Today, we’re delving into the fascinating world of Goblin teams, notorious for their dirty tactics, chaotic playstyle, and love for secret weapons. Join us as we explore their unique strategies and reveal the top Star Players that will lead them to victory on the astrogranite!
Goblin teams have gained immense popularity in the realm of Blood Bowl due to their distinct approach to the game. Their playstyle combines sneaky tactics, unbridled mayhem, and a dash of secret weapons for added excitement. Opposing coaches often underestimate them, only to realize their mistake when their players are blown up by an unexpected bomb or pinned down by a whirring chainsaw!
Goblins are inexpensive players with a short life expectancy. They are just as likely to be pulverized by the opposition as they are to fall victim to their own malfunctioning contraptions – or even get devoured by their own Trolls! Therefore, a shrewd Goblin coach must be prepared to replace players who encounter unfortunate mishaps.
The Goblin Linemen serve as obstructors, constantly nipping at the heels of opposing players and ruthlessly attacking when the opportunity arises. However, they also have another purpose: launching themselves as high-velocity projectiles to take out troublesome opponents from a distance.
This is where the Trolls come into play. These hulking brutes, with their immense strength and repugnant odor, serve as hard-hitting blockers. They act as throwers, catapulting willing (or sometimes unwilling) Goblins across the field to knock down opponents or even achieve impressive touchdowns.
In addition to the Linemen and Trolls, Goblin teams also boast specialized positionals. Some players carry Secret Weapons, whose sole purpose is to wreak havoc on the field. Fanatics swing a Ball & Chain, indiscriminately pummeling anyone foolish enough to cross their path. Loonies brandish chainsaws, slicing and dicing through the opposition. Bommas gleefully hurl explosives at unsuspecting opponents, purely for their own amusement.
When it comes to tactics, Goblins thrive on chaos rather than focusing on trivial matters such as possessing the ball. Coaches who seek a fun-filled experience often favor Goblin teams. However, this doesn’t mean that Goblin teams can’t secure victories. To achieve success, a Goblin coach must prioritize a few key aspects.
Firstly, Goblins excel at playing dirty. Utilize their Secret Weapons whenever possible, keeping them protected until the opportune moment to unleash them arrives. Make use of foul actions during the game, targeting opponents with bombs, chainsaws, or ball & chain attacks, and take advantage of the ensuing chaos.
However, there is one hindrance to these mischievous tactics: the interference of well-intentioned referees who spoil all the fun. Fortunately, Goblin teams possess the Bribery and Corruption special rule, allowing them to purchase Bribes at half the usual cost (50,000 gold pieces) and reroll the first failed Argue the Call attempt. Bribes help keep players, especially Secret Weapons, on the field, avoiding ejection on a 2+, which is particularly valuable considering Goblins frequently find themselves being sent off.
When it comes to skill development, here are our top recommendations:
Goblin Linemen – Goblins typically prefer to limit the number of Linemen with additional Skills. Upgrading their abilities increases their cost and leaves less room for crucial Bribes. However, Dirty Player (+1) and Sneaky Git are excellent choices as they enhance Fouling. Sidestep is another valuable skill, especially if the Goblin serves as a ball carrier.
ʼOoligan – As Goblins dedicated to Fouling, ʼOoligans greatly benefit from the Sneaky Git skill. Sidestep is also advantageous to keep them close to downed opponents.
Doom Diver – Dodge provides additional protection for Doom Divers who successfully land behind enemy lines with the ball. Sidestep is also useful in their arsenal.
Pogoer – As the fleetest members of the team, Pogoers require skills that enhance their mobility. Sprint and Sure Feet are perfect choices, enabling them to potentially move up to 10 squares per turn!
Secret Weapons – Since casualties caused by Secret Weapons do not generate Star Player Points, these players do not progress in skills quickly. However, if the opportunity arises, consider skills such as Accurate or Pass for a Bomma, Dodge for a Loony, and Mighty Blow (+1) for a Fanatic, as these skills amplify their destructive potential.
Trained Troll – Strong Arm is an excellent choice for a Troll assigned the task of launching Goblins, while Brawler enhances a Troll’s reliability in Blocking. Pro is another valuable option, providing the chance to reroll Always Hungry or Really Stupid actions.
Now, let’s move on to the top Star Players for Goblin teams, selected from the Badlands Brawl or Underworld Challenge leagues:
5 – Fungus the Loon: This mushroom-addled maniac brings exceptional strength to the team. His Whirling Dervish special rule allows him to reroll the direction of his spin each turn, making him surprisingly reliable.
4 – Nobbla Blackwart: With both Block and Dodge skills, Nobbla proves to be resilient against being knocked down. His Kick ʼem while they’re down! ability enables him to apply his Chainsaw to a downed opponent without using a Foul action or risking ejection.
3 – Scrappa Sorehead: As the epitome of Pogoers, Scrappa combines speed and agility. His Yoink! rule disrupts passing plays, granting him a chance to intercept a Pass on a 2+ if he is positioned beneath the ball’s trajectory.
2 – Bomber Dribblesnot: Once per game, Bomber can utilize his Kaboom! special rule to detonate a bomb caught by his opponent before they have the chance to retaliate. This ability is perfect for neutralizing key players or wreaking havoc in the heart of an opponent’s cage.
1 – Ripper Bolgrot: This formidable Strength 5 player is impervious to Always Hungry and Really Stupid, maximizing his threat on the field. Furthermore, his Thinking Man’s Troll skill grants him a single reroll per half.
Join us next time as we delve into another team and explore strategies to help them dominate the gridiron.
*Well, as reliable as a Troll can be, anyway!
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