The Crimson Chompers vs. Unknown Affiliates
Good morning, sports fans! It's time for another game, and this time the Crimson Chompers are facing a completely new Chaos team: the Unknown Affiliates.
This is only the second game for the rookie Orc team, and the weather is perfect for Blood Bowl. The sun is shining, and the stadium announcer confirms that it is Very Sunny. Around 130,000 fans have turned up for the game, which is quite a crowd!
“130,000 fans, Jim! That's a lot of people!”
“Indeed, Bob. Although I suspect most of them are here to see someone get punched.”
“That's why I came!”
The Unknown Affiliates bring a full team of 11 players to the pitch: four Chaos Warriors, one Minotaur and six Beastmen. They also have two re-rolls.
The Crimson Chompers also have 11 players, although one of them is a Journeyman filling in for an Orc who is out with a broken arm. The team consists of two Black Orcs, two Blitzers, a Thrower, a Troll, a Goblin and four Linemen. The Apothecary is also ready on the sideline.
With the teams ready, the Unknown Affiliates receive the ball and immediately start playing classic Chaos cage football.
The first half quickly turns into a massive brawl.
Both teams push, hit and knock each other down, but surprisingly few players actually leave the pitch. Most of the casualties are simply players being knocked down or stunned, only to get back up again a few turns later.
“There's a lot of punching going on, Bob.”
“That's generally considered a good thing in Orc matches.”
“And Chaos matches.”
“So really, nobody has to change their game plan.”
The re-rolls start disappearing surprisingly quickly, with both teams finding plenty of opportunities to make use of them. Luckily, the half is a long one, and there is still plenty of time left.
In fact, most turns go surprisingly smoothly. There are very few turnovers, and almost every player on the pitch seems to be involved in some kind of fight.
The Chaos cage slowly moves forward through the Orc defence, and halfway through the first half, the Unknown Affiliates finally manage to break through.
The ball carrier gets into scoring position, and the Chaos team scores.
The Unknown Affiliates lead 1–0!
The Crimson Chompers now have to fight their way back into the game.
The Orcs try to create an opening, but the pitch has become a complete mess of players fighting in every direction. There simply isn't enough room to get through the mass of Chaos Warriors, Beastmen and Orcs.
The Chompers push forward, but they can't find the breakthrough they need.
“The Orcs are having trouble getting through.”
“Yes, Bob. There appears to be a small problem.”
“What's that?”
“The Chaos players are standing in the way.”
“I see. Perhaps someone should tell the Orcs to move them.”
The half ends with the Chaos team still leading 1–0.
Second Half
The second half starts much like the first one ended.
There is a lot of pushing, a lot of hitting and a lot of players lying on the ground.
This time, however, a few players start staying down.
Several players are knocked out, and one of the Orcs is eventually badly hurt and removed from the game.
The longer the half goes on, the more desperate the situation becomes for the Crimson Chompers.
They need a touchdown, but the Chaos players are everywhere.
The clock keeps ticking.
Turn after turn, the Orcs try to create an opening, but the Unknown Affiliates manage to keep the pressure on.
“Time is running out for the Crimson Chompers.”
“They should hurry up.”
“That's very good advice, Bob.”
“Thank you, Jim. I have been studying the rules.”
And then, finally, in the very last turn of the entire game, the Chompers get their chance.
A Goblin dodges into a tackle zone and helps the Troll with an important block. The Troll clears the way, and suddenly there is an opportunity.
“The Goblin is going into a tackle zone!”
“He's a Goblin, Bob. That's probably the safest place for him.”
The Orc Thrower gets the ball and throws it to a Blitzer.
The Blitzer catches it...
IN A TACKLE ZONE!
The crowd goes wild.
The Blitzer now has a chance to make the impossible happen.
He dodges away from a Beastman, then dodges into another tackle zone.
But this is where the Break Tackle skill comes into play.
He makes the dodge!
He's free!
There's nobody between him and the end zone.
“He has made it!”
“One more thing to do, Jim.”
“Two Going For It rolls.”
“Ah. Well, that's probably fine.”
He only needs two Going For It rolls to score the equalising touchdown.
The first one...
SUCCESS!
One more.
The Blitzer runs for the end zone.
He reaches it...
And falls!
The ball is dropped in the end zone.
The final whistle blows.
The Unknown Affiliates win 1–0!
What a way to end the game.
The Crimson Chompers were literally one roll away from turning a 1–0 defeat into a last-second draw. The final play had everything: a Goblin dodging into trouble, the Troll making the important block, a Thrower making the pass, a Blitzer catching in a tackle zone, a Break Tackle dodge and finally the dreaded Going For It roll.
It just wasn't enough.
“That was incredibly close!”
“Yes. The Orcs needed just one more successful roll.”
“And they didn't get it.”
“Correct.”
“I think I understand this game now.”
Still, it was a good game for both teams, with plenty of Star Player Points earned and plenty of money made.
After the match, the Unknown Affiliates spend some of their winnings on an Apothecary, which should hopefully help keep their Chaos players alive in future games.
The Crimson Chompers also make some changes to the team.
They buy another Thrower, giving them a reserve player for the future.
There are also two skill improvements.
One of the Black Orcs takes Block, while the Thrower learns Leader.
That means the Crimson Chompers now have four re-rolls.
