by Blood Bowl! For many, it is Games Workshop’s best game. A large part of the reason for this is that the game still has a lot of the original charm and DNA of Jervis Johnson in it, as it hasn’t been iterated into oblivion over the years to force fans to buy new rulebooks.
The game remained largely unchanged from 2001 and Johnson’s own Fourth Edition (Okay, that’s a bit dramatic, as there were rules changes over the years, but no major overhauls) until the 2016 edition. It has actually been five years since Blood Bowl saw a major update, which is essentially forever in Games Workshop years.
They are describing this edition as having been designed by Blood Bowl fanatics for Blood Bowl fanatics, and that it will be the definitive edition of the game, while also shaking up the meta. Vaguely worrying language, especially when you consider there is a good reason why surgeons don’t operate on their own family members.
The game will feature two new teams with the Brionne Barons and the Nehekhara Nightmares, a great move that ensures nobody is doubling up on teams, and also gives everyone something fresh to explore the new rules with.
You can expect the new edition to land on shelves with a thump later this year.
The Brionne Barons
The Bretonnian team is a classic high-risk, high-reward team with powerful abilities. Two Grail Knights are the key players, hard-hitting Blitzers with a new Skill – if they are ever about to be knocked down, Steady Footing lets them keep their footing and stay standing on a roll of 6. They’re backed up by two Knight Throwers and two Knight Catchers – capable players who pair Pass and Catch respectively with Nerves of Steel. There’s no Big Guy, but Dauntless takes care of that. Finally, Squires bring Wrestle and a can-do attitude to the party.
The Nehekhara Nightmares
The Tomb Kings will be familiar to seasoned coaches – a reliably bashy team with up to four ST5 Tomb Guardians with Brawler, backed up by two Blitzers, two Throwers, and suitably durable Skeleton Linemen. The Big Guys are tough, but Decay will still get ‘em in the end, and all those ancient Skeletons retain their Thick Skulls. They still have a lower Agility stat than most, but this minor downside is less of an issue these days with the Secure the Ball action.
