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2020-05-02 11:10:49
6 votes, rating 5.2
6 votes, rating 5.2
Cage Breaking
So here's the thing, I've been learning the ropes of this marvellous game for a short while and keep coming against the same problem. Cages.
I can't seem to figure out the best way to break them to get at the ball carrier. I've tried slowing them down with the Columns Defence, but it doesn't seem to be able to stop the cage so easily.
As I'm usually running with low TV teams, the skills selection hasn't yet allowed me to reliably break one up if it forms. I even struggled against some goblins...!
What are the best tips for breaking a cage, that don't necessarily need a host of skills like Leap, etc? Just to figure out how best to counter them.
Thanks for any tips!
I can't seem to figure out the best way to break them to get at the ball carrier. I've tried slowing them down with the Columns Defence, but it doesn't seem to be able to stop the cage so easily.
As I'm usually running with low TV teams, the skills selection hasn't yet allowed me to reliably break one up if it forms. I even struggled against some goblins...!
What are the best tips for breaking a cage, that don't necessarily need a host of skills like Leap, etc? Just to figure out how best to counter them.
Thanks for any tips!
Comments
Posted by SanKuKai on 2020-05-02 11:13:32
well... Patience is the key ;)
Posted by Jopotzuki on 2020-05-02 11:15:37
1)Try to make your defense so that the opponent can't make his usual 5-man cage.
2)Try to make it hard for the opponent to advance thus making them try for the sides with a smaller cage.
3)Blitz on corner of the cage and get in contact with the ball carrier.
4)Learn when to make that blitz and when to go in to base contact with all your mens.
2)Try to make it hard for the opponent to advance thus making them try for the sides with a smaller cage.
3)Blitz on corner of the cage and get in contact with the ball carrier.
4)Learn when to make that blitz and when to go in to base contact with all your mens.
Posted by Bluegill87 on 2020-05-02 11:39:51
All good points for an attempt on the cage sure but there is indeed one concrete goal when kicking.
Force him to come to you by playing solid defense, deny all the space you can, limit his blocks while doing so and then he'll be forced to try and make a play through you.
If you're doing this well then the cage's effectiveness is much more limited when he finds himself in base contact with your players with the turn coming back to you.
Elves can do this with their agility to make double posts along most running routes, bashier teams can as well though they're more suited to being annoying roadblocks than anything.
Defense is all about making the opponent come to you, don't always try to force it and potentially blow all your positioning which is where the cage can still give you trouble.
Force him to come to you by playing solid defense, deny all the space you can, limit his blocks while doing so and then he'll be forced to try and make a play through you.
If you're doing this well then the cage's effectiveness is much more limited when he finds himself in base contact with your players with the turn coming back to you.
Elves can do this with their agility to make double posts along most running routes, bashier teams can as well though they're more suited to being annoying roadblocks than anything.
Defense is all about making the opponent come to you, don't always try to force it and potentially blow all your positioning which is where the cage can still give you trouble.
Posted by ArthurWynne on 2020-05-02 14:14:04
Also keep in mind you very rarely get to break a cage in one turn! It's usually a multi-turn affair in which the first turn's blitz actually breaks open a corner letting you pressure the ball, and only on the next turn do you attack the ball directly.
So rather than rushing in as many players in contact as possible, think about where you will need to mark or screen to make it as hard as possible for the opponent to get the ball to safety or make a new cage on their turn. And don't hesitate to keep some players back as safeties in case they succeed anyway!
So rather than rushing in as many players in contact as possible, think about where you will need to mark or screen to make it as hard as possible for the opponent to get the ball to safety or make a new cage on their turn. And don't hesitate to keep some players back as safeties in case they succeed anyway!
Posted by Jopotzuki on 2020-05-02 14:36:04
Thousand losses playbook is also a good read on general tactics on playing blood bowl.
https://fumbbl.com/help:Thousand+Losses+Playbook
https://fumbbl.com/help:Thousand+Losses+Playbook
Posted by Nicouf on 2020-05-02 15:36:43
I'd recommend spectating a lot of games involving good players, and see how they deal with cages, but all advices mentioned above are valid.
Skills like side step or stand firm can help if you manage to have a player with such a skill in contact with the ball carrier at the end of the turn.
In general if you want to stop a cage from advancing, putting a player in contact with the ball carrier at the end of your turn is quite effective, as your opponent will have to use his blitz to free the ball carrier and therefore cannot blitz his way through the rest of your defense blocking the way.
If your really want to break it though, then you can swarm the cage and mark all players to make sure he cannot free his ball carrier easily or put him in safety. This is a bit of all or nothing though, because if he does manage to secure the ball you might expose yourself to a lot of free blocks, or lose your positioning... to use with caution.
Skills like side step or stand firm can help if you manage to have a player with such a skill in contact with the ball carrier at the end of the turn.
In general if you want to stop a cage from advancing, putting a player in contact with the ball carrier at the end of your turn is quite effective, as your opponent will have to use his blitz to free the ball carrier and therefore cannot blitz his way through the rest of your defense blocking the way.
If your really want to break it though, then you can swarm the cage and mark all players to make sure he cannot free his ball carrier easily or put him in safety. This is a bit of all or nothing though, because if he does manage to secure the ball you might expose yourself to a lot of free blocks, or lose your positioning... to use with caution.
Posted by erased000047 on 2020-05-02 19:50:28
it really depends on what you ar playing n what the opponents are playing but- you didn't specify so-
in general terms-
(say a little prayer first to nuffle)
A- mark the corners
B- blitz one corner that seems the worst defended ie - not alot of guards/ players around the corer etc.
C-mark the ball carrier with the blitzer
D- Mark as you can other defenders outside the cage to keep the counter attack to a minimum
(say another prayer or sacrifice xxxx to nuffle)-
your next turn-
hopefully the offence counter attack fails / you have a better defensive attack, etc
it's all about pressure on the ball carrier, breaking a cage is not a one turn thing unless you have super wardancer / big guy
pressure your opponent to make mistakes in his positioning etc,
get the ball if you can- or next best make him score quickly
hope that helped, it takes time to get the nuance so don't get frustrated.
-Swampy
in general terms-
(say a little prayer first to nuffle)
A- mark the corners
B- blitz one corner that seems the worst defended ie - not alot of guards/ players around the corer etc.
C-mark the ball carrier with the blitzer
D- Mark as you can other defenders outside the cage to keep the counter attack to a minimum
(say another prayer or sacrifice xxxx to nuffle)-
your next turn-
hopefully the offence counter attack fails / you have a better defensive attack, etc
it's all about pressure on the ball carrier, breaking a cage is not a one turn thing unless you have super wardancer / big guy
pressure your opponent to make mistakes in his positioning etc,
get the ball if you can- or next best make him score quickly
hope that helped, it takes time to get the nuance so don't get frustrated.
-Swampy
Posted by BeanBelly on 2020-05-02 21:41:31
Interesting question and good responses. Nicouf's certainly resonated with me.
If you can stall a cage with a string of linemen one square in front, that is perfect! Nice patient defence, keeping good position across field.
To increase the pressure I do enjoy a MB Blitz onto a cage corner, then stand a durable player next to their ball carrier.
I've been playing a Dwarf team recently and at the critical point I'll often heavily mark their cage; AV9 teams are forgiving of this brute approach.
I'm finding keep a sweeper or two back useful. If the opposition are sufficiently frustrated they will make a reckless break for the End Zone..
If you can stall a cage with a string of linemen one square in front, that is perfect! Nice patient defence, keeping good position across field.
To increase the pressure I do enjoy a MB Blitz onto a cage corner, then stand a durable player next to their ball carrier.
I've been playing a Dwarf team recently and at the critical point I'll often heavily mark their cage; AV9 teams are forgiving of this brute approach.
I'm finding keep a sweeper or two back useful. If the opposition are sufficiently frustrated they will make a reckless break for the End Zone..
Posted by MenonaLoco on 2020-05-03 01:12:31
You can break a cage in 1 turn by break tackle high str., or LEAP wrestle, or leap stab. Or big luck, only when other defensive messures failed, why not try and do that low prob cage dive at the end of a half.
All other attempts to stop a cage are more about stopping the entire offense and that takes various turns
All other attempts to stop a cage are more about stopping the entire offense and that takes various turns
Posted by asteflix on 2020-05-03 08:20:49
Just play vamps lol
Posted by Bluegill87 on 2020-05-03 11:36:22
Get ready for the headache that is Bloodlust if you do though :P
Posted by Rbthma on 2020-05-03 22:23:51
To break the cage, first be the cage.
i.e. play a caging team to see what they struggle with on offense - usually stuff like preventing a counter-score, timing (when/if/how to make the move for the score) and guard control. This will give you ideas on how to counter them
i.e. play a caging team to see what they struggle with on offense - usually stuff like preventing a counter-score, timing (when/if/how to make the move for the score) and guard control. This will give you ideas on how to counter them
Posted by Verminardo on 2020-05-04 14:58:04
Given how new you are to the game, I think the cage is probably a red herring. You say, "I've tried slowing them down with the Columns Defence, but it doesn't seem to be able to stop the cage so easily." The columns defence and the cage are both just concepts but the cage isn't really a counter to the columns defence. It's just a question of how well the concept is executed. Focus on the basics, improve your turn order and positioning; get a feel for the timing of a drive. Worry about cage breaking later. Even if you play Wood Elves, jumping in every cage isn't gonna help you if you haven't first mastered the basics.
Blood Bowl is one of those "easy to learn, hard to master" games, the tactical depth is daunting and the competition on Fumbbl is fierce. In other words, lower your expectations. ;-)
Blood Bowl is one of those "easy to learn, hard to master" games, the tactical depth is daunting and the competition on Fumbbl is fierce. In other words, lower your expectations. ;-)