Prepare to sink your teeth into the captivating world of Blood Bowl’s Vampire team. These supernatural athletes are set to emerge from the shadows and onto the gridiron, offering a unique blend of elite players and willing (or perhaps not so willing) Thralls. To provide insights into these spooky competitors, we caught up with Blood Bowl rules writer Jay, who shared the thrilling details of these fang-tastic football players and their performance on the field.
Bloodlust: A Vampiric Challenge
Vampires in Blood Bowl are a truly intriguing team, boasting some of the game’s best stats and skills. However, there’s a catch—these undead athletes suffer from a constant and overwhelming thirst for blood. This insatiable desire is represented in-game by the Bloodlust (X+) trait, which requires Vampires to test their self-control at the beginning of their activations. Failure to do so may result in them snacking on a nearby Thrall.
Diverse Roles for Vampires
Historically, Vampire teams consisted of just two player types: Vampires and Thralls. But the latest update introduces a range of positionals, allowing different Vampire players to specialize in specific roles on the field. Here’s a breakdown:
- Vampire Thrower: These Vampires play a central role in any team with a reliable Bloodlust (2+). With excellent Strength and Agility characteristics, they excel at passing with a Passing Ability of 2+ and the Pass skill.
- Vampire Blitzer: Some Vampires give in to their cravings, becoming more vicious in the process. These Blitzers have Bloodlust (3+) but compensate with the Juggernaut skill, making them powerful on the Blitz.
- Vampire Runner: Known for their incredible speed and agility, Vampire Runners are ideal ball carriers with a Movement Allowance of 8 and an Agility of 2+. They can also utilize the Hypnotic Gaze trait to disrupt opponents.
- Thrall Lineman: Thralls serve as the lifeblood of a Vampire team, providing a readily available food source for their undead masters. Their low cost makes them easy to replace, ensuring a constant supply of fresh Thralls.
- Vargheist: The strongest players on a Vampire team, Vargheists have fully embraced their bloodlust. With Claws and Frenzy skills, they excel at eliminating opposing players.
Strategies and Challenges
To effectively field a Vampire team, careful positioning of Thralls is essential to satisfy the Vampires’ need for blood. Planning a Blitz often involves ensuring a Thrall is in the right place in case the Blitzer gets hungry.
Vampires offer unpredictability and the potential for excellence in every aspect of the game. However, their craving for blood can lead to as much harm to their team as to the opposition. If you enjoy a team that keeps you guessing but has the potential for greatness, the Vampire team might be your perfect match.
The Vampire team will be available for pre-order soon, offering you the chance to lead these captivating athletes onto the Blood Bowl field. And for fans of virtual Blood Bowl, Season 2 of Blood Bowl III is on the horizon, featuring the Underworld Denizens as a new team to master. Stay tuned for more exciting updates!
And remember, Frontline Gaming sells gaming products at a discount, every day in their webcart!
