Jim: I hope you’re not claustrophobic, Bob, as we’re heading into the dungeons for today’s coverage.
Bob: I’m an Ogre, Jim. I don’t even know what that word means. Seriously. I’ve got no idea.
Dungeon Bowl is coming soon, taking the ultra-violent sport of Blood Bowl underground (the clue is in the title). It brings in new, combined rosters drawn from many different teams. If you love Nuffle’s sacred game, then Dungeon Bowl is an excellent way to mix things up and challenge yourself in a completely different environment, and to create the team of your dreams by drawing on the best players from many different factions.
These combined teams – and indeed the notion of Dungeon Bowl itself – stems from an agreement made between the eight Colleges of Magic in Altdorf. Instead of engaging in magical duels that were not only dangerous for the wizards themselves, but also much of the city, it was decided that disputes would be resolved by games of Dungeon Bowl between teams of hand-picked players. The action would be safely contained underground, with access granted only through sorcerous translocation by arcane portals.
Each of the Colleges of Magic embodies a different magical wind – and prefers a different set of players and styles. As a Dungeon Bowl coach, you’ll be able to draw from a huge talent pool – including certain key players and positionals (though not the full rosters) from a variety of Blood Bowl teams – according to each specific college’s theme.
We’ve made a set of fun cards so that you can see the strengths and weaknesses of the mixed rosters available to each of the colleges at a glance.
The College of Fire
Renowned for the… er, fiery temperament of its wizards, the Bright College traditionally chooses teams composed of tough, headstrong players who are more at home pounding the opposition into the floor than handling the ball. The mainstays of their teams are Dwarfs and Ogres, whose sturdy physicality makes them ideal candidates for such a playstyle.
The College of Shadow
Cunning, speed, and mercurial skill are bywords for Dungeon Bowl teams sponsored by the Grey College. Slippery players such as Dark Elves, Skaven, and Goblins are the natural choices. They may not be renowned for their out-and-out aggression, but to underestimate them is to be laid low by an unexpected – and probably poisoned – dagger in the dark.
The College of Metal
Teams associated with the Gold College err on the side of violence, but they do so through an overwhelming use of dedicated Blockers like Black Orcs and Bloodseekers rather than Big Guys, while relying on Human and Orc Blitzers to act as playmakers. This gives them a well-rounded and flexible playstyle, equally at home when krumping the opposition as they are racing around the dungeon.
The College of Light
Able to manoeuvre the ball around the dungeon at blinding speed, Light College teams combine the grace and skill of Elven Union players with the fastest and most reliable humans. They specialise in swift, often bloodless victories, sometimes scoring before their opponents are even aware that the ball has been found!*
The College of Death
Necromancy may be forbidden for the Wizards of the Amethyst College, but that doesn’t mean they don’t appreciate the art! The College of Death recruits teams formed of undead Blood Bowl players, relying on the physical power of Flesh Golems and Mummies to smash through their opposition and grind out a victory that’s as inevitable as the passage of time – well, for mortals, at least.
The College of Life
Teams sponsored by the Jade College enjoy one of the largest rosters, combining the speed and agility of the Wood Elves, the plucky heroism of the Halflings, the unpredictable specialists of the Snotlings, and the resilience of Treemen and Nurgle players. It’s quite the smorgasbord (though that could be something to do with the attendant Halfling Master Chefs)!
The College of Beasts
The Amber College specialises in beasts of every description, so it’s no surprise that their teams include, well, beasts of every description! From monstrous Big Guys to Werewolves, Beastmen, and more, these bestial players rip, rend, and tear, only concerning themselves with the ball once the opponents have been reduced to scraps.
The College of Heavens
With a core of Lizardmen and human players at their disposal, Celestial College teams are among the swiftest of all, able to capitalise on even the smallest mistake by their opponents to slip a Skink Runner through the gaps. Meanwhile, their Saurus Blockers are exceptional in their role of patrolling the narrow dungeon corridors at speed while hunting for the ball.
Whichever team you pick, that’s quite the choice of players. Dungeon Bowl is up for pre-order soon, so get ready to take the action underground. The question is, which College of Magic has taken your fancy? Let us know on the Blood Bowl Facebook page.
Bob: I’ve gotta say, Jim, the College of Life teams are my favourite.
Jim: Why is that, Bob?
Bob: It’s the Halflings, Jim. Not only do they have the best chefs, but they’re a tasty dessert once you’ve eaten the meal they cooked.
* In Dungeon Bowl, neither side starts with the ball – it’s hidden in one of chests that are scattered throughout the corridors and chambers that form the playing area. To make things even more dangerous, if you open the wrong chest, you can all but guarantee it’s booby-trapped!
Article Update: The keen-eyed among you may have noticed that we’ve updated the featured rosters for the Colleges of Fire and Beasts to dispel some misinformation, for which the blame doubtless lies with the machinations of the College of Shadows. It sounds like a Dungeon Bowl match is needed to resolve this affront to their honour!