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2016-01-13 05:19:33
19 votes, rating 3.1
19 votes, rating 3.1
The Core of Blood Bowl, Part 1
After playing several dozen games, I am starting to understand to core of Blood Bowl. What is the core of a game? It is the elements of the game that can't change from a game designer's perspective. It also the elements that make it different from the other games in the same genre.
Imagine if you will that Game's Workshop decreed that Blood Bowl could no longer use the flavor of the Warhammer universe. After the game was re-themed to Cthulhu cultists and demons, what would be left? What if it was tiny fae creatures (like stunty leeg with no big guys)? These games would feel like like Blood Bowl even if they look different.
Even if the theme stayed the same, what if we needed a new living rulebook removing all skills that provide free rerolls? This is a massive change to the game, but the game would still be Blood Bowl deep down.
The core elements of Blood Bowl are few, and I am not sure what all of them are yet. This series will be released sporadically over the next few weeks with some regular posts in between. Next time, we will look at the mechanic that sets Blood Bowl apart: block dice.
Sal-utations
Edit: To head off the obvious comments, I don't think any of the above what if's are good ideas.
Imagine if you will that Game's Workshop decreed that Blood Bowl could no longer use the flavor of the Warhammer universe. After the game was re-themed to Cthulhu cultists and demons, what would be left? What if it was tiny fae creatures (like stunty leeg with no big guys)? These games would feel like like Blood Bowl even if they look different.
Even if the theme stayed the same, what if we needed a new living rulebook removing all skills that provide free rerolls? This is a massive change to the game, but the game would still be Blood Bowl deep down.
The core elements of Blood Bowl are few, and I am not sure what all of them are yet. This series will be released sporadically over the next few weeks with some regular posts in between. Next time, we will look at the mechanic that sets Blood Bowl apart: block dice.
Sal-utations
Edit: To head off the obvious comments, I don't think any of the above what if's are good ideas.
Comments
Posted by bghandras on 2016-01-13 10:54:48
In my opinion the core is not a single mechanic. Although you could strongly argue about following as being unique elements:
- block dice
- block action
- assisting a block
The essence of the game in my opinion is the fact that you need to complete a whole turn, but most action can result in turnover on a 1.
- block dice
- block action
- assisting a block
The essence of the game in my opinion is the fact that you need to complete a whole turn, but most action can result in turnover on a 1.
Posted by Endzone on 2016-01-13 11:14:32
From the start Bloodbowl has been a two player turn based strategy game of fantasy (American) football set in a parody of the Warhammer world.
The mechanics of the game changed significantly from version 2 to version 3. After version 3 we have essentially had the same game with refinements. Since v3 core game mechanics core mechanics have included the rules for blocking (including block dice and assists), the agility table that covers most other actions and the turnover mechanic (which is a key ingredient).
Depending on how you define it the 'core' of the game is subjective. To the 'strategic gamer' it is the key mechanics described above, but to the 'fantasy gamer' the core may be the parody Warhammer universe, the miniatures and paint, the fact that it is essentially a type of American football etc. Many coaches embrace both technical and fluff elements to some extent and for these 'strategic fantasy gamers' any synopsis of the essence of the game would be incomplete without both the technical and fluff aspects.
The mechanics of the game changed significantly from version 2 to version 3. After version 3 we have essentially had the same game with refinements. Since v3 core game mechanics core mechanics have included the rules for blocking (including block dice and assists), the agility table that covers most other actions and the turnover mechanic (which is a key ingredient).
Depending on how you define it the 'core' of the game is subjective. To the 'strategic gamer' it is the key mechanics described above, but to the 'fantasy gamer' the core may be the parody Warhammer universe, the miniatures and paint, the fact that it is essentially a type of American football etc. Many coaches embrace both technical and fluff elements to some extent and for these 'strategic fantasy gamers' any synopsis of the essence of the game would be incomplete without both the technical and fluff aspects.
Posted by Uedder on 2016-01-13 15:02:36
To me is core:
1)Sort of american football with fantasy races.
2)Players can level up as well as die/be injured.
3)Turnover mechanic.
4)Using 6-faced dices makes for a lot of randomness.
If any of these was to go or be modified, it wouldn't "feel" blood bowl anymore to me. Could feel sort of like it, but it wouldn't be blood bowl.
1)Sort of american football with fantasy races.
2)Players can level up as well as die/be injured.
3)Turnover mechanic.
4)Using 6-faced dices makes for a lot of randomness.
If any of these was to go or be modified, it wouldn't "feel" blood bowl anymore to me. Could feel sort of like it, but it wouldn't be blood bowl.
Posted by pythrr on 2016-01-13 18:12:09
kill all mens
next
next
Posted by Gadfly on 2016-01-13 18:24:37
What Endzone, pythrr said.
"several dozen games", green.
"several dozen games", green.
Posted by ianuk77 on 2016-01-14 14:14:07
It's like snooker played with chess pieces.