That is a superb blunderbuss!

 Tabletop_Magpie wrote:
The painting on the explosion is just outstanding. It looks like VFX. Incredible.

My thoughts exactly. Absolutely superb.


And a nice mini too - a Chaos Dwarf with a blunderbuss; a match made in heaven.

It’s the OSL on the bolts and nuts that really sells it I think.

Don’t miss the eyes! They’re superb. Proper manic, and subtly bloodshot.

 Mr_Rose wrote:
It’s the OSL on the bolts and nuts that really sells it I think.

How is it going to look with normal person painting though? I think that if I got one (I probably won't), I would clip off those nuts & bolts.

You can tell I’m a simpleton, because GW’s awful pun names continue to make me grin.

On that note?

Anqi Panqi, Temple Guard Blocker.

Did he have a profile before, but no model?

Awesome model.

 Dysartes wrote:
Did he have a profile before, but no model?

https://blood-bowl.fandom.com/wiki/Anqi_Panqi

Say he first appeared in Spike! Journal #7, 2019

Yeah, I'd seen a reference to the Spike! issue, but couldn't remember if there was a sculpt at that point as well - GIS didn't find one, though.

New article about Chaos Dwarfs on WarComm

https://www.warhammer-community.com/2024/09/24/chaos-dwarf-rules-notes-bringing-the-big-hats-back-to-the-astrogranite/

H'thark has Str 6! That's a lot of punching.

Apparently chorfs are live this coming Saturday and we should be able to collect our preorders from in-store. Spike 18 has already sold out online on the Australian store.

 Aspiring Champion wrote:
Apparently chorfs are live this coming Saturday and we should be able to collect our preorders from in-store. Spike 18 has already sold out online on the Australian store.

I always get the ebook version of Spike! anyway, so I'm good.

Guffle Pussmaw



You can recruit Guffle Pussmaw for any Favoured of Nurgle team, for the disgustingly low price of 180,000 GP. He’ll be available in Forge World resin, and comes with rules in the box.

My God he's disgusting alright. Looks like the thing that served me fish and chips the other night! I called him Mr Creosote.

That said this is a good sign for the game I think, releasing more stars. Bet this guy's stats are pretty hard to take him down. Imagine marking him in game (or real life). Mutation Big Mouth? Anyway he's certainly beefy and that's pretty cool. Also one leg has a normalish foot the other 3 toed elephant leg lol I like the painting too

I like his special ability. More star players with actually-unique abilities please, not “once per game you have a standard skill for thirty seconds” types.

 Mr_Rose wrote:
I like his special ability. More star players with actually-unique abilities please, not “once per game you have a standard skill for thirty seconds” types.

Now I've read the article yeah I agree, it's a good concept

It does seem pretty useful. Essentially a free slap against an opponent, and you might just end up with the ball.

Quick Bite
Once per game, if Guffle is marking an opposing player who catches the ball, he may immediately make an unmodified Armour roll, and subsequent Injury roll if necessary, against that player.
If the target’s Armour is broken, Guffle immediately gains possession of the ball. No Turnover is caused as a result of using this special rule.

However, it is very situational, as needs to be marking the opponent when they catch the ball, not simply carrying it.

Not terribly good at Blood Bowl myself, but I suspect the threat of that ability, rather than use of the ability is the main attraction there, as I’d only be throwing to someone who might be affected if I felt I had no other options.

Chaos Dwarfs?!?

Dammit - I'm in!

Is there a good place to start with Bllood Bowl - is just getting the core rule book enough?

 Alpharius wrote:
Chaos Dwarfs?!?

Dammit - I'm in!

Is there a good place to start with Bllood Bowl - is just getting the core rule book enough?

You'll need a pitch, dice and templates along with the book. So a 2020 Blood Bowl main set is better. If you have those, or play someone who has them, then the rulebook is fine.

You'll probably also want their Spike! Magazine.

 SgtEeveell wrote:
You'll probably also want their Spike! Magazine.

Since the team rules come in each box now, the Spike! Is very much optional.

Hunh! That's me genuinely surprised - I was absolutely expecting the core chaos dwarves to be College of Metal for Dungeon Bowl - which is one of a couple that needs some significant boosting...

Nice model

https://www.warhammer-community.com/en-gb/articles/echscw1y/rowena-forestfoot-enlists-a-full-size-stag-to-help-the-gnomes-win-at-blood-bowl/

Her pigeons can nick the ref’s cards ??

Love the one all fluffed up, wearing a Football helmet.

 Clockpunk wrote:
Hunh! That's me genuinely surprised - I was absolutely expecting the core chaos dwarves to be College of Metal for Dungeon Bowl - which is one of a couple that needs some significant boosting...

How do they shake out on that front? In Fire with the regular Dwarfs?

Fabulous model!

 Tastyfish wrote:

 Clockpunk wrote:
Hunh! That's me genuinely surprised - I was absolutely expecting the core chaos dwarves to be College of Metal for Dungeon Bowl - which is one of a couple that needs some significant boosting...

How do they shake out on that front? In Fire with the regular Dwarfs?

Aye - the CD linemen and new fire breathers are both Fire, both type of Hob are Shadow, and Bull Centaurs are Beasts. The other two groupings I get, but just like with Gnomes being in Shadaow those two colleges seem to be getting the most attention by far. Perhaps borne from them being in the core box - I get that - but still, not how I would have grouped them.

 Tastyfish wrote:

 Clockpunk wrote:
Hunh! That's me genuinely surprised - I was absolutely expecting the core chaos dwarves to be College of Metal for Dungeon Bowl - which is one of a couple that needs some significant boosting...

How do they shake out on that front? In Fire with the regular Dwarfs?

Chaos Dwarfs are Fire, Bull Centaurs are Beasts, and Hobgoblins are Shadow.

In case anyone was interested in the Chaos Dwarves sprue pic. Not sure why the Warhammer store doesn't seem to show new or many sprue pics anymore.



Also every figure gets an optional head. Interesting that the hobgoblins have slotta bases and the chaos dwarves have flat bases.

Jeremiah Kool





Just like his golden-locked rival, Kool has Movement 8 and Agility 1+ which makes him as slippery as he is swift. Block, Dodge, Diving Catch, and Dump-off ensure that this thrower can hold his own against the most concerted of tackle attempts.

With his hair done up like that I have this sudden urge to pant him in Fire Nation colours…

That face...it just looks...maybe it's the paint job, but it makes me think of my uncle if he would have had some bad plastic surgery!

Wow, Jeremiah Kool! Sounds like this Star drinks his own Kool Aid hey.

Very nice but also very expensive! I mean Elves were never cheap but yeah 320k! I think from memory Jordell Freshbreeze is 250k so there's a bit of difference there for his main rival, a different skill set sure but also similar. His stab special action is cool though.

Hmm wonder where he keeps his flashing blade hidden.

They’re literally his elbow guards. Have a look at the artwork in the article, and the bit about getting elbowed in the stomach.

 Malika2 wrote:
That face...it just looks...maybe it's the paint job, but it makes me think of my uncle if he would have had some bad plastic surgery!

Haha well the illustration looks ok, the miniature looks a little different but I can't talk about your uncle though sorry.

You do remind me though when I was young we visited an animal farm petting zoo and among all the weird and wild animals we found a look a like for my uncle. A large male goat that had the same long twisted face with reddish beard, same eye that looked in a different direction, same buck teeth, dented forehead and wonky horns. We called him Uncle Wayne and asked the owners if he had been hit by a car too.

Anyway that goat came running every time we called him Wayne.

Cheers to all the minis (or animals) that remind us of family members

The derp face of bloodbowl elves continues.

 Mr_Rose wrote:
They’re literally his elbow guards. Have a look at the artwork in the article, and the bit about getting elbowed in the stomach.

Yes you're right the artwork shows little blades on his elbows. Just from the angle of the photo of the miniature I couldn't see them really. Anyway they're there

That's one hideous miniature, nevermind not really suiting the character at all. Rules-wise he's come down in cost a bit from his previous iteration but possibly lost some skills as well (Nerves of Steel and Pass weren't mentioned). The Special Ability is 'fine', though a bit meh for a player whose entire schtick is passing the ball and inventing a bunch of micro-spells to teleport it around the pitch.

lost_lilliputian wrote:

 Malika2 wrote:
That face...it just looks...maybe it's the paint job, but it makes me think of my uncle if he would have had some bad plastic surgery!

Haha well the illustration looks ok, the miniature looks a little different but I can't talk about your uncle though sorry.

You do remind me though when I was young we visited an animal farm petting zoo and among all the weird and wild animals we found a look a like for my uncle. A large male goat that had the same long twisted face with reddish beard, same eye that looked in a different direction, same buck teeth, dented forehead and wonky horns. We called him Uncle Wayne and asked the owners if he had been hit by a car too.

Anyway that goat came running every time we called him Wayne.

Cheers to all the minis (or animals) that remind us of family members

The artwork looks a lot better, but I feel that the miniature (mainly the face) doesn't really convey that same vibe. Not sure if it's the miniature or its paintjob though. Also (and I'm nitpicking here), it feels lazy that whilst the artwork has blue eyes, the miniature has brown/black eyes.

Anyone know the release date for the 2024 Almanac?

Yes, actually. 4th of Jan. Check the AoS thread, there's a leaked price list in there.

 Inquisitor Gideon wrote:
Yes, actually. 4th of Jan. Check the AoS thread, there's a leaked price list in there.

Thank you for the info!

I'm a latecomer to BB, so I appreciate these Almanac releases, especially as certain Spike issues seem to sell out quickly.

 Alpharius wrote:

 Inquisitor Gideon wrote:
Yes, actually. 4th of Jan. Check the AoS thread, there's a leaked price list in there.

Thank you for the info!

I'm a latecomer to BB, so I appreciate these Almanac releases, especially as certain Spike issues seem to sell out quickly.

You can buy the ebook version, they're always in stock.

But, the '21 Almanac was the last one released. It only had 2 issues of Spike! and it was almost twice as expensive as just buying the 2 separately.
2024 also only had 2 issues. I own all the Spike!s, but the last time I bought a physical copy was probably '18.

Anyone talking about the leaked 2 new star players coming in the new Almanac yet?

Bonehead Podcast are:

https://youtu.be/yxyPhM4NSj4?si=cBhDCGjhDwSQIfip

Maple Highgrove and Swiftvine Glimmershard.

Very interesting

Warhammer+ this week has a special Blood Bowl Battle Report.

"It’s a packed week on Warhammer+ with three shows dropping over the festive period – this time on Tuesday the 24th of December. The Battle Report Holiday Special features Da Red Gobbo in a custom Blood Bowl exhibition match with special rules and a festive board."

Looking forward to how Warhammer+ do this, especially seeing as I said back when Da Red Gobbo was previewed:

lost_lilliputian wrote:
...I may have just found my Blood Bowl counts as Bomber Dribblesnot for when we play Xmas Bowl themed matches.

Interested in comparing my own humble ideas to the GW team but not even needing counts as is even better lol, it's really Da Red Gobbo on the pitch.

Should be fun

For anyone interested the Warhammer+ Battle Report, it's very cool. Blood Bowl exhibition match between Gnomes with Rowana Forestfoot and Goblins with Trolls and BB Rules for Da Red Gobbo himself. It's a special exhibition match Xmas themed with cute rules which are downloadable too. Great stuff!

I was impressed with how characterful it all was especially with the gingerbread houses on the field and snowgrots in the end zone. Every player gets to throw snowballs in Da Snow Bowl. So in the rules it's basically a snowball fight among gingerbread houses during a Blood Bowl match but with added BB mayhem ie explosions.

Warhammer Community link to the article in case it gets lost:

https://www.warhammer-community.com/en-gb/articles/8vqrmytr/twas-the-night-before-grotmas-on-warhammer-tv/

Link to the PDF download:
(Holiday Special Exhibition Match Rules, including Da Red Gobbo Rules)

https://assets.warhammer-community.com/blood-bowl-holiday-special-24-ejmzpo8h4t-nzlosrw1hl.pdf


Merry Xmas BB fans, have fun

I already magnetized my Red Gobbo so I could switch him between the scenic base and a regular BB base.
Now I just need to finish painting them.

A bunch of the random Star Players we've seen shown off over the last few months are up for pre-order next week.

The '24 Almanac is up for pre-order. It has 3 issues in it, and costs US$36.99 (for the ebook). Or 3.7 times as much as the separate issues. Is the new content worth 70% as much as a whole 'nother issue?

Looks like the price in the UK lines up with the cost of individual issues if bought physically (£10.50 per Spike, vs. £31.50 for the Almanac).

Digital version definitely seems overpriced compared to the individual issues - I make them £4.99 a pop, and the digital Almanac seems to be £21.50.

I don't see any mention of content outside of the individual issues, so that's a bit of a puzzler.

Electrons need to be imported from the European mainland.

The Journal's description wrote:This 144-page hardback book contains:
– Spike! Journal issues 16, 17, and 18, containing all the team rosters and Star Player rules for Vampire, Gnome, and Chaos Dwarf Teams, plus assorted rules for leagues, pitches and more
– Dungeon Bowl updates for Vampire, Gnome, and Chaos Dwarf Teams
– Star Player retrospectives, rules, and player cards for a number of new Star Players, such as Jordell Freshbreeze, Jeremiah Kool, Kiroth Krakeneye, Skitter Stab-Stab, Guffle Pusmaw, Rowana Forestfoot, Anqi Panqi, and more
– The history of the Chaos Cup, plus the undisputed roll of honour for this legendary competition
– Regular Spike! Journal features, such as Chat with the Rat, Dirt from the Dugout, Coffin Corner, and more

Were the Dungeon Bowl bits in the original Spike!s?

 Shakalooloo wrote:

Were the Dungeon Bowl bits in the original Spike!s?

Yes they were.


Interesting about the Chaos Cup history inclusion and it's roll of honour. Pretty sure the Bonehead Podcast said there would be a Chaos Cup league rules or something coming, but looks like it's just an article minus any actual rules at this point.

It actually has the cup rules. There’s a kickoff and weather table at least though the “review” I saw skipped to the prizes and other special rules.

 Mr_Rose wrote:
It actually has the cup rules. There’s a kickoff and weather table at least though the “review” I saw skipped to the prizes and other special rules.

Thank you, it's good to have it confirmed then

Not sure why GW don't make such things clearer in their preview, certainly would be an extra selling point

 Mr_Rose wrote:
It actually has the cup rules. There’s a kickoff and weather table at least though the “review” I saw skipped to the prizes and other special rules.

Sounds like that, and the star players just released are going to be the only new content then.

I think most of the Star Players we've been seeing cropped up in previous issues of Spike!, so they wouldn't need to reprint the rules, would they?

 Dysartes wrote:
I think most of the Star Players we've been seeing cropped up in previous issues of Spike!, so they wouldn't need to reprint the rules, would they?

Weren't they in pre-second season issues, though?

 SgtEeveell wrote:
The '24 Almanac is up for pre-order.

OK, that doesn't seem to have lasted long. I don't see it at all on the AU site - not even as sold out. I've been travelling abroad and am only just getting caught up on things. Did I miss it, or did it just not get released here?

Looking at this Sunday article from Dec 29th, it does look like the physical Spike! almanac is delayed in Aus & NZ, yes.

Not sure what prevents them selling the digital one, though.

 Dysartes wrote:
Looking at this Sunday article from Dec 29th, it does look like the physical Spike! almanac is delayed in Aus & NZ, yes.

Thank you, Sir! Seems I overlooked the all-important footnotes.

Not sure what prevents them selling the digital one, though.

Or the physical ones, for that matter, given they are just pre-orders.

 Dysartes wrote:

Not sure what prevents them selling the digital one, though.

I guess the Trans-Pacific Electron Blockade doesn't show up much in UK news, huh.

 MajorWesJanson wrote:

 Dysartes wrote:

Not sure what prevents them selling the digital one, though.

I guess the Trans-Pacific Electron Blockade doesn't show up much in UK news, huh.

Not at all, but the concept comes as a shock...


Automatically Appended Next Post:
I don't think anyone had a MTO of old Human, Halfing, and Chaos Dwarf figures on their bingo card for 2025, but here you go.

 Dysartes wrote:

I don't think anyone had a MTO of old Human, Halfing, and Chaos Dwarf figures on their bingo card for 2025, but here you go.

Was just coming to post this. I know I definitely didn’t see that coming. Those guys are positively ancient. I think I’d much rather have the Gary Morley chorfs back again though.

Tempted by the human team. Strong nostalgia for those sculpts.

Of all the things to do a metal MTO, why these?! Such a random choice.

What an odd decision on that MTO, the one or two people missing a few of those models from their teams or looking to expand to a full roster of 16 players are going to be ecstatic.

Honestly?

I’d say this is exactly what Made to Order should be about. Raid the archives, find some classics, do a splash release.

Doesn’t mean that shouldn’t include more recently retired models of course. But between The Old World and this one really spelunking the archives, I’m super excited to see what else comes.

I agree. I love when they pull crazy random old models out and put them up for MTO. I'd love to see them bring back 80s and early 90s models like classic Dwarfs or High Elves.

I will give these guys a pass.
But if they did 2ed High Elfs I'd be all over them. I already have around 20 2ed Dark Elfs.
I got the 3ed Amazons they did a couple of years ago.

These made to orders really are ancient ones. It's funny too in the past people used these made to order releases as a guide as to what was coming out in terms of new releases. Going on this I have no idea what could be coming out, we all except high elves or tomb kings in plastic as they are the last teams with existing rules but there could be totally new teams coming too.

The size comparison of these made to order Chaos Dwarves look similar to the Halflings lol.

As a Sevens player mainly I'm tempted by these Halflings or Chaos Dwarves to use as a Fumbbl Stunty League team. Guess the price will determine that, I don't want to assume half a team (6 figures) will actually cost half a full team.

What I find most odd about the human MTO Blood Bowl miniatures is that there are no blitzers.

Damn shame they aren't doing a 16 strong roster of Skaven - awesome 2nd ed models. Still I will be springing for halflings and CDwarves. I think I have all the humans I need, though am now trying to remember where I put the humans and can I check them in time to order

Just think if they re-released all the 2nd ed stuff... I would love it as an online fun little 'Albion' league sales event.

Well, I dare say if these lads sell well? That might open to gate to other teams.

Also, given I’ve complete Compendium and Starplayer books? I’m just the Astrogranite pitch and main rule book away from once again demonstrating my utter, horrifying, mind boggling incompetence at the game!

 Mad Doc Grotsnik wrote:

.....once again demonstrating my utter, horrifying, mind boggling incompetence at the game!

Naaah man, no one can be that incompetent at Blood Bowl

We play this game for fun. It's mostly random stuff anyway, I forget rules and do stupid things but just try and roll with it mostly. It's characterful and memorable. Embrace any mishaps and enjoy

Oh I can.

Trust me.

It’s a game I’ve played many editions of, and never gotten my head round.

https://www.warhammer-community.com/en-gb/articles/f07zlb44/warhammer-relics-brilliant-new-gear-from-the-warhammer-merch-store/

New Merch! A plushie spiky blood bowl ball!
It must be mine!

I like the football shirts.

I went to one of those Football merch sites and had a custom jersey made in my Skaven team colors (Warpstone glow), team name, my name and the number 13 (Skaven, duh).

Cost me US$60 but totally worth it. Much higher quality than I was expecting too.

 Dysartes wrote:
Looking at this Sunday article from Dec 29th, it does look like the physical Spike! almanac is delayed in Aus & NZ, yes.

Not sure what prevents them selling the digital one, though.

I would guess that they see the digital sales as taking away sales of the physical books if they're not available at the same time.


Automatically Appended Next Post:

 SgtEeveell wrote:
https://www.warhammer-community.com/en-gb/articles/f07zlb44/warhammer-relics-brilliant-new-gear-from-the-warhammer-merch-store/

New Merch! A plushie spiky blood bowl ball!
It must be mine!

Oh dang, those Hawaiian shirts are so my thing

Damn... Only the article of the day on the German Wikipedia brought me to the insight that Akhorne the squirrel is propably inspired by a British company...

 Dryaktylus wrote:
Damn... Only the article of the day on the German Wikipedia brought me to the insight that Akhorne the squirrel is propably inspired by a British company...

...I suspect that it's more that it's a squirrel and they are popularly depicted as eating acorns.

Plus the khorne pun was probably too much to resist.

Game Nerdz Deal of the Day : Dungeon Bowl : $110
https://www.gamenerdz.com/deal-of-the-day

23 stock left as of 12pm PST

Is that a sanitized big box store version of Blood Bowl?

It’s a separate game
In Dungeon Bowl, you are the coach of a team from one of the eight Colleges of Magic. You must hunt down the ball in a dangerous dungeon while avoiding traps, jumping between portals and rummaging through chests to find unimaginable treasures, all in the name of glory, pride and touchdowns.


https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/352026/dungeon-bowl-the-game-of-subterranean-blood-bowl-m

Thanks. I'm still wondering though if that still factored into the decision due to the removal of "Blood" from the title making it more kid board game friendly on the shelf (even if not actually in the lore within). Kind of in the same vein as the Blitz Bowl I saw years ago but with a much more lucrative (read: higher!) price point...

It’s a variant started back in the 1990’s.

warboss wrote:Thanks. I'm still wondering though if that still factored into the decision due to the removal of "Blood" from the title making it more kid board game friendly on the shelf (even if not actually in the lore within). Kind of in the same vein as the Blitz Bowl I saw years ago but with a much more lucrative (read: higher!) price point...

They call it Dungeon Bowl because it is played in a Dungeon.

The May FAQ is out, with some timing clarifications and the exact order of operations for Diving Tackle vs. Dodge.
Article here.

There’s no shortage of weird and wonderful players in the world of Blood Bowl, and gridirons across the world have been trampled by hulking treemen standing firm on the centre line, often hurling halflings in the general direction of the touchline.
We can only assume that the green grass of an NAF regulation pitch makes these lumbering lumber-louts feel like they have a certain affinity to the game, which means that Star Players like Maple Highgrove are a common sight. This fact also goes some way to explaining the appearance of Swiftvine Glimmershard.

The blue swirls make me think we've found the sole survivor from the Runewars universe.

Well, these are just GREAT. Although I buy far too many star players for a guy who only really plays 7's, I'll definitely be picking these up

Always nice to see Blood Bowl getting new releases, and such nice sculpts.

Those are really fun sculpts!

The tree has sort of a growth like innocence look

Why is Maple marked as "available while supplies last"...?

New season anyone

https://www.warhammer-community.com/en-gb/articles/gikf8db9/blood-bowl-returns-for-a-new-season-of-mayhem

Well, I'll be! The long-standing rumours that started a couple of years ago around next pairing was true(!!). Here's hoping they continue providing Dungeon Bowl Stats (and maybe another expansion box for that might follow, hopefully)

Oh look, Tomb Kings. That only took forever.

and roster changes

To make your games better, now teams will match exactly what you get in the box!!!

Will it happen this time? It is fated to eventually.

“ The core game is exactly the same”

Hmmm, where have we heard that before…?

The_Real_Chris wrote:

and roster changes

To make your games better, now teams will match exactly what you get in the box!!!

Will it happen this time? It is fated to eventually.

I'm not so certain; surely they'd rather folks fork out for a second box to fill out the roster (for those who want to use the GW kits)?

Not ruling it out mind. The proposed core changes seem relatively sensible so they need to do something incredibly dumb to balance out the usual process of an edition change.

Is this the first Bretonnian team? I think there was one in Citadel Journal, but was a “convert it yourself” job?

 Mad Doc Grotsnik wrote:
Is this the first Bretonnian team? I think there was one in Citadel Journal, but was a “convert it yourself” job?

Bretonnians have been in the game at large for quite a while now. The pseudo-official roster was designed for the BB1 Video Game released in 2009 (along with Khorne, both were also in BB2) and was adopted by the NAF as tournament legal in the decades when GW weren't actively producing the tabletop game and was only fairly recently phased out and replaced by the GW 2020(?) Imperial Nobility team (which was incredibly similar in its ruleset). So it's technically the first Bretonnian team in a GW led tabletop version of BB; just not in an officially licensed version.

It sounds like a High Elf team is on the cards in the near future, which might be very tempting. Not played a game of BB since 2006!

Delighted to see the new edition and I'm keen to see how the teams will change on a skill basis.

The box is an instant buy for me, two new teams for me!

Dang those are two amazing teams

It has all been exhaustively rewritten for clarity. Terminology is familiar, but consistent: there’s never any confusion between players (your miniatures) and coaches (yourself), or declaring and performing actions.

Isn't that what they said about the Horus Heresy 3ed rules? I'm cautiously pessimistic. I second the vote for a Dungeon Bowl rules update too, at least a download on WarComm.

I sure hope the Tomb King skeletons aren't as horrible to build as the Undead skeletons.

New teams! Great!
New Edition? uhhh... well, condensing "has no TZ but is standing" into "distracted" is good, and the "I want to play too" action is also neat. They promised no new stats so we can only hope the changes to the teams are a) gold costs to account for rebalanced rules and b) skill changes to account for some skills being consolidated/split again.
I do kinda wish the TK got an Ushabti Big Guy tho.

Finally, a game that actually deserves the royal "new edition, because!" treatment. Roughly five years, has it not been?

I like how they've mirrored the launch factions for TOW in the season 3 box!

Might have been saving them until that game was out with this box being planned for quite some time.

Going to call Season 4 teams as Cathay vs. Kislev now.

 zedmeister wrote:
“ The core game is exactly the same”

Hmmm, where have we heard that before…?

The changes in Horus Heresy are marginal. But numerous. And then huge.

But okay, this is Blood Bowl. Like with Space Hulk they never changed that much. Or jumped back.

The big question is... will it have the unhinged AI language of Heresy 3?

Oh what was the AI language?

There are other threads for that discussion. We have much more important things to talk about here, like Wildly Inaccurate going away!

I like the picking up the ball mechanic; it seems like a nice quality of life improvement with some sensible limitations.

I wonder if those Bretonnian helmets ornaments solve some of the rumour engine pics?

 Jadenim wrote:
I like the picking up the ball mechanic; it seems like a nice quality of life improvement with some sensible limitations.

I wonder if its presence will lead to Throwers losing the Sure Hands skill, which they mostly only had to facilitate grabbing the ball easily when receiving. In most cases, a 3+ with a built-in re-roll and no turnover on success is better than that Secure The Ball 2+.

 Mr_Rose wrote:

I do kinda wish the TK got an Ushabti Big Guy tho.

They already have 4 Str5 players!

That is an excellent looking box, not super keen on the secure the ball action though.

 Thargrim wrote:
That is an excellent looking box, not super keen on the secure the ball action though.

Why? Seems like it’s strongly limited. I mean you have to clear the area and give an automatic turnover for one of those notorious “anything but a one” rolls that Nuffle likes to troll coaches with. Plus it doesn’t work for, probably, anyone with Str 5+ so it’s something you need to plan a turn around, not something you slip in because nothing else worked so far.

 Mr_Rose wrote:

 Thargrim wrote:
That is an excellent looking box, not super keen on the secure the ball action though.

Why? Seems like it’s strongly limited. I mean you have to clear the area and give an automatic turnover for one of those notorious “anything but a one” rolls that Nuffle likes to troll coaches with. Plus it doesn’t work for, probably, anyone with Str 5+

It seems to remove some of the frustration from the game, which is part of what kinda brings me joy sometimes...when it comes to Blood Bowl in particular. But yeah it's not likely to impact the game all that much.

Yeah but frustration kills enthusiasm. Teams that straight up can’t participate in part of the game are terrible for engagement.
So instead of going “oh you picked ogres/snotlings/blorcs, you can’t actually score until everyone else is dead and maybe not even then” you can say “yeah they suck at grabbing the ball in flight but you can work towards {this} and get going from there.”

As for the Tomb Kings, does anyone think they will get coach type of special rules based around Nehekharan magic? Like a one-time boost to movement?

 Mr_Rose wrote:
Yeah but frustration kills enthusiasm. Teams that straight up can’t participate in part of the game are terrible for engagement.
So instead of going “oh you picked ogres/snotlings/blorcs, you can’t actually score until everyone else is dead and maybe not even then” you can say “yeah they suck at grabbing the ball in flight but you can work towards {this} and get going from there.”

As for the Tomb Kings, does anyone think they will get coach type of special rules based around Nehekharan magic? Like a one-time boost to movement?

Presumably they'll have to have something to make up for a lack of apothecaries.

The best thing about the release is the tokens lmao

Laying models down on their sides is such a repulsive medieval tech.

 Altruizine wrote:
The best thing about the release is the tokens lmao

Laying models down on their sides is such a repulsive medieval tech.

Laying them down makes the board state so much easier at a glance while playing, however.

 squall018 wrote:

 Altruizine wrote:
The best thing about the release is the tokens lmao

Laying models down on their sides is such a repulsive medieval tech.

Laying them down makes the board state so much easier at a glance while playing, however.

I'd have to disagree for games that have multiple states of laying down.

Few models can lay "face down" and "face up" in an immediately-legible way. Some can, if they are relatively 2D sculpts, and a square base can help, but overall a lot of figures are not going to cleanly occupy one of those positions. If a game only has two states -- standing and down -- then you are absolutely right (but all the GW games I can remember use multiple positions).

Also, even a perfectly 2D model on a square based would be outmatched by the legibility of a COLOUR-CODED token, which the article describes as an option. Nothing is quicker to process than a colour rating, once you've learned and internalized them.

 squall018 wrote:

 Altruizine wrote:
The best thing about the release is the tokens lmao

Laying models down on their sides is such a repulsive medieval tech.

Laying them down makes the board state so much easier at a glance while playing, however.

Try laying down a deeproot on the line of scrimmage when there's players everywhere - always end up using a marker as he's colossal

 Shakalooloo wrote:

 Mr_Rose wrote:
Yeah but frustration kills enthusiasm. Teams that straight up can’t participate in part of the game are terrible for engagement.
So instead of going “oh you picked ogres/snotlings/blorcs, you can’t actually score until everyone else is dead and maybe not even then” you can say “yeah they suck at grabbing the ball in flight but you can work towards {this} and get going from there.”

As for the Tomb Kings, does anyone think they will get coach type of special rules based around Nehekharan magic? Like a one-time boost to movement?

Presumably they'll have to have something to make up for a lack of apothecaries.

They already have; Regeneration. That isn't to say that they won't get some additional bit of kit to assist in patching up players.

Secure the Ball does seem like a bit of a risky thing to introduce, depending on the (presumed) Strength limitation. For Tomb Kings it's a great boost and arguably, quite deserved and does indeed take away one of the areas of 'not-fun' frustration. If all ST4 players are just able to do it though, then Lizardmen and Chaos Dwarfs, already strong teams, are going to get even better. Orcs and Chaos too. I'm just a bit wary that all it's going to do is drive the game even further towards 'bash' teams than the previous edition already did.

We'll see, might not be a huge shift and the limitations do mean that's going to be more of a Turn 1 play to just get the ball safely in hand (which is very much the intent) than something that an attack can be built around.

Surprising news - but welcome.

I always had a soft spot for Blood Bowl, and this sounds like a worthy new edition that could bring me out of retirement.

The two new teams look fun.

And I always hated laying my paint jobs down (especially on some custom pitches) so the status markers are welcome in my book.

 Altruizine wrote:
Nothing is quicker to process than a colour rating, once you've learned and internalized them.

Evidence, with a source, for that claim? Colour-blindness, variation in the precise tone used, the exact number of states, the colour of the pitch, adjacent colours and so on would all seem likely to have an impact. I'm sure colour-coded tokens will be pretty convenient, but unless you're an expert on how the brain processes information (in which case, a source for the claim would be enlightening reading for the rest of us), that sounds like a bit of sweeping assumption.

Will buy, but, star players, big guys, referees?

And might we see the return of Hack Enslash?

Greenfield wrote:

 Altruizine wrote:
Nothing is quicker to process than a colour rating, once you've learned and internalized them.

Evidence, with a source, for that claim? Colour-blindness, variation in the precise tone used, the exact number of states, the colour of the pitch, adjacent colours and so on would all seem likely to have an impact. I'm sure colour-coded tokens will be pretty convenient, but unless you're an expert on how the brain processes information (in which case, a source for the claim would be enlightening reading for the rest of us), that sounds like a bit of sweeping assumption.

I was waiting for the colour-blind Um Ackshually lol. "Nothing" was a figure of speech. I presume a lightspeed smack in the face might actually be quicker to process. Or an animated hologram of your model moaning and sprawled flattened on the pitch. A cerebral implant that triggers realizations. But I'm really just talking about our actual practical options, the choice between colour-coding vs. model laying.

Colour-blindess: irrelevant for this comparison.
People whose vision is compromised in any way deserve special attention to parse gamestates, if they desire it. A good opponent will work this out with them at the table. This includes people with acuity problems (who might have trouble deciphering whether or not a model is face-up or face-down).

Precise tone: irrelevant for this comparison.
If someone chooses to paint the tokens in washed-out, pastel colours they're obviously not going to function as desired. If your grandmother had wheels she'd be a bike.

Exact number of states: irrelevant for this comparison.
There are two states. We are talking about tokens used to replace face-up and face-down models. The stunned and prone markers are red and yellow (as recommended). The red token competes with no other token of a similar colour. The yellow token might, since the blitz token looks like a beige, but it's hard to tell in the small picture they uploaded.

Colour of the pitch: irrelevant for this comparison.
The colour of the pitch can affect legibility, but that applies to face-up and face-down models too. A green token on a green pitch may be difficult to see. A green model on a green pitch may be difficult to see. The stunned and prone markers are red and yellow, so fairly uncommon colours for a pitch.

Adjacent colours: not sure what you mean, it seems like you were trying to get two list items out of "colour of the pitch" by also gesturing towards "colour of nearby models". If so, see above.

Will be picking this one up for sure. I wonder how the changes will affect sevens. So far I see nothing except the kick off table that would require some thought.

Man both of those teams are nice...Do I wait for this box? Or go to my FLGS and get the original set they have....

Decisions....

 Mr_Rose wrote:

I do kinda wish the TK got an Ushabti Big Guy tho.

That would have been awesome but it also sounds like a great idea for a star player.

JimmyWolf87 wrote:

 Shakalooloo wrote:

 Mr_Rose wrote:
Yeah but frustration kills enthusiasm. Teams that straight up can’t participate in part of the game are terrible for engagement.
So instead of going “oh you picked ogres/snotlings/blorcs, you can’t actually score until everyone else is dead and maybe not even then” you can say “yeah they suck at grabbing the ball in flight but you can work towards {this} and get going from there.”

As for the Tomb Kings, does anyone think they will get coach type of special rules based around Nehekharan magic? Like a one-time boost to movement?

Presumably they'll have to have something to make up for a lack of apothecaries.

They already have; Regeneration. That isn't to say that they won't get some additional bit of kit to assist in patching up players.

I meant they'll need something to spend their cash on, rather than specifically for healing. I want to see Khemri cheerleaders doing the 'Walk Like An Egyptian' on the sidelines.

Shakalooloo wrote:

 Jadenim wrote:
I like the picking up the ball mechanic; it seems like a nice quality of life improvement with some sensible limitations.

I wonder if its presence will lead to Throwers losing the Sure Hands skill, which they mostly only had to facilitate grabbing the ball easily when receiving. In most cases, a 3+ with a built-in re-roll and no turnover on success is better than that Secure The Ball 2+.

I think ending your turn should be a big enough limitation that Throwers don't need to lose any other skills. Sure Hands also protects you from Strip Ball.

I predict that the limitations on Secure the Ball will be No Loners, and a Str limit. The question is whether that is going to be 4 or 5.

Always viewed teams failing pick up rolls on kickoffs as just sort of an annoying flaw in the game. Never added anything for me, on either side of it. So I'm quite welcoming to the idea of giving low Ag teams a better way to do things. I'd rather play a game where teams receiving actually get a chance to run their offense, whether it fails or succeeds, than be denied the opportunity because apparently their players just can't lean over and pick up a prone football.

This is great news. I can paint up a French team like I've always wanted.

With previous new seasons, how have they handled legacy teams with the revised rules?

They had PDF rules. High elves are getting the same this time, as the only legacy team left.

Can't find any official link anymore, but the ones from last season are here: https://www.scribd.com/document/789974434/Blood-Bowl-Teams-of-Legend-2024

With High Elves all but confirmed as coming?

Wonder if we’ll see updated teams, and/or left field stuff like the Gnomes Gnobody Gnexpected.

The time of the fishman is come, surely.

Come on, Squig team!

Night goblins time to shine! Er, shade?

(Seriously: more fanatics, less “amusing” weapons, more stabbin. Also squig riders and giant squigs, maybe a wild squig as a treat.)

Do we think the Old World, Underworld and Chaos Renegade Teams will be officially returning?

Not up on my Bloodbowl, but perhaps they’re also candidates for Whole New Teams, rather than “a bit from here, a bit from there”?

Fimir team maybe? Or maybe dæmon teams? Cathay Teams? Araby Teams? Kislev?

 Clockpunk wrote:
Come on, Squig team!

I've long thought that a Squig team would be the natural 'official' successor to the Slann 'Leap meme' team rules if GW wanted to actually introduce a version of that (in the same way that Imperial Nobility was, previously, their answer to Bretonnians).

The video game had Kislev Circus as its own version of that team but I can't imagine them wanting to keep that approach for the tabletop if and when they ever get round to the Leap themed team.

Can't think why Old World Alliance, Renegades and Underworld wouldn't remain.

In terms of other new new teams; there's another two Chaos Gods to be played with. They could (re)introduce Sea Elves given they've previously been a thing in Blood Bowl (think Sidewinder technically is one already). Tilea and Estalia might not be unique enough to distinguish from the regular Human team. They could always do more specific teams based on the various Skaven clans.

 zedmeister wrote:
Fimir team maybe? Or maybe dæmon teams? Cathay Teams? Araby Teams? Kislev?

Cathay and Kislev seem obvious choices at some point - but then who on earth would have predicted Gnomes? Could be anything coming up

Surely we need more Tzangors for a Tzeentch chaos team?
Oh yeah, and a Slaanesh team.

 SgtEeveell wrote:
Surely we need more Tzangors for a Tzeentch chaos team?
Oh yeah, and a Slaanesh team.

I think people will clamor for Slanesh Cheerleaders.

I'm hoping the do the unthinkable... and make the slann team!

How about we look to the old Warhammer Armies and make a Pygmy team?

That hits both the "nostalgia" and the "wildly racist stereotype" markets.

But I'd be down for a Slann or Fimir team.

Vorian wrote:

 zedmeister wrote:
Fimir team maybe? Or maybe dæmon teams? Cathay Teams? Araby Teams? Kislev?

Cathay and Kislev seem obvious choices at some point - but then who on earth would have predicted Gnomes? Could be anything coming up

Just like the Bretonnians, Kislev were in the video games (albeit as a re-skin of the Slann team) so the look is already out there. Complete with a BEAR.

 Shakalooloo wrote:

Vorian wrote:

 zedmeister wrote:
Fimir team maybe? Or maybe dæmon teams? Cathay Teams? Araby Teams? Kislev?

Cathay and Kislev seem obvious choices at some point - but then who on earth would have predicted Gnomes? Could be anything coming up

Just like the Bretonnians, Kislev were in the video games (albeit as a re-skin of the Slann team) so the look is already out there. Complete with a BEAR.

I would imagine the look of Kislev would be informed by the potential Kislev old world release rather than the old video game look.

Vorian wrote:

 Shakalooloo wrote:

Vorian wrote:

 zedmeister wrote:
Fimir team maybe? Or maybe dæmon teams? Cathay Teams? Araby Teams? Kislev?

Cathay and Kislev seem obvious choices at some point - but then who on earth would have predicted Gnomes? Could be anything coming up

Just like the Bretonnians, Kislev were in the video games (albeit as a re-skin of the Slann team) so the look is already out there. Complete with a BEAR.

I would imagine the look of Kislev would be informed by the potential Kislev old world release rather than the old video game look.

Don't you dare quash my hopes of getting a BEAR to play Blood Bowl.

Are there any rules published Star Players sans models at the moment? Or is Blood Bowl better organised than Necromunda?

A wizard college allstar team would look fun

They could go the route of WFB and start spinning off to stuff to the Nth degree. Like a Chaos Daemons team, they love their cute demons. Cathay, Kislev, World Traveling Club (Dogs of War style team), Beastmen, Araby, more Chaos Powers, Dryads, Vampire Coast Pirates, Savage Orcs and Goblins, there's lots of ideas to milk.

I've never been real sure about teams where they're riding something, like squig hoppers, the whole team concept intrinsically violates Nuffle's sacred number.

I like the idea of a squig riding night goblin team; that has the right mix of cool and wackiness for Blood Bowl

Given that Blood Bowl already has mounted players (Snotling Fun Hopper) and mounted star players (Rumbelow on ram, Rowanna on stag), I'm expecting some form of Night Goblin team mounted on Squigs or at least with Squig positionals.

Also because of the Status Marker "Chomped" which is inflicted by the revamped Monstrous Mouth Skill.

I mean that skill must be intended to happen often in the new edition otherwise they wouldn't have gone to the trouble of making a status marker for it.

that logic is sound, however over the years there have been many examples of GW implementing USR type rules that would lead one to believe that a certain rule or ability is widespread, only for it to only apply to less than a literal handful of models

That is also true. However I get the feeling this status marker would not just be for a mounted star player squig surely or some random chaos mutation big mouth on a team. Unless tzeentch minor daemons/horrors get that skill? Chomped sounds more like a squig thing though.

Anyway having a BB Summer of Squig Sevens has a great sound to it so I'll just hope it's true!

 Mad Doc Grotsnik wrote:
Are there any rules published Star Players sans models at the moment? Or is Blood Bowl better organised than Necromunda?

I think they're up to date (though I haven't got the Gnome book). We are at the stage now with the past few Stars where the rules have actually come out alongside the models (as opposed to being in a Spike/Rulebook).

Vorian wrote:

 Shakalooloo wrote:

Vorian wrote:

 zedmeister wrote:
Fimir team maybe? Or maybe dæmon teams? Cathay Teams? Araby Teams? Kislev?

Cathay and Kislev seem obvious choices at some point - but then who on earth would have predicted Gnomes? Could be anything coming up

Just like the Bretonnians, Kislev were in the video games (albeit as a re-skin of the Slann team) so the look is already out there. Complete with a BEAR.

I would imagine the look of Kislev would be informed by the potential Kislev old world release rather than the old video game look.

Isn't the Cathay look based on the TW:W army? I'd imagine Kislev will be the same.

They’re talking about the blood bowl video games, not the total war series.

 Mr_Rose wrote:
They’re talking about the blood bowl video games, not the total war series.

They should combine the two.

 SgtEeveell wrote:

Vorian wrote:

 Shakalooloo wrote:

Vorian wrote:

 zedmeister wrote:
Fimir team maybe? Or maybe dæmon teams? Cathay Teams? Araby Teams? Kislev?

Cathay and Kislev seem obvious choices at some point - but then who on earth would have predicted Gnomes? Could be anything coming up

Just like the Bretonnians, Kislev were in the video games (albeit as a re-skin of the Slann team) so the look is already out there. Complete with a BEAR.

I would imagine the look of Kislev would be informed by the potential Kislev old world release rather than the old video game look.

Isn't the Cathay look based on the TW:W army? I'd imagine Kislev will be the same.

TWW Cathay came from the designs made for TOW, presumably TWW Kislev came from the same source.

Would be reasonable to think BB teams could be inspired by that work too.

 Lathe Biosas wrote:

 Mr_Rose wrote:
They’re talking about the blood bowl video games, not the total war series.

They should combine the two.

So long as we get a Blood Bowl BEAR, it's all groovy.

I just want the High Elves to get a lion big guy. As in a White Lion of Chrace.

 Mr_Rose wrote:
I just want the High Elves to get a lion big guy. As in a White Lion of Chrace.

Maybe as a Star Player, though I can't see it. Elves with a Big Guy is going to be a tough sell in terms of balance (Wood Elves being the exception given that they're made of paper otherwise). High Elves probably could do with a bit of a refresh though, as they've always been considered a pretty boring roster. Interesting to see if they go back to the old convention of positionals being linked to Fantasy Battle units (Catchers were White Lions, Blitzers were Dragon Princes) and adjust some rules accordingly.

You could probably have the High Elves field a trained white lion, using the standard Blood Bowl method of giving the beast so many penalizing traits that it's actually a net negative to run one. But it still can maul a bunch of people.

 Mr_Rose wrote:
They’re talking about the blood bowl video games, not the total war series.

Nevertheless, it's clear GW is not above taking design cues from video games. Or pushing their internal design notes onto video games. Or a little bit of each.

High Elves did not have Handmaidens did they?

The classic team did not, no, but then they were created before handmaidens were added to the lore.
Handmaiden throwers? To go with the white lion catchers and dragon prince blitzers. Phoenix guard blockers would be funny; give them disturbing presence.

I honestly love the High Elves roster as it sits, while bland out of the box, it is the only Elf team that acts as a "blank slate".

Hoping GW only gives it a light touch when they finally get to it if they are going to make adjustments, but would prefer to have them just print the team as the Teams of Legend roster sits and call it good.

The weird thing about the old High Elf team was that it was just elves in regular WFB armour, with shorter skirts. There was nothing especially 'Blood Bowl' about their uniform style, unlike every other team.

 Mr_Rose wrote:
The classic team did not, no, but then they were created before handmaidens were added to the lore.
Handmaiden throwers? To go with the white lion catchers and dragon prince blitzers. Phoenix guard blockers would be funny; give them disturbing presence.

Be fun to see the BB take on them all

Maybe a baby Lion or Phoenix mascot

 Mr Morden wrote:
Maybe a baby Lion or Phoenix mascot

Why think so small? We could get a medium-sized juvenile dragon!

 Shakalooloo wrote:

 Mr Morden wrote:
Maybe a baby Lion or Phoenix mascot

Why think so small? We could get a medium-sized juvenile dragon!

Dragon ref

 Mr Morden wrote:

 Shakalooloo wrote:

 Mr Morden wrote:
Maybe a baby Lion or Phoenix mascot

Why think so small? We could get a medium-sized juvenile dragon!

Dragon ref

Challenging to argue with, easy to bribe? Seems an obvious choice.

 Shakalooloo wrote:
The weird thing about the old High Elf team was that it was just elves in regular WFB armour, with shorter skirts. There was nothing especially 'Blood Bowl' about their uniform style, unlike every other team.

Basically every 3rd edition team was like that. Jervis hated it so much he tried to eliminate the Undead team from the 4th edition for looking too Warhammer-y.

 Mr Morden wrote:

 Shakalooloo wrote:

 Mr Morden wrote:
Maybe a baby Lion or Phoenix mascot

Why think so small? We could get a medium-sized juvenile dragon!

Dragon ref

I do have a gong-bearing dragon that serves as my ref. "Dishonour on your cow!"

Did Handmaidens not get done as an unofficial/optional add-on in the Citadel Journal? I have this vague recollection of them having similar stats to Wood Elf Catchers, but something like Side Step instead?

Why even bother to announce Season 3 if they are just going to ignore it for 2 weeks after the Community article? I am KEEN!

 Tabletop_Magpie wrote:
Why even bother to announce Season 3 if they are just going to ignore it for 2 weeks after the Community article? I am KEEN!

All o' them 40k leaks got in the way, I imagine. Internal purges taking all the attention!

 Tabletop_Magpie wrote:
Why even bother to announce Season 3 if they are just going to ignore it for 2 weeks after the Community article? I am KEEN!

They'll get around to it... Eventually.

Pity there's not a catchy day of the week for BB (like Heresy Thursday) to at least temper our expectations...

Football Friday?

 Mr_Rose wrote:
Football Friday?

Well played, Sir. Well played.

Monday Night Football is a thing......

 Easy E wrote:
Monday Night Football is a thing......

...of which the UK is largely unaware!

 Shakalooloo wrote:

 Easy E wrote:
Monday Night Football is a thing......

...of which the UK is largely unaware!

Well, in your defense it would more accurately be called "Tuesday pre-Dawn American Football" which doesn't exactly roll of the tongue so it's understandable.

 Shakalooloo wrote:

 Easy E wrote:
Monday Night Football is a thing......

...of which the UK is largely unaware!

We do have our own MNF, with actual football though