Weekly Waffle #397 – Blood Bowl’s Unsung Heroes
18th October 2025
For this week’s weekly waffle I am absolutely going to blame Pete for the change in direction. He was the one who put the seed of a new project in my head. And having no will power to resist I crumbled and through myself whole heartedly into something new. Although I could possibly say that because it’s still on the sporting side of things i’t not a complete change in direction. But even I have to say that is one of the weakest excuses I have ever tried to sell to you guys. I just can’t resist something new a shinny.
So what is this new and shiny that I have been working on. Well I guess you could really say that it’s not that new and it’s the game that made Guild Ball possible. The classic Games Workshop Blood Bowl. It’s not something I ever got into the first time around but as I said earlier it’s Pete that put got me started down this road. He goes to a club on a Thursday night and all they play is either Necromunda or Blood Bowl. I’ve not been along but I do like the idea they know what they like and the stick to it. I have a few Necromunda crews so I could get a game in there but I don’t have a Blood Bowl team so I thought it was an excuse to try something new.
There were a couple of teams that I like the look of. But in the end I decided to go with the Halflings. I don’t think they will be particularly competitive but I just like the look of them and thought they would be fun to paint. There are a couple of options to build them with things like special characters and Treemen so they may not be terrible on the field. But I’m not hopeful they are going to be an easy team to play with. But there will be more on that front in a later post.
For this week it has been all bout getting them started. I know there are only twelve miniatures in the box but the way I have been painting this year that may as well be a horde army. So I decided to break things down a bit, so I can bring you some painted content, into the different positions on the field. Starting with the largest section of players, the linemen. Or in this case the Hopeful Linemen.
I set out with a plan but it changed quite a bit as I worked my through the process. Purple was the base colour and I worked up from there. Using the airbrush to lay down all of the green and then worked on everything else from there.
The purple was a good base for the skin tones and I really like how they turned out. A little bit of a pink wash at the end of the process really made a difference to me and gave them what I’m hoping is a flushed look. After all they have been running around the pitch.
Yellow adds a really nice contrast and when you put it all together you have what I think is a really nice looking team. I used a whole host of different techniques and products on this guys and I think they are the best things I have painted this year. By that I mean that they have turned out the closest to how I intended them to look. And just that intangible thing that just makes you smile when you look at a mini. Everything about these guys, to my mind, just works. Even down to the basing with the little grass tufts.
I’ll cover more the different techniques that I used on them in future updates but I just want to stress how much these guys have topped up my mojo by turning out exactly how I wanted them to look. That doesn’t mean they are perfect by any stretch of anyones imagination but I just like them.
But what do you guys think?
Ah, Blood Bowl. A game where chaos reigns, and glory is often found in the most unexpected places. Amidst the towering strength of the Orcs, the agility of the Elves, and the sheer brutality of the Chaos teams, there lies a group that often goes unnoticed but is crucial to the very fabric of the game: the Halfling Hopeful Linemen. Today, we’re diving into their world, exploring their lore, and uncovering the significance they bring to the pitch.
Now, when you think of Halflings in Blood Bowl, you might picture them as the underdogs, the lovable misfits who can barely hold their own against the more fearsome races. And you wouldn’t be wrong. These pint-sized players are the embodiment of hope, determination, and, let’s be honest, a certain level of absurdity that can tip the scales in the most unexpected ways.
The Halfling Hopefuls are less about raw power and more about heart and spirit. They’re the type of players who, when faced with a seemingly insurmountable challenge, will dust themselves off, share a cheeky grin, and dive back into the fray. Their background is a delightful tapestry of quaint villages and hearty meals, where the biggest concerns revolve around the best recipes for pies rather than the latest battle strategies. Yet, despite their humble origins, they’ve carved out a niche in the savage world of Blood Bowl.
Let’s talk about their role on the pitch. The Halfling Linemen are often seen as the backbone of any Halfling team. While they may not carry the same star power as their more illustrious teammates, their value lies in their versatility and tenacity. They embody the spirit of camaraderie, often working together to create openings for their more skilled players, the star Halfling Catchers or the elusive Throwers.
Imagine this: the game is on the line, and your Halfling Lineman finds himself in a precarious situation, surrounded by hulking opponents. It’s a tense moment, one that could send shivers down the spine of even the bravest of players. But not these little warriors. They embrace the chaos, using their agility to dodge tackles and slip through gaps that seem impossibly narrow. It’s in these moments that you can’t help but root for them, cheering as they zigzag their way towards glory—or at least a good meal at the end of the match.
What’s fascinating about these Halflings is how they reflect the nature of the game itself. Blood Bowl isn’t just about brute strength or dazzling skill; it’s about strategy, teamwork, and sometimes, a bit of luck. The Halfling Hopefuls embody this perfectly. Their game plan often revolves around creating distractions, drawing attention away from the star players, and, let’s face it, being a bit of a nuisance to the opposition. They might not score the most touchdowns, but they’re the unsung heroes of the team, setting the stage for the real magic to happen.
And let’s not overlook their unique abilities. With access to Halfling-specific skills, they can surprise opponents with unexpected moves. Whether it’s a last-minute dodge or an underhanded play that leaves the opposition scratching their heads, these little guys have a few tricks up their sleeves. Their ability to slip away from defenders and cause chaos in the backline can often lead to scoring opportunities that would have otherwise been impossible.
There’s something charming about their role, too. In a world filled with fierce competition, the Halfling Linemen serve as a reminder that sometimes, it’s not about being the biggest or the strongest. It’s about heart, determination, and the willingness to take risks. They bring a level of unpredictability to the game, a reminder that anything can happen in Blood Bowl—a truth that keeps players coming back for more.
When you’re playing against a Halfling team, you quickly learn to respect the Hopefuls. Underestimate them at your peril! They may look like easy targets, but they have a knack for making even the most seasoned players second-guess their strategies. They can be incredibly frustrating to deal with, darting around and creating openings for their more skilled comrades. If you get too caught up in the flashy plays, you might find yourself on the wrong end of a well-executed Halfling maneuver, leaving you wondering how you ended up on the receiving end of a touchdown scored by a player half your size.
But let’s not forget the camaraderie that defines these teams. In the lore of Blood Bowl, Halflings are often depicted as a close-knit community, where every player is family. This sense of belonging is palpable on the pitch, as they rally together, cheering each other on, and even sharing a pint or two after a hard-fought match. Their joy is infectious, and it’s this spirit that makes them such endearing characters within the Blood Bowl universe.
You can’t help but smile when you see them celebrate even the smallest victories—a successful dodge, a well-timed block, or even just a moment of good fortune. Their enthusiasm for the game is a refreshing contrast to the more serious, stoic factions that dominate the pitch. They remind us all that, at the end of the day, Blood Bowl is about more than just winning; it’s about having fun, embracing the chaos, and creating memories with friends.
In terms of gameplay, the Halfling Hopeful Linemen may not be the most powerful players on the field, but they’re certainly among the most entertaining. Their style encourages a different approach to strategy, forcing opponents to adapt and think outside the box. They often thrive on creating confusion and exploiting weaknesses, reminding everyone that sometimes, the best strategy is simply to outsmart your opponent rather than overpower them.
So, as we wrap up our exploration of these delightful little warriors, let’s take a moment to appreciate the Halfling Hopeful Linemen for what they truly are: the heart and soul of their teams. They embody the spirit of Blood Bowl in a way that few others can, reminding us that no matter how dire the situation may seem, there’s always hope.
Next time you find yourself facing a Halfling team, remember to keep your wits about you. Those unassuming Linemen may just surprise you with their determination and cunning. After all, in the world of Blood Bowl, anything can happen, especially when there’s a Halfling on the pitch ready to seize the moment with a smile and a wink. Who knows? You might even find yourself cheering for them, caught up in the joy of the game as they dash through the chaos for that glorious touchdown. It’s moments like these that make Blood Bowl the beloved mayhem we all know and love.
That wraps things up for this week but I will be back, same time, same place next week. Until then I hope you all keep safe and that the hobby gods shine any project you are working on.
