COACH'S CORNER: In Leagues with the Enemies

Ok... let's talk about comps. I know, kind of a dirty word, but it needs to be talked about. I want to try to get a league for Dreadball going locally, which might mean doing some rounds of the local stores, but before I do, I want to be sure what the League will look like.

All the opinions stated beyond this point (and in this blog in its entirety) are mine and mine alone. But I do welcome any thoughts, input or disagreements on them.

• If you purchase Schnörkel as an MVP, you are awesome (ok, so not a rule, but true none the less). :-)
• The Convicts have to be banned, or in the very least, heavily modified. In a previous blog entry, Lamanzer and I have a nice discussion about how the Convicts might be re-balanced, but I don't know if this is viable when trying to bring in the larger community. I might try something rather simple though, maybe allow the Convicts to play as a their stats are but minus the Offensive Coach and the Shock Collar ability. Less flavor, more balance?
• The Nameless are still a little OP in a league, I think in our last league my friend Dan lost one game with them. Not sure how to deal with that. Maybe every upgrade cost 50% more for them. Maybe for the Rebs too? What about Asterians? Maybe I am going overboard? Perhaps their team ranking in points should be 25 MC higher for purposes of determining underdog bonuses?
• Use the Achievements system from the Season 4 Rulebook.
• No Fans on the Pitch in regular games. Maybe in one game at some point in the League though, that could be fun.
• Allow one "We Can Rebuild Him" upgrade, and only on a Jack, must be clearly marked or represented as different somehow.
• No Hacking - from Season 6 Rulebook.
• Any Mechanite or Mutant team has to be WYSIWYG or very close, sorry.
• Forge Fathers can use Brokkr rules.
• Season 1 - Season 6 teams will be allowed. Other than what I have already mentioned.

I know there is more I want to have in there, but.... I will have to come back to it.

COACH'S CORNER: League Ideas

I am thinking of running a league in my local area to drum up some more interest in Dreadball. I helped run one last year, but I would like to do something a little different this time.

League Ideas:
Minor Leagues - Play a shortened league season and only allow Seasons 1 and 2 teams. Maybe end the season with a short tourney or a few bowl games. I think this could be a fun way to get some new blood into the game with too many strange abilities or unbalancing teams. I really believe this could be a lot of fun.

All-Star League - Have a number of MVPs equal to the number of teams, allow each team to choose an MVP (Free Agents only for Underdog bonus). Start with the team at the bottom and let them choose one, then proceed in ascending order.*

Invasion League - Come up with multiple special rules for different arenas (there are already a number of them out there) and allow the first team to win to be the "home" team. Keep a galaxy chart and allow races to invade planets. Or, something like that.

Two List Format League - This one is like the two list format from Warmachine/Hordes tournaments. It would be as if your were a Sponsor with two teams to ring to the match and neither would know until the time of the match who you were bringing. Winner determined by a tourney at the end.

Regular Old League - ...would still be fun.

*Due to the way someone can "game" the system, I am only going to allow one player to be dropped in-between games, regardless of format.

GAMING: New Realm Dreadball League 2014

Team: 
The Anck Su-Na Moons (Asterian Team)

Starting Lineup: 

1. Tut-Seth - Guard
2. Anubis Ka - Jack
3. Zeshlo Ka - Jack
4. Horus Ptah - Jack
5. Nephertysa Imhotep - Striker
6. Isis Ka - Striker
7. Terana Mosenon - Striker
8. The Lady Ptolemina - Striker

Record in League Play: 

8 wins - 1 loss 

(My single loss was a resounding defeat at the hands of a Corporation team)

Rank:

1st in final results (#1 in League Points, and tied for #1 in win/loss ratio).

Lessons:

- If you have a fantastic Speed stat, Fragile doesn't necessarily mean instant death.

- Your Skill 3 Striker WILL DIE. 

- Movement 6 is no joke.

- As Asterians, if you go first have your Guard on the pitch guarding the 3-4 zone and call a Foul on the biggest guy on the pitch, or the guy guarding the opposing center line of the 3-4 zone. If you go second, decide if your opponent has his star player on the field or not, if he does, put your Guard near the bench for an easy extra after calling out a Foul. If he doesn't, keep the Guard in reserve.

- Be sure that you FLGS doesn't schedule a WH Fantasy League day the same day you are scheduled to be in the shop for your league day.

- Go for a 3 or 4 pointer every time you can. You have the Movement to make it and good enough Skill to make it viable.

- Keep a few Jacks handy to Foul turtle formations lines.

- STEAL ALL THE TIME!

- I know it is a cliche, but have fun!

Pictures:

You can just see my team on the last two pictures. They are off the pitch in their box with my League sheet on their heads.