What Skill Should I give a Lineman?

[[L]Sanders]

So I play Humans, and I just had one of my linemen of all people get a level up. I'm trying to decide if I should give him Block, and essentially make him a 5th Blitzer, or if I should give him Dauntless so that he's a bit better against the bashier teams. What do you guy's think?

[Askic]

On a lineman I would go for Kick or even Dirty Player as a first skill. But Block is always a good choice. I'm not sure about Dauntless without Block, if it doesn't trigger you will be in a bad situation. But I'm still a beginner, others could have better advices ;)

[[L]Sanders]

I should note that this is essentially an all level 1 team with the exception of now this lineman, also thank you for your advice Askic.

[Askic]

If you are playing in a league and know what is your next opponent, you can chose a skill that counters them too, like Tackle or Wrestle.

[Larus]

Generally are block as first and fend as second always useful. Fend because humans can't dodge away like elves and also can't take a beating like orcs. Alternative is tackel also a consideration depending on the meta in your league.

And one can as already mentiond become your kick player. I would give a few guys block first though.

[Kernest]

Every lineman should start with Block (or alternatively, Wrestle), excepts those that have agility access, they might want to consider Dodge first.

The reason is simple. When throwing a 2 dice block, chances of getting only attacker down and/or both down results is 1/9, meaning you'd have to waste a team re-roll on average every 9 blocks, and if you've already used a team re-roll, it causes an instant turnover.

With Block or Wrestle, the only "bad" result is double skulls, which is 1/36 chance.

[khornight]

Kick every time... being able to quarter the area the kick is going to is worth way more than a lineman with block!

[RodHull]

Block fend or wrestle are always good first picks for line fodder... I prefer wrestle over block with low/average st teams personally.

[Zorlond]

If you have Blitzers already, I'd tend to go with Wrestle on Linemen. It counters Block (which grows more common as TV increases), can open holes with minimal risk to your player, and can prevent Turnovers. Only downsides are that the enemy player is guranteed to not be injured, and also removes your player's tackle zones for the turn.

[rinku]

I'd also support kick, though Block/Wrestle is a good choice. Human (and Skaven) teams have players fast enough to exploit kickoff table opportunities to steal or dispute the ball, and being able to choose where it's going within a few squares is great. Or, just put it in the "coffin corner" near a sideline and end zone to make sure it takes them that much longer to move the ball back.

[Jonnybear84]

My opinion is that generally speaking when your linemen lvl up you want to give them either block or wrestle to start off but as others have said it can be a good idea to single out just one of your linemen and give him kick, whether you want to do that now with the first lineman or later on one of the others would obviously be up to you.

[Blind Reverend]

dodge (elven teams), wrestle, kick (only one with kick, who is not on the LoS);
doubles guard

[Kharn!]

Assuming you don't get a double or anything, I'd take block because theres less chance of your guy going down on your turn and your oppos turn.
Its a solid pick, plus it'll give you an edge against anyone who hasn't got block, i reckon you'll get more use out of it initially.
Edit:
Yoink, basic tips below
https://fumbbl.com/help:HumanStrategy

[AbyssNLove]

I would highly recomend getting kick on one of your lineman first, safes you so much pain from failed kickoffs, wrestle block are also two good starting choices

[WoodMan]

I always take kick on the first lineman to level up, it may allow you to slow down a bashy team by 1 or 2 turns and it will give you a better chance of getting the ball from quick teams early on especially if kickoff event is favourable for you.

I would certainly not give Dauntless to Human Lineman, if it isn't Kick, I'd go Wrestle or Block (Wrestle for me).

[Nick]

-> If you already have a player with Kick:

Block first, always. Ignore Wrestle. It's only good when the player is built specifically to get the ball out of another player's hands (Strip Ball, Tackle, Wrestle -> 5/6 chance to remove ball from target player).

If the lineman survives long enough for a second / third skill: Guard and Fend.

-> If you do not have a player with Kick:

Kick.