Why using TTC bases ? typical beginner question

[the french guy]

Hi,


Tonight I'm in philosophical self questionning

I'm a beginner, but for now I don't see the use for the TTC bases I use some of them, but I never turn the dials... if fact, since I don't have any good carrying case for now (see the other topic ) when I move my team I often disturb the dial direction, causing problems on field...

For speed, I've got good results with standard miggle bases, and even better with diamond fast bases. For strenght, I 've got a couple of DDB (dialed but as you know you can't turn the dial) bases wich are as stronger as my dialed miggle bases, and I heard that proline (strong and rookie) bases were good.


So what is the use of TTC bases ? I see a lot of great coaches and tweakers using it. SO I believe there is a good reason for that. But for an average joe like me, who will probably never make any big competition or tournament, can I forget TTC and use only rookies bases ? Or should I keep TTC bases for a special purpose, perhaps with the dial glued ?


thanks


dimitri

[eflfanatic]

Typically the TTC Base is used for strength on linemen and to give them direction for blocking. For myself, I have found that by turning the base backwards (so that the dial is on the back of the base) and curling the prongs back so that the base runs forward, it seems to give my line more balance and control. It also puts the back edge of the base towards the front of the figure and makes it more difficult for defenders to fight off the block because the front edge is now straight. Of course you can counter this by putting bases with a more rounder front on your defensive linemen.

[joel_p1]

I for one when I started back in this hobby thought the same thing. What good are the TTC bases. I could not tweak them that well and thought they were a waste of money being put in the packs with the rookie bases.
Now I think the other way , why are rookie bases included in with the TTC bases. TTC bases are the best. They can be tweaked to do so many different things. The speed is unbelievable when you finally learn how to tweak them. Excellent running back, receivers,tight ends, Linebackers, loopers, blitzers, safties because they can spin to stay in zone converage, then straighten the dial to make a tackle on the receiver.
I know it takes alot of practice and patience to make these work. Just dont overtweak the front prongs. Light to medium squeeze and keep the figure's weight to the back of the base and you will see results.
I hardly use anything else on my teams now. But if you are not going to play in a league or you are happy with what you have , then keep doing what you do.
I for one will hardly use anything else, unless its some proline rookie bases.
But as far as the regular miggle rookie bases I very seldom use any.
Some may disagree with me here but this is what Ive found to suit my team.

Joel

[the french guy]

thanks


@elffanatic :

Personaly, when I turn the dials of my TTC bases, it seems that I loose strenght the best strenght I have is with the dial straight.

WHat you say join what K-lo said to me : use the dial for linemen moves. So I can keep a clean and readable LOS with straight bases, but keeping strategic possibilities...

So if I understand correctly, TTC bases are especially necessary for the line ?


@Joel :

I know it takes alot of practice and patience to make these work

You get it : what I like in that hobby is the modelling side and the game itself. Tweaking is interesting, but take a lot of time...too much time. And since I can't afford pro tweaked bases, I have to do on my own.

I know how to tweak ttc bases for strenght (even if, as I said, when I turn the dial the strenght is weaker), but tweak it for speed or (miracle) mixed speed and strenght is a way harder.

In the other side, tweaking a DDB or diamond fast base is easy and fast.

I heard that proline strong rookie bases were quite the same sort of stuff, and the fast rookies were quite good too. So perhaps I will never become a great tweaker...but with decent bases I make decent enough tweaking to play games.


another cool thing about proline bases : the rounded bases : usefull for runners and defense line, no ? the square bases sounds good for O linemen too...




Well...Still confused I'll go to sleep and come back tomorrow

[detroitchild]

I agree with Joel and Chris on this one. Since you are new to the hobby and will be playing mostly solitaire or just against your brother, the advantages of the TTC may not be that obvious. In time as you learn the details and fine points of the the game (in particular the game with in a game like one on one match ups) you will find the TTC invaluable. You can use them on both the offensive line to create holes and on defense to disguise the types of formations to use, examples like blitzing, filling running lanes and using linebackers to do their many jobs.

Keep all of your TTC bases and practice your tweaking on them and as you learn the game a little better I guarantee that you will understand the advantages of using them.

[sweetka]

For about 25 years we played with rookie bases only.

TTC's bring control. Set them to run straight then place a mark on them that only you can read. You will then be able to keep them straight. Once you play around with a bit you should be able to make them dance if you'd like.

TTC's with Proline dials are a potent combination. You can get them to run almost as fast as a rookie base or as strong as a proline. The key is the tweaking and how much you are committed to performance. There are many tips for tweaking these bases on the tips section. Good Question, and good luck.

[RavennaAl]

Dimitri, here is my perspective on TTC vs. rookie bases. Generally speaking, TTC's are better for strength and rookies are better for speed. Keep in mind that TTC's weigh more than rookies, too, which probably accounts for their better strength. If you want to compete in tournaments against other people, you will want to have TTC's on your line. If you are playing solitaire, or in your case against others who have limited knowledge of the game, then you could use all rookie bases and play just as well.

I use all rookies on my teams, with the exception of one team which has some TTC's on it. My teams are all pretty much competitive with each other and the game play is just as good as anyone elses. TTC's are ok, but as you already stated, it is easy to accidentally move the dial and mess up a play. Since you will most likely never play against most of us over here, you could use nothing but rookie bases and have just as much fun, perhaps even more fun because you won't have bases turning the wrong way from the dials being turned.

Also, since you are isolated from us over here, you could play with minimal tweaking for strength and have your teams on equal footing. This will make it more fun for your friends who don't know how to tweak because they will be able to play with some equality to you. If your team is a lot stronger than your friends, they may become discouraged and not want to play. Something to keep in mind...

[styx]

if you dont want the dials to move ,cut a small piece of double sided scotch tape to put under the dial to keep it going straight, the dial can still be turned ,but at a much stiffer rate.

[FrustratedFinFan]

The mobility from TTC bases is the reason.

It allows you to change the arc on player movement (and it can compensate slightly for unbalanced figures and such.....so you can go straight without extensive tweaking....not the best solution, but it can help) and this can allow you to have a player spin in an area (zone defense on passing), or maybe create a looping blitzer or a running back for sweeps. Other than spinning in place or for guys who you want to change their angle of attack....all of these can be done with a rookie base though....but obviously, your spinning guy needs to be set to go straight at some time to make a tackle so a TTC is a must. TTC's can also allow your offensive linemen to shift their angle of attack....or allow a tackle to arc backwards and out to pick up blitzers from the outside. A fast TTC base on a running back can be very valuable. Your opponent won't be able to predict his arc of travel out of the backfield as easily as if he were on a rookie base.....the same being true for a blitzing linebacker....the offensive player can't be sure how sharp of a loop he is making if he is on a TTC.

TTC's typically could be made stronger than rookie bases.....till the Proline strong bases came along....and that was another advantage.

I have found that those Proline strength dials can be used in other shells to give you VERY strong TTC bases. The Proline TTC's as they come are not good.....the dials are loose and positioned too far back. You can do surgery to move the dial. An easy fix would be to cut out the post that holds the dial and then glue in (or just place) some friction bandage material to the shell....and then put the dial back in. The dial can then be moved forward and used....the friction tape will hold it where you want it. You might have to cut some of the shell opening to get the dial far enough forward.

Wait till you find the interesting things you can do with ITZ dials....true 360 degree movement....but best with balanced figures (unbalanced figures will not go exactly the direction of the dial, but you learn to use them!). The ITZ dials are not gonna' be very strong....but you can get speed out of them. I have seen them used on offensive lines with wide splits for running and passing. I did well using them for my offensive line before....for passing. Never quite got down the run game with them. Mklingbeil on this chat board is the guy to contact to buy ITZ dials.

[the french guy]

Ok, thanks everyone for the help and developed answers

Even if I 'll certainly never make tournaments in USA (but I hope one day I'll come in USA for holidays and met some of you!), I want to practice the hobby as closed as you 're actually playing it.

lso, since you are isolated from us over here, you could play with minimal tweaking for strength and have your teams on equal footing. This will make it more fun for your friends who don't know how to tweak because they will be able to play with some equality to you. If your team is a lot stronger than your friends, they may become discouraged and not want to play. Something to keep in mind...

that's a wise observation.

But when I play with my brother, with our "demo/generic" teams (with decent speed -diamond bases, running 6secs the 100y/42"- and strenght -I 've got 2 Revells linemen bases to compare), we 're quite frustrated with some athletes, especially blitzers, and runners. Our coverage defense could be better too. I'm not happy with the messy LOS of angled linemen also.


Another point is, even if I don't think I'll become passionate about tweaking, I want to integrate that part of the hobby, because better is the tweaking, better will be the experience on the field IMHO.



Well...a lot of theory for the moment . I believe I'll order plenty of bases soon, Proline rookies (fast and strong, round and square), and Proline TTC (fast and strong, round and square), and apply the tips you gave me.


In a first time, I believe I'll just use TTC for strenght my line (since I obtain quite good results in strenght tweaking), and learn how to use the dial for control. So the improvement will be not too violent for us.

then, I'll try to use TTC bases for coverage defense (even if on passing play, since I use Buzzball rules, the defender is allowed to angle his free athletes)

Then, I'll try to use the TTC for speed for runners (= achieve good tweaking then learn to control)

then, TTC for strong runners (the most difficult tweaking IMHO)



By the way, you're talking about control : on a rule point of view, when do you turn that dials ? on placing pivot sequence ?



Another question :

TTC's are better for strength and rookies are better for speed.

What about the Proline strong rookie bases ? Could they be good candidate for easy tweaking mixed strenght/speed athletes ?



thank you all