Rules

SNBBL HOUSE RULES

Important changes are highlighted.

League Code of Conduct

Please read the league's Code of Conduct and Expectations and be familiar with your responsibilities as a member of the SNBBL.

League Format

The SNBBL League consists of one or more divisions (depending on number of participating coaches) and runs for 10 (or more, max 12) two week rounds in which each coach plays against a coach in their own division (as per round robin) or an inter-divisional match against a randomly selected team from a rival division or are given a by-week if there are an odd number of coaches.

Teams are randomly placed in each division if there is more than one, however some care is taken to try to make the divisions balanced in team types and Tiers.

After all rounds (the regular season) are completed, the top 8 teams (determined by total league points, with number of wins followed TD’s followed by casualties being tie-breakers) are invited to the Finals to be played within a month after the end of the regular season. Any teams in the top 8 not able to attend are replaced with the next highest ranked teams. However, as the team did qualify for the Finals, they will be awarded (Dedicated Fans x 10,000gc) in compensation. The format of the Finals is a single elimination bracket seeded by total league points (1vs8, 3vs6, 2vs7, 4vs5).

League Management Site

The league management web site at https://reddz.com/snbbl/ is where all coach contact information, team rosters, scheduled matches and match reports are maintained.

Please make an effort to correctly and timely enter any information.

Occasionally, the site has been known to not work (due to self-hosting via DHCP, long story if you are not tech savvy), so it is recommended that you print your roster in preparation for matches well in advance and not leaving it until just before the match.

The league management software is new and may occasionally not work 100% accurately. If any deficiency/bug in the site is discovered it is up to the affected coach to inform the league commissioners ASAP so it can be addressed in a timely fashion.

Match Scheduling

Each round is 2 weeks in duration, starting on a Wednesday morning and ending at Midnight of the Tuesday before the start of the next round.

A listing of all round start/end dates and the matches to be played in each will be available on the league management web site.

It is up to each coach to schedule with their opponents an appropriate time and place to play each match. However, please see the "COVID Precautions/Advice" section below.

When a round starts close to the end of the calendar year, it will be extended to be longer than 2 weeks to include the holidays (Christmas, Boxing Day and New Years Day). Please consult the schedule (when it is available) to confirm the length and end of such a round.

Forfeit/Concede Reporting

In the event that one coach is demonstratively at fault for a missed match or indicates that they willingly concede the match to their opponent, then the rules for Conceding (2-0) will be used. In the event that both coaches are mutually unable to schedule their match during a round then a Forfeit Draw (1-1) will be used. In both cases, winnings will be calculated by using fan attendance roles of 1 for both teams, with the winner of a conceded match getting the entire amount, splitting normally for a forfeit draw. Any other required rolls (MVP's, Dedicated Fans, Players Leaving, etc...) will be done by random roll by the Commissioner.

Demonstratively at fault includes (but is not limited to) not being in the city/province/country for the duration of the round and/or making no effort to contact/reply to your opponent. It is the duty of the Commissioner to investigate and their finding of fault on the part of either party is final. It is recommended that coaches who are having issues getting a hold of their opponent contact a Commissioner at the earliest they believe there may be an issue.

Under no circumstance are coaches to report forfeits/concedes unless an opponent concedes mid-match. Only commissioners may do so. Under no circumstances should coaches pressure or bully other coaches into playing matches at times or places that they are uncomfortable with. If you ever feel you are being unduly pressured, please contact a commissioner.

Allowed Teams

All teams listed in published GW supplements (The Official Rules (2020), the Teams of Legend PDF and Spike! Magazines issue #11+) are available for use in the league. Always use the most recent publication of a team roster.

Death Zone (2021)

The only content from this supplement currently approved for use in the league is "New Inducements" (pages 14 to 39). No other rules will be used.

Inducement: (0-5) Special Play Cards

These will not be in use for the league, neither the core deck(s) nor the team specific ones.

Inducement: (0-1) Hecklers

Restriction: Can only be purchased by the team that receives Petty Cash and must be paid for using Petty Cash.
Cost: 10,000gc
Effect: You may modify any Prayers to Nuffle roll made by you or your opponent by +/- 1 for the duration of the match.

Pre/Post Match Sequences

Step #5 of the Post Match Sequence "Expensive Mistakes" is to be done during the Pre Match Sequence as Step #0.

The Side Bet inducement is "purchased" between steps #4 and #5 of the Pre Match Sequence and thus does not alter your Team Value for the match.

Spike! Magazines

All content from issue #11 onwards is in use for the league except for Star Players listed as “Golden Era”. Issues #1 to #10 are no longer valid sources.

Errata & FAQ’s

All current Errata and FAQ documents on GW’s support site https://www.warhammer-community.com/blood-bowl-downloads/ are in effect, and any updates to them come into effect immediately upon release.

SNBBL Season’s End

If you wish to use your team in the next season, contact a Commissioner to assist in the steps required to re-buy your team in preparation for the next season. You are welcome to start a new team instead, but you should consider doing the re-buy regardless in case you wish to use the team in a future season.

COVID Precautions/Advice

Please take every effort to minimize your risk of exposure and help others in the league to do likewise! AS THE LEAGUE IS A PRIVATE ENTITY WE REQUIRE ALL PARTICIPANTS TO BE FULLY VACCINATED AGAINST COVID-19. We strongly support every measure to end the pandemic. The following precautions/advice are the least we can do to keep each other safe and healthy. Work with your opponent to come to a reasonable level of comfort/safety for both. If issues arise please bring them to the attention of a Commissioner.

  • You must be fully vaccinated
  • Wash/sanitize your hands before the match begins
  • Wear a mask
  • Use an elbow-bump or a bow instead of a handshake
  • Do not handle your opponents models, dice or other accessories and use your own templates
  • If you are sick or experiencing symptoms please reschedule your game (some lee-way can and will be given around end-of-round timelines for this on a case by case basis, please inform a Commissioner if this comes up)

Annual League Rules Review

The above rules stand for the current season, and are reviewed annually during the off-season with consultation with all league members via the League Forums.

Final decision on the inclusion and wording of rules lies with the Head Commissioner who shall chose the fairest options/opinions.

Under extreme conditions (ie: abuse of rules as written, obvious mistakes, new GW releases, etc...) these rules may be changed mid-season, upon consultation with league members.

SNBBL Code of Conduct and Expectations

League Rules and Expectations

  1. As a member of the league, you represent the league and how others view it. Whenever you are playing a league match, you represent the league. Whether that be at Games Workshop or somewhere else, your actions give those who are not a part of the league an impression of what we are about. As such we ask that you behave in a manner that does not cast a poor light on the league as a whole.
  2. By signing up you are making a commitment that you will play out the season to its completion. The league is purposely run in a manner that should accommodate most people’s schedules (not run during the summer, matches are given two weeks to be played, leeway on scheduling matches around holidays and for emergencies (public health or otherwise), etc.), as such we ask that when you sign up that you are going to make time to play all your matches. We understand the unexpected does pop up that prevents this and we understand that, however we do ask that when you are signing up that you are making a commitment to play all your games if possible.
  3. The league is a part of the Scions of the North hobby club. We have no affiliation whatsoever with Games Workshop or any other establishment. As such we have our own designated individuals who are in charge of answering questions, dealing with issues, and handling the day to day workings of the league. Anything to do with the league that cannot be handled by the commissioners should be brought to the attention of the hobby club executive and not to the staff of any establishment you are using to host your game(s).
  4. Please obey all rules and policies. This ties in not only to following rules in this code of conduct, but in addition to those at whichever location that a league match is played at.
  5. Zero tolerance for cheating. This is a game for fun first and foremost. While the game has a competitive spirit and rewards better performance (winnings, skill points, etc.), there is no justification whatsoever for cheating. Anyone caught doing so will be banned from the league.

Player Rules and Expectations

  1. All players will treat each other with respect. While trash talk does tend to happen in a competitive setting quite a bit, please do remember your opponent is another human being and should be treated as you would wish to be treated yourself. This includes but is not limited to name calling, throwing of dice/models (even if they are your own), and going out of your way to purposely annoy your opponent.
  2. All players are expected to own or have ready access to the current rules and necessary equipment. The league will be run using the latest Blood Bowl boxed game rules (Second Season Edition, released 2020) as well as the Death Zone supplement and Spike! Magazines compatible with the current edition, along with some additional league house rules. Games played at Games Workshop Winnipeg must be played on official GW pitches using official GW models (conversions are allowed). 3rd party dice and counters are acceptable.
  3. All players should come prepared for their matches. Coming prepared to your match includes; models for your team, your most up to date roster, most current Blood Bowl rule book(s), and having all other necessary items to play the match (dice, pitch, etc.)
  4. Print your roster early. As is the case with technology, no matter how much we advance there will times where it is unavailable to us. As such, please print your most up to date roster for your match as soon as possible. DO NOT LEAVE IT TO THE DAY OF YOUR MATCH. The server that the team management site is on does have a tendency to go offline from time to time and as such you should get a copy of your most up to date roster as soon as possible well in advance of your next game.
  5. Scheduled matches will have a two week period to be played. All matches will follow a schedule for pre-determined time. If due to unforeseen circumstances that an extension is warranted the Commissioner staff will add time as needed. Matches begin on a Wednesday in the two week period and will end on the second Tuesday at midnight.
  6. Schedule your games in advance. Contact your opponent as soon as possible. Some people have very busy lives away from gaming and as such may not have as much time as you to arrange a time to play a match.
  7. Make sure you have enough time to play your match. While you have two weeks to arrange a time to play your game with your opponent, please make sure to arrange enough time to play the game out in its entirety. A typical Blood Bowl match can go for 2 to 2 ½ hours, please keep this in mind. Please account for travel, setup, and pack up time in addition to the actual play time required.
  8. Finished games must be reported as soon as possible. The deadline for reporting a match is the second Tuesday at midnight, the same as when a schedule match period ends. If a match is not reported by this time, the Commissioner staff will determine at random a forfeit. If you are unable to report a match before this deadline due to the site being down or other circumstances beyond your control, please inform the Commissioner staff via email or the forums. If no notification is given, a forfeit will be determined to continue the league along.
  9. Forfeits will be reported to the team management site by the Commissioner staff. To make sure that forfeits are reported properly for both consistency and impartialness, Commissioners will be the only ones who post up a forfeit report. This helps us maintain accuracy since Commissioners will investigate first to see if the forfeit is a valid one or not, and whether it is an "at-fault" concede or a forfeit draw.
  10. Players are expected to notify Commissioners if they are unable to play a match due to unforeseen circumstances as soon as possible. We all have lives. Some of us even have jobs that send us out of the city, province, or country from time to time. Some of us go on unexpected vacations. If you are not able to play a match or two, please notify the Commissioner staff as soon as possible so that we are aware of the situation. This helps us prevent players from being confused why their opponent is not responding, as well as helps us move the league along at its regular speed.
  11. Players are expected to have their team properly numbered. This is for accuracy for match reporting and for your opponent to not be confused during a match.
  12. Players are expected by the end of the season to have their team fully painted. We are not asking for showroom finished models, however we are asking that players take the time to properly finish their team to standard rules. These rules are at least three colors and the model based (whether that be with basing materials or paint is up to the player).

Commissioner Rules and Expectations

  1. Commissioners are expected to be impartial. Commissioners will do their best to learn all sides of the story in a dispute and resolve it in a manner that is fair to both parties according to the rules for the game and the league.
  2. Commissioners will answer questions to the best of their ability as time permits. While Commissioners are taking on added responsibility in making sure the league runs smoothly, we do have lives, jobs, and other activities that take up our time. As such Commissioners will do their best to answer questions, concerns, and issues as promptly as possible when available to do so.
  3. Commissioners are easiest to communicate to with via email. This is simply so we have a written copy to pass between each other so nothing is lost in translation. While we will listen to issues in person, we would very much prefer it via email instead.
  4. Commissioners will investigate issues to prevent problems from occurring. In order to be impartial and fair, Commissioners will look into issues from both sides of the situation so that a fair resolution can be accomplished. We ask for your cooperation while we ask all parties their side of the story in addition to any others who may be involved. This may take time, so we ask all involved to please be patient with the Commissioner staff as they resolve the issue in question.
  5. Commissioner ruling is final. If a Commissioner is brought in to make a judgment call on a rule, situation, or to end a dispute, their decision is final. Going to another Commissioner will not change the end result. If at a later time it is determined that the call was wrong, the previous still stands as that was the decision made at the time with the information provided.