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CrisisChris
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2025-02-01 20:18:46
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A hitchhiker’s guide to the … 145 group
Dear fellow bashers and dashers,
hello Blood Bowl lovers and Fumbbl enthusiasts,
but most of all a warm Welcome to all newcomers,

In this post I want to provide a very personal walk through my time in the IMO most helpful group for all Blood Bowl newcomers: The145 group!


But please allow one remark before I even start: This is my experience, the given times may vary strongly depending on how much you play yourself, how experienced you are when you enter, and the rules or guidelines may have changed in the meantime.

So, let us start at the beginning. One day The Bonehead Podcast showed up on my Youtube page and the following days I soaked up its content until that one day – Fumbbl says it was December 9th 2023 – when I ordered my Blood Bowl Season 2 box and registered on Fumbbl. But I did not play my first match online before February 29th because I focused on Sevens. Even though almost three month past after the registration, my experience was poor, having played only a hand full of table top Sevens games before that first match on Fumbbl. I can still recall the overwhelming feeling. Trying to get the client running, forgetting half of the rules, and leaving the track of something like a gameplan even before finishing my own set up. So, it was a bumpy start I would say. But we all know how appealing this game is, so I was willing to suffer... In my case alone. But that does not need to be!

One day when I was online, I saw razmus’ League Newsletter and read about the 145 group as a place for new coaches to play games with other coaches new to the game, and I played my first ‘145 game’ on March 15th 2024. Many games followed, but I totally missed everything that really constitutes the 145 group. Most important to mention here is the Discord channel offering a lot of information and a very supportive community answering all the question you can have.
There is even a sprint league and a KO cup where you can compete against other coaches. I really do not know how or why I missed all that, but I did. Nevertheless I played a lot of games in these days!

The next step on my journey was the promotion to a 145 graduate. When I received the Fumbbl direct message on June 16th I was a bit puzzled. Why that promotion? Before I got the message, I did not even know such a thing as a 145 graduate existed, and the ‘limitations’ stated in the message meant I was not able to play more games with some of my most loved teams. But at least it triggered me to join the Discord channel. Finally! And that opened a whole new world. So many helping hands, so much information and most important so many nice people to share your passion with.


During three seasons in the graduate league and two attempts at the graduate KO cup I learned a lot. A lot about Blood Bowl, like details of the rules, how to start and develop a team. But even more important to me: I learned a lot about myself and my attitude towards the game. While this may not be the focus of the group, there are always people around to guide you on this aspect of your journey as well. Reminding you that each match – no matter if you won or lost it, no matter how bad the dice might have been – is an opportunity to learn. Recalling that the most important aspect of the game is having fun with like-minded people. And sometimes also trying to adjust your focus to be less competitive and not take it too seriously. Honestly sometimes that was something I struggled with, but in the end, I am very grateful for each and every of those advices. Because playing Blood Bowl online lacks the personal interaction. The laughing together about succeeded almost impossible moves, the pondering after a match and all that.

Season 3 started December 15th 2024 and brought another change for me. Another promotion on my way to the ‘sharkpool’ of Competitive division and Blackbox. I became a post grad, which meant I should limit myself when drafting my teams by only allowing two positionals. While all those limitations try to push you out of your comfort zone and force learning, the promotions also meant an increased responsibility. At least for me. I benefited so much from the community; I really wanted to try and contribute myself now. There are still those experienced coaches, the Mega-Stars and Legends of Fumbbl, who most likely know better than me, but in some tiny bits and pieces I can give some advice or help a newcomer – like I was one not too long ago.

Now it is February 1st 2025 and I outgrew the 145. At least that is what some wise pleople say. And even if I am not sure myself that I am prepared for the sharkpool, I learned to trust their judgement. That means my active time ends now. At least when it comes to playing in the sprint seasons or the like. I am still happy to hang around on Discord, chatting about the latest news, helping others or maybe if time allows offering an introduction game to an all fresh Fumbbl newcomer. Explaining the basics of the client and all that… trying to relieve him from that overwhelming feeling I still remember.

Cheers Chris
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Comments
Posted by Gobes on 2025-02-01 21:13:24
Great blog Chris! Hope to see you more active in the BBT! I think you'll have no trouble adjusting to the crowd in there. o7
Posted by BeanBelly on 2025-02-01 21:20:28
Well done on your Graduation Chris, nice write up. I remember my run in the 145 Club fondly; especially my battles with @snorkelwanted

With your great attitude there's no reason why you won't swim happily in the Shark Tank.

Hope to meet you on the pitch one day. I'll show you fullest respect by playing the most violent, fouling, blitzing, sneaky game my players can manage!
Posted by CrisisChris on 2025-02-02 11:18:18
@Gobes: If time allows I will try to complete as many of the remaining games for my BBT13 elf squad.

@BeanBelly: Always nice to bring back good, old memories.
Posted by ThierryM on 2025-02-03 09:18:19
Sticky this blog ! )

Perfect attitude, desire for learning, and knowledge that nothing comes granted to those who don't dedicate a bit of time to the learning process.

Love the "Shark Tank" expression too but I see it more like a sea of opportunities for great interactions between coaches from all over the World.