Here are the qualities we require before we approve a weapon for general use in
the game.
~ The thickness of the foam on the striking surface of the weapon should be at
least 5/8” around the core. We do allow for a flatter blade construction, but
players using these types of weapons should not strike with the flat of the blade.
~ The thrusting tip should be soft foam and be flat or rounded. It should not be
hard foam, and it should not be crafted so it comes to a point that is less than 90
degrees. Ideally it should be rounded with no point at all.
~ A weapon should pass the “push the tip against my eye” test. If the weapon,
when gently pressed against the eye, has a thrusting tip that is painful or
potentially damaging then the weapon won’t pass.
~ A weapon should have a soft enough striking edge that it cannot harm a player
if it strikes them in the throat with force that might be generated by a running
player.
~ The weapon cannot be too “whippy” – if we hold the end and shake it the
weapon should not noticeably bend.
~ All weapons must adhere to the guidelines below to size, length, and striking
surface proportion.
Weapons are divided into categories based on their construction requirements
and the techniques required to use them. The following section outlines the
various weapon types, the lengths and/or dimensions required in their
construction, and notes on how they are used.
Blades
These weapons represent daggers and all types of swords. A bladed weapon has a
striking surface that covers at least 2/3 of its entire length.
The weapon may have a cross guard or hand guard, but the guard must be made
entirely of pipe foam or the equivalent.
Axes
These weapons represent hatchets and all types of axes. An axe needs padding
that covers at least 1/2 of its entire length. The striking surface is a head of open
celled foam at least 8″ in length that extends at least 4″ from the shaft, and looks
like an axe blade.
Hammers
These weapons represent maces, hammers, and all types of smashing weapons
with metal heads. A hammer needs padding that covers at least 1/2 of its entire
length. The striking surface is a head of open celled foam at least 6″ long that
extends at least 4″ from the shaft, although this could be 2″ on both sides for a
mace.
Glaives
Glaives and shafted weapons that have a blade on both sides of the weapon. Each
striking surface covers at least 1/3 its entire length, and the blade itself must be at
least 18″. The middle section of the glaive must also be padded, although you can
use 3/8” padding for the grip of the haft so long as the full 5/8” is used for the
striking surfaces. Because both ends of the glaives are striking surfaces, the glaive
has a thrusting tip on both ends.
These types of weapons are not including in standard weapon skills; the weapons
do not share a weapon group with other weapons. The skills needed to use these
weapons are, in many games, more exotic.
You can choke up to one end and grasp the blade of a glaive only if you are
wearing thick gauntlets. If you are skilled with a war glaive (the 64” weapon) you
can hold the weapon along the shaft and block attacks with one hand. You cannot
normally attack while using a war glaive held in this fashion unless you have
some special skill that specifically allows you to do so. Some games might have
skills that allow you to fight with a War Glaive in one hand and a short or
medium sized weapon in the other.
The great glaive is a two handed weapon. You cannot use it with one hand.
Staves
Staves have a striking surface on both sides of the weapon. Each striking surface
covers at least 1/3 its entire length. The middle section of the staff must also be
padded, although you can use 3/8” padding for the grip of the staff so long as the
full 5/8” is used for the striking surfaces.
Because both ends of the staff are striking surfaces, the middle of the staff is
aluminum and each end has PVC or CPVC. The staff has a thrusting tip on both
ends.
Spears
The spear is a two handed weapon. A spear can only be used to stab an opponent.
It cannot be used to swing. A spear must have padding that covers down the
striking end at least 1/2 of its entire length. You cannot fight a spear and another
weapon if that weapon is longer than 36”. If you are using a spear one handed
you may not thrust at any target above the arm pit of the opponent.
Characters with the Ranger header have special skills that allow them to use a
spear in their off hand while using another one handed weapon no longer than
46″, and even then they can only make attacks against lower body parts as
described under those skills.
Polearms
Covering all types of longer pole weapons, polearms have the advantage of reach.
A polearm must have padding that covers down the striking end at least 1/2 of its
entire length. The striking surface must cover at least 12″, and must include
additional padding of open celled foam that extends at least 1″ from the shaft or
another layer of pipe foam cut in half.
Thrown Weapons
These weapons represent daggers, darts, and javelins. These weapons must be at
least 2” in length, but larger thrown weapons such as javelins are allowed if the
staff deems them safe.
Larger thrown weapons may be weighted with birdseed, but at least 5/8” of foam
must be between the birdseed and the surface.
These weapons need to adhere to the “eye” safety check.
Shields
Shields are defensive props used to block weapon blows. They cannot be used to
strike another player. They are generally constructed from plastic or sturdy foam,
although some shields of light wood are allowed if the edges are properly padded.
All exposed edges must be foam or protected with 5/8″ thick foam piping. Most
shields use a handle and an arm strap, but light shields might only have a single
handle.
A small shield cannot be more that 24″ at its longest dimension. A large shield
cannot be more that 36″ at its longest dimension.
ADVANCED CONSTRUCTION NOTES
If you do intend to learn how to construct your own weapons, here are the
materials that are common in the construction of our LARP weapons.
.414 Ultralight
The core this refers to is actually called spiral wound fiberglass tubing and can be
purchased from a number of online vendors. Intended to be used as a kite pole,
the core is light, durable, and has give. This is only appropriate for one handed
weapons with no head.
.505 Ultralight
The core this refers to is actually called spiral wound fiberglass tubing and can be
purchased from a number of online vendors. Intended to be used as a kite pole,
the core is light, durable, and has give. One handed weapons use the .505
diameter pole.
.610 Ultralight
This core is a thicker version of the spiral wound fiberglass tubing used for two
handed weapons.
Ultralight two handed weapons require extra padding on the striking surface. The
weapon should have at least 1” of foam padding on the striking surface of the
weapon.
3/4” PVC
3/4” CPVC
Although not ideal, this common core can be used in a pinch for one handed
weapons. It is too generally too heavy and whippy for anything longer than a
short sword. You will want to find schedule 20 PVC pipe with a thin wall. There
are schedule 40 pipes with thicker walls that are too heavy to make good
weapons. This core can also be bent into bows by applying very hot water, or
softening it if you are good with the heat of a stove or gas burner. CPVC usually
has more whip than PVC.
1/2” PVC
This core is too whippy to use for longer weapons, but can be used for small
weapons or even short swords. This material is not good for any other type of
weapon.
Open Cell Foam
Weapon tips are generally constructed from open cell foam. You can purchase
this foam at most fabric stores. Tips are generally affixed to the end of the
weapon with glue and reinforced with a small amount of tape before the weapon
sock is put over the blade.
**Bows: Bows must have a draw weight that does not exceed 30 lbs. Arrows must be bought from a reputable LARP source, and cannot be homemade unless specifically Okayed by the Marquest Admin. Please feel free to reach out if you are building! We would love to help and we have a lot of good LARP folk in our discord that have made their own arrows and have a lot of good tips.
If you have Weapons or Armor questions or concerns please reach out, we love to help and guide people in how and what to build for our events. Join our Discord here: