Worth a go?

[Dark Sun Gwyndolin]

So, from what I've heard, BB3 was spectacularly bad, and this game is seeing a surge in positive reviews as a result. Is it worth a go as a fan of strategy games? I haven't yet found a digital TTG that really clicks with me, but maybe this will be the one. I have little interest in sports, but I'd probably like this way more than any 'realistic' sports game, and does it have good team customization? Are the (Chaos) Dwarfs good teams for beginners?

[DMAN222]

Team customization consists of choice of 20ish pre-made jersey types and the different positions for each team have various character models (generally moreso for the linemen because you'll have more of them on the team in a lot of cases). You can also name the players, but cannot re-name them. Then there's some useless fluff such as orc, dwarf, or human cheerleaders, and a team sponsor. Honestly the customization isn't great and that's one thing BB3 is admittedly better with - even if you exclude the micro-transactions. I think most teams are good to learn with besides the stunty teams (Flings, Ogres, Goblins) and the unusual teams (Underworld , Vamps, Kislev). Dwarfs can be difficult for new players because of how slow they are and how often you will find yourself being out-maneuvered, but that's also a good chance to learn proper positioning (albeit the hard way). Chaos Dwarfs make up for this with Bull Centaurs and the hobgoblins giving you more MA6 options rather than 2 runners (if you even take both on Dwarfs). The thing both teams do have going for them is a lot of Block (truly a great skill) and they are hard to remove, Dwarfs moreso than Chaos Dwarf.

[KING MAD]

Blood Bowl in general is an odd duck as a strategy game. Because of its roots as a dice-based board game, random factors are huge. Being able to get into the mindset of playing the game to mitigate that random chance as much as possible is key, and if you don't click into that you will likely get frustrated and angry when a game comes along where everything you try to do fails and your players die and the opponent 4-0s you with Halflings.

It's also difficult to recommend this game to anyone looking for a single player experience - it's there, but the in-game AI is dumb as bricks. You will have some fun punching it around, but eventually just winning all the time because it can't work out when the right time to pick up the ball is, or how to actually move forward and manage to score before the half is over will get old. Given that the game is on sale right now, this might be plenty enough value for your money even so, and if I'm being honest that was exactly how I learned the game at an (extremely) basic level. If you wade out into the multiplayer, just be aware you're going to be swimming with sharks. Check out some play guides online once you feel like you understand the basic mechanics of the game before joining matchmaking.

Customization, I think BB2 is adequate cosmetically - you name players, you have a few options for different heads across the different player types in each team, and it's enough to establish connections with them as you play matches and see how their careers unfold. You can pick whatever color scheme you want and there's a decent selection of team emblems to choose for each team. Gameplay-wise, there is a lot of customization, as there should be in this sort of game. Players start in specific positions, specialized for a role and unique to the team they belong to, but as they gain experience can specialize in a number of ways. This expands with randomized rolls every "level" that determine if they get access to rarer advances - skills their position normally doesn't get to pick, or even increasing characteristics like speed, strength, agility, or toughness. This all combines to give your players personalities for you to get attached to: you'll remember the ones that become stars, and you'll regret when one of them takes a career-ending injury or is outright killed on the field.

Good teams for beginners to try: You can't go wrong with Humans or Orcs, who are designed to play simply and flexibly, and deaths/injuries can be recovered from thanks to their players being generally inexpensive with a few exceptions. Undead require a bit more nuance but are very forgiving with team development, as you lose players less frequently to death and injury. Of the Elf teams, Dark Elves are probably the easiest to learn, they are better armored than half of the others and can start with the most players that already know Block (a very good skill to have, as mentioned) out of their peers. Lizardmen are also easy to pick up, but the caveat I'd give for that team is that you may pick up some bad habits from learning the game with a team that generally can block and position however you want and still be able to react to your opponent outmaneuvering you. Dwarfs are the polar opposite - you're not going to have many turns end because a player failed a hit, or find yourself being punched off the field, so new coaches will find them comfortable to play, but the first time your opponent tricks you into committing too hard to one side of the field and then slips their entire team past you, or stalls you out by staying just out of reach, you won't have a clue how to deal with it. Chaos Dwarfs, as mentioned, have better mobility and can avoid this happening, but are worse at taking a punch.

[Sunday_Driver]

If you can deal mentally with RNG than yes, it is worth it.
Game is unique, fun with some humor.
I'm quite new to this (despite owning BB2 for some time) I decided to give some proper time after disappointing release of BB3. I'm having lot's of fun despite quite long waiting times for online matches.
BB3 won't be fixed in a month or two so BB2 is a great place to enjoy Blood Bowl.
Have fun :)

[Dee-Jay]

BB2 is a steal at the current price. Get the Legendary Edition to get all the extra races for variety.

I've known many a player who has no interest in (real) sports but is attracted by the Warhammer lore, fantasy and comedic violence offered by BloodBowl.

[Dark Sun Gwyndolin]

Originally posted by Dee-Jay:

BB2 is a steal at the current price. Get the Legendary Edition to get all the extra races for variety.

I've known many a player who has no interest in (real) sports but is attracted by the Warhammer lore, fantasy and comedic violence offered by BloodBowl.

I ended up buying it. And a day later, I had a sudden craving for a Turn-Based Tactics game. Guess I know what to play.

[nazgull2k1]

Go to king win. Can buy the Legendary Edition for like 5 bucks. Judge for yourself.

[Dark Sun Gwyndolin]

Originally posted by nazgull2k1:

Go to king win. Can buy the Legendary Edition for like 5 bucks. Judge for yourself.

I don't like king win, it's given me headaches in the past. I prefer Instant Gaming for my grey-market needs, it seems much more reliable with less dodgy business.

[NFP Yanninho]

Blood Bowl 3 release made me want to play some, but seeing how the release went I picked the BB2 total package for 6€, and it has been a blast so far.