Couldn't agree more, we started a league at my local club a couple of years back. I picked up an Underworld team for a laugh, ended up losing half my team every game and still won the league, literally won the final with 4 players on the pitch at the end, I've never laughed as hard as I have playing BB.
my favorite ever: 40k second edition followed closely by necormunda. btw, Johhny, you mentioned in the vid how you guys havent seen each other for 9 months now. I just wanted to say that they way the gamer network (outsidexbox, eurogamer dicebreaker and outsidextra) handled the situation and bravely soldiered on with webcams and a lot of creativity is worth some ( a lot actually) of praise. its because of all those livestreams that I subbed to all 4 channeks now, instead of just Janemikeandylukeellenbox.
It gets even better if you’re playing against an Undead team, because instead of an Apothecary (team medic) they have a Necromancer. Sometimes your dead player will get up and join the other team!
I enjoyed this format for a review - it reminds me of the before-days where a friend (in person) could present a game to you and their passion for it would shine through. It makes for a more organic sell.
Johnny you got me wanting to play this desite having never in my life played anything even slightly Warhammer related! Love your enthusiasm and eloquence I could listen to you chatting about the history of pickled onions and I would still be interested
I giggled when Johnny said that it felt really rewarding that he got his ass handed to him by his wife :D (19:23) Like how Johnny described them playing the game just sounds so sympathetic. With that what I giggled at, it feels like they have an engaging dynamic and lots of fun.
Blood bowl is great. I've played it since the late 90s, and anything and everything can happen! Nothing beats making a last minute long bomb pass, catch, and then sprinting for the endzone with two "go for its!" With no rerolls left, for a game or even championship winning touchdown. Edit: no hair, and glasses johnny is kind of scary lol
Excellent vid, Johnny! I really like the format. Felt like sitting across the table with a mate, and just talking about games while painting. I, too, have jumped on the Blood Bowl bandwagon with this ediiton. Have a ton of playtime on the video game version. With this new and great-looking editon, as well as the rule updates, it was the perfect time to get started playing the tabletop version. Oh, right - and the extra time due to the whole pandemic.
Been playing since around 1986-7 (1st edition), and I still feel this way about the game. Embrace the chaos is my advice. Johnny, sounds like you're doing exactly that.
Thank you Johnny for this video. I had a starter/core set when I was a kid and never really got round to playing the game (or understanding it) properly. With this review in mind and your heartfelt review I think I will be following up on this. Thank you and take care.
Great review! Possibly worth pointing out that while you *can* screw up in your very first activation of the turn, Blood Bowl is a risk management game. Not every action needs a dice roll, but a lot do. There’s strategic player positioning which is almost chess-like. But your best laid plans are entirely at the whims of the dice god Nuffle!
Great review Johnny, I've been playing Blood Bowl for years but I'm excited for the changes to the new edition. Separating out passing from agility in particular, maybe I can play my Dark Elves without feeling like I'm cheesing now!
Blood-Bowl has always been a great laugh, and I've not played it in years. I may need to pick up this box and get my lizards back out there. Hope Bob & Bob are still mentioned in the book! Also as an addition, as a Skaven player myself, if you love them in AoS (which I think is a trash game), then try getting your hands on Warhammer Fantasy Battle, as they were much zannier and more random then, great fun to play. Plus moving 300+ minies in rank and file trays was alot easier than in AoS.
Big hand for Johnny for his commitment in donating his hair to charity for those making wigs for cancer patients (I think it's Princess Trust) just another tremendous selfless act by an incredible man. So glad of this community.
If you're ever able to you should try out Blitz Bowl as well. Main problem is it's not officially available in the UK at the moment, but if you can source one it's great fun. 6-a-side Blood Bowl with a slightly simplified rule set that runs really quickly.
Once lost a tournament game after nearly saving a draw with a hero last play involving multiple dodges, a 6 pick up, a long pass, catching in TZs, more dodges. Only to fail on the GFI with a re-roll
I like the haircut, Johnny. On a different note. This game sounds like to could be appealing to someone that normally feels overwhelmed by miniatures games.
I wasn't super into blood bowl at first since I'm not overly interested in sports or sport-adjacent things, but this video makes me at least willing to try it, if not buy. Besides, one of the teams is basically dinosaurs and that's a plus.
It is a pretty delightful game, if you play to play, rather than playing to win. There is such a thing as getting better, and getting better is important, but Blood Bowl is a game that I would describe as "very easy to lose" no matter how good you are at it. You'll be teaching it to someone and they can absolutely wipe the floor with you no matter how ruthlessly you're trying to teach.
I’m just starting to paint minis and am looking for an easy entry skirmish type game that has interesting minis. I never really considered this as I’m not really into sports but I like the humour element. :) Will have to take a closer look!
It is a brilliant game of risk management and the dice are the great leveller. You may have coaches who are super skilled but even they fall victim to bad dice rolls. I find it hardly addicitive.
I have always enjoyed the first blood bowl but found the computer/console game manager options sadly lacking for being on a budget(generally pay to unlock faction) with not as much of the core teams as i would like. But when i was first introduced to the game it was great fun played my group of freinds decided we liked it so much and played a full season. The if the rules have not changed that much for season 2 your main ways of winning are skill or kill/injure sometimes a mixture just enough to incapicate a key player or 2 can kill another players plan. Can't recall the team name but i made it though to the quater finals i recall looking over all the teams that each team had either the skill or kill options but obiously favoured one over the other and had there own flavour in each race and so even if someone had the same plan the games were never quite the same. And the way seasonal progression worked also has some random elements to it with some quite big events that can happen which i feel captures that world of choas really well. Defiantly would love to invest in this again and might well have to give it another go after lock down as defiantly better playing in person because you do get that sport build up feel.
Great review, thank you. First time I've watched one of your vids and I reckon I'll be sticking around. By the way, 22:32 - Some established players might well think like that, I don't know, but I've played Blood Bowl since it's first edition in 1986 and I still get that feeling with the game. Looking forward to the latest box set being delivered :)
I'm really glad you're enjoying Blood Bowl. I've been playing it since I was in my mid-teens (mainly against myself) and I love how chaotic it is, so to see a new player is always fun. Plus since you're into Skaven, I highly recommend picking up a team of them for Blood Bowl because they are very fun to play
13:00 No undercoat?! Bought both editions of the game on Steam, played neither (awks) bought Matt Forbeck's omnibus, was bored to tears, TT is still tempting. Favourite team, anyone? P.S. Kudos to JC for underlining the random nature of BB.
Have to say I've only played the video game versions of Blood Bowl but even those are a riot to play- anyone looking for brutal, creative mayhem should try it...
Love the new style my man. I cant wait to get the new boxset, I've never played befor but I was looking to start. Speaking of minature games based on sports, have you played Rumbleslam? Its another game im thinking of getting in to. Have a great day!
This is one of my favorite games. But also the only game that will make me want to rage quit. Comparing it to Saturday morning cartoons is spot on. Luney Toons in a box.
Have you seen Blitz Bowl at all? Its basically an adaptation of BB but down to smaller teams and pitches. Kind of like a Rugby 7s variant. Its bloody great, faster and leaner so gives you a game in 45-60 minutes. Sadly a US only release so you may need to import it? Really good though.
It’s a very fun, light game to play. Fully agree with your views on this. Although I only meant to play Chaos Chosen (because Minotaur) and now have 11+ teams...
Blood Bowl IS the one. I still have the old polystyrene pitch that is so bumpy the players need blu-tac'ing to it to stand up. Ahhh old games. (the only XY and Z problems are that Skaven Gutter Runners can ruin your day, and anyone who fields Elves needs kicking)
Really enjoyed the tone of this video. Do you think this would be appealing for people who don't generally enjoy sports? The thing I'm most curious about is the league play, even though I have no idea when/if I would be able to play it that way.
League play is my favourite format- players gain points and level up in a similar way to Necromunda or light RPG systems. They also gain injuries too. You are the manager and hire and fire along the way including support staff which have a minor impact to the team. Plus you can buy stadiums and so on. A lot of local game stores have leagues or will do after lockdown!
Blood Bowl is the dogs. Been playing it since back in first edition, and when you get a serious league on the go you will LOVE it even more. We had a league and one of the players was caught cheating (his team rosta showed he had ability points he could not have possibly amassed), so the league sprung a court trail on him with expert witnesses, play reenactments, and 12 (relatively) good men (and one woman) voted on his fate. The moral: Cheating isn't against the spirit of blood Bowl, getting caught is.
Seems fun, will buy that box.. Never played Blood Bowl even though I have been into GW games since 1992 or so.. Love those Black orc models! Mordheim and older 40k and WHFB was fun. The newer trash i can live without.. Farty K these days, a million dice you reroll to hit and then to wound because reasons.. Can´t stand that shit.
Johnny I like your hair. I have always thought you are a cutie(don't panic, I'm an old lady) but I prefer you with the shorter hair. Thanks for all your great commentary.
Came to the comments for remarks on Johnny's hair change, was not disappointed
Same
Loving the lockdown looks
Same.
Lol I was about to say I hear Johnny but I don't see Johnny 😭 his hair was so gorgeous
But he still looks good though
Sorry, Johnny. I tuned out every time my favorite pup appeared in frame. Honestly, though, this video was chill and I really loved it.
Same :D
Couldn't agree more, we started a league at my local club a couple of years back. I picked up an Underworld team for a laugh, ended up losing half my team every game and still won the league, literally won the final with 4 players on the pitch at the end, I've never laughed as hard as I have playing BB.
my favorite ever: 40k second edition followed closely by necormunda.
btw, Johhny, you mentioned in the vid how you guys havent seen each other for 9 months now. I just wanted to say that they way the gamer network (outsidexbox, eurogamer dicebreaker and outsidextra) handled the situation and bravely soldiered on with webcams and a lot of creativity is worth some ( a lot actually) of praise. its because of all those livestreams that I subbed to all 4 channeks now, instead of just Janemikeandylukeellenbox.
Johnny you forgot your hair!
Looking good though
"You get tackled so hard, that you die."
Sounds chill.
It gets even better if you’re playing against an Undead team, because instead of an Apothecary (team medic) they have a Necromancer.
Sometimes your dead player will get up and join the other team!
Watson spotted at 4:28
Reflection of Watson at 3:46
Came to comments to see who else noticed. Such a cute doggo ^_^
I was wondering who the unidentified floof was :)
I enjoyed this format for a review - it reminds me of the before-days where a friend (in person) could present a game to you and their passion for it would shine through. It makes for a more organic sell.
Johnny you got me wanting to play this desite having never in my life played anything even slightly Warhammer related! Love your enthusiasm and eloquence I could listen to you chatting about the history of pickled onions and I would still be interested
I giggled when Johnny said that it felt really rewarding that he got his ass handed to him by his wife :D (19:23)
Like how Johnny described them playing the game just sounds so sympathetic. With that what I giggled at, it feels like they have an engaging dynamic and lots of fun.
Had no interest in the game, only clicked because my first thought was “Johnny’s cut his hair!?!?!”
Glad I'm not alone in this.
Same!
Same
His luxurious hair took days off for the holidays. It'll be back in January after two weeks of quarantine.
Blood bowl is great. I've played it since the late 90s, and anything and everything can happen!
Nothing beats making a last minute long bomb pass, catch, and then sprinting for the endzone with two "go for its!" With no rerolls left, for a game or even championship winning touchdown.
Edit: no hair, and glasses johnny is kind of scary lol
Excellent vid, Johnny! I really like the format. Felt like sitting across the table with a mate, and just talking about games while painting.
I, too, have jumped on the Blood Bowl bandwagon with this ediiton. Have a ton of playtime on the video game version. With this new and great-looking editon, as well as the rule updates, it was the perfect time to get started playing the tabletop version.
Oh, right - and the extra time due to the whole pandemic.
Really enjoyed the style of this video, just chatting about the game was very natural and your enjoyment of it really came through :)
Been playing since around 1986-7 (1st edition), and I still feel this way about the game. Embrace the chaos is my advice. Johnny, sounds like you're doing exactly that.
I appreciate all the videos and recommendations, including for Voodoo Ranger, which I have been happily buying since they sponsored you guys.
The buzz cut is an extremely practical haircut
looks good on you bro
Thank you Johnny for this video.
I had a starter/core set when I was a kid and never really got round to playing the game (or understanding it) properly.
With this review in mind and your heartfelt review I think I will be following up on this.
Thank you and take care.
Great review! Possibly worth pointing out that while you *can* screw up in your very first activation of the turn, Blood Bowl is a risk management game. Not every action needs a dice roll, but a lot do. There’s strategic player positioning which is almost chess-like. But your best laid plans are entirely at the whims of the dice god Nuffle!
Great stuff! Novices always welcome!
Excellent review and intro to Blood Bowl. Thanks man
Great review Johnny, I've been playing Blood Bowl for years but I'm excited for the changes to the new edition. Separating out passing from agility in particular, maybe I can play my Dark Elves without feeling like I'm cheesing now!
Blood-Bowl has always been a great laugh, and I've not played it in years. I may need to pick up this box and get my lizards back out there. Hope Bob & Bob are still mentioned in the book!
Also as an addition, as a Skaven player myself, if you love them in AoS (which I think is a trash game), then try getting your hands on Warhammer Fantasy Battle, as they were much zannier and more random then, great fun to play. Plus moving 300+ minies in rank and file trays was alot easier than in AoS.
Thanks Johnny that was great, hope you and wheels get to play this soon.
Johnny with the headset and cheat sheet reminds me of an NFL offensive coach.
Big hand for Johnny for his commitment in donating his hair to charity for those making wigs for cancer patients (I think it's Princess Trust) just another tremendous selfless act by an incredible man. So glad of this community.
If you're ever able to you should try out Blitz Bowl as well. Main problem is it's not officially available in the UK at the moment, but if you can source one it's great fun. 6-a-side Blood Bowl with a slightly simplified rule set that runs really quickly.
The swaying tree reflected in the glass really added to this review for me. 10/10, would watch again.
GW also has a cut down version called blitz bowl that is even easier to introduce into the bloodbowl genre. It might be more cost effective for some.
I have been playing bb for 39 years, it’s the ultimate risk management game :) happy you liked it
Once lost a tournament game after nearly saving a draw with a hero last play involving multiple dodges, a 6 pick up, a long pass, catching in TZs, more dodges. Only to fail on the GFI with a re-roll
The video game Blood Bowl 2 is pretty good also. Awesome haircut by the way Johnny 👍
I genuinely did a double take when I saw the video thumbnail. It took me a second to realise what was wrong with it.
I like the haircut, Johnny. On a different note. This game sounds like to could be appealing to someone that normally feels overwhelmed by miniatures games.
I wasn't super into blood bowl at first since I'm not overly interested in sports or sport-adjacent things, but this video makes me at least willing to try it, if not buy. Besides, one of the teams is basically dinosaurs and that's a plus.
Skaven putting the rat in irratic
knew it. been watching you since eurogamer always knew that was a wig
I won't lie, this video is really selling me on the game and it's never particularly interested me before this.
Me too!
It is a pretty delightful game, if you play to play, rather than playing to win.
There is such a thing as getting better, and getting better is important, but Blood Bowl is a game that I would describe as "very easy to lose" no matter how good you are at it.
You'll be teaching it to someone and they can absolutely wipe the floor with you no matter how ruthlessly you're trying to teach.
I’m just starting to paint minis and am looking for an easy entry skirmish type game that has interesting minis. I never really considered this as I’m not really into sports but I like the humour element. :) Will have to take a closer look!
It is a brilliant game of risk management and the dice are the great leveller. You may have coaches who are super skilled but even they fall victim to bad dice rolls. I find it hardly addicitive.
How did it take me TWENTY MINUTES to realize Johnny's hair is gone?!😱😂
Still looking awesome, though, Johnny.😉😁
I have always enjoyed the first blood bowl but found the computer/console game manager options sadly lacking for being on a budget(generally pay to unlock faction) with not as much of the core teams as i would like.
But when i was first introduced to the game it was great fun played my group of freinds decided we liked it so much and played a full season.
The if the rules have not changed that much for season 2 your main ways of winning are skill or kill/injure sometimes a mixture just enough to incapicate a key player or 2 can kill another players plan.
Can't recall the team name but i made it though to the quater finals i recall looking over all the teams that each team had either the skill or kill options but obiously favoured one over the other and had there own flavour in each race and so even if someone had the same plan the games were never quite the same.
And the way seasonal progression worked also has some random elements to it with some quite big events that can happen which i feel captures that world of choas really well.
Defiantly would love to invest in this again and might well have to give it another go after lock down as defiantly better playing in person because you do get that sport build up feel.
Rugby that’s even more violent? SIGN ME UP
Looking good johnny!
Great review, thank you. First time I've watched one of your vids and I reckon I'll be sticking around.
By the way, 22:32 - Some established players might well think like that, I don't know, but I've played Blood Bowl since it's first edition in 1986 and I still get that feeling with the game. Looking forward to the latest box set being delivered :)
I'm excited for the 3rd ruleset that's releasing next year.
Came for Blood Bowl, stayed to hear about the fight with the lawn mower
I'm also new to bloodbowl and very excited to play my first game once I get all my minis painted
I'm really glad you're enjoying Blood Bowl. I've been playing it since I was in my mid-teens (mainly against myself) and I love how chaotic it is, so to see a new player is always fun. Plus since you're into Skaven, I highly recommend picking up a team of them for Blood Bowl because they are very fun to play
Love Blood Bowl been meaning to get back into it for ages
Loved this, always prefer the more casual videos.
My best mate loves blood bowl, so this it great for me to understand it all 😀 loving the new hair sir, it goes to an amazing charity
Your best mate is a guy? Weird.
Good video Johnny. Everyone talking about your hair. You rock no matter what.
Okay, I take back my instagram reaction, your hair looks good lol
13:00 No undercoat?! Bought both editions of the game on Steam, played neither (awks) bought Matt Forbeck's omnibus, was bored to tears, TT is still tempting. Favourite team, anyone? P.S. Kudos to JC for underlining the random nature of BB.
Can't wait to get this.. always love me some Blood Bowl
Have to say I've only played the video game versions of Blood Bowl but even those are a riot to play- anyone looking for brutal, creative mayhem should try it...
Love the new style my man. I cant wait to get the new boxset, I've never played befor but I was looking to start. Speaking of minature games based on sports, have you played Rumbleslam? Its another game im thinking of getting in to.
Have a great day!
This is one of my favorite games. But also the only game that will make me want to rage quit. Comparing it to Saturday morning cartoons is spot on. Luney Toons in a box.
First video of yours I have seen. You are very good at talking to camera.
Have you seen Blitz Bowl at all? Its basically an adaptation of BB but down to smaller teams and pitches. Kind of like a Rugby 7s variant. Its bloody great, faster and leaner so gives you a game in 45-60 minutes.
Sadly a US only release so you may need to import it? Really good though.
Newb question, how do you store the minis after assembled? Are people putting them back in the box? What's going on here
I use storage trays but you can just use the box. The minis are not delicate.
It’s a very fun, light game to play. Fully agree with your views on this. Although I only meant to play Chaos Chosen (because Minotaur) and now have 11+ teams...
Johnny rocking the shaved head!
As a man who shaves his head by necessity rather than by choice I'd like to say: it's a good look for you, Johnny - you've got a nice head!
17:29 hard to take too seriously?! But there's a *_sacred hotdog!_*
Love blood bowl, can't wait for the new rules 😍
Totally agree, blood bowl is by far their best game.
Bloodbowl and Cars Wars are two games I love to play; however, the amount of setup is so long that we never play it.
Love the hair man, I assume the charity stream went well!
Blood Bowl IS the one. I still have the old polystyrene pitch that is so bumpy the players need blu-tac'ing to it to stand up. Ahhh old games.
(the only XY and Z problems are that Skaven Gutter Runners can ruin your day, and anyone who fields Elves needs kicking)
Jonny what happened to your locks? 😱 great videos as always
Great review. I'm so excited to get my copy of this game.
This along with war cry are great games. Ideal for playing with less experience gamers.
Really enjoyed the tone of this video. Do you think this would be appealing for people who don't generally enjoy sports?
The thing I'm most curious about is the league play, even though I have no idea when/if I would be able to play it that way.
League play is my favourite format- players gain points and level up in a similar way to Necromunda or light RPG systems. They also gain injuries too. You are the manager and hire and fire along the way including support staff which have a minor impact to the team. Plus you can buy stadiums and so on. A lot of local game stores have leagues or will do after lockdown!
Shout out to the dog that makes a cheeky appearance
Sound good! Adding this to a things to buy soon.
Came for Blood Bowl and Johnny
Acknowledged Johnny's new (lack of hair)
Carried on watching 🤷♂️
I strongly recommend you check out Dreadball.
Blood Bowl is the dogs. Been playing it since back in first edition, and when you get a serious league on the go you will LOVE it even more. We had a league and one of the players was caught cheating (his team rosta showed he had ability points he could not have possibly amassed), so the league sprung a court trail on him with expert witnesses, play reenactments, and 12 (relatively) good men (and one woman) voted on his fate. The moral: Cheating isn't against the spirit of blood Bowl, getting caught is.
Love blood bowl. My LGS has had league play forever
I wonder if there's any similarities between blood bowl and aussie rules football
Ух, давно Dicebreaker не смотрел. Самостриженный Джонни выглядит жутко знакомо.)
Недобр этот год был к настолкам, я полагаю. 😥😅
Loved the cameo by bestest girl Watson.
Seems fun, will buy that box.. Never played Blood Bowl even though I have been into GW games since 1992 or so.. Love those Black orc models!
Mordheim and older 40k and WHFB was fun. The newer trash i can live without.. Farty K these days, a million dice you reroll to hit and then to wound because reasons.. Can´t stand that shit.
Looking good!👍
Johnny I like your hair. I have always thought you are a cutie(don't panic, I'm an old lady) but I prefer you with the shorter hair. Thanks for all your great commentary.
Why are you watching this oldie?
Came for doggo was not disappointed
"football football.. Or soccer I guess".. - Video cuts what I assume is johnny talking crap about the name soccer for 10 mins - Lol
You look awesome Johnny!
Can't pay attention to the review because YOU HAVE NO HAIR
Johnny just gonna pretend he doesn't know we're all going, "dude!? What the hell?"
Completely distracted by doggo...
Johnny!!! You got rid of your luxurious hair!!!! But hey if it's good for you go for it!
He did it for charity. He donated the hair to be made into a wig
@@Fidgottio well thats certainly cool.
‘Pre-prepared’? 😉
Johnny...if I may ask. WHERE IS ALL YOUR HAIR!?!
He donated his hair
Oh, Johnny. [Slow Clap] I knew you were awesome, but that's something else!!
@@thomasjackson1738 [joins in 👏]
Hair today, gone tomorrow :o
Nuffle = Mike Channel?
If Mike was in BB he would be a halfling team coach. Just food everywhere and kitchen utensils for armour 🤣
No Nuffle is far more capricious and cruel.
Love blood bowl, but have gone digital
I was really on the fence but I’m already sold.
Of course the only sport I want to engage in is a miniature game. What a nerd...
Good god. Dungeonbreaker has stressed him out so hard his hair fell off!
Ay johnny shaved his head just like me, have to say tho i look aweful it does feel better
I shaved my head once and it looked terrible as well, I think it all depends on individuals hairlines and head shapes etc.
Watson is so cute.