Blitzball System

[DMLeibfrid]

Let's not forget that this does exist...

[color=#ffffff]Concept[/color]

• The game of Blitzball is set within a sphere of magical water 300’-400’ (60-80 squares) in diameter. Any creature gains the [Water] subtype while within the sphere. The sphere has subjective directional gravity, & no tides or currents to speak of, so the players can move freely in all 3 dimensions with no penalties. No spells, spell-like abilities, or supernatural abilities function within the sphere, as if the entire sphere was within an antimagic field; techniques & other extraordinary abilities can function within the sphere, however. There are large triangular goal zones (20’ tall) at opposing sides of the sphere. In the center of the sphere is a vertical line marking the division between one team’s side & the other’s, although this is a somewhat arbitrary designation, as there is no inherent penalty of benefit to crossing the line during play. 
  
  
• The objective of a blitzball game is to score by maneuvering the titular blitzball into the opposing team’s goal. The blitzball itself is a stuffed leather & wood sphere with many small bumps on its surface to improve grip by players. Blitzballs are always magically enhanced to ease movement through water & resist injury. The typical blitzball has the following stats: Diminutive size, 1’ diameter, 2 pounds, AC12, hardness 10, 120HP, Break DC35; it is considered a ranged weapon with a range increment of 400’. Each game lasts for 10 minutes, divided into 2 periods of 5 minutes (50 rounds) each. 
  
  
• Each team consists of 6 players: a Left Forward (LF), a Right Forward (RF), a Midfielder (MF), a Left Defense (LD), a Right Defense (RD), & a Goalkeeper (GL). The forwards’ job is to get the ball into the opposing team’s goal. The midfielder’s job is to pass the ball from the defense & the forwards. The defenses’ job is to hinder the opposing team’s scoring by intercepting the ball. The goalkeeper’s job is to prevent the ball from entering his goal.  
  

[color=#ffffff]Statistics [/color]

• Attack Power (AT) is used by the defensive player during an encounter, & determines how much force the player will inflict on the ball-carrier. If the defender’s Attack Power is higher than the ball-carrier’s Endurance, then there is a very good chance that they will take the ball from the carrier. A high Attack Power is important for midfielders & defenses, who are keen stop carriers who are approaching their goal zone. Attack Power for a blitzball player is their BAB + Strength modifier + base Fortitude save [b]including bonuses not Ability.[/b] 
  
  
• Blocking Power (BL) is the ability of a player to block shots or passes. The higher the Blocking Power, the greater chance the player has of intercepting the pass/shot. Blocking Power is important for midfielders & especially defenses, in order to block shots to the goal zone & passes to open players. Blocking Power for a blitzball player is their BAB + Strength modifier + base Reflex save [b]including bonuses not Ability. [/b] 
  
  
• Catching Power (CA) is only used by the goalkeepers; it is used to determine if the goalkeeper can catch a ball shot by an opposing player into the goal zone, & thereby prevent a goal being scored. A goalkeeper with a high Catching Power has a greater chance of stopping incoming shots. Catching Power is important to goalkeepers, as it is their primary role in the game. Catching Power for a blitzball player is their AC + Dexterity modifier + base Reflex save [b]including bonuses not Ability.  [/b]
  
  
• Endurance (EN) is the amount of force a player can endure from opposing players when they have the ball. The more Endurance a ball-carrier has the better chance they have of breaking through numerous tackles. Endurance is important in midfielders & forwards, as it is needed to break through tackles in order to shoot on goal. Endurance for a blitzball player is their AC + Constitution modifier + base Fortitude save [b]including bonuses not Ability. [/b]
  
  
• Hit Points (HP) are what a player uses to perform an action or special technique. A player loses 1HP each round that they carry the ball, except during blitz rounds (see Rules, below). A player regains 1d4 HP every round that they are not the ball-carrier, up to their maximum HP. If a player’s HP ever drops to 0, then they will be unable to carry the ball or participate in the match until it regained. 
  
  
• Passing Power (PA) determines how far a player can pass the ball. The higher the Passing Power, the better chance the ball has of ending up in the receiver’s hands. Passes can be blocked by defensive players which have not been broken through. A high Passing Power is important to all players, but especially in Midfield players, as it is their primary role to move the ball around. Passing Power for a blitzball player is their BAB + Dexterity modifier + base Reflex save [b]including bonuses not Ability. [/b]
  
  
• Shooting Power (SH) is the power & accuracy of a shot toward the goal zone. The higher the Shooting Power, the greater chance the ball-carrier has of scoring a goal. Shooting is the most important attribute of forwards, as scoring is their primary role in the game. Shooting Power for a blitzball player is their BAB + Dexterity modifier + base Fortitude save [b]including bonuses not Ability. [/b]
  
  
• Speed (SP) is how quickly a player moves during the game (with & without the ball). Faster players will be better able to get into good positions than slower players. Speed is moderately important for every player, with the exception of the Goalkeeper. Speed for a blitzball player is 30’ + 5’ for every 10 ranks in Swim. 
  

[color=#ffffff]Rules[/color]

• Play begins when the launched from the exact center of the sphere straight up along the center line. A designated forward from each team attempts to get control of the ball; this is an opposed Initiative check, with the highest roll gaining control.  
  
  
• While holding the ball, a player can pass to a teammate or shoot the ball toward the goal at any time. Passing the ball to a teammate is a passing roll (PA + 1d10). As the ball travels to its intended recipient, it deducts 1 from the passing roll for each 5’ that it travels to the teammate. Any eligible defenders can make a block attempt, which deducts from the passing roll (see Blocking, below). If the result is still above 0 when the ball reaches the recipient’s square, then the recipient catches the ball; if it is 0 or below, then the ball is fumbled, & is recovered by the nearest player to the intended recipient, be they of either team. 
  
  
• Shooting the ball works rather similarly, using a shooting roll (SH + 1d10). As the ball travels to the goal zone, it deducts 1 from the shooting roll for each 5’ that it travels to the goal. Any eligible defenders can make a block attempt, which deducts from the passing roll (see Blocking, below); in addition, the goalkeeper can also make a block attempt, which deducts from the shooting roll (see Catching, below). If the result is still above 0, then the ball enters the goal, scoring a point for the team; if it is 0 or below, then the ball is caught by the goalkeeper, & is passed to the nearest player of his team.  
  
  
• While a player has the ball, the players of the opposing team (with the exception of the goalkeeper) must try to intercept the ball. This is done by entering into a “blitz” with the ball-carrier. A blitz is a 1-round combat-like encounter. Players must get within 15’ of the ball-carrier to initiate a blitz, which occurs during the following round. All opposing players within 15’ of the ball-carrier by the beginning of the blitz round may take part in the encounter. After a blitz, there is a 1d4 round period of time in which another blitz cannot take place.
  
  
• While in a blitz, confronted by the opposing team, the ball-carrier can attempt to break through the opponents to continue “dribbling”, to pass to a teammate, or to shoot for the goal. When breaking through opposing players during a blitz, a ball-carrier makes an endurance roll (EN + 1d10), & the result is then depleted by their attacks (see attacking roll, below). If the Endurance is still above 0 after an attack, then the ball remains with the ball-carrier & the attacker is eliminated from the blitz; if it is 0 or below, then the ball is taken by the attacker that reduced it to 0. A ball-carrier can choose to break through as many or as few of their opponent as they wish, but they cannot choose the order in which they face them; the closest opponents must be dealt with before the ones that are further away. 
  
  
• Defending players must try to stop the other team from scoring, & this is done by entering a blitz with the ball-carrier & attempting to intercept the ball, becoming ball-carriers themselves. While in a blitz, if the ball-carrier opts to break through a defender, that player can attempt to tackle the ball-carrier by making an attacking roll (AT + 1d10); this result is deducted from the results of the ball-carrier’s endurance roll. 
  
  
• If the ball-carrier decides instead to pass or shoot, the opposing players can attempt to intercept the ball. All opposing players in a blitz are allowed a block attempt, so long as they have sufficient HP, & were not already eliminated from the blitz in some way; they do not have to be actually positioned between the ball-carrier & their chosen target. A defender can attempt to intercept by making a blocking roll (BL + 1d10); this result is deducted from the results of the ball-carrier’s passing or shooting roll, as appropriate. If a defender reduces the ball-carrier’s roll to 0 or below, then that player successfully intercepts the ball, becoming the new ball-carrier. 
  
  
• When a ball is shot toward the goal zone, the goalkeeper must try to prevent a goal being scored. Instead of a block attempt, they can attempt to catch an incoming ball by making a catching roll (CA + 1d10); this result is deducted from the results of the ball-carrier’s shooting roll. 
  Techniques
  • Players can improve their skills in Blitzball by gaining levels, but they can also learn special techniques that they can use during the game. To learn a technique, a player must select a player on another team to observe. While playing against that team, if the chosen opponent performs a technique that the player doesn’t already know, then the player can perform a special Profession check (DC varies, see below) as an immediate action. If the check is successful, then the technique is learned, & can be used as soon as the next period. 
    
    
  • A player can use any technique that they know, although not all at the same time. Before a game, a player can “equip” a number of techniques equal to the number of feats they possess, up to a maximum of 5. Bonus feats gained by racial or class features do not count towards this total. A player can change the techniques that they have “equipped” during half-time, if they so choose, but techniques cannot be switched out while the player is in game-play.  
    
    
  • Below is a complete list of techniques & their effects. Unless it is otherwise noted, using a technique is an immediate action that does not provoke an attack of opportunity, & lasts 1 round. All techniques are considered extraordinary abilities (Ex). 
    
• Individual Skills
  • Anti-Drain: 50% chance to automatically prevent a Drain effect; DC25 to learn; 1HP cost to use 
    
    
  • Anti-Drain 2: 100% chance to automatically prevent a Drain effect; DC30 to learn; 5HP cost to use 
    
    
  • Anti-Nap: 50% chance to automatically prevent a Nap effect; DC25 to learn; 4HP cost to use
    
    
  • Anti-Nap 2: 100% chance to automatically prevent a Nap effect; DC30 to learn; 21HP cost to use 
    
    
  • Anti-Venom: 50% chance to automatically prevent a Venom effect; DC25 to learn; 1HP cost to use 
    
    
  • Anti-Venom 2: 100% chance to automatically prevent a Venom effect; DC30 to learn; 5HP cost to use
    
    
  • Anti-Wither: 50% chance to automatically prevent a Wither effect; DC25 to learn; 3HP cost to use 
    
    
  • Anti-Wither 2: 100% chance to automatically prevent a Drain effect; DC30 to learn; 20HP cost to use
    
    
  • Brawler: 60% chance to enter a blitz from 45’ away; learned only as a prize in a mid-level tournament after 50% of all other techniques are learned; 1HP cost to use
    
    
  • Drain Tackle: during an attack roll, 40% chance to drain 3HP; DC25 to learn; no HP cost to use, but player must have 3HP or more
    
    
  • Drain Tackle 2: during an attack roll, 70% chance to drain 15HP; DC30 to learn; no HP cost to use, but player must have 15HP or more
    
    
  • Drain Tackle 3: during an attack roll, 100% chance to drain 50HP; DC35 to learn; no HP cost to use, but player must have 50HP or more
    
    
  • Elite Defense: player can enter a blitz from 30’ away; learned only as a prize in a low-level tournament after 25% of all other techniques are learned; 1HP cost to use
    
    
  • Gamble: after waking up from a Nap effect, 50% chance to randomize one of the player’s stats (stat -10 + 1d20); statistic chosen by rolling 1d8 & consulting Table 2-1: Blitzball Statistics; learned only as a prize in a low-level tournament after 25% of all other techniques are learned; 30HP cost to use
    
    
  • Golden Arm: reduces deduction from PA & SH rolls by ½, so that it deducts 1 from the roll for each 10’ that it travels; learned only as a prize in a low-level tournament after 25% of all other techniques are learned; 3HP cost to use
    
    
  • Good Morning!: after waking up from a Nap effect, 50% chance to gain a +2 morale bonus to all stats for 1 minute; learned only as a prize in a low-level tournament after 25% of all other techniques are learned; 8HP cost to use
    
    
  • Grip Gloves: player gains +5 to CA for 1 minute; DC25 to learn; 3HP cost to use
    
    
  • Hi-Risk: 6 of the player’s statistics are reduced by ½, but the other 2 are increased by 2×; statistics chosen by rolling 1d8 & consulting
    
    
  • Invisible Shot: +3 to SH; 60% chance to make the ball invisible (total concealment = 50% miss chance for goalkeeper); DC35 to learn; 22HP cost to use
    
    
  • Jethro Shot: +5 to SH; also automatically eliminates up to 2 opponents in a blitz; learned only by acquiring the Jecht Ball (earned in a one-time DC25 Dexterity check, aboard the S.S. Winno); 12HP cost to use
    
    
  • Jethro Shot 2: +10 to SH; also makes the ball invisible (total concealment = 50% miss chance for goalkeeper); also automatically eliminates up to 3 opponents in a blitz; learned only as a prize in a high-level tournament after 75% of all other techniques are learned; 100HP cost to use
    
    
  • Midgar’s Spirit: +10 to SH; also adds total combined SH of all original teammates still on player’s team to player’s SH; earned only as a prize in a high-level tournament after 75% of all other techniques are learned; 60HP cost to use 
    
    
  • Nap Pass: +3 to PA; 30% chance to put blocking defender to sleep (immobile & helpless; can be awoken by being passed the ball) for 1d6+4 rounds; DC25 to learn; 4HP cost to use
    
    
  • Nap Pass 2: +5 to PA; 60% chance to put blocking defender to sleep (immobile & helpless; can be awoken by being passed the ball) for 1d6+4 rounds; DC30 to learn; 20HP cost to use
    
    
  • Nap Pass 3: +7 to PA; 100% chance to put blocking defender to sleep (immobile & helpless; can be awoken by being passed the ball) for 1d6+4 rounds; DC35 to learn; 51HP cost to use
    
    
  • Nap Shot: +3 to SH; 40% chance to put blocking defender to sleep (immobile & helpless; can be awoken by being passed the ball) for 1d6+4 rounds; DC25 to learn; 4HP cost to use
    
    
  • Nap Shot 2: +5 to SH; 70% chance to put blocking defender to sleep (immobile & helpless; can be awoken by being passed the ball) for 1d6+4 rounds; DC30 to learn; 8HP cost to use
    
    
  • Nap Shot 3: +7 to SH; 100% chance to put blocking defender to sleep (immobile & helpless; can be awoken by being passed the ball) for 1d6+4 rounds; DC35 to learn; 35HP cost to use
    
    
  • Nap Tackle: +3 to AT; 40% chance to put ball-carrier to sleep (immobile & helpless; can be awoken by being passed the ball) for 1d6+4 rounds if EN is reduced to 0 by tackle; DC25 to learn; 4HP cost to use
    
    
  • Nap Tackle 2: +5 to AT; 70% chance to put ball-carrier to sleep (immobile & helpless; can be awoken by being passed the ball) for 1d6+4 rounds if EN is reduced to 0 by tackle; DC30 to learn; 9HP cost to use
    
    
  • Nap Tackle 3: +7 to AT; 100% chance to put ball-carrier to sleep (immobile & helpless; can be awoken by being passed the ball) for 1d6+4 rounds if EN is reduced to 0 by tackle; DC35 to learn; 18HP cost to use
    
    
  • Pile Venom: allows player to add additional Venom effects to an opponent already affected by a Venom effect; learned only as a prize in a low-level tournament after 25% of all other techniques are learned; 3HP cost to use
    
    
  • Pile Wither: allows player to add additional Wither effects to an opponent already affected by a Wither effect; learned only as a prize in a low-level tournament after 25% of all other techniques are learned; 7HP cost to use
    
    
  • Regen: player regains 2d4 HP every round that they are not the ball-carrier, up to their maximum HP; 1 use lasts for 1 period; learned only as a prize in a mid-level tournament after 50% of all other techniques are learned; 5HP cost to use
    
    
  • Sphere Shot: +3 to SH; also adds +1d10 to SH; DC35 to learn; 9HP cost to use
    
    
  • Spin Ball: puts a rapid spin on the ball (-3 to goalkeeper’s CA); 1 use lasts for 1 period; DC25 to learn; 3HP cost to use
    
    
  • Super Goalie: 60% chance to add +1d10 to CA; DC25 to learn; 3HP cost to use
    
    
  • Tackle Slip: 40% chance to automatically dodge a tackle, eliminating the defender from the blitz without deducting from EN; 20% to be disoriented after slipping the tackle (-5 to PA & SH for 1 round); DC25 to learn; 4HP cost to use
    
    
  • Tackle Slip 2: 80% chance to automatically dodge a tackle, eliminating the defender from the blitz without deducting from EN; 20% to be disoriented after slipping the tackle (-5 to PA & SH for 1 round); DC30 to learn; 17HP cost to use
    
    
  • Tech Find: teaches any one random technique (except Auroch’s Spirit or Jecht Shots); never teaches a technique that has already been learned; learned only as a prize in tournaments; 0HP cost to use
    
    
  • Venom Pass: +3 to PA; 30% chance to poison blocking defender (loses 1d4HP each round that they carry the ball, except during blitz rounds, & does not regain HP while they are not the ball-carrier) for 1d6+4 rounds; DC25 to learn; 4HP cost to use
    
    
  • Venom Pass 2: +5 to PA; 60% chance to poison blocking defender (loses 1d4HP each round that they carry the ball, except during blitz rounds, & does not regain HP while they are not the ball-carrier) for 1d6+4 rounds; DC30 to learn; 12HP cost to use
    
    
  • Venom Pass 3: +7 to PA; 100% chance to poison blocking defender (loses 1d4HP each round that they carry the ball, except during blitz rounds, & does not regain HP while they are not the ball-carrier) for 1d6+4 rounds; DC35 to learn; 25HP cost to use
    
    
  • Venom Shot: +3 to SH; 30% chance to poison blocking defender (loses 1d4HP each round that they carry the ball, except during blitz rounds, & does not regain HP while they are not the ball-carrier) for 1d6+4 rounds; DC25 to learn; 2HP cost to use
    
    
  • Venom Shot 2: +5 to SH; 70% chance to poison blocking defender (loses 1d4HP each round that they carry the ball, except during blitz rounds, & does not regain HP while they are not the ball-carrier) for 1d6+4 rounds; DC30 to learn; 4HP cost to use
    
    
  • Venom Shot 3: +7 to SH; 100% chance to poison blocking defender (loses 1d4HP each round that they carry the ball, except during blitz rounds, & does not regain HP while they are not the ball-carrier) for 1d6+4 rounds; DC35 to learn; 10HP cost to use
    
    
  • Venom Tackle: +3 to AT; 40% chance to poison ball-carrier (loses 1d4HP each round that they carry the ball, except during blitz rounds, & does not regain HP while they are not the ball-carrier) for 1d6+4 rounds; DC25 to learn; 3HP cost to use
    
    
  • Venom Tackle 2: +5 to AT; 70% chance to poison ball-carrier (loses 1d4HP each round that they carry the ball, except during blitz rounds, & does not regain HP while they are not the ball-carrier) for 1d6+4 rounds; DC30 to learn; 7HP cost to use
    
    
  • Venom Tackle 3: +7 to AT; 100% chance to poison ball-carrier (loses 1d4HP each round that they carry the ball, except during blitz rounds, & does not regain HP while they are not the ball-carrier) for 1d6+4 rounds; DC35 to learn; 16HP cost to use
    
    
  • Volley Shot: 50% chance to ignore all BL deductions from the shooting roll; DC25 to learn; 1HP cost to use
    
    
  • Volley Shot 2: 75% chance to ignore all BL deductions from the shooting roll; DC30 to learn; 4HP cost to use
    
    
  • Volley Shot 3: 100% chance to ignore all BL deductions from the shooting roll; DC35 to learn; 25HP cost to use
    
    
  • Wither Pass: +3 to PA; 30% chance to wither blocking defender (AT, BL, & EN reduced by ½) for 1d6+4 rounds; DC25 to learn; 4HP cost to use
    
    
  • Wither Pass 2: +5 to PA; 60% chance to wither blocking defender (AT, BL, & EN reduced by ½) for 1d6+4 rounds; DC30 to learn; 18HP cost to use
    
    
  • Wither Pass 3: +7 to PA; 100% chance to wither blocking defender (AT, BL, & EN reduced by ½) for 1d6+4 rounds; DC35 to learn; 44HP cost to use
    
    
  • Wither Shot: +3 to SH; 40% chance to wither blocking defender (BL & CA reduced by ½) for 1d6+4 rounds; DC25 to learn; 3HP cost to use
    
    
  • Wither Shot 2: +5 to SH; 70% chance to wither blocking defender (BL & CA reduced by ½) for 1d6+4 rounds; DC30 to learn; 18HP cost to use
    
    
  • Wither Shot 3: +7 to SH; 100% chance to wither blocking defender (BL & CA reduced by ½) for 1d6+4 rounds; DC35 to learn; 39HP cost to use
    
    
  • Wither Tackle: +3 to AT; 40% chance to wither ball-carrier (EN, PA, & SH reduced by ½) for 1d6+4 rounds; DC25 to learn; 1HP cost to use
    
    
  • Wither Tackle 2: +5 to AT; 70% chance to wither ball-carrier (EN, PA, & SH reduced by ½) for 1d6+4 rounds; DC30 to learn; 8HP cost to use
    
    
  • Wither Tackle 3: +7 to AT; 100% chance to wither ball-carrier (EN, PA, & SH reduced by ½) for 1d6+4 rounds; DC35 to learn; 25HP cost to use
    

This is not my creation. Just bringing it to light. 
Author & Editor: Zeta Kai