Live-Action Role Playing (LARPing)

[VictorSempra]

I recently started attending a local LARPing group again, so I thought I'd spread the word a little about the sport. Stow your inflammatory comments about how nerdy it is, read this first.

 

 

At it's core, LARPing is a way to 'experience' the fantasy life we wish we could. Some groups take it to the extreme (Full on alternate personas, shops, smithies, etc etc.). But there are other groups, such as the one I belong to, who focus a little more on just plain having fun.

 

Combat is simple: Take your weapons, and beat on each other. Head/neck hits are illegal for safety reasons. A hit to the torso results in your 'death', and getting hit in an arm or leg results in the 'loss' of that limb (IE kneeling down to show you lost a leg, or tucking the hit arm behind your back to show loss). If two limbs are lost, you also take a 'death'.

 

I play under Amtgard rules, which is a pretty basically fantasy-friendly set-up. You have various classes, using a multitude of abilities and weapons, to suit both your own style and to create variety on the field.

 

The weapons are as follows:

 

Melee weapons: These are segregated into a few different categories. The basic ones you will see are daggers, short swords, long swords, and pole-arms. Each have different rules on length and construction, mostly for safety reasons.

 

Ranged weapons: Bow and arrows, javelins, throwing dagger/axes/etc. Again, these have certain construction requirements, but purely for the players' safety.

 

Magic: Magic is done through either a verbal chant and a finger-point, or through a spell ball, again with rules on construction so you don't somehow) put out an eye.

 

Weapon construction caries for every weapon and style, but at it's core there's a few things that must be observed: The core cannot be wood or metal (most people use graphite or PVC pipe), and the striking surface of the weapon must be padded to a certain thickness.

 

Example: A player wants to build a longsword. A longsword can be a maximum length of 48 inches (anything over becomes a polearm/reach weapon). To have the longsword 'legal' to use on the field, 2/3s of that must be padded with 2.5 inches of foam. There must also b a padded pommel, about an inch long. What you end up with, is something that looks rather similar to a foam bat.

 

Some people get more creative and do a "flat blade" design, where there is a clearly visible striking edge on two sides of the weapon, more similar to how a real sword would look ( and treated as such. A hit with the flat part of the blade doesn't count as a valid hit)

 

Shields are pretty basic to construct and use, usually consisting on nothing more than material cut to size and covered.

 

Another factor in the combat is the armor. Some classes get a little, some get A LOT. Cloth, leather, chain, even full plate can be used, and each material has it's own value. (Example: Cloth has an armor rating of 1, so it allows you to take one extra hit where the armor covers. Likewise, Full Plate has a rating of 6, so you must be hit 7 times in order to lose the limb/die.)

 

Outside of the weapons, the most crucial aspect is the classes. Warriors, Barbarians, Archers, Scouts, Monks, Druids, Bards, Healers, Wizards, and Assassins. Each just as different from the last.

 

Warriors: The biggest armor, and the biggest shields. They can use 6 points of armor, any melee weapon, any size shield, and javelins (a throwing weapon). Their skills revolve around making them self and their equipment tougher, to hold the front line.

 

Barbarians: The crash and bash. They can use any melee weapon, and are allowed to use rocks (that's right, you can make 'legal' throwing rocks.Padded of course). Their abilities center on going "Berserk" to hit harder, and even keep fighting after they are dead for a period of time. A fearsome foe who can clean the field.

 

Archers: Pinpoint accuracy, and deadly range. Archers utilize the bow, and all the ways to enhance their arrows to ensure the skies rain hell, such as flaming and poison arrows.

 

Scouts: A near jack of all trades. They can use a bow, a shield, or a selection of weapons, but doesn't specialize in any. Their abilities are more focused on befuddling their foes, and supporting their team.

 

Monks: A true master of combat. Monks are feared for their abilities to heal themself, apply death on a touch, and call Sanctuary to protect themselves. (A MASSIVE pain in the ass class, because as long as Sanctuary is used they cannot be hit. They can't attack either, but still.)

 

Druids: Beings of nature, who use magic to ensnare and trap enemies, along with a select few in the general magic category.

 

Bards: WIth a song, a dance, and an incantation, they will have YOU dancing or fleeing form the fight. Effective at keeping key opponents occupied.

 

Healers: Healers do, what healers do. They keep their team alive, but can also help counter-act some of the magic that floats around the field.

 

Wizards: True master of magic, they have access to the broadest range of magic, including the Dreaded Doomsday and Sphere of Annihilation spells.

 

Assassins: Stealth and trickery are the name of this classes game. Their abilities center around slipping invisibly inside the enemy team, and applying poisons to instantly kill people.

 

 

On an average day, people will pick their class and weapons, and a game of sorts will usually be called. Capture the Flag, Protect the King, Last Man Standing, etc. etc. We engage in fights with the opposing teams using whatever abilities our classes allow us, and whatever combat tactics we find appropriate.

 

 

It's a great way to have fun with good people, get that good old fashion fantasy experience, and a FANTASTIC way to get some exercise ;) (Five hours of swordplay does wonders on the arms.)

 

Does anyone here play? Or is interested?

[Cray-Crow]

i actually would love to. So would my other half. sadly. don't have much time for it (long hour job). But, if i did get into it, i'd go all out. spend hundreds of dollars on my outfit to make it look as authentic as possible as well as my equipment. id have a problem with it, expense-wise -chuckles-.

 

my high school started a small LARP club. i didn't join in because i was in the drumline of our marching band, but it always looked amazing to watch.

[VictorSempra]

i actually would love to. So would my other half. sadly. don't have much time for it (long hour job). But, if i did get into it, i'd go all out. spend hundreds of dollars on my outfit to make it look as authentic as possible as well as my equipment. id have a problem with it, expense-wise -chuckles-.

 

my high school started a small LARP club. i didn't join in because i was in the drumline of our marching band, but it always looked amazing to watch.

It's astounding how much of a bad rep it has for being "nerdy", and to be quite frank I kinda fell in that for a while too. "Oh haha, it's just foam" WELL, not really. You find out in short order that dodging the 8-foot pole-arm with a bamboo core is harder than it seems, and hurts a lot more xD

 

The best part is, it's not horribly expensive unless you go ultra-fancy. A basic sword will cost you somewhere around five bucks, if that.

[Kyng]

A very nice topic to see.

There is certainly stigma around it, and as much as I'd to think I'm above that I feel I wouldn't be, however the prime contributor to my inability to LARP is, well, location. I've never had the chance to join a group because I was never near one, nor anyone nearby had an interest in it.

It is a shame, it really is. LARPing is such good fun. I wished I hadn't missed out on such an experience.

[Thar]

The best part is, it's not horribly expensive unless you go ultra-fancy. A basic sword will cost you somewhere around five bucks, if that.

 

I remember making my first basic sword (a set of two), which cost me about $10 to make. The most expensive material was the duct tape, but depending on where you shop, some materials can add up VERY quickly.

 

My favorite types of weapons are the ones where the Smithy uses sheet foam to make special blades such as axes and glaives.

 

I'm also a fan of shields. I remember making a Spartan shield out of a disc sled that we never used. I basically just surrounded the edges with a pool noodle and wrapped the whole thing in duct tape. My group banned it, though, which was a bummer, especially with the spear I got for my birthday. In casual sessions, the combo made me feel like a Spartan. :)

 

Sure wish I could find another group of people who LARPed, though. I miss it.

[goddamnit names are a pain]

Does it count as LARPing if I just beat my brother with my Nerf Swords whenever I feel like it?

 

I've considered LARPing for a brief time but decided against it for various reasons. Mainly being I don't like people, and I can't drive, and I don't like people, and I don't know anyone nearby that would do it. The latter is easily remedied, though.

[VictorSempra]

A very nice topic to see.

There is certainly stigma around it, and as much as I'd to think I'm above that I feel I wouldn't be, however the prime contributor to my inability to LARP is, well, location. I've never had the chance to join a group because I was never near one, nor anyone nearby had an interest in it.

It is a shame, it really is. LARPing is such good fun. I wished I hadn't missed out on such an experience.

And that tends to be the biggest problem, is location issues. Within Amtgard, the general rule is no park can be within 10 miles of another. So you have to go 2-3 cities out to try and set up shop. Places like Dagorhir (a more physical system) are really spread thin in the US, and so on and so on. It really is fun when you can get to it...and as long as you ignore the politics. I just got in trouble today with a fighting company for telling the ruling body of our field about a scam they were planning.

 

I remember making my first basic sword (a set of two), which cost me about $10 to make. The most expensive material was the duct tape, but depending on where you shop, some materials can add up VERY quickly.

 

My favorite types of weapons are the ones where the Smithy uses sheet foam to make special blades such as axes and glaives.

 

I'm also a fan of shields. I remember making a Spartan shield out of a disc sled that we never used. I basically just surrounded the edges with a pool noodle and wrapped the whole thing in duct tape. My group banned it, though, which was a bummer, especially with the spear I got for my birthday. In casual sessions, the combo made me feel like a Spartan. :)

 

Sure wish I could find another group of people who LARPed, though. I miss it.

Slap a cloth cover or plasti-dip on that shield, and it'd be Amtgard legal. Hell, they let you use plywood for shields if you so choose :P That kind of combo we usually refer to as "speed-pole", a minimal size spear used for close combat. Very ugly to match up against. As for special weapons, up here in Washington teh two groups I have been with kinda frown upon them, they view them as "less effective' and tend to laugh at you unless you use a basic sword and shield or florentine style. It's really, really stupid, cause I'm an axe man myself :P

 

Does it count as LARPing if I just beat my brother with my Nerf Swords whenever I feel like it?

 

I've considered LARPing for a brief time but decided against it for various reasons. Mainly being I don't like people, and I can't drive, and I don't like people, and I don't know anyone nearby that would do it. The latter is easily remedied, though.

Sure, why not :P There is a more general term for it, which is called "boffer" or "boffering". That term is more used for places that just show up with a handful of swords to waste away an afternoon.

 

I don't like people usually, but the LARP people are usually understanding and accepting. If you want to be alone, you can be. If you don't, you have plenty of people ot talk to. Not to mention all the furstration you can release on somebody's shield :P Gotta love hammering at someone until they back off.

[Catman25]

LARPers here are crazy. Not because they're nerds (no one here has the right to judge based on that), but because they're out there larping when it's blizzarding and -20 degrees outside. Props for dedication, but still.

[VictorSempra]

LARPers here are crazy. Not because they're nerds (no one here has the right to judge based on that), but because they're out there larping when it's blizzarding and -20 degrees outside. Props for dedication, but still.

Oh yeah, you'll see a lot of that. Last SUnday is was pouring rain here, and most of us stayed and fought anyway.

[Kyng]

What would you use for construction material? And, relating to the shield story Thar made, are there any rules regarding construction for equipment beyond those for safety? = .

[Thar]

What would you use for construction material? And, relating to the shield story Thar made, are there any rules regarding construction for equipment beyond those for safety? = .

For swords I used PVC Pipe, pool noodles, and duct tape, though wooden dowels are easier to find at Walmart or the nearest arts and crafts store.

As for safety: just make sure all hard parts are surrounded by foam. The weapon must also be rigid (doesn't bend.)

As for my shield, it wasn't banned because it wasn't safe. My friends just didn't like it when I used it because of how OP it was. We weren't a legit LARP group. We just got together occasionally and did mini battles.

[VictorSempra]

What would you use for construction material? And, relating to the shield story Thar made, are there any rules regarding construction for equipment beyond those for safety? = .

 

 

For swords I used PVC Pipe, pool noodles, and duct tape, though wooden dowels are easier to find at Walmart or the nearest arts and crafts store.

As for safety: just make sure all hard parts are surrounded by foam. The weapon must also be rigid (doesn't bend.)

As for my shield, it wasn't banned because it wasn't safe. My friends just didn't like it when I used it because of how OP it was. We weren't a legit LARP group. We just got together occasionally and did mini battles.

 

For Amtgard purpose, you can use PVC, graphite golf clubs (minus the head), bamboo, and kitespar. Ironically, the book says "no wood or metal cores", but kitespar/bamboo is fine. O.o

 

Shield can be just about anything you want it to be, but 9/10 times people will make it out of super-stiff, solid foam bricks. Hell, in the new version about to be released, it says a plywood shield is okay.

 

Fun noodle, pipe foam, and camp pad are probably your three biggest sources of foam to use. Beyond that, you just have to make sure all foam is covered with an "opaque cover" IE dollar store socks in most cases.

 

Other than that, construction is all length based. Like a Longsword can be anywhere from 27-48 inches, and 2/3 of the total length must be heavily padded as a "{strike legal" surface. But if you want a curved one you can (easy to do with PVC), or if you want it flared into more of a broadsword style, you jsut build the bottom a little bit wider.

 

One of my friends who's been doing it for a few years now jsut build a dagger that is legal thing, has a handcover attached to it for blocking, and the required pommel is actually long enough to be considered a stabbing tip. Neat little weapon.

[VictorSempra]

 

The start of something beautiful. I just need to go buy a pool noodle and some pipe foam, and eventually thick camping pad.

[Thar]

You should put some chamfers on that. It'd look cooler, IMO.

[VictorSempra]

You should put some chamfers on that. It'd look cooler, IMO.

...Please read what I put under the picture. :|

[Thar]

I know it's a start, that's why I'm throwing out ideas.

[VictorSempra]

I know it's a start, that's why I'm throwing out ideas.

And how do you propose I make chamfers that attach to 2 1/2 inches of foam, are secure, and able to be covered properly with cloth?

[Thar]

...you DO know what chamfers are, don't you? Cause they'll be PLENTY secure, and they'll require less cloth for the whole thing.

And I was referring to the head, not the handle... Unless I'm not understanding something.

[VictorSempra]

...you DO know what chamfers are, don't you? Cause they'll be PLENTY secure, and they'll require less cloth for the whole thing.

And I was referring to the head, not the handle... Unless I'm not understanding something.

Chamfers would be basically a small triangle in between the body and the head. It would snap off the second someone hit one. And there's nod ecent way to even scure it, and take more cloth to cover those as well :|

[Thar]

Chamfers are also angular cuts made around edges to reduce material and remove unsafe edges. That's the kind I was referring to.

[VictorSempra]

Chamfers are also angular cuts made around edges to reduce material and remove unsafe edges. That's the kind I was referring to.

That makes no sense. It's foam.

[Thar]

That makes no sense. It's foam.

But it would look cool.

[VictorSempra]

But it would look cool.

I'm not putting poorly held on triangles that will break off to make a foam weapon look cool.

[Thar]

I'm not putting poorly held on triangles that will break off to make a foam weapon look cool.

I'm not talking about the stuck-out triangles. I'm talking about the angular cuts around the edges if the head.

[VictorSempra]

I'm not talking about the stuck-out triangles. I'm talking about the angular cuts around the edges if the head.

Then it would look totally dumb and be a bitch to get a decent cover on, not to mention I'm chopping into 20 dollar foam like a butcher. It's a HAMMER, not a showpiece.