Warrior General Games

Was wondering what the best one would be. I was thinking either balance or pummel. Any advice? Are there any other worth while ones out there?

What about Run Block?

Hmmm...didn't think about that one. Guess I've been to caught up in the new ones, lol.

I liked the Combo FB option..

Originally posted by J Stay
What about Run Block?

Why not Get Low instead? It's far and away the most popular SA for run blocking linemen and blocking TEs and very likely gives a better bonus than the very basic "Run Block" SA that is always found as the very first SA in its tree. Lead Block also gives a bonus to pushing defenders back that would stack with Get Low, so working on Get Low would be similar to adding Lead Block but without the diminishing returns for taking an SA past 10.

Originally posted by King12
I liked the Combo FB option..

I've never been a big fan of combo FBs, maybe the new archetype system will change that but I doubt it. I'd rather leave the carrying and catching for the RBs and receivers and let the FB be a pure blocker or just not worry at all about blocking and make a beastly short yardage FB. If your team already has a good power back, odds are you aren't going to be better than him as a combo FB, not to mention that RB would be even better if you focused more on blocking to keep defenders off him.

Get Low

wouldn't Cut Block make more sense? given that the idea would be to take down the first player it comes to quickly, and fast so the HB can blow right by?

Originally posted by marksman
wouldn't Cut Block make more sense? given that the idea would be to take down the first player it comes to quickly, and fast so the HB can blow right by?

Possibly, but a cut block is really an "Oh crap!" move that only gets used when it wouldn't normally be possible (or at least very likely) to block the defender. You see it used a lot against NTs or DTs that can bulldoze linemen or when the blocker doesn't have the time and position to attempt a normal block, like when the defender is between him and the ball carrier for example. I've seen a lot of cut blocks on special teams when a blocker is chasing after a defender that got ahead of him and that is closing in on the return man.

Would Cut Block have some uses for a FB? Absolutely. How often would it be used if you play for a good offense and have a good build? Probably not as often as you would want. Most people want SAs or VAs that are active most of the time and that offers a significant bonus. Get Low is used every time you go to block someone and it offers a significant bonus.

No one for First Step? I like Get Low too, but I think First STep has possibilities.

Originally posted by cwrujosh
No one for First Step? I like Get Low too, but I think First STep has possibilities.

Will that help your FB get to the LOS quicker? Yes.
Is that a good thing? Maybe. The sooner you begin blocking a defender, the more time that defender has to break the block.
Would it help get to a 2nd defender after dealing with 1? Sometimes. Your FB has to have been slowed slowed to a near stop (< 1.5 acceleration "units" of velocity according to Bort in Nov 2008) during the block.

Originally posted by rsb014
Will that help your FB get to the LOS quicker? Yes.
Is that a good thing? Maybe. The sooner you begin blocking a defender, the more time that defender has to break the block.
Would it help get to a 2nd defender after dealing with 1? Sometimes. Your FB has to have been slowed slowed to a near stop (< 1.5 acceleration "units" of velocity according to Bort in Nov 2008) during the block.

This is an interesting theory.

Originally posted by cwrujosh
This is an interesting theory.

I just don't think you want to ask your FB to hold a block longer than he needs to, every tick that he is engaged is a chance for the defender to break the block. In addition to that, the mechanic is setup so that the chance for a defender to break a block goes up the longer he has been held in that block.

The other thing to point out is that if you get up too much speed in the backfield, you can run past defenders that ultimately make the tackle. Maybe right after you are past him and looking for a LB or SS to block, the NT blows up the RG and tackles the RB for no gain behind you.

Then again, it is all a matter of taste. First Step might work wonders for some builds/teams. I prefer a powerful FB with enough strength/blocking to at least momentarily hold up a monster D-lineman that gets a quick reverse pancake. Such a build only requires enough speed (and speed-related SAs) to get to the second level of the defense a couple of ticks ahead of the RB.

First Step is pretty elite if you're going for a Pancake Build, also when combined with outside blocker it really lowers the amount of Speed you actually need IMO. Basically with First Step, since you'll be hitting your max accel fairly quickly, the difference in speed between you and your RB probably won't kick in until you're already at your first block. Since he'll usually be holding up slightly while you're blocking, if you then pancake your LB, you'll get that burst again to hit your next block, since it won't be far, that initial burst is very likely to be much more important than your max spd again.

Basically, in my theory crafting having first step should allow more equipment to be moved out of SPD and into STR, making for more pancakes on the second level, leading to more big plays. Even a single pancake then held block on the second level can be a huge gain.