The Whitepeak Warpdivers got their sole game in for week 6: another close one with the Sons of Northern Darkness. I've been taking a lot of heavy damage in the first half as of late, which was especially strange in this game, considering I started with the ball. The Sons killed Glart Smashrip Jr. for the second time this season. I'm not sure if that means I shouldn't induce him anymore because he stays alive against the Sons for an average of 3 turns or if I should continue to induce him because he seems to deflect the punishment away from my rostered players.
Frank Sewergrass has been promoted to team captain after yet another astounding AG4 performance helped my team get their score in the first half. The Sons recorded a pretty straight-forward score of their own before half-time, as my Skaven were really having an off-day, especially on defense. The first half ended 1-1 with a bunch of my players sitting on the bench, and this was definitely playing out like a traditional 2-1 grind in favor of the bashers.
I won a subtle but important victory at half time, when all three of my knocked out players returned on a 4+. That was just enough to offer some significant pressure early in Ian's drive. He decided to toss the ball downfield to his blodgy Elf to move the ball quickly, but the speed of my Skaven and the usefulness of Wrackle helped me bring the elusive elf down. My Skaven were generally unhelpful this game, barring a play here and there, but for once it was my Goblins that bailed me out. Limpy McGee (who I crudely named to remind myself that he has MA5) is really starting to grow on me. Despite my distaste for having a hobbled player in crucial positions, he always seems to be in the right place at the right time and makes great plays. In this case, he caught the ball as it was fumbled out of the Dark Elf's hands and weaved through Ian's ferocious Big Men to hand off the ball to Shoeless Joe, who we haven't heard from in a while. Shoeless Joe was in a great location, but that Murdering Clawpombing Bastard made a 4+, 3+, 2+, 2+ (and Ian was out of rerolls!) to get a tackle zone on the sprinting goblin. One more timely dodge and blitz was required from a Skaven, and Shoeless Joe was home free. All that was left was for Shoeless Joe to stall near the end zone, as he watched the Sons brutalize the Warpdivers' few remaining players all in the name of fair play and sportsmanship. Another tight win for the Warpdivers! 2-1.
After the game, huge strides were made in team development. After 12 games of not recording a single SPP, William Taft got a cas last game and an MVP today. Not only that, but he got a doubles roll on his first skill. His persistence has finally paid off, and now I might finally use him for something once in a while other than getting smashed since he's learned Block! In addition, Frank Sewergrass is officially an emerging star. Man, underworld is fun to develop. With block, ag4, and a normal roll there were tons of different ways to take him, but I ultimately decided on Nerves of Steel because I thought this might open up some great options for the team's play book.
Last but not least Shoeless Joe, the Killer Gobbo, who had been sitting at +ST and 15 spps for quite some time, finally got his second skill-up with today's dramatic, game-winning touchdown. After the match he took a celebratory Warpstone bath and exited the tub with a brand new pair of horns. I hope to seriously confound at least one opposing coach with Shoeless Joe's new abilities during Week 7 (unless of course he dies on turn 2 of my next game, which will surely happen considering I just typed it.)
Hope to see some of you on Sunday!
