Blood Bowl - The Game of Fantasy American Football
Created | Updated Jan 28, 2002
Blood Bowl is a board game created by Jervis Johnson and made by Games Workshop (GW), a manufacturer of wargames and metal miniature models.
http://www.fanatic-games.com/
In Blood Bowl, there are 2 players per game, each playing one of the sides in a crazy game of American Football. Each real-life player has 11 or more players on the pitch (board), who can be humans, elves, orcs, dwarves etc. represented by small (35mm) painted metal models (known as miniatures).
The game, created in the mid-80's evolved from GW's Fantasy wargame, 'Warhammer', where players pit armies of a hundred or more miniatures against each other on a tabletop battlefield. Someone once had a bright idea at the end of the battle for the few remaining to start a game of football .. and so Blood Bowl was created.
Now in its 4th Edition of rules, the game has a worldwide following mostly of players in their 20s and 30s who have 'grown up' with the game.
The object of the game is to score more touchdowns than the opposing team. The team is made up of 11 or so players wearing spikey armour, intent on scoring touchdowns by whatever means necessary. If that means your players injuring all the opposing team, then so be it.
There are different styles of play. Human teams are all-rounders and suited to many tactics. Elves are slender but agile and dodge around opponents, playing a passing game. Dwarves are slow and heavily armoured and walk the ball slowly up the pitch. There are many more races, each with its own special rules.
Blood Bowl has produced a following unlike any other game in its class especially when you consider the game is no longer available in the shops.
The game is still available, however, by mail order, as is the vast range of miniatures to accompany it. Players all around the world run leagues and tournaments between friends to see their teams batter the opponents and improve with experience.
Fans have not let the game be forgotten: There is a Blood Bowl e-mailing list & a message board where players discuss tactics and rules old and new. GW also brings out occasional new rule compilations and has recently published the 4th edition rules on the above website. There are links from there to fan sites where you can find the message board and mailing lists.
Any game that can keep a large following when you can no longer buy it in the high street must be worth a look. Seek out a league or players in your area - you won't regret it.
http://www.fanatic-games.com/
In Blood Bowl, there are 2 players per game, each playing one of the sides in a crazy game of American Football. Each real-life player has 11 or more players on the pitch (board), who can be humans, elves, orcs, dwarves etc. represented by small (35mm) painted metal models (known as miniatures).
The game, created in the mid-80's evolved from GW's Fantasy wargame, 'Warhammer', where players pit armies of a hundred or more miniatures against each other on a tabletop battlefield. Someone once had a bright idea at the end of the battle for the few remaining to start a game of football .. and so Blood Bowl was created.
Now in its 4th Edition of rules, the game has a worldwide following mostly of players in their 20s and 30s who have 'grown up' with the game.
The object of the game is to score more touchdowns than the opposing team. The team is made up of 11 or so players wearing spikey armour, intent on scoring touchdowns by whatever means necessary. If that means your players injuring all the opposing team, then so be it.
There are different styles of play. Human teams are all-rounders and suited to many tactics. Elves are slender but agile and dodge around opponents, playing a passing game. Dwarves are slow and heavily armoured and walk the ball slowly up the pitch. There are many more races, each with its own special rules.
Blood Bowl has produced a following unlike any other game in its class especially when you consider the game is no longer available in the shops.
The game is still available, however, by mail order, as is the vast range of miniatures to accompany it. Players all around the world run leagues and tournaments between friends to see their teams batter the opponents and improve with experience.
Fans have not let the game be forgotten: There is a Blood Bowl e-mailing list & a message board where players discuss tactics and rules old and new. GW also brings out occasional new rule compilations and has recently published the 4th edition rules on the above website. There are links from there to fan sites where you can find the message board and mailing lists.
Any game that can keep a large following when you can no longer buy it in the high street must be worth a look. Seek out a league or players in your area - you won't regret it.
