Blood Bowl PlayBook

by Coach Blacknife and Nigel Buckle (Coach Blacknife's Dugout)

Orcs are a popular team. A really popular team. There are a couple of reasons for this aside from getting the majority of your players free in the box! They’re a good all round team, but you can also specialise them to a degree. They also epitomise Blood Bowl; they are as green as the turf, as tough as the standard issue boots and could even give the crowd a good challenge in a straight up fight!

by Ian Williams (Games Workshop)

For as long anyone can remember, kicking a player when he is down has been an integral part of the game. In fact, many Blood Bowl players would happily stamp on their own mother, let alone a dazed star holding his bits, if they thought it gave them an advantage. Even the daftest Goblin knows that a well-timed kick can win the adulation of the crowd and maybe even the game!

by unknown (FUMMBL)

In former times, Undead were considered to be one of the more dangerous bashing teams. These days, there are better teams at doing that; Undead are now primarily a running team, relying on a tight or loose cage to protect the ball until breaking for the endzone – with developed Ghouls and tough, Regenerating players to support them, they are a hard team to overcome, if coached well. At early stages, they generally perform very well, but the slow development of the Zombie and Skeleton players, and lack of access to Strength or Agility skills means they find it harder at higher team ratings.

by Andy Chambers (Blood Bowl Home of @rnholm)

After a long and succesful career as coach of the Skavenblight Scramblers I finally decided to hang up my running shoes and try something different. I wanted to play with a slower but harder team than Skaven, a team with players which didn’t give me a sick feeling in the pit of my stomach every time they got blocked. Although I was tempted by the Orcs, I was eventually seduced by the lack of subtlety of the Chaos team and the mouth-watering selection of hideous monsters that will play for them. After winning both the Spike Trophy and the Chaos Cup and getting to the semi-finals for the Blood Bowl, I must say that I’m delighted with my choice.

by C. Matt Billman (www.blood-bowl.net)

For the true competitor, if you’ve ever played in a Blood Bowl league before you’ll know that competitiveness radiates form every BB player. I see this in BB more than any other GW game. Maybe it’s because you only control eleven or so pieces (each with their own name!) and one tends to get attached to them as they increase their skills throughout the league play. The best, well-rounded team out there is the Chaos Dwarf team. Ah, ah, ah… now let me explain, Elf-lovers, let me explain… there are three reasons why this is true. Now, I know you’re saying they don’t have a thrower or a catcher. Well, that’s true but in league player durability and survivability play a bigger role in being competitive than finesse any day Elfy!

by Milo Sharp (www.blood-bowl.net)

The Dark Elven Blood Bowl game is balanced in speed and ball handling. With good coaching, they can become excellent players and compensate for their lack of strength and star players.

by Chet Zeshonski (www.blood-bowl.net)

Norse and Human teams enjoy a number of advantages over most other teams. Chief among these is access to all mannner of skills save Physical Abilities. Norse and Human teams also have cheap Linemen, access to both Wizards and Apothecaries, and a large number of position players.

by unknown (FUMMBL)

Though they are a lightly-armoured team, this is offset by all their players starting with Dodge. Amazons are best employed playing a fairly bashy, running game.

by unknown (FUMBBL)

Necromantic teams are an interesting mix of power and scoring potential. This team is pretty much a Bashy team vs High speed teams and a speed team vs other bashers; note that the wolves must be placed so your opponent can block/foul them as little as possible as if he does he can kill them with a bit of luck, which will put your team in a bit of trouble.

by Ian Williams (Games Workshop)

Blocking is one of the fundamental elements of Blood Bowl, and, for many of the ‘bashing’ teams it is absolutely crucial to having a successful team. For many of the ‘flair’ teams it can be just as important to understand how your opponent may exploit your weaknesses. Get your blocks wrong and you won’t win many games; get them right and victory will be yours. This guide is intended to help coaches get the most out of their blocking.