Great video. I love the intro and everything that comes next. For me personally, Blood Bowl is mainly about playing the game and I'm quite invested into getting better (even after 15+ years) and using the mechanics and my understanding of the game to win. That doesn't mean though I have to win at all costs and I'd rather lose than have a bad atmosphere at the table with my opponent. What I found most important in your video was how you said that through your understanding of the game it becomes possible to see in which cases general rules like "do moves without dodges first" or "don't blitz with the ball carrier" can be ignored. It's important to know that these apply most of the time and to really learn the game you should adhere to them. But once you have a good understanding, you will be able to see they don't always apply. One very obvious example was in one of my recent games where I notified my opponent that he still had a Blitz available and he said "well, obiously I'm not going to blitz with my ball carrier and everyone else has activated already" - it was turn 16 and I wouldn't get another turn. What you are talking about is of course that something like this could happen in the middle of a match. It just goes to show that some coaches will strictly adhere to those rules without actually understanding the reason behind them. I don't fully agree with what you said around the 17:50 mark: To really be able to adapt to new situations, you have to understand how all the teams work - which works best by actually playing them. I often see that new players choose bashy teams or are even nudged in that direction because it seems more intuitive to just clear the pitch of opponents and then win by default. After years of playing I can instantly recognize if a coach learned the game like this because they usually lack the understanding that other teams play differently to win and are usually completely baffled to see that seven Elves can easily win against eleven Black Orcs - which these coaches then often attribute to incredible luck on the Elves' part. A typical Dunning-Kruger situation because the opposite is true - such a win was only possible because the bashy coach had no understanding of how to prevent the agility team from doing their thing ;). This is why I actually encourage new players to choose agility teams. The learning curve is steeper, but it's the only way to really understand the game.
I play Lizardmen because dinosaurs. I've been playing against myself with the other teams I'm building for a project I'm working on, and I realized that I don't know non-Lizardmen teams. The Bonehead Podcast is incredibly helpful to me
I wanted to play lizards as of BB2 on steam. Got massacred. I always either took the Krox and needed rerolls or took rerolls and needed the krox. I have the hungry troll Jurassic lizards. They were my Covid lockdown. Sweet models.
I’m probably a late level 3 moving to level 4. I play in a Sevens league. I teach others how to play. I have over a 1000 hours in BB2 and BB3. I haven’t done any tournaments yet, but I feel like I’m tournament ready. Like I could go to a tournament and maybe make it past the first round or two. And that’s in large part because I watch this channel. Thanks for all the great advice and sharing our love for this game.
I would highly recommend trying a tournament, the bonehead guys run some great tournaments that are very beginner/ new to tournament players. The community is very welcoming and it doesn't matter what experience you have. For me, my 1st game of 2020 was at my very 1st tournament (beachhead), everyone there was amazing and happy to help and advise. Please do try a tournament we have great people in this community.
I'm a 3 most teams Wirh Nurgle - 4.5 (i usually win 2-0 or 3-0) sometimes they score late second half. The counter-plays and non-plays are what i do. Why i think 4.5 is because i know when to counter-play and when not to counter-play (a non-play). I have an extremely solid game plan that works against all teams. The problem i have is when it falls apart, it is extremely difficult to recover from.
Yeah same. I'm at peace with that though, because I've noticed that I can handle draws and losses way better if I can look at my team and get excited about levelling up a player or two. I'll never be a level 5 - that's for sure - but I'll be a higher level player than I would otherwise by still playing and enjoying the game!
Hi Ben! Adding fuel to the dump-oft debate, I'll point out that dump-oft may reduce the hits the ball carrier takes. While a sacker may gladly take a leap/dodge for a half-die on the ball, they may not complete the blitz into your cage if the ball is no longer held by that player. (This happened to me the other night.)
I think I'm right on the cusp of getting to Tier 3. I know WHAT the skills do, but I'm only really starting to understand HOW to use the skills properly.
I’m going from 0 to 1. I’ve been watching your channel for years because I’ve always been interested in Blood Bowl and I got BB3 around the time it came out. But I’ve recently decided on a team and have set aside 40K to finish my BB team. Although I’m more into the painting side of Games Workshop, I want to actually play BB at local shops. I keep listening to you guys to keep motivated.
Good video thank you! I'd really would like to see some strategy videos specific for each team to go from 2nd to 2rd level. I really enjoyed the set up videos, but it would be very useful to have similar videos for in match choices and plans!
Great video. I am at the crossroad. Do I get more reps with my Orks now that have plenty of BUBs and Blitzers and a Troll. Or do I build and paint up my Humans or Vampires to see how they fit.
Hey Ben, Love how much you love this game. It really is infectious. Have you thought about going back and redoing some of the racial guides, (khorne, amazons, norse, for example.) As those guides were made before the new updated releases? I know double dipping your videos may not be the best way to get views but it would certainly help new players, or people who are picking up a new team.
Hey Ben, love the videos, I’m level 1 and I struggle with my memory. There seems to be so much to learn and the little nuance’s of the skills etc. of the game. My brain is like an old manky sponge that has been lost behind the kitchen sink! lol Guess I’ll just play for fun!🙂
Rating my level? Ha! I've been playing since '87, so level 3, minimum. But, I play Greedy. Very Greedy. Go big or go home kinda Greedy. It's all about risk/reward. No fear. Greed is good!
I started playing with the second edition, astrogranite pitch and all. I've been playing on and off since then, mostly off. I'd consider myself a veteran. I went to the GW Tacoma Open tournament last July, and came in not last place!
I'm creeping up on 1.1k hours in BB3 (600+ on BB2). I'm consistently in the "Platinum" division on that platform. I feel I still have a lot to learn about playing "gud" Blood Bowl, but I like to play for fun more than competitively. I'll take the risky options a lot of the time and have lost games because of it. But, I've also won games from doing them. So, I would guess (by your scale) I'm at LvL. 3?
It takes a lot of experience to even realize where you make the mistakes that matter and to think about your actual weaknesses. I don't know you but from these numbers and the way you reflect I would probably place you more in the 4 category.
@@JersyCityDevil Thanks for boost. Reading your comment below, I definitely fall into that category of learning the game as a Bash coach. But, I have played with the Agility and Stunty teams because, as you said, know thy enemy. I still struggle with the Agility teams; mostly on defense. Goblins have been more fun than any other team I've run. I also play very reactively. I'm not the guy with the plan further ahead than (maybe) the next Turn. One thing I really struggle with is playing on tabletop. I don't get many opportunities to play the game with my miniatures, so I'm used to the computer calculating thing for me (like Block Assists). Sometimes it's easy for me to miss "seeing" tackle zones because they don't illuminate in real life.
After more than thirty games, according to your assessment, I am level 1.5. I lack a lot of things you described in your level two coaches, but at the same time, I have some qualities from level 3. For example, I always have a plan and several backup plans. And I have a good grasp on the situation and I can utilize every stat and skill of my players. But at the same time, chain blocks or reading where to dodge, these are beyond me. And I routinely have my opponents explain to me the most obvious plan to achive a goal and I never see that obvious plan.
recognizing chain block situations is all about experience. Having it happen to you a few times will make you recognize the situations more easily. If you play online, going over your game footage (on your own is fine, but ideally with someone much better than you) and turn by turn try to figure out where you missed out on chainblocks goes a long way too. It's boring stuff to be sure, but it does help you recognize this situations almost instantly when they come up in a game. Or a very similar layout will appear and you know just popping 1 character into a certain spot will allow you to chain for a while. Also team dependant tbh. Chaining as dwarves (who all have block) is tons of fun, cause the more blocks the better. But chaining on a largely unskilled team can backfire spectacularly cause the more dice you throw the more likely you run into some double skulls or both downs.
Thank you for the advice. I play only on tabletop so no such luck. I just need more games it seems. Well, as was already stated, more Blood Bowl is more better! Also, I tend to gravitate towards some wierd stuff. Like passing game with orcs and dwarves. I just like mixed playstile, where you can bash and you can pass and run. Just like in real football. You need a little bit of blocking, you need a quarterback and you need some recievers and then runners. It is alwas such a delight when I see my opponent's eyes widen when I pass with the orcs.
Which ever a snotling ranks as: pretty much a noob in competitive no matter how much you might know with a surprisingly good pitch every now and again… with a chance of fouling
I don't believe league play is the greatest indicator of piloting skill as certain results warp multiple games. Exhibition play with a multi-tier format (minimum 4 tiers, 5 to 7 preferred) tests list building, ensures roughly equal resources and gives a fair matchup for each match.
I will clarify that I do believe league play is skill based and that level of risk management is a separate skill altogether but from a pure piloting standpoint, players beginning on unequal ground is lopsided to begin with. I love inducements but they are more of a gimmick than an equalizer.
I played 2k+ games of bb2 online and more then a few tournaments on tabletop and a local league and 1 hour of bb3 absultly hated that game with a burning passion. Basicly I consider myself level 3.5 I'm not elite but I know what I'm doing. Like at the weekend I knew that game was lost turn 10. As for having a plan, remember if plan A fails you still have 25 letters of the alphabet to choose from, plans are overrated
Great video. I love the intro and everything that comes next.
For me personally, Blood Bowl is mainly about playing the game and I'm quite invested into getting better (even after 15+ years) and using the mechanics and my understanding of the game to win. That doesn't mean though I have to win at all costs and I'd rather lose than have a bad atmosphere at the table with my opponent.
What I found most important in your video was how you said that through your understanding of the game it becomes possible to see in which cases general rules like "do moves without dodges first" or "don't blitz with the ball carrier" can be ignored. It's important to know that these apply most of the time and to really learn the game you should adhere to them. But once you have a good understanding, you will be able to see they don't always apply.
One very obvious example was in one of my recent games where I notified my opponent that he still had a Blitz available and he said "well, obiously I'm not going to blitz with my ball carrier and everyone else has activated already" - it was turn 16 and I wouldn't get another turn.
What you are talking about is of course that something like this could happen in the middle of a match. It just goes to show that some coaches will strictly adhere to those rules without actually understanding the reason behind them.
I don't fully agree with what you said around the 17:50 mark: To really be able to adapt to new situations, you have to understand how all the teams work - which works best by actually playing them. I often see that new players choose bashy teams or are even nudged in that direction because it seems more intuitive to just clear the pitch of opponents and then win by default. After years of playing I can instantly recognize if a coach learned the game like this because they usually lack the understanding that other teams play differently to win and are usually completely baffled to see that seven Elves can easily win against eleven Black Orcs - which these coaches then often attribute to incredible luck on the Elves' part. A typical Dunning-Kruger situation because the opposite is true - such a win was only possible because the bashy coach had no understanding of how to prevent the agility team from doing their thing ;). This is why I actually encourage new players to choose agility teams. The learning curve is steeper, but it's the only way to really understand the game.
I play Lizardmen because dinosaurs. I've been playing against myself with the other teams I'm building for a project I'm working on, and I realized that I don't know non-Lizardmen teams. The Bonehead Podcast is incredibly helpful to me
I wanted to play lizards as of BB2 on steam. Got massacred. I always either took the Krox and needed rerolls or took rerolls and needed the krox.
I have the hungry troll Jurassic lizards. They were my Covid lockdown. Sweet models.
I’m probably a late level 3 moving to level 4. I play in a Sevens league. I teach others how to play. I have over a 1000 hours in BB2 and BB3. I haven’t done any tournaments yet, but I feel like I’m tournament ready. Like I could go to a tournament and maybe make it past the first round or two.
And that’s in large part because I watch this channel. Thanks for all the great advice and sharing our love for this game.
I would highly recommend trying a tournament, the bonehead guys run some great tournaments that are very beginner/ new to tournament players.
The community is very welcoming and it doesn't matter what experience you have. For me, my 1st game of 2020 was at my very 1st tournament (beachhead), everyone there was amazing and happy to help and advise. Please do try a tournament we have great people in this community.
I'm a 3 most teams
Wirh Nurgle - 4.5 (i usually win 2-0 or 3-0) sometimes they score late second half.
The counter-plays and non-plays are what i do. Why i think 4.5 is because i know when to counter-play and when not to counter-play (a non-play). I have an extremely solid game plan that works against all teams. The problem i have is when it falls apart, it is extremely difficult to recover from.
Seeing red and chasing that SPP is a dangerous (but fun) feeling. I've gotten so many draws because of that.
Yeah same.
I'm at peace with that though, because I've noticed that I can handle draws and losses way better if I can look at my team and get excited about levelling up a player or two.
I'll never be a level 5 - that's for sure - but I'll be a higher level player than I would otherwise by still playing and enjoying the game!
I’m so glad theory Thursday is back ! 😍
I think I'm level Derp.
Hi Ben! Adding fuel to the dump-oft debate, I'll point out that dump-oft may reduce the hits the ball carrier takes. While a sacker may gladly take a leap/dodge for a half-die on the ball, they may not complete the blitz into your cage if the ball is no longer held by that player. (This happened to me the other night.)
I think I'm right on the cusp of getting to Tier 3. I know WHAT the skills do, but I'm only really starting to understand HOW to use the skills properly.
I’m going from 0 to 1. I’ve been watching your channel for years because I’ve always been interested in Blood Bowl and I got BB3 around the time it came out. But I’ve recently decided on a team and have set aside 40K to finish my BB team. Although I’m more into the painting side of Games Workshop, I want to actually play BB at local shops. I keep listening to you guys to keep motivated.
This video was super helpful Ben! Thank you!
Good video thank you! I'd really would like to see some strategy videos specific for each team to go from 2nd to 2rd level. I really enjoyed the set up videos, but it would be very useful to have similar videos for in match choices and plans!
Still waiting for a vamp setup video
I've watched that Andy Davo guy a few times.. he is rather good, however, he has never beaten me in a match .. ;)
Great videos and firmly standing as a Rookie looking up at the next levels. Great to hear the thoughts about the higher levels. 🏈🖌️👍
Great video. I am at the crossroad. Do I get more reps with my Orks now that have plenty of BUBs and Blitzers and a Troll. Or do I build and paint up my Humans or Vampires to see how they fit.
Hey Ben, Love how much you love this game. It really is infectious.
Have you thought about going back and redoing some of the racial guides, (khorne, amazons, norse, for example.) As those guides were made before the new updated releases?
I know double dipping your videos may not be the best way to get views but it would certainly help new players, or people who are picking up a new team.
Rookie, but working on it. Stricktly tabletop.
Hey Ben, love the videos, I’m level 1 and I struggle with my memory. There seems to be so much to learn and the little nuance’s of the skills etc. of the game. My brain is like an old manky sponge that has been lost behind the kitchen sink! lol
Guess I’ll just play for fun!🙂
Rating my level? Ha! I've been playing since '87, so level 3, minimum. But, I play Greedy. Very Greedy. Go big or go home kinda Greedy. It's all about risk/reward. No fear. Greed is good!
I'm totally level 2! But level 3 is just within reach!!!
setups.. yes.. but.. what about setups in response to setups ??
I'm a solid level 3 about yo take the jump to level 4. Gotta snag a tournament win before I consider myself a level 4
You never did a Vampire Team Development video. I would love to see your thoughts since you have been playing them.
I started playing with the second edition, astrogranite pitch and all. I've been playing on and off since then, mostly off. I'd consider myself a veteran. I went to the GW Tacoma Open tournament last July, and came in not last place!
I'd say I'm probably 3, maybe 4? 🤔 but I'm like you with that I'm happy with that as I want to play for fun rather than get all serious about it 😃
I'm creeping up on 1.1k hours in BB3 (600+ on BB2). I'm consistently in the "Platinum" division on that platform. I feel I still have a lot to learn about playing "gud" Blood Bowl, but I like to play for fun more than competitively. I'll take the risky options a lot of the time and have lost games because of it. But, I've also won games from doing them. So, I would guess (by your scale) I'm at LvL. 3?
It takes a lot of experience to even realize where you make the mistakes that matter and to think about your actual weaknesses. I don't know you but from these numbers and the way you reflect I would probably place you more in the 4 category.
@@JersyCityDevil
Thanks for boost. Reading your comment below, I definitely fall into that category of learning the game as a Bash coach. But, I have played with the Agility and Stunty teams because, as you said, know thy enemy. I still struggle with the Agility teams; mostly on defense. Goblins have been more fun than any other team I've run. I also play very reactively. I'm not the guy with the plan further ahead than (maybe) the next Turn.
One thing I really struggle with is playing on tabletop. I don't get many opportunities to play the game with my miniatures, so I'm used to the computer calculating thing for me (like Block Assists). Sometimes it's easy for me to miss "seeing" tackle zones because they don't illuminate in real life.
After more than thirty games, according to your assessment, I am level 1.5. I lack a lot of things you described in your level two coaches, but at the same time, I have some qualities from level 3.
For example, I always have a plan and several backup plans. And I have a good grasp on the situation and I can utilize every stat and skill of my players.
But at the same time, chain blocks or reading where to dodge, these are beyond me. And I routinely have my opponents explain to me the most obvious plan to achive a goal and I never see that obvious plan.
recognizing chain block situations is all about experience. Having it happen to you a few times will make you recognize the situations more easily. If you play online, going over your game footage (on your own is fine, but ideally with someone much better than you) and turn by turn try to figure out where you missed out on chainblocks goes a long way too.
It's boring stuff to be sure, but it does help you recognize this situations almost instantly when they come up in a game. Or a very similar layout will appear and you know just popping 1 character into a certain spot will allow you to chain for a while.
Also team dependant tbh. Chaining as dwarves (who all have block) is tons of fun, cause the more blocks the better. But chaining on a largely unskilled team can backfire spectacularly cause the more dice you throw the more likely you run into some double skulls or both downs.
Thank you for the advice.
I play only on tabletop so no such luck. I just need more games it seems. Well, as was already stated, more Blood Bowl is more better!
Also, I tend to gravitate towards some wierd stuff. Like passing game with orcs and dwarves. I just like mixed playstile, where you can bash and you can pass and run. Just like in real football. You need a little bit of blocking, you need a quarterback and you need some recievers and then runners.
It is alwas such a delight when I see my opponent's eyes widen when I pass with the orcs.
Greetings from an underperforming 3 or a top tier 2. Based on the # of games I have played. As always. Love the content and the education you provide!
im a level 2 coach, learning, training because i like being competitive in all my games :D
Which ever a snotling ranks as: pretty much a noob in competitive no matter how much you might know with a surprisingly good pitch every now and again… with a chance of fouling
I don't believe league play is the greatest indicator of piloting skill as certain results warp multiple games. Exhibition play with a multi-tier format (minimum 4 tiers, 5 to 7 preferred) tests list building, ensures roughly equal resources and gives a fair matchup for each match.
I will clarify that I do believe league play is skill based and that level of risk management is a separate skill altogether but from a pure piloting standpoint, players beginning on unequal ground is lopsided to begin with. I love inducements but they are more of a gimmick than an equalizer.
If I have the choice to do something for the win or for the lolz, I choose the second! Guess I will stay forever in lvl 2.5 😂
I am elite-pro….but I have horrible luck and no sense of propriety and will compulsively take the biggest chances every time.
I played 2k+ games of bb2 online and more then a few tournaments on tabletop and a local league and 1 hour of bb3 absultly hated that game with a burning passion.
Basicly I consider myself level 3.5 I'm not elite but I know what I'm doing. Like at the weekend I knew that game was lost turn 10.
As for having a plan, remember if plan A fails you still have 25 letters of the alphabet to choose from, plans are overrated
Great video, a lot of things to think about. Level 2 here
My dice sometimes feel level 1
Well, i am now in level 2, so im doing better than i thought now time to push to lvl 3
Solid 3
I keep changing team to much to get to level 4 with anyone else.
level 3 but want to get better. Love me some blood bowl
I'm a solid 3 but I'd say 4 with underworld sorry not sorry.
Not hard to be elite with a busted team. Sorry not Sorry😂😂😂
2.5 😂
Level 2, knowing the game but getting tricked and losing track of my strategy all the time. 🥲