Anyone can use any kind of weapon without requiring a special skill. This includes wielding a one handed weapon in each hand.
It is essential that you know how to fight as safely as possible using the practices common to most British live roleplaying events. If you are new to live roleplaying then please speak to a member of our ref team and they will arrange a suitable demonstration for you so that you can be confident that you are following all the rules.
These rules exist to reduce the dangers inherent in combat at a live roleplaying event to an acceptable minimum, but they do not constitute a guarantee of safety. By choosing to attend an event, you agree to accept the risks inherent in taking part in a full contact sport.
Pull your blows. When you use a weapon in combat, you must pull the blow so that it lands with negligible force. Your opponent should feel a light touch and nothing more.
Do not thrust with most weapons. You must not thrust with any weapon unless it is a thrust-safe polearm.
Strike carefully. You must avoid hitting the groin, neck, or face. You should avoid aiming at the breasts or head where there is a viable alternative target.
One per second rule. You may only deal damage with your weapons once per second and making blows faster than this is strongly discouraged as they will be significantly less safe than well separated blows.
Use the striking surface. You must not strike another character with the pommel or hilt of your weapon.
Do not hook. You must not hook a weapon or shield with a weapon.
Do not grab weapons. You must not grab or trap an opponent’s weapon when they are wielding it.
Do not parry arrows. You must not attempt to parry an arrow or bolt with a weapon.
Do not throw cored weapons. You must only throw a weapon if you know a weapon checker has approved it for throwing.
Do not shield barge. You must not use a shield or edge of the shield to push, barge or strike someone. A shield must be wielded to protect the wearer. A shield that is simply strapped to the body does not protect the wearer. All blows that strike a slung shield are considered to hit the character wearing it.
You must avoid combat if you are drunk.
All weapons and arrows must be checked by one of our designated weapons checkers. Any metal armour must be checked before use to ensure there are no sharp edges or other safety concerns.
All melee weapons must be at least 8” (20 cm) long.
One handed weapons (other than spears) may be a maximum of 42” (106 cm).
Any weapon over 42” must be wielded in two hands, except for a one handed spear that has been approved for thrusting.
When wielding a one handed spear over 42” long you must hold the weapon within 6" of the centre of the shaft and it must only be used for thrusting.
The maximum permitted weapon length is 84”.
The maximum size for a shield is 40” (101 cm) diameter for a round shield and 40” x 28” (71 cm) for a tower or kite shield.
Throwing weapons must be passed by weapons check as safe for throwing. You may not strike someone in melee with a throwing weapon.
Stab safe weapons are permitted provided they are over 42” long and have been approved by a weapons checker.
Bows must be less than 30lbs at 28 inch draw. and crossbows must be less than 30lbs at max draw.
You must not parry arrows with a weapon (though you may block with a shield). If an arrow accidentally strikes your weapon it should be treated as having hit you instead.
Claws must protrude at least 3” past the tips of the fingers and fasten to the wearer's open hand or extended fingers. You must not be able to clench your fist and still have the claws in a striking position whilst wearing them.
Claws that are physrepped as artificial weapons strapped to the user’s hands may be used by any character. Claws that look like a beast’s claws require a special ability that allows their use.
We allow attendees to use ranged weapons at our events and require the following rules to be followed for their safe use.
Ensure that your bow is correctly and securely strung.
Take the distance to your target into account before firing. DO NOT full draw a bow at a target 10m or less away.
You must not aim a bow or crossbow at the head.
Do not parry or strike with your bow! It is NOT a melee weapon.
You may not use a bow after dusk or in wet or windy weather.
You must check the head, shaft and nock of any arrow or bolt you are given or recover yourself before shooting.
We may ask you to demonstrate competence with a ranged weapon to a Game Team member before using one.
Arrowheads must be made using a three part construction, with a robust blocker between the shaft and the foam of the arrowhead, followed by dense solid foam and then a final layer of softer foam which must be at least 25mm at the thickest point. This foam must be soft enough to collapse under pressure, but firm that it provides some resistance to pressure. This means it must be open cell foam (often called furniture or upholstery foam) - anything less dense/softer risks being failed by our weapon checkers.
The arrowhead must be securely attached and not move on the shaft.
The arrowhead must be at least 50mm across and have a circular cross-section.
The soft foam portion of the arrowhead must open cell foam (often called furniture or upholstery foam), be at least 25mm at the thickest point and must collapse fully under firm pressure (so there must be no latex within 5-10 mm of the face).
The arrowhead must have some kind of blocker between the shaft and the foam of the arrowhead to stop the shaft pushing through.
IDV tear-drop arrows are not usable at our events and archery tag screw-on arrowheads are not usable at our events.