Swordcraft
Live Action Roleplay
BLOOD & GOLD

COMBAT

 

The Old World is a dangerous place: from its battlefields to back alleys, from its forests to its mountain peaks and deep mines; danger lurks everywhere.  To represent this our combat rules simulate injury, weapons and armour in a simple thematic way.

​

Basics

YOU ARE PRIMARILY RESPONSIBLE FOR YOUR OWN SAFETY
Always make sure you properly defend yourself, especially your Head

​

• Swordcraft is a CONTACT SPORT - Expect knocks, head hits and hard hits. 
   

• Play fair and alway give other players the benefit of the doubt. 
   

• Do your best to count your own hits. Do not try counting your hits on your opponent.
   

• No bodily contact is permitted other than with LARP safe foam padded weapons (pushing on weapons and shields with other weapons and shields is permitted).
   

• Try not to hit any harder than reasonably necessary for your opponent to register it.
   

• FREE COMBAT - By prior agreement, two players can engage in a rougher game such as harder hits, hip and shoulder contact, grappling etc.
   

• Scoring zones: Torso (Chest, Belly, Back, Shoulders), Arms and Legs (incl Buttocks).
  
  PLEASE don’t deliberately aim at another player's Head, Neck or Groin. Hands and Feet are also not scoring zones.
  
  However, a hit ANYWHERE (incl Head, Neck or Groin) is NOT ACTUALLY A BREACH of the rules) and if you are hit there, you should play on.​
   

• Melee hits MUST mimic being REALISTIC in order to count, including:

  • Strike with the damage dealing part of the weapon (tip, cutting, smashing surface); and

  • Uses your shoulder/s and/or waist to gain momentum (while keeping the weapon under control) (look to HEMA, Kendo and high quality fight scenes in movies etc); and

  • Weapon should seek to continue through target (at least momentarily); and

  • Be clearly felt by  your opponent; and

  • Push firmly but gently against your target - no taps or bouncing hits.

 

​Very rapid light taps, a single tap to the back while running past, waggly taps from below your shield, a quick tap with a spear  etc are generally not realistic swings or thrusts as they lack form and don’t remain in contact with the target for long enough.

​​​​

Changelog

• 26 March 2025

  • Emphasising that:

    • You are primarily responsible for your own safety and protecting yourself

    • Hits must be realistic to count ​​

​