Shadowlands Scourge Lose Opening Match

The Shadowlands Scourge began Season XI rather badly - with a 3-1 loss to the Tortuga Squall.

After a successful opening drive to score the first TD, the wheels quickly came off the Scourge game plan. The Chaos lads were clearly unprepared for the sweltering heat that lasted the whole match. In fact, the heat seemed to have an increasingly negative impact on their whole game as the match progressed and allowed the Humans to get the jump on them at almost every kick-off.

A full replay of the match is available courtesy of the good people of Cabalvision.

Still, it's just the Championship - so plenty of time to settle down and focus on the FNF Trophy (we hope). 

Dave
(aka Axebreaker)

FNF XI - Game On

All the teams are now entered for

Friday Night Fights XI

The House of Axebreaker has prepared this magnificent poster as a who's-who guide to this season's teams and coaches.

The draw is complete and the match-ups for Round 1 of the Championship are:

Division 1

Brains & Brawn (Ogr) Givo v Moraiwe (Khe) Siwan Shufflers

Epic Ellyrion (HiE) Supercoach v Nestyr (DaE) Cruel Corsairs

Shadowland Scourge (Cha) Axebreaker v Chopper (Hum) Tortuga Squall

Division 2

Piece by Pieces (Nec) Justorius v Big-A (Gob) Kings of Friday Night

B&G Incorperated (Nur) Xaphan v Jernau (Ska) Maurices Educated Rodents

Norsa Dragons (Nor) Drakeular v ZenTHaalx (WoE) Azolin Hornets

Good luck to you all,

Dave

(aka Axebreaker)

FNF X - Player Awards

FNF X - Grand Slam Winner

THE LUPINE LUNATICS

GRAND SLAM

Congratulations to Coach Chopper for the First-Ever

 FNF Grand Slam Win!!

FNF X - Semi-Finals

Coaching Tips?

Hi all,

Feel free to ignore this, but I hope you don't...

I would consider you all to be the best (and, of course, worst) group of people to put this to.  You've all played me this season, and several of you have played me in the table top game on more than one occasion.

What I am asking for is constructive advice on how to make me a better Blood Bowl coach.  "Why should I help you, when I play against you?", I hear you ask?  There's really no good reason, other than I will, hopefully, be able to give you a better game next time we play.

I've been playing Blood Bowl for a long time now (close to 30-odd years, actually!), on the table top and on my PC, but I don't think I'm as good a coach as I should be.  In fact, I'm pretty sure I've become a worse coach over the past couple of years, losing games that I really should have won.

So if you have any constructive comments (other than the obvious "you suck, that's why"...) I'd appreciate them.  If comments are constructive, I won't be offended.  Also, I'd appreciate pointers to any resources regarding coaching that are out there on the web (I already know of plasmoid's play books, the NAF, the old and new Blood Bowl Tactics sites, FUMBBL, Cyanide's forum, AUSbowl and Talk Fantasy Football, and will be going to them looking for articles and posts on coaching).

Please bear in mind that I like to play a high-risk/high-reward game, and am willing to take chances to pull off a great play.

Perhaps I just need to get back to basics, and then try some of those things that rookie coaches try because they don't know any better (as they seem to come off more often when you don't know how difficult the success roll is...  :-)

Thanks for reading,


Jeff
(Coach Nestyr)

P.S.:  Do all the current coaches know about this blog?  There doesn't seem to be a lot of activity on here these days.

FNF X Championship

The FNF X Championship is now complete. 

And it's a big congratulations to Coach Chopper and his Necromantic team - The Lupine Lunatics. The Lunatics emerged as clear winners on 12 Competition Points after an impressive four victories in the five Championship games.

The Lupine Lunatics thus take home the prestigious FNF X Championship Shield.

The Lunatics star ghoul, Plaguegnawer, has also established himself as the clear favorite for  the Morphare Medallion for Player of the Season with 8 Touch Downs already under his belt  and an amazing 32 SPP - almost double that of any other player in the League.

Could this be the season where one team finally achieves the Grand Slam and secures both the Championship and Cup? Only time, and the next 11 rounds, will tell.

And so now the slate is clean and all teams move on to the Cup Phase - 11 rounds with the Top 4 teams moving into the finals and a chance to take the FNF X Cup.

The Draw for the Cup has been posted and the Round 1 match-ups are:

Givo Volcanic Vultures (Amz) v (Elf) La Serenisisma Moraiwe

Big A The Legion of Doom (Und) v (Orc) Bloodaxe Gringo's Justorius

Zenthaalx The Bloodcurdlers (Nur) v (Nor) Aeslings United Axebreaker

Chopper The Lupine Lunatics (Nec) v (Cha) Fist Pump Rapax_

Supercoach Sultan Wanderers (ChD) v (DaE) Delicious Evil  Drakeular

Nestyr Pan's Panthers (WoE) v (KhD) The Kardashians Jernau

Round 1 is scheduled to be complete by Thursday 27 June

Good luck and may the best Coach win.

Dave

(aka Axebreaker)

FNF X Championship - Aeslings United Rd 5

Earlier in the week Aeslings United completed the Championship phase of FNF X with a convincing 3-0 win over the Wood Elves of Pan's Panthers.

With the Wood Elves reduced through injury to just eight of their regular squad, the Norse went in to the match as the clear favourites. Their cause helped even more by inflicting some early injuries on the Wood Elves and by the Panther's sole Wardancer knocking herself out in a poorly timed Leap and spending much of the remainder of the match unconscious. 

The superior (and often frenzied) blocking skills of the Norse enabled United to establish and maintain a clear numerical advantage throughout the match and allowed them to run in three unanswered Touch Downs. 

A full replay is avalable on Cabalvision. 

With two convincing wins in their last two Championship matches, United now head into the Cup rounds with renewed confidence and their eyes firmly on the FNF X Trophy.

Dave

(aka Axebreaker)

FNF X Championship - Aeslings United Rd 4

Last round Aeslings United achieved their first win of the season with a 3-0 thumping of the Khorne Daemons of The Kardashians.

The clash between the two most frenzied teams in the competition was a fairly one-sided affair with the Norse scoring three unanswered Touch Downs and inflicting five Casualties to none. The one bright spot for the Kardashians was the regenerative ability of the Bloodletters to shrug off all their injuries (including a Serious Injury and a Death) and - with the two injured Pit Fighters being only Badly Hurt - the Khorne boys will be fielding a full squad for next round.

After last week's carnage, the Norse went into the game with three ring-in journeymen. Despite their inexperience, these keen amateurs caused three of the five casualties. In particular, young  Skalla Geirson not only caused two casualties but also so impressed the officials that he won the MVP. The House of Axebreaker coaching staff knows talent when they see it and immediately signed him to a contract for the remainder of the season. 

A full replay is available on Cabalvision.

Dave

(aka Axebreaker)

FNF X Championship - Aeslings United Rd 3

Last round saw Aeslings United comprehensively trashed by the Undead Legion of Doom 3-0.

The Norse team suffered five casualties, including a fatal trip by their Runner, Rune Almenning, whose re-animated corpse (gross) played in a black jersey for the Legion for the remainder of the match. Just as important to the final score-line was the three Norse players KO'd in the first half - only one of whom recovered to play any significant part in the match.

 A full replay is available on Cabalvision.

Dave
(aka Axebreaker)

New From The House of Axebreaker

For everyone who wants to show their support for our new Norse Team - Aeslings United - The House of Axebreaker is proud to present our latest offering in fan apparel.

Modeled here, as usual, by the lovely Ms Alyssa Milano, this tee-shirt is a must have item for  FNF fans and supporters of the Norsa team's unique approach to a game they like to call Blod Skal.

FNF X Championship - Aeslings United Rd 2

Earlier in the week Aeslings United played the Nurgle outfit, The Bloodcurdlers,  in a 1-1 Draw.

The superior blocking skills of the Norse saw them injure 4 opponents, including killing 'the atrocious Shabrir', the Bloodcurdlers only skilled player.

As the team traded Touchdowns to level the score, the Norse whittled down the Nurgle numbers until only six Bloodcurdlers were able to take the field for the final kick-off. But an riot earlier in second half knocked time off the clock, allowing the Nurglites to hunker down with the ball in their own End Zone and wait out the clock.

A full replay of the match  is available on Cabalvision.

Dave

(aka Axebreaker)

FNF X Championship - Aeslings United Rd 1

Earlier in the week Aeslings United played the Orcs of Bloodaxe Gringo's - resulting in a 1-1 Draw.

It was a hard fought but rather unremarkable game that resulted in a couple of minor injuries, a couple of TDs and the completely predictable failure of the Orc passing game!

Both teams., nevertheless, can be well satisfied with their overall performances and both will be lining up with a full squad for next week's matches.

A full replay is available on Cabalvision

The Norse winning were sufficient to pay for the passage from Norsa of their tardy tribal shaman (known as an Apothecary in the fancy circles of the FNF- la de da) . Which means the coaching staff won't have to close their eyes every time one their lightly armoured players get hit!

Dave
(aka Axebreaker)

Friday Night Fights X

All the teams are now entered! 

To help players remember who is who this season The House of Axebreaker has prepared this handy guide:

And with all the teams now offically registered and the draw complete, Tiny Manero has once again put on his dancing shoes to announce the start of Friday Night Fights X!

The draw for Round 1 of the Championship is:

Division 1

Drakeular Delicious Evil (DaE) v (Cha) Fist Pump Rapax_

Givo Volcanic Vultures (Amz) v (ChD) Sultan Wanders Supercoach

Moraiwe La Serenisima (Elf) v (Nec) The Lupine Lunatics Chopper

Division 2

Axebreaker Aeslings United (Nor) v (Orc) Bloodaxe Gringo's  Justorius

Zenthaalx The Bloodcurdlers (Nur) v (KhD) The Kardashians Jernau

Big-A The Legions of Doom (Und) v (WoE) Pan's Panthers Nestyr

The first round is scheduled to be completed by Thursday 23 May - which gives everyone a week and half to settle in.

Good Luck

Dave

(aka Axebreaker)

FNF IX - Player Awards

FNF IX - The Trophy

Stay tuned for all the excitement, glitz and glamour of the

FNF IX Player Awards.

Published on Monday night.

FNF IX Grand Final

Season IX came down to Plumbers Karak Blues verses Harlequins FC

Bookmakers across the Old World offered long odds on the Elves. But the Harlequins rose to the occasion and - despite the best efforts of the Dwarfs, their Wizard and the occasional Elf falling flat on his face with the ball - they, remarkably, emerged victorious.

It was exciting and close fought game - fully deserving of the 20/20 awarded by Bastard & Claws  the Match Rating Agency. The Dwarfs played a very strong game with plenty of Guard and Tackle and to keep the Elves at bay. But their Runners' inability to pick-up the ball at several key moments cost them dearly.

A full replay of this, and all the other Harlequins games, is available through the miracle of Cabalvision.

Thanks to everyone for a great season - and good luck in Season X!

Dave
(aka Axebreaker)

FNF IX Cup - Semi-Finals

Four teams - Plumbers Karak Blues, Harlequins FC, Serpentine Slaves and GrimGav's Gladiators progressed into the finals.

First Semi-Final: A Dwarf verses Orc match is always going to be a fiercely contested, grinding game and the first Semi-Final was no exception. With both sides fielding Wizards there was also an electric atmosphere added to the match. The Dwarf managed to score the game's only Touch Down and progress to the Grand Final.

Second Semi-Final: In contrast to the other Semi-Final, this game featured two teams able to move the ball at high speed down the pitch - Elves though the air and the Chaos Dwarfs atop the four legs of their Bull Centaurs. The Harlequins won largely through the efforts of their pair of Blitzers who showed no hesitation in hurling themselves at the mighty Greasehoof Smokeybull. Despite the odds, the plucky duo hit the Bull Centaur four times and never once came off second best.

Thus FNF IX came down to a contest between the Dwarfs and the Elves.

Dave 

(aka Axebreaker)

Harlequins FC FNF IX Cup - Rounds 8 and 9

The House of Axebreaker recently upgraded our entire publishing and PR enterprise (bought a new PC). As a result, we fell way behind in our match highlights.

However, that all behind us, so here are the highlights of the final two rounds of the regular
FNF IX season.

Round 8 was a close fought match against the Undead of Victimus. Coach Justorius can count himself very unlucky not have come away with a draw as his Ghoul, Tamerlaine, stumbled on the line and his team just couldn't get the ball back in the dying seconds of the game.

Round 9 was a must win encounter for both elves and their frenzied Khorne opponents Conflakes. But the Conflakes were let down by the erractic performance of the usually fearsome Khorne Demon - Puff the Magic Dragon. Puff spent much the game  so excited by the propect of smashing weak little elves that he often couldn't decided which one to hit and spent too much time just standing there in wild indecision. 

These two late season wins catapulted Harlequins FC unexpectedly into second place and a berth in the Semi-Finals.

Dave

(aka Axebreaker)

Friday Night Fights - Grand Final

You can catch all the action LIVE*

Sunday 28 April

8:30pm

* In theory. However, this function doesn't always work.** 

** The House of Axebreaker bears no liability for those consumers unable to access the game live.

House of Axebreaker - Special Offer

The House of Axebreaker is pleased to present the latest in FNF Supporters Attire

A must-have item for any true fan of the passing game!!

 Special thanks, once again, to the lovely Alyssa Milano for 

agreeing to model our exclusive clothing range

Harlequins FC FNF IX Cup - Round 7

Earlier in the week Harlequins FC emerged victorious over the Khemri Faiyum Fumblers 3-1.

In a match where the weather fluctuated from blinding sunshine to fine and back again the Harlequins managed to put on three Touch Downs to one - and, remarkably, won the on-field Biff - five injuries to three. The unholy regenerative powers of the Undead saved the Fumblers from any lasting effects and they'll be fielding a full squad next week. Not so the Harlequins, who will be down two players next week.


The Fumblers can count themselves unlucky as a few poor plays at key moments swung the momentum decisively in the Elves favour. Harlequins fans also breathed a sigh of relief as  the Thrower, Aereiná, actually managed to complete a pass for first time in several matches.

A full replay of the game is available on Cabalvision.

Dave
(aka Axebreaker)

Harlequins FC FNF IX Cup - Round 6

Earlier in the week Harlequins FC and the Serpentine Slaves played out a 2-2 draw in a match that was almost a mirror image of their Championship round clash.

Both teams had their great moments and both suffered some shockers at the hands of fate. The Harlequins can count themselves lucky that all but one of the seven Knock-Outs they suffered recovered. But problems in the throwing game still plague the Elves and need to be sorted out fast if they are to have any hope of making the finals.

A replay of the full match is available on Cabalvision.

Dave

(Aka Axebreaker)

Harlequins FC FNF IX Cup - Round 5

Earlier in the week Harlequins FC suffered a cruel 3-0 defeat at the hands of the Dwarfs of Plumbers Karak Blues.

By mid way through the first half, four casualties (including a Death and Serious Injury) had reduced the Elves to just 7 players. Several KOs and another casualty later in the match saw the Elves reduced to just a 3-4 players who were quite unable to stop the relentless Dwarf full-strength juggernaut run in three unanswered TDs. Of equal concern was the continued failure of the Harlequins throwing game!

All very worrying signs for final half of the season as the Elves face yet more games against this season's over-subscription in Cage'n'Grind bashy teams.

Dave
(aka Axebreaker)

Harequins FC FNF IX Cup - Rounds 1 to 4

The House of Axebreaker graphics studio has been working overtime to catch-up on all the match highlights which, unfortunately, we allowed to ourselves to fall far behind in completing.

But it's all complete now!

Round 1 saw a tough game against the Orcs of Death Metal , which, to quote Jim Johnson, "ended with honours even."

Round 2 was another close contest. But if the Harequins' thought this game against the Dark Elf Sons of Purgatory  was going to be a refreshing change from the brutal grind of this season's "bashy" teams - they were sadly mistaken as they suffered 5 Casualties in this bruising draw!

Round 3. Every so often Nuffle decides to really give one team a thorough going over. In this match it was the haplessless, if appropriately named, Nuffle's Clowns. The Chaos team couldn't catch a break and the Harelquins ran away with it 4-0.

Round 4 witnessed the worrying collapse of the Harlequins throwing game against the leagues other Orc outfit - GrimGav's Gladiators. Despire repeated attempts - not a single pass was successfully completed by the Elves - and the Harlequins had to be content with a 1-1 draw.

Dave

(aka Axebreaker)

Cancon 2013 this weekend

Hi All

Just to let you all know Cancon 2013 is on this coming long weekend.
If you are in Canberra it is a great event to come and have a look at.

I'll be running the Australian Blood Bowl Nationals again this year.
http://www.cgs.asn.au/index.php/cancon

I have had made special Cancon Block dice, Orange/Green from the Australian Block Dice Campaign.
52 Coaches will be attending and they get a set for free.
I will have extras for sale.
http://www.ausbowl.com/viewtopic.php?f=37&t=8544

I am also running a Raffle for a folding Custom Blood Bowl field.
http://www.ausbowl.com/viewtopic.php?f=37&t=8563

RAFFLE - Custom Blood Bowl Board
Created by Virral on Commission.
Board folds up and is VERY HEAVY.
$5.00 per Ticket
$10.00 for 3 Tickets
Raffle drawn before the Game on Monday.


Gavan Pearce - Drakeular
Commissioner - AUSTRALIAN BLOOD BOWL NATIONALS - Cancon 2013
Email: gavan.pearce@gmail.com