Melee Weapons
General Guidance
There are three sizes of melee weapon that may be used at Beyond Ragnarok events:
Daggers/Small Weapons:
One-Handed Weapons:
Two-Handed Weapons:
In all cases, melee weapons should consist of a foam and core construction. Coreless weaponry should not be used in melee combat. A common foam used for the construction of LARP-safe weaponry is called LD45 Plastezote. LD45 Plastezote is a Low Density (LD) closed cell foam of approximately 45kg/m3 (LD45). Weapons should be constructed using foam with similar properties to LD45, as using harder foams (such as EVA foam) may result in injury. Softer foams, such as LD18 and upholstery foam, may be used where appropriate, such as the striking face of a hammer or arrow head.
Common cores used for the construction of LARP-safe weaponry are Carbon Fibre and Glass Permeated Resin (GPR/Fibreglass). The use of materials such as wood, bamboo and metals are strictly prohibited. These cores tend to either break easily, or not have sufficient flexibility or control (due to weight) to be used safely in combat. The thickness of the core will vary depending on the nature of the weapon but typically range from a minimum of 0.25” (approx. 6mm) for daggers to 0.625” (approx. 16mm) for polearms.
Injection-moulded weapons will be assessed on a case by case basis as the hardness of the materials can vary greatly based on the temperature. Injection-moulded weapons often have a visible seam or ‘flashing’ where the moulds come together which can be sharp. Before bringing any injection-moulded weapon to an event, these aspects should be carefully considered, and you may wish to bring an alternative.
Collapsible-Tip Weaponry
Collapsible tip weaponry is permitted in the game. However, the use of any collapsible tip weaponry requires a competency test to ensure the safety of their use in the field.
Collapsible tip weaponry may be categorised in one of two ways:
One-Handed Spear:
One-handed spears are between 36” (approx. 91cm) and 42” (approx. 107cm) in length and may be used in conjunction with a shield only.
They cannot be dual wielded with other melee weapons.
Two-Handed Spear:
Two-handed spears are between 42” and 84” (approx. 203cm) in length.
They cannot be used in conjunction with a shield or dual wielded with other melee weapons.
Two hands must remain on the weapon at all times when it is being used.
During the competency test, a grey ribbon will be issued for the weapon. This ribbon must be kept attached to the weapon at all times, as this is designed to clearly identify the weapon has a collapsible tip and prevent accidental misuse in the field.
Melee Weapon Construction Details
Bladed Weapons
| MATERIALS | |
| Core | A 0.5” (approx. 12mm) foam POD (cap) must be firmly affixed to the top end of the core. The handle end of the core must be rounded, at a minimum, but may also have a foam POD. The core must be rigid and firmly attached to any surrounding foam, materials and reinforcement. The core should not flex any more than 20% of the weapon’s length. |
| Foam | LD45, or similar foam, laminated in multiple layers. The layers must be laminated using a suitable flexible adhesive, and the adhesive must not harden under compression, nor present a hardened edge. |
| Weighting | Weapons may be weighted. Any materials used to weight the weapon must be securely attached to the core and must not extend past the handle into the striking section of the weapon. |
| COMPONENTS | |
| Tip | Minimum of 1.5” (approx. 38mm) of foam from the top of the core. Additional reinforcement should exist around the top of the core to support the tip, such as cloth, leather or soft rubber. |
| Striking Edge | Minimum of 0.5” (approx. 12mm) of foam from the core at its nearest point. Care must be taken that the blade does not have any hard spots (e.g. excess adhesive, leather) along the striking edge. |
| Non-Striking Edge | Minimum of 0.25” (approx. 6mm) of foam from the core at its nearest point. This includes any patterns, etc. that have been carved into the side of the blade. |
| Hilts | Must be made of foam and is considered to be a ‘Striking Edge’ for the purposes of construction. Hilts may be reinforced with soft materials, such as cloth, leather and soft rubber. |
| Handle | Depending on the length of the handle, the weapon may be constructed using any suitable material. Handles for daggers/one-handed weapons that are longer than 9” (approx. 22cm) or 18” (approx. 46cm) should ideally be made from padded materials, as if it were a striking edge. |
| Pommel | Minimum of 0.5” (approx. 12mm) of foam from the core at its nearest point. |
| Decoration | No decoration is permitted along the striking edge of the weapon. Any surface decoration may not be constructed using rigid materials and must have sufficient flexibility to maintain the safety of the weapon. Rigid decorations, such as EL Wire, LEDs and gemstones, must be recessed into the foam approximately 0.25” (approx. 6mm) from the surface of the weapon. |
Hafted Weapons
| MATERIALS | |
| Core | A 0.5” (approx. 12mm) foam POD (cap) must be firmly affixed to the top end of the core. The handle end of the core must be rounded, at a minimum, but may also have a foam POD. The core must be rigid and firmly attached to any surrounding foam, materials and reinforcement. The core should not flex any more than 20% of the weapon’s length. |
| Foam | LD45 or similar foam, and softer foams for Hammers/Maces (such as upholstery foam). Where applicable, layers of foam must be laminated using a suitable flexible adhesive and the adhesive must not harden under compression, nor present a hardened edge. |
| Weighting | Weapons may be weighted. Any materials used to weight the weapon must be securely attached the core and must not extent past the handle into the hafted section of the weapon. |
| COMPONENTS | |
| Axes | The head of the axe is considered to be a Striking Edge. The head of the axe must be coreless but may be supported with reinforcing materials such as cloth, leather or soft rubber. The reinforcing material must not extend to within 0.5” (approx. 12mm) from the edge and surface of the weapon. |
| Hammers/Maces | Minimum of 0.5” (approx. 12mm) of foam. The striking surface may also be made of a softer foam, such as upholstery foam, with an LD45 foam backing. |
| Spikes | Maximum of 2” (approx. 50mm) and must be collapsible any may not be reinforced with any additional materials. |
| Shaft | Minimum of 0.5” (approx. 12mm) of foam from the core at its nearest point. This includes any patterns that have been carved into the shaft. |
| Handle | Depending on the length of the handle, the weapon may be constructed using any suitable material. Handles for daggers/one-handed weapons that are longer than 9” (approx. 22cm) or 18” (approx. 46cm) should ideally be made from padded materials, as if it were a striking edge.Pommel/EndsMinimum of 0.5” (approx. 12mm) of foam from the core at its nearest point. |
| Decoration | No decoration is permitted along the striking edge of the weapon. Any surface decoration may not be constructed using rigid materials and must have sufficient flexibility to maintain the safety of the weapon.
Rigid decorations, such as EL Wire, LEDs and gemstones, must be recessed into the foam approximately 0.25” (approx. 6mm) from the surface of the weapon. |
Collapsible-Tip Spears
| MATERIALS | |
| Core | A 0.5” (approx. 12mm) foam POD must be firmly affixed to the top end of the core. The handle end of the core must be rounded, at a minimum, but may also have a foam POD. The core must be rigid and firmly attached to any surrounding foam, materials and reinforcement. The core should not flex any more than 20% of the weapon’s length. |
| Foam | LD45, or similar foam, and softer foams/materials for the tip. Where applicable, layers of foam must be laminated using a suitable flexible adhesive, and the adhesive, must not harden under compression, nor present a hardened edge. |
| Weighting | Weapons may be not be weighted. |
| COMPONENTS | |
| Tip | The tip must have a two-stage construction:
The base of the spearhead must consist of a minimum of 3” (approx. 75mm) of LD45 foam from the top of the core (this may include the POD) with supporting laminated layers of reinforcing materials, such as cloth, leather or soft rubber. This is to prevent the core protruding through the foam/ The striking point of the spear must consist of a minimum 6” (approx. 15cm) of softer, collapsible materials. |
| Shaft/Handle | Minimum of 0.5” (approx. 12mm) of foam from the core at its nearest point. This includes any patterns that have been carved into the shaft. |
| Pommel/Ends | Minimum of 0.5” (approx. 12mm) of foam from the core at its nearest point. |
| Decoration | No decoration is permitted along the striking edge of the weapon. Any surface decoration may not be constructed using rigid materials and have sufficient flexibility to maintain the safety of the weapon.
Rigid decorations, such as EL Wire, LEDs and gemstones, must be recessed into the foam approximately 0.25” (approx. 6mm) from the surface of the weapon. |
Flails
Due the varying nature of flail construction and use, you must demonstrate that you can use your Flail safely in combat. You are not permitted to use a flail you have not demonstrated competency with.
Flails will be individually assessed on a case by case basis to ensure that they are safe for use within the game
| MATERIALS | |
| Core | A 0.5” (approx. 12mm) foam POD must be firmly affixed to the top end of the core. The handle end of the core must be rounded, at a minimum, but may also have a foam POD. The core must be rigid and firmly attached to any surrounding foam, materials and reinforcement. The core should not flex any more than 20% of the weapon’s length. |
| Foam | LD45, or similar foam, and softer foams for the striking end (such as upholstery foam). Where applicable, layers of foam must be laminated using a suitable flexible adhesive, and the adhesive must not harden under compression, nor present a hardened edge. |
| Weighting | Weapons may not be weighted. |
| COMPONENTS | |
| Striking End | The striking end must be clearly distinguishable from the shaft/handle, and be constructed out of foam (preferably softer foams), where possible. The striking end must be coreless. |
| Spikes | Maximum of 0.5” (approx. 12mm) and must be collapsible, and not be reinforced with any additional materials. |
| Links | Links between the shaft/handle and the striking end must be constructed from flexible, inelastic materials, such as foam, leather, rubber or rope.
The connection between the shaft/handle and striking end may be connected in one of two ways: 1. Constructed links attached to the striking end and the shaft/handle. 2. A single length of inelastic material, such as rope, connecting the striking end to the shaft/handle. Whichever linkage method is used, the links must not allow the flail to wrap around a struck weapon or limb. |
| Shaft/Handle | Minimum of 0.5” (approx. 12mm) of foam from the core at its nearest point. This includes any patterns that have been carved into the shaft. |
| Pommel/Ends | Minimum of 0.5” (approx. 12mm) of foam from the core at its nearest point.
No decoration is permitted along the striking edge of the weapon. Any surface decoration may not be constructed using rigid materials and must have sufficient flexibility to maintain the safety of the weapon. Rigid decorations, such as EL Wire, LEDs and gemstones, must be recessed into the foam approximately 0.25” (approx. 6mm) from the surface of the weapon. |
Claws
The use of claws is subject to a Competency Test.
Please note, Player Characters cannot use claws during normal play, however, players may use claws during their allocated monster slot, where clawed creatures are required.
| MATERIALS | |
| Core | Claws are coreless weapons |
| Foam | LD45 or similar foam. The foam must be able to maintain its shape during use, but flex when a strike is made. |
| Weighting | Claws may not be weighted |
| COMPONENTS | |
| Gloved Claws | Must protrude a minimum of 3” (approx. 75mm) from the end of the fingers.
Claws must fasten to the wearer’s hand with fingers extended in a manner that means the user cannot strike with clenched fists. |
| Held Claws | Must be a minimum of 12” (approx. 30cm) in length.
The grip must be positioned away from the striking surface, so that the user’s hands do not come into contact with their target during use. There should be sufficient padding around the grip to support and protect the user’s wrist during use. |