Blood Bowl II

Blood Bowl II is a single-player and multiplayer fantasy sports strategy game that combines turn-based tactics with the structure of American football.

The game is set in the Warhammer universe, where humans, orcs, elves, dwarves, and other fantasy races compete in the violent sport of Blood Bowl. Matches are overseen by the fictional Cabalvision network, which provides commentary and humor while chronicling the player’s progress. The player takes the role of a coach, responsible for leading a team to victory, earning sponsorships, and managing both strategy on the field and operations off it.

On the pitch, the game unfolds as a turn-based contest on a grid-based board. Teams take turns moving players, attempting passes, blocking opponents, and scoring touchdowns. Each action carries a chance of failure, which can lead to turnovers that immediately end the team’s turn. Blocking and tackling are resolved through dice rolls influenced by player statistics, positioning, and skills. Injuries and fatalities are frequent, and players permanently affected by injuries remain altered for the rest of the campaign. Commentary comes from in-universe announcers Jim Johnson and Bob Bifford.

Races have distinct strengths and weaknesses, influencing the way teams are played. For example, orcs excel at brute force, elves at agility and passing, and dwarves at defense. Coaches must adapt strategies to suit the unique abilities of their roster while countering the style of opposing teams.

Beyond matches, the player manages a persistent team through a campaign mode. Experience gained during matches allows players to level up, unlocking new abilities or stat improvements. Finances play a role as well, as winnings can be used to replace fallen players, hire star athletes, or invest in stadium upgrades that affect gameplay. Online multiplayer leagues exist where players create custom tournaments and manage long-term franchises.