FUMBBL :: Online Blood Bowl League

Having myself moved from online Blood Bowl to Tabletop many years ago, I am still mainly an Online player but go to tournaments 2-3 times a year. If you are playing your first live tournament in Dornbirn I have gathered some Tipps on how to have a good time with your opponents. Always remember: While it's a competition, there is no money on the line and everyone is there to have a fun time. I have gathered a couple of things that help to avoid conflicts/arguments. Most are straight forward but I thought it might still be a good idea to write them down:

Be on time! You never know how slow you and your opponent are gonna play, so try to be on time to get most out of the 2.5 hours. you can always drink beer after the game, ideally with your opponent
Introductions: Tell your opponent your name (nickname and first name), where you’re from and try to find a common language to communicate in. (While most people speak English, don't just assume they understand every word you say. try to find common ground and speak slowly and clearly if you see that your opponent is having a hard time. At the same time, if you don't speak English very well point it out to make the opponent aware or try to find another language you both know. It's always charming to try to speak a couple of words in French or Spanish, even if it's just asking to grab a beer after the game)
The pre-game sequence: Put your minis on the board, group them by positions and quickly go through your roster explaining which miniature is which positional and who has which skills, how many rerolls you have and how you intend to mark them (either remove the rr when used or put them on the turn you have used them). Agree on which dice you intend to use (if not the official dice) and offer to share those dice if your opponent wants to. Ideally, agree on what is a cooked dice and whether you reroll only that one or both.
In game struggles for Online Players:
1. Obviously, you have no idea what the weather or kickoff results are. Usually they are marked on the board, otherwise, have an app or manual handy to verify what it is. Of course, everyone is hoping for a Blitz with a 10!
2. Before you do anything, move the dam turn marker. It’s annoying and easy to forget, but even if the illegal procedure rule is not enforced (you would theoretically lose a RR if you don’t move it first) it is probably the easiest way to run into a disagreement if you can't agree on what turn you are on.
3. Declare actions which you can only do once a turn when you start to move a plyer (blitz, handoff, pass, foul). It never hurts to declare other actions as well and declare how many block dice you get before rolling them.
4. Taking back declared actions. I would say normally consensus is that if there have not been any dice rolled, you can still change your action. So if you say blitz with this guy, then realize you need one more assist first, you can move the assist there first, then blitz. However, if you have already rolled a dodge then you can’t move anyone else. There are some people who are not that tolerant, so taking back an acton is not a right, but a favour granted by the opponent.
5. Once you have moved your pieces, turn them around facing yourself. When the turn is over, move them back facing forward so you can start again. If you want to go face forward, face backwards every other turn that might also work, but is a bit more prone to error. Especially remember this when your turn ends early on a turnover (even if you’re then usually a bit frustrated)
6. If you move multiple players several squares, you can use proxies as to where your new cage is gonna stand. Once you decide to move, still count the squares out loud to make sure your opponent agrees.
7. If you create a TD or SPP gaining casualty, mark it on the sheet. Alternatively, I usually put the ssp gaining casualty standing up into the cas box, and the ones from fouls, crowd-pushes and failed dodges laying down to keep track on the board.
How to resolve issues If you follow the points above, there should normally not be any arguments/issues to worry about. If it still happens to this:
1. You rolled 2 dice instead of 1d. => either flip for which dice it is or reroll then the one dice. If it’s your mistake you usually let your opponent decide which of the 2 methods you should use.
2. You placed 12 players on the field and realize only too late. => maybe you can agree on a player which would be obvious to stay out, otherwise, roll a d12. If your opponent insists, I guess he would have the right to choose one. But again, we’re all trying to have fun
3. If you don’t know which turn you are in and missed to move the turn marker, try to reconstruct your moves from turn one. I was here, then here, then here, now here and try to agree with your opponent.
4. Any other issue, try to be reasonable with your opponent and agree on a solution. If you cannot agree, call a ref to make the decision. At the world cup, you can actually call a ref from the website.
Time: Time constraints is probably always the easiest way to leave a table in a bad mood.
1. Generally, 2.5 hours should be enough for experienced players.
2. If you notice that your game progress is rather slow (check where you stand at halftime or even before), mention that it might be an issue and both agree to focus on time, or then get a chess clock or use an app to keep the turn times in line.
3. If you are way behind, I also like the idea sometimes to agree at halftime to only play 6 instead of 8 turns.
Whining/Cursing/Antics at the table Blood Bowl is a dice game which is bound to bring up emotions. Independently whether objective or not, some of your opponents will eventually think you’re lucky. And complain a bit why you only roll pows 6s, make yet another casualty. The classic standard whining. You already know that from online, but now you’re sitting next to a person so just ignoring all comments is usually not the best option. There are obviously no clear rules on what you should or should not do. You basically have to play then man. So instead of saying what to do, I just list what people you might meet.
1. The Sarcasm spammer “whaaaat, common not even a casualty, only a KO” is a sarcastic approach of confirming to the opponent you are aware you are lucky and can sometimes lighten the mood.
2. The objective guy “Yeah I’m pretty lucky I know, but the game is not over yet”
3. The know it all “Yeah but it’s because I have outplayed you and also have 20 to 5 blocks on your av 7 elves” usually does not help either of you to feel better, because you already know it, and he will not feel better if he realizes its even his fault that he is “unlucky”
4. The shy guy “yep, mhmmm, yes, agree”
5. The apologizer “Yeah I feel really bad for rolling so good and that you have so many double skulls, let me pay you a beer”
6. The Badass “you gonna cry now or what? Need a tissue? Take it like a man” is a bit of an ass move and should only be used in severe circumstances

Posted by spelledaren on 2019-10-02 00:29:08

Great!

Posted by exefokker on 2019-10-02 01:19:18

Top article!

May I add a coach type to point 7 (and my personal favorite):

The Religious Zealot:

:All praise to Nuffle, in his glorious fickleness.
May He smile on your block dice, and may He bless your injury rolls with the sound of snapping bones.
May your 1's be plentiful when He decideth.
And may your 6's be as useful as a chocolate teapot.
All in His favor
All for his enjoyment and gracious chaos
We are but pawns (or perhaps prawns) in his salad of anarchy
Embrace the bedlam, for it is His way.
Rejoice in the turmoil, for it is His way.
We are all equal in His madhouse of fun.
Ramen"

Posted by Lorebass on 2019-10-02 01:56:54

Antics type g.

The Musician: Pulls out a very VERY small violin and plays for your bad dice.

Posted by ben_awesome on 2019-10-02 03:04:00

The only time I've been to a tournament, I'm pretty sure the apologizer did what he says on the tin, no prompting

Posted by Bloodfeast on 2019-10-02 05:49:09

Best blog in ages, and I hope to use it soon :)

Thanks mate!

Posted by erased000047 on 2019-10-02 07:00:41

I have only participated in GW Game Days and Grand Tournaments.. that being said the player "types" you listed can be found in all games not just BB, lol, here are a few additions...

1. The Rules Lawyer :do I need to explain? DON'T BE ONE

2. The Superstitious or slow dice roller : I personaly don't care if each person uses thier own dice, but be wary, that said if you feel you need to use the same dice, ask a judge to enforce it... and that said..

3. The judge's " teacher's pet " : DON'T BE ONE / this person trys to curry favor or familiarity with the judges by talking to them, making jokes, going with them to lunch so when the player has a rules concern he thinks the judges will grant him slack because of his special status...ugh I hate these guys...

ok enough from me, one last thing most important! ::

HAVE FUN, ENJOY THE MOMENT THEY DON'T COME OFTEN ENOUGH, BASK IN THE AWSOME ATMOSPHERE AND AFTER THE ROUNDS DON'T FORGET THE BEERS AT THE HOTEL BAR / PUB

Posted by PaddyMick on 2019-10-02 09:26:59

Great post thanks. The advice will ome in handy for me when I play my first tournament. Last time I played TT was 20 years ago.

Posted by PeteW on 2019-10-02 10:01:24

Super post - great tips.

One question - how long do you cook your dice for and at what temperature? And do you do it with the sixes on the top so the light bits float up? Or the ones on the top to bake them heavier? (This does help to explain your great tournament success rate...!)

Posted by PurpleChest on 2019-10-02 10:25:04

great stuff. Put it to use by joining TEAM FUMBBL in york in january 2020. Come chat in the podcast channel if you fancy it, or PM me.

Posted by garyt1 on 2019-10-05 03:18:33

Good job! The main thing is just being pleasant/nice to opponent. Trying hard but don't stress too much. Yeah you can mention bad rolls, but better not go on about it. At a one-off 5/6 game tournament a couple of unlucky games won't be a shock. And yes the tournament winner will be bound to have had decent luck, but likely also played very well.
I found the trickiest thing at first is remembering to turn models after using them to indicate using them consistently.

Posted by BeanBelly on 2020-03-06 14:56:59

Necro comment, but wanted to say useful blog, stumbled across it ahead of my first TT Tourney this coming Saturday.
Cheers


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