Blood Bowl
Fantasy football miniature wargame. First published 1986 by Jervis Johnson (Games Workshop). Parody of American football with WARHAMMER FANTASY races (Orcs, Elves, Dwarves, Humans, Skaven, Undead, Goblins, Chaos). Second Season Edition (2020) current. Combines football tactics + violent fantasy. Long-running cult classic; leagues + digital versions.
What is Blood Bowl?
Blood Bowl is FANTASY FOOTBALL MINIATURE WARGAME published by GAMES WORKSHOP. First published 1986 by JERVIS JOHNSON. Parody of AMERICAN FOOTBALL played by WARHAMMER FANTASY races on grid pitch — teams: HUMANS, ORCS, DWARVES, ELVES (Wood/Dark/High/Pro), SKAVEN, UNDEAD, GOBLINS, CHAOS, LIZARDMEN, HALFLINGS, AMAZONS, NORSE, KHORNE, VAMPIRES, OGRES, etc. (20+ teams). SECOND SEASON EDITION (2020) current — refined rules. GAMEPLAY: TURN-BASED football; players ADVANCE, DODGE, PASS, HANDOFF, BLOCK opponents; SCORE TOUCHDOWNS. HALLMARK: any FAILED ACTION (dodge fail, block fail, pass fail) = TURNOVER = opponent's turn. HIGH RISK/HIGH REWARD gameplay. VIOLENCE integral: block dice = 3 dice (Chooser picks result); KNOCKED OUT + INJURED + KILLED players common. Teams gain experience (SPP — Star Player Points) over LEAGUE PLAY; players level up gaining skills; some die permanently. FUMBBL online league since 2003 (huge community). BLOOD BOWL VIDEO GAME by CYANIDE (2009, 2015, 2020) authentic adaptations. LEGENDARY MOMENTS — 'Griff Oberwald' star player, 'Norse chainsaw' controversy. Considered PINNACLE FANTASY SPORTS GAME + PARODY WARGAME.
Quick facts
Category
Miniature Wargames
Type
Team sport
Players
2–2
Duration
~120 min
Where played
indoor
Field / court
Blood Bowl pitch (26 × 15 squares)
Country of origin
🇬🇧 United Kingdom
Estimated origin
1st Edition 1986 Jervis Johnson; multiple editions; Second Season 2020 current; digital versions Cyanide 2009+
Olympic
No
Popularity
regional
How it works
Objective
Score more touchdowns than opponent; secondary: inflict casualties on opposing team.
Rules
Basic rules
16 turns per game (8 per half)
Alternating turns; each turn move + action multiple players.
Actions: move, block, blitz, pass, handoff, foul
Each player 1 action per turn; blitz = single player double-action.
Failed action = TURNOVER (opponent's turn)
Dodge fail, block fail, GFI fail, pass fail all trigger turnover.
Block dice (3 dice, chooser picks)
Stronger team chooses 1 die; weaker + tied uses attacker's choice.
Score touchdown = ball to end zone
Kick off from center; each score = kickoff.
League play: SPP → level up players → some die permanently
Long-term progression.
Scoring
Touchdowns win game. Star Player Points (SPP) advance players in league play.
| Action | Points |
|---|---|
| Touchdown | 1 point (game); 3 SPP (player who scored) |
| Casualty | 2 SPP |
| MVP (game end) | 5 SPP |
| Completed pass | 1 SPP |
| Interception | 2 SPP |
Win condition · Most touchdowns after 16 turns.
Playing area
Called
Blood Bowl pitch (26 × 15 squares)
Dimensions
grid pitch with end zones
26 × 15 square grid pitch with 2 end zones + wide zones.
Equipment
Rulebook (Second Season Edition)
€40
Team miniatures (11-16 players)
Various races €40-80 per team
Blood Bowl pitch (game board)
€30 official; can print
Blood Bowl dice (block dice, D6, D8, D16 for scatter)
Custom + standard
Star Player counters + turn markers
Game accessories
Ball miniature
€3-5
Strategies
Sequence actions from safest to riskiest
If risky action fails first = turnover before safer actions done.
Team races have distinct playstyles
Elves = passing; Orcs = bashing; Skaven = speed; Dwarves = defense.
League play = long-term investment
Player deaths + skill choices create dynamic team.
Terminology
- SPP
- Star Player Points — XP for players.
- GFI
- Going For It — extra square move (risky).
- Blitz
- Single player double-action (move + block).
- Turnover
- Failed action ending team's turn immediately.
- Block dice
- 3 specific dice with 5 outcomes (attacker down, both down, push, stumble, defender down).
- Dodge
- Moving through opposing tackle zone.
- Casualty
- Player badly injured; may die in league play.
- Apothecary
- Once-per-game injury reroll.
- Rerolls
- Team's limited retries per half.
Major competitions
Blood Bowl NAF Championship (World Cup)
biennial · worldwide · since 2007
Blood Bowl NAF (National Amateur Federation)
ongoing · worldwide · since 2001
FUMBBL online tournaments
ongoing · worldwide · since 2003
Where it is played
Governing bodies
Games Workshop (publisher)
Founded 1975 · UK (Nottingham)
FUMBBL (fan online league)
Founded 2003 · online
Famous names & records
Famous athletes
- Jervis Johnson (UK) — Original 1986 designer
- Andy Hall (UK) — Recent designer
- 'Griff Oberwald' (fictional) — Iconic Blood Bowl star player
- 'Bob Bifford' (fictional) — Iconic ogre commentator
Learn this sport
beginner
- 1
BLOOD BOWL STARTER SET (€100) — 2 teams + pitch + rules
Second Season Human vs Orcs.
- 2
Play digital version — BLOOD BOWL 3 ($40 Cyanide 2023)
Authentic PC/console adaptation.
- 3
Watch YouTube 'Bonehead Podcast' + tutorials
Learn team playstyles.
intermediate
- 1
Join local league (year-long commitment)
Blood Bowl shines in LEAGUE not one-off games.
- 2
Try FUMBBL online league
Free online play + rankings since 2003.
advanced
- 1
NAF Championship qualifiers
Global tournament scene.
- 2
Multiple team collections for tournament flexibility
Match team to opponent's style.
Frequently asked
What is Blood Bowl?+
FANTASY FOOTBALL MINIATURE WARGAME (1986) by JERVIS JOHNSON + GAMES WORKSHOP. Parody of AMERICAN FOOTBALL played by WARHAMMER FANTASY races (Orcs, Elves, Dwarves, Humans, Skaven, Undead, Goblins, Chaos, etc.). Turn-based; players advance, dodge, pass, block; score touchdowns. HALLMARK: any FAILED ACTION = TURNOVER = opponent's turn (high risk/high reward). VIOLENCE integral (block dice, casualties, deaths). Long-running cult classic since 1986. Second Season Edition 2020 current. Video games by Cyanide (2009, 2015, 2023) also excellent.
How long does Blood Bowl take?+
2-3 HOURS per game typical. 16 turns (8 per half). LEAGUE PLAY EXTENDS — most players commit to season-long league (6-16 games over 2-6 months). Blood Bowl DESIGNED FOR LEAGUE — one-off games less rewarding than long-term team development + rivalry with same opponents. Digital version 30-60 min due to no physical setup/dice rolls.
Which team should I start with?+
HUMANS — most balanced, learn all mechanics. ORCS — strong bashing team, easy to grasp. WOOD ELVES — advanced but reward learning agility. AVOID first: HALFLINGS (weak on purpose), NORSE (aggressive random tactics), NURGLE (special rules complex). GAMES WORKSHOP STARTER SET is HUMANS vs ORCS — perfect entry. Painting difficulty: Humans + Orcs easiest; Elves + Skaven mid; complex teams (Chaos Chosen, Vampires) more advanced.
Sources & provenance
- Wikipedia — Blood Bowl— Wikipedia
- Games Workshop — Blood Bowl— Games Workshop
- FUMBBL online league— FUMBBL