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[ About :: Other LARPs ]

Amtgard is unique on two levels: firstly, is the use of its class ability & level system and magic points rules that allow diverse recreations of personas from history and fantasy, secondly is the fast-action combat that is both realistic and safe. Research was done on many other LARPs (not to be confused with LARPCs) through www.larp.com and other various search engines. Here is some information of other LARP's such as Dagorhir, Nero, and SCA.

Dagorhir: (www.dagorhir.com)
The freestyle simulation of Dark Age battles featuring foam weaponry and costumes indicative of the era. Taking on historical and fictional personas, participants engage in challenging scenarios ranging from single combat to large-scale field battles numbering hundreds of fighters.

Dagorhir does not have a fantasy element or character classes. They have the same basic rules for weapons and combat as Amtgard with the exception that the weapons are made to "hit each other full force". Headshots in Dagorhir are allowed with some weapons. In Amtgard, headshots are not allowed by any means!

Society for Creative Anachronism (SCA): (www.sca.org)
The Society for Creative Anachronism (SCA) is an international organization dedicated to researching and re-creating pre-17th-century European history.
SCA fighting is done with real armor (made with leather, metal, padding, kydex, etc.) and rattan swords. Rattan is that bamboo-y stuff, only with a solid core, that furniture is made of. Rattan, surprisingly enough, is springy enough to absorb some of the force of the blow (although blows are *real solid*) and light enough to approximate a real steel sword. Swords are made by wrapping rattan staffs with strapping tape, covering them with duct tape for aesthetic reasons, and attaching some sort of crosspiece or guard. Armor is much more complex -- some armor, being made of steel, rivets, leather, etc., can take more than 40 hours per piece of armor where costs can range from hundreds to thousands of dollars. Before being allowed to participate in combat without close supervision, each fighter is trained by senior fighters, known as "marshals." This training aims at ensuring that the fighter is safe to himself or herself and to others, and typically lasts a few months.

There are several essential and required pieces of armor -- a helm, and protection for the neck, cervical vertebrae, elbows, knees, kidneys, hands, and groin. In addition, most SCA fighters wear chest, leg, arm, forearm, and foot protection.

New England Roleplaying Organization (NERO): (www.nerohq.com)
NERO is very much something I would like to participate in. NERO is like a Clan weekend with a heavier emphasis on roleplaying. The playing area is very much like a real town, with dedicated inns and taverns. Combat is similar to Amtgard, as padded weapons are required, but armor is not. There is also a more advanced race system where monsters and other races, like elves & felines (Sarrs), are available for play. A new play book, with new classes, skills, spells, and rules have been implemented