1. Understand the Rules - Know what you are getting into!
a. Competition Rules Pack (PDF) - The “CRP” is also known as the Living Rule Book 6.0 (“LRB 6.0”). It serves as the most updated version of the game rules.
b. New Teams Supplement (PDF) - The Blood Bowl Rules Committee (“BBRC”) has embraced 3 additional teams to be used. These are the Slann, Chaos Pact, and Underworld Teams. They have not been included in the CRP/LRBP 6.0 as Games Workshop is waiting until the team models are available before incorporating. Until then, the Blood Bowl governing body and the majority of tournaments and leagues embrace this supplement.
c. Local Rules (Website) - Local rules are any additional rules that local tournaments or leagues use for a particular event or season. This is similar to “house rules” in other games. The EBBL has Local Rules for seasons downloadable on this website.
d. Blood Bowl for Beginners (Podcast) - This is a FREE episode of the “Three Die Block” podcast that describes strategy and tactics for Blood Bowl. This episode in particular describes the fundamentals of Blood Bowl, how to set up a game, and what teams are good for rookies.
e. Skill Breakdown (Podcast) - This is a FREE episode the “Zlurpcast Tactics Zone” podcast that describes strategy and tactics for Blood Bowl. This episode covers various skills in the game and how to use them.
f. Etiquette (Podcast) - This is a FREE episode of the “Pitch Invasion” podcast that describes league etiquette.
g. Strength Skills (Podcast) - This is a FREE episode of the “Pitch Invasion” podcast that describes Strength Skills in depth.
g. Agility Skills (Podcast) - This is a FREE episode of the “Pitch Invasion” podcast that describes Agility Skills in depth.
2. Learn Different Play Styles - Popular approaches!
a. The Basics (Podcast) - This is a FREE episode of the “Zlurpcast Tactics Zone” podcast that describes basic play styles of attrition, long pass, short pass, and caging.
b. Team Management (Podcast) - This is a FREE episode of the “Three Die Block” podcast that (after a segment on High Elves) discusses how to manage a team.
c. Bashy Leagues (Podcast) - This is a FREE episode of the “Three Die Block” podcast that discusses how to succeed in a league where most of the teams are built to bruise.
d. FUMBBL Guide for Newbies (Website) - Guide over things that coaches should consider EVERY turn.
e. FUMBBL Guide to Defensive Setups (Website) - Guide that discusses commonly used formations when kicking off to your opponent.
f. Games Workshop’s Blood Bowl “Art of Blocking” Guide (PDF) - Guide that highlights how effective blocking strategy can be a superior advantage over just knocking your opponent around.
3. Select a Team - The flavor to punish with!
a. Tier Roundtable (Podcast) - This is a FREE episode of the “Three Die Block” podcast that discusses the different tiers (how difficult they are to use) of teams.
b. Episode #5 (Podcast) - this is a FREE episode of “Bacon-Wrapped Skulls and Ones” podcast that discusses the different tiers of teams and playability.
c. EBBL’s Top 5 Recommended Races for Beginners (Website) - See the link on this website for in-depth advice and resources regarding the easiest races for beginners to play.
4. Obtain a Team - The physical manifestation of your team!
a. Buy Local - The EBBL encourages you to buy local and support local gaming. Talk to your local brick and mortar store about ordering Blood Bowl or other fantasy football teams.
b. Manufacturers - See “Resources/Links” link on this website for a listing of many manufacturers, many of which sell direct.
c. Warhammer/Etc - Use your existing Warhammer or similar models to embody your team. After all, this is how Blood Bowl began anyway.
d. Borrow a Team - Many Blood Bowl players are interested in growing the game and will gladly let you borrow a team for a league or tournament.
e. Paper Players (Website/PDF) - Free printable players for any race developed by Erik “Doc” Anderson and in association with Three Die Block. Just print them out, cut out, and fold together into cubes.
5. Set Your First Lineup - Put me in coach!
a. FUMBBL Recommended Starting Team Rosters (Website) - Recommendations from the largest Blood Bowl league around regarding starting team rosters.
b. Additional Starting Roster Advice (Website) - See “Resources/Links” link on this website for more strategy and lineup advice articles, many specific to certain races.
6. Play the Game - Stop yapping and go bash someone!
a. Play With a Friend - Just pick up the rules, models, and a board and play. The Blood Bowl box set contains a board, templates, and Human/Orc teams.
b. Play in a League - Find a league by searching the internet, talking to your local game store, searching The NAF website (you must be a member) or asking someone on Talk Fantasy Football.
c. Play in a Tournament - While it may be difficult to find purely local tournaments, The NAF website (you must be a member) provides sanctioning and universal standards for a good tournament.
d. Play FUMBBL (Website) - This is the largest Blood Bowl league in the world, and it is free to play (though donations are encouraged). It has various divisions for play. Playing on “Ranked” or a league within FUMBBL may be less frustrating than playing in the open “Black Box” division where some of the most experienced coaches on the net hang out.
e. Play Video Game - Cyanide Studios makes the Blood Bowl Video Games, including the current “Chaos Edition”, the upcoming “Blood Bowl 2”, and the upcoming “Blood Bowl Star Coach” that will be tablet and Ipad friendly. Older versions of the Blood Bowl Video Game were available on Windows/PC, Xbox 360, Nintendo DS, and Playstation Portable. These may be picked up inexpensively, but use a older ruleset (LRBP 5.0) and only have a fraction of the teams available to play.
