Dungeon Bowl: The Game of Subterranean Blood Bowl Mayhem (2021) Board Game

Dungeon Bowl is a spin-off of the popular fantasy football game Blood Bowl, set in the underground dungeons of the Warhammer Fantasy universe. Players control teams of fantastical creatures such as orcs, dwarves, and elves, competing against each other in a chaotic and brutal game of football.

Game Components of Dungeon Bowl: The Game of Subterranean Blood Bowl Mayhem

Rulebook and Cheat Sheets: A hardback rulebook and two cheat sheets for each player.

Dungeon Tiles: Modular tiles with unique rules for each room, including the Armoury, and other dungeon-esque spaces.

Door Tokens: High-quality card tokens representing doorways.

Teams: Includes two full college teams – the College of Fire and the College of Shadow, with miniatures from existing Blood Bowl kits (Dwarves, Dark Elves, Skaven, etc.).

Dugouts: Tiles designed as college locker rooms for storing miniatures during the game.

Portals and Chests: Plastic sprues for portals and chests, which can contain the ball or traps.

Dice and Tokens: Various dice and tokens for gameplay mechanics.

How To Setup Dungeon Bowl: The Game of Subterranean Blood Bowl Mayhem

Players work together to set up the dungeon by selecting and arranging room tiles, deciding on the placement of chests and portals. A coin toss determines which team sets up where. The dungeon is constructed with two end zones for scoring, and the chest containing the ball is randomly placed.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Dungeon Construction: Players collaborate to set up the dungeon using modular tiles.

Ball Retrieval: The ball is hidden in a randomly placed chest, and teams must find it to proceed.

Teleporters: Random teleporters can move players around the dungeon, adding unpredictability.

Turn-based Actions: Players activate their models to move, pass, block, blitz, foul, or use special actions until a turnover occurs.

Game Objective: The goal is to find the ball and score a single touchdown in the opponent’s end zone.

Player Experience

Dungeon Bowl is a highly unpredictable and chaotic game, blending the strategic elements of Blood Bowl with the excitement of a dungeon crawl. The game starts slowly as players search for the ball, but it becomes frenetic and intense once the ball is found. The unique rules for each room and the random teleporters add a layer of absurdity and unpredictability, making each game unique and full of sudden-death tension.

Pros

Immersive Setting: Combines sports and dungeon crawl elements, creating a unique and engaging experience.

High Replayability: Modular dungeon setup and random elements ensure no two games are the same.

Flavorful Teams: Teams have distinct abilities and playstyles, adding depth to the game.

Engaging Mechanics: The use of teleporters and room-specific rules enhances player interaction with the environment.

Cons

Expensive: The core box and additional teams can be very costly, especially for new players.

Complex Rules: The game relies on the dense Blood Bowl ruleset, which can be challenging to keep track of.

Limited Expansion Options: Expanding beyond the core set requires significant investment in other Blood Bowl teams and components.

Slow Start: The initial search for the ball can be slow and methodical, potentially boring for some players.

Personal Thoughts on Dungeon Bowl: The Game of Subterranean Blood Bowl Mayhem

Dungeon Bowl is ideal for fans of Blood Bowl and those who enjoy a mix of sports and dungeon crawl mechanics. It is particularly suited for groups looking for a unique, event-based game experience rather than a long-term league commitment. However, it may not be the best choice for players seeking a more strategic and less random game, as the unpredictability and chaos can overshadow skilled play. For those who enjoy the whimsical and over-the-top nature of Blood Bowl, Dungeon Bowl offers a thrilling and memorable gaming experience.

We are supported by our audience. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission, at no extra cost for you. Learn more.