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