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So, my Crazy Box got me (even) more interested in Dreadball. Hopefully I can also get my girlfriend to play a few games against me. I have been eyeing a copy in my FLGS, which also happens to have really good prices on Dreadball stuff, before I take the plunge I have a question. How is the balance between the teams of the different seasons? I wonder because as I understand the newer teams follow with the expansions. Is there a power creep? Do the abilities of the newer teams make the older teams seem boring?

There is often a bit of unbalance as the new teams roll out, but it's never too serious and generally gets FAQ'ed or rebalanced by Jake if it's clear there's a serious issue. The rulebook doesn't just get published and left alone, it gets supported and updated.

If anything, the Corporation team in the starter set is one of the strongest teams in the game (or, at least one of the easiest to get a win with).

Currently Nameless are looking a bit too powerful, but they'll likely be toned down eventually once the best way to do that has been figured out.

A timely subject, as I'm waiting for my Dreadball set to be dispatched from Mantic. Waiting, waiting, waiting...

Not that I have a wealth of experience, but I'd recommend at least a few games with 2 Season 1 teams (you'll be getting them in the box anyway!), as they simply have fewer extra rules. It's really important to get a feel for the basic flow of the game, and that's harder to do when you're having to bear in mind stuff like teleportation, transforming and pacifism! You also don't have to buy any extra rules to use them.

I heard that the Judwan were the only truly unbalanced team when S2 was released, but it's possible that this has been corrected.

Matches with standard teams raise balance questions. Nameless and Asterians are OP and Forgefathers seem very underpowered.

A lot of this balances out in league play. Namless are still hard but definitely not unbeatable. Also in a league when you get ahead too far you have to deal with star players in your opponents team most of the time. So it really balances out.

Considering equal skill and "luck" the teams are decently balanced while some need more forethought to play than others. Sometimes its a matchup thing. Nameless for example which seem to be called the most op team nowadays really have problems against Teratons with a competent trainer. While winning against anyone in a go to game with Forgefathers can be hard (but is far from impossible).

So my only balance gripes are that the Nameless are too good and the forgefathers are a bit too weak.

Forefathers do not like getting sack-tapped in the back of their noggins. Their speed is abysmal, and you can whip their asses easily with back hits. Honestly, it's worth even risking fouls to do the sucker punch version (start in front sight, run behind) or even stomp any that hit the ground, as you'll have time to mutilate them. I love the look, but damn that team is hard to play. If the entire team was immune to knock-down like the guards are, that would go a long way towards helping them.

 timetowaste85 wrote:
Forefathers do not like getting sack-tapped in the back of their noggins. Their speed is abysmal, and you can whip their asses easily with back hits. Honestly, it's worth even risking fouls to do the sucker punch version (start in front sight, run behind) or even stomp any that hit the ground, as you'll have time to mutilate them. I love the look, but damn that team is hard to play. If the entire team was immune to knock-down like the guards are, that would go a long way towards helping them.

That wouldnt help them. What keeps the guards in play is the combination of 4+ armor on 4d6 and steady. If they are punched in their backs strikers and jacks will go to sin bin anyway so steady wont help much. There is a lot of debate on how to fix forgefathers but giving steady to all of them would do almost nothing. Maybe give the strikers 4+ armor and the jacks alert would solve some problems. The strikers would still be very squishy and vulnerable to steals but wouldnt die when looking at them in a fancy manner so you have at least a chance to develop them in a laegue and the jacks could at least always slamback getting some use out of their 3+ str.

I primarily play Forge Fathers, and the above is true. Their weaknesses almost exclusively exist in one-off, casual games. In a league, a few upgrades will balance them out, and their "Steady" general ability will begin to really shine.

But yeah... in a pick-up game... ye Gods.... its like pulling teeth.

That said, the MORE teams come out the more hardcore fans realize what a marvel of balance the game is. It is in a better state after two years than Bloodbowl is, to date.... :-p

I hope they do better in league play. A Forgefathers coach just joined our league and i hope you are correct on that.

I abandoned them and switched to Teratons. Less Weaknesses but less offensive potential. At least until you have a 3+ skill jack a card and an offensive coach. Which can be a long way sometimes

Well, I got the Dreadball box and stayed up late assembling the teams. Game looks good so far, nicely written rules and all that. I'll try to get a game in this weekend. Thanks for the help guys!