WHAT DO I NEED TO PLAY?
A practical guide to getting a Blood Bowl game onto the table — without buying half the Old World first.
BASICS
You don't need much to play Blood Bowl.
At its core, a game needs two teams, a pitch with dugouts, the current rules, Blood Bowl dice and a few templates and markers to keep track of what is happening on the pitch.
One for each coach.
The pitch is where the game is played. The dugouts keep track of Reserves, Knocked Out and Casualty players.
Blood Bowl has changed through several editions, so make sure you are using the rules for the current game.
You'll need Block Dice as well as regular D6, D8 and D16 dice.
Used for things such as passing, throw-ins, kick-offs, turns, rerolls and keeping score.
That's really it.
The easiest way to get all the basic equipment in one go is the Blood Bowl Starter Set — but you don't have to buy one to play.
STARTER SET
The Blood Bowl Starter Set is the easiest way to get everything you need to start playing in one box — but it isn't the only way.
If you're starting completely from scratch, the Starter Set is a simple choice. You get the basic equipment needed to play as well as two teams, so you can get a game going without buying everything separately.
If you like the teams in the box, even better.
If you don't, you still have options. You can buy the equipment and the team you actually want separately, or keep the shared game equipment from the Starter Set and sell or trade the teams you don't want.
Already have access to a pitch, dice, templates or other equipment? Then buying separately may make more sense.
NOT SURE YET?
Before buying anything, see if there is a Blood Bowl league, club or gaming group near you. Most experienced coaches already have everything needed for a game, and trying Blood Bowl with someone else's equipment is a perfectly good way to find out what you actually want.
And if you've found the team you want to play, there is one more useful question: What do you actually get in the team box?
TEAM BOXES
Found the team you want to play?
An official team box gives you the core miniatures for that team, but it doesn't always contain every player available on the full roster. Some teams can also use Big Guys, special players or other positionals that are sold separately.
Choose a team below to see exactly what comes in the official box — and what doesn't.
For teams without a current official Games Workshop team box, we'll simply tell you that. Third-party miniatures, older official models and proxies are covered in Miniatures & Proxies.
MINIATURES & PROXIES
You don't have to limit yourself to the current official Blood Bowl miniatures.
Third-party miniatures, conversions and proxies are common in Blood Bowl. What you can use depends on where you play, so check with your league or tournament organiser if you're unsure.
Whatever you use, the important thing is that your opponent can easily tell what each model represents.
WHAT'S WHAT?
Blood Bowl miniatures produced by Games Workshop.
Miniatures made by other designers specifically for fantasy football and similar games. Some well-known designers include Brutefun, UGNI Miniatures, Realm of Paths, Calaverd3D and Torchlight Models.
Miniatures you've modified or combined with other parts to create the players you want.
Other miniatures used to represent a player or position on your team.
For organised play, always check the rules for the event. Some venues or tournaments may have specific requirements for the miniatures you can use.
Official models aren't the only way to build a Blood Bowl team. Make it clear for your opponent — and make it yours.
EXTRAS
You already have what you need to play.
But lucky for you — there's more!
MORE MINIATURES
Big Guys and Star Players are usually bought separately from your team box. Check the Games Workshop store for currently available official miniatures.
Games Workshop doesn't make every possible option, and older official miniatures, third-party models and proxies can fill the gaps.
HOBBY STUFF
If you want to build and paint your own teams, a few basic hobby tools can be useful:
Paints, brushes, plastic glue or super glue, clippers, a hobby knife, files, Green Stuff and basing materials can take you a very long way.
None of this is required to play.
This is perfectly normal.
Probably.
Maybe.
Definitely!
Start with what you need. Add whatever makes the hobby more fun for you.