“A sensational match. I had front row tickets to watch a master at work, with Coach MerryZ making some of the best turns of Blood Bowl I have faced.

The result does not reflect how much I was outplayed here. We faced genius and were lucky to get the draw.

Thoroughly out blocked, we were fortunate to get some removals to keep us in the game. But the sidelines were the domain of Coach Merry, and we were schooled in the surf. Wonderful to watch.

LEARNINGS

1. 1DB POWER

There were many times we positioned to remove 2db, however the Norse 1db very well, and Coach Merry orchestrated many of these, and turned the profit of them into 2db and positional gain.

Hard to defend against this, but must take from it for when I try Norse (again).

2. PIG

This was the best game I have played against from a pig. I remember spectating a game of Spence where pick up power was fire, but that is just dice. Coach Merry used the pig for great assist, and positioning.

It was becoming a problem, so I did target it, making a number of blocks, but to no avail. Refer to this match for how to pig.

3. FRENZY

Some very smart frenzy play, to isolate my players. Particularly my Wight (1st half T5 and then mummy removed T6).

Then clearing the midfield in 1st half T8, to get a sack attempt on ball carrier. Only the GFI failed.

4. D SET UP

Calculated risk of an aggressive set up, with attempt to minimise frenzy blocking and follow ups. Backfired with QUICK SNAP. I think I would still do it, but what is better?

Maybe just normal set up is better, to be honest. But it could get the mummies into the action earlier. I think the threat of mummies could have been eliminated anyway, and probably makes them an Ulf blitz target. Ponder this.

5. SIDELINES

This!! Norse offense T1 creates a little penetration to sideline, and subtly steers us that way to protect. It is worth noting, our mummies are expertly dissected and split up prior to this.

Then... Norse T3 is a thing of beauty. I think it is the best turn I have played against in Blood Bowl. It ends with 4 more bodies on the ground (total of 6 due to previous stuns) and a chain surfed wight. Incredible!

From here, we have big trouble, with another removal and then a ghoul surfed! Afterwards, we are scored upon easily, but not before we chain surf an Ulf. We watch and learn.

6. CUBES

We learn this from Java. Undead try to put pressure on ball in 2nd half T4, but this allows Merreh to create cube and blitz ball free.

The last two activations of T4, I wonder what is better move? I attempt to make mummy surf a little harder, and pressure ball. But what is best in life, Conan?

I think maybe tagging corner of linemen, not basing ball carrier to create cube.

7. OT STAY AWAY

This was a great play for the kicks by Coach MerryZ. I have done this a couple of times when down on numbers, playing to preserve a lead or for the draw, and failed. Look to this game and how Merreh does it.

SUMMARY

Some great material to learn from in this game. The draw is a happy result, and one we do not deserve. Still, the kicks favour us, and we enter the next match down a ghoul. Life will be tough and this looks to be the end for this team.

It has been a nice journey.

”