I tried, fairly unsuccessfully, to play Norse in our league (ECBBL) last season. Tbf I took the wrong build really and marred by many 1/9s and batting collapses throughout the season meant I was tempted to leave them in the display cabinet for 2025. However, I thought I'd give them another go in the league (this time opting for a berserker, an apo and some fans to start) and also try to play them in tournaments where even if the package isn't great I can at least go for the painting competition.
Bromley's Winter classic however, at 1 million limit and 6 skills for tier 1 seemed the perfect opportunity to give them a go. I figured it would be heavy on the stunty-star combo so Norse it was. 12 men and women, 2rr, no boars, no apo. 2 tackles on the berserkers, guard and block on the Ulfs, Block and wrestle on the valks.
Game 1 vs halflings! Result! It went pretty much as expected. My opponent did roll a lot of poor dice and mine were decent. Lost of cas and 3-0 to me meant top table for game 2.
Game 2 vs orcs. Well this was also expected I guess...winning game 1 meant inevitably facing someone with the same idea. He chose to receive first iirc and failed to remove any of my players early on whereas I took out one of his making his drive all the more difficult and I was able to defend successfully. In my drive I was able to punch a hole and push through, allowing me to stall for a couple of turns before the danger became too much of a risk and the score was done t4. With a full team still I figured I had a good chance of defending again and despite a KO or too the orcs were held to a 1-0. Win!
Game 3 vs Dwarves! Fellow ECBBLer and Fumbbl player, Schoolyb with 11 boring bearded bastards all with block (I can't say much taking Norse but Dwarves are more boring by a country mile). A very well fought game. Again the Norse were sucking up the punches, thick skill coming into play quite often. Dwarves received and despite a last ditch effort with a dodge and GFIs from an Ulf to attempt surfing the BC, ending in double both down, they were able to score in 8. However a lucky removal or three from the norse meant the draw was at least on. Again, I elected to score early enough so at least one of us could try to win it (preventing the filthy star-studded snots of purplechest another trophy) and although looking like a draw by t7, the norse somehow came through for the 2-1. Win!
3-0-0 but was it enough? 6 TDs and 2 out of 3 bonus points for doing stupid shit meant, yes! My first tournament win! Absolutely smashing start to the year.
