in for 9pm tomorrow (Thursday) please? I will check with the wife tonight but I think that should be fine. The earlier the start, the better, as my games seem to take a long time....

No problem. I'll speak to my other half tonight and see if I can make myself available for 8!

[id3nt1ty]

This season has seen 4 interceptions in total - 3 were thrown by me and caught by mercenaries, and 1 was Idan's catch. I really hope it doesn't rain for our game, or that Idan can lend me his team's wet-weather gloves.

I thought Bigby Wolf made an interception against you?

[Gandalf]

This season has seen 4 interceptions in total - 3 were thrown by me and caught by mercenaries, and 1 was Idan's catch. I really hope it doesn't rain for our game, or that Idan can lend me his team's wet-weather gloves.

I thought Bigby Wolf made an interception against you?

Can't remember who it was but it was definitely a mercenary - take a look at the difference between top interceptions (by team) and top interceptions (by players), that difference is all mercenaries. Morg'n'Thorg has 2 this season!

andy/temmop - 8 would be a bit too early, 8:30 is the earliest I can start. 9 is OK too, what I was trying (& failed) to say is that I'd like to be ready to go by 9, not 9:20 - some games on Saturday can be 20 minutes late starting, which I wouldn't want as it's a later hour.

[Raveen]

Welcome back sports fans to a look ahead to the weekend's games in the Rolling Thunder Blood Bowl League:

Fresh from killing one elf, The Orkly Ducklingz hope to make it 2 for 2 when they play The Everglade Wanderers. Wanderers spokes-tree Bee Tiered was asked about the squishiness of his team-mates but replied that he considered Black Orcs to be just as squishy, if not squishier.

Necromantic team, Fables will be playing The Cangurus. The Cangurus have been in mourning over the last week to celebrate the life and career of Napoli On Hill. It turns out that a positive mental attitude won't prevent you getting stomped all over by a Black Orc that's high on mushroom extract.

Fresh from a satisfying win over Eballa, The Pinewood Carrions are looking forward to their match against The Brewers Brawlers. The Brawlers claim not to be intimidated and that's easy to understand when you realise that they can all hide behind the team's Deathroller and let it take on the Khemri singlehanded.

The drunken stag party from the cold north, Stagocalypse have been drinking extra hard all week to prepare themselves to play league leaders The Mighty Undercheesers. A spokesman for the norse stated that he figured everything would be fine so long as they had time for a tactical chunder at half time.

Finally Eballa will be playing The Tomb Army who are back from a fortnight moving stadiums. Eballa will be playing without a couple of key players in this match so the Undead team may have a chance for some glory.

[Gandalf]

Welcome back sports fans to a look ahead to the weekend's games in the Rolling Thunder Blood Bowl League:

Fresh from killing one elf, The Orkly Ducklingz hope to make it 2 for 2 when they play The Everglade Wanderers. Wanderers spokes-tree Bee Tiered was asked about the squishiness of his team-mates but replied that he considered Black Orcs to be just as squishy, if not squishier.

Indeed Bee Tiered is looking forwards to hitting some orcs himself. He is one injury away from gaining a second skill. Also, Bee Tiered has stats on his side - black orcs are injured more often than wood elves so far in the Rolling Thunder Campaigns.

Finally Eballa will be playing The Tomb Army who are back from a fortnight moving stadiums.

Spectators are well-advised to bring nose-pegs to fight the stench from the pitch. However, it is anticipated many of the spectators won't be in possession of a working sense of smell anyway.

[andy]

On for 9 tonight, G?

I still don't have a mic so bear with me, I'll communicate through ingame text.

[andy]

On for 9 tonight, G?

I still don't have a mic so bear with me, I'll communicate through ingame text.

Gandalf! Sorry about my abrupt exit tonight, had a bit of a kitchen drama. Anyway, thanks for the game!

[Gandalf]

On for 9 tonight, G?

I still don't have a mic so bear with me, I'll communicate through ingame text.

Gandalf! Sorry about my abrupt exit tonight, had a bit of a kitchen drama. Anyway, thanks for the game!

It's OK! I didn't really notice the abrupt exist anyway, it's late so I was expecting a fairly quick exit.



A match between an elf team and a coach who has never played elves and whose team is worth 710k less turned out mostly how you would expect it.

Temmop takes a big ST 6 mercenary, a wizard and 3 bribes (but only committed one foul).

Half 1
- Gandalf kicks off. No inclement weather!! Ball lands next to the sidelines.
- Undead get 3 people round the ball but don't try to pick it up. Some elves got hit. Some elves hit back. Then undead hit again.
- With a combination of luck and elf-ball skillz the elves force the ball loose and score on turn 2 (see play of the day for more info). 1-0 to the Woodies.
- temmop's team picks up the ball! They try a pass, which fails. temmop says "fortune favours the stupid"
- I try to pick up the loose ball, but fail, but do have a few players around the ball.
- A scrum develops around the ball, about 5 squares out from the undead's scoring zone. Lots of hitting.
- A few hits later, the ball is free-ish, I pick it up, do a quick pass to a marked player, who catches it and dodges to the line. 2-0 to the Wood Elves.
- Turn 7, undead hit elves, try to pick up the ball, fail.
- Turn 8, undead end turn with a failed 2 dice blitz, before they managed to cover the ball properly.
- a Wardancer sneaks in, picks up the ball (3+), dodges (35/36 chance) and scores. 3-0 at half time.

Half 2
- I kick off and get a blitz. Hurrah! I make a hole for my wardancer to run through to stand under the ball - but the wardancer fails a dodge (double 1) and injures himself, taking him out of this game and the next!
- I move players downfield, as the players in my own half bumble around in a most inefficient manner (I have no idea what I was doing with my players here).
- Turn 10, temmop thinks I am unlikely to score (or couldn't get anyone back in to defend?) but my catcher, who was lying down next to the sidelines, proceeds to stand up, do two dodges, pick the ball up and score with a GFI. 4-0 to the wood elves.
- The next few turns were mostly a littany of terrible ball-handling and at least one misclick from both sides.
- Turn 13-ish a ghoul broke free and got to within scoring distance, but two elves double-teamed him and threw the ball upfield (catch failed though).
- The ball is marked by 1 elf and 4 undead. I blitz an undead into the ball, which breaks free from the melee, but is still marked by 2 undead - pickup attempt fails.
- Undead's last turn is franticly spent with progressively less-likely blocks, and then on the last second of the last turn, a ghoul injures a lineman, taking him out of the next game.

Post-game, temmop had his first level up! Yay!
I only have 11 fit elves for my next game (a wardancer & a lineman sitting out the next match). I may buy a lineman for the next game only, just so I have some backup as I'm sure to have some players down versus the orcs.

Play of the day: - the first TD
Two elves combine to succeed with a 2D block to knock a ghoul onto the ball.
Ball bounces out of play (as I hoped it would).
Ball lands in play.
Wardancer dodges past an opponent to pick the ball up (after a pickup).
Wardancer passes to a marked catcher, who catches it.
Catcher dodges free & scores.
Classic elfball. Even temmop was impressed.

Dice analysis:
Both teams were unlucky with D6 (elves -3.49, undead -5.16).
temmop had better 2D6, but ultimately it didn't affect the game much.
I had the better block success rate, but that's because of my player's skills, the dice look fairly even.
However the curse of terrible ball skills from my last game continued this game. My opponent even got in on the act too and surpassed me in awfulness in this regard!
Elven catches : 4/11 (chance -25.45)
Elven pickups : 9/14 (-10)
Undead catches : 0/6 (-36.6) (1 from a pass, 5 from bouncing balls/kickoff catches)
Undead pickups : 4/9 (-15.56) (I think he succeeded with his last 2 pickup attempts to make this figure a bit less sad)
Small wonder, then, that the winner of the possession stats was The Pitch, with 48% possession!
I postulate that catches+pickups attempts for my team (25) and total for both teams put together (40) must be league records for one game!

Also I failed 2 of 3 dauntless rolls (2+ required )

Aside from those, it felt average/slightly lucky for both of us, which was reflected in the stats. eg my treeman passed all 9 take root rolls, temmop succeeded with 6 out of 7 dodges.

Things that happened that normally happen:
- Alan got hit. The indestructible AV6 elf lives on and is clear on the most-hit chart!
- The Wanderer's luck with the injury dice continues, as they continue to avoid death and serious injury. One of my wardancers did die but got re-rolled to safety. Phew!
- 2 level ups, 2 normal skills. There's a 10/36 chance of a double or a 10+, but no-one's told my team that.
- Rolling more than 8 on 3 dice continues to be too tough a challenge. Fan factor stays at 8.

Things that happened that were out of the ordinary:
- I managed 3 passes - which is ordinary enough - but none of them were done by my 2 passers.
- For only the second match this season, none of my passes were intercepted!!!
- My wardancers attempted 0 leaps!

Some words for my opponent:
Conserve your re-rolls for when you really need them. Re-rolling a pushed result on a block is rarely worth it (but sometimes it is).
You improved in the second half and seemed to adjust to the somewhat different challenge of playing elves rather than the bashy teams you've been up against.
It was fun chatting with you & you seemed to take the game in good grace. Much respect.

[id3nt1ty]

Idan, I'm afraid I'm going to have to miss our game tonight due to illness. Sorry it's short notice. I should be able to catch up one night this week if you want, or we scan leave it till the catch up week.

[Idanmel]

I'm already booked for the catch up week. If you want I'm available this week on any day that is not Monday or Wednesday.

Feel well!

[andy]

I'm already booked for the catch up week. If you want I'm available this week on any day that is not Monday or Wednesday.

Feel well!

Hi Idan I think you and I need a catch up. I'll see if I can find time Thursday evening?