Starting Field Positions for Four-Gladiator Teams
by Gregg Schwartz
There are advantages and disadvantages to each of the starting lineups possible with a four-gladiator team. Below you will find the basic reasoning behind each.
Option 1:
All Gladiators in the action Field
Pros: You have the ability to get Cheer right away and your whole team is ready for the attack. If your opponent starts things off with the Flow, intercept with any one of your capable Gladiators, and in doing so, get a Cheer! You can then use that Cheer to gain control of the Flow and go on the offensive.
Cons: No protecting – Your scrawny Gladiator will be fair game to be targeted by a major 2 damage attack, although you can intercept.
Option 2:
Three in the Action Field and 1 in the Support Field
Pros: You get to keep your little guy in the back, nice and safe and have lots of options for protecting.
Cons: As long as your opponent keeps targeting the guy in the back, you can protect, but they will keep getting Cheer.
Option 3:
Two in the Action Field and Two in the Support
Pros: Keep the big guys in the front to protect and you always have an interceptor to get you some Cheer in either field.
Cons: If your opponent attacks a 3VP gladiator in the action field, will you intercept with your 4VP gladiator? Make sure you are willing to accept the options you have given your opponent.
Option 4:
One in the Action Field and three in the Support Field
Cons: If your opponent targets your Gladiator in the Action field, he is toast. No way of getting Cheer and you will have to take all the Damage
Pros: You can control which gladiator takes the damage and make sure that gladiator is able to survive your opponent's initial onslaught. Ok, so you've probably just taken a bunch of damage, but if your opponent launched a full on attack he probably has few defensive options once you gain the Flow. Hit the rich kids!!!, (sorry for that inexcusable reference to Rushmore)
Option 5:
All in the Support Field
Pro: You have many interceptors available.
Con: No protectors. If you advance or your opponent has an advance card, see option 4
There is no right answer and we've only touched the basics here, having not delved into the effects of your and your opponents cards and strategies, all of which can turn the above upside down. However, for beginners, I would recommend option 3 until you are comfortable with the different options and their effects on play.
