As a person who loves (loves/hates) to over-analyze and optimize every situation in my life to minimize the possibility of making a mistake, I’ve been in your shoes – but lately I’ve gotten better at making mistakes (if that makes any sense)

For people on the outside, LARP can look like something that attracts a certain crowd. Well, that’s partly true, isn’t every hobby like that? Nevertheless, I bet most LARPs would have raised their attendance rates by a lot of curious outsiders who knew how to approach LARPs.

But not to worry! I’m here to enlighten you. When you’re done with this article you’ll be free from doubt.

Read more: How To Start Roleplaying and Larping With Your Kids

Step #1 Search for a LARP that interests you

First, before you get into character creation, swinging swords, and whatnot, you should find an event that catches your attention. There’s a wide selection of different live-action roleplaying gatherings throughout The US & Europe, therefore, I can almost guarantee that there’s an event that will suit your taste.

Larps are built on systems – like tabletop roleplaying games. There’s a system for resolution, a system for character creation, and another system for character abilities. These systems change the way each LARP is played in both minor and major ways.

Read about the different combat styles and resolution systems to see which one sounds best to you.

Because every larper doesn’t enjoy the same thing, one system may include a lot of combat for those who want to be physically active, joust and challenge themselves and their stamina.

Other events may attract larpers who enjoy an entirely different experience with next to no combat but more storytelling and roleplaying. With that in mind, you could say that LARPs are like movies and books in the sense that they are often from different genres and draw different audiences (attendants).

Finding the perfect event for your first LARP can be quite hard depending on where you reside and how far you can travel to attend the event. Sadly, the LARP scene is in dire need of a way to collect contact and general information about LARPs all over the world and gather it in one place, doing so would make it much easier to find events.

But we’ll have to work with the tools that we have. Some websites have tried to get a list of LARPs going and they have done so successfully but there are a bunch of events missing from their lists, nevertheless, that’s where I would start looking.

If that doesn’t get you any closer to your first experience, continue the search by googling LARPs in your location or

• Search r/LARP subreddit
• Post in the r/LARP subreddit
• Visit your local gaming stores
• Contact local gaming clubs (They can usually be found at universities and colleges)
• If everything else fails, start a small-scale LARP with your friends and recruit players as you go.
• Get cheap beginner LARP stuff, I bought my first shield and sword here.

There’s nothing wrong with a small scale 5-10 man LARP, especially not for your first time. Some people never get tired of small LARPs while others only enjoy the most popular events with thousands of attendants. There’s no right or wrong when it comes to LARP selection, even as a beginner, you can attend pretty much any event and learn as you go.

Step 2# Research the event & contact the organization

You have found the right LARP but you have questions regarding the event. Start by researching the game to find out a little bit about the backstory of the setting (the world that the game is set in), the organization, past events, and the combat rules/general rules of the LARP.

Other things to consider are the length of the games, lodging & campsites for longer events, transport to and from the event, location, and last but not least – will there be food at the event?

If any of these questions are unanswered after researching the internet you should either ask Reddit or the Game Masters (those who are responsible for running the LARP). In addition to Reddit and the Game Masters, any medium-big scale LARP should have an “FAQ” section on their website, try looking for the answers there too.

Step 3# Create your character

Alright! We’re finally getting somewhere. Character creation is a very exciting process for most larpers and can look very different depending on where you are and what game you are attending. In some cases the Game Masters have premade characters for the players, in others, the players make their own characters, and then there’s a mix where players and Game Masters cooperate in the creation of the game’s characters.

When it comes to creating your first character you should consider a couple of things before diving head first.

Leave room for development

Which way you’ll want your character to go can be hard to know at your first event. As you continue to LARP you will get a better understanding of your own character and his or her place in the story. With a bit of meat on your bones, you’re ready to develop your character accordingly.

Getting a label at your first game will leave you stuck in that “role”. Some people may like it, others want to leave doors open for other things. It’s just another thing to consider.

Draw inspiration from movies and books if needed

If your brainstorms are blowing at zero miles per hour and you feel creatively drained – draw inspiration for your character from books and movies. However, I wouldn’t copy a character entirely, instead, I would use their characteristics as the foundation for my own character creation.

Create a character that you’re comfortable roleplaying

Or don’t, seriously. Just consider this – some people love to challenge themselves with their characters and do things they otherwise wouldn’t dare while others are very self-conscious even when roleplaying and therefore tend to roleplay characters that they feel confident and comfortable roleplaying.

The important thing is that you put some thought into it before creating your character. The only thing I can say is that LARPs are incredible for developing your social skills. The more you challenge yourself, the more you will get back.

Stay away from anti-social traits when creating your character

Your character will, for the most part, be in a group with other larpers. Creating a lone wolf character isn’t as cool as you might think, instead, you’ll be excluded for the most part of the game while the other characters cooperate through the story. Be part of the group. You’ll have a much better time doing so.

Of course, you can be part of a group and still be the silent type. There are other ways to contribute to the group.

Give the character a backstory

Your character needs a backstory to create a little depth. The way your character behaves, his ambitions, and his fears can be connected to his past life. It’s not unlikely that a very meaningful moment in your character’s life has shaped the way they are today, what they believe in, and essentially, their personality. Use that to your advantage when creating your backstory.

The only thing you should keep in mind is to scale down the exceptionalism – you’ll share the battlefield with other players, and make your story believable and suitable for the event.

It may be something as simple as having a family with great resources or knowledge in a certain scientific field. Your character must have been inspired by his family’s lifestyle while growing up – or cursed by it.

Essentially, you want to find the innermost drive of your character. The engine deep within the character’s core makes him/her get up in the morning.

Whatever you choose to create you should keep in mind that the Game Masters may not use the backstory of your character as you think. They might turn the story against you – proving that the single most important moment in your life was a lie – to further improve the storyline of the game. This depends entirely on the plot of the game.

Get to know your character and adapt

Does your character stutter? Act nervously? Bite his nails? Talk with an accent? Walk in a certain way? Whatever it may be, it is entirely up to you how many of your character’s traits you want to act out. Start out slowly and add more depth and life to your character as you grow.

Step 4# Prepare your costume

Unless you by accident happen to store a knight’s plate armor at home, you’ll need some kind of garb for your character. In my article about the costs of LARPing, I included a section that covers the expenses of a LARP costume, where to get it, and how to reduce the costs.

Because it is your first time, I wouldn’t recommend spending more than $100 on your costume. If you enjoy larping and can see yourself attending more events in the future, then go ahead and start adding accessories and upgrades to your costume over time. Your weapon is a part of the costume and I said we wanted to keep the costs of your first costume as low as possible, well, if you want to spend money on something – spend it on a quality weapon.

As I mentioned earlier, another good alternative is Amazon. They have the resources to undercut the prices of most other retailers, and I can recommend getting these as a starting-off point.

With years of experience, I’ve come to the conclusion that the most durable weapons on the market are manufactured by Calimacil and that’s the shop that I would recommend for any beginner who wants a high-quality LARP weapon.

However, the do-it-yourself culture is very strong in the LARP community and there are a ton of different guides that will show you how you can make your own weapons at home using yoga mats, camping pads, and duct tape.

Step 5# Pack for the event

We’re almost there! You found a game that you like, you have created your character or come up with an idea and you’re geared up. What’s left? Packing for the event! What do you need? I’ll tell you!

The answer to this question varies depending on the length of the event, your own needs, and what kind of services the game can provide. However, If you’re going to a weekend or week-long LARP and the hosts can’t offer lodging possibilities, you will need to purchase your own camping gear. If you’re attending a one-day LARP you can do without the camping gear.

The shortest of checklists for a one-day event may include

• Extra Clothes for both in and out-of-character situations (especially socks for rainy days)
• Food
• Medicine
• Water
• Toilet Paper

That’s what’s most important, I didn’t include your costume, weapons, accessories, or anything else character related, nevertheless, here’s a list of over 50 items that you may need during a game.

Step #7 Get to the event

Look up the location of the event and consider your options of getting there. If public transportation isn’t an option and you don’t have a car, try looking for someone to carpool with, preferably on the LARP Facebook page/group if they have established one.

If you only pack the essentials you will have plenty of space in the car for another larper but that isn’t always the case. Make sure to account for the costumes, regular clothes, food, drinks, and everything else you’re bringing to the game.

Another thing to take into consideration is the distance between the game site and the parking lot. The actual site where the live-action roleplaying takes place and the parking lot can be in two different locations.

Why? Because people who attend LARPs want to get away from the mundane, modern world and become their character, who may live in another time period, seeing a bunch of cars and other out-of-character objects can make the game less believable.

For the sake of immersion, you may have to walk a short distance to get to the camping and larping site. You will have to talk to the organizers to find out about this. The event you attend may have an entirely different setup.

Step 8# Enjoy the game

The game begins, everyone is in character and the story unveils. This is the start of your first larping experience. To prepare yourself for the actual event, I recommend you read these 33 tips for first-time larpers.

Other than that, enjoy yourself and socialize with other larpers. The next time you decide to LARP, you will have a bunch of friends waiting for you at the game to continue your journey together.

If you are lucky enough to live in a region that offers more than one alternative LARP I suggest you try your luck with more than one event. One experience will probably be far from the next when it comes to live-action roleplaying.

Besides, you can choose to play another character or, if the game seems suitable, use your old character to broaden your acting skills.

I learned a lot about myself and overcame a bunch of stuff that was holding me back through LARP. I came to a very understanding and helpful community that gave me the warmest of welcomes, as a total beginner I felt very safe right away.

I was then given space to develop and now I’ve transitioned from shy and lacking confidence to a very charismatic person who doesn’t have any trouble with being the center of attention and at times, even enjoys it.

In addition to that, I have made more friends than I can count on two hands. These connections have been very useful for me even out of the game.

Bonus Section 9# Going as a non-player character

Non-player characters are part of the story, they are played for the amusement of the player characters. Think of a non-player character as a bartender, merchant, monster, and so forth.

They exist to fill the environment for the players. Most events are in need of NPCs, therefore, players who offer themselves as NPCs, get to go to the event free of charge and are often given a costume.

It may sound like being an NPC is a punishment – that’s far from the truth. It’s actually incredibly fun to play a non-player character, and as a first-time larper, very beneficial.

While playing an NPC you get the chance to learn how the game works, how other people play, the setting and story of the game and so much more without spending too much money.

It’s a very viable alternative for someone who wants to be guided through the first experience rather than playing their own character.

The role of the NPC is often very structured. You may be a guard who holds very important information that the player characters must try to lure out of you.

In another scenario, you may be a homeless man who has witnessed one of the characters in the group do something dreadful and now you’ve got to inform the group of it without risking your own life.

Seriously, there are a ton of different roles to play as a non-player character. Oftentimes, you will know what to do and you will be doing it for a “shift” you may have 2 or 3 shifts a day, maybe less. It depends entirely on the event and what you are offered in exchange for your services.

What to do after a game of LARP?

When the game is over, you may feel a bit overwhelmed by everything that has happened over the day or weekend. It’s nothing to worry about – start planning your next LARP and keep doing your thing until it’s time to go again. Keep in contact with the people you got to know during the event, perhaps there are other games you can play together while waiting for the next game.

Look for related activities

You might enjoy other related activities like SCA, tabletop gaming, or cosplay. Read more about things like LARP here.

Related Articles that may be interesting to you

• What’s a larper?
• Everything you need to know about food at larps
• The difference between LARP and Cosplay

The possibilities were endless thanks to our childish imagination. Kids of this day and age have the same kind of imagination and the need to stimulate it.

When introducing children to live-action roleplaying, create a game with an easy ruleset, mild combat, and a short story. Starting in your backyard and expanding the adventure from there is a good start. Keep things flexible and provide guidance without dictating their experience.

Larping is basically the grown-up and structured version of the same games we were playing as kids. If your kid seems to enjoy the same kind of make-believe games, I’m sure he or she will get a kick out of larping – just like you.

Who doesn’t love to dress up for an adventure full of magical creatures, challenges, slow-motion fighting, and pizza breaks? I’m guessing no one.

Kid-Friendly Larps Are a Good Start

Kids in their teens can handle adult themes better than youngsters, It is normally suggested you avoid LARPs that will scare the kid and spoil the experience.

There are a few alternative ways to go when picking a suitable first experience for kids who want to LARP.

• Start small by creating a very basic kid-friendly LARP and hosting it in your backyard for your kids and their friends.

• Contact the organizers who host the events you frequent and ask them if you can bring your child to the event. It’s of great importance that you reassure them that you’ll be on surveillance 24/7. Another thing to keep in mind is how appropriate the event is for kids. If you’ve done your research and you think your kid can handle it. Go ahead.

• Find a published LARP for kids.

I’ll go through the options one by one down below.

Published Live-action Roleplaying Games for Children

There are many published alternatives that can be massively simplified to make them more suitable for kids, although, I do recommend Adventure Quest, a family-friendly LARP.

Adventure Quest: The Live-Action Roleplaying Game

Adventure Quest is a perfect pick for parents who want to introduce their kids to LARP. It’s probably the most kid-friendly LARP around.

It has been around since 1995 and provides a very simple yet exciting way for kids to start roleplaying. As a bonus, the rulebook is full of beautiful artwork for you and your kids to enjoy. Here’s a little description.

Be the hero of a mythic quest! Simple and scalable rules, nearly unlimited character options, and fast-paced play make Adventure Quest excellent for roleplaying hobbyists, experiential learning, and youth programs. This book has all the standard powers, paths, gear, and rules for an exciting adventure.

https://www.renaissanceadventures.com/

Other LARPs that are easy to learn and teach, in no specific order:

• Long Live the King by White Wolf (PG-rated)
• Swords and Wizardry Whitebox
• Games published by Freeform Games
• With a little bit of tweaking, you may find some interesting games here.

Bring Your Kid To a Larp

There are a couple of live-action events that allow both adults and children to participate, either under the stipulation that they are in their parent’s range of sight or, if the event is heavy on combat, that they are protected from harm.

Men of all ages, this goes for you too. Because kids tend to be shorter than us, the risk of them accidentally swinging a successful boffer groin-hit increases drastically.

At the age of 7-9, the kids can use limb-hit rules decently. With a little bit of practice, they will be able to handle a very easy combat system.

Instead of having them whack each other as hard as they can, arrange a round of sword tag where all they need to do is to firmly touch the other player with their weapon to tag him or her.

Make sure you purchase very safe LARP weapons for your kids. With a well-crafted foam sword, most, if not all hits, will be harmless.

It is, however, recommended to stay away from boffer combat when playing with kids under the age of 14.

With that said, there are numerous supporting roles that a kid can handle at a young age, a bunch of other stuff to do in-game that doesn’t include combat, and lastly, LARPs that are entirely free from combat (Non-action LARPs).

I’m saying 14, others might say 12 or 18 – this will differ depending on what event you’re talking about. Some events forbid anyone who’s not an adult from participating, others allow minors as long as they are in their parent’s company, and a few are strictly for kids.

This is why you’ll have to talk to the people who arrange the event. If they are ok with you bringing your kids, try to talk to other parents who have done the same before.

Just to make sure that the game is appropriate for kids. Adult themes like sex, murder, and horror are not very suitable for children – and they appear quite frequently at adult LARPs.

On the other hand, you could bring your kids to a summer camp for LARPers. In the US, you’ll find plenty of LARP summer camps.

I’m not entirely sure about Europe, although I know many European LARPs have small events for kids next to the bigger events.

Here are a couple of LARP summer camps in the US

• Pali Adventures LARP Summer Camp, Los Angeles, CA
• Sword Summer Camp, Burlington, Ma
• Harry Potter Camp, Logan, UT
• Camp Carathir, Oregon (Family event)
• Trackers, Portland, OR
• The Wayfinder Experience, Kingston, NY
• Renaissance Adventures, Boulder, CO
• FanWar Winter & Summer Camps, Palo Alto & Sebastopol, CA
• Providence Preparatory, Philadelphia, PA

You Might Also Like: The Beginners Step By Step Guide On How To Start Larping

Creating a Larp For Kids

Kids have a hard time processing too much information, especially when they just want to get started.

It’s imperative that your rules are very basic – they need to be very easy to teach, additionally, keep the rules to a minimum and instead tell them about the system – kids will stretch the rules and can easily lose interest when their imagination is restricted.

Instead, tell them what they have to do to succeed – everything that isn’t THAT thing will be off the table for them.

It comes down to simplifying the game so that they can absorb the information and then execute it. This can be done by

• Narrating the story as you go. Keeping them informed of the situation, their progress, and their goals.

• Keep the game very flexible in case something doesn’t go as you planned it to.

• Providing guidance on the go to keep the game flowing

• Creating shorter stories that allow the kids to replay the story when they have finished.

• Creating stationary challenges that are integrated into the story. Kind of like an obstacle course. Completing a challenge advances the story, ending with a battle against the final boss or any other conclusion.

• Distributing loot and very simple clues after every challenge.

• Letting part of the group be on your side, as NPCs – teaching them to create an experience for someone else. When the first group is done, make them switch so that the other group can go through the story.

• Including game modes and special events such as capture the flag, escort missions, etc.

• Making clear lines between good and bad. It can be quite hard for kids to understand if a character has good or bad intentions if it isn’t obvious to them.

When it comes to resolution, you might replace combat with another mechanic if fighting doesn’t seem suitable.

Instead, you can challenge the kids to throw balls, frisbees, rings, water balloons, etc. Make it simple, make it suitable. You’ll probably have a blast.

Finally, if you’re trying to prepare your kids for a live-action roleplaying game, why not play a session of tabletop roleplaying games with them?

They’ll have a chance to roleplay their own character, take part in a story and cooperate with others to advance the story.

I think dungeons and dragons is a little bit too difficult for kids under the age of 9-10, but there are other systems that are much easier to understand, maneuver and teach

Try these

Mice and Mystics

• Max 4 players
• Age 7+
• About 60-90 minutes of playing time for older players, a little longer for younger players.

This game is an incredible introduction to roleplaying games, I’ve played it with my nephew and his friends (7-9 years old) and they absolutely loved the adventure. We’ve replayed it many times since then.

This is a 4 player-cooperative RPG at the intro level, however, it’s just as amusing with two players. The story is well-written and the gameplay is awesome.

No Thank You, Evil

• Ages 5+
• 3-5 Players
• 30-60 minutes of playing time

No Thank You, Evil is an award-winning RPG for kids and families to enjoy together. The game has few restrictions but many guidelines, allowing children to use their imagination freely. The rules are scalable, making the game adaptable to kids of all ages.

For instance, a 5-6-year-old child may create a simple character with few skills and abilities while a 10-year-old may create a character with so much more to it – and they can still be played in the same game, at the same time.

If you’re looking to introduce your kids to LARP, these roleplaying games for kids are a perfect start.

You can use them as the groundwork for a live-action game later on. In that case, the kids can relate to the story because they remember it from the game.

Last week I visited my aunt on her birthday. It was a “quick” visit that included a cup of coffee, giving her the earrings I had got her and finally, small talk for about 45 minutes. Her presence on Facebook makes her quite aware of my lifestyle and my hobbies.

This is mainly because I’m pretty good at posting pictures of the things I love doing. The last collection was a bunch of photos from a LARP I attended a while back, the album was titled “I’m A Larper”. It didn’t come as a shock when she wanted to know what the hell I was up to. So, what is a larper?

A LARPer is someone who enjoys LARP (Live action roleplaying). Larping can be described as a mixture of cosplay, roleplaying games, and acting. There’s a wide selection of LARPs, making them available for anyone. There are LARPs that focus heavily on the roleplaying aspect, while others are more combat-heavy, focusing mainly on the battles – then there’s everything in-between.

Is Larping Popular And Who Does It?

Larping has grown rapidly since the 1980s and has received a slight boost in popularity lately as well. While larping is most prominent in North America and Europe, it exists in other parts of the world too.

The largest and most popular events in the world take place in Europe or North America (The German festival ConQuest Of Mythodea attracts close to ten thousand visitors!)

Events that attract that kind of crowd are not as common as the smaller, local larps that pull 20-60 players. In North America, popular organizations have chapters all over to make them available to people in all locations – these chapters follow the organization’s main event and its rules, world setting, and combat system.

Then, on special occasions, players from every chapter are invited to attend a big event hosted by the main organization. These gatherings are large in comparison to the stand-alone events but small in comparison to the biggest events in the world.

The size of the event doesn’t indicate how fun it is though. Some enjoy the large festivals while others only attend smaller events. I enjoy both but tend to visit the smaller larps regularly.

What kind of person runs around in a costume wielding a sword, casts magic spells (bean bags), and mourns the death of his not-so-dead comrade? It’s incredibly hard to tell you what kind of person does something like larping with great specificity. Instead, I’ll try to do a breakdown of the larpers I’ve met over the years and make it as just as possible.

• Age
  • 18-60 with the majority being in the 20-35 range
  • I know people bring their kids sometimes
  • There are certain events for kids where adults are present but only to preside.

• Professions
  • Incredibly hard to say – I’ve played with people who are in college and people who run big companies – there seems to be no connection between a larper and a certain job.

• Non-LARP hobbies
  • This also varies greatly, however, it’s common to find larpers who enjoy other forms of roleplaying games, video games, or computer games. As you might’ve figured out by now, we larpers are part of the nerd culture.

• Looks
  • Just like anywhere on the planet, you’ll see people in all shapes, colors, and sizes at larps. The larper doesn’t have a predetermined look.

• Why do people LARP?
  • They enjoy being a part of something bigger than themselves. Something that takes their attention away from the mundane.
  • They enjoy the freedom of being someone else, developing their character as they go, without being judged.
  • They enjoy the roleplaying aspect of it. Acting in front of an audience that seeks to be entertained puts pressure on you, in LARP, the audience is part of the show and can, therefore, be much easier to handle.
  • They like to use their imagination to display their feelings
  • They like the combat
  • They like to step away from their responsibilities to recharge their batteries. Becoming another person can make it easier to let go of things you “have” to do.
  • They are interested in other cultures
  • They enjoy spending time with like-minded people

The list can go on forever but I’ll stop there. Everyone has their own reason. I’ve come to the conclusion that I like doing it because it is so much unlike anything else I have experienced. It’s the feeling of freedom, curiosity, and excitement all mixed together.

The possibility of doing something that many would label as “strange” without being judged by your fellow mates. All the things that I have learned and exposed myself too during these events have led to some serious personal growth.

Many larpers claim they have learned how to handle their social anxiety because of LARP. Because everyone around you is doing the same thing, as awkward as it may feel at first, you’ll feel more comfortable doing it.

In an environment where people are comfortable, they are more likely to take the baby steps needed to overcome their anxieties. I think that’s why so many people have undergone such an amazing transformation thanks to LARP.

How To Start Larping

If you feel like you’ve got the imagination and the will to try something outside the box, then larping might be something for you. Of course, there are a hundred other reasons why LARP could be something that you’d enjoy. The first question that comes to mind is “how do you start larping?”

I’ll make an easy step-by-step guide to the process. I won’t go too in-depth but I’ll take you where you need to go. If you can devour information easily, take a bite of this 6000-word guide on the subject. It covers the basics of LARP from almost every angle.

• Search your region for events that may interest you. Once you’ve found an event, make sure you understand what kind of LARP it is. The larpers of Reddit are very helpful, visit r/LARP if you’ve got questions about specific larps.

• Get in contact with the organizing crew if you’ve got questions – they are most likely very helpful, especially when a potential member asks for assistance.

• Create your character. Use the information you’ve gathered about the event you’re attending. Based on that, create a character that fits the setting.

• Prepare a costume for your character

• Pack accordingly – if you’re going to an overnight event there’ll be more packing. Here’s a list of things that make the experience much better.

• Get to the event

• Enjoy yourself

Read more: The Beginners Step-By-Step Guide On How To Start Larping

Other Common LARP Questions

Is larping dangerous? The kind of danger you’re exposed to can be minimized by going to larps that are either free from combat or have strict combat restrictions (light touch, no touch, half speed, etc).

Organizers are often strict when it comes to combat/weapon rules to minimize injuries on the battlefield. Those who injure themselves at larps are part of a small minority.

Is LARP the same as cosplay? Not really, cosplay is about visually replicating a character while LARP is about creating your own character and acting out his or her every action. I’ve explained the difference between cosplay and LARP before.

To mend the wounds you gather on the battlefield you need a healer of sorts – someone who funnels powerful healing magic capable of resurrecting dead players and healing the wounded. There are many different kinds of healers and ways of healing. Some depend on their spiritual bonds with mother nature or deities while others use medicine and herbs.

The ritual of healing another player usually requires the healer to stand near or be in concact with the wounded player while casting a healing spell. The spell itself is presented as a chant or a call to the gods – oftentimes, the healer holds a book or a symbol in his or her hands while chanting. For me, this is the standard way of healing players in larps – of course, other systems may do it differently.

I’ve received a lot of questions regarding healers – one of the most frequent ones being “How do I roleplay a healer?”. Truthfully, you’re not roleplaying a healer, you’re roleplaying your character who happens to be capable of casting healing spells – it’ll be easier for you to think of it like that.

To compensate for an incredibly boring answer, I decided to create a list of tips for players who want to try a healing type character. The list includes elements from character creation to accessories to etiquette.

From where does your character get his healing abilities?

Sometimes the lore of the event will decide these things – if not, you’re free to come up with the reason for your character’s ability to use healing powers. Is he a medic? Is he a shaman? Is he a priest? Are there any over-natural variables to his techniques? Is he using regular medicine? When you’ve settled that, you can get appropriate props for your character. For example, if he’s a priest he may be wearing a cross or a holy symbol of sorts, and if he’s a medic, a first-aid kit or a defibrillator to complete the character’s look.

Prepare a chant/ritual

The ritual of healing a wounded player usually includes a chant of sorts – it’s quite common for the healer to call out to whatever God he believes in while healing or resurrecting a player. The ritual may include dance, bandaging, surgery or other forms of physical contact.

Don’t let others take advantage of you

In games, the role of the healer is often a very supportive role. Because healers spend less time in the frontlines, advancing the fight, their work is sometimes taken for granted. In many situations, the healer can make or break the battle – make sure people understand that the ritual they have undergone is a majestic one that requires spiritual sacrifice. Let them know that karma may be a bitch but the Gods you have called upon to heal them are even worse. Don’t be a dick about it though. Try adding a humorous touch to your chant – it’ll be much appreciated.

I’ve been to a couple of larps where they have developed systems that reward the healers after each battle – kind of like how a waitress would get a tip for serving a company at their table.

I’m terribly sorry if this sounds like nagging. Trust me though, you’ll have a much better time healing if the players you heal really get into the ritual – if you like roleplaying, that is.

Costume for a healer

Dressing for the part of a healer is not any different from dressing your character as you would if he or she was anything else. What your character looks like will mostly depend on the setting of the larp (and the size of your budget…am I right?) and your personal preferences. Of course, the difference between two healers at an event will be significantly smaller than the difference between a healer and a brute at the same event.

With that in mind, I’ve gathered a couple of items that would look great on a healer. I’ve categorized them as I see fit, however, feel free to mix as you wish. Take the potion belt for instance: I’ve put it under plague doctor/apothecary but I can definitely picture other healers using it as well.

Props and costume for a priest

• Medieval Robe
• Priest Stole
• Cross
• Catholic Robe
• Staff
  
• Book
  
• Holy Water

Props and costume for a plague doctor/apothecary

• Plague Doctor Bird Mask
• Victorian Coat
• Potion Belt
• Cane
• Classic Plague Doctor Hat
• Bottles or vials
• Mason Jars
• Herbs (Dry leaves from any tree on your street or buy oregano)

Props and costume for a medic

• Medic Bag
• Stethoscope
• Blood Bags & Syringe
  
• First-aid kit
  
• Bandages
  
• Injects

Props and costume for a tribal healer

• Tattoos
• Seed Rattle
  
• Totem
  
• Seashell or shark tooth necklace
  
• Herbs

Carry a pouch or a potion belt

Healers carry potions, oils, herbs, tokens, runes, pills, injectables, and more. Carrying a small pouch or potion belt is a great idea. I think it’s a great way to play strengthen the character – reach into your pockets for herbs and sprinkle them over wounds or serve them to your patients.

The more you perfect your character, the more of a show you provide for your fellow mates – I’d recommend putting labels on your stuff. Wouldn’t it be awesome if an alchemist brought a bottle of “Moon Dust” with a customized label?

Small things really add to the immersion and make the overall experience much better.

Find out why your character wants to be a healer

What’s the reasoning behind it? Does your character grow by helping others? To find their true motivation, ask yourself (the character) these questions. Did you want to become a healer..

• to help others?
• to feel needed by others?
• because the human body fascinates you?
• to mask traumatic experiences from your past?
• to abuse vulnerable people at critical moments?
• because you, secretly, love to see people suffer?
• because you like to make people feel safe?

Find the thing that motivates your character to help others – use that motivational drive or obssesion and let it develop into something bigger.

Enjoy the battlefield!

Depending on your surgical skills, you may or may not spend time in a tent conducting surgeries on wounded combatants. Other scenarios will have you running like crazy back and forth on the battlefield to deliver potions and perform rituals.

As always, the system of your larp will decide what you’re allowed to do. The chapter that I play with has a wide selection of professions that your character can master – I’ve mastered alchemy, focusing mostly on restorative potions but once in a while I craft gun powder and poison too. In addition to my creations, I’m allowed to use a dagger or a staff to protect myself when attacked. The versatility is awesome.

I would recommend that you find something you can focus on and then complement that with other things. Being a master of self-sufficiency will isolate you from the group, instead, be great at something and know a little about other things. Enough for you to understand what others teach but not enough for you to be entirely independent of your group. That way, everyone in the group has something that gives their character an edge. Having unique talents makes sure that everyone gets their stage time on the larp, having a character that is a master of EVERYTHING makes for some boring monologues.

I hope you’ve found the things you’re searching for – if you need more specific information I suggest you contact the larp you frequent or plan to attend. They’ll have more information for you.

I eat about 3500 calories per day to maintain my weight (I’m 6’2″ and weigh 200 lbs). That’s a lot of food (Not if you decide to drink olive oil though). When larping, I rarely find enough time to eat the number of calories my body needs. The lack of energy affects my enthusiasm, performance and will to socialize with other non-hungry larpers. Okay, I’m being overdramatic. Be that as it may, there are things to consider when packing and preparing food for a larp.

• Can I heat it?
• Can I keep it cold?
• Can I eat it cold?
• Will I be eating in character, if so, what foods are time-appropriate?
• Will the organizers serve anything?
• ….. and more.

What to Eat When Larping

You’ll want to pack a lot of snacks – things you can eat on the go to restore your energy levels. In comparison to my normal routine, the larping diet consists of fewer big meals. With that said, I do pack everything needed to prepare a real meal at an event – there’s just not enough time for more than one big meal plus breakfast.

If you’re looking for something practical to eat during the day (on the go):

• Dried Fruit
• Protein or Granola Bars
• Fruits/Greens (Grapes, carrots, pickles, olives, bananas, apples etc)
• Bread – Keep it stored in a cool place, away from the sunlight
• Boiled or scrambled eggs (Preferably boiled if you’re on the run)
• Canned goods such as chicken, fruit cocktail, tuna etc.
• Snacks of your choice
• Nuts
• Beef Jerky
• Juice
• Cheese (Laughing cow triangles are really good)
• Oatcakes
• Protein Shake.

Store your food safely to keep rodents away. Make sure you hide and store it well. Storing your meals in a robust container will render their attempts to infiltrate your lunch fruitless. If you like bananas, make sure to eat them early on, otherwise you’ll have a tent full of flies.

Cooking For a Larp

Yes, snacks are great but they shouldn’t be your main source for nutrition – only eating carbohydrates will eventually lead to a crash, additionally, a diet consisting mainly of carbohydrates won’t keep the hunger away as efficiently as a diet consisting of carbohydrates, protein, and fats. Therefore, it is beneficial to prepare meals at home. Your energy levels will be more stable, you’ll be able to endure more, and you’ll save money by making your own food at home. But first….

How long is the event? If you’re attending an event that lasts for more than one day, you need to store your meals accordingly. The organizer will, in most cases, not be able to provide a cool place for you to store your food. In that case, you need to bring a cooler. I would opt for a cooler that can retain ice for a couple of days.

What to cook at home? Unless you got the right tools for it, heating up a meal at the event can be a challenging task. In that case, prepare something that you can eat cold. Down below are a couple of options that can be enjoyed cold.

• Sliced chicken breast
• Pasta
• Salad – Use any of the ingredients listed to top the salad, for example, a chicken/tuna/salmon salad with pasta.
• Tuna
• Salmon
• Pre-made chicken burritos/wraps – Make a bunch of rolls and bring a container with salsa.
• Baguettes with a filling of your choice.

It comes down to taste, If you enjoy cold potatoes – bring cold potatoes. If you enjoy other options and don’t mind eating them cold then go ahead. If there are heating possibilities onsite, your arsenal should widen substantially.

Another option would be self-heating meals. These are pretty cool. In the course of a couple of minutes, your meal can self-heat up to 100 degrees Fahrenheit. These are pre-made meals – you can’t use these pads for your own homemade meals.

Yeah, the method used is pretty impressive. However, many self-heating meals taste pretty bad. I’m not an expert on self-heating meals but the ones I’ve tried have been below average, taste-wise.

This is a much, much better option – an electric heating lunch box. It plugs into your car and uses the car battery to heat your meal. Store your food in another container and pour it into the heating lunch box to heat it, that way you only need to buy one. If your car is within walking distance and you don’t mind going there to heat your food – go ahead. It’s a very smart device. I purchased 10 of these and gave them to my larp group – and so far we’re very pleased with the simplicity and comfort the box offers.

Cooking at a Larp

Cooking onsite is a totally viable option that many people enjoy doing for the people at their campsite. There are two ways of doing this, either by cooking over an open fire or using a propane stove, oftentimes, the more primitive way of doing it is favored. Preparing and cooking a meal over an open fire with your entire group gathered around the campfire is great, the only downside is that it takes twice as long to prepare.

If you’re leaning towards the open fire-way of doing this, you need to make sure that the region you’re larping in allows you to start a fire. Sometimes, it may be prohibited depending on conditions (Say there’s been a drought in your area – in that case, you shouldn’t start a fire)

If you’re allowed to cook over an open fire, go for a stew or something small – never opt for a dish that takes hours to do at home – it’ll take an entire day to cook at the event. Doing an entire stew for your group will still take a lot of time – alternatively, you could prepare the stew the day before and reheat it over the open fire. That way you can cook, eat, and enjoy a meal while being in character without spending your entire day in a camp.

Another option that takes substantially less time to cook is a hot dog on a stick, bring toppings of your choice and hot dog buns – you’ll have a meal prepared in a fraction of the time that it would take to prepare the stew.

If you desire that early-morning cup of coffee or tea, you could boil water over an open fire, it will still take quite some time for the water to reach boiling point. Lately, I’ve used a zip cooking system for my coffee addiction – it boils water in a couple of minutes. It’s absolutely perfect for instant noodles, soup, and oatmeal too.

Lastly, cleanliness is of great importance at larps.

• Your hands are most likely dirty – wash them before handling food.
• Some food may go bad even if stored in a cooler – make sure it doesn’t smell strange.
• Bring a garbage bag to dispose of your trash – don’t leave your trash on site.
• Paper plates are perfect – leave porcelain plates at home but bring mugs/water bottles.

Larp appropriate dishes

What’s appropriate to eat at a larp? It depends on the setting of your event. Some people choose to eat dishes that fit the time period of the event to fully embrace the character they roleplay and the world he or she lives in. Research the setting of the event and the period depicted to find common dishes for that era. 

Helpful sources include

• Reddit r/Larp
• Townsends Youtube Channel.
• Dystopia Rising’s guide on post-apocalyptic food
• TamwiseTravel’s Youtube Video on Larp Food

Related Questions

Can I buy food at larps? Many larps offer edible options that can be purchased for in-game or real currency. This varies a lot depending on the event and their budget/ticket prices. If you’re spending 10 bucks on a ticket, don’t expect them to serve food. If you’re paying more, meals may even be included in the price of the ticket. Browse the event’s website for more information, if nothing can be found contact the arranging crew.

Enjoy yourself

To have a good time is one of the most important factors – remember that you’re doing this for yourself and the people you share the experience with. The majority of the players are there to enjoy themselves and break free from the mundane for a while. They’re not attending the event to judge newcomers. Honestly, the more you expose yourself, the more you’ll get from others. Don’t be afraid to make mistakes – especially not when it’s your character who’s making them.

Go as a non-player character (NPC)

Non-player characters are creatures that are part of the story – like monsters or civilians. Unlike player characters, non-player characters don’t develop during the game. Instead, they participate as a part of the story – filling a role in the game. For first-timers, going as a non-player character would be beneficial because

• You can observe the game, its mechanics, rules, and roles. Prepare yourself for the next event with the information you’ve gathered.
• Non-player characters rarely pay for tickets, if they do, the prices are reduced drastically.
• Non-player characters don’t need impressive armor.
• You can talk to gamemasters and ask to be assigned a minor role if you feel uncomfortable playing a big part.

This advice is given on a daily basis to new players all over the world. It’s not because we don’t want you playing a player character. It’s because most newcomers feel much more confident in their own character after witnessing a LARP as a non-player character.

Bring a friend

Obvious one! If you have a friend that likes or would like to LARP, you should attend a game together – it’ll feel better if you’re there with someone you know. That way, it might be easier for the two of you to interact with other players. Chances are, you’ll be invited to their group and voila, now you’ve got a contact that frequents that event – perfect for the future.

Making friends at LARPs is very easy – I think many LARPers feel comfortable being around people who are like-minded, and more importantly, people who don’t judge.

Start small

This applies to both costume, character, weapon, and LARP festival. You’ll want to start small. Take what you have at home first, and modify it if needed. For your first event, you should only purchase the essentials (Unless you’re really sure about LARP and want to spend some money).

For your character, start small – leave space for your character’s development. To cement a character at such an early stage might close doors for the future – you don’t know your character fully yet, and neither does anyone else. Let the character grow with you.

Don’t take yourself too seriously

You’re playing make-believe, relax. Don’t feel like you have to outperform yourself or anyone else. Try to be less self-conscious during the event. You’re here to have fun. Besides, you’re in character – let the character take responsibility.

It’s important to remember that everyone else at the event is there for the same reason. We’re all in it together and people tend to be very helpful. We make mistakes in our everyday lives, of course, we’ll make mistakes as a newly generated LARP character too.

Make a character that fits the setting

Some organizers have pre-generated characters assigned to players but most events don’t. If they don’t, then you’ll have to make your own character for the event. Make sure to research the setting of the game – you’ll want to create a character that fits the time period. It’s important for characters to fit the setting in order to make character immersion as easy as possible.

Gather visual information about the event, either by attending as an NPC or by looking at pictures – this should give you an idea of what your character should look like and be capable of doing.

If unsure, ask.

People are very helpful, especially to newcomers. We’re very happy to have you at our LARP and we want you to be a part of our growing community, therefore, we’ll take good care of you. We’ll make sure to show you the ropes at an early stage – for your sake and ours. With this in mind, it doesn’t feel so scary to ask for help, does it? It shouldn’t. Your first time will be very informational – the more you learn, the more you’ll roleplay the shit out of your next event.

If you stumble upon a question at an inappropriate time, save it. Let whatever happens, happen. Afterward, ask – “What should I have done?” “Was that right?”. People will understand that you’re eager to learn.

Don’t spend more money than you need to

For your first character debut, you shouldn’t spend too much on your gear – here’s an article that goes through the costs of larping and what you can do to reduce them.

Don’t like to talk to a crowd? Don’t worry!

Stage fright and social anxieties are real, and very common too. Everyone doesn’t enjoy the attention of a crowd, some love it, some handle it and others hate it. It doesn’t matter which one you belong to – you are not alone! You don’t need to worry about it as much as you think. Our anxieties tend to spiral out of control when we think about them. Give them less space to spiral – do not let them hold you back from having a good time. Here’s what you can do!

• If you’re very shy
  • Play a character that is very shy at first (that way you can hide behind your character until you feel comfortable)
  • Play a character that is the exact opposite of yourself – some people can escape their own ghosts when playing other characters. Playing someone that’s very different from yourself can, in some ways, be rehabilitating.
• Stay in the background or let gamemasters know that you’re uncomfortable with the situation – they will let you adapt and evolve at your own pace.
• Start small, talk to a single player and let it grow from there.
• If you’re drawn into the action, develop a catchphrase or characteristic that you can hide behind at first.
• Step back if you feel overwhelmed – you’re challenging yourself, and personal development is exhausting. Take a break if you need to – people will understand.
• Put yourself out there when you feel safe – being a part of the story will give you a role that you can develop. The more you know about your character, the better you’ll roleplay him/her.

Let me tell you this – I’ve seen a lot of people let go of their social insecurities because of LARP. Once you step out on the ice, you acknowledge that people aren’t there to judge you, then all of a sudden, you’ll feel free and proud of yourself.

Pick a backstory you’re comfortable with

Your character needs a little backstory, the backstory will make it easier for others to understand your character, his ambitions, fears, and flaws. Whatever you choose to present – pick something that you’re comfortable with. Something that you’ll enjoy developing and roleplaying. You’re the master of your craft, do what you want. Draw inspiration from movies or books if you’re out of ideas.

Pick characteristics you’re comfortable presenting

This doesn’t necessarily apply to everyone. I’ve seen friends roleplay something that I thought they would feel very awkward doing – after the game, I was told they liked the challenge and the show. It somehow helped them escape their own boundaries. However, I would suggest that you, for your first event, pick something that you’re comfortable roleplaying. Remember, you’re the one who’s going to embrace the character for a couple of hours, up to days, depending on the event you plan on attending.

Be open-minded

This! Seriously, it is very important that you keep an open mind when attending a LARP – let your feet be swept away for the day. Enter the event with no expectations and no restrictions. Roleplaying, fighting with foam swords in medieval costumes, and casting ‘magic’ spells take some imagination to execute. It might feel a bit awkward at first – that’s when an open mind is much needed.

Pack essentials

If you’re attending a one-day LARP, you’ll get by with just a couple of things. For a longer event, the list is much longer. For further information, here’s an article on the subject.

If you don’t like one event, you might love another.

As the title says, one game rarely resembles the next, therefore, you should give more than one type of LARP a chance before you jump to any conclusions. Find an event that suits your style and ask people for games that are somehow similar to that event. The alternatives are many – different LARPs have varying resolution systems, genres, stories, number of attendants and so much more. You’ll have to dip your feet in the water to find out what you like.

Research the event

For your first time at any LARP, I would suggest you research the event to find out what the game is all about. Read up on the backstory, the world and its inhabitants, the rules, and lastly, personal experiences shared on forums. This will prepare you for the event, help you create a fitting character, and be more confident at the event. Knowing what you’re allowed to wear/do/use will help you prepare your costume accordingly.

Embrace the event – leave the rest behind for a couple of hours.

It’s important that you let go of stuff that you can’t control at the moment – just be there. Embrace the moment and make the best of it. The rest of the world won’t disappear over the weekend.

Make friends

Try to socialize at the event, you’ll make a lot of friends doing so. Taking part in the story and putting yourself out there will make you more approachable by other attendants. If you frequently do your best to participate, people will notice and try to involve you as much as possible. Once you’re out of character the ice is already broken. It’s incredibly easy to make friends at LARPs, maybe because you’ve already exposed yourselves to each other while roleplaying. Oftentimes, these players regularly attend LARPs – getting to know them will grant you new friends in and out of character, and some relationships might last a lifetime.

Try to break character as little as possible.

While larping, you should really try to stay in character as much as possible, breaking character and talking about mundane things can ruin the event for others. Don’t be that guy or girl for that matter. Immersion and escapism depend on the ability to embrace, adapt, and let go. To have two people talk about something unrelated to the event in the middle of a scene will ruin it entirely. Out-of-character stuff should be handled away from the roleplaying. With that said, never be afraid to ask questions if you’re wondering something – there’s a big difference between arrogance and curiosity.

Find out what kind of combat the event allows

In live-action roleplaying, combat isn’t always conducted in the same way – you’ll see a wide array of different styles and methods. Some LARPs allow attendants to fight with much force, resulting in more realistic combat while others restrict all kinds of physical contact – conflicts are instead solved by playing mini-games or solving puzzles. Between these two, there are a ton of alternatives. You find more information about LARP combat here!

Try to hide modern items

I guess you can this belongs to “Try to break character as little as possible” but I decided to make it a stand-alone to highlight it. These days, your phone will probably be the biggest disruptor and distraction that you’ve got. Try to keep all your modern items, such as your phone, shut off or put away during the event. During medieval times, there was a shortage of cellphones, cars, and fitness trackers. Keep them hidden.

Find a weapon you like

What kind of character are you playing? Find a weapon suitable for that character. In my experience, swords are the go-to weapons for most new LARPers. You can either choose to make your own weapons, buy them or ask the event’s organizer if they’ve got any loaner gear. Nevertheless, if you decide to buy a weapon, I would suggest going for something durable. Amazon has good deals on LARP swords, which is where I buy mine.

If you’re spending the night…

Bring anything to keep you warm. I’ve included most of the things you need in my LARP packing list. Camping gear should include a tent, sleeping bag, and camping pad. Bring a second pair of everything you’re wearing and as many socks as you can. You’ll change them frequently.

Take breaks when you need to

Some LARPs are physically demanding, others are not as exhausting – as a first-time larper you’ll need to handle new impressions, new people, and new challenges and at the same time learn the steps. That’ll be exhausting – in a good way. Make sure to go away from the crowd and get a bit of rest when you need to. It’s alright to miss a part of the story if there’s a need for it. You’ll have a better time if you do.

Get a good pair of boots

You’ll be wearing these all day so make sure they are comfortable to wear and make sure to bring something to prevent them from chafing. To find a pair of boots that fit the era, your feet, and your budget can be hard. You could get a pair of all-terrain boots or military boots that you can wear throughout the entire event but they tend to cost a little bit. Second-hand stores might have something. Lastly, go over to Amazon and check out their collection of medieval boots.

See if local groups arrange weekly practices

Do you want to master the act of LARP combat and roleplaying? Well, your local LARP groups or clubs most likely organize weekly practices where they prepare for bigger events. This is a great opportunity for you to develop your larping skills and get in contact with people from your town who share the same hobby. With a bit of luck, you could attend the next event as a part of the group. If there is a LARP club present in your town, contact them to see if they arrange anything on a weekly or monthly basis. I’m sure they would be glad to have you.

Can you do an accent? Please, do it!

Accents can make a character stick out from the crowd. Can you fake an accent? Please do! It’s appreciated when someone does their best to create an original character and I believe an accent is a good way of doing that. People will remember the character who had a special accent throughout the entire event. I can only speak for myself – I love when people do accents!

Develop a catchphrase

Another useful tool for your first LARP. The catchphrase. Sometimes you develop a catchphrase by accident. Being recognized for something you said that was funny makes it hard to not use that to your advantage. However, use the catchphrase wisely, don’t wear it out right away. When used at the right time, the catchphrase is a killer.

Use props to your character’s advantage

Going back to the part of feeling insecure about being a first-timer or dealing with social anxiety – props, catchphrases, accents, backstories, and costumes work together to create something you can hide behind. You don’t have to expose yourself if you don’t want to. Creating an interesting character isn’t about giving long speeches, your character can be interesting in many other ways. Bring something unusual to give your character more meaning – something that will do the talking for you.

You don’t need to act, you need to roleplay, a little.

Acting is one thing, roleplaying is another. You’re not performing to entertain or captivate the audience’s attention, you’re performing your character – doing and thinking as he or she would. The way your character behaves is entirely up to you to decide, either before the event or on the go. The interactions between players are much less frightening than in scripted scenarios. Nobody knows what you’re going to do, therefore, they can’t fault you. The outcome of what you decide to say or do is the only consequence of saying or doing it. There’s no judgment. Still worried? Here are a couple of things you should keep in mind.

• Avoid corrections – If another person gets something about your character wrong, skip breaking characters to correct them. Instead, let the story go on or correct them in character. Find a way around it. Going out of character to tell them they got a detail wrong will break the roleplay, making it harder to embrace it again. Just let it flow and things will fall into place later on.
• See the world as your character would – Let go of yourself and visualize the world as your character would. Try to get the impressions he or she would when something happens.
• Do your best to keep the conversation flowing. If you don’t agree with someone, instead of saying “no” – go with something a little bit more dramatic like “What makes you think I would consider that?”.
• Now you’ve created space for advancement. However, you should always play your character – if your character is a no-sayer, then say no.

Leave room to develop your character

You don’t need to know everything about your character at your first LARP. The character will grow with you, as you get more confident and comfortable, the way you portray your character may change. Instead of finalizing your character’s persona right away, leave room for your character to develop as you develop.

Let’s say you’re a newly-recruited spartan soldier – by accepting the fact that you’re new to fighting, your character can grow and decide where to go as the story evolves. If you were to enter and present yourself as the greatest warrior on planet earth you’re going to be the greatest warrior on planet earth with very little room for advancement. Create a simple character at first.

Bring something to amuse yourself and your fellow LARPers during pauses

While gamemasters are doing their absolute best to keep you stimulated at all times, there will be pauses. Believe me, you’ll need it after a couple of hours. Use this time as you wish – I would suggest trying to socialize with other LARPers, both in and out of character, while you’re waiting. You could bring a game or an instrument to keep people amused during the breaks.

Don’t sleep naked

If you enjoy the freedom of sleeping entirely naked, save it for later – you do not want to sleep naked at a LARP. It’s not because of the climate or the extremely annoying bugs that might reach places they shouldn’t. This is about your tent being attacked at night – no matter how good you are at fighting, you don’t want to do it naked (I hope?).

Don’t be afraid to get dirty

This will most likely happen if you’re attending a medium-sized event. You will get dirty. The sooner you accept it, the sooner you’ll be able to enjoy yourself fully. There will be dirt, mud, grass, water, horseshit, makeup, and much more. The absolutely best thing you can do is to bring a pair of wet wipes.

Conclusion: Everyone is a beginner at some stage in their life. Accept it. Don’t let the fact that you’re new restrain you from doing something like this. Besides, at these gatherings, you’ll be surrounded by other nerds who enjoy the same things. If you’re looking for the perfect time to break out of your shell – this is it.

Lately, I’ve also used the airbrush to latex-coat. I do have to modify the latex a bit before using it but I’ve seen great results here too. I’ve been able to put close to 15 coats and a color change onto a blade or mask in under 2 hours. This is very beneficial when you’re a larper with a ton of props to paint/coat.

When airbrushing latex paint, I always work one section at a time, spraying it from every angle at a distance of 3-6 inches from the objective (depending on the pressure used).

Applying light layers allows me to continue coating the second layer when I’m finished with the first. Because the layers are so thin, I can very quickly produce 3-4 smooth layers.

Does latex paint need a primer? If the surface you’re airbrushing has been painted before, it might not require a primer. However, if the surface is painted with an oil-based color and you’re planning to paint it with latex paint, you’ll have to use a primer suitable for the material you’re painting. This will make each layer of the coat stronger and you’ll need fewer layers to achieve a smooth finish.

To find out if the existing paint is latex or oil-based

• Rub the surface of the objective with denatured alcohol on a piece of cloth.

• If the paint starts to come off, the existing paint is latex paint.

How To Mix Latex Paint

Not too long ago, airbrushes were only used to spray oil-based colors (Oil based colors are petroleum solvents). However, things have changed and they can now be used to spray latex paint – a thicker paint that can clog the airbrush if it isn’t thinned properly. Getting the paint to the right consistency is important to the end result too.

You want the paint thinned to the consistency of 2% milk. No matter what airbrush you’re using. Then, before use, you’ll want to filter the paint through a mesh screen/funnel to make sure there are no lumps.

The lumps can ruin the brush and render it useless. Therefore, be very thorough when filtering and stirring the paint.

Here’s how to mix latex paint

1. Pour your paint into a bucket
2. For every gallon (3.8 liters) of paint, add half a cup of water.
3. Stir meticulously
4. To make sure the paint is thin enough, run it through a funnel. If the paint doesn’t contain any lumps and runs freely, you’re probably good. If it doesn’t – add more water. Go easy with the water at this stage.

Read more: To Airbrush Warhammer and Miniatures: The Ultimate Guide

Safety Is Very Important

When using an airbrush, safety is crucial. Before you go ahead and get started – make sure that you’re well-informed of the risks and how to prevent them.

• Your airbrushed paint will produce fumes that are harmful to your lungs and your central nervous system.
  • Always use a respirator mask when airbrushing to protect yourself from the consequences of breathing in fume particles.

• If the hose isn’t connected properly, air under pressure might leak and do damage to your eyes or nearby objects
  • Wear protective eyewear to minimize the risk of getting paint or air in your eyes.
  • Make sure the hose is connected properly.

• When airbrushing indoors, fumes will accumulate in your living space.
  • Make sure that your workspace is very well-ventilated if you plan on airbrushing indoors. There are great solutions for indoor airbrushing – here’s an article on indoor airbrushing. If can’t be arsed to read the entire article, here’s the shorter version: Get a spray-booth like this.

• Latex is very sticky – when airbrushing, you’ll get sticky particles everywhere. Removing latex is a painful process, especially on the skin. The solution to this problem? 1) Wear enough clothes – clothes you don’t care about – preferably a coat of sorts. 2) To protect everything you own, use the spray booth I talked about above when spraying.

Always Clean Your Airbrush

The first thing you should do after you’ve used your airbrush is cleaning it. Dried-up paint is your airbrush’s worst enemy. Cleaning the airbrush before everything dries up is so much easier. Additionally, the airbrush will be ready to use right away the next time.

To remove paint from nozzles and hoses you can use a pipe cleaner. If the paint has dried up, let the airbrush parts soak in a cleaning solution – this will loosen the paint, and eventually it will fall off.

I’ve used an ultrasonic cleaner for the last few years and it has made cleaning the airbrush a breeze. I fill the ultrasonic cleaner with a simple ammonia solution and then dip the airbrush parts in the bath. The ultrasonic cleaner takes care of the rest.

I’ve used ammonia solutions that are pretty dilute to avoid damaging the chrome – with years of use, I haven’t witnessed any damage to the chrome so far. Instead, my airbrush looks like it came right out of the box after every single bath.

Best Airbrush For Latex Paint

To airbrush latex, you don’t need anything impressive. You can go cheap and still get the job done. The best alternative for latex would be a dual-action, gravity-feed airbrush in combination with a small compressor capable of churning out a minimum of 25-30 PSI. This entire setup shouldn’t cost you more than 60-80$. Here’s what I would go for.

Both the airbrush and compressor in that kit will provide what you need.

Related Questions

Can I use latex paint in an HVLP Paint Gun? Yes, you can. The latex paint has to go through the same process for the HVLP as the airbrush before using it. Make sure the paint is thinned and mixed properly before using it to avoid lumps or clogs.

When mixing latex with acrylic paint – how much latex should I use? I’ve found a ratio of 1:8 up to 1:10 to be the best when painting with a brush. That’s 1/10th latex and 9/10ths paint. However, to make the mix suitable for an airbrush I’ve had to dilute it with water.

How do I achieve the metallic look on a latex surface? Metal colors are always hard to achieve when working with latex. It’ll be hard to reach that perfect look you want. You can come pretty close though! Here’s what I would do.

Related article: Selecting the Best Iwata Airbrush in 2022

Method 1)

• Basecoat the object using a dull grey color 1-2 times
• Apply a layer of acrylic silver over the dull grey
• Seal it

Method 2)

• Basecoat using black latex
• Do several coats of a darker silver
• Coat with a brighter silver (preferably with some white paint added)
• Shade it by airbrushing a very dark color, preferably black.
• Seal it

This should bring you pretty close. Modify the color and your technique until you reach the results you wish for. Thank you for reading. I hope you found what you were looking for.

What airbrush do I recommend for larp/cosplay costumes and make-up? I’ve tried several models over the years and I’ve fallen in love with the Iwata Eclipse. I use it for miniatures, weapons, accessories, costumes and body paint. It’s incredibly versatile. However, The Iwata might not be the best option for someone on a tight budget. If that’s the case, then I would opt for a complete kit like this.

The two main components are the airbrush and the compressor. You won’t get anywhere without both. The Iwata Eclipse doesn’t come with a compressor – for me, the purchase of a compressor was justified because of how well the Eclipse performs. It’ll be the only airbrush you’ll ever need. On the other hand, the kit includes the following components at a much lower price.

• Master Airbrush G22 Multi-Purpose
• Master TC-20 Air Compressor
• 6ft Air Hose
• Compressor Mounted Airbrush Holder
• How-To Manual.

The pros and cons of the Master Airbrush Kit

• Pros
  • Beginner friendly kit capable of delivering medium-top results when handled correctly.
  • Versatility. It can be used for so much more than costumes and make-up.
  • Very affordable kit.
  • Airbrush capable of spraying both thin lines and wider patterns.
  • The compressor is quieter than many other models and upon reaching full air capacity it stops making noise altogether.
  • Easy to clean and maintain.
• Cons
  • There’s an experimental phase to this airbrush. When you find the right settings for your ventures, you’ll be good.
  • The kit is not as high-quality as the Iwata. But with the Iwata itself costing more than the entire kit – what would one expect?
  • Clogs if the paint isn’t thinned accordingly.

Conclusion: The kit offers a lot for the low price tag. If you plan on doing a lot of airbrush work – I would get the Iwata right away. Here’s my review of the Iwata Eclipse.

Lastly, remember to always clean the airbrush after use – no matter which model or paint you’re using – over time, the paint will cure and render the airbrush useless. Some paints are more forgiving than others but to be on the safe side – do it every single time you’ve used it.

Airbrush Makeup For Larp And Cosplay

When airbrushing makeup you have to think about using the right brush, the right compressor and lastly, the right makeup to achieve the best results. The makeup used has to have a very low viscosity because you’ll be spraying it at a lower pressure (PSI). Mixing your own makeup could work if you’re experienced. However, it could end up being a big hassle. These are the best airbrush makeups I’ve tried.

• Graftobian
• Mehron Liquid Makeup – It is rare but sometimes I have to dilute the paint with a little water.
• Ben Nye
• ProAiir.

How long the paint stays on your body depends on the climate and your body temperature. Some people go an entire event/convention without damaging their makeup while others need to fix it mid-day (a simple touch-up isnt the end of the world). Some brands offer makeup that endures more than others.

Airbrushing Latex

In comparison to the regular brush, adding latex to gear is a quick process with the airbrush. Keep in mind though, latex is a quite thick substance and can easily clog your airbrush if it isn’t thinned properly. The airbrush will provide a smooth, even coat at the cost of very little time. Another thing to consider is the horrible aftermath of a latex-spraying session – it sticks to everything. Here’s what you can do if you’re spraying indoors. If you’re in a garage or outside, put plastic foil over the things you want to protect.

Before you start airbrushing, make sure the paint is entirely free from lumps. They can and will ruin the airbrush. Stir the paint accordingly. You want the consistency to be like skim milk. If the latex is too thick, use a mix of water and Windex (glass cleaner) to thin it.

When airbrushing latex, always work in small sections and distance yourself 3-6 inches from the object you are brushing. Coat the object from all angles and let the first coat dry before adding another coat.

After you’ve airbrushed latex, remember to clean the airbrush instantly. Put the removable parts in cleaning solution and let them soak – this will loosen up the dried paint. Using a pipe cleaner will work for the nozzle and hose.

The majority of my weapons are finished, some are halfway there and some were purchased recently with the intention of repainting them.

Anyways, our talk gave me an idea, that idea eventually flourished into this article. I’ve tried to gather all the methods of painting LARP weapons that I know of. This guide will hopefully be helpful to someone who:

• Is making their own LARP weapon
• Wants to repaint old or new foam weapons
• Wants to repaint a latex-coated weapon
• Is looking for ways to maintain the quality of the weapon.

As you probably know, there are different types of weapons. Different materials might require different methods of painting to achieve the best possible result.

How To Paint Foam Weapons

Foam weapons tend to have that low-budget look that works fine for some of us (those who just don’t care). But for those who have spent a lot of money on their costume, the incredibly ugly foam weapon just adds itself to injury.

Some use duct tape to coat the weapon to make it more robust. This usually makes it look even worse. However, it does make the weapon more durable. Function trumps fashion. Here’s what you can do to make a foam weapon look better.

First Method: Latex-coating the foam weapon

• You’ll need:
  • Clear Liquid Latex
  • Acrylic Paint
  • Paintbrush
  • Silicone Spray

If you’re using this method, do not wrap your weapon in duct tape.

• Step 1) Put the liquid latex in a bowl or tub.
• Step 2) Using your paintbrush, start by adding a layer of latex to the weapon. Give the latex about 25-40 minutes to try before adding another layer. Two layers should do.
• Step 3) Apply 4-5 layers of paint to the latex base. Make sure the paint doesn’t have any metal flakes in it – this will cause the latex to decay.
• Step 4) Optional but still recommended – Coat your weapon in a layer of silicone spray.

As an added bonus, the latex works as a water-resistant – your foam weapon can now be used outside when it rains.

Second Method: Wrapping the foam weapon in a sleeve

Wrapping the foam weapon in stretchy fabric (like women’s tights) gives you a surface to apply the paint. Tights aren’t very expensive to purchase. There are many colors to choose from but I’ve used white tights that I painted before wrapping the weapon.

Here’s the process step-by-step.

• Step 1) Get a pair of girls’ tights/leggings
  • They need to be sealed – closed toe – you don’t want this
  • Stretchy fabric
  • Opaque
• Stretch one leg over the sword then cut it off.
• At the base of the sword, use rubber bands, tape, or string to tie the leg to the sword.
• Paint the sword as you please
• Alternatively – If you can’t find a pair of tights, you can sew your own cloth sleeve using stretchy fabric.

How To Paint a Latex Coated Weapon

Some of the weapons I own were far from cool when I first purchased them. They were quite terrible, to be honest. I’m still pretty satisfied with my purchase though – mostly because they look very good now that I’ve repainted them. Well, how do you repaint a latex-coated weapon?

If you use the wrong paint on latex

• The paint will crack and come off eventually
• The latex coat will decompose and destroy your weapon

To avoid this, make sure the paint you’re using doesn’t contain metal. Any paint with copper in it will cause the latex to rot.

When latex is applied, the fresh layers of latex stick together well. After a while, the cured latex layers won’t stick together.

There are two ways of painting the weapon. The first method is quicker but doesn’t work nearly as well as the second one.

Method One: Painting over the cured latex

This isn’t my first recommendation, but we’ll go through it first because it might work for you. I’ve had a low (25-35%) success rate using this method. However, if you decide to try this method – follow these steps.

• Using detergent and warm water, wash the weapon. You want a very clean surface.
• Mix a latex-based rubber cement (Preferably Copydex) with acrylic paint.
• Apply 4-5 thin layers of the mix on the weapon.

This just MIGHT work. If it doesn’t, or if you decide to go with the other option right away – here’s method number 2.

Method Two: Re-latex the weapon when re-coloring.

Instead of using the old, cured latex – we’ll remove the old latex and apply a new layer of latex to the foam. This method is a little bit more time-consuming than the first method, nevertheless, the end result is long-lasting.

• Remove the latex by scrapping it off using a sharp object, preferably a blade.
• Continue skinning the weapon until every layer of latex is removed
• Apply a mix of latex and acrylic paint in layers
• Recommendation: Finally, add a layer of Isoflex Special Primer to seal the latex. It isn’t necessary but I would strongly advise doing so.

Sealing Larp Weapons With Plasti dip Instead of Latex

Instead of using latex, many players have moved over to Plasti dip for their weapons. There are many benefits of doing so, the primary one being the drying time. Plasti dip is solvent-based and dries much quicker than regular latex. Oftentimes, when coating with Plasti dip, I can start coating the second layer when the first layer is finished – with latex, I would have to wait a long time.

As tempting as it sounds, I still don’t dip my weapons in Plasti Dip. I use a brush when applying layers of coat. Working with Plasti Dip is a quick procedure, I don’t think I’d save that much time dipping the weapons.

When working with Plasti Dip, make sure your workplace is well ventilated to protect yourself from harmful fumes.

Related Questions

Why should I use silicone spray on my latex weapon? The silicone spray will help to keep the latex weapon in good condition. The silicone lubricates the weapon so snagging on trees, bushes, or other weapons is reduced to a minimum – the chance of ripping too. Additionally, the silicone spray will withstand rain and waterproof the weapon. Weapon manufacturers state that silicone spray will increase a weapon’s lifetime by 1-2 years.

How do I repaint or touch up a Calimacil weapon? Most Calimacil weapons aren’t latex weapons. Instead, the top layer is finished with paint. First, there’s the core, then the foam, and lastly, the paint. Therefore, they are quite easy to customize.

• Remove any dirt or grain from the blade by washing it.
• Lightly sand the blade to achieve a rougher surface.
• Apply a layer of latex or Plasti dip
• Paint it with acrylic paint.

I’m using Games Workshop’s paint for this and I’m very satisfied with the results.

What type of foam is best suited for LARP weapons?

It depends on where you are and what safety standards your event requires. It is common to use either of these types of foam when crafting a foam weapon.

• LD45.
• Yoga/Fitness Mats.
• Camp Pads.

Live action role-playing is a worldwide phenomenon. It may be conducted differently depending on where on our planet you reside. Many people attend local LARPs on a weekly basis, others travel the world to attend some of the largest events that take place only a few times per year – in some cases only once per year.

The Most Popular Larps in the US

To create fewer categories, I’ll include Canada in this part of the summary. In US, there are LARPs all over – depending on the size of your hometown, you’ll be able to find events with 5-10 attendants ranging up to the thousands.

Live action role-playing in the United States is somewhat different from the experience in Europe.

These are the most popular events in America and, sometimes referred to as the best LARPs in the US.

Amtgard

Founded in El Paso, Texas back in 1983, Amtgard spread throughout the country and later on, the world. The largest chapters are still in the US. Amtgard is an event that will offer more boffer combat and less roleplaying and immersion.

Amtgard’s character creation system is based on classes with pre-generated abilities. These abilities become more powerful as the character reaches higher levels. Some characters have the ability to learn and use magic spells at the cost of spell points.

I did point out that Amtgard events tend to emphasize combat more than roleplaying. Nevertheless, they still offer a variety of ways to express and display your creativity. It’s not unusual for Amtgard-attendants to craft their garbs from scratch.

If you prefer not to make your own gear, there are always cheap accessories and clothing to buy online. I buy all of my stuff from Amazon. Check out this cool shield I bought for Amtgard.

Amtgard’s Battlegames offer

• Small tournaments: Anything from one-on-one duels to smaller battles of 10-15
• Team battles: Battles with 40-60~ attendants
• Warfare: The major event takes place once per year and summons people from all chapters – attendance may be in the hundreds.

Dagorhir

One of the, if not the oldest LARPs in the United States – Dagorhir started in 1977 – back then the event was run and played by a couple of friends. Today, Dagorhir chapters exist in almost every US state.

Like Amtgard, chapters host events for any participant who desires to join. First-timers may attend the smaller events at first(if they want to), then proceed to the larger, regional festivals with over a hundred attendants.

If that doesn’t do it. Don’t worry. Ragnarok, Dagorhirs largest national event, and Badon Hill, the second largest event, are both held annually. Over a thousand larpers gather in Pennsylvania during Ragnarok to LARP it out together.

Badon Hill, the smaller of the two, draws about 500 visitors to Pennsylvania.

Other Dagorhir events include

• Dark Tide, Junction City, KS
• Winter War, Trenton, SC
• Clash Of Kings, New Milford, PA
• Olympics, Indianapolis, IN
• WAR!, Indianapolis, IN

Nero

“The New England Roleplaying Organization” doesn’t sound just as good now that the organization and their events have expanded to other parts of the US and Canada.

All chapters under the Nero-rule run a one-world system. Because of that, attendants can play the same character in any of the 50-ish Nero chapters. In Nero, there are 14 races, 4 classes, a wide selection of magic spells, fighting styles and abilities. Conflicts are resolved by the use of weapons and magic.

Nero is played in the fantasy setting of Tyrra. Here’s a brief introduction to the world of Tyrra.

*At this moment, Nero is undergoing some legal challenges and the future of the event and its participants is therefore uncertain. The events will probably continue as normal but under a new name – after Oct 1st it can no longer be called Nero. The blueprints for character transfer, management, rules and much more are coming.*

Belegarth

I’d like to start by presenting a paragraph from Belegarth’s website.

“Belegarth Medieval Combat Society is a fun, safe, and inexpensive sport where participants wear medieval or fantasy-themed clothing and fight with foam-padded weapons. The fighting is hard and fast and has, since 1979, refined into its own brand of martial art. The rules are easy to learn, and after a few practices, you’ll be hooked! “

www.belegarth.com

You might say that Belegarth is more of a combat game than a live-action roleplay. The lack of roleplaying can be a problem for larpers who expect high immersion at the event. However, all players are free to roleplay as much as they want. It is entirely optional and there are no rules.

If you enjoy combat, you will enjoy Belegarth.

It does seem like combat is the primary objective of Belegarth, with roleplaying, crafting and art coming second. Nevertheless, you will find people who enjoy all aspects of the game in the community!

A few Belegarth events have around 500-700 visitors.

Mind’s Eye Society

Mind’s Eye Society is strictly a theatrical roleplaying event – there is no contact, instead, combat is solved by the use of other mechanics like Rock-Paper-Scissors.

The game is based on the White Wolf World of Darkness’s universe. Unlike Belegarth, Mind’s Eye is all about roleplaying with no physical combat at all. Mind’s Eye has basically translated a tabletop RPG and made it playable as a live-action RPG.

The organization is just huge. They host a myriad of events under a few different names. There are affiliate organizations all over the world, here are a few.

• Second Act
• Underground Theater
• The Hidden Parlor
• One World by Night
• The Garou Nation
• Isles of Darkness
• Shadowplay International

Bicolline

Any larper based in the US or Canada has most likely heard of Bicolline and the larger-than-life battles they organize.

The biggest event being “The Great Battle of Bicolline” – a seven-day long medieval festival that pulls over 2500 visitors to Saint-Mathieu-du-Parc in Canada. The venue for the event is without a doubt one of the best live-action roleplaying venues in the world. Highly dedicated attendants have, over the years, built medieval villages on the location. Totally, these villages have over 200 medieval houses for the larpers to enjoy.

While Bicolline hosts various other events that are popular, I’ve chosen to focus on the most famous event of them all. The week-long event offers much more than just a beautiful village.

• During the event, players must distance themselves from their modern items and immerse entirely in the event – everything in Bicolline is according to the time period.
• Battles (In Bicolline, weapons are usually made of foam)
  
  • The great battle takes place on the last day of the event and may last a couple of hours.
  • Duels and skirmishes are arranged during the week
  • Tournaments
  • Weapon practice
• Trollball may be unknown to the rest of the world but at Bicolline its the most popular sport – gathering quite an audience when games are played.
• Challenging quests are given to the attendants who receive rewards upon completion.
• Guilds – In Bicolline, players can be recruited by guilds.

SCA Pennsic

The Society of Creative Anachronism focuses heavily on historical reenactment. More specifically, the 17th century. The Pennsic, the organization’s biggest event, is absolutely colossal. With visitor numbers reaching upwards of 10k – there is nothing like it in the US. It might even be the biggest live-action roleplaying event in the world.

Some reenactors say SCA isn’t larp, others say it is. In historical reenactments, there tends to be less fantasy and more accuracy. With that said, there are a lot of LARP elements in SCA. There is no lack of roleplaying in SCA, trust me.

In SCA, combat, weapons and armor are much more realistic than most larps. Combatants wear real armor and rattan (a type of grass) or rubber weapons.

The organization is devoted to recreating life as it was pre-17th century and embracing parts of it for the duration of an event. During the day, you’ll find a ton of different activities for your amusement and when nighttime comes the festivities will continue at the tavern where people dance, drink and socialize to the sound of medieval instruments.

To further develop your skills in any trade you decide to master you might need a teacher to show you the tricks – in SCA, there are a ton of classes for you to take.

Smaller events under the SCA reign include

• Gulf Wars
• Estrella
• War of the Lilies
• A & W War
• Battlemoor
• Great Western War

Last words: I’m a larper and I had a blast at Pennsic. Loved every moment of it.

The Most Popular Larps in Europe

ConQuest of Mythodea

Germany presents one of the largest live-action roleplaying events in Europe and the world with over 8500 attendants. The 5-day long event takes place in Brokeloh, near Hannover, during summer. Together with 1500~NPCs, the player characters will spend these 5 days trying to complete quests, bond, battle and essentially, enjoy everything that Conquest offers.

To attend an event of this size can feel quite surrealistic at times. At first sight you’ll see

• Really awesome costumes (Some players must’ve spent some serious dollars on their costumes)
• A plethora of canvas tents and merchant tents
• A quite big medieval town constructed on the location

Finally, when the massive battles begin, you’ll see what a battlefield full of siege engines, banners and footmen looks like. It’s truly an incredible sight.

Drachenfest

Drachenfest and ConQuest take place with one week in between them. Drachenfest is the second largest event in Europe and is, just like ConQuest, in Germany. Drachenfest has fewer attendants than ConQuest but is still massive with over 5000 visitors.

The event is based around combat, there’s some plot but all in all, there’s very little of it in comparison to the amount of combat. Drachenfest provides the enormous venue and the setting, the players then create the content and in essence, the game. Very successfully too, I might add.

In the camps you’ll enjoy the company of helpful larpers who do everything in their power to make newcomers feel welcome. Because of its size, Drachenfest is an international event, attracting people from all over the world.

The language barrier shouldn’t be a problem – most Germans speak English very well.

All in all, Drachenfest is a unique experience. If you’ve got the budget for it. Do it.

Kandorya

Kandorya is a live-action roleplay located in France. Being the biggest larp in France, the event pulls around 1500 players. The Kandorya Chronicles is a family-friendly event. People who decide to bring their child to Kandorya have full responsibility for the child’s safety.

Early on, players create their characters, afterwards, they pick a camp that seems suitable for that character. NPCs have their own camps, in these camps you’re not required to decorate your tent accordingly.

Lorien Trust

Lorien Trust (LT) is an organization in the United Kingdom that hosts LARPs. LT is responsible for some of the largest events in the UK. The organization holds four main events each year.

• Spring Moot
• The Great Erdrejan Fayre
• Summer Moot
• The Gathering

The three first events attract over a 1000 players while their flagship “The Gathering” draws closer to 3000. In the end of The Gathering, two teams with about 1500 players each, engage in the final battle.

These games are set in the world of Erdreja – a mix of high fantasy and medieval. In the region of Erdreja that these events take place, there are ten governing factions.

During the event, players may be part of one of the factions or decide to stay away from them all.

Other noteworthy events

• Epic Empire in Germany
• College of Wizardry in Poland
• AVATAR in Belgium
• Pán Prstenů – Bitva o Středozem in the Czech Republic.

In conclusion, these are some of the largest and most popular larps in the world. To talk about the best larp in the world is harder, what floats my boat might sink yours.