Looking at Game 3

With the big game approaching (v the Dark Elves this Saturday) I thought I would review my Skaven, Boomtown Rats. We are in pretty respectable shape although down one member for this game. At least this reduces my team value but I am reduced to the bear minimum in terms of player numbers and this may be a problem if I lose someone early.

Opportunities - Gutter Runners

Two of my gutter runners (Stikck & Treek) are on 3 SPP's. They only need to get to 6 for a skill upgrade so it will be important to give them a shot at achieving this outcome. Even Garab is on two SPP's so he also has a shot. My main man Plagric is on 9 and has acquired Block. I think that I will be using him in defence for man marking and the like. He was very effective in the second half of Game 2 in this role. However if given the chance to score and then achieve MVP he could be looking at his second upgrade.

Opportunities - Blitzers

Well the claw is the obvious starting point. My team leader good old Bubonost (I have decided Bob for short after Bob Geldof, seems appropriate) acquired this honour by rolling a double after the last game. He has 7 SPP's. If he survives the game and gets MVP this will grant 5 SPP's taking him to 12. So he is close to a second upgrade at 16. I intend to use him to gain casualties and these grant 2SPP's each. In attack, any armour roll of 8 or more will cause a casualty so his chances are better than most.

My other Blitzer Pustitt has 2 SPP's. So if Bob doesn't get enough casualties then he will be a good candidate for MVP which would grant him an upgrade.

Opportunities - Linemen

Boilrost is carrying 2 SPP's from game 1. I would really like one of the Linemen to have the Kick skill so it will be important to give him every opportunity to achieve this by Blocking when he has the chance. Kick would improve ball placement at the Kickoff and therefore allow more extreme placement.

Summary

So what will a good game look like? Well I would like to get at least 2 touchdowns and have them scored by 2 different Gutter Runners, preferably numbers 3 & 4 Stikch & Treek granting them 3 SPP's each and an upgrade each.

I would like Bob to achieve a couple of casualties and have MVP for his second skill upgrade.

After that it would be good if my Lineman got lucky with a casualty and maybe my Thrower Compolk could deliver a successful Pass.

Clearly it would be good to win and get some decent cash and I am thinking of investing in another Thrower which costs 70,000gp. I have 30k in the bank.

Other than that I really want Bob to survive the game to keep his Claw in action, also it would be disappointing if anything happened to my Gutter Runner, Plagric. But hey thats Blood Bowl - you got to take the rough with the smooth but it would be nice for there to be more smooth than rough ;-)

It should be a fun game - bring it on.

Skaven Scoreboard

I spent some time yesterday working on a scoreboard for the Skaven. The Orc Scoreboard that I made earlier was really basic. (A cardboard box with two cocktail sticks) It looks good on the playing field but is very basic. This time I want to be able to have the team names and scores on something more traditional.

The Dark Templar has very kindly sorted me out with a logo for the Rats so - time to put it good use.

I printed it out to the size that I wanted and then used it to set the scale for the rest of scoreboard. I used a piece of cardboard (a pizza box) and then cut out holes for where the team names and scores would go. The cutting mat is new and really useful. I was getting tired of making a mess on the newspapers. I was ending up with bits of paper everywhere in tiny triangles, very messy. I even purchased a steel ruler and this is great to run the blade along. No more shaving pieces off the plastic ruler. The Rats logo will be in the square on the left.

Once this was done I constructed  a framework behind the holes so that I could insert cards with the names and scores. I used plastic card for this as it is more rigid. To be honest I should have done something very simple but got really caught up in it and it is way too complicated. It works - thats the main thing! But I have learned a lesson - keep it simple stupid.

Here it is in all its glory. As you can see I went with the logo colours of black and red. Lets hope that the scoreline reflects the next match ;-)

A brand is born - The Boomtown Rats

That old Dark Templar has been at it again and this time we have a Skaven logo to introduce. I give you the Boomtown Rats. I really have to sort out my Captain and call him 'Bob'.  lol.

Well lots has been going on at this end. I have paid another visit to ebay and had two more deliveries today. I do like the postman. We are getting on famously. I even have some bids on other items. Oh - it is going to be so fun revealing all.

The Dugout is coming along fine. I paid another visit to Hobbycraft today and made some purchases so all going well tomorrow will be productive! Especially as the weather is supposed to be terrible - rain, rain, rain. At least it is good for the hobby.

I got the old Astro Granite out today the the Rats have been out scurrying about getting used to the feel of the place.

You see what I mean - this is their surface. Enough of all that grass and sunlight.

Bring on the weekend and I might even get some paint on that Dugout.

Blood Bowl Anticipation

Yes sports fans - we are just one day away from the much anticipated Gutchewers v's the Boomtown Rats here in the Orcland Raider stadium.

You will note that a few sponsors have been found which will hopefully improve the cash-flow situation which has been pretty poor thus far. The Rats have a reduced Fan Factor for this game so will be relying for some good dice rolling.

The news scoreboard is up - although I feel certain that a more professional job could have been done. Daubing 'Uz' and 'Dem' on the wall is one way to go but surely having the actual team names on the board would be much better. Orc's! Humph!

The Dwarf Referee has arrived - hopefully there will be a little less zeal when it comes to blowing the whistle for the next game.

The Rats were out for a good training session today. Thankfully they are all fit and ready to go.

The team has been joined by a new Lineman 'Acrid the Despoiler' and he has taken the number 12 jersey. (Seen here with Coach Bullcher before joining the team on the field).

Mc Mourning and the Nurses are in readiness. They did a fine job in the last game keeping the Rats up to strength.

I see good old Maximus is still chasing rats. Lets hope thats the last one seen in the dugout for some time to come.

Roll on Sunday and let the fun begin.

Skaven & Dark Elves clash!

And so it came to pass that the Boomtown Rats commenced their Blood Bowl season. A hugely eventful match that finished with a 2-2 draw and a very unhappy Dark Elf coach. For myself, well I laughed and cried in equal measure and in the end was delighted to get away with draw.

The new ref had a quiet word with the captains and we were ready to go.

The skaven started by receiving the ball. We rolled a 'Quick Snap' on the kick off table and I was instantly on the front foot. I could move my guys one square before the start of the game. I advanced over the 'line of scrimmage' to make the most of the pressure.

I picked up the ball with my Thrower. Opened up some gaps in the defensive line and moved a Gutter Runner and Blitzer into a good position down the right flank.

I was ready to score the first touchdown of the game but ........ I just couldn't resist the opportunity to foul before letting fly.

2D6 and I roll 5-5, a double. Oh My God! The referee had spotted the foul and sent my Lineman off. The ref, my new ref...... how could he. It was only Turn 3 and already I was down a man. It was also a turnover so no opportunity to Throw. I had really messed up.

The Dark Elves came pouring through and compounded my problems by inflicting the first 'casualty' of the game. Those new coloured Block dice were working fine and McMourning got to play with my number 10.

I was in big trouble now. Two men down and feeling the pressure.

Up stepped the Dark Elf, Adin Heartrender with the AG of 5 to dance his way through the Skaven tackle zones causing chaos, the ball dropped, he picks it up - this just can't be happening

 He then dances away, ready to go in for a score.

I stupidly tried to get something out of the situation by pushing a Dark Elf into the crowd. I failed and then found my own Thrower on the receiving end of this tactic.

So after a good start I should have been ahead and instead I am 0-1 down with 2 men off the field and my Thrower in the crowd. I was starting to feel like this was going to be a long day at the office.

After the next 'kick off' I play the refused flank tactic to take a lot of the Dark Elves out of the game. I gave the ball to one of my 'Gutter Runners', Plagric Carbunkle. My 'Blockers' and 'Linemen' did their job, caused a couple of casualties of their own and opened up a gap on the left hand side of the line. The remaining 'Gutter Runners' spilled through. It was looking good. The number of players was balancing out and I might be on for a score.

I 'Threw' the ball, successfully. I 'Caught' the ball successfully. Very exciting stuff. All I needed was one successful 'Dodge' roll and I would be in for a score.

And......

My Gutter Runner who has the Dodge skill - feel over, dropped the ball and caused a 'turnover'. Noooooooooo!!

The Darkblades had 2 turns left to score for a second time.

The excitement level was through the ceiling. The Darktemplar was on the verge of greatness and really putting the game beyond reach. He picked the up the ball and advanced to a position from which the ball could be thrown on the final turn of the half.

He was determined that no body was going to get in the way and carefully assembled his cage for maximum protection. With all the focus on protecting the ball a major mistake was made - no body was left close enough to the end zone to receive the ball in final turn. A major error indeed and so the half finished with the Darkblades 0-1 ahead.

It was time for Pizza!

This one half had been amazing with much more action than any of the previous games. We were both buzzing. I knew I had made some big blunders and my dice rolling was also letting me down I should have had 2 touchdowns and had none. But on the up side I should really be 0-2 down and I wasn't so there was hope.

My main problem in the second half was that I would be kicking away possession. I needed to get the ball and get a score on the board. So focus now!!

We set up. The ball scattered back close to the end zone and then we rolled on the Kick-off table. A 10 'Blitz', we read what it meant and I got a free turn of moving. Yippie!! Well I could have exploded from the laughter. Just what I needed!

I threw the Gutter Runners forward through the gaps on either side of the pitch. I even got my Thrower (newly returned to the field of play) in on the act by Blitzing a Blitzer to force a gap for himself. It was hilarious, I kid you not. (At least it was from my perspective). The Dark Templar knew that he should have had the game well beyond me and was feeling the pressure that four free running Gutter Runners came bring to bear.

He moved super star Adin Heartrender in to collect the ball. This was done successfully. However cage creation was impossible as he was too far into his own half. He was vulnerable. To compound things I started my turn by Blocking on the line of scrimmage to devastating effect, causing 2 casualties, before mugging Adin Heartrender, capturing the ball and going in for a score! Plagric Carbunkle the scorer.

My mirth was effervescent. The Dark Templar couldn't believe what was happening. From an almost unassailable position we were now level and he had 4 men in the Dead pile.

The Dark elves now received the ball, formed a cage

and blasted their way through for a well taken score.

And finally there was just enough time for me to do the same. My Thrower moved around in the pocket

But 2 Blitzers managed to get to at him with a well planned Blitz move. I spilled the ball.

However my Gutter Runner nipped in, picked the ball up and was away to for a touchdown as part of the final turn.

What a hugely eventful day. Overall I scored 2 touchdowns, caused 3 casualties and completed a successful pass. The MVP was my Gutter Runner Plagric Carbunkle (no. 1) with a successful Pass and a TD of his own. We rolled for him and he will get a new skill. I also have £60k to spend. Plagric - a name to be remembered and feared for the future.

Thanks to the Dark Templar for being a great sport and contributing to a great days fun and merriment. Now I need to read up on skill allocation....

Blood Bowl Skaven Team

I have now managed to get some paint on all the Skaven models that I own. I currently have: -

1 Rat Ogre
1 Kicker
1 Thrower
2 Blitzers
4 Gutter runners
7 Linemen

That should be plenty to get me going. I seem to remember that mutations play a part for Skaven but I will look at that later.

In terms of a team I have done a little reading and listened to the comments so far on the blog. This is my first stab.

So that is 4 Gutter runners, 2 Blitzers, 1 Thrower, 4 Linemen and the Apothecary.

What I have learned from the Orcs is that the Big Guys are not as powerful as they once were. Predictability is better during play. The good thing about the proposed list is that a lot of the players have 'skills' from the beginning. This has been a crucial factor in the games played over the Christmas. Also with all my Blitzers and Gutter Runners on the board early they get a chance to pick up SPP's.

In the back of my mind I am wondering if 4 Gutter Runners is too many .... maybe another Thrower emmmm?

The Blitzers come with Block, the Gutter Runners have Dodge and the Thrower has Sure Hands and Pass. I see the Linemen as holding players, getting in the way and slowing down the opposition. The Thrower will be the person to pick the ball up and carry. The Blitzers will be the ones opening up holes in the defence and the Gutter Runners will be Dodging their way around the field of play using that amazing MA of 9. No Rat Ogre from the start. That will have to come later. I did manage to squeeze in an Apothecary though. He may well be needed from the beginning!

Blood Bowl Skaven

Project Skaven has begun ...

At the moment I am painting and basing what I have got in the way of models. Research yet to be done. But what I have learned from the Ors is that it is important to field your potential match winners early so that they may gain SPP's. I have just painted what I have and there are a few more Linemen on the painting tray.

I think that the Gutter Runners are important. They are the match winners. I always loved the Rat Ogre and as I have learned 'you got to pick up the ball' so a Thrower looks likely.

It will be a vanilla team. I think this means that I need to field as many players as possible with 'skills'.

Nuffle I need you now - are you hearing me?