Two Die Up Blocking in Blood Bowl 2020 - Theory Thursday (Bonehead Podcast)

[@WoWisdeadtome]

I don't think it's just two die up blocks that people underestimate. I'm primarily a dwarf player and I make a lot of single die blocks and get comments about just how rarely that burns me. But my entire team has block, only skulls are bad, so if you're not afraid to dodge away with a good portion of an elf team in a turn on a 2+, why should I fear throwing 1 die blocks failing on a skull? Two die up blocks also get made before my team has guard when I play against Chaos or Lizardmen that have a lot of high strength, with a 69% chance that I don't go down it keeps me from being hit because those teams get stuck in. I never calculated the chance before but the 69% sounds about right and often getting one push back off a two die up block can set off a chain of better blocks. With Dwarfs, I'm perfectly happy to fight most teams man to man if they're willing, I have block, thick skull, and armor 10+. Chances are I will outlast you in a single die brawling scenario. That's kind of the Dwarf MO in every GW game in which they appear. Get into a defensive formation and start trundling forward. Let them enemy break on your superior (if slow) troops.

[@BoneheadPodcast]

Hey WoWisdeadtome, the 1 die Block w/ block is a staple of Dwarves, and they've got that 10+ armour to protect them on the skull - which I guess actually makes it even safer than an AV8+/9+ dodge away on a 2+! And then y'know... Guard happens :D and the CAS starts flowing!

[@MikeDavies_sann0638]

Great concept for a series, will be watching!

[@patpaints9813]

As a statistician, I appreciate the caveat "that's not how statistics work" 😆

[@BoneheadPodcast]

Haha, as a maths muggle I hope I got that right!?

[@patpaints9813]

@@BoneheadPodcast yep, it's the 'gamblers fallacy' of "if it works 50% of the time, if I do it twice it will work" vs the bloodbowl reality that we've all lived that you can throw a whole heap of blocks and sometimes you never knock the ball carrier down. The dice don't remember the previous results.

[@thedisgruntledorc]

@@patpaints9813 as a statistician I'm amazed this game hasn't broken your brain yet!

[@patpaints9813]

@@thedisgruntledorcI don't like to bring my work home so it's nice to wind down with a game that defies everything I have learned 😆

[@donsquires2574]

My Slayer that failed Dauntless many times tought me to appreciate the 2 die up blocks.

[@someoneelse7695]

One note I was missing from the push/pow(!) case is the stunty surf and why you should never use a sideline cage against teams with a stunty player in reach.

[@MikeDavies_sann0638]

I would add the "non ball carrier" scenarios as a second vid, looking at e.g. a block player just taking a chance at the end of a turn. Much better than being hit!

[@BoneheadPodcast]

Hey Mike! Definitely :D gotta give the Dwarf players something ;)

[@MangoFandangoBB]

This is wonderful! Cage Diving/dodging into TZs would be great! Also the biggie: getting that dirty boot odds of working on a downed Wardancer/Gutter Runner

[@BoneheadPodcast]

Hahaha second vote for Fouling!!

[@MangoFandangoBB]

@@BoneheadPodcast I see your new vid!!! ;)

[@bastianej9]

Hey, This is great content. I really like this episode. I think it is the best thing after the team starting rosters

[@BoneheadPodcast]

Hey! Thanks Seb :D

[@mylow89]

as a necromantic player, i my absolute favorite 2D blocking up dice is when the ogre team bunkers in to protect their ball carrier and i send my special forces 'ghosts' to cause ruckus while my werewolf sharpens its claws.

[@BoneheadPodcast]

Oof! poor Ogres ;)

[@mikev230]

I love this concept! keep up the content.

[@BoneheadPodcast]

Thanks Mike V! :D

[@PrGratesnif]

Wish I could take guard on some of my Snotlings to have these sneaky 2dieUp blocks also...

[@BoneheadPodcast]

Ahhh Dauntless and a cheeky 4+ will do the trick haha!

[@SigurdBraathen]

I might have confuses the terminology. By "Two Di(c)e Up" do you mean that the attacker tosses two dice and the defender chose?

[@BoneheadPodcast]

Hey Sigurd! That’s exactly right! I’m not even sure where that terminology comes from 🤔 I think Up = “Up Hill” 😅

[@SigurdBraathen]

@@BoneheadPodcast : That makes sense for its history of origin, but shorted from "up hill" to "up" it becomes confusing for us non-native speakers. What's "Two dice down", then?! =D Any how, thanks for all your awesome videos! Pst: Where's the video explaining Projectile Vomit and comparing it to using block dice?! =)

[@Salubrious388]

I’m a new player (so this video would be useful to me) but I kept getting lost what you were saying and who the odds were for. Additionally, you mentioned that Skaven were really good at this. I’ve played skaven a couple of times (vanilla) and really struggled to get any performance out of them. With a 3+ dodge, little armour and not that strong, I think there’s something I’m missing. I know that they are your favourite team so it would be good to hear what you’ve to say about them, as you don’t seem to do team videos (outside of list building). I’d love to play them but I feel they underperform in my hands. 😢

[@ThanatoselNyx]

Hi Ben, great video. Have you done any maths on the Brawler skill by any chance?

[@BoneheadPodcast]

Hehe, I have indeed, might have to pop that video up soon!

[@fransaacs]

Had this happen yesterday: 2d against blitz on a fresh-out-the-box vampire ball carrier, the outcome was double push which was perfect for me - straight into a bunch of my player's overlaping TZs.

[@BoneheadPodcast]

Nice!! Someone's playing Vampires? :D Extra points!!

[@fransaacs]

@@BoneheadPodcast a Cyanide BB friendly. Vampire teams are always an interesting challenge to play and to play against; this roster felt like going up against some dysfunctional Dark Elves. Three developed vamps (two of them blodgers) a rookie vamp, one +1 strength thrall, a sure hands thrall and some bloodlust fodder.

[@davidstephenson4786]

some theory on new passing would be great

[@BoneheadPodcast]

That is probably a great one to do! Thanks David!

[@syteanric]

I'm going to chuck a curve ball. Frenzy. 2D uphill against you, if theres a big guy close enough can you push the opponent towards the big guy and turn the 2d uphill into a 2D downhill? Yes high risk, but a werewolf with block pushing into a TZ of a fleshie with guard opens a huge can of worms if it works! As someone who plays a lot of dwarves, the 2d uphill with a blitzer is your friend!

[@BoneheadPodcast]

Genius! Risky, but that's going to create opportunities to make a superb situation! :D Clever and Brave! I love it!

[@hampuskullberg9932]

Great work Ben! Just wondering, have you had a chance to take a look at how good Pro is if you are gonna be using alot of 1/2 die blocks? I'm waaay to lazy to do the math xD

[@BoneheadPodcast]

Mmmm numbers! I feel a spreadsheet brewing!

[@hampuskullberg9932]

[@triplepow]

Stats and spreadsheets - someone is having FUN!! Like it. Do one on TTM as a bomb :)

[@BoneheadPodcast]

Hahaha, the Cage Bombing Theory! Love that idea Trips!!

[@triplepow]

@@BoneheadPodcast can’t be a turnover and either ball or a corner open? Feels like a human team tactic for the halfling ....

[@oliverwallington4657]

As a skaven / Underworld player. I two die uphill all the damn time, and it always works

[@BoneheadPodcast]

Yes Goblin! :D Sometimes you just have to trust in the heart of the dice!

[@project_swift]

I'm a Slann and Goblin player. I live by the Two Red Dice :-D

[@BoneheadPodcast]

Project swift... I like you're style ;) haha

[@Anecron1]

Is it two die, or two dice?

[@SigurdBraathen]

Singular: Die or dice. Plural: Dice.

[@coachmike27able]

Good video

[@BoneheadPodcast]

Thanks Coach Mike! :D

[@TheRocketYeti]

Wow, file this under "I don't know how to play Blood Bowl". Two dice blocks are much less consistent than I thought they were. I toss those bad boys out like candy thinking they are pretty safe... Need to rethink things now.

[@godzilos4982]

Just do as I do when I toss dice uphill and say "Blood Bowl!"

[@mrianburke]

Because I got confused at the start, this is about blocks where the opponent chooses ("uphill blocking" or "up blocking"). chance of skulls/bothdown on a 2d block where you choose is 1/6, I think. Still not always worth it, but not a huge gamble.

[@13rym26]

Only 1/9 of your player going down if you are choosing with no relevant skills.

[@TheRocketYeti]

@@mrianburke Oh man I missed that- totally reframes the discussion!

[@BoneheadPodcast]

Oops, sorry Casey! I'll try and do a better job next time! :D

[@patriknilsson8407]

As a coach for Khemri, I hate Dwarfs and their 1d, which works way to often :/

[@BoneheadPodcast]

Bloomin' Dwarf 1-die blocks!! With you there Patrik!