Kicking in Blood Bowl - Theory Thursday (Bonehead Podcast)

[@obelix1996]

Hi! I noted that the probability calculations for whether or not you'll give your opponent a touchback when placing the ball further and further away from the sweetspot weren't exactly correct, as not all the portions of a given ring are going to result in a touchback once moved. (Although its still a good rule of thumb as far as the feelings go, the chances of not causing a touchback by placing the ball in the middle of the end-zone may be more than 50%, but it certainly does feel like 0%). Touchback probability when ball is placed x squares forward/backward from sweetspot: 1: 8.6% 2: 14.8% 3: 21.1% 4: 27.3% 5: 33.6% 6: 46.9%

[@13rym26]

Edit never mind.

[@niallboyd7456]

In dice terms, you need to multiple the danger rings be 3 in 8 (for a side) or 5 in 8 (for a corner). The important thing this adds is that you can move the kick location along either the horizontal or vertical sweet spots axis with relatively contained risk, but the risk increases by just under double as you move towards a corner. For context, the spot used in his example really only has 14.8% chance of a touchback, which is less than 1 in 6, and which Goblin coach wouldn't take those odds?

[@Mythago314]

I was going to point this out as well. Personally (without kick skill) I either kick in the sweet spot or 5 away in a cardinal direction when the opponent sets up favoring some direction. Most often it means a deep kick. Less than 5, and I feel it doesn’t change the possible ball placement enough to matter, compared to the increased chance of a touchback.

[@kellydavis3108]

I love this kind of stuff. I tried to explain to my son that most of GW's rules are simply an odds game.

[@makarr01]

Yes, an odds/risk management game

[@makarr01]

Great video, thanks! I always enjoy your videos, I watch them all despite having playing this game for 20+ years =) BTW I am surprised you didn't mention the new "changing weather" result in BB2020 (if you roll perfect weather) which changed the old extra square bounce from "gust of wind" to now being a "scatter," which is now 3D8 new squares. You mentioned gust of wind once but implied it was like the old rules, just 1 extra space. So there is no longer a guaranteed spot anywhere on the pitch even with the kick skill.

[@JersyCityDevil]

I was thinking exactly the same (great video, very entertaining, spot on but one minor issue). I believe the reason Ben is mixing it up here is the same I have often seen with BB players: They mix up and interchange the terms deviate, scatter and bounce. These all mean quite different things but for over ten years I've been hearing stuff like "I'm kicking the ball here, so it will bounce D6 squares and then scatter one more square". The same applies to passing. Another thing connected with this problem is that many players actually misunderstand when the ball is in the air and when it is on the ground or can be caught/picked up. I keep annoying my opponents by correcting these terms but I also keep seeing that coaches will use the wrong one of these three because they believe it's all the same and it does have an impact on the game.

[@AFAndersen]

Kick 'em while they'r... what do you mean, "other kick"? Kick into crow.. no? Ohh.. kicking the ball!

[@bladebloodly6255]

Thanks for your videos!

[@dcruize]

How about if you don't halve 1s, 2s and 3s when the direction goes in your favour? This increases the TB odds to 14% when you kick 3 away from the edge, but not sure what the effects would be on the other boxes.

[@Mech-Badger-Man]

Do keep in mind you don’t have to use kick, so if you place it in a safe back corner and then roll a 3 on the distance you can not use kick and have it end up near a pitch edge if the direction is good.

[@humandave5417]

does the ball not deviate, then scatter and, then bonce? the rules are unclear in the main rule book.

[@jeremyrobinson1611]

Could you do a cage breaking one. From initial start team through to mid level and then high level.

[@JamesThompson-1]

This would be great - just general cage management tbh, so moving it, freeing it and breaking it

[@syteanric]

For me, kicking is THE most important part of the game. Pin slow teams deep, or use kick to ensure dodge/pass teams have to reform. You can win or lose on your kick

[@HaldamirElensar]

Agree but my friends Stills calls "Kick" sucks=(

[@mverna3628]

Awesome info!!!!!!