Weapons and Equipment

Melee Weapons

All melee weapons must be LARP-safe, constructed from approved materials, and pass a safety inspection before use.

Weapon Types

Melee weapons are classified by how they are wielded:

  • Single-Handed Weapons:

    • Can be safely wielded with one hand.

    • Maximum length: 130 cm.

  • Two-Handed Weapons:

    • Any weapon over 130 cm must be wielded with both hands.

    • Weapons shorter than 130 cm may also be used with two hands for greater control.

Construction Guidelines

All weapons (commercial or homemade) must meet the following:

  • Core: Fibreglass or carbon fibre, at least 10 mm thick

  • Tip: Kevlar or equivalent

  • Padding: Covered in soft polyurethane foam suitable for combat use

  • Polearms: First 40 cm from the head must be padded well enough that the core cannot be felt with firm finger pressure

Important Weapon Rules

  • No thrusting only weapons are permitted

  • Players are responsible for ensuring their weapons are:

    • Safe

    • Well-maintained

    • In good repair

Approved Weapon Brands

The following brands are generally accepted, pending safety inspection:

  • Ateliers Nemesis

  • Calimacil

  • Epic Armoury

  • FakeSteel Armoury

Homemade weapons are also allowed but must be:

  • Inspected and approved before their first use

  • Re-checked before each game

Projectile Weapons

Projectile weapons are split into two categories:

  1. Black Powder Simulations (e.g. band launchers)

  2. Bows

Black Powder Weapons

These include:

  • Single-Handed: Pistols, band wands

  • Two-Handed: Rifles, crossbows, similar long arms

Band launchers must simulate historical firearms, such as:

  • Matchlock, wheellock, or flintlock-style guns.

  • Band crossbows and band wands are also acceptable.

Band Missiles Requirements

  • Made from blue or green rubber exercise tubing

  • Relaxed band must be at least 1/3 the length between trigger catch and front anchor

  • Band ties spaced no more than 4 cm apart

  • Cord must be used as joint material

Bows

  • Maximum draw weight: 28 lbs at 28 inches (71 cm)

  • Only un-altered IDV brand round-head arrows are permitted

Throwing Weapons and Magic

Martial thrown weapons are not permitted at Wizards and Warlords.

Magic Bolts

  • Any hand-thrown projectile is considered a magic spell

  • Standard magic bolts deal 4 HP damage

  • Constructed from a foam ball wrapped in cloth, secured with twine, string, or similar material

Shields

Shields are divided into two categories:

  • Bucklers:

    • Small, round shields with a center grip.

    • Maximum diameter: 40 cm.

  • Shields:

    • Can be round or other shapes.

    • Round Shields: Up to 70 cm in diameter.

    • Other Shapes: Up to 60 cm wide and 90 cm long.

Shield Construction and Safety

  • Shields may be made from wood or foam and may include a metal boss.

  • Edges must have at least 1 cm of progressive give and be padded sufficiently so that the core cannot be felt under firm finger pressure.

  • No sharp edges or protrusions are allowed on the sides or face of the shield.

Shield Use

  • Shields can be used to block:

    • Melee weapons

    • Projectile weapons (arrows, bolts, band launchers)

  • Shield Bashing:

    • Players may not use shields to make physical contact with another player’s body (e.g., pushing or bashing).

Siege Weapons

Siege weapons fire projectiles that function as a stronger version of an arcane bolt.

  • Damage:

    • A direct hit from a siege weapon inflicts 12 HP damage regardless of the location struck.

    • This damage applies even if the projectile hits a:

      • Shield

      • Weapon

      • Costume

  • For most players, this is fatal.

  • Special Cases:

    • Arcane Servants or Beasts: Siege weapon hits deal 1 HP damage.

    • Magic Shields:

      • Fully block siege weapon projectiles.

      • The bearer is pushed back as if struck by an arcane force spell.