Sep 28, 2014

Bootcamp Bash

We had a mini tournament within our league yesterday.
It was three games and your team had to be below TV1400k (at the start of the tournament).

I decided to play with my 'flings in preparation for two upcoming tournaments in Stockholm as well as the upcoming season.

Game 1 vs Orcs

Inducements: Deeproot, a master chef and a wizard.

The orcs had the standard 4 BOBs and 4 Blitzers (one +AG) as well as a thrower, a goblin and three linemen. His troll had recently died at the hands of Deeproot in our last game. I felt fairly good about the game since I've played this team three times before (1-1-1).

I started the game kicking off to him. He managed to pick up the ball and advance it forward, almost to the LOS. He however didn't protect his ball carrier enough. He was more or less in the open, from the point of view of my trees. My opponent hadn't realized that I just had to block one lineman away with Deeproot in order to free one of my regular trees. The freed tree then blitzed the ball carrier (with a 'fling assist) resulting in a knock down. Thanks to a lucky scatter the ball was now surrounded by a tree, Deeproot and a 'fling.

The rest of the half was more or less a scrum around the ball, where failed pick ups and bounces followed each other. In turn five, a tree somehow managed to pick the ball up when it bounced on him. I then handed it off to a 'fling in turn six. Said 'fling was then flung towards the end zone by Deeproot. He landed and scored the games first TD.

My opponent now had two turns to score. He tried to do so, but failed a GFI in turn seven.
This menat that he just had one player in scoring position, which I hadn't seen. I tried to get the ball to a 'fling by the tree, but failed my pick up.

My opponent now had his turn eight left, but he hadn't realized that he had a player within range (would have been a pick up, short pass, catch and a dodge, but still) and blocked with him.

The half ended 1-0 to me and I liked my chances going in to the second half.

He kicks to me and I secure the ball and move forward, toward my tree, still feeling good about my chances. He then gangs up on one the tree on my left and makes a 1d block with a BO. Knocked down, armor break and a BH tree later, I'm in trouble. Half his team is now in position to crash down on my small guys. I run up my right side and screen the ball carrier off.

He pressures me and I use my wizard on the orcs standing in front of the screen. Two stunned orcs. Yes, this could work. I'll just make a block with Deeproot first before I move through. Double skulls. Loner reroll, a three. Darn, that was stupid. Since I had to dodge with some of my 'flings, to screen the ball carrier, I figured that I should do the "safe" Deeproot block first. I shouldn't have. At least I should have move the ball carrier first. He was then swarmed by orcs and brought down.

The orcs then picked the ball up and scored in their turn eight. This left me with a OTTM attempt, but the ball landed in the back, so it was a draw, which I'm still happy with.

My goal for the day was not to lose all my games. Goal achieved.

Game 2 vs Undead

Inducements: Deeproot and a chef

I win the coin toss and elect to receive. I pick the ball up and set up a screen.

In his turn, he gangs up on a tree and fouls him with a dirty player. Another BH tree.
This is going to be an uphill battle.

I lose the ball, but somehow manage to pick it up again, screen him of and score in turn eight.
I was lucky in managing to score this turn.

Second half, I can't really stop him, but I at least try and make it difficult for him. He walks in for the draw, 1-1 in his turn eight.

He then kicks to me, a blitz on the kick off table and a bad scatter renders my chances of an OTTM impossible.

This was a really dirty game, where he fouled around six times with his DP before being thrown out.
That skeleton really earned his TV in this game. On tree out and a stunned Deeproot, plus some 'flings.

I was very happy with the draw here and I think he should have scored earlier since his chances of stealing the ball from me and hence winning the game, were quite high.

So far 0-2-0.

Game 3 vs Dwarfs

Inducements: Deeproot

This was the match up I was dreading. At this mini tournament, we had eight different teams.
Nurgle, 'Flings, High Elves, Amazons, Skaven, Orcs, Undead and Dwarfs. I was hoping on not having to play either the dwarfs (well duh) nor Nurgle (renders the TTM almost impossible).

Well, since I'm going to two tournaments this fall with the 'flings, I might as well try playing against the bearded ones. Even if I lose, it's been a lot better than I though.

The game starts with me getting +2 Fame and I elect to receive the ball.
We set up and he rolls on the kick off table. Pitch invasion. Wow, what a start. Every dwarf but three are stunned. I can't believe it and neither can he.

Eight stunned dwarfs
Since I didn't have enough inducement money for a chef this game I don't want to waist one of my two rerolls this early, when I fail the pick up. Which means that his dwarfs are up when I reach the LOS with my ball carrier. He puts pressure on my screen, but I still manage to break through and score in turn six. A lot, thanks to him fouling my trees and having two long beards/blockers sent of. I think he saw how effective fouling was in my last game.

he the fails to score, having just a couple of turns left.

Second half starts with me kicking off and him failing the pick up. So I figure that I might as well try to throw a fling. The thrown 'fling then picks up the ball, in a TZ, but then tripps over his own hairy feet trying to dodge away. This however makes my opponent panic. He takes the ball and throws it to a blitzer, who scores.
This leaves me six turns to score, which I do in turn eight, winning 2-1.
I started the drive out numbering the dwarfs, which made it really hard for my opponent to stop me. He however never stopped trying nor complained, which really showed great sportsmanship.

Standings after round 3

This menat that I ended with a 1-2-0 record and third place.
I was thrilled. I hope that I'll have the same kind of luck in the two upcoming tournaments this fall.
At least, I hope I'll have as much fun as I did this time around.

Thanks for reading.

Sep 6, 2014

Stuck in a rut and FUMBBL

It's been a while since I've posted. The reason for that is that I wanted to show my finished 'Fling team, the Gesundbrunnen Picknick Packers, but they're still not done. I haven't painted in a while and I wasn't a 100% happy with the last miniature. I needed a bit of a break.
My league has also been a bit slow recently, meaning that I haven't played any games for a while. I felt a bit stuck when it came to Blood Bowl.

FUMBBL to the rescue! I joined a league with a dark elf team and I've since played the first game (2-1 W). I really like playing dark elves and I can't wait for my Impact elves to show up. The dark elves are going to be my next tournament team, since I think they fit my style of play perfectly.

Before they show up, I'll finish the 'Flings. Right now I've just got the 'Fling that's in a treemans hand, ready to be thrown, left to paint. I've then got 10 'Flings, 2 Trees, Deeproot and Puggy, which is enough for the planed tournaments in Stockholm in October and November (might do more 'Flings in the future). They'll aslo be featured in our local "for fun" tournament the Bootcamp Bash (27th of September).  Depending on the result in these tournaments, they might see some playing time in the Preußen Bowl as well (because I don't think I'll have the dark elves done by then).

Hopefully, the dark elves will be ready for the NAFC 2015.

I've also got another tournament planed for November, the Killing Spree, where I'll be playing undead and hopefully get my NAF-Ranking up with them.

So, a lot of Blood Bowl coming up come October, but until then I'm bridging the gab with FUMBBL.
Hopefully soon, I'll showcase my 'Flings.