| There are many arguments for high hit and low | | | | will openly accept those new to role playing. |
| hit LARP systems. Both systems have | | | | However if you do not own up to your blows in a |
| advantages and disadvantages and many | | | | LARP combat then people will not want to fight |
| LARPers have a particular system that they | | | | you. If you can only take one blow per location, |
| prefer. I wish to show here some of the | | | | or in some LARP duels it is sudden death - one hit |
| arguments in favour of a low hit combat system. | | | | anywhere; you are much more likely to be honest |
| As an example I am talking about a LARP | | | | when struck. Referees also have a better chance |
| combat system where each character will have | | | | of seeing who hit first and can declare wins/blows. |
| one hit for each body location; arms legs body | | | | Longevity of LARP Weapons |
| and sometimes head. (Not all live action role | | | | Live action role players almost exclusively now |
| playing clubs allow head hits.) It may be possible | | | | use combat safe latex LARP weapons when they |
| to increase the number of hits slightly by wearing | | | | go larping. These weapons can be quite |
| LARP armour. | | | | expensive, starting from as low as ten English |
| More realistic LARP Combat | | | | pounds for a LARP dagger up to over one |
| One of the main benefits of a low hit LARP | | | | hundred pounds for a LARP two handed axe or |
| combat system is that it encourages players to | | | | similar. When you are only trading a few blows in |
| fight in a much more realistic manner. If your | | | | a fight it is a lot less likely that your weapons will |
| opponent can only take one hit to each location | | | | get broken. Many larpers that use one hit LARP |
| then you tend to concentrate on the one telling | | | | systems will have the same weapons for over |
| blow that will either disable wound or kill your | | | | ten years. |
| enemy. A good example of this is the gladiator | | | | LARP Safety |
| training in the film Spartacus where the trainer | | | | If the first blow can end a LARP combat then |
| uses different colour paints to show the | | | | there will be a lot less blows struck and it is |
| difference between a critical and disabling wound. | | | | therefore unlikely that players will get close |
| If your opponent has a shorter weapon you | | | | enough for shield bashes or for any form of |
| should try to take out a leg first to give the | | | | grappling which is banned by most LARP groups. |
| reach advantage. If he has a shield aim for his | | | | Team fighting in LARP |
| weapon are without which he is helpless. | | | | Like in all sports there will be some people who |
| Honesty in LARP | | | | are better than others. Live action role playing is |
| When fighting in a low hit LARP system players | | | | no different. However no matter how good you |
| are a lot more likely to own up to their hits. | | | | are at LARP fighting if larpers work as a team |
| Honesty in LARP is very important; live role | | | | they will defeat you. |
| players are mostly a friendly group of people and | | | | |