Combat in Live Roleplay radically differs from the way combat is portrayed in tabletop games. Instead of melee being a skilled action, in which rolling a handful of dice determines success, it is much more akin to theatrical stage combat where each player physically acts out every slash, thrust and parry of the combat. Therefore, a simple set of guidelines should be kept in mind at all times.

Safety Guidelines

Below is a list of the basic safety guidelines for combat in Ascendancy LRP – but please also take the time to read our safety rules & code of conduct.

• Pulled Blows: Each weapons strike must be aimed and delivered without force and at no time should upper body strength be used in a strike. This is to ensure safety.
• At no time is it acceptable to strike or aim weapons at or into the faces or genitals of an opponent.
• No Thrusting with weapons, most LARP weapons are not suitable for thrusting anyway, however even with weapons specifically designed for the task it’s an action best steered clear of.
• Brawling: We allow brawling only by mutual consent between players.
• Appearance: All melee weapons should appear to be being used during combat, as would the real weapon. The reaction to any blow is crucial to Live Roleplay combat, without reaction the enactment becomes pointless making combat look farcical.

Players and crew must never retaliate if an opponent breaches any of the rules of combat. Instead inform a Ref, who will take any appropriate action.
We recommend any new players run through combat before time in with one of the experienced crew. If you are totally new to LARP then running through combat is probably essential even if you’re non-combatant, such as getting a feel of what it’s like to be hit with a foam weapon. If you want to practice, please come and ask someone from the Ref team! (Especially Richard J).

Combat Skills & Weapon Effects

You do not need special Skills to use weapons, armour or shields. If you have the safe physical representations for them, then you may use them. You will only be able to use these weapons at their most basic unless you purchase levels in the appropriate Talents and Skills.
If your character has the Talent Combative they will be able to inflict one point of temporary damage with their fists and feet.

The effects weapons have and damage they do has been designed to be very obvious to the onlooker so that the need for the shouting of weapon damage is negated.
All one handed melee weapons, spears/staves and ranged weapons do one point of damage. Two handed weapons do two points of damage, but only if wielded safely in both hands. It is possible to purchase Skills or Talents allows you to do more damage, please ensure you use an appropriate call.

Guns

A character without the Ranged Weapon Specialisation – Firearms Skill may not load a weapon, but may fire a loaded weapon if given one.
A character with any level of the Ranged Weapon Specialisation – Firearms Skill may only load and fire a weapon they are familiar with.