Slaughterball Deluxe Review - with Sam Healey

[@slaughterball8375]

Thanks for doing the review, Sam! You are correct that the cost of artwork on each card was prohibitive for a new, small company like us. However, I've had players love the thematic quotes that are on almost all the cards. Also, the 6-sided dice would have only been needed for 3-player games, and only needed once at the start of each game. So, I thought I would save people the cost of the die that they would use only once and then only during 3-player games. Plus, I figured if people didn't like ignoring 7-8 on that 1 roll, they probably have a spare d6 lying around.

[@dennisbolin6893]

+Slaughterball every gamer and darn near everyone has a d6 laying around The thing with the cards having art ... yea maybe if you were a big company but you get a HUGE pass for the sheer amount of content you did include in the box

[@SamHealey6]

+Slaughterball As I said in the video, it was a small minute thing...more of a head scratching moment than anything else, and that really is all it was. It doesn't take away from my enjoyment of the game at all. Most gamers probably do have a d6 laying around. And art missing from the cards was also in the same vein. I figured it had a lot to do with cost. Overall, though, a very solid game, and I wish the best for you and its success.

[@slaughterball8375]

+Sam Healey Thanks, Sam!

[@chizmw]

It says in the review's game summary that there's a co-operative mechanic in the game... I find this surprising; what's the co-operative element/mechanism?

[@dennisbolin6893]

+Chisel Wright (Chiz) lol you get to work together beating the crap out of the coach in first place

[@slaughterball8375]

+Chisel Wright (Chiz) The review is incorrect. This is not a co-op game. There are no rules for cooperating, no rewards for cooperating, and no shared victories. This is straight up competitive carnage and mayhem. Of course, just like any game, coaches might agree to attack the leader together.

[@chizmw]

+Slaughterball I thought as much ... just wanted to be sure (and to raise the mistake)

[@SamHealey6]

+Chisel Wright (Chiz) I think what happened was that I didn't notice that when I was editing the slide template...it's a carry-over from the last game that was on that template. Sorry...I in no way meant to imply that the game is cooperative. In my review, that's one of the things that I like about the game...that it doesn't encourage teaming up against another coach's athletes. There may be times where it would be advantageous to do so, but it's definitely a competitive game.

[@slaughterball8375]

+Sam Healey No worries, Sam. I've made more than enough little copy errors while doing the publishing for Slaughterball. Fortunately, my wife Shari catches most of them. :)

[@TukanSam12]

I am super psyched for my copy arriving (hopefully) Tuesday! Unfortunately, I have to wait for the weekend before I'll have a chance to play it with my group. I regret missing the Kickstarter. The unique arenas and cheerleader figures look great.

[@slaughterball8375]

+TUKANSAM12 Thanks for buying Slaughterball! You'll have a chance to pre-order the unique arenas in a few months. If you want to be notified when pre-orders are available, you can sign up for our Slaughterball newsletter at www.slaughterball.net/newsletter/. We didn't reach the cheerleader stretch goal on the Kickstarter, so you're not missing out on those yet. However, I have put 3D printed versions up on our Shapeways store at www.shapeways.com/shops/frogthewhatgames. These are pricier, of course, but you can get them sooner than the mass market versions which might take a while to come out.

[@TukanSam12]

+Slaughterball Thanks for the reply! Now I don't feel nearly as bad for missing out on the Kickstarter campaign. I've subscribed to the newsletter and I look forward to new additions to the game as they become available!

[@slaughterball8375]

+TUKANSAM12 Thanks for your support! Let us know how your games go and post some pics on BGG. I want to hear all about the carnage!

[@dustinboatman6134]

Thanks for the review Sam, but I have one quick question. If you were to buy just one out of this and Kaosball, which would you get? I have been interested in Kaosball for awhile now because I am an Eric Lang fan, but how does it stack up against this?

[@SamHealey6]

+Dustin Boatman I guess it would come down to which you like more, dice rolling combat/skill test resolution (Slaughterball), or a more card-driven approach (Kaosball). I enjoy both mechanisms, but for a game like this, I probably lean a bit more towards dice-chucking than card-playing.

[@slaughterball8375]

+Dustin Boatman Dustin, Sam is correct that the main difference between Slaughterball and Kaosball is dice vs. cards. If you want more help deciding which game's play style is more to your liking, check out this post on BGG: www.boardgamegeek.com/thread/1521594/slaughterball-vs-kaosball

[@dustinboatman6134]

Thanks for the responses guys. Sam Healey Thanks again, I have been a fan for a few years now and really appreciate your reviews.

[@yynderjohn]

I've played this game with 8 different people, some of them non gamers and they all love it. It's easy and quick to setup and fast to learn the core rules. The components are all high quality. I love the huge board and figs and can't wait for more. This is the best kickstarter I have ever backed in terms of usage and quality. It plays great with 2,3 or 4 players and I love how the game actually speeds up as you get to the later rounds as there is usually heavy miniature attrition on the board. This is not a Dreadball/Bloodbowl clone, it takes the best elements of those games and expands. You can actually win a game of Slaughterball on points by just stomping and injuring the opposing teams!! Minor quibbles: Some of the cards could be worded better/more clearly. I think the cards are ok and like the quotes, but agree that more art would be awesome (but understand the budget). It's a ridiculous quibble in the video to harp on a lack of a d6 that is only used on 1 side of the board (and who the heck doesn't have a d6 laying around?) Game gets a 9.5 out of 10 for me!

[@djmouglie]

This game is much better then blood bowl for me.. faster to play as a one off match or you can do a hole league style thing with more advanced rules, multiplayer, comes with all miniatures you need for both a quick game or building your own team for alle 4 teams, even comes with star players. So it really is everything in one box. The only letdown was the box art almost made me not buy it as it just did not look that cool to be honest (but im happy i looked past the cover on this one) and that the miniatures seem a bit rubbery, but i think painting them might help on that bit and putting them on some solid bases.

[@peteyandycreek]

I would agree with your rating if I only played a scrimmage match... All the teams are the same... Exhibition I would give a 9-10. In exhibition the cards start to have double uses making decision making much more intricate, and allow you to build brutal combos. I also felt like the d6 comment was so minor it could have been omitted. You would only roll the d6 once at the very beginning of the game, or very occasionally after a shot clock card was played... And even then, there's only a .25 chance it would be needed... I'm happy to re-roll the dice once every four games. I like Slaughterball because it feels like a sports highlight reel when you play... You can attempt what feels like huge shots, punches and passes. There's no a slow build up, slowly positioning your team for a moment of glory (which is a key difference Imo). Its pretty much high octane all the way through... Injuries are guaranteed... Penalties frequent.. And goals in all corners of the pit.

[@SamHealey6]

+peteyandycreek As I said, I'm going to be doing a second video on just the league and exhibition modes. So, we'll see.

[@slaughterball8375]

+Sam Healey Wow! Thanks for doing that, Sam! I'm looking forward to hearing which team is your favorite in the advanced games.

[@peteyandycreek]

+Sam Healey Absolutely Sam! Looking forward to that video and your thoughts!

[@dennisbolin6893]

Basketball meets UFC .... Slaughterball is a great game that has ton of cross appeal. Slaughterball is as similar to other sports games as Saga is to 40K. Sure you move miniatures on a board an roll dice scoring points to win but the similarities stop there. In Slaughterball you only roll dice once for a result and it can go either way. Combat, or CHOPPING, is a comparative with the winner scoring points or in the case of a tie both players. (Yes you can score in your opponents turn) Your other players and other coaches players can affect dice rolls not by adding dice but by taking away dice if they so choose. The game is not slowed down by a reset, dice rolling is fast; To make a PASS action you roll the pass and catch in one combined roll. There is no turnovers ending your team through a dice failure or an absolutely absurd fumble (there are 2 copies of 1 card in the deck, Lost Momentum, that under certain conditions your turn can come to an end). Each coach only gets to move 3 of their 6 active players per turn (there is 1 card, Extra Onslaught, that allows one more player to move) All players can affect play if they have the right cards. I do enjoy the dynamic of the player in the worst position controlling the scatter of the ball. Think about what you get in this game: 21 dice (20 of them with all 6 custom sides) 52 high detail miniatures, quality printing, a GREAT fold chipboard .... There is a high risk/reward factor that awards points based on the level of risk you are willing to take. Another great aspect of the game is you are NEVER out of the game... sure you might be down in points but a little luck and a bit of risk and you are right there battling for first place. Slaughterball offers 3 levels of Play Scrimmage; where all the coaches positional players have the same stats and no skills for ease of play Exhibition; stock skills are added allowing the use of more dice roll effects (Star Brawler skill allows you to count the Star symbol as knifes) League; Build on your favorite Exhibition team as you play more games uniquely distinguishing your team for other coaches as you choose your added skill choices and support staff I have played most sports games, and games from all areas of the gaming community. Slaughterball is a solid game with a rock solid rules set. We have been trying to break it since we started and have yet to find a flaw, granted there is a few typos but they do not affect play (yes I am one of those ahole rules lawyers ask galakskyscraper of Blood Bowl about the numerous in depth rules discussions we have had) I have been a Blood Bowl player since 2nd ed playing thousands of games and hundreds of tournament games .... and I LOVE Slaughterball. Keep you eyes open for the San Angeles Metroplex CRUNCH tournament series!!!

[@slaughterball8375]

+Dennis Bolin Thanks, Dennis!

[@MiniPainterGamerDadD20]

This looks fun....I'll keep an eye out for it

[@bergy5012]

When does this come out?

[@slaughterball8375]

+Bergy50 The game is out now! Ask your local game store to order it, check the online stores, or you can get it from our online store www.slaughterball.net.

[@CollectionTHX1138]

Looks like an interesting game. Closeups of the board and minis would be nice to see. it takes time to do that though. someone was explaining guild ball and some commented about this game. this theme makes more sense than based on soccer ; they remind me of mutant league hockey and football on the sega genesis so many years ago lol

[@DukensteinA1]

Seems like a much better game than that piece of junk, Kaosball.

[@slaughterball8375]

+DukensteinA1 I wouldn't say Kaosball is a piece of junk. But it is a very different game from Slaughterball. Check out this post on BGG for the differences: www.boardgamegeek.com/thread/1521594/slaughterball-vs-kaosball

[@Malakanth]

Hm...I have a feeling that D6G reviewed Slaughterball years ago...maybe all those ball games blend together.

[@stormy7722]

slapstick?...or Slapshot?

[@SamHealey6]

+marc webber I make that slip almost every time I talk about that movie...and I didn't even realize it here...my bad.

[@stormy7722]

+Sam Healey no worries...there was a lot of slapstick in Slapshot...I'm a Canadian so Slapshot is like required watching in school. lol.

[@AjStephens86]

it seems to be the same as dreadball.

[@dennisbolin6893]

+Aj Stephens ahh NO.... sorry to disagree but any similarity might be equivalent as 40K is to Flames of War or Sage

[@slaughterball8375]

+Aj Stephens There are some significant differences between Slaughterball and Dreadball. Check out this BGG thread for some differences. Look down the thread a bit for my (ErikFrog) post with the list. www.boardgamegeek.com/thread/1117560/dreadball-and-kaosball-and-slaughterball-oh-my

[@BoomstarPrime]

So the teams are exactly the same as one another? That's no fun at all, i like teams to have a proper feel to them where you try and play up the team's strength's. Edit: Oh ok so exhibition is the proper mode, and league if you have a persistent group.

[@thediethrower1803]

So notch is neither a man nor a woman... my god he's an amoeba!