What's the difference between the different editions?

Vydar · Post by **Vydar** » Sun Jul 24, 2005 9:25 pm

Hello,

I'm trying to figure out what version(s) of Blood Bowl I can/should purchase and be able to play with the new LRB rules. I know of 4 versions of Blood Bowl: 1st Edition (1986), 2nd Edition (1988), 3rd Edition (1994), 2004 Edition. I'd like to know the differences between each of these as far as playability under the new rules and as far as quality. Here's what I've managed to learn so far:

1st Ed: Cardboard players

2nd Ed: Plastic players, "Styrofoam" field? (I assume that's lower quality?), Endzone is deeper than normal (is there anything I need to adjust for play? Someone told me the pitch was smaller, but I wasn't sure how imperative that was for playing)

3rd Ed: Plastic players

2004 Ed:

Thanks!!!

Darkson · Post by **Darkson** » Sun Jul 24, 2005 9:31 pm

2004 Ed is just a re-released 3rd ed (with an updated handbook I think).

So 3rd/2004 are fine under LRB.

The Astrogranite pitch (2nd ed) can work under LRB, but just be aware that passing "may" be a square futher than on a 3rd ed pitch ("may" because it depends on where you throw from and to). Also, just ignore the 2nd row of squares in the EZ.

Not sure at all about 1st.

Vydar · Post by **Vydar** » Sun Jul 24, 2005 9:53 pm

Thanks for the response:

Is there any quality difference in products between 3rd and 2004 editions?

What about the quality difference between 2nd and 3rd Editions? (I know the field is supposed to be different, but I've never seen either. Are the plastic minis and other contents comparable in quality?)

Walker · Post by **Walker** » Sun Jul 24, 2005 9:56 pm

the general principal of the games rules is the same.
Rules have changed over the years (somtimes forhte good, sometime for the bad)
You now have IMO by far the best rules yet and they are free (download them from the specialist games bb site)
the board and the dice and the range ruler ... ... did not change (if you have an old version of the boxed game.
u can allso use old minis (som of them look realy cool)

Darkson · Post by **Darkson** » Sun Jul 24, 2005 10:16 pm

Scrat wrote:Is there any quality difference in products between 3rd and 2004 editions?

Not that I know of. The pitch, minis and templates are all the same.

Scrat wrote:What about the quality difference between 2nd and 3rd Editions? (I know the field is supposed to be different, but I've never seen either. Are the plastic minis and other contents comparable in quality?)

From Traveller's site:

2nd ed. plastics
3rd ed plastics
Templates are exactly the same.
Pitches aren't comparable as they're made from totally different materials (polystrene and cardboard).
This history in German has pics of both 2nd ed and 3rd ed for you to compare (not big pics mind you).

Vydar · Post by **Vydar** » Sun Jul 24, 2005 10:22 pm

Thanks, that's exactly what I was looking for.

I didn't realize they had plastic elves and dwarves too. Those don't come with the box set, do they? Are plastics available for purchase anywhere or has BB gone solely to pewter (other than the ones that come in the box set)?

Thanks again!

Darkson · Post by **Darkson** » Sun Jul 24, 2005 10:32 pm

The 2nd ed. plastic Elfs and Dwarfs came with the Dungeonbowl add-on box set (see the history).
Iirc the plastics from 3rd ed can be brought from GW mail Order if you know the code, but if you really want more of them, asking here or checking on eBay is a cheaper option.

Other than the plastics that came with the various edition box-sets, all BB models are metal.

Deathwing · Post by **Deathwing** » Sun Jul 24, 2005 10:39 pm

It may be apparent, but the 2e (Humans and Orcs) and Dungeonbowl (Elves and Dwarves) plastics were one figure of each race with coloured base rings to differenciate between position players.

Vydar · Post by **Vydar** » Sun Jul 24, 2005 10:53 pm

Great! I think I have it all sorted out now. Thanks a lot!!!

Vydar · Post by **Vydar** » Mon Jul 25, 2005 8:16 pm

Okay, so I've sorted out the different editions for the main games, but now I' have questions on the Expansion sets. Based on what I can find, there are the following:

Death Zone (First Edition)
Star Players (Second Edition)
Companion (Second Edition)
Death Zone (Third? Edition)

Are any of these useful or are they all made obsolete by the LRB? I particularly would like to know the details about the 3rd Edition Death Zone as far as what comes with it and if it is useful at all.

Thanks again!!!

Darkson · Post by **Darkson** » Mon Jul 25, 2005 9:04 pm

3rd ed Deathzone had additional rules, teams and Star Players (incorparated into the LRB), plus "event" cards which could be played during the game.

Of the DZ boxset, only the cards aren't replicated in the LRB, and tbh, the cards were pretty unbalanced, and aren't really necessary.

So, in short, no, you don't need DZ.

Post by **DoubleSkulls** » Mon Jul 25, 2005 10:47 pm

Scrat wrote:are they all made obsolete by the LRB?

Yes.

Vydar · Post by **Vydar** » Mon Jul 25, 2005 11:59 pm

I really appreciate all the answers. Thanks a lot!

Mo · Post by Mo » Tue Jul 26, 2005 1:03 am

Scrat wrote:"Styrofoam" field? (I assume that's lower quality?)

Its a high quality dense foam, holds up quite well to lots of gaming without chipping or breaking. Way cooler than the green cardboard pitch. Nicely textured, and proper astrogranite.

Vydar · Post by **Vydar** » Fri Jul 29, 2005 2:18 am

Okay, this may be my dumbest question yet, but:

If I print out a copy of the LRB, is there any reason to keep the book that comes with the 3rd (1994) edition game or should I pretty much just chuck it so I don't get rules confused?

Thanks again!

Talk Fantasy Football

What's the difference between the different editions?

What's the difference between the different editions?

Alright...another question

Re: Alright...another question

Re: What's the difference between the different editions?