Live Combat

All weapons in the game must be padded foam boffer weapons which are safe to fight with. Our goal is that no one should get hurt while playing. Though your character may be injured or killed, you (the player) shouldn't suffer the same risk.

Any character can use a one handed foam “boffer” weapon. All weapon swings do one point of damage unless you call something out, in which case they may inflict more damage, or a status effect. Certain skills will allow you to use game calls with your weapon.

Weapons larger than 48 inches are called Great Weapons and require two hands to use. To use a great weapon or shield you must have the skill Martial Styles. Both hands must be on the weapon's grip in order for a hit or block to count. Martial Styles also allows you to use a shield. The perimeter of a shield must be covered in foam. A shield may not be used to attack or touch another player in any way.

To use a weapon in your off hand, you must have the skill Two Weapon Styles. One of the weapons must be a short weapon or dagger.

Weapons must be safety-approved by the Warden of whatever territory you are in.

__Weapon Type_________Measurements__

Small weapons..............Up to 24”
Short weapons..............25” – 36”
Long weapons...............37” – 48”
Great weapons..............49” – 72”

If your swing connects with your opponent's body on anywhere except for the hands, head, neck, or groin, the opponent takes a point of damage (called a wound). All swings must be between roughly 45 and 90 degrees and must be delivered with a safe approved boffer weapon.

It is considered courteous to call "hit" or "ouch" or "got it" after you are hit to let your opponent know that you registered the attack. We encourage you to role play the damage – after all, you just got hit with a sword – act like it!

Drum Rolling: Any swings of less than 45 degrees, or more than three strikes against the same body part do not count. This is called "machine gunning" or "drum rolling".

Flurries: After you take three swings, whether they hit or miss, you must pause for at least one full second. If someone attacks you and does not pause, every additional hit after the third does not count. You must say "flurry" to indicate to your opponent that the attack did not effect you because they have not paused.

Safety Guidelines

Lightest Touch: Our game uses a "lightest touch" boffer style. This means that you only need to swing hard enough to touch your opponent with your weapon. A hit still counts even if it only grazed you. There is no such thing as "not swinging hard enough for the hit to count".

We want to emphasize that “boffer sword” fighting is an entirely unique style – it is not trying to emulate what a real sword fight would be like, nor is it trying to be overly-realistic. The emphasis in boffer combat is on speed, skill, and finesse – not strength or landing hits on vital areas.

Charging: You are not allowed to touch your opponent in any way shape or form except for through safety-approved boffer weapons and spell packets. Any type of body contact is called "charging" An opponent is also charging if they are close enough to you so that you can reach out and touch their torso.

Violations: People who are found to be fighting in an unsafe way may be issued a yellow card or red card from a local Warden. If a Red Card is presented, you (the player) will have your right to use weapons removed for the night.

Legal Targets: Strikes to the head, neck, or groin are illegal. Shots against the hands do not count if they are currently holding something. Anyone found to be repeatedly striking these spots will be issued a yellow or red card by a warden. Safety reports may be filed on the website.

Weapon Construction: In order to ensure that all weapons are safe, they must adhere to certain safety guidelines, as described in this document. At any time, the Warden of the territory you are in may ask to check your weapon. If they find any fault with its construction, such as thin foam or exposed pipe, they will reject the weapon. This means you may not fight with it until it is fixed or remade.