@ChapterAquila92 (and @Bowser should he return to the forum) I wanted to double check something I read with you. The snotling linemen have the insignificant rule, meaning that there can't be more of them on a team roster than players without this rule. So effectively the largest number of snotling lineman you can hire onto a roster is 8 and the rest must be taken up by the positionals. What I've read is that in league you can draft up your team roster using these rules, play a game and afterwards you can fire an positionals you don't want and hire more snotling linemen. Is this true?
That is correct. The ruling for the Insignificant trait only applies when drafting the team, not when managing the team between games in the midst of a season.
That opens up some options (and also makes the rule seem inconsequential). I've heard some say that it isn't worth taking any positionals outside of the Trolls and Pump Wagons because of the cost difference when working out relative team values. I really like the idea of the Fungas Flinga though, I can't see myself not rostering them. I also think that the Stilty Runna has great potential especially if you can advance him with the Sure Feet skill. However, I'm not really sold on the Fun-hoppa outside of it's cool mini, which I am very fond of. Match Play is a different case though as the cost between the positionals and the basic Snotling Lineman is miniscule.
Eh... It's still a rule to be kept in mind, even in league play. Of particular note, you must have a minimum of 11 players on your roster each time you draft the team (be it for league or matched play), which for Snotlings means that they can't afford to skip out on taking positional players when drafting, big guys or not. And honestly? I don't really see any significant benefit that comes from reducing your team value by up to 20k by taking Snotling Linemen over Stilty Runnas and Fun-Hoppas, especially when the stats and skill equivalents they each have would otherwise cost a Snotling Lineman two advances and a 40k increase in player value just to have. Even trading out the Fungus Flingas for two Linemen each would be an outright downgrade for a team that's already on the back foot just for being a Stunty team, and all for what, a max of 50k difference in team value across six players? That's barely enough for a dedicated team apothecary or minor inducements, much less anything that requires your team to be horribly outmatched in order to take.
Meaning at minimum, you need to roster at least 6 non-linemen guys. 2 trolls and 2 pump wagons bring you up to 4; leaving the coach two shy, which he must select from the fun-hoppas, stilty runnas and/or fungus flingas. That of course would only bring you to 12 players, which seems a bit light for a vulnerable strength one stunty team. 14 or 15 seems like a better mark to aim for, leaving some room for Star Players. I can't really imagine leaving the Fungas Flingas out of the lineup because they seem pretty cool (and fun). They bring a unique dynamic to the team and alongside of thrown players really give the team some long ranged attacking potential. Likewise, the Stilty Runnas look to be pretty useful. Their two bonuses of +1 movement and sprint work synergistically togetherr. And if you are able to get sure feet on them, they are a potential movement 9 scoring threat. Probably the best scorers on the team (Star Players aside). The Fun-Hoppa is where I am a bit skeptical. The extra pip of movement is nice, but I'm not really sold on the Pogo skill. I can't imagine that there would be many opportunities where it would shine, especially on a team with linemen that can dodge in and out of any tackle zones on a 2+ with a re-roll (prehensile tail not withstanding). Seems highly situational at best. But it's much more than 50k across six players, it's 140k. The Snotling Linemen count as 0 when working out relative team values because of their low cost linemen special rule. So the six players replaced by linemen nets you a savings of 30k+30k+20k+20k+20k+20k=140k. 140k can already get you some decent Star Players, but when added to what ever team value advantage the Snotlings are likely to already have, it really opens up the very best Star Players in the game and perhaps even two Star Players. I can't imagine forgoing all the Snotling positionals, but I am wondering where the optimum point is. How many are worth taking and which ones are best left out (if any)?