This is based on Oberwald v1.09 by Dean Maki and earlier versions for Blood Bowl Edition 3 edited by Brian Horton with assistance from Gary Moriarty, Steve Lalancette and the other gurus on Blood bowl Central.

Comments and suggestions can be sent to oberwald@bloodbowl.net.

This edition is based on The Fourth Edition Blood Bowl Rules found at

http://www.games-workshop.com/warhammerworld/bloodbowl/el_bloodbowlsupport.htm

1.0 ADMINISTRATIVE

2.0 ACTIONS

Refer to the rule books first. This document is not intended to replace the rule books, but is a supplement used as a guide when the rules are not clear. The rule books Blood Bowl [BB] and Deathzone [DZ] contain rules for Edition 3, while the Blood Bowl Magazine 1 [BM1] and Blood Bowl Magazine 2 [BM2] contain all the rules for Blood Bowl Edition 4, when read in conjunction with the earlier rules. This document will usually note when BB or DZ rules have been superseded by BM1 or when BM1 is superseded by BM2. The rules in BM1 and BM2 have been collated as Blood Bowl Gold 4^th Edition rules available as a PDF file at

http://www.games-workshop.com/warhammerworld/bloodbowl/el_bloodbowlsupport.htm

Where possible, the source is credited as a reference. Those credited as [GWUK] are responses from the Games Workshop (UK) Studio League. Those credited as [WD] come from the FAQ presented in White Dwarf 182. They were also given in a FAQ in Compendium 1. These all relate to Blood Bowl 3 and may not always be correct in edition 4. Blood Bowl articles appearing in other (non-Blood Bowl) GW magazines are not official.

Jervis Johnson, the game's designer, is an authority for items marked [JJ]. Some are taken from Jervis’s letters to the Blood Bowl mailing list [JJML], collated on the Triple Skulls web site. Most of these were included in Compendium 2. Some items are Jervis’s specific response to queries about edition 4 [JJ4].

Some points appear more than once throughout the document. If a point is applicable to two different topics, it appears under each heading or a cross-reference is given.

Many leagues have used different interpretations for some rules or have introduced variants to the rules. Where the existing rules are relatively clear, or rulings have been obtained from an official source, or the majority of leagues agree, it is shown as the "official" ruling.

Common variants may be listed after the official version as -

Leagues that use this document as a basis for their rules should first decide which of the possible alternatives they prefer and which variants (if any) they will use.

Note that almost all rules can be varied [JJ4] but it is easier for all players if everyone is aware that they are using a variant that may not be recognised by other leagues.

Many variants arose in Blood Bowl 3 and have only been retained here if they should still apply in edition 4.

In addition to this document there is an OBERWALD supplement containing unofficial rules.

The latest OBERWALD for those who wish to continue playing Edition 3 is v2.06.

The following are considered 'Actions' in Blood Bowl:

A player may use only one skill (or a secret weapon) while carrying out an action, but may use all skills before or after the action. All traits must be used in addition to the one skill used during the action.

Coaches must declare what kind of action each player is making as the player is activated. [BM1p6]. Even if this rule is not strictly enforced it is essential that the coach make it clear which player is currently carrying out an action. If a coach has stated that a player will carry out a certain action, then the player must complete that action

Although a coach must declare if a player is making a Blitz, the coach does not need to specify the target of the Blitz until the block is being made. It is not an illegal procedure to fail to declare an action, but it will be treated as a move.

See also Push Back

You may not voluntarily block your own players. [JJ]

The blocker must choose whether or not to follow up before making the armour roll against his victim. [JJ]

The blocker must choose whether or not to follow up before making the scatter roll when blocking the ball carrier. [JJ]

The armour/injury roll must be made before the scatter roll. If the player is injured badly enough to leave the field, then the ball (after bouncing off other players) could come to rest in that square now that it is left empty. The wording of the card "Heroic Effort" requires the injury to be determined before deciding where the ball has scattered.

You do not need to make a dodge roll when you follow up after any kind of block, including a Blitz or Frenzy. [JJ]

A player may "assist" a team-mate if that player is adjacent to the opposing player, but not in the tackle zone of any other opponent. Players with the Guard skill may assist even if they are in the tackle zone of an opponent. Note that players may assist even if they have lost their tackle zone (e.g. due to hypnotic gaze), although they have lost the ability to prevent opposing players assisting.

To assist against a multiple block a player must be adjacent to the attacker but not in any other opposing player’s tackle zone and not part of the multiple block group. To assist a team-mate making a multiple block a player must be next to only one of the attacked players (unless the assisting player has the Guard skill).

2.2 Catch

If the moving team was not originally in possession of the ball, then it is not a turnover to fail to catch the ball when it scatters or is thrown in by the crowd.

A player is not obligated to try to catch a bouncing ball. If the player chooses not to catch the ball, it will scatter [BM1p8]. This does not cause a turnover, although if the moving team originally had possession then it will be a turnover if they are not in possession after all the bouncing is done.

Catch skill is used to catch a moving ball. Sure hands can be used to pick up a ball lying on the ground.

The player carrying the ball cannot catch anything else (even if he has extra arms).

2.3 Dodge

No Star Player Points are awarded if a player is injured on a failed Dodge or Go For It. [BM1]

No modifiers to armour or injury (mighty blow etc.) apply to a failed dodge, except for modifiers that always apply to the dodging player, such as +1 on injury for Goblins.

If a player fails a dodge and does not have Stand Firm, the player falls over in the square they were dodging to.

Note that players may not assist a foul if they are in the tackle zone of an opposing player [BM1p14]. Guard skill does not make any difference.

Blatant fouls aren't called after you get the ref. [JJ]

You may argue the call on a blatant foul. [JJ]

You may go for it to commit a foul. [JJ]

Bonuses for assists while fouling affect only the armour roll, not the injury roll. Mighty Blow affects only armour or injury, not both [BM1]. Dirty player affects both rolls, in addition to the +1 any player gets to penetrate armour. [JJ]

2.5 Go For It

No Star Player Points are awarded if a player is injured on a failed Dodge or Go For It. [BM1]

Roll for armour (and injury) when a player falls over after a failed Go-For-It [BM1].

2.6 Hand-Off

The hand-off must occur at the end of a player’s action is may be considered to be a form of pass action. Note this is a change from edition 3.

You may intentionally throw or hand off the ball into the crowd. [JJ]

A team to may only perform one pass and one hand-off per team turn.

2.7 Intercept

To be able to make an interception, the player must be between the player who threw the ball and the player who is to receive it, and the plastic ruler must pass over at least part of the intercepting player’s base [BBp21]. This rule was written when standard teams all had fixed size round bases. Because bases may vary in size and shape, the player may attempt an interception if any part of that player’s square is under the ruler. See also Player Size in section 3.

Only "pure" interceptions count for Star Player Points i.e. those made using an interception roll whether or not the pass was accurate. Catching inaccurate passes after they have scattered or catches dropped by the opponent do not earn points. [JJ]

Order of events:

If a player carrying the ball is knocked over, they drop the ball from the square in which they end up (and it scatters once from that square), not the square they were in when hit. If they are pushed into the crowd then the crowd throws the ball in. Roll for armour & injury before scattering the ball.

If a player on the moving team falls over for any reason then a turnover occurs [BB & BM1p6]. This rule in BM1 overrides the rules for events that state that a turnover only occurs if the player was holding the ball. (Wizards, throw-team-mate, certain cards) – these events now cause turnovers if the player falling over was the active player.

2.9 Move

Certain cards, skills etc allow you to interrupt the opponent’s move. If the opponent just slides a player to the end zone in one motion, you can hit them anywhere along the route, but if they count out the squares as they go, you must stop them as soon as you want to use your wizard etc. This means that you cannot wait until the player with the ball has completed the last move into the end zone before hitting him with the wizard because he would be standing in the end zone with the ball when you hit him and so would have already scored. Cards used "as soon as a player enters a square" (e.g. pit trap) may also be used [BM1p41].

2.10 Pass

Measure the distance from the centre of each square. If the range is on the boundary between two types of pass, then the longer of the two ranges must be used [BB p12].

You may intentionally throw or hand off the ball into the crowd. [JJ]

Throw Team Mate is a Pass action. However, a team is limited to one pass action and one hand-off action per turn. Therefore throw-team-mate may not be used after a pass but can be used after a hand-off.

The Bomber throwing his bombs does not count as your Pass Action for the turn because the bomber may not move before throwing a bomb and more than one bomber is permitted on a team. [JJ]

Throwing Custard Pies and Stink Bombs counts as the player’s action and is the team’s Pass action but does not prevent other players carrying out a hand-off.

2.11 Picking up the ball

A player may not stand in or move to the same square as the ball without picking it up or scattering it.

A players is only allowed to try to pick up the ball when they enter the square as part of a Blitz or Move action (including a move as part of a pass, hand-off or foul).

A player who moves onto the ball may attempt to pick it up but is not obligated to pick up the ball. If the player chooses not to pick up the ball, it will scatter and this does not cause a turnover. [BM1p7]

Failing an attempt to pick up the ball causes a turnover even if the moving team ends up with the ball.

A player who is pushed back into a square in which the football is lying does not get to attempt to pick it up. The ball scatters.

2.12 Push Back

When choosing the square that a player is pushed into, empty squares must be chosen over occupied squares or out of bounds. The square in which the ball is lying is considered empty so you can scatter the ball by pushing a player onto it.

A player may only be pushed off the field if there are no eligible empty squares on the field [BBp10]. Out of bounds must be chosen in preference to an occupied square.

The square each subsequent player moves to (between the 3 squares allowed) is decided as follows:

Stand Firm and Sidestep are used as usual by players receiving secondary pushes in the manner described above. If all the players in available squares have Stand Firm, the push back does not occur, but still counts as a push-back for other purposes. A square with a non-Stand Firm player must be chosen if available.

Players are not awarded casualty SPPs for pushing or knocking opponents out of bounds [BM1p15].

2.13 Standing up

Non Treeman players with less than 3 MA roll to get up in the same manner as Treeman players. [JJ] Treemen with movement 3 or more may stand up normally.

Players with MA 2 or less must roll a dice before they can stand up. DZp31 says it is not a turnover if they fail the stand-up roll. This might appear to be overruled by BM1 that a turnover occurs if a player starts an action and fails to finish it standing on the pitch. To avoid causing turnovers by a failure to stand-up, take the roll to see if they can stand up immediately before taking an action with the player. If the roll fails then that player can take no action in this turn.

Similarly, if a Bonehead or Always Stupid player is lying on the pitch they must pass their roll before they can attempt to stand up. However, the roll is to see if they take an action in this turn, so if they fail the roll the player may take no action and it is not a turnover if they do not end up standing on the pitch. A bonehead/always stupid roll is not necessary for these players to be turned over after being stunned.

2.14 Throw-in

Players may not intercept throw-ins [BM1p8].

 
2.15 Turns

The game has a sequence of play

(a) Receiving team’s turn

(b) Kicking team’s turn

Repeat (a) and (b) one after the other until a touchdown is scored or the half ends [BB p7].

This indicates that all activities during play will occur in the turn of one team or the other because there are no breaks between turns until a touchdown is scored or the end of the half. After a touchdown there are various activities that occur that are not in either team’s turn before the receiving team’s turn starts.

Cards that may be played "at any time" cannot normally be played in the periods after a touchdown or at half time when it is not either team’s turn (unless the wording makes it clear that this is permitted).

The first action that a coach must take during the team’s turn is to move the turn counter [BB p6]. However, regardless of when the turn counter is moved, the turn has already started as soon as the other team’s turn ended. Other than the 4 minute limit, there is no restriction on how long a coach may think before moving the turn counter, provided no other actions occur first (rolling dice, moving players etc.)

Some things can only be done at the start of a team’s turn, e.g. wizard spells, certain cards. These can be done in any order as long as they are completed before the first player moves.

If several players all have to move first (e.g. fanatics and wild animals), the fanatics move before wild animals, but within each group they can move in any order.

3.1 Turn Overs

The following will cause a Turn Over: [BB & BM1]

It is not a turnover if a player on the moving team attempts to catch a scattering ball and the team does not end up in possession of the ball (for example after blitzing over the ball carrier and the ball scattering over a group of players).

3.2 Appearance Fees

Players with more than 50 SPPs and Star Players costing more than $50,000 must be paid appearance fees [BM1p15] or they will not play. The fee can be paid during the match, but the player will stay in the reserves box until the fee is paid.

Appearance fees must be paid for freebooted Star Players.

Leagues with multiple levels of teams may allow the higher levels to pay lower appearance fees or not use any fees. However, teams in different levels should not play each other and the lowest (introductory) level should use the fees in BM1p15.

3.3 Apothecaries

The Apothecary must be used immediately after the injury is inflicted. You cannot save your Apothecary until the end of the game and then choose which injury you wish to heal [BM1p15]. If several players are injured in the same action (wizard, bomb, multiple block, pitch invasion, etc.) you can wait until the bodies stop falling before deciding who to heal.

The Apothecary roll cannot be rerolled using a team reroll [BM1p8].

You can sell the services of your Apothecary to your opponent. Undead players still may not use an Apothecary, even in this manner. Undead can NEVER use an apothecary.

3.4 Injuries

Armour and injury rolls cannot be rerolled [BM1p8].

Sigurd’s Injury Rule [BM1p8]: when rolling injury, roll in the following table (all modifiers apply):

Mighty Blow, Razor sharp fangs, etc. are not used if a player is injured by the crowd.

3.5 Rerolls

In this section, unless otherwise noted, Team rerolls always refers to Team rerolls, Leader rerolls, Trophy rerolls and Extra Training rerolls, but not Pro rerolls nor any other player rerolls such as Dodge.

A team reroll can only be used for a dice roll that could directly affect a player in your own team. It may not be used for armour or injury rolls, nor for wizards, apothecaries or cards.

Team rerolls can only be used during the moving team’s turn. Only one of these can be used in any turn. They may not be used for events between turns.

Player rerolls may be used when the required skill is needed but a single dice roll cannot be rerolled more than once. [BBp14]. Dodge can only be used once by each player per team turn [DZp11]. Other skills such as Catch could be used several times if the ball kept repeatedly bouncing back to the same player provided that player is not taking an action at the time.

The following races receive a bonus re-roll when the team is first created, provided they are not a mixed team (i.e. no allies when created) [BM1p11]:

See Skill - Pro for the use of Pro rerolls and their possible use when neither team is having a turn.

Some dice rolls are part of a group that cannot be rerolled individually. If two or three block dice are rolled, a reroll will reroll all dice, not just selected dice.

If a Blitz is rolled as the Kickoff event, the kicking team get a bonus team turn [BBp22], which means that one team reroll can be used during this turn.

Injury Time and Illegal Drugs allow a bonus team turn. A team reroll may be used even if one was used during the previous turn.

A coach may use Player rerolls during his opponent's turn for his own player's actions [GWUK], including Pro rerolls, but not team rerolls.

Halfling Chefs will steal team rerolls, then trophy rerolls, but not leader rerolls. [GWUK]

Unused 2nd half rerolls can be used in overtime. [JJ]

You may use your second half team rerolls in Overtime if you have been Doom and Gloomed, as Doom and Gloom does not carry into OT. [JJ] It prevents you using them, it doesn’t make you lose them.

The Special Play Card "Spy" may be used to prevent the use of any reroll, including skill rerolls. [JJ]

You may buy any number of team rerolls, but only one can be used per team turn.

3.6 The Kickoff and Kickoff Table

Coaches must field 11 players for each kickoff if they are able, or all available players if fewer than 11 are able to make the kickoff. Eleven is the sacred number of Nuffle, and shall never be compromised unless unpreventable by circumstances. [JJ]

If a team cannot field at least 3 players, the game is not necessarily forfeited, nor a touchdown automatic. Consult the section on conceding.

If a team kicking off has no players on the field, a touch-back will occur. If the receiving team has no players on the field, kick off as normal. If a touch-back occurs, leave the ball where it lands on the field, or if it went out of bounds the crowd can throw it in.

If a ball bounces out of bounds or into the other half because a player failed to catch the kick off, this is a touchback. [JJ]

You may not reroll any rolls from the Kickoff Table. [JJ]

After a riot or pitch invasion has been resolved, carry on with the ball scatter and begin play.

The blue card states that Throw a Rock can hit players in the dugout, while the rule book [BB] says that only players on the field can be hit. Star Players who are in the reserves box due to non-payment of appearance fees may be hit by a thrown rock [BM1p15], so include players who are not on the field.

A team may concede at the start of their turn [BM1p18], with appropriate penalties. The winner gains all of the conceding player’s money, not just income from the game. if the conceding team is currently equal or ahead on touchdowns, then the other team should be allowed enough touchdowns to win the game.

.8 Handicaps

Handicaps are used to allow teams of different ability to have a fair game based more on the coach’s skill than the current status of the team. The handicap is given as extra special play cards. Extra MVPs are also awarded to teams who play strong opponents.

A non-star player who has been Peaked keeps any star player points accumulated prior to being peaked and these contribute to team rating. [JJ]

Team rating is calculated after the end of each match. The team rating does not change if a player spends money on freebooters at the start of the next match.

Two alternative handicap systems are suggested in Oberwald v2.06. These may be more suitable where one or both teams have a high team rating.

3.9 Miscellaneous Stuff

Star Player Points (SPPs)

SPPs for casualties are only awarded for inflicting a casualty if a player blocks an opponent or is blocked, and the opposing player falls over on the pitch [BM1p15]. SPPs are not awarded for pushing a player into the crowd, for fouling, for the use of weapons, nor the use of cards which do not involve a block.

If a player rolls doubles any skill may be chosen, but rolls of 4/6 and 5/6 must be taken as movement and agility increases respectively.

No characteristic may be permanently increased by more than 2 over the starting value, or over 10. [JJ] Very long legs counts as a movement increase. If a player has reached the limit and rolls a further characteristic increase, then the roll cannot be used unless it is a double, allowing any skill to be taken.

Dice rolls

For most player actions, an unmodified roll of "1" is always a failure; an unmodified roll of "6" is always a success. An exception is Hypnotic Gaze against an AG 6 player, which will never succeed since the target's AG must be EXCEEDED on d6. [JJ] Another exception is the roll to escape tentacles where a low value is required for success. Treat a ‘1’ as success for a Snotling.

The card for the Orc Blitzer incorrectly lists the rolls for throwing and catching as though he is agility 2, rather than 3.

The rule for Throw Team Mate described in the book is correct, but the example given is incorrect. So the landing roll has +1 modifier for an accurate throw and no modifier if the throw scatters (with -1 for any tackle zones on the landing square).

An Errata has been given in Fanatic news for some misprints in Blood Bowl Magazine 1.

No team may commence play in their first game with a fan factor less than 1 nor greater than 9. The fan factor may never be reduced to zero.

You may only freeboot players or coaches who would normally play for your team. A third High Elf Lion Warrior, a second wizard or apothecary won't normally play for your team, and thus cannot be freebooted. [JJ]

If Star Players are freebooted then the appropriate appearance fee must be paid.

After a match, a coach may hire a player he freebooted for the player's full list price. The original "freeboot fee" is lost but any SPPs are kept.

Illegal Procedure

The rule books limit Illegal Procedure to only two situations - failure to move the turn counter, and moving a player out of the permitted sequence (e.g. not moving all fanatics first). If players unintentionally break other rules (e.g. incorrect player setup, moving past an opponent without making a dodge roll etc.) the error should be corrected immediately without other penalty.

Failure to move all fanatics before any other player is an illegal procedure, but they can be moved in any order. Wild Animals are moved after fanatics and it is not an illegal procedure not to move a Wild Animal at all.

If a coach moves any game item (e.g. touches a player or rolls the dice), or states that a player is going to use a skill or ability before moving the turn counter this is an illegal procedure. However, thinking is permitted [BM1p6]

If a coach calls "Illegal Procedure" for a situation when it clearly isn’t required the other coach gains a reroll. [BM1p6]

Illegal procedures do not permit a coach to actually do any action against the rules. In addition to costing a reroll counter (or ending the turn) the coach must move the turn counter to the correct position or take any other action required to correct the situation (e.g. the fanatic must still be moved if a reroll is used to prevent a turnover.)

You can Argue the Call on an illegal procedure if you don’t want to use a reroll, but you can’t then use a reroll if argue the call fails.

Overtime

A coin toss (or dice roll) is made again at the beginning of Overtime to select who receives. Play lasts until a touchdown is scored or for a maximum of 8 turns each. If more overtime is required the other coach receives, and a coin toss is made at the start of each odd numbered overtime. [JJ]

Player Size

All players take up one square, regardless of the size of their base, either when standing or when prone. [JJ] Where there is a reference to the model or the players base (e.g. for passing and intercepts) use the square for all measurements.

Forcing a player into the crowd does not score casualty SPPs [BM1p15].

No Star Player Points are awarded if a player is injured on a failed Dodge or Go For It. [BM1p15]

A player who makes an accurate pass that is caught by a team-mate earns 1 SPP for a completion [DZ p16]. Therefore a completion requires an accurate throw and is not a completion if it is inaccurate even if it scatters back onto the intended receiver. However, if the intended recipient fumbles the accurate catch but it is still caught by a member of that team (other than the thrower) then a completion is recorded.

No player may receive more than 1 MVP per match. [DZ p16] This includes the MVP from Inspiration. Roll again if an ineligible player receives an MVP.

All players who took part in the match are eligible for most valuable player, [DZ p16] Players who have taken no part in the match do not receive MVPs (e.g. absent due to injury). Star players who refused to play due to non-payment of appearance fees stay in the reserves box and may be given MVPs [BM1p15].

Tournament Prizes

The wizard from the Dungeonbowl adds to your team rating [JJ].

The above wizard is subject to A Better Offer or sideline incidents, but is replaced next game [GWUK].

Tournament prize money is in addition to normal gate takings

Trophy rerolls do not add to team rating [JJ].

Tournament prizes may be Robbed, but not used for Kidnap Rival Coach. They may be part of a (very) large donation [GWUK].

Wizards

Wizards may only use spells at the beginning of their team turn [BM2] so they cannot cause turnovers.

Chaos Dwarfs hire normal wizards, not alchemists.

The fireball will hit any player (from either team) that is fully or partially underneath the template [DZp4]. Because models may vary greatly in size use the squares on the board rather than the model or its base.

4.1 Star Players

Ignore the list on the card showing which teams a Star player will play for. They will play for any team that their race will ally with.

If regular players may use secret weapons then do not use any Star Players that have secret weapons.

Star Players from the same race as the team take a regular position slot. Star Players may be taken from allied races and count as the 1 allied member allowed from that race, not as a position slot.

Lucky Luc the Unicorn may not be given the ball on a touchback (or if he is given it he will immediately drop it).

Appearance fees must be paid for freebooted Star Players.

Only one of each star player may play for any one team.

4.2 Secret Weapons

The Goblin Fanatic and the Dwarf Deathroller count as secret weapons, whether taken by their own race or as allies.

For other secret weapons use the list in BM2, not the on in BM1. The table in BM1 of players types that take each weapon still applies.

Players may only take a secret weapon when they first join the team. Their cost is the regular cost for that type of player, plus the cost of the weapon. Use the total cost for team ranking.

Goblin teams may have 4 players with secret weapons. All other teams may have only one secret weapon (even if they have goblin allies).

See Oberwald Supplement 2.06 for a large list of secret weapons in addition to those in BM1.

Allied players may take a secret weapon if it is allowed in the team they are allied to. Therefore although High Elves do not have secret weapons in their own team, a High Elf lineman in a Human team could use a Blunderbuss.

Weapons such as Chainsaw, Poisoned Dagger and Spike can only be used on one player at a time, so cannot be used in a Multiple Block.

Unless specified otherwise, the penalty roll is taken after every drive in which that Secret Weapon Player was on the field at any time during the drive. If the 2D6 roll equals or exceeds the penalty roll, the player is sent off for the rest of the game. Roll separately for each secret weapon.

Secret weapons that use an armour roll without having to roll the block dice do not allow the sue of skills such as Might Blow or Razor Sharp Claw/Fangs to modify the armour or injury roll.

4.3 Player size

All players take up one square, regardless of the size of their base, either when standing or when prone. [JJ]

4.4 Blunderbuss

The player may fire the ball to any square on the field. It counts as a Pass action and the player may not do anything else during that turn. Roll 1d6: On a 1-3, the shot misses and scatters just like a kickoff. On a 4-6, it lands in the target square. As in the case of a pass if the ball does not end up being caught by the moving team, after all the bouncing is done, then it is a turnover.

The weapon can only be shot once per kickoff.

A player with Blunderbuss may accept a hand off and still fire that turn. [JJ]

4.5 Bomber

A Bomber may throw a bomb once during each of his team’s turns while he is on the pitch. It does not count as a Pass action. The player may not do anything else when he wants to throw a bomb. When thrown roll a D6. On a 1, the bomb explodes in the thrower’s square. Otherwise work out the throw as normal. It may be intercepted. If a player catches it they must roll 4+ or it will go off as they catch it. If they roll 4+ they may throw it again as for the original throw. If the bomb lands in an empty square or if a player fails to catch it or drops it, it will scatter one square and then explode. When it explodes it knocks over any player in the same square, and knocks over players in adjacent squares on a roll of 4+. Make armour and injury rolls as normal.

The player holding the ball has his hands full and cannot catch the bomb.

A bomb that scatters into the crowd has no effect (on the players).

4.6 Chainsaw

The chainsaw doesn't start the kickoff running. Turning on the chainsaw counts as an action, and the player may not do anything else that turn. The player must not be in an opposing player’s tackle zone when attempting to start the chainsaw. You need to make an agility roll (failure is not a turnover). The player may use the running chainsaw instead of making a block. Make an armour roll with a +3 modifier. The player may also use the chainsaw after moving as a Blitz action. If a player with a chainsaw commits a foul, add an additional +2 to the armour roll, not to injury.

A player holding a running Chainsaw may not use Frenzy.

A player with a running chainsaw may not handle the ball.

If a Piling On player falls onto a running chainsaw, roll for the Piling On player’s armour with 3+.

If a player with a running chainsaw falls over for any reason, roll for his amour with +3. This includes Diving Catch in which the player lands on the ground briefly as well as Piling On and Diving Tackle or any card which normally causes a player to fall without an armour roll.

4.7 Death Roller

The Deathroller is a regular Dwarf team member [BM2] not taken as an extra secret weapon as in BM1.

Stats are MA4, ST7, AG1, AV10, cost 160k, skills Might Blow, Stand Firm, Multiple Block, Special: Death Roller, Penalty 7+, may not earn SPPs.

The Deathroller may ignore tackle zones when moving. It gets a +6 to armour rolls when fouling a player. If it is knocked down for any reason it will be out for the rest of the game.

If a Deathroller is knocked over, roll against AV 10. If you penetrate and kill the driver (10+ on injury roll, 6 on Sigurd’s roll), the Deathroller is not repaired. Any other result (including not penetrating the armour) removes the machine from the game, but it will return next match. [GWUK]

If a "killed" result is rolled as an injury to the Deathroller, it explodes and takes the driver with it. This is the only way to injure the driver. Knocking down the Death Roller and removing it from the game without scoring a casualty does not award the blocker with casualty SPPs. [JJ].

4.8 Fanatics

The Fanatic is a regular goblin team member {BM2] not taken as an extra secret weapon as in BM1.

Stats are MA4, ST2, AG3, AV7, cost 60k. Special: Ball & Chain, may not earn SPPs.

A coach with multiple Ball and Chain fanatics on the field must move all fanatics before activating any other player on his team. You cannot be called for Illegal Procedure if you have an unmoved fanatic and the only models you have moved are fanatics. [JJ]

The coach can choose the order of movement between fanatics.

The fanatic is carried onto the field by the rest of the team and held firmly in place until the kick-off whistle is blown [DZp8]. Therefore if other rules specify that any other type of player ‘must move first’, the fanatic takes precedence because the rest of the team is holding the fanatic down and cannot move before the fanatic.

At the end of the fanatic’s move the coach must roll to see if the Fanatic is exhausted. [DZ p9] This is done even if he fails a block and is injured.

A fanatic collapse causes a turnover. [GWUK] This may be rerolled.

The fanatic moves up to 4 squares per turn and must move that far if he doesn’t fall over [DZ p8] but cannot go for it. He does not have any tackle zones, cannot handle the ball and must move his full MA (4 squares) if possible. Use the throw-in template to move each square. If he tries to enter a square that is occupied, then he must throw a block with a ST of 6 (doesn't count as the team’s blitz). Neither side may use assists. He must follow up (stand firm ends his movement).

If he falls over in the block, he is automatically injured; counting stunned as KO'd. He can block as long as he moves into an occupied square. If he walks into a prone player, simply push the prone player back.

After the player with Ball & Chain has finished moving, roll a 1d6. On a 1, he collapses to the ground. Roll the die again, and on a 1-3 he dies from exhaustion, or on a 4-6 he must miss the rest of the match to catch his breath. The only person allowed to block a fanatic, is another fanatic. If this happens they both fall down.

4.9 Pogo Stick

The player is allowed to "go for it" up to four times and may use the leap skill multiple times. Both options may be used without being limited by the 1 skill per action rule.

4.10 Poisoned Dagger

The player may use the dagger instead of making a block. Make an armour roll. If the roll causes an injury, treat the "stunned" result as "KO'd".

Once the dagger has been used successfully (i.e. the victim failed the armour roll), the poison is wiped off and "the dagger causes injuries as normal" until after the next kick-off. At the beginning of every kick-off the blade is re-coated with poison.

5.1 Skills and Traits

Only one skill may be used during an action and only at one time[BM1p7], so the coach must state when a skill is being used. A skill can be used immediately after a dice roll (e.g roll for pass, then decide whether to use pass, accurate or safe throw). However, skills that affect the number of dice used (e.g. Horns) or whether a dice is rolled at all (e.g. Leap) must be used before the dice roll. Skills that have extra affects in addition to the dice roll must be used before rolling the dice. So Piling On and Diving Tackle, which leave the player using the skill on the ground, must both be used before the relevant dice roll. Any number of skills can be used while the player is not the active player carrying out an action.

You never have to use a skill [BM1p7].

Traits must always be used and any number of traits can be used together with one skill during an action. Traits can be taken as upgrades on a double, but only if the player is normally eligible for that group of traits [BM2].

Secret weapon players may gain skills, but may not use these additional player skills when using the weapon [JJML]. Skills inherent in the weapon (e.g. Deathroller skills) may be used, but only one skill during an action. Weapons that apply in defence or at other times when not carrying out an action (Deathroller & Fanatic) may not combine extra player skills with the weapon.

BM2 expanded the list of traits given in BM1.

All mutations are trait except for

Claw, Horns, Hypnotic Gaze, Prehensile Tail, Razor Sharp Claw/Fangs, Tentacles.

All negative characteristics are traits

Other traits are

Diving Tackle, Shadowing, Pass Block and Dump Off are skills that may be used by the non-moving team in reaction to some action by the moving team. However, the rules do not necessarily restrict them to the non-moving team and they could be used by the moving team if the appropriate circumstances arise. This would normally be due to the non-moving team using one of these skills allowing the moving team to respond to that ‘out-of-turn’ action. Diving Tackle can only used in situations when tackle zones are active (i.e. not in response to push-back, follow-up or shadowing). It is recommended that the same rule is applied to shadowing.

5.3 Always Hungry (general trait)

If a player about to be thrown is eaten instead they are killed, but they may be considered to be swallowed whole, so the apothecary can attempt to get the player back.

5.4 Bonehead (physical trait)

Players who fail the Bonehead roll do not cause a turnover. [BM1p11-12]

5.5 Catch

Gaining control of a bouncing or scattering ball is a catch roll. The Catch skill will allow a reroll, Sure Hands will not. [BM1p8]

A player carrying out an action may only use one skill at one time [BM1p7]. Therefore if a player is moving or blitzing and causes a loose ball to bounce around they may only use Catch skill once to try to catch it during the course of the action. However, a player could use Catch several times before or after an action if the ball repeatedly bounces back to the same player.

5.6 Daemonic Aura (daemonic trait)

If the Daemon’s armour is beaten (no modifiers) and the subsequent injury roll is 10+ (with modifiers) then the Daemon is killed. [BM1p12]

5.7 Dauntless (general trait)

This can only be taken on a double by players able to take general skills.

Because Dauntless is a trait it may be used with the skills Block, Tackle or Multiple Block.

Dauntless can only be used by a player making a block, not by a player being blocked.

Dauntless must be rolled before each block, including subsequent blocks thrown by a Frenzying player.

The bonus for horns is applied after any bonuses for dauntless. [GWUK]

With Piling On, the normal strength of the player is used to break armour.

Dauntless may be used at any time a player initiates a block. This prevents its use during the opponents turn.

Some star players have Dauntless listed as a skill. This should be a trait.

5.8 Dirty Player

The +2 bonus cannot be added to other dice modifiers such as Mighty Blow or Claw.

The +2 bonus is in addition to the normal +1 for fouling, so a lone Dirty Player has +3 to the armour roll.

This skill can only be used when a pass has been thrown to that specific player, but was inaccurate. [DZ p10]

After rolling the scatter dice 3 times to see where the ball lands, the intended receiver (with Diving Catch) may move one square (not necessarily onto the ball) ignoring tackle zones. If this move is to the square where the ball is landing, a catch may be attempted. Otherwise, if the ball lands on an unoccupied square, it scatters one more time. [DZ p10]

Because Diving Catch cannot be used by the player currently taking an action, it may be used with Catch skill.

It cannot be used to grab at any loose ball or when a pass is missed some other player.

See the section Reaction Skills

This is a totally different skill in 4^th edition compared with 3^rd edition.

It can be used under any circumstances in which an opposing player makes a dodge roll. If the dodging player falls over this is a turnover. It must be used before the dodge roll is made, not after seeing the result of the roll.

The player making the Diving Tackle ends up lying in the square the dodging player left, so only one player may use Diving Tackle against each dodge.

Although the rule [BM1p11] states that it may only be used against a Move or Blitz action, this is intended to include a Pass or Foul action. It may not be used when a player is pushed back or follows up (or shadows).

If the Diving Tackle player is holding the ball they will drop it when they land on the ground (so it will bounce from the square the player ends up in).

If the dodging player has Stand Firm and fails the dodge, that player will not move, so place the Diving Tackle player on the ground in the square they started in.

If a player with a running chainsaw uses Diving Tackle, the chainsaw wielding player would have to roll for armour with +3 modifier.

5.11 Dump-Off

See the section Reaction Skills

Dump-Off is a pass action and can only be used once in each sides turn, and not if that team has already passed in that turn. However, a team may pass in their own turn and Dump-Off during the opponent’s turn.

"Neither team’s turn ends as a result of the throw, whatever it may be. After the throw is worked out your opponent completes the block, and then carries on with his turn." [DZp11]

Strong Arm does not allow Dump-offs in the Short band range [JJ].

Dump Off may be used by the blitzed player when Is It A TD? is played.

5.12 Foul Appearance (physical trait)

A Foul Appearance player causes a -1 penalty on a pass or catch within 3 squares.

This only has effect when the player is standing.

This is cumulative with the tackle zone penalties, so if the Foul appearance player is standing in the tackle zone of a player throwing or catching the ball, there is a -2 penalty.

The die roll for passing and catching is cumulative when several Foul Appearance players are within the required 3 squares.

All actions that use the Catch skill (hand-off, intercept etc.) are affected by Foul Appearance.

A player blocking an opponent with Foul Appearance must roll a 2+ before carrying out the block. This must be done before every block during Frenzy. If a 1 is rolled, the Foul Appearance player is not blocked, and the Frenzying player gives up the attack in disgust.

5.13 Frenzy (general trait)

This can only be taken on a double by players able to take general skills.

Because Frenzy is a trait it can be combined with Block or another skill during an action.

The description of this skill changed in BM1 and again in BM2.

When a Frenzy players takes an action, if that player is standing next to a standing opponent, then the Frenzy player must block or blitz the opponent.

It is not necessary to blitz the nearest player, only adjacent players must be blocked.

A player will continue a Frenzy if they get a push-back result, even if the other player has Stand Firm.

For each block during the Frenzy work out assists for the current player positions after push-backs (or sidestep) have been finalised for the preceding block.

A player blocking an opponent with Foul Appearance must roll a 2+ before carrying out the block. This must be done before every block during Frenzy. If a 1 is rolled, the Foul Appearance player is not blocked and the Frenzying player gives up the attack in disgust.

If a player is pushed out of bounds using a Push Back then the Frenzy player MUST follow-up, but if the player forced out had a knock-down result then the follow-up is optional.

A Frenzying player with Horns will receive a +1 on his ST when blitzing if he moves at least one square before each block roll. He would lose the bonus after the first frenzy against a Stand Firm player.

A player is not obligated to, but may Go For It to continue a Frenzy. Second (and third) Go For Its are optional [JJ] however the number of Frenzy blocks may not exceed the frenzied player’s movement allowance plus go-for-its.

Dauntless must be rolled before each subsequent block thrown by a Frenzying player.

A player using Multiple Block and Frenzy, will frenzy against all of the targets that remain standing and still adjacent to each other.

Frenzy may not be used using secret weapons and a player holding a running chainsaw may not frenzy.

5.14 Guard

Guard does not have any effect when assisting a foul.

5.15 Hail Mary Pass

A Hail Mary Pass is fumbled on a 1, but there are no modifiers for this roll.

If a player with Hail Mary Pass rolls for a normal Pass action and does not have a high enough roll to avoid a fumble they may not choose to use the Hail Mary Pass skill.

Hail Mary Pass may not be used in a blizzard. [JJ]

Eye of the Eagle won't make a Hail Mary accurate. [JJ]

Magic Hand of Jark Longarm will intercept a Safe Throw, but not a Hail Mary pass. [GWUK]

5.16 Horns

The use of Horns may change the number of dice rolled so must be declared before the dice roll, not after.

The bonus for horns may be applied after any bonuses for dauntless. [GWUK]

A Frenzying player with Horns will receive a +1 on his ST when blitzing if he moves at least one square before each block roll. He would lose the bonus after the first frenzy against a Stand Firm player.

5.17 Hypnotic Gaze

The player may use his hypnotic gaze once during each of his own side’s team turns, at any point during the turn. [DZ p11] The description makes it clear that this does not have to be used during the player’s action. If it is used during the player’s action then no other skill may be used during that action.

Hypnotic Gaze cannot be used before dice rolls required by a move already made (e.g. after moving onto the ball square but before picking up the ball or during a dump off). However, it could be used after a pass has been declared, on or by a player that has moved using Pass Block.

Hypnotised players can still give assists even though they do not have a tackle zone.

5.18 Kick

A player with Pro and Kick may not attempt to reroll the scatter after a kickoff

Jump Up is only used at the start of a player’s action. It cannot be used before the action starts (to take a pass), nor later in an action. If a player uses Jump Up they may not use any other skill during the action.

A player lying on the field with both the skills Jump Up and Pass Block may stand up to attempt an intercept (and move 3 squares if necessary). Jump Up alone will not permit the player to stand during the opponent’s turn.

5.20 Leader (general trait)

This can only be taken on a double by players able to take general skills.

The player must be on the field when used, but can be lying down or stunned.

5.21 Leap

Leap can be used only once during a player’s action.

BM1p11 says a player may only "leap one square". This means "leap over 1 square".

Leap uses 2 squares of ‘normal’ movement, so may not be used during a Go-for-it.

Leap does not 'ignore tackle zones'. It is simply made with no modifiers to the die roll.

A player using this skill must still roll under his Strength to escape the Tackle Zone of a player with Tentacles.

You may Shadow a player who has used Leap. Your player will enter the square the opponent's player had occupied before the Leap.

The leap is over an adjacent square, then to any square next to that one, so it is permissible to land next to the square the player started from (i.e. leaping only one square).

5.22 Mighty Blow

This can only be used to add +1 to armour or injury, not both [BM1p11]. The player does not have to choose to use it until after seeing the dice roll which it will affect.

5.23 Multiple Block

Targets of a multiple block must fill squares through which one may draw an unbroken path (not necessarily straight), but do not require each and every player to be directly adjacent to each and every other player. [JJ]

Players may give assists to a multiple block. Each player may give one assist only, and a player in the tackle zone of two targets may not assist against either [JJ] except with Guard.

Dauntless (a trait) may be used to match the summed strength of the targets of a Multiple Block in a nasty combination of skills. [JJ]

All pushes occur simultaneously. You can’t push one player, then another into the same square (forcing the other back further).

If a follow-up occurs it can be into any of the squares vacated by the target of the block.

A player using multiple block and frenzy must frenzy against as many targets as possible of the original block.

A frenzying player cannot attack additional players using multiple block after the first block.

5.24 Nerves of Steel (general trait)

This can only be taken on a double by players able to take general skills.

5.25 Pass Block

See the section Reaction Skills.

The coach of the passing player may not change his mind about passing the ball after a player with this skill has made his move [DZ p12]. However, the position of the passer or receiver could change using a magic item such as The Secret Way.

Only one player with Pass Block may move under the range ruler but not in the tackle zone of either the catcher or thrower. Any number may be moved into the tackle zone of the catcher or thrower. [JJ] A player may start to move to one of these positions then stop without completing the 3 square movement.

Pass Block can be used to move a player to an interception position even if the thrower has the skill safe throw, or uses a card to prevent an interception.

You may not go for it on a pass block. [JJ]

All players may move 3 squares for Pass Block even if their normal movement is less than 3.

You may Pass Block a Dump Off.

You may not Pass Block a Hand Off. [JJ]

You may not Pass Block a Custard Pie, Stink Bomb or Bombardier's Bombs. [JJ]

All the modifiers that affect Pass apply to Throw Team Mate, so Pass Block can be used to place tackle zones on the thrower or on the landing square, but not to an interception position. [JJ]

5.26 Piling On

This can only be used by a player who has made a block, not by a player being blocked. It must be used before rolling the dice for the armour roll, not after seeing the result. [BM2]

This cannot be used if the player with the skill falls over as a result of the block (both down).

For Piling On you must follow-up unless the player goes down without being pushed back. The Piling On player lands on top of the fallen opponent, then rolls back to the follow-up square, or the original square if no push-back occurred.

When this skill is used in conjunction with Dauntless or any other situation providing temporary higher strength, the true Strength of the player will be used to determine bonuses.

If the Piling On player was carrying the ball he will drop it because he ends the move lying on the ground. This would cause a turnover.

If the Piling On player was carrying a running chainsaw he will take an armour roll with +3.

5.27 Prehensile Tail

Stunty players only ignore dodge modifiers for Tackle Zones, not other modifiers such as Prehensile Tail. [JJ]

5.28 Pro (general trait)

This can only be taken on a double by players able to take general skills.

A player with this trait may use it any time they perform an action regardless of whether it is during their own or their opponent's turns. It may only be used once per team turn [DZp12]. It follows from this that it may not be used for events that do not occur during either team’s turn.

Pro may not be used to reroll armour rolls that don’t penetrate or unsatisfactory injury rolls [BM1p8].

If a Pro roll fails the player cannot use a team reroll for the original roll. However, a coach can use a team reroll to reroll the Pro roll. If the Pro roll succeeds then the original roll can now be rerolled.

5.29 Really Stupid (trait)

Players who fail the Really Stupid roll do not cause a turnover [BM1p12].

5.30 Regeneration (physical trait)

Regeneration is a trait and may not betaken by any player as an upgrade.

Players with Regeneration regenerate on a 4+ [BM1p12]. Pro cannot be used for this roll, and it does not occur during a team turn, so team rerolls cannot be used.

Undead players may not regenerate if their Necromancer has left the game for any reason. [WD] [JJ]. This includes leaving the game due to rolling 1 when arguing the call.

Undead players playing for other teams cannot regenerate. [JJ]

Trolls, Snow Trolls, Vampires and non-undead players with Regenerate do not need a Necromancer to regenerate. [JJ]

Players may regenerate from injured in practice. [JJ]

If a regenerate roll fails, the player may not attempt to regenerate later in the game. If the roll succeeds the player may regenerate again from a later injury.

5.31 Right Stuff and Throw Team Mate

Throw Team Mate is a treated as a Pass action [BBp24] and the team is limited to one pass action and one hand-off per turn, so the team may hand-off but not pass the ball and also use Throw Team Mate.

Right Stuff can only be taken by players with strength 2 or less [DZp12].

Throw Team Mate can only be taken by players with Strength 6 or more [DZp13].

If the thrown player falls over it is not a turnover unless the player was holding the ball [BBp24]. It does not matter whether the throw was inaccurate or even fumbled.

The rule described in the book is correct, but the example given is incorrect. So the landing roll has +1 modifier for an accurate throw and no modifier if the throw scatters (with -1 for any tackle zones on the landing square).

You can only aim at an empty square.

Non-stunty players with the right stuff take a two-band range penalty for the throw (short becomes long bomb, etc.) [GWUK] instead of the one-band penalty for Stunties.

Since it is a Pass action, Pass Block may be used to put tackle zones on the thrower or next to the landing square (but not to intercept).

If a thrown player lands on another player, that player is pushed one square away from the direction of throw, even if he is already lying on the ground. Both players roll for armour.

Stunties may be thrown for Short passes in a blizzard, even though they are treated as Long. [JJ] The blizzard lowers visibility it doesn’t reduce the range of the throw.

5.32 Safe Throw

Magic Hand of Jark Longarm will intercept a Safe Throw, but not a Hail Mary pass. [GWUK]

5.33 Shadowing

See the section Reaction Skills

Both coaches roll a dice and add their player’s normal movement to the roll. The shadow player must beat the other to succeed.

You may Shadow a player who has used Leap. Your player will enter the square the opponent's player had occupied before the Leap.

Shadowing can be used on the Blitzing player when Is It A TD? is played.

You can ignore tackle zones when making a shadowing move.

See the section Actions - Push Backs

A player with this skill may move into any adjacent empty square when he is pushed back. If all adjacent squares are occupied, he may not use sidestep [BM1p11]. The square the attack came from is not considered empty even if the attacking player follows up.

The sidestepping player does not have to choose to step off the field if there is an empty square available.

Sidestep may be used if a player is pushed by another player being pushed in a domino effect.

Spikes physical ability may not be taken multiple times. [JJ]

Spikes may not raise a player's armour value above 10. [JJ]

5.36 Split (Daemonic trait)

Blue horrors do not have any of the skills gained by the Pink horror they split form. Any SPPs gained by the blue horror are lost. Pink horrors keep SPPs gained before the split, but may not gain MVPs.

5.37 Sprint

The sprint skill is not in effect until the player attempts to enter a third square using go-for-it. This obviously cannot be done if sure feet or any other skill has already been used.

5.38 Stand Firm 9strnegth trait)

This can only be taken on a double by players able to take strength skills.

See the section Actions - Push Backs

Note that in 4^th edition if the Stand Firm player fails a dodge, the player remains in the original square [BM1].

A player may Frenzy against an opponent who has Stand Firm [JJ] up to the limit of the frenzied player’s movement, even though neither player moves.

A player with Strip ball who rolls a push back against a Stand Firm player will force the player to drop the ball, scattering from where the player stands. Only Sure Hands protects against Strip Ball.

Cards or other situations referring to a player being ‘pushed back’ will still apply to a Stand Firm player even though the player does not actually move [BM1p11].

5.39 Strip Ball

A player may only Strip Ball if a push back result is rolled on the block dice. If a block results in a No Result (both down result/both have block) the blocked player holds onto the ball. [JJ]. Push back includes ‘defender down unless dodge’.

A Stripped Ball scatters from the square into which the blocked player is pushed. [JJ]

The blocker must choose whether or not to follow up before the ball scatters due to the Strip Ball skill. [JJ]

A player with Strip ball who rolls a push back against a Stand Firm player will force the player to drop the ball, scattering from where the player stands [JJ]. Only Sure Hands protects against Strip Ball.

5.40 Strong Arm (passing trait)

This can only be taken on a double by players able to take passing skills.

Strong arm does not allow dump-offs in the short band range [JJ].

5.41 Stunty (physical trait)

Stunty players (including skinks) do not automatically have +1 on injury rolls and -1 when throwing. This applies only to Halfings and Goblins

Stunty players only ignore dodge modifiers for Tackle Zones, not other modifiers such as Prehensile Tail. [JJ]

5.42 Sure Feet

A skill may be used only one time during an action [BM1p7] so sure feet may be used only once per turn.

5.43 Sure Hands

Sure hands counters Strip Ball.

Gaining control of a bouncing or scattering ball is a catch roll. The Catch skill will allow a reroll, Sure Hands will not. [BM1p8]

5.44 Take Root

Roll a D6 for the player before the match starts. On 1-3 the player misses the first half of the match [BM2], not the whole match as in BM1.

Players must roll under their strength to leave the tackle zone. A 1 always succeeds, even for Snotlings. A failure does not end the player’s action, so they may pass, block or foul but not move [DZ p13].

Make the tentacles roll to find out if the player is going to be able to move before declaring an action. Where a player has declared an action before making the tentacles roll (e.g. did not start next to the tentacles player) they may only carry out an action they have already declared (e.g. a blitzing player could block an adjacent player, a passing player could pass from that position).

Tentacles have no effect where tackle zones are ignored in push-back and follow-up. Therefore a player prevented from moving by the tentacles could block an adjacent player and follow-up, moving away from the tentacles. The wording "may block, pass or catch the ball as normal" [DZp13] appears to prevent a player caught by tentacles making a blitz action, using the follow-up to escape the tentacles and then continuing to move.

A player using Leap must still roll under his Strength to escape the Tackle Zone of a player with Tentacles.

The rule [DZp13] makes it clear that if a player fails the Tentacles roll they may not move to another square in the same players tackle zone. Therefore a player moving from 1 square in a Tentacled opponent’s tackle zone to another square in the same player’s tackle zone must roll to try to escape tentacles before moving.

5.46 Throw Team Mate see Right Stuff

5.47 Titchy (physical trait)

To the rule in BM1p12 add "Titchy players count as half a player towards the limit of 16 players/team". Therefore 2 Titchy players could be taken as allies even if this resulted in 17 players on the team list.

A coach may set up an extra d6-1 Titchy players (in addition to the starting eleven). This only applies to Titchy teams (Snotlings) not Titchy players used as allies. Under current rules no teams take Titchy allies.

Titchy may only be taken by players of ST1, but if they gain +ST they do not lose Titchy.

5.48 Very Long Legs (physical trait)

No characteristic may be permanently increased more than 2 [DZp17] so a player may who has gained two points of MA will not receive an extra +1 MA if he gains the physical skill Very Long Legs. [JJ]

Although the description of the skill Stunty [DZ p13] suggests that a player with Very Long Legs could not be Stunty this is not disallowed by the rules and if the model used for the player has long legs and is stunty then the player can have both skills.

5.49 Wild Animal (trait)

This trait is quite different from the negative skill described in the compendiums. The player must move first (or after fanatics), uses the Frenzy trait and may not receive any assists when blocking or fouling. No Wild Animal dice roll is required, the player does not attack his own players and does not have to blitz the nearest player (or any player). However, if an opponent is standing adjacent to the Wild Animal when he starts his move, the Wild Animal must block or blitz that adjacent player using Frenzy.

It is not an illegal procedure to fail to move a Wild Animal at all during a team turn. It is only an illegal procedure to move the Wild Animal after another (non-wild or fanatic) player

6.1 All Cards

The earliest a special play card may be played is immediately after both coaches decide whether or not to use the Apothecary to heal any Niggling Injuries.

Cards which may be used "at any time" and also "constitute the players action" can be used during the opponents turn.

Cards which may be played "at any time" allow you to interrupt the opponent’s turn, but do not let you go back in time by moving players back to previous positions.

Some cards have effects that last for "the rest of the turn". These end their effect at the next turnover; they do not last through a coach’s turn and the opponent’s turn.

Special play cards that have wording such as "player automatically fails his roll" allow for a skill or team reroll to be used. However this second roll will automatically fail as well. [JJ]

Special play cards that cause a member of the moving team carrying the ball to fall down, force the player into the crowd or leave the pitch cause a turnover unless stated otherwise.

See the section on Turnovers for similar events when the player affected is not carrying the ball.

Cards which cause penalties may be argued, however arguing the call will always fail.

You can trade or sell Special Play Cards to your opponent [JJ] but not to coaches playing in other games.

Bribing your opponent to withhold playing a card, etc. is acceptable as is selling the services of your team's apothecary.

You are under no obligation to play all your Special Play Cards. You can accept a cash donation (bribe) for not playing a Special Play Card. [JJ]

If several cards are played in succession (by each coach in turn), a later card may override an earlier one. For example, Bribe the Ref can give an automatic penalty after a foul, while another Bribe the Ref can stop any penalty. If played in this order, no penalty would apply, whereas if played in the reverse order a penalty would be awarded.

6.2 Away Fans Banned and Crazy Referee

If your Away Fans have been banned, and you play Merchandising, you receive 10,000 x your Fan Factor, as recorded on your roster, not 10,000 x 0, where 0 is your FF for the game. [JJ]

You can still win rolls on the Kickoff table and if you win Throw a Rock or Pitch Invasion, the opposing fans take it out on their own team.

If Away Fans are Banned and a Crazy Referee chases the other fans away, then there are no fans left in the stadium, so the McMurty burger sellers are so annoyed at the lack of customers that they will beat up players pushed off the field, throw rocks etc as required.

6.3 Blatant fouls

Blatant fouls aren't called after you get the ref so this card does not send a player off after they Get the Ref at a Kickoff. [GWUK]

You may argue the call on a blatant foul. [GWUK]

6.4 Crazy Referee see Away Fans Banned

6.5 Custard pie

Custard Pie and Stink Bomb may not be thrown by a player holding the ball. [JJ]

Custard Pie and Stink Bomb may not be Pass Blocked. [JJ]

6.6 Duh, Where Am I?

This should be played after a player is knocked down and armour is NOT penetrated.

The dazed player on the receiving end of a Duh, Where Am I? may be stood up but will not take an action on the turn he is knocked down.

If his own team injures him he keeps any effects of the injury, including being killed.

The dazed player on the receiving end of a Duh, Where Am I? gains no Star Player Points for completed passes to opponents, causing casualties to team-mates, or intercepting a team mate's pass.

The card says the player is affected "until the next touchdown is scored or a half ends". This should also be taken to be until the next kickoff, so that Burst ball or Pit trap (if it causes a new kick-off) will allow the player to return to his own team.

6.7 Eye of the Eagle

The ball may be intercepted. [JJ]

It won't make a Hail Mary Pass accurate. [JJ]

6.8 Grasping Tentacles

The card says the player "fails the dodge and falls over". This means that even a Stand Firm player falls over. This is a turnover, since a player fell over while dodging.

6.9 Healing Scroll

This must be used immediately after the injury, not later in the game. If the player was injured by the crowd, place him in the reserves box.

6.10 Illegal Drugs and Injury Time

These allow a bonus team turn. You can Blitz, Pass, Foul and use a team reroll even if used in the previous turn.

6.11 Injured in Practice

Players may regenerate from Injured in Practice. [GWUK]

Apothecaries can prevent Injured in Practice, but are then unavailable for the match. [GWUK]

6.12 Injury Time

See also Illegal Drugs

This will be wasted if used by the scoring team as the last turn of the match. If the receiving team has used all its turns it will not line up for the Kickoff, so the Kicking team cannot use Injury time to take a turn.

6.13 Inspiration

No player may gain more than 1 MVP per match [DZ p16], so the player gaining the MVP is not eligible after the match.

6.14 Inspired Play

Inspired Play allows a player to complete an action without rolling dice. Since a player may only take one action per turn it follows that everything that player does is part of the one action. So the player could declare a Blitz Action, which might include dodge, then block, then pick up the ball, and go for it as part of a single action without any dice rolls (except armour and injury).

Some rolls during a player’s action are not considered part of that player’s action (e.g crowd throw-ins) and so may not be Inspired. Dice rolls that would not be permitted to be rerolled by Pro skill may not be Inspired. Therefore if the league rules permit a thrower to use Pro to reroll the scatter after a throw then such a scatter could be inspired, but most leagues do not permit scatter dice to be rerolled using Pro.

The opponent may use a Wizard, cards, shadowing etc. Any rolls the inspired player would make will succeed, but rolls by the other coach are made as normal.

Dump Off may be used by the blitzed player when Is It A TD? is played, and the Blitzer can be Shadowed or Diving Tackled.

6.16 It Wasn’t Me

The player may be sacked without paying 50,000 gps bail, but may not then become an assistant coach.

6.17 Labbatt’s Flying Fist

This strikes from above, so the player can be pushed to any adjacent square but empty squares must be chosen if there are any available.

6.18 Large Donation

Winnings include Big Match and Tournament prizes, but not Demo Game, Will, Merchandising, #1 with a Bullet [GWUK] Side Bet nor Alchemist’s income.

6.19 Magic Hand of Jark Longarm

This will intercept a Safe Throw, but not a Hail Mary pass [GWUK].

6.20 Magic Helmet

This cannot be used on the same player more than once [GWUK] except for a player with Two Heads.

If your Away Fans have been banned or chased out of the stadium by a Crazy Referee, and you play Merchandising, you receive 10,000 x your Fan Factor, as recorded on your roster, not 10,000 x 0, where 0 is your FF for the game. [JJ]

6.22 Mindblow

A player may not give a handoff after he has been "Mindblowed" even if he is next to the intended receiver.

6.23 Peaked

See Handicaps

The SPPs of peaked players still count towards team rating. It is recommended that ‘peaked’ players should still accumulate SPPs as normal, but may not use them to gain new skills.

6.24 Pit Trap and Trampoline Trap

Pit trap and trampoline trap may be used as a player enters a square in the touchdown zone to prevent a score [BM1p41].

6.25 Player Strike

Blood Bowl negotiators are not very bright. If they call a Player Strike and you have no money in the treasury just offer them all you have (nothing), they will play the match anyway. [JJ]

6.26 Robbed!

For purposes of Robbed! or Large Donation, winnings include Big Match and Tournament prizes, but not Demo Game, Will, Merchandising, #1 with a Bullet[GWUK], Side Bet nor Alchemist’s income.

If a player using a Sewer Map enters the field in an occupied square the occupying player is pushed back, as if hit from the square indicated by the second scatter roll.

6.28 Sorry and Sorry Sir

Since the player going out of bounds does not end in the crowd, no injury roll is required.

In Sorry, the player "trips over and hurtles off the field". Obviously only a standing or moving player can use this card. If the player is on the moving team this will cause a turnover because a player has left the field.

The Vampire Lord is a coach and may therefore be affected by the cards Sorry and Sorry Sir. However, the description on the card requires that they can only be used on a coach who is not currently on the field so they only affect the Vampire Lord if he is off the field for any reason.

6.29 Special Offer

Players hired through a Special Offer or That Boy's Got Talent contribute their list price for Team Rating purposes, not the price actually paid. [JJ]

6.30 Spy

Spy may be used to prevent the use of any reroll, including skill rerolls. [JJ]

6.31 Stink Bomb

Custard Pie and Stink Bomb may not be thrown by a player holding the ball. [JJ]

Custard Pie and Stink Bomb may not be Pass Blocked. [JJ]

6.32 That Boy’s Got Talent

Players hired through a Special Offer or That Boy's Got Talent contribute their list price for Team Rating purposes, not the price actually paid. [JJ]

6.33 Unseen Shield

This can be used only when an opposing player passes the ball. It cannot be used to stop Bombs, Custard Pies, nor thrown players (even if carrying the ball). It cannot be used to affect a throw-in by the crowd.

7.1 General

Use allies from the table in BM2. This is significantly different form the list in BM1.

Only one ally may be taken from each race [BM1p9] or two Titchy players.

Allies may not use team rerolls [BM1p9].

Star players may be taken as allies [BM1p9].

Vampire Lords may not be taken as allies [BM1p18].

Big Guy teams may not take allies although they may take Star players of their own race [BM1p10].

Orcs count Goblins as allies [BM1p8], as well as players on the team list as in DZp28, so they may take 5 Goblins. A 5^th goblin would have to be indicated separately as an ally, not able to use team rerolls. Only regular goblins are on the Orc team list, not Fanatics or Trolls, so these can only be taken as allies.

Trolls appear on the team list of both Goblins and Snotlings and so do not count as allies when taken by either team (2 Trolls for Goblins, [BM1p10], 4 Trolls for Snotlings [BM1p35]). This does not permit teams that take both Goblin and Snotling allies to take 2 Trolls (i.e. from each team list).

To the rule in BM1p12 add "Titchy players count as half a player towards the limit of 16 players/team". Therefore 2 Titchy players can be taken as allies even if this results in 17 players on the team list. Under current rules no race may take Titchy allies.

Non-goblin allies cost double to hire for a goblin team.

Undead and Khemri allies on non-undead teams cannot regenerate.

Khemri can hire Undead star players.

8.1 General

The following teams are officially permitted.

Amazon [BM1p26]

Bretonnian [BM1p33]

Chaos [DZ]

Chaos Dwarf [DZ and BM1p10]

Daemon [BM1p34-35]

Dark Elf [BB]

Dwarf [BB]

Goblin [DZ and BM1p10]

Halfling [DZ]

High Elf [BB]

Human [BB]

Khemri Undead [BM1p35]

Lizardman [BM1p19]

Minotaur [BM1p10]

Norse [BM1p23]

Ogre [BM1p10]

Orc [BB]

Skaven [BB and BM1p10]

Snotling [BM1p35]

Treeman [BM1p38]

Undead [DZ]

Vampire [BM1p17]

Wood Elf [DZ]

Daemons have the slow skill progression of Big Buys (but choose skills as normal).

8.3 Halfing

Halfling teams are limited to one Treeman ally.

Skinks are stunty but do not take -1 penalty when throwing, nor +1 penalty on injury.

The vampire Lord is a coach and may be kidnapped or killed by events affecting coaches. However, the cards Sorry and Sorry Sir will only involve the Vampire Lord if he is off the field at the time the card is played (and it cannot be played when all players are off the field).

When the Vampire Lord is killed, a normal Vampire takes this position and loses Off for a Bite, but he does not gain any additional skills or stats. Nevertheless, record the new Vampire Lord’s value at 180,000 gps for team rating purposes.
 

9.1 General

See BM1 for details. The official rules are different from those in Compendium 1 and Compendium 2

Big Guys are higher strength players that are slow learners and usually have a negative trait. Some have been added to team lists and others may be taken as allies. See the Skills section for notes on the negative traits.

The limitation on the number of each type of Big Guy on a team is determined by whether they may be taken as allies (one ally of each race) or are on the team list (usually 2).

The Vampire Lord is a coach and may therefore be affected by the cards Sorry and Sorry Sir. However, the description on the card requires that they can only be used on a coach who is not currently on the field so they only affect the Vampire Lord if he is off the field for any reason.

9.2 Pro skill used for Big Guys negative trait roll

Big Guys are slow learners and must earn double SPPs to gain a Star Player roll. They gain skills at 12, 22, 52 SPPs etc [BM1p15]