The Rules of Combat in this LARP

The rules of the LARP are quite simple really.


The Basics:

First, Always listen to anything a staff member tells you as a Staff Member, that is, if a Staff Member tells you as a teammate to guard the flag, feel free to ignore him - but if he tells you to get off the field or take a hit - do it. Do not argue with a Staff Member's call - even if you are a Staff Member. Staff members should never get into an argument about a call during combat, but will be happy to discuss a situation after combat is over. Staff members make mistakes, but it is important not to let that bog down the game. All staff are equal in a combat situation.

LARP combat is not about hitting someone as hard as you can, but rather to hit them at half strength or less.

Invalid Hits:

Never hit anyone in the head, groin, or neck. All these are illegal target areas. If it accidentally happens, don't feel too bad - that's why we pad the weapons so much - just back off and allow the person to recover before continuing combat. Be very careful of these areas as you can seriously injure someone, even with a padded weapon, by hitting them in the face or neck. While groin shots have less potential for injury, they can be very painful and can also cause injury. Just keep your weapon under control and remember it is just a game. It's not worth anyone getting hurt.

If you get hit in an invalid location, you are not required to take any injury. If you get hit in a valid location during the same attack as an invalid location is hit (like if a weapon bounces off your head and hits your arm) you DO take the valid hit. Generally if you get hit in this manner, your attacker should tell you not to take this hit, but by default you should.

Valid Hits:

If you get hit anywhere on the arm or hand - it is an arm hit. If your hand is hit while it is on a weapon it does not count, otherwise it is still an arm hit. Any hit that touches the wrist or above counts regardless of whether the hand was on a weapon.

If you get hit anywhere below the waist (except the groin of course), it is a hit on the leg on the side that was hit. If you get hit on both sides - take both hits.

Otherwise if you get hit anywhere on the torso below the neck and above the waist, front or back, or on the shoulder - it is a body hit.

Non Combatants:

Non combatants are people that for whatever reason do not use any weapons. Since they are not involved with combat, they cannot be killed.

Other Notes:

Never tell anyone that they have been hit. Only they know. Many times you may feel you hit someone, but you did not. You may ask if they were hit if you feel they may not have noticed, but you may not insist. Everyone is responsible for tracking their own injuries. If you feel someone is cheating, do NOT confront them about it. Go to a staff member and report it. If you feel a staff member is cheating, go to another staff member and report that as well. The staff will then keep a closer eye on the suspect individual, and if the offense is repeated more than twice, they may have their staff status revoked.

Any hit that only catches your clothing and does not actually hit you does not count. To prevent people from thinking you a cheater it is a good idea to call "cloth" when this occurs.

If you are hit by someone accidentally (like someone on your team) it DOES count. This is known as "Friendly Fire". If you ever accidentally hit yourself that does count. You can cause yourself harm unintentionally.

Any time you feel that you hit someone too hard, or hit them when you shouldn't have, or otherwise hit them in an invalid manner you may tell them not to "take" the hit. Otherwise you should always take hits whenever you are hit unless a staff member tells you not to.

If a weapon hits you in more than one location simultaneously, it counts as a hit in ALL locations that it touched. If a weapon slides along you, it is only one hit in EACH area it touches. If the weapon bounces on you a few times, other than the first hit, it does not count.

If a weapon hits you in a manner that doesn't count for that weapon (for instance if a spear's shaft hits you - as a spear is a thrust-only weapon) you do NOT take the hit.

If you get hit in a limb that is already taken - take the hit as if the limb was not there. Usually this makes a hit on a wounded arm a body hit and a hit on a missing leg a hit on the remaining leg. Sometimes it can mean that the hit does not count. Use your best judgment and alway err on the side of taking more wounds.

Injuries:

If you take eight arm hits and have no armor in that location (see Armor Rules) - you lose the arm. It must be held behind the back and cannot be used for anything. Drop your weapon. You may pick your weapon up with the other hand. Just do it quickly - people can attack you during this time.

If you take eight leg hits and have no armor in that location (see Armor Rules) - you lose that leg. You can still move, just much slower, and you may not stand on that leg whatsover - even to move. (Exception: To avoid potential real world injury, a "Halt Action" must be called.)

Death:

If you take eight body hits and have no armor in that location (see Armor Rules) - you are incapacitated, whilst incapacitated, you may not speak, fight, or interact with anyone. If you are hit once more after a fifteen-second call. You are dead. During the fifteen seconds, you cannot be killed. If you die, it is PERMANENT, and you must make another character to continue playing. It is suggested by the Game Master to have at least two characters in case of character death, so you may continue playing Each character may "will" off his/her equipment at a %10 tax fee (%10 of the value of said items are taken away by the in-game authorities). Upon death, you ust act out your characters death/incapacitation. (There wil be ways to be killed instead of incapacitated, but it is not yet implemented).

A Few More Rules:

Never use a weapon that a certified LARP Group Weaponsmith (Or Game Master/Staff Member) has not inspected that same day. Never fight in an unsafe area, unless that happens to be the only area you can fight in! (stairs, ledges, by sharp objects, by fragile objects, etc...).

Charging: Do not ever charge. Charging is when you either bump into someone with your body or otherwise move them by force, or force someone to move to avoid being hit by your body. If you slip, that is YOUR fault, not the field's. If the ground is wet or otherwise slippery, take it slow and keep yourself under control. Full contact is not allowed, but you are allowed to hit someone with your shield if a Weaponsmith/GM/Staff member says it is safe to do so BEFORE combat.

Force/Break:
If you ever feel crowded by someone during combat, you may also call "Break!".
At this point, both parties and those very nearby should take a step back and try again.