The latest iteration of Warhammer: Blood Bowl, effectively version 3.5, is poised to introduce several significant upgrades based on an early playtest. A small but welcome addition is the ability to save and quit during AI matches, addressing a common inconvenience for players.
Rumble Mode, inspired by the tabletop's Sevens format and Rugby Sevens, stands out as a more substantial change. This seven-a-side variant is played on a smaller pitch with six turns per half instead of eight, and rerolls are twice as expensive. These adjustments accelerate the pace of play, as failures, which result in turnovers, become more frequent. The absence of a traditional line of scrimmage also alters the initial strategy, preventing fragile teams from being immediately disadvantaged.
While not a perfect replication of the tabletop Sevens rules, with certain inducements like Desperate Measures absent in the beta, Rumble Mode offers a faster and strategically distinct experience. The reduced field size makes slower players less of a liability, and the increased cost of rerolls enhances the value of skills like Dodge. The Halfling team, in particular, is noted as potentially thriving in this mode, with their Halfling Master Chef having the ability to steal opponent rerolls.
The campaign mode has been updated to feature Rumble Mode by default in its initial chapters, making it accessible for new players. The tutorial matches now use the seven-a-side format, though this may present a greater challenge for beginners against AI teams like the Chaos Chosen due to the need for precise assists.
AI Improvements and Rule Updates
Improvements to the game's AI have been a stated goal, and the playtest suggests some progress. While the AI still occasionally makes questionable decisions, it appears to be more adept at handling the reduced scope of smaller matches and exhibits better tactical choices, such as selecting the optimal block dice when options are available. It has also been observed attempting passes rather than defaulting to predictable formations around the ball carrier.
Beyond Rumble Mode, Warhammer: Blood Bowl incorporates the third season rules update from the tabletop game. A key change is the implementation of a penalty for stalling, where audience members may throw rocks at players who delay scoring. Conversely, players are rewarded with a bonus 10,000 gold if they avoid stalling.
The new Secure the Ball action allows players to pick up the ball on a 2+ roll by sacrificing the remainder of their activation. Passing rules have also been revised to eliminate Wildly Inaccurate results and deflections, encouraging more dynamic ball play.
The selection of Most Valuable Players (MVPs) has also been adjusted. Instead of any player on the team randomly earning bonus Star Player Points, only six nominated players (four in Rumble Mode) are eligible. This change prevents players on the bench from unintentionally consuming valuable MVP points.
Other enhancements include a customizable landing page for quick access to different modes and competitions, and an improved player advancement screen that suggests popular skill choices for new team members. The beta does not yet include the new Tomb Kings or Bretonnian teams, nor the shop or season pass, leaving monetization details to be revealed later.
The Warhammer: Blood Bowl playtest will be publicly available on Steam starting October 7, with the full release planned for late November.