This article is part of the Anarky Creations Fantasy Football Tabletop Guide series. Start with our hub overview article for a quick comparison of all major fantasy football tabletop games, or jump straight in below for everything you need to know about Blood Bowl's miniature requirements.

Season 3 (Third Season Edition)

Edition and Version Overview

Blood Bowl has been around since 1986 and has gone through multiple editions. This guide focuses on the current tabletop rules as of April 2026, known as Blood Bowl: Third Season Edition (Season 3). Older editions (including the 2016 and 2020 rule sets) are still played in some leagues.

What Blood Bowl Is, in Miniatures Terms

Blood Bowl is a turn-based fantasy football game played on a gridded pitch. Each player on your team is represented by a miniature on a round base. You move, block, pass, and foul using those miniatures, so the number and type of models you own directly shapes what you can do in the game. At a high level, you need:

• Team of 11–16 player miniatures
• Pitch and dugouts (board and sideline areas)
• Block dice and regular dice
• Templates, counters and accessories 

As the pitch, dice, roster card/sheet and counters and so on are in the official Season 3 starter boxes, this guide focuses on miniatures. How many do you need and what types to look for.

Team Size: How Many Miniatures Do You Need?

Blood Bowl separates your team into two - you can keep the remaining players on the bench or in the reserves box on your dugout.

• Roster (team list): 11–16 players hired for your team
• On-pitch players: 11 players on the pitch at any one time

Minimum and Practical Numbers

The absolute minimum for a legal game is 11 miniatures and for league play 14–16 is highly recommended. Expanding your Roster offers certain advantages:

• Substituting injured or sent-off players
• Adding specialist positions as you learn the game
• Using different builds

Different builds means different team setups and dynamics; For example - more catchers for a passing style vs. more blitzers for a bash style. For most new coaches (that's you!), a practical target is: 12–14 miniatures to begin with, increasing to 16 if you enjoy the team and want maximum flexibility.

Player Positions and Model Types

Every Blood Bowl team uses a set of position types, represented by different official miniatures sporting their team kits. Different races utilise different role names, for equivalents, for example Skaven have Gutter Runners instead of Catchers. The key point for miniatures is that each position usually has a distinct sculpt or set of sculpts. Using a typical Human team as an example below, you'll encounter.

In terms of miniatures, Official team boxes are typically designed so that:

• You get a mix of positional players
• You can build at least a basic 11-player roster from a single box

For example, a common team box might include 12 miniatures (e.g. 6 Linemen, 2 Throwers, 2 Catchers, 2 Blitzers). TOP TIP: Always check the product description to confirm the exact breakdown for the race you're interested in. 

Player Statistics (Season 3 Rules)

In the Season 3 rules, every player profile includes five core statistics:

Stats are printed on the player's roster card, not on the miniature itself. However, the miniature's pose often hints at the position, for example, throwers are usually sculpted mid-throw and catchers mid-sprint. When you're planning what to buy, the important takeaway is:

• You don't need separate models for different stat values of the same position.
• You do need at least one miniature for each position you plan to include in your team list.

Optional Miniatures

Beyond the core 11–16 players, Games Workshop produces several optional model types. These are not required to start playing, but many coaches like to add them later.

Big Guys

Most teams have access to a single Big Guy such as an Ogre, Troll, Minotaur or Treeman. These are usually sold separately and physically larger than the rest of the team.

• Miniatures needed: 1 Big Guy model (optional)
• Suggested timing: Once you are comfortable with the basics

Star Players

Star Players are famous named individuals that can be hired for one-off matches, usually in league or tournament play. They have unique rules and are represented by specific named miniatures.

• Miniatures needed: 0 to 2 per team, depending on your league or event rules
• Suggested timing: Only needed if your league uses Star Players or if you are attending events where they are allowed

Sideline Staff

Games Workshop has produced various official models for these over the years, they're not mandatory but do make a nice visual upgrade to your dugouts. The rules allow you to hire extra sideline staff:

• Apothecary - helps reroll injury results
• Assistant Coaches
• Cheerleaders
• Dedicated Fans (counters rather than miniatures)
  

Starter Products: What to Buy First

There are two main ways to start Blood Bowl with official Games Workshop products.

Season 3 Starter Box

This is the most complete one-box starting option and is ideal if you have a friend to play against or if you want allthe official accessories in one purchase. The Blood Bowl: Third Season Edition starter box contains:

• Two full teams of miniatures (one for each player)
• The Season 3 hardback rulebook
• Full size pitch and dugouts
• Block dice, standard dice, tokens and templates

Individual Team Box + Accessories

If you already have access to a Blood Bowl pitch or you mainly play at a club, then this team box option might work. Over time, you can expand your team with extra positional models and a Big Guy if desired.

• One plastic team box for the race you like best (usually 12 miniatures)
• Rulebook (if not using a club copy)
• Block dice (and standard D6, D8, D16 if not already owned)

Recommended "Bare Essentials" Miniature Lists

To make things as practical as possible, here are some suggested shopping lists for different starting situations. These all assume Season 3 rules.

New Coach at a Local Club

If your club/store already has pitches and dice then this gives you a legal 11player roster plus 1 spare. You can add positionals later if you find you need more of a specific role.

1. One official team box for your chosen race (≈12 miniatures)
2. Optional: One Big Guy kit if your team can take one

Two Friends Starting from Scratch at Home

This setup allows two players to start playing immediately, with plenty of scope for expansion later on.

1. Blood Bowl Season 3 starter box (2 teams, pitch, dice, rulebook)
2. Optionally, a second team box for each player if you want immediate access to more positionals or different races
   

Planning Ahead for League Play

If you know you'll be playing in a regular league and want a "complete" team straight away then aim for 16 total player minis (including the Big Guy). This covers injuries, red cards, and tactical substitutions without needing proxies.

• One official team box
• Additional positional blister/box if available (to increase variety)
• One Big Guy model for that team

GW Expansion Path

All of these are optional. You can happily play Blood Bowl for years with just a single team box and access to a rulebook. Once you're comfortable with the basics, typical expansion steps within the official Games Workshop range are:

• Fill out the roster by adding extra positionals for different line ups.
• Add a Big Guy, get the appropriate large model for your team.
• Collect Star Players, choose one or two you like.
• Specialist pitches and dugouts, add team themed boards and dugouts.
• Spike! Journals and rule supplements. These publications introduce new teams, Star Players and optional rules for leagues and tournaments.

This guide focuses only on the official Games Workshop range for Blood Bowl Season 3. For information on independent fantasy football miniature manufacturers and licensed 3D printed teams, please refer to the separate Anarky Creations articles in this series.

This guide focuses only on the official Games Workshop range for Blood Bowl Season 3. For information on independent fantasy football miniature manufacturers and licensed 3D printed teams, please refer to the separate Anarky Creations articles in this series. For information on other fantasy football tabletop games, return to the Anarky Creations Fantasy Football Hub.