Kerrunch is a simplified fantasy football board game released by Games Workshop in 1991, designed as an accessible introduction to Blood Bowl. Players control teams of fantasy characters trying to carry a ball into the opponent’s end zone to score touchdowns. The game uses a unique combat tray (the box lid) where dice are dropped onto a matrix to resolve tackles. The first team to score three touchdowns wins.
Components
Game board (football pitch with end zones)
Plastic player miniatures (two teams)
Ball token
Combat tray (box lid with printed matrix)
Dice
Team cards
Setup
Each player selects a team (different fantasy races with varying abilities, including Elves who get bonus movement).
Place teams in their respective end zones on the pitch.
Place the ball in one of the four kick-off squares in the center of the pitch.
Roll a die to determine which player has the first turn.
Turn Structure
Each turn is divided into four stages completed in order:
Roll for movement: Roll a die to determine how many squares each of your players may move this turn.
Move players: Move your players up to the rolled number of squares (optional per player).
Tackle opponents: If your players are adjacent to opponents, resolve tackles using the combat tray.
Ball handling: Pick up, carry, or pass the ball.
Actions
Movement
Roll a die at the start of your turn; all your players may move up to that number of squares.
Individual players do not have to move the full distance.
Elves receive +2 extra movement spaces due to their nimbleness.
Players move orthogonally or diagonally on the grid.
Tackling
When your player is adjacent to an opponent, you may attempt a tackle.
Drop the specified number of dice into the combat tray (box lid).
The dice land on a matrix printed in the tray, determining the tackle result.
Results can include: successful tackle (opponent knocked down), failed tackle, or injury.
Different races roll different numbers of dice, reflecting their combat abilities.
Ball Handling
Pick up the ball by moving a player onto the ball’s square.
Carry the ball by moving the player holding it.
Pass the ball to a teammate (if rules allow for the team type).
Scoring a Touchdown
Move a player carrying the ball into the opponent’s end zone.
The scoring team earns one touchdown.
After a touchdown, reset the pitch for a new kick-off.
Scoring / Victory Conditions
The first team to score three touchdowns wins the game.
Special Rules & Edge Cases
The combat tray is a distinctive physical mechanic – dice literally bounce off the box lid’s matrix, adding a dexterity element to combat resolution.
Different fantasy races have different strengths: some are faster (Elves), some are tougher in combat.
Injured players are removed from the game for the current drive.
The game is intentionally simplified from Blood Bowl to be accessible to younger players and newcomers.
No turnover mechanic (unlike full Blood Bowl) – players complete their full turn regardless of failures.