A Blood Bowl: Team Manager tournament
The Neff's are preparing to host the 6th annual April Anarchy! This annual tournament pits Ben vs Jen in a 2-player tournament of 6 initial matchups -- all of the official Blood Bowl Team Manager teams -- against one another to determine which will reign supreme for this year! NOTE: The 2022 tournament was postponed indefinitely due to unforeseen disruptions in the (crystal ball) Cabal Network.
The teams are divided into bracket-style, head-to-head matchups in a two-player, single-elimination format. After 6 teams win and advance, if a either player has two teams that are now matched up head-to-head, they will select which team they wish to control going forward.
Each round, the losers of a match will be eliminated as the winner advances. From 12 teams to 6 teams to 3; At this point he two lower scoring teams them play a "Semi-Final". The winner will play the other remaining team where finally one will be crowned the champion of April Anarchy! Check out last years results here: April Anarchy 2024 and here: April Anarchy 2024 (BGG Forums). In 2023 & 2024 we considered implementing a "Loser Bracket", giving one team a chance at getting back into the Semi-Finals. Due to time constraints, the league elected not to offer that option in 2023 or 2024, we will see if we do this year.
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| On the left: Order of finish in 2024 On the right: Ranking overall per record of our plays |
The teams are ranked into seeds to determine their overall strength, based on personal opinion and last years results, although lower seeds may be well suited to cause an upset and defeat a higher ranked favorite - especially since the Wood Elves did so poorly last year, so as usual nothing is guaranteed. To preview the teams and learn about their strengths and weaknesses, go to:
Fantasy Flight Games.com - Bloodbowl Team Manager - Team Analyses
BGG thread "wich-team-best"
On March 24, 2025 we drafted our teams and set up a bracket.
Round 1
Game 1 -- March 28, 2025
Game 2 -- March 29, 2025
Then in a very close highlights contest in round 3, the Chaos Dwarves showed toughness in the mud, holding onto the ball, standing their ground hit after hit, wining all three matchups.
The Blood Bowl was rendered almost meaningless, but the Rotters still gave it their best. Unfortunately for them, Pusbubble defected to the Hob-gobbos and the Chaos team swept the 2024 second place team from the tournament and trampled over them into the next round. That thing was named MVP of the tournament last year... I sure hope I don't see it again...
Game 3 -- April 2, 2025
Game 4 -- April 4, 2025
Game 5 -- April 5, 2025
Game 6 -- April 8, 2025
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| So much cheating |
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| The initial results are not good for the skaven |
Ternary-Finals Round:
(3 games, the winner with most points gets a bye to Finals)
Game 7 -- April 11, 2024
Game 8 -- April 15, 2025
By Jim Johnson, Cabalvision Commentator
Good evening, Blood Bowl fans, and welcome to another thrilling contest! Tonight, we're here at the Fangdome to witness a classic clash of styles as the aristocratic Vampires of the Black Fangs take on those verminous speedsters, the Skavenblight Scramblers! The air is thick with anticipation (and a slight undercurrent of decay, thanks to our Skaven friends).
First Half: A Dance of Death and Deception
The match kicked off with the Black Fangs, ever the traditionalists, lining up with a disciplined, if somewhat pale, formation. The Scramblers, in contrast, were a chaotic swarm of fur and twitching whiskers, clearly eager to exploit their superior agility.
From the first whistle, the Skaven lived up to their name. A daring run by 'Squeaky' Quickfoot saw him weave through the Vampire line like a rat through a drainpipe. The Black Fangs' noble defenders, perhaps unused to such... uncouth... tactics, were left flat-footed, and they fell behind in the strat of the match. However, just as Quickfoot neared the end zone, Baroness Anya von Bloodlust, with a speed that belied her elegant appearance, intercepted the pass! The crowd roared as she caught the ball in a single, crimson-gloved hand.
The Vampires, now in possession, began a slow, methodical drive. Their superior strength allowed them to push the Skaven linemen around, but the Scramblers' gutter runners were a constant threat, darting in to disrupt and harass.
Then came the first taste of true Blood Bowl mayhem! A vicious block by a Black Fang Blitzer sent a Skaven Stormvermin flying into the crowd, resulting in... well, let's just say the fans got very involved.
Undeterred, the Skaven retaliated with a series of cunning fouls. A concealed weapon here, a well-placed kick there... the referee, bless his short-sighted soul, seemed utterly oblivious. The Black Fangs, clearly displeased with this blatant disregard for the rules, responded in kind. The match descended into a brutal brawl, a far cry from the elegant display the Vampires usually prefer. Star Player Janglin’ Jack made short work of two ratmen.
Half-time arrived with the score tied, but with a significant number of players from both sides nursing injuries (and in some cases, missing vital fluids).
Second Half: Verminous Victory!
The second half saw the Skaven, with their greater numbers and strength behind two Rat Ogres, begin to take control. The Black Fangs, weakened by the constant swarm of clawing, biting opponents, struggled to maintain their discipline.
A series of short, quick passes by the Skaven, combined with some truly questionable refereeing, saw the Scramblers advance steadily down the pitch. The Vampires' attempts to use their hypnotic gaze were thwarted by the Skaven's sheer numbers and, it must be said, their unsettlingly high levels of Warpstone-enhanced energy.
Going in to the final round it was close {BF 24 - SS 25}. With only a few turns left, the inevitable happened. The Black Fangs, in a desperate attempt to salvage a win, launched a final, furious assault on the trophy. But the Skaven defense, a wall of sharp claws and poisoned blades, held firm, and they took both highlights. The final whistle blew, the score was 37-37, and the Skavenblight Scramblers had somehow, against all odds (and perhaps against the spirit of the game itself), defeated the mighty Black Fangs!
Post-Match Analysis:
Tonight's match was a true April Anarchy classic. It had everything: speed, violence, questionable tactics, and a result that few would have predicted. The Black Fangs, for all their strength and skill, were ultimately undone by the Skaven's superior numbers, agility, and willingness to... bend the rules. The Scramblers, meanwhile, proved that in Blood Bowl, sometimes it's not the size of the rat, but the size of the... well, you know.
Up next we will bring you the final match in the tertiary round, the Chaos Dwarf team the Ziggurats vs. the Chaos All-Stars!
Skavenblight Scramblers (Jen) 37 - Black Fangs (Ben) 37
Game 9 -- April 18, 2025
Match: Week 2, Season 6
Venue: The Warpfire Pit (Chaos All-Stars Home Ground)
Teams: Chaos All-Stars (Chaos) vs. Zharr Naggrund Ziggurats (Chaos Dwarves)
A Clash of Chaos: Daemons, Devils, and...Dwarves?!
Tonight's Blood Bowl fixture promised carnage, and it certainly delivered! The crowd at the Warpfire Pit was a seething mass of anticipation, a bizarre mix of chanting cultists and heavily armored, surprisingly organized, Chaos Dwarf fans. The home team, the Chaos All-Stars, led by their hulking Minotaur and a retinue of bloodthirsty Beastmen and Daemon-possesed blockers, prepared to face the visiting Zharr-Naggrund Ziggurats. While both teams share a chaotic heritage, their styles couldn't be more different: the All-Stars favor brute force and unpredictable mutations, while the Ziggurats combine Dwarven stubbornness with Hobgoblin cunning and the dark arts of engineering.
First Half: Grinding Warfare
The match began with a brutal clash at the line of scrimmage. The Ziggurats' heavily armored lineman met the All-Stars' frenzied Beastmen head-on, resulting in a maelstrom of grunts, groans, and the sickening crunch of bone. The early going was a slow, grinding affair, with the All-Stars side able to gain a clear advantage, 9-0. Both teams hired Morg’N’Thorg, but the Merc Ogre initially played harder for his original team and the second round again went to the All-Stars, with fans lining up 19-8 for the home team.
Second Half: Mutations and Mayhem
However, the Ziggurat's Minotaur, 'Ragefist,' lived up to his name. After several failed attempts, he finally broke through the Chaos line, leaving a trail of stunned and broken players in his wake. Also - the Ziggurats had a trick up their sleeve (or rather, in their heavily fortified dugout): Pusbubble - the infamous Nurgle-infected freebooter!
With a disgusting slurping sound, he ‘blessed’ several All-Stars, absorbing block after block. Many key Chaos players were sent to the casualty box, putting the home team at a significant disadvantage. Morg'N'Thorg loast his lunch, and his resolve for the All-Stars. Despite the All-Stars' attempts to foul the Nurgle star player, the ref, clearly bribed (or perhaps simply terrified), turned a blind eye. The third matchup ended with the dwarves in front 25-23.
The All-Stars, now behind, unleashed the full fury of Chaos. Mutations sprouted across their team like grotesque flowers. A Beastman grew an extra arm, a Daemonette's claws became even sharper, and the Minotaur's rage reached terrifying new heights. The Ziggurats, however, were prepared. Their thick armor and stubborn resilience allowed them to weather the storm.
The game reached its climax in the final turns. The All-Stars, with a desperate long bomb, managed to get the ball into the hands of their star Daemonette, 'Lash.' Lash, using her incredible speed and agility, weaved through the stunned Chaos Dwarf defenders taking the Blood Bowl Trophy! But under their noses, the Ziggurats had been cleverly focusing on both highlights. Morg’N’Thorg took one, and random tackle from a Hobgoblin, somehow still standing after a half of carnage, sent a beastman runner sprawling. The ball bounced harmlessly away, and the Ziggurats recovered!
The final whistle blew, signaling a hard-fought victory for the Zharr-Naggrund Ziggurats.
"Man" of the Match: The Zharr Naggrund Ziggurats' star player, Pusbubble. An unfathomable well of putrid power.
Injuries: High. Both teams suffered significant casualties, a testament to the brutal nature of this encounter.
Key Moments:
The Beastman runner's early daring run. I'd never seen this much cheating in one round.
Pusbubble’s rampage through the Chaos All-Stars' line in the 2nd quarter.
The turn of Morg’N’Thorg in the final highlight against the run of play.
The final turnover that denied the All-Stars a last-minute chance to tie.
This match will be remembered as a classic example of Blood Bowl brutality. The Chaos All-Stars brought the fury of the warp, but the Zharr Naggrund Ziggurats' combination of Dwarven resilience and Hobgoblin trickery proved to be the winning formula. The Warpfire Pit will need some serious repairs after this one!
Final Score: Chaos All-Stars 39 (Ben) - Zharr-Naggrund Ziggurats 41 (Jen)
Semi-Finals Round:
Game 10 -- April 20, 2025
Match: Week 3, Season 6 Venue: Altdorf Oldbowl (Reikland Reavers Home Ground)
Teams: Zharr-Naggarund Ziggurats (Chaos Dwarves) vs. Reikland Reavers (Humans)
Reavers Dazzle, Dwarves Discombobulated
In a surprising turn of events at the Oldbowl, the hometown Reikland Reavers pulled off a stunning victory against the visiting Zharr-Naggarund Ziggurats. While the Ziggurats are known for their stubborn defense and powerful blocks, the Reavers' speed, agility, and star power proved to be the difference-maker in this exciting contest.
From the outset, the Reikland Reavers showcased their signature "razzle-dazzle" offense. Thrower "Golden Boy" Griffith, with his pinpoint passes, kept the Ziggurat defense guessing. The Human catchers, weaving through the thickets of Chaos Dwarf blockers, consistently found open spaces.
The Ziggurats' game plan, as expected, revolved around grinding down the Reavers with their superior strength. Their Blockers formed a formidable wall, and their heavily armored Bull Centaurs attempted to control the line of scrimmage. However, the Reavers' agility and evasiveness frustrated the Ziggurats at every turn.
A key factor in the match was the Ziggurats' inability to utilize their star player, Pusbubble. The Reavers' coach, a master tactician, employed a strategy of avoiding contact with the Nurgle-blessed spitball. Pusbubble, for all its potential, found itself largely isolated, unable to exert its considerable influence on the game.
The Reikland Reavers' passing game was on fire. Griffith connected with Wood Elf star player Aurora Silverleaf for two touchdowns in the first half, leaving the Ziggurat faithful stunned. {13-19} The Human blitzers and lineman, while not as strong as their Dwarven counterparts, provided throwers with ample protection, allowing them to pick apart the Ziggurat defense.
The second half saw the Ziggurats attempt to mount a comeback. Their Blockers finally managed to land some significant hits, but the Reavers' responded with quick use of an apothecary and the Dwarven Star Grim Ironjaw harried the hobgoblin ballcarriers. The goblin star player Skeezy ran circles around the Reavers dodging tackles left and right. And when a hobgoblin WAS finally tackled, he managed to foul the Ogre who had to leave the game! {23-31}
Despite their best efforts however, the Ziggurats were unable to adapt to the Reavers' fast-paced, high-flying style. The Humans' use of Old World Alliances, exhibiting superior speed and tactical flexibility allowed them to control the tempo of the game, keeping the Ziggurats on the back foot.
The final whistle blew with the Reikland Reavers victorious. The crowd erupted in cheers, celebrating their team's impressive display of skill and finesse as they move on to the April Anarchy finals!
Final Score: Reikland Reavers 45 (Jen) - Zharr-Naggarund Ziggurats 37 (Ben)
The Reikland Reavers' victory will be remembered as a masterclass in human tactical Blood Bowl, leaving the Zharr-Naggarund Ziggurats to ponder how to counter such a dynamic and elusive opponent in the future.
Player of the Match: Aurora Silverleaf - she scored, she hit, she flashed that toothy smile. Even the Minotaur was smitten.
Key Moments:
"Golden Boy" Griffith's two touchdown passes to Aurora Silverleaf.
The Reavers' consistent success in avoiding contact with Pusbubble.
The Ziggurats' frustration at being unable to utilize their traditional strengths.
April Anarchy Finals Round:
Game 11 -- April 25, 2024
A Masterclass in Coaching Triumphs Over Verminous Velocity
The Reikland Stadium was packed to the rafters for the highly anticipated championship game between the Skavenblight Scramblers and the Reikland Reavers. This match pitted the Skaven's lightning-fast offense and ball-handling wizardry against the Reavers' disciplined strategy and superior flexibility.
From the opening kickoff, the Skaven lived up to their reputation. Their Gutter Runners, led by the infamous 'Weasel' Warpclaw, weaved through the Reaver defense with breathtaking speed. The Humans struggled to contain the Skaven's relentless movement and intricate passing game. The Scramblers' ball-handling was superb, with the Humans often left grasping at thin air. The Reavers' efforts were further hampered by the Skaven's six Cabal Vision contracts, which seemed to give them an almost unfair advantage in manipulating the perception of play. {1-3} RR
However, the Reikland Reavers, under the guidance of their legendary coach, executed a tactical masterclass. Recognizing the Skaven's superior speed and agility, they implemented a cage defense, methodically advancing the ball and limiting the Skaven's opportunities to blitz. {9-11} RR
Despite these setbacks, the Skaven continued to press the Reavers' defense. Their star Gutter Runner, 'Fuzzy' Flickerfoot, scored a touchdown with a spectacular display of speed and agility, showcasing the Skaven's natural talent for the game. The Reavers were reeling, this game looked to be in the can! Or in the sewers, the Skaven might prefer... {26-14} clean sweep of third round by SS.
The game took a controversial turn when the referee, clearly influenced by a hefty bribe from the Reaver bench, began to penalize the Skaven heavily. A Skaven Blitzer was harshly penalized for a tackle that would normally have gone unpunished, and the Skaven Thrower was flagged for an illegal pass. The situation escalated when the referee, citing "Disgusting Behavior" (a dubious call at best), ejected a Skaven player after an overly enthusiastic celebration by the Scramblers' cheerleaders.
In the end, the Reikland Reavers' superior coaching and tactical discipline prevailed. They were able to control the game's tempo, capitalize on the Skaven's mistakes, both real and imagined, and ultimately secure a hard-fought victory for this years championship!
Man of the Match: Reikland Reavers Blitzers - Griff Oberwald made a mark, but it was the journeymen blitzers Matthias Meier and Helmut Rokstien who took it to the Skaven throwers in the end.
Final Score: Reikland Reavers 31 (Jen) - Skavenblight Scramblers 28 (Ben)
Key Moments:
The Skaven's incredible speed and ball-handling displays.
The Reavers' effective cage defense and methodical advance.
The controversial refereeing decisions that went against the Skaven in the final round.
'Fuzzy' Flickerfoot's spectacular dodging.
The Reikland Reavers strategic mastery.
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| Final play of April Anarchy 2025! |
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| 2025 MVP of the League |
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| 2025 Most Useless |
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| 2025 Fan Favorite |
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