Strategy

Fo realistic games, I think the answer is no. The reason is simply that once the block is up the dwarf will be able to block shoving lines faster than the trolls can form them, for example by putting dwarves in front. So if the trolls can break the block he should most likely have been able to prevent it from beeing formed in the fist place. Notice that this changes if the dwarf player desides that he should attempt to move the block, in that case it's highly dependent upon the number of dwarves.

as a general rule of thumb try to get trolls in each quadrant of the board so it stops the dwarfs from getting into blocks. If this is done right and fast enough the game is literlly impossible for the dwarfs. Any body now how to actually WIN with the dwarfs because it is as hard as a troll to do so.

I'm hardly an expert, but my belief is that rather than persuing the trolls with a block, it is better to use a long line of dwarves to isolate individual trolls in particular quadrants on the board and use the other dwarves to protect this line as it gradually crushes the troll as it moves in upon it (similair to the two rooks "lawnmower" technique used in chess end games) However this is a lengthy process so you are likely only to get one or two trolls in slowfire before you decompose! You could probably win with dwarves with this technique if you play in real life against someone...

slightly off topic but what is "lawnmower" technique you speak of?

This is when you want to finish off a game of chess in which u are winning but finding it difficult to get round the opponent's defences. You use two rooks/rook and a queen to force the king back to a side of the board by checking him, and so he has to move back a row, and then the other rook/queen is used to check him, gradually forcing him to a side where he can be check-mated. I was trying to incorporate this strategy into thud since I saw the possibility of its use in agame with a friend. Do people think this is possible to use totry and win a game with dwarves?

This is a good strategy, and one I highly recommend in conjunction with Block building. Block building is required for defense. Lawnmower type strategies of 'isolate, corral and finally capture' are what you do once you've solidified your position and are relatively immune from Troll attack.

Of course, it all depends on how many Dwarfs you lost building your block, because you probably need to maintain a core 3x3 block to remain secure from Troll attack and thus your hunting group is generally equal to your remaining Dwarfs minus 9.

I am glad I am being backed up by someone as proficient as Becky O (by the by i'd be interested in playing u sometime though I gather you're a little busy setting up a business), but I was merely experimenting with the idea against a friend and managed to get one troll in exchange for a couple of dwarves after I'd formed a block. I was wondering though what you had in mind with the 9 block defend and the rest attack idea. Do you keep the block in one corner of the board and let the attackers roam or use the block as a protector of the attackers? Maybe we can bash out a succesful dwarf end game strategy?

Well I'm really new to all this still, still enjoying my first ever game, but I suppose the Trolls' chances of breaking a Dwarf block depend on a lot of different factors; strength (i.e. number of Dwarfs), location, dimensions, etc.

However, if there are sufficient Trolls remaining once the block is formed and any remaining Dwarfs have been mopped up, then it shouldn't necessarily be game over. Sure you

grumble grumble

You need to come in from two different angles. Attack with one of the lines, one of the Dwarfs from the block takes the Troll that attacked, but then the block isn't solid anymore and your second line of attack could barge in there. Tricky, but doable. And everything must be aligned just right... but note that it is also difficult for Dwarfs to defend against two lines of Trolls and there will be heavy Dwarf-losses if a Troll does get in.

Good luck, Mc!

from my experience a block can be broken on the condition that you loose a troll doing it, and you an only do it if you can a second troll into the block within a couple of moves. hard but doable...

yeah,in most cases you lose a troll,although sometimes i've managed to break a block without losing a troll,but then there've also been times when i've lost more than 1 troll when breaking up a block,so it depends on the situation

indeed. alot of people donot use a troll sacrifice - but i find it is one of my best moves, as im a very defensive "set them up first" troll player, then i dive in and maybe loose a couple of trolls but i am then in a very commandin position on the whole board.

BUT if im against a newbie i do tend to change my tactics to a more aggressive stance as they are less likely to have a good defensive plan

i also find that when playing newbies(even though i am pretty much one myself)i change my tactics and use like one or 2 trolls to sweep the lines.sometimes you don't need more than 1 or 2,even against better players.

such a good word,strategy,it clariffies everything when you hear it.

'What's he doing?'
'strategy'
'ok then,that explains it'

see what i mean????

That explains that strategies should not be followed blindly. (Have to remind myself every single time I play, and often fail to..)
Be ready to change strategy at need, but I'm drifting off-topic now.

When there is a dwarf block already formed, the thought comes to my mind not to attack that block directly.
I would rather move my trolls out of range and attack the other sides. The dwarf player would then have to move the block sooner or later, making it vulnerable. The tricky thing is to have the trolls ready for this to go in the new forming block or the remains of the old one.

Well, this is a quite abstract approach. I think it is time we look out for example layouts to name the moves.