Top 10 LARP Faux Pas

There's a lot if information out there about how to LARP and how to make or purchase appropriate weapons and costuming for a game. However, it's important to note that there are some 'what not to do' items for LARPs as well. Be sure to avoid doing these things at a LARP to promote maximum enjoyment in game play for yourself and others:

10) No costume. Truthfully, everyone can scrape together a basic costume. LARPers mostly expect an effort rather than something perfect-looking. If you can't find a basic costume, contact the staff of the game which you are attending and they should be able to help you out. They can probably point you to someone who will sell you a costume inexpensively or offer to loan you a tabard for the next event.

9) Out of character-ness. It's next to impossible to stay in character during an entire game, but ruining other players' gaming experiences by talking about your latest crush or Warcraft achievement right in the middle of a major in-game event is just bad form. Keep out of game chatter confined to a private area.

8) Taking it personally. This holds true for just about any game. You are playing a game and trying to do your best at it-the other gamers are as well. Generally, other players aren't out there to personally offend you, but offenses do occur. If someone is griefing you, be sure to notify a rules marshal or staff member.

7) Separating in and out of game conflicts. Some people are just nasty. Some characters are just plain mean, too. However, a mean character does not necessarily denote an awful player as well. Some LARPers like getting their angst out there in-game, and they make characters that seek conflict or have poor communication skills. Make sure you examine the differences between player rudeness and in-character rudeness.

6) LARP queens. The world of LARP can be socio-political; it's not always about hitting others with boffer and latex weapons. LARP queens are female players who use the male-to-female ratio at LARPs to their advantage. In and out of character, there are generally less females than males at most LARPs. Therefore, female LARPers and their characters get more attention. Some players use this as a point of advantage in the game, using the attention to advance their social position in the game. Done subtly, this is an excellent strategy, but when it results in an all out cat-fight or in a female player being notoriously promiscuous, it's time for that female player to leave her drama in high school.

5) Hitting too hard. Caught up in the excitement of the game, it's pretty easy to hit another player too hard by accident. When this happens, the player who got hit should request that the offending player go a bit lighter on the hits. If the offending player does not stop hitting too hard, a disruption in play is created; a rules marshal will likely be involved. Hitting too hard can not only hurt someone, but can also damage other players' experiences.

4) Machine gunning. Machine gunning is hitting more rapidly than allowed by the rules, particularly when yielding more than one small weapon. LARPers should be sure to complete a 45 to 90 degree weapon swing and hit in multiple or alternating locations to avoid machine gunning.

3) Hugging. This doesn't describe a player who is just happy to see you and wants to welcome another with a hug. Hugging describes the act of embracing another during a fight and hitting the opponent on the back repeatedly. In this situation, the victim is 'held' and is unable to retaliate. Aside from that, it's a general violation of public space and also lends itself to machine gunning.

2) Not fully counting for a cast. When LARPers cast spells, they generally have a 'verbal,' or specific words used to cast the spell. Some LARPs require players to count before they cast the spell. Counting at an overly-rapid pace or not using the proper verbal incantation is a violation of the rules. Ignoring an interrupt (i.e., the spell caster is hit) is also a violation.

1) Superman syndrome, or lack of reaction to a hit. In the heat of battle, it's sometimes easy for players to forget that they are role playing. Rules require a role played reaction to a hit, such as a step back. A player who has Superman syndrome might forget to react to a hit, and will keep hitting as though nothing happened.

Overall, rules exist to promote safety and structure. Players exhibiting unsafe behavior during a LARP are just looking for trouble. To avoid making these errors, always read the rules of a LARP thoroughly and contact their staff with any questions prior to playing the game.