S.P.A.C.E. Combat Safety Rules
S.P.A.C.E. Is a LARP system which uses full contact fighting using LARP-Safe weapons. Where as in a table top Role Playing Game when combat is initiated the players roll dice to decide the victor, in full contact LARP weapons are used to try and land blows on each other, in a 'sparring' fashion until one character runs out of total body points and a victor emerges.
In the UK LARP fighting is done in an over-exaggerated heroic style, fights are about acting and reacting, you act the weight of your weapons, you act your response to being hit with one. It is not about hitting your opponent as hard and fast as you can, it is about making your fight look good for the invisible observer. Some of the best frothing comes out of “did you see joe bloggs? how he did that barrel roll in order to avoid john smith as he tried to hit him with that huge hammer!? that was awesome!”
Two good videos about LARP fighting in the UK can be seen here :)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pVS35dVRvqk - LARP Fighting in the UK
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3DygZfL-wy0 - Latex weapons - why do they hurt?
As with any sport or combat orientated activity rules must be observed in order to protect the players from any serious harm.
Everyone wishing to participate in S.P.A.C.E. Is required to read and try to remember all rules given here for their own and others safety.
In the UK LARP fighting is done in an over-exaggerated heroic style, fights are about acting and reacting, you act the weight of your weapons, you act your response to being hit with one. It is not about hitting your opponent as hard and fast as you can, it is about making your fight look good for the invisible observer. Some of the best frothing comes out of “did you see joe bloggs? how he did that barrel roll in order to avoid john smith as he tried to hit him with that huge hammer!? that was awesome!”
Two good videos about LARP fighting in the UK can be seen here :)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pVS35dVRvqk - LARP Fighting in the UK
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3DygZfL-wy0 - Latex weapons - why do they hurt?
As with any sport or combat orientated activity rules must be observed in order to protect the players from any serious harm.
Everyone wishing to participate in S.P.A.C.E. Is required to read and try to remember all rules given here for their own and others safety.
combat safety rules
These rules are IMPORTANT! Every player MUST adhere to these rules as they have been put in place to ensure the safety of everyone involved with the event. We understand that despite these rules accidents can happen, but blatant abuse of these rules WILL result in severe action.
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REF calls
Throughout a game four different 'calls' can be used. We ask that you familiarise yourself with these.
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signals
Currently there is only one hand signal which will be used in S.P.A.C.E. Please become familiar with is so players understand what to do when it is used.
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COMBAT SAFetY RULES
These rules are IMPORTANT! Every player MUST adhere to these rules as they have been put in place to ensure the safety of everyone involved with the event. We understand that despite these rules accidents can happen, but blatant abuse of these rules WILL result in severe action.
Do not strike the head – as stated above we understand accidents can happen and in this system head hits do not count. Anyone found to be doing head hits deliberately will be dealt with accordingly.
Do not rugby tackle/Unarmed Combat - under no circumstances should unarmed physical contact be made with other players during combat. This LARP system currently has no rules allowing hand to hand or unarmed combat, as the refs feel there is no need for it in the system at present. Therefore Anyone found undertaking unarmed combat will be dealt with accordingly. ‘Unarmed combat’ encompasses, hitting someone with your hands, kicking out with your feet, or making physical contact in an aggressive way in any form such as jumping on people from behind to land blows.
Do Not 'pistol whip' using Nerf weapons - The only weapons that should be used to 'swing' at other players are the LARP safe foam weapons. Nerf guns are only to be used to fire the darts with. Anyone found to be doing otherwise will be dealt with accordingly.
Do NOT argue with the ref - The Refs are there to make sure everyone is safe, if you are being asked to do or change something, the principle reason is for the safety of yourself and other players.
PULL YOUR BLOWS - While the foam melee weapons are designed so that people cannot be hurt, this does not mean you should hit others using your full strength. Your blows will be felt if you 'pull' them, anyone found deliberately hurting others with their weapons will be dealt with severely. If you are unsure how to 'pull' your blows please ask a Ref at the beginning of the session.
ONLY use LARP Safe Melee Weapons - For the safety of everyone involved only LARP-Safe melee weapons are allowed during time in. Anyone found wielding a non LARP Safe weapon, or pistol whipping with a Nerf Gun will be IMMEDIATELY ejected from the session and dealt with accordingly.
Rule 7 – do not take the piss, please use common sense when LARPING. We are gaming together to have fun. If your beloved character gets knocked unconscious by a monster in the middle of nowhere and bleeds out, at the end of the day it is just a game. The greatest gift a ref can give you is the chance to play a new character with new skills…
Weapons Check - Before the start of an event, please bring your weapons to the designated Ref to check their safety. If a weapon is found to be unsafe we ask they are stowed away from the IC area.
Time out abuse - Although characters may wish to verbally abuse other characters and monsters during time in, please keep such behaviour in the IC setting. Once time out is called, the game ends and the insults stay in the game. Physical and verbal abuse will not be tolerated during time out. PLEASE be aware of offending members of the public during events.
Alcohol - Alcohol may be consumed at events if permitted at the venue. However, alcohol and LARP combat mix about as well as drinking and driving; If anyone is perceived as being no longer fully in control or a liability during combat they will not be allowed to participate for the rest of the evening.
Smoking - Smoking is permitted within the designated areas of the venue. There is to be absolutely NO smoking during combat.
Illegal Substances - Anyone found in possession of illegal substances during events will be expelled from the event in question IMMEDIATELY and the relevant authorities will be informed.
Do not strike the head – as stated above we understand accidents can happen and in this system head hits do not count. Anyone found to be doing head hits deliberately will be dealt with accordingly.
Do not rugby tackle/Unarmed Combat - under no circumstances should unarmed physical contact be made with other players during combat. This LARP system currently has no rules allowing hand to hand or unarmed combat, as the refs feel there is no need for it in the system at present. Therefore Anyone found undertaking unarmed combat will be dealt with accordingly. ‘Unarmed combat’ encompasses, hitting someone with your hands, kicking out with your feet, or making physical contact in an aggressive way in any form such as jumping on people from behind to land blows.
Do Not 'pistol whip' using Nerf weapons - The only weapons that should be used to 'swing' at other players are the LARP safe foam weapons. Nerf guns are only to be used to fire the darts with. Anyone found to be doing otherwise will be dealt with accordingly.
Do NOT argue with the ref - The Refs are there to make sure everyone is safe, if you are being asked to do or change something, the principle reason is for the safety of yourself and other players.
PULL YOUR BLOWS - While the foam melee weapons are designed so that people cannot be hurt, this does not mean you should hit others using your full strength. Your blows will be felt if you 'pull' them, anyone found deliberately hurting others with their weapons will be dealt with severely. If you are unsure how to 'pull' your blows please ask a Ref at the beginning of the session.
ONLY use LARP Safe Melee Weapons - For the safety of everyone involved only LARP-Safe melee weapons are allowed during time in. Anyone found wielding a non LARP Safe weapon, or pistol whipping with a Nerf Gun will be IMMEDIATELY ejected from the session and dealt with accordingly.
Rule 7 – do not take the piss, please use common sense when LARPING. We are gaming together to have fun. If your beloved character gets knocked unconscious by a monster in the middle of nowhere and bleeds out, at the end of the day it is just a game. The greatest gift a ref can give you is the chance to play a new character with new skills…
Weapons Check - Before the start of an event, please bring your weapons to the designated Ref to check their safety. If a weapon is found to be unsafe we ask they are stowed away from the IC area.
Time out abuse - Although characters may wish to verbally abuse other characters and monsters during time in, please keep such behaviour in the IC setting. Once time out is called, the game ends and the insults stay in the game. Physical and verbal abuse will not be tolerated during time out. PLEASE be aware of offending members of the public during events.
Alcohol - Alcohol may be consumed at events if permitted at the venue. However, alcohol and LARP combat mix about as well as drinking and driving; If anyone is perceived as being no longer fully in control or a liability during combat they will not be allowed to participate for the rest of the evening.
Smoking - Smoking is permitted within the designated areas of the venue. There is to be absolutely NO smoking during combat.
Illegal Substances - Anyone found in possession of illegal substances during events will be expelled from the event in question IMMEDIATELY and the relevant authorities will be informed.
REF CALLS
Throughout a game four different Ref 'calls' can be used. We ask that you familiarise yourself with these.
Time Freeze - When this is called, the game has ‘frozen’ for one of several reasons. This may be as simple as something appearing out of nowhere or for a ref to alert you to a change in your surroundings. When this call is made, all players should close their eyes, and must not communicate with fellow players.
Time In - The 'time in' call indicates the game beginning or the in game action continuing after a time freeze has been called. Typically after a time freeze a count down is given before the call is made this allows all players the time to prepare for the game continuing. e.g. “3, 2, 1, Time in!”
Time Out - Time out is called when a session is over and the game has come to a close. Players are welcome to continue to stay in character and roleplay with each other (providing the venue is available for this) past the time out call. However we ask that everyone notes that no game changing actions can be taken without ref approval.
Man Down - When a player or monster is injured for real the 'man down' call is used Please note, ANYONE may use this call. Please remain where you are to allow the refs and First Aiders to attend to the injured person. During this situation all players are to consider the period as 'Time Out'. Should the injury be serious all players will be informed and a break will occur until the injured person has been taken to safety.
Time Freeze - When this is called, the game has ‘frozen’ for one of several reasons. This may be as simple as something appearing out of nowhere or for a ref to alert you to a change in your surroundings. When this call is made, all players should close their eyes, and must not communicate with fellow players.
Time In - The 'time in' call indicates the game beginning or the in game action continuing after a time freeze has been called. Typically after a time freeze a count down is given before the call is made this allows all players the time to prepare for the game continuing. e.g. “3, 2, 1, Time in!”
Time Out - Time out is called when a session is over and the game has come to a close. Players are welcome to continue to stay in character and roleplay with each other (providing the venue is available for this) past the time out call. However we ask that everyone notes that no game changing actions can be taken without ref approval.
Man Down - When a player or monster is injured for real the 'man down' call is used Please note, ANYONE may use this call. Please remain where you are to allow the refs and First Aiders to attend to the injured person. During this situation all players are to consider the period as 'Time Out'. Should the injury be serious all players will be informed and a break will occur until the injured person has been taken to safety.
SIGNALS
Hand Signals – in the world of LARP, occasionally events and people appear out of thin air or people are not visible. To simulate this a hand signal, or hi vis clothing, is used. If crew or players are not there, then they must put their hand in the air or wear hi vis clothing. Player characters MUST ignore any crew or other players they see doing this in the game world as they don't exist. This applies to any invisibility powers being used (see psychic powers section)