If you missed them, here are part 1, part 2, part 3, and part 4.

Let's talk about the tactical-strategic decision feedback loops that exist in Blood Bowl. First, updated definitions:

Strategy: a plan intended to achieve an overall aim. In Blood Bowl, the plans of a coach to win the match. This includes the plan for each drive (including pass/loose run/cage on offense and scrum/screen on defense), roster selection, player development, and the overall frequency of scoring.

Tactics: the actions to achieve a specific goal. In Blood Bowl, the actions of players to execute the plan, particularly the active decision of a coach to roll dice. This includes player movement (including dodges & GFI's), ball handling and sacking (including pickup, handoff, & pass), blocking/blitzing, fouling, and the order all of these things are done in.

Feedback Loop: a system where (part of) the output is used for new input. In Blood Bowl, a tactical-strategic decision feedback loop occurs when a specific decision has both immediate and long-term consequences that must be weighed against each other. This includes choosing how to prioritize actions that give SPP (including pass, block, intercept, & score), when to use the apothecary, setup before kickoff, and adjusting plans for dice rolls.

Let's look at SPP actions as an example.

Strategically, SPP actions are the most significant driver of team development although winnings, apothecary use, and MVP's also contribute. A coach who wants to speed up team development can do so by making tactical decisions that increase the frequency of SPP gains. That coach would prioritize actions with players with fewer SPP's needed before the next skill.

Tactically, implementing this strategy is often not the most likely way to win the current match. On offense, the SPP hog often has the skills that make them the best ball handler. Getting the ball to another player involves a dice roll which if failed will lead to a turnover. On defense, the skills are different but there will be a best blitzer/sacker/murderer. Blitzing with another player reduces the a chance for a casualty or turnover. The cost in both of these cases is lowering the probability of immediate success.

So how is this a feedback loop? Strategic considerations can indicate when the additional risk like a handoff to a Longbeard or blitzing with a Minotaur (without block) have greater reward. However, precise analysis of possible failures is required. A failed handoff that lands out of reach of the opposing team is fairly minor, but one that could end up in the hands of an opposing player could be a major problem. The odds must be approximated and weighed against the potential gains, and that calculation can be done in iteration as different tactical possibilities are considered. A good coach finds the right balance for the tactical and strategic consequences. These iterations over many possibilities are a feedback loop system. Making correct decisions in these situations requires skill that comes from experience.

This will be the last entry in this series for a while. Originally, the end was going to be the answer our question, "Does Blood Bowl emphasize tactics or strategy?" even if the answer was just a best guess. However, the question is more complex than expected and deserves a complete answer. Since that answer is still missing something, we will wait. Hopefully, the journey so far has been useful.

Sal-utations and Happy New Year