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#Post#: 1092--------------------------------------------------
Weapon Construction and Proper Use
By: hjordanr Date: August 17, 2015, 2:30 pm
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We're trying to gauge how people feel about the issue of weapons
without padded thrusting tips being used in combat. Currently a
weapon that does not have sufficient padding on its ends
(including the tip of the business end and the pommel) is not
considered a game legal weapon. This is mostly a safety
precaution in case the weapon ends up being used to thrust due
to the increased chance of minor injury.
Some players do not have weapons that have these tips and have
been able to use them in the past with relatively little
complaint. Would players like to relax the standards a bit and
allow weapons without padded tips to be used in game so long as
they are not used for thrusting? Any complaints would be met
with having the player switch to a more padded weapon if
necessary.
#Post#: 1094--------------------------------------------------
Re: Weapon Construction and Proper Use
By: Chaser Date: August 17, 2015, 3:33 pm
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Originally, the extreme safety requirements of the national
Larp groups was designed to protect the money making systems
from litigation. There is significantly less pressure for
troupe games with 30-50 players for such protection... not
nearly so many ambulance chasers trying to sue for a scratch,
there's just no money in it.
As for the Weapons, my personal experience on this issue. 15
years making and using weapons, 2 years weapon/Armor marshaling
for local Larps before running my own Larp for just over 5
years. All the while making weapons that have been safe,
effective, and fun. In these 15 years I have never seen the
injuries that everyone fears. Every larp has a story about why
they banned this or why they don't allow that... but its usually
Someones brothers cousins best friend was at a larp and a girl
lost her leg due to a tape scratch!
Seriously though, Safety is extremely important. Exposed cores,
unbound metal edges, sharp points, etc. These are the dangers
that need to be addressed. Extra padding on certain types of
weapons is also important. Thrusting weapons, such as spears,
arrows, etc... need the extra padding because they only have one
mode of attack used over and over. Most swords, especially in a
larp setting are chopping and slashing and are only rarely used
for thrusts.
I feel well made swords don't need soft foam tips anymore. The
need for them has really passed as long as the weapons are
crafted with sufficient padding to safely contain the core. ;)
#Post#: 1095--------------------------------------------------
Re: Weapon Construction and Proper Use
By: hjordanr Date: August 17, 2015, 4:13 pm
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A number of points well made, Chaser. I feel that your post
succinctly sums up the position of the players that think that
the current safety standards are a touch too extreme.
#Post#: 1096--------------------------------------------------
Re: Weapon Construction and Proper Use
By: mramburn Date: August 17, 2015, 4:49 pm
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I'm with Chaser on this one; safety is absolutely a concern in
any contact sport (and let's face it, even lightest-touch LARP
is still a contact sport), but it can be too easy to step over
the line from "perfectly safe if used responsibly" to
"perfectly safe if used by a toddler on speed."
Thrusting weapons should absolutely have good thrusting tips,
but weapons where a thrust is unlikely to ever happen don't need
such precautions.
As for the topic of safety, I think we'd be well served to start
having safety briefings before games, just to make sure
everyone's on the same page. Not talking full gear inspections
or anything, just a brief word on how to conduct yourself to
keep everyone relatively safe & a reminder to check your gear
before taking it into the field.
#Post#: 1097--------------------------------------------------
Re: Weapon Construction and Proper Use
By: Selerik Date: August 17, 2015, 6:16 pm
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As someone who had their hand broken by a LARP weapon (that was
legal), I can honestly say I have never seen a case where weapon
construction mattered for a thrusting based injury. I have seen
injuries from overthrusting, but if you have someone trying
their damnedest to impale another player there is only so much
the padding does to lessen the blow.
The only really dangerous weapon construction I've seen on a
field is weapons that are too solid due to exposed cores,
multiple cores, or being taped VERY tight. I have seen weapons
break and have exposed parts that are dangerous as a result, but
I've never seen a player without the good sense to realize that
and stop immediately.
Of course, the best protection is having someone check weapons
for hard/soft spots before they go on a field, and rechecking
them for wear and tear periodically.
#Post#: 1098--------------------------------------------------
Re: Weapon Construction and Proper Use
By: ZachC Date: August 17, 2015, 8:10 pm
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As the game's only current safety marshal I suppose I should
make some points about weapon safety.
Soft foam thrust tips are used on all weapon "tips" for multiple
reasons. One very important one is that it makes impacts much
less solid. I've felt this and I know many people will agree
with me that being stabbed with couch foam before the blue foam
is much more pleasant than just solid blue foam (especially
laminate foam styles of construction).
A second reason we use couch foam is to allow weapons to
actually have points on the end. The end of a weapon (before
the thrust tip) should not be any less than 1.5". This prevents
the weapon from entering someones eye socket (this is a standard
that even groups that don't use couch foam tips follow).
Also, plenty of people use swords to thrust and there are times
in this game that the mechanics encourage thrusts (critical
strike, death strike, feint, pierce, and probably some others).
I think that using harder tipped weapons will encourage weaker,
less realistic attacks. While I realize that LARP is far from
realistic we do strive to have decent combat while still being
safe.
#Post#: 1154--------------------------------------------------
Re: Weapon Construction and Proper Use
By: Zaud Date: February 3, 2016, 5:12 pm
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I think all above had made good points.
I have had my finger broken by a larp weapon, a pole arm with no
padding on it's handle. When I tried to block the other person
hit me in the hand. Or from his perspective I tried to parry
with my hand. I just bring this up as injury does happen.
Not a fan of completely unpadded shafts for any weapon. Hand
injuries occur with enough frequency that I feel courtesy level
padding is important. (courtesy padding=not as thick as striking
surface)
A more common injury I have experienced is with spear users
'stabbing' for the neck and catching the throat.
Pommels should be 'covered' with reasonably soft foam as metal
gross guards can cause trouble during falls or collisions.
As long as tips of weapons are thick enough not to fit into an
eye socket/cause eye damage they do not necessarily need couch
foam.
Hitting people 'too hard' is more a factor of the person
wielding the weapon then the weapon itself.
I support what ever rule the LARP uses, as long as it is
consistent. If you have a Weapon Marshal and all weapons are
tested through him/her that is enough for me. If people are
routinely hitting too hard, well..that is another matter to be
addressed.
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