Blood Bowl Pitch and Accessories: What You Need to Play

Quick answer

For most new coaches, the fastest path is a Blood Bowl pitch plus a team, dice, and the range ruler and throw-in template that come with the boxed set. If you already own a team, buy the pitch first, then upgrade dice and a second set of templates. A neoprene mat like FLG Mats: Island is worth considering if you play on hard tables and want a cushioned surface that protects dice and models.

Blood Bowl is one of the few tabletop games where the playing surface is not optional. The pitch defines the grid, the end zones, and the passing lanes, so a proper Blood Bowl field is the first purchase that changes how the game actually plays. Everything else, from dice to templates, supports what happens on that field.

This guide covers what a Blood Bowl setup needs, what you can delay, and how to choose between a card pitch, a neoprene mat, and a homemade board. It also covers Blood Bowl accessories that genuinely speed up play, and the ones that mostly sit in the box.

What a Blood Bowl pitch actually does

A Blood Bowl pitch is a grid of squares divided into two halves, with end zones for scoring and sideline areas for out-of-bounds results. The grid matters because movement, passing, and blitzing all measure distance in squares. A printed board or mat keeps those measurements consistent, which is why a dedicated Blood Bowl field beats a plain tabletop for league play.

Pitches come in two common forms: rigid card boards that fold or slot together, and neoprene mats that roll up for transport. Card boards are usually cheaper and sit flat on a table. Neoprene mats are heavier, resist sliding, and cushion dice and models. Neither is strictly better; the right choice depends on how often you travel with your Blood Bowl game accessories.

• Check the pitch size before buying: standard Blood Bowl pitches are designed for the current edition's board dimensions.
• If you play on a glass or polished table, a neoprene mat grips better than a card board.

Blood Bowl accessories you need on day one

The core Blood Bowl accessories are dice, the range ruler, the throw-in template, and a scatter template. Most boxed sets include these, so check your box before buying duplicates. If you are building a Blood Bowl setup from scratch, buy the templates and dice as a set rather than piecemeal, because mismatched templates can cause arguments about measurement.

Block dice are the exception. They are specific to Blood Bowl and not interchangeable with standard six-sided dice. If your set did not include enough block dice for both coaches, buy a second set so each player has their own. This is one of the cheapest upgrades that reduces table friction.

• Count your block dice before your first league night; sharing one set slows every turn.
• Keep templates in a small bag or tray so they do not get bent at the bottom of a carry case.

Pitch or mat: how to choose

Choose a card pitch if you play mostly at home, want the lowest entry cost, and store your Blood Bowl field on a shelf. Card boards are light and pack flat, but they can warp if they get damp, and they slide on smooth tables. Choose a neoprene mat if you play at a store, travel to tournaments, or want a surface that stays put and protects dice rolls.

A neoprene mat such as FLG Mats: Island is a heavy-duty option with high-resolution printing and a cushioned surface. That cushioning matters more than it sounds: dice land softer, models tip less often, and the mat does not creep across the table during a drive. The trade-off is weight and storage; a mat rolls up but still takes more space than a folded board.

• Measure your table before buying a mat; neoprene mats need a flat surface with a little overhang room.
• If you already own a card pitch, a mat is a comfort upgrade, not a requirement.

Teams, dice, and the rest of the kit

Your team is the other half of the Blood Bowl setup. A standard team is eleven to sixteen players, and you will want enough models to cover positional players and a few substitutes. If you are testing a team before committing, a used miniature is a low-risk way to try a faction. For example, Age of Sigmar Fungoid Cave-Shaman Snazzgar Stinkmullett HNI-24 is a secondhand model sold as-is, which suits hobbyists who want a specific figure without paying new-box prices.

For a more conventional team build, Age Of Sigmar - Skaven: Krittok Foulblade is a multipart plastic kit with 19 components and a 40mm round base. It is a character model rather than a full Blood Bowl team, so treat it as a conversion or display project unless your league allows proxy figures. Always check base size and model footprint against your league's rules before buying.

• Confirm whether your league requires official Blood Bowl models or allows conversions.
• Secondhand models are sold as-is and are final sale, so inspect photos carefully before buying.

Blood Bowl game accessories that earn their space

The accessories that actually improve play are the ones that reduce handling time. A dice tray keeps block dice on the table. A small token set tracks rerolls, turnovers, and weather. A team card sleeve or binder keeps your roster and skills organized. None of these are required, but each one removes a small pause from every turn.

Skip accessories that duplicate what the box already gives you, at least until you know your league's house rules. Extra range rulers and scatter templates are rarely needed. Extra block dice are almost always useful. If you paint, a layer paint such as Citadel: Layer Cadian Fleshtone 12Ml is a practical addition for skin tones on team models, though distribution restrictions mean it ships only within the United States.

• Buy one good dice tray before buying a second set of templates.
• Keep a printed roster in a sleeve so you can mark skills without writing on cards.

Budget versus long-term Blood Bowl setup

A budget Blood Bowl setup is a boxed set, a card pitch, and a shared set of dice and templates. That covers everything the rules require. A long-term setup adds a neoprene mat, a second set of block dice, a dice tray, and a carry case that keeps the pitch flat and the templates unbent.

The honest trade-off is storage and cost. Neoprene mats and rigid carry cases cost more and take up more room, but they survive years of league nights better than a folded card board in a backpack. If you play twice a year at home, the budget setup is the smarter buy. If you play weekly, the long-term setup pays for itself in fewer replacements.

• Set a budget before you shop; it is easy to buy accessories you will never use.
• Replace the cheapest item first when something wears out, usually the pitch or the dice bag.

Decision rules for buying Blood Bowl pitch and accessories

• If you are brand new and own nothing: Buy a boxed set first. It includes a pitch, dice, templates, and two teams, which covers every Blood Bowl essential in one purchase. Do not buy a standalone pitch until you know you enjoy the game.
• If you already own a team but no pitch: Buy the pitch next. A card board is the cheapest option; a neoprene mat is the better long-term choice if you play away from home. Pitch first, dice and templates second, extras last.
• If you play weekly at a store or tournament: Choose a neoprene mat and a rigid carry case. The mat stays flat and grips the table, and the case protects templates and dice. Comfort and durability matter more than saving a few dollars here.
• If you play twice a year at home: A card pitch and the dice and templates from your boxed set are enough. Skip the mat and the carry case. Spend the difference on a second team instead.

Product facts that affect your Blood Bowl setup

• FLG Mats: Island: High-resolution neoprene gaming mat with a cushioned, heavy-duty surface, available in multiple sizes. A neoprene mat grips the table, protects dice and models, and rolls up for transport, which suits coaches who play at stores or tournaments.
• Age of Sigmar Fungoid Cave-Shaman Snazzgar Stinkmullett HNI-24: Secondhand shop product sold as-is and final sale, purchased from clients through the store's Secondhand Store Program. A low-cost way to try a specific model for a conversion or proxy team, but you cannot return it, so check photos and scale before buying.
• Age Of Sigmar - Skaven: Krittok Foulblade: Multipart plastic kit with 19 components and 1x Citadel 40mm Round Base. Useful as a conversion or display piece, but it is a single character, not a full Blood Bowl team, so confirm your league allows proxies.
• Citadel: Layer Cadian Fleshtone 12Ml: Layer paint shipped only within the United States due to distribution restrictions. A practical skin-tone paint for team models, but international coaches need a local alternative.

Who this Blood Bowl setup advice is for

Best for

• New coaches building a first Blood Bowl setup from scratch
• Returning players upgrading a card pitch to a neoprene mat
• League players who need a second set of block dice and templates

Not for

• Collectors who only want display miniatures and never play
• Players looking for a full team in a single character kit
• Anyone who needs a pitch size not covered by standard Blood Bowl boards

Start with a pitch and the dice and templates your box provides, then upgrade to a neoprene mat and a second set of block dice once you know you are playing regularly. That order keeps your Blood Bowl setup playable from day one without buying accessories you will never use.