Playing since 1988, new to forums.

[vosarnath]

Hello

I started playing in around 1988, when second edition was all the rage. I remember buying the red "Companion" book as soon as it hit the shops.

We played quite a bit for a couple of years, with my Ciston Sewerboys skaven team becoming very difficult to beat, though they always struggled against my friend's dwarves. I think the thing I enjoyed most was the roleplaying element; if you took, say halflings, you could never hope to win any games, but that was half the fun. It was less competitive, and players did the best with the teams that they had, recognising that some were hopelessly weaker than others.

Thus when third edition came along, it was not the game for me.

For an 18-year-old, the figures were very very expensive. I bought most of the star player figures, but that meant I had to eat bread and tins of baked beans for a couple of weeks (a small sacrifice). Since that time I have picked up the other teams on ebay, and have painted a few. I remember buying the team of skaven. There are what 7 different second edition lineman figures? In the team of 16 figures I did not get one of each, I even got 4 of the same figure for one of the lineman. I also bought a box of snotlings - 15 I think there were. There were 29 different figures available, and out of the 15 I got there were 6 different. Given how tight funds were at the time, I therefore stake my claim to have been angry with Games Workshop longer than anybody else on this site. Any challenges?

OK so here's a question. Most people here seem to play 6th edition or something, not sure how far the game has gone beyond 3rd. I still play 2nd, and paint 2nd edition figures. Why is it then that 2nd edition are so sought after, and filling the holes in my figures collection will mean getting another job?

[drathul]

A couple of reasons.
1. Nostalgia
2. Enough people prefer the S&M look of 2nd edition
3. 2nd ed. big guys fit the board much better than the current monstrosities.

[Duke Jan]

because the statement: OOP - VERY RARE!!!! opens wallets.

[vosarnath]

OK, thanks.

So does anybody else still play 2nd edition, or is it just me, my one opponent, and (very soon) my 11-year-old? Is there a forum for 2nd edition players?

Of course if anybody fancies a game in Norfolk, they're welcome to contact me.

[Nestyr]

OK, thanks.

So does anybody else still play 2nd edition, or is it just me, my one opponent, and (very soon) my 11-year-old? Is there a forum for 2nd edition players?

Of course if anybody fancies a game in Norfolk, they're welcome to contact me.

Hi vosarnath, and welcome to the forum.

I've been playing for as long as you have, starting back in the late 80's...

No doubt there are still people playing 2nd edition, but most seem to play Living Rulebook 4, 5 or 6 (the Competition Rules Pack, as GW put it).

I feel the current (LRB 6) version of the rules is the best, and GW have stated these rules will be locked in place for some time.

It is much more balanced than previous editions, games run smoothly most of the time, and it still feels like Blood Bowl.

A brief history of what you missed, which might be a bit erroneous, as my memory is failing due to my extreme age...

2nd ed was followed by 3rd, which was fairly well received.

3rd was followed by 4th (or the Gold Edition), which was very poorly received.

Blood Bowl creator Jervis Johnson created the Blood Bowl Rules committee, who created the first Living Rulebook, where rules were reviewed (annually-ish) with input from the BB community at large. LRB 1 moved on to LRB2, etc, to LRB 6, or the Competition Rules Pack, as GW insists on calling it.

Lots of things happened in between, but what we have now is largely due to the efforts of the community and the Blood Bowl Rules Committee, especially Galak Starscraper, who is a regular poster here and now has a miniatures company of his own - Impact! miniatures.

The good news: the CRP is available as a free download from GW here.

The bad news: GW put very little support into the game anymore, as it is one of their "Specialist Range" games. That is, you can still order the more current models from mail orer, and the boxed set of the game, but that's about it.

With the current edition, you need a slightly bigger board than the foam one from the second edition, but if you have the third edition (or later) of the game you're OK (and will also have block dice).

If not, there are plenty of resources and online stores which make their own alternatives - see the Impact! website, above (*ca-ching* - thanks Galak, I'll have my finders fee now... ).

So, good luck finding 2nd edition opponents - I remember that version quite fondly. I'd suggest you give the CRP rules a go though, as there is renewed interest in the game thanks to Cyanide's computer version, and it's getting easier to find people to play against.

Of course, if you need a Blood Bowl fix, there is always FUMBBL...

Cheers,


Nestyr

[vosarnath]

Thanks Nestyr, that's very interesting. I hadn't understood what the LRB stuff was all about. I still love 2nd Ed because it's like roleplaying, but I'll take a look at those rules you recommended. Generally finding different opponents isn't too difficult because I belong to a gaming club, and a set of miniatures on a pitch will always attract interest. I guess the previous poster was right, it probably is just nostalgia. I still play 1st Ed AD&D too.

And the Impact! figures are lovely.

Best wishes.

[besters]

Hi,

There is a tournament in Norwich on 19th September, you might want to check it out. If not play, there will be a good crowd there, but I don't know the view on spectators.

Jim

[Asperon Thorn]

Big Specific changes:
The endzone is now only one row deep as opposed to two on the foam board.

It means that with frenzy you can crowd surf people sitting on the goal line. (since Frenzy is only two blocks)

The "big Guys" Ogres, minotaurs etc. Are the same "size" as regular players. No longer taking up 4 spaces or needing to change facing. Nor, do they take up two slots on your roster.

Commentary:
The latest version is a balanced strategy game with some BB feel to it. But, I always had the most "zany fun" in 2nd edition when it wasn't so much a strategy game and much more of a random try not to implode game. Still a fun game, less frustrating if you like to use skill. But not as interesting if you just wanted crazyiness.

Asperon Thorn

[vosarnath]

Big Specific changes:
The endzone is now only one row deep as opposed to two on the foam board.

Sacrilege!

The "big Guys" Ogres, minotaurs etc. Are the same "size" as regular players. No longer taking up 4 spaces or needing to change facing. Nor, do they take up two slots on your roster.

Blasphemy!

The latest version is ... not as interesting if you just wanted crazyiness.

Ya got me! Just gotta lurve the craziness.

Thanks for the tips.

There is a tournament in Norwich on 19th September, you might want to check it out. If not play, there will be a good crowd there, but I don't know the view on spectators.

Aha! That'll be at Aftermath then. You're right, they're not big on spectators, because of the limitations of their (very nice) venue. But I know a couple of the guys there and I'm sure they'd let me in if I asked. Thanks for the heads-up!

[traveller]

I also bought a box of snotlings - 15 I think there were. There were 29 different figures available, and out of the 15 I got there were 6 different.

Yep... thats reminds me, how long it tooks me to get all 29 different ones together ... including lot of exchanging with fellow collectors.

... and filling the holes in my figures collection will mean getting another job

another yep... could be. Maybe my website can help you a bit?

ah... btw... welcome here!


Traveller

[Smurf]

I'm my clubs bb fanatic.

I liked the 1st ed, but I was 16 and the rules were nigh incomprehendable, mainly because I was not in the 'GW' seen in '86. Second Ed came, but I had moved on and it did not look great but 3rd Ed I swung back, done 4th, got a league going on 5th still playing with 6th. I have seen grown men in their 40s and 50s just switch to BB and love it because it's awesome!

Welcome back, the grid iron is always hot!

[vosarnath]

Yep... thats reminds me, how long it tooks me to get all 29 different ones together ... including lot of exchanging with fellow collectors.

What made it worse were that there were 4 each of the silly squashed snotling figure (or is he intended to be used as a thrown snotling?) and of the one going to the toilet in his helmet. How difficult can it have been to package 15 different figures together? I'm still bitter Is the snotling exchange on this site still active?

Maybe my website can help you a bit?

I've already found and read your helpful website. Very nice.

ah... btw... welcome here!

Why thank you.

Second Ed came, but I had moved on and it did not look great

It was 2nd edition, and all the fluff that went with it, that got me into the game. Oh, and I was playing American Football at the time, so that helped! I couldn't take all my stuff to university with me, so that's when it all stopped.

Welcome back, the grid iron is always hot!

Thanks!

[traveller]

Is the snotling exchange on this site still active?

I dont know, but maybe try at this post here.

Maybe someone will answer?

Traveller