Battle gaming
Encyclopedia
North America
North America is a continent wholly within the Northern Hemisphere and almost wholly within the Western Hemisphere. It is also considered a northern subcontinent of the Americas...
n medieval
Middle Ages
The Middle Ages is a periodization of European history from the 5th century to the 15th century. The Middle Ages follows the fall of the Western Roman Empire in 476 and precedes the Early Modern Era. It is the middle period of a three-period division of Western history: Classic, Medieval and Modern...
combat sport
Combat sport
A Combat sport, also known as a Fighting sport, is a competitive contact sport where two combatants fight against each other using certain rules of engagement , typically with the aim of simulating parts of real hand to hand combat...
where participants use mock foam-padded weapons (boffer) in live action battles. The sport began in 1977.
Description
Battle gaming is a tag gameTag (game)
Tag is a playground game played worldwide that involves one or more players chasing other players in an attempt to tag or touch them, usually with their fingers. There are many variations...
using padded mock weapons. The entire game is based on honor
Honour
Honour or honor is an abstract concept entailing a perceived quality of worthiness and respectability that affects both the social standing and the self-evaluation of an individual or corporate body such as a family, school, regiment or nation...
where each player calls themselves out of the game by acknowledging the tags delivered by other players. The sport is rooted in the self acknowledgement of defeat
Defeat
Defeat may be*the opposite of victory*Debellatio*Surrender usually follows a defeat*Defeat, piece by a boy ....
.
Battle gaming is not LARP
Live action role-playing game
A live action role-playing game is a form of role-playing game where the participants physically act out their characters' actions. The players pursue goals within a fictional setting represented by the real world, while interacting with each other in character. The outcome of player actions may...
; it is more akin to table top miniature wargaming
Miniature wargaming
Miniature wargaming is a form of wargaming that incorporates miniature figures, miniature armor and modeled terrain as the main components of play...
. The battle games are short scenarios ranging from five minutes to four hours in duration at the end of which all players are regenerated to play again. Each game is played in isolation. The outcome from one game scenario does not impact the scenario of the next game. Players are invited to dress as and role-play a warrior in the battles. Unlike in LARP
Live action role-playing game
A live action role-playing game is a form of role-playing game where the participants physically act out their characters' actions. The players pursue goals within a fictional setting represented by the real world, while interacting with each other in character. The outcome of player actions may...
, these personas are never permanently killed (removed) from the games.
Battle game combat is fast and chaotic. Weapons are built with foam to prevent injury. All battle gaming groups use a targeted tag system. The common tag targets are left arm, right arm, left leg, right leg, torso and head. Almost all battle game organizations do not use helmets, therefore hand held weapons may not strike at the head target and all weapons must be larger than an eye socket. All battle gaming combat assumes that the weapons are padded enough that full force blows can be received without injury.
History
The idea of battle gaming was started in the Washington, D.C. metro suburbs and has spread across the U.S. and into Canada. The history of the sport has been one of growth and splintering.- DagorhirDagorhirDagorhir Battle Games is a battle game with thousands of members spread throughout the US, Canada and England.Founded in Washington, DC, USA in 1977, it has since spread to scores of locations...
- Battle gaming was begun by Brian Wiese in 1977, as Dagorhir Outdoor Improvisational Dark-Aged Battle GamingDagorhirDagorhir Battle Games is a battle game with thousands of members spread throughout the US, Canada and England.Founded in Washington, DC, USA in 1977, it has since spread to scores of locations...
. The group was located in the Washington D.C. metropolitan area. DagorhirDagorhirDagorhir Battle Games is a battle game with thousands of members spread throughout the US, Canada and England.Founded in Washington, DC, USA in 1977, it has since spread to scores of locations...
was a foam weapon combat group that embraced a culture of improvisational acting and a Lord of the Rings theme. - Emarthnguarth - By 1979, personality conflicts caused Frank Roso Jr. to leave DagorhirDagorhirDagorhir Battle Games is a battle game with thousands of members spread throughout the US, Canada and England.Founded in Washington, DC, USA in 1977, it has since spread to scores of locations...
to create Emarthnguarth. Emarthnguarth maintained the short battle game scenarios and used a similar combat style as Dagorhir. In creating Emarthnguarth, Frank Roso Jr. introduced more LARPLive action role-playing gameA live action role-playing game is a form of role-playing game where the participants physically act out their characters' actions. The players pursue goals within a fictional setting represented by the real world, while interacting with each other in character. The outcome of player actions may...
like elements in the form of player classes and a small simulated magic system. Both DagorhirDagorhirDagorhir Battle Games is a battle game with thousands of members spread throughout the US, Canada and England.Founded in Washington, DC, USA in 1977, it has since spread to scores of locations...
and Emarthnguarth co-existed in the Washington D.C. metro area. The Emarthnguarth organization ceased to exist in the year 2000. - AmtgardAmtgardAmtgard is a battle gaming and live-action fantasy roleplaying and boffer combat game primarily based in the United States as well as other countries .- History :...
- In 1983, a DagorhirDagorhirDagorhir Battle Games is a battle game with thousands of members spread throughout the US, Canada and England.Founded in Washington, DC, USA in 1977, it has since spread to scores of locations...
and Emarthnguarth player by the name of James Haren, combined elements of the DagorhirDagorhirDagorhir Battle Games is a battle game with thousands of members spread throughout the US, Canada and England.Founded in Washington, DC, USA in 1977, it has since spread to scores of locations...
and Emarthnguarth rules to create a the AmtgardAmtgardAmtgard is a battle gaming and live-action fantasy roleplaying and boffer combat game primarily based in the United States as well as other countries .- History :...
battle gaming group in his home town of El Paso, Texas. The new group created a culture of battle game scenarios with many LARPLive action role-playing gameA live action role-playing game is a form of role-playing game where the participants physically act out their characters' actions. The players pursue goals within a fictional setting represented by the real world, while interacting with each other in character. The outcome of player actions may...
like elements. - PM MagazinePM MagazinePM/Evening Magazine was a television series with a news and entertainment format. It was syndicated to stations throughout the United States...
- In 1983, a PM MagazinePM MagazinePM/Evening Magazine was a television series with a news and entertainment format. It was syndicated to stations throughout the United States...
special about DagorhirDagorhirDagorhir Battle Games is a battle game with thousands of members spread throughout the US, Canada and England.Founded in Washington, DC, USA in 1977, it has since spread to scores of locations...
that had been recorded and aired in the Washington, D.C. TV market in 1980 was aired on nationwide syndication. This caused DagorhirDagorhirDagorhir Battle Games is a battle game with thousands of members spread throughout the US, Canada and England.Founded in Washington, DC, USA in 1977, it has since spread to scores of locations...
battle gaming to suddenly spread across the country. - Elgestron - Around 1984, Emarthnguarth was splintering and a new group called Elgestron was formed. This was a short lived group that ceased to exist by 1986.
- DarkonDarkon Wargaming ClubThe Darkon Wargaming Club is a non-profit battle gaming and live-action role-playing club in the United States based in the Washington, DC Metro area....
- In 1985, frustrated with the quality of play of Elgestron, Robert Kusik launched the Darkon Wargaming ClubDarkon Wargaming ClubThe Darkon Wargaming Club is a non-profit battle gaming and live-action role-playing club in the United States based in the Washington, DC Metro area....
. The club refined many of the LARPLive action role-playing gameA live action role-playing game is a form of role-playing game where the participants physically act out their characters' actions. The players pursue goals within a fictional setting represented by the real world, while interacting with each other in character. The outcome of player actions may...
like aspects they had inherited from Emarthnguarth. The group continued to be primarily a battle gaming group running bi-weekly battle game days, but added a LARPLive action role-playing gameA live action role-playing game is a form of role-playing game where the participants physically act out their characters' actions. The players pursue goals within a fictional setting represented by the real world, while interacting with each other in character. The outcome of player actions may...
game which is played a few weekends a year. - High Fantasy Society - In 1990, the Austin, Texas chapter of AmtgardAmtgardAmtgard is a battle gaming and live-action fantasy roleplaying and boffer combat game primarily based in the United States as well as other countries .- History :...
, voted to secede. They formed a new group called the High Fantasy Society. This was at the end of a long a bitter debate about making the club more LARPLive action role-playing gameA live action role-playing game is a form of role-playing game where the participants physically act out their characters' actions. The players pursue goals within a fictional setting represented by the real world, while interacting with each other in character. The outcome of player actions may...
like in execution. The High Fantasy Society set out to convert itself into a LARPLive action role-playing gameA live action role-playing game is a form of role-playing game where the participants physically act out their characters' actions. The players pursue goals within a fictional setting represented by the real world, while interacting with each other in character. The outcome of player actions may...
but never did. Today they still continue much of the battle gaming play that was AmtgardAmtgardAmtgard is a battle gaming and live-action fantasy roleplaying and boffer combat game primarily based in the United States as well as other countries .- History :...
in 1990. - Edhellen Armoury - In 1996, Gregg Larson started Edhellen Armoury (eh-thehl-lehn – Tolkien for “elvish”) to produce foam swords for the battle gaming sport. His swords targeted the DagorhirDagorhirDagorhir Battle Games is a battle game with thousands of members spread throughout the US, Canada and England.Founded in Washington, DC, USA in 1977, it has since spread to scores of locations...
market and did much to fuel the growth of that organization. - Belegarth - In 2002, after a very messy political and personality battle, DagorhirDagorhirDagorhir Battle Games is a battle game with thousands of members spread throughout the US, Canada and England.Founded in Washington, DC, USA in 1977, it has since spread to scores of locations...
split into almost two equal halves forming Belegarth. The Belegarth half was dominated by the Midwest chapters from Illinois and Ohio but also included strong chapters in the South and West. The DagorhirDagorhirDagorhir Battle Games is a battle game with thousands of members spread throughout the US, Canada and England.Founded in Washington, DC, USA in 1977, it has since spread to scores of locations...
half was left with its core domination of the Mid-Atlantic States and a scattering of other locations across the US. - Darkon the Movie - In 2006, a feature documentary film entitled Darkon about the Darkon Wargaming Club was released. This movie has helped fuel the growth of the sport of battle gaming.
- Mashoonga - In 2007, Jim Bogner started Revel King to produce a Star WarsStar WarsStar Wars is an American epic space opera film series created by George Lucas. The first film in the series was originally released on May 25, 1977, under the title Star Wars, by 20th Century Fox, and became a worldwide pop culture phenomenon, followed by two sequels, released at three-year...
like foam saber under the marketing name Mashoonga. This sword could be used in full force foam weapon combat of battle gaming. Although the original Mashoonga saber was never targeted at the battle gaming market, many new battle gamers have come to the sport through use of these weapons. - Wreckreation NationWreckreation NationWreckreation Nation, a production of True Entertainment, is a travel/reality television show on the Discovery Channel, highlighting unusual recreational activities and amateur competitions across the United States. It is hosted by Dave Mordal....
- In 2009, Dagorhir battle gaming was featured on the Discovery Channel’s Wreckreation Nation series. This show has helped fuel the growth of Dagorhir and the sport of battle gaming in general. - Dargarth - In 2010, John Senner started a group called Dargarth in Seattle. The group combines both Belegarth and Darkon rules of play and has grown quickly.
- Battle Gaming Book - In 2010, David W. Graham published the book Battle Gaming: The New American Sport. The book which has better defined the sport is being promoted to middle and high school physical education programs.
Organizations
Currently there are three active organizations which have chapters in both the U.S. and Canada:- AmtgardAmtgardAmtgard is a battle gaming and live-action fantasy roleplaying and boffer combat game primarily based in the United States as well as other countries .- History :...
- Belegarth
- DagorhirDagorhirDagorhir Battle Games is a battle game with thousands of members spread throughout the US, Canada and England.Founded in Washington, DC, USA in 1977, it has since spread to scores of locations...
There are also three regional battle gaming organizations:
- Dargarth (Seattle metro area)
- Darkon Wargaming ClubDarkon Wargaming ClubThe Darkon Wargaming Club is a non-profit battle gaming and live-action role-playing club in the United States based in the Washington, DC Metro area....
(Washington-Baltimore metro area) - High Fantasy Society (East Texas)
- LARPCraft.com.
Rule Sets
Each of the battle gaming organizations maintains their own rule sets. Due to the common historical origins of all battle gaming organizations many of the rules are common. This has resulted in many crossover players who play with more than one organization.- AmtgardAmtgardAmtgard is a battle gaming and live-action fantasy roleplaying and boffer combat game primarily based in the United States as well as other countries .- History :...
maintains an extensive collection of publications including the Amtgard Handbook which contains the basic rules of play as well as the Dor Un Avathar (the official Amtgard monster book) and a variety of other game play scenarios and extensions. Although the rules are free for anyone to download, for liability reasons, only those who are members of a registered Amtgard chapter and have a signed waiver on file are permitted to use the Amtgard rules. - Belegarth maintains rules in the Belegarth Book of War. This is a terse document that summaries the rules of play and is published under the public domain using the GNU General Public LicenseGNU General Public LicenseThe GNU General Public License is the most widely used free software license, originally written by Richard Stallman for the GNU Project....
. In its public domain status, Belegarth rules are “use at own risk”. Because of this status, anyone is free to download and use the rules as well as create a Belegarth group which is unaffiliated with the larger Belegarth organization. All liability lies with the local organizers. - DagorhirDagorhirDagorhir Battle Games is a battle game with thousands of members spread throughout the US, Canada and England.Founded in Washington, DC, USA in 1977, it has since spread to scores of locations...
maintains a set of rules called the Manual of Arms. Although the rules are free for anyone to download, for liability reasons, only those who are members of a registered DagorhirDagorhirDagorhir Battle Games is a battle game with thousands of members spread throughout the US, Canada and England.Founded in Washington, DC, USA in 1977, it has since spread to scores of locations...
chapter and have a signed waiver on file are permitted to use the DagorhirDagorhirDagorhir Battle Games is a battle game with thousands of members spread throughout the US, Canada and England.Founded in Washington, DC, USA in 1977, it has since spread to scores of locations...
rules. In addition, DagorhirDagorhirDagorhir Battle Games is a battle game with thousands of members spread throughout the US, Canada and England.Founded in Washington, DC, USA in 1977, it has since spread to scores of locations...
maintains a handbook which can be downloaded for free, but if you are not a member of a registered Dagorhir chapter, you are expected to pay a $10 fee to the Dagorhir Battle Game Association. - Dargarth maintains rules that are a combination of the Belegarth rules and DarkonDarkon Wargaming ClubThe Darkon Wargaming Club is a non-profit battle gaming and live-action role-playing club in the United States based in the Washington, DC Metro area....
rules. They are free to download and the user assumes all risk of liability by using them. - Darkon Wargaming ClubDarkon Wargaming ClubThe Darkon Wargaming Club is a non-profit battle gaming and live-action role-playing club in the United States based in the Washington, DC Metro area....
maintains their rules in the Darkon Rulebook. The rulebook is free to download and may be used for registered members of the Darkon Wargaming ClubDarkon Wargaming ClubThe Darkon Wargaming Club is a non-profit battle gaming and live-action role-playing club in the United States based in the Washington, DC Metro area....
. The content of the rulebook may be used by nonprofit organizations outside the Baltimore-Washington metro area as long as they remove all references to the name “Darkon” and assume all liability. - The company Battle Game Sports and Hobbies maintains a battle gaming rule set known as the Warrior Code. The Warrior Code is published under the Wizards of the CoastWizards of the CoastWizards of the Coast is an American publisher of games, primarily based on fantasy and science fiction themes, and formerly an operator of retail stores for games...
Open Game License and is free to download and use. The user assumes all risk of liability. The rule set is a highbred designed to allow battle gamers from all organizations to play together in a balanced manner. The rule set is published in the book Battle Gaming: The New American Sport and is being adopted by small backyard battle game groups as well as middle and high school clubs.