Live-action wargame
A live-action wargame (LAW) or Live Action Battle Game, is an active participation sport in which participants compete in martial-like combat using a point system similar to fencing. Often, participants wear live armor consisting of period-style leather, chainmail, plate, and similar items, as well as period/fantasy-style dress known as garb.
Features
Live Action Wargames sometimes also follow the traditional LARP combat style, but the combat system is often simplified. Instead of character point systems, melee combat is often resolved through strikes to the body (some systems allow for more strikes if armor is worn). Once a certain number of strikes have been made, players either lose limbs or become incapacitated. The games usually allow players to re-enter the fighting through in-game healing, respawns, or multiple rounds of combat.
Many systems exist, but they often follow the same pattern. Points are awarded for correct weapon strikes to the head or torso, and extremities are incapacitated on the first blow, putting the player out of play upon subsequent hits. This is different from LARP style play, which often follows a more video game or D&D style of play, featuring total "life points." In LARP, any contact to specific target zones yields a hit, removing a player only when such "life points" reach a critical point, which can vary from zero to a higher number.
"Weapons" are constructed of highly regulated materials, often a fiberglass, graphite, or wood rod known as a "core" and industrial/sport quality closed-cell foam padding, similar to the kind used for camping or wrestling mats.
A defining feature of LAWs is the use of live ranged weapons rather than mock representations found in popular LARP gaming. The ranged weapons often consist exclusively of recurve longbows and crossbows of lower pull strength (usually 25–40 pounds (11–18 kg)) and use foam-tipped ammunition carefully constructed for safety.
Shields are also common, constructed of sturdy plywood and heavily padded for safety. LAWs seldom feature pure-foam or cardboard shields as they are considered too light. "Combat" often involves twenty or more people in teams of various sizes, ranging from one-on-one duels to full military-style battles of a hundred or more participants. Contact is considered legal if a weapon strikes with a realistic swing to simulate real live combat. Games which use heavier foam types often require blows to be "pulled" so they do not connect with full force. Light to heavy bruising is a common occurrence, but lasting damage from weapon strikes is rare.
LAWs may also include a spell system in which "magic" is employed. The effects of "spells" in the game often temporarily alter the rules and remove opponents from the game quicker to ensure success. Unlike popular LARP gaming, LAW magic systems often require "spell" effects to have an athletic component, such as the use of heavy but soft vessels to create an often very small target area (one to three feet). Much like traditional LARP, spell packets are generally used for magic delivery. There is often an emphasis on immersion with magic, and "out-of-character" communication is minimized.
While LAWs focus on combat and the overarching goal of winning a war, traditional LARP roleplay is not excluded. LAWs can be described as a mix of SCA and traditional fantasy LARPs.
Examples
Examples of popular LAWs include (but are not limited to):
- Dagorhir - a 27-year-old national LAW association, that is full contact site
- Darkon - a 20-year-old LAW found in the Nation's Capitol: site
- Sport Sword - combat sports site
- Strife of Nations- New LAW based in Northeastern Pennsylvania site
- Swordcraft- A weekly battle game and LARP that is based in Melbourne, Australia site
See also
This article "Live-action wargame" is from Wikipedia. The list of its authors can be seen in its historical. Articles copied from Draft Namespace on Wikipedia could be seen on the Draft Namespace of Wikipedia and not main one.
