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Finding ReBBL (Or, how I stopped worrying and learned to love ReBBL!) - By Larkstar

Let's face it, ReBBL is the monster of all Blood Bowl leagues. It's like King Kong, Godzilla, and Kim Kardashian got spliced together in some horrifying transporter accident! Whew, got that out of the way. Let's try to provide some context, because monsters can also be adorable. Stitch, Sully, Ramsay Bolton!

When I first learned of ReBBL I was competing in the Cyanide Blood Bowl 2 Legendary Edition League Invitational. I met Metal in our Discord channel and before I could figure out what the "COS" stood for in "FullMetalCOS", I had been invited to join the league. I already played in the OCC (Orca Cola Championship) and BBT (Blood Bowl Tactics) leagues, so the prospect of joining a 3rd wasn't exactly Plan A. Still, I jumped over to Reddit to see what I could see. I spent about 42 seconds trying to assimilate what looked like hieroglyphics from an alien civilization and promptly ended my expedition. "Not sure this is for me," I remember thinking. But ReBBL had already sunk it's claws into me, I just didn't know it at the time.

Jump ahead a few months and I happen upon a post on the BB Tactics Forum about some sort of "Clan League". I'm skeptical. It sounds like it could be a BB league where people dress up in furry costumes! But it's ReBBL and I already know a bit about them. It's a huge league that seems to have their act together. Let's have another go at this! So I read the rules, and they are awesome. Just awesome. Before I know it I'm in a Clan, created a Reddit account, and joined the Discord channels. "Holy crayola there are a lot of Discord channels," as I quickly began figuring out which ones I should mute! Clan League was my "one step for man" moment, but the leap into ReBBL proper was caused by something else.

So now I'm in Clan, and I start to meet a lot of cool people. Ok, a few cool people. Honestly it was just Squiggy who was cool. But everyone else was at least quasi-cool! And like Antonio Banderas in "The 13th Warrior" I start to listen. Turns out ReBBL has a history, and an identity. So I start reading some of the other Discord channels. "Why are so many people so actively excited about their leagues, this league," I wonder? Then I start to read the channels for the one-day tournaments. I learn about the Sports Reporters. Video reviews. Hype videos for top playoff teams! "Huh, this keeps getting better and better. What the heck have I discovered?!?! I'm fucking Magellan!" I mean, I'm not sleeping with Magellan. He's dead. What I meant was, "I am Magellan!" Even though I'm not dead... you know what, let's move on!

I’m not entirely sure when it happened, but suddenly Reddit didn’t seem as intimidating. The Discord Channels didn’t seem so foreign. And the league didn’t feel as monstrous. My first experience with ReBBL left me overwhelmed and perhaps a little scared. But like all good monsters there's a great deal of depth beneath the surface. Ultimately, I was hooked by the universal passion and excitement found in every corner of this place. If you're still navigating your way through ReBBL, or trying to recruit your friends, don't try to take everything in at once. Start with a single Discord channel. It won't be long before participation turns into curiosity, turns into discovery, turns into delight, turns into becoming involved and more than likely helping others see the beauty beneath the beast.

- Larkstar

Top 5 Report - by AndrewS

Every week we scour various data sources to bring to you some notable players and teams from REL that are leading the pack in glamorous (sometimes unglamorous) fashion. This week we dive down after a weeks worth of play to see who has got the best set of legs left unmangled! And after, we take a look at the poor downtrodden sods who have been the biggest punching bags this season! At the time of writing these stats were compiled most teams had 1 game played.

Top 5 Runners

  • Always Biting - Skaven Gutter Runner - Eat-Eat Man Things!! - 130 Meters Running

Always Biting had a terrific first game of the season. The Linerat had over 130 meters ran and two touchdowns to give their team the victory over the Necronomics. At 5 agility, Always Biting has made it very difficult for players to get their hands on them. While the future is uncertain for every player, its easy to project success for this gutter runner. With both scores in their week 1 matchup Always Biting has racked up its 20th career score.

  • Dengue Dan - Nurgle Prestigor - The Grody Greens - 114 Meters Running

Dengue Dan took the pitch against some Dwarves and racked up 114 meters running and had 3 touchdowns and a catch to go along with his stat line vs things dwarves hate. With sure hands, block, and MV 7 its no surprise to see this prestigor gaining a lot of meters. Dengue Dan with his 3 scores has scored 13 times in their career as well as having 722 meters gained on the run.

  • Sural - Undead Ghoul - Nerves - 110 Meters Running

In their first ever blood bowl game, Sural ran for 110 meters and had two scores playing against the Wood Elf Team Wood United. The ghoul, being a fresh rookie has no notable skills outside of the usual dodge so it's quite impressive to see the level of success they had. With enough SPP to level, Sural is only going to get better going into next week.

 
  • Corrinne Baileys Ray - Dwarf Runner - Booze Cruise - 108 Meters Running

Corrine Baileys Ray had a good first match of the season with 108 meters running and two touchdowns. While it wasn’t enough to secure a win the runner sure did its part to make sure this game wasn’t a loss for the dwarves. A dwarf cage is hard to get out of but fend and block surely make it even harder to get the ball out of their hands. The Runner has a career 12 touchdowns and 882 meters running.

  • Brandon IV - Skaven Gutter Runner - Ratz Off to Ya - 106 Meters Running.

While Brandon IV didn't have a score to go with their running, their 106 meters running is surely what got them into scoring distance for their 1-0 win over the Necromantic team Gloom & Zoom. The Gutter Runner has got a full load of skills to make it a pain to get this rat off its feet. Along with being a blodger, they also have fend and side step to make sure its a gamble to take them down. On their career, Brandon IV has 9 Touchdowns and 810 meters running.


Top 5 Punching Bags

  • Smart Rams - Dark Elf Blitzer - Nuffle Knows Wonk Elf Fun - 14 Tackles Sustained

It is amazing this dark elf player was able to get up and move after their game against a Nurgle team where they took 14 beatings. Its not exactly normal for an elf to get beaten up this much and not look like a bloody pulp but Smart Rams overcame the odds anyway! Although this Dark Elf blitzer was able to survive, their team unfortunately couldnt beat the Royal Rumble Boys and instead fell 2-0.

  • Liam McPoyle - Necromantic Lineman - ItsAlwaysShadyinSylvania- 12 Tackles Sustained

Another low armored player taking a beating during their first game was Liam McPoyle. While he did not suffer catastrophic injury at the hands of the High Fivers, fans could hear Liam screaming uncle towards the end of the match! Luckily for Liam, outside of the fact that they did not die, his team also won the game 2-1!

  • Accelerating Earth Disk - Ogre Gnoblar - The Fat Earthers - 12 Tackles Sustained

Its not exactly certain whether it should be an accolade to the Gnoblar for surviving 12 beatdowns or a shame to the chaos team for failing to maim this Gnoblar for standing up so many times. Nonetheless, this stunty git was able to not only survive 12 beatdowns but not get injured in the process. The rest of the team wasnt so lucky though as they fell 1-0 to MysteryScienceGoats3k and losing an Ogre in the process. Ouch!

  • Dark Eel Leek Rad - Dark Elf Blitzer - Nuffle Knows WOnk Elf Fun - 12 Tackles Sustained

Another surprising survival tale for this Dark Elf Team. Between this blitzer and t the other one on the list, they took 26 tackles while inflicting only 9 themselves. Luckily for them, they did not get injured at all like the other elf blitzer. Dark Eel Leek Rad is very close to getting another level so hopefully their week 2 match doesnt end up like this one went for them!

  • 2008 - Norse Runner - New Years Norse - 12 Tackles Sustained

This Super Bowl VII winner might not remember that they even played in it after the beating the took at the hands of The Three Mountains. Luckily for this norse runner, they did not get injured which is a blessing considering the amount of SPP this runner has on them. Things turned out for the better in the end too as New Years Norse went on to take a 2-1 victory over the Three Mountains in their week 1 matchup.

- AndrewS

Nocternal's Picks of the Week #4

Hey there ReBBL, Nocternal back with the games to watch for Week 4. Due to popular demand, I have decided to destroy my personal relationships (including my marriage!) to expand my picks across the whole of REL, excluding first season teams (sorry REL 8 & 9). I’m crazy, not suicidal!

Let’s start with the big guns of REL 1:

  • Pastry Pest (Skaven) vs New Year Norse (Norse)

The sweet as sugar Rats of the Pests are doing great this season and are coming off strong, minus the couple missing Linerats. But don’t let that fool you, the newly crowned Season 7 Champs, New Year Norse, are going to give these rodents a run for their cheddar. Players to watch in this match of Speed against Stomps will be the Pests Gutter Runners Shrewafle and Cherry Gerbalee. Both of these Ma10 monsters will be running circles around the much slower Norse, that is if they don’t catch a sideways boot to the head. Triple N is also bringing some pain in the form of not one, not two, but three(!) dirty player Linemen who will be itching to get a brand new pair of Rat fur slippers to shuffle around the locker room with.

Winner: Pastry Pests

Now let’s look at the bash fest that is REL 2:

  • Iron Madden (Khemri) vs Straight Up Flatulence (Chaos)

This is looking to be a great game as the unstoppable force of SUF meets the immovable wall of Iron Madden with the Bone Lords coming hot off an absolute beat down of Communist Frat Party. Coach Gengar is going to have a hard time getting through to those juicy Beastmen while praying to whatever unholy gods he worships to keep his Tomb Guardians out of range of the long claws of justice. SUF is looking a little sparse when it comes to the high damage players that one would expect from an 1800TV Chaos team. But what he lacks in Claw, he makes up in stats and utility players. Iron Madden will really have to be a wall to keep Hot Wind (+Ag Wrestle Leap Beasty) from keeping his boney hands off that ball. It’s going to be a close one, that is for sure.

Winner: Iron Madden

Now for a change of pace, some Agi action from REL 3:

  • Pro-In-A-Party (Elf Union) vs Revenge of the Franks (Orcs)

This game is bound to be one of two things: A blowout score-fest or an absolute bloodbath. Pro-In-A-Party is coming off of one hell of a beating from their last game against Scooby and the Gang, the loses will really hamper them against the Green Tide of the Franks. The Franks have not played their Week 3 game as of this writing, however, they have everything they need to make these Elfs wish they had stayed home on gameday. Two POMB Tackle Orc Blitzers and a MB Tackle Blitzer will need to make short work of these spandex wearing ninnies if they want any hope in keeping the score in their favor.

Winner: Revenge of the Franks

REL 4 is keeping everything slightly sick and really sticky this week:

  • Nurgle FTD (Nurgle) vs The Grody Greens (Nurgle)

Here is a game that is bound to turn heads and stomachs. FTD and the Greens will be pounding each other into slimy green goo all 16 turns of this game. FTD looks to be the underdog this game with the Greens St6 Beast and host of other +stat players. Both teams have only one claw player they will both be living on a puss filled prayer to get the most out of these agents of mayhem. All in all, it will be a bash and Cas filled affair.

Winner: The Grody Green

REL 5 or DOES ANYONE PLAY THEIR GAMES?!

Only one game was played by Sunday. Im taking a smoke break here.

Winner: Big Tobacco

Alright, enough cancer time. Now for REL 6:

  • YOU Worship Chaos (Norse) vs Ulthuan Sea Raiders (High Elf)

The Sea Raiders are looking mighty fine for a 1560TV (Even if 140TV is coming from his over filled coffers!) High Elf team. He managed to snatch up three Guard Line-elfs and has some of the love spread around to his other players with all being at least level two. Their Nerves of Steel Catcher will be doing most of the heavy lifting unless he can get his Block Dodge Catcher in the open. YOU Worship Chaos will need to leverage their single POMB Berzerker to break these haughty high seas buccaneers. But YWC Yhetee will also be really useful if it can bring it’s claws to bear. The only other answer that the Speedo wearing Scandinavians have is in the form of their only Runner (+Ag Block Dodge Tackle Sure Hands) if they want to try and contest any Raider ball carriers.

Winner: Ulthuan Sea Raiders

REL 7: My god what did I agree to…

  • Star-Struck (Human) vs Khamun Konsulting (Khemri)

This is a lower division game that I would love to watch. Star-Struck is looking great so far this season with all the doubles and stats that give Human coaches wet dreams. This team has two +Ma Blitzers, two +St Linemen, and six Guard players. He has everything that any coach could want! The player that you need to keep an eye on is his uber Blitzer Turley (Block Dodge MB +Ma Side Step). This guy is a game winner by himself. The Khamun Konsulting also have a few stats to help tip the odds with two +St Tomb Guardians. Also with six Mighty Blow and two Tackle players also hanging around. SS will need to score fast and often or KK will drive them into an early grave.

Winner: Khamun Konsulting

It’s over! It’s finally over!

-Nocturnal

Racial Spotlight - by AndrewS

In these articles, we search all along the various dungeons and annals looking for teams of each race that are special towards the game of bloodbowl and towards REL. While some teams might not ever see the light of day in the higher divisions of play the aim is to highlight each race to give a spotlight to teams so that we may learn more about them.

This Week: Chaos Dwarves & High Elves!

Chaos Dwarves

How many in REL?: 9

Highest Division with one?: Division 2 (Ace Trucking Co)

How many Rookie Teams?: 3

The Chaos Dwarves are one of the lower represented teams in REL, having not reached the point yet of having double digit team representation. It also is interesting to note that a good portion of representing teams are in the rookie divisions now. In time we could see some more high up Chorf teams like Ace Trucking Company but first theyll have to succeed in those lower divisions. Lets take a look at some highlight players from this race. Keep in mind these stats are from last season!

Best Scorer: AnEntity - Bull Centaur - The TeamSpeak Crew v4 - 10 Touchdowns

Most Dangerous Player: Eightball - Blocker - Ace Trucking Company - 15 Casualties

SPP MVP: Eightball - Blocker- Ace Trucking Company - 40 SPP Earned Last Season

As shown above, a lot of good players are in Ace Trucking Company, and they are a team to look forward too in the upcoming season. Underneath them are The Teamspeak Crew in division 3 and REBBL Rage Quit underneath in division 4. Playoff representation was thin for the Chorfs last season with only one team making the playoffs, with them out by the end of the first round. The player to watch for this season is Eightball as 15 casualties inflicted on the season indicates that he should be doing a good number against the other teams in division 2.

 

High Elves

How many in REL?: 11

Highest Division with one?: Division 2 (3 Teams)

How many Rookie Teams?: 1

The High Elves have a moderate representation in REL, having reached double digit team registrations. The High Elves look fairly top heavy, with the teams being heavily represented in the upper divisions, but rarely seen in the lower ones. That being said, it is surprising to see none in division 1 but three teams actively participating in division 2 which is sure to make bashy teams salivate. Lets take a quick look at some of the more successful High Elf players from last season!

Best Scorer: One More Knight - Catcher - Not FDA Approved - 11 Touchdowns

Most Dangerous Player: Super Dragon 6000 - Blitzer - Not FDA Approved - 11 Casualties

SPP MVP: One More Knight - Catcher - Not FDA Approved - 46 SPP Earned Last Season

Not FDA approved took the top marks for all three categories for high elves, which goes to show that they should expect success in the year, along with Plzdont Murder me and Not an Anime Sports Team. Underneath them trying to make a run for playoffs this year out of division 2 is Felowithe’s Koada’Dal. During the Playoffs last season High Elves had no representation but with 4 teams in the upper divisions its likely youll see some in the playoffs for season 8. The player to watch for this season is One More Knight, who if they have a season like they did for Season 7 then Not FDA Approved will have its first legend player by the end of it.

Next Weeks Coverage includes The Scaly Lizardmen and the Drunken Dwarves!

- AndrewS