New to larp? Start here
The forms larp takes, the calls every game uses, and how to stay safe.
Forms of larp
- Battle gamesBattle games are large outdoor LARP events built around team combat with simple rules, welcoming drop-in players of most experience levels.
- Blackbox larpBlackbox larp is a short, scene-based form of live-action role-play played in a bare room, using light and sound to set each scene, suited to newcomers and experienced players.
- Boffer campaign larpA multi-event fantasy larp series where players return the same character across weekends, building story and skill through boffer combat and roleplay.
- Chamber larpChamber larp is a short, small-scale live-action role-play format for a handful of players, often run from a free script in an ordinary room.
- Nordic larpNordic larp is a collaborative, story-first style of live-action role-play rooted in Scandinavian tradition that prizes deep immersion, shared authorship, and emotional honesty.
- Online larpOnline larp is live-action role-play conducted over video calls or text platforms, suited to players who cannot attend in-person events.
Calls & mechanics
- BrakeA mid-scene safety call that signals 'slow down or ease back' without ending the scene, useful for new and experienced players alike.
- ClarifyThe Clarify call lets any player step briefly out of the fiction to ask a rules or situation question without breaking the game for everyone else.
- CutThe Cut call lets any player stop a scene immediately and without explanation, making it a core safety tool in many larps.
- Damage callsA beginner's guide to damage calls in LARP combat — shouting a number or keyword when you strike so everyone knows the effect.
- HoldA Hold is a call that freezes all action immediately, used when a real-world safety concern needs to be handled before play continues.
- Lay onA quick guide to the 'Lay on' call for new LARP players: what it signals, how it is used, and why following your game's own rules matters.
Safety guides
- Accessibility at larpA plain-language overview of how larp events can be made more welcoming and safer for players with different needs, for new and experienced players alike.
- Cold and wet weatherA beginner's guide to staying safe and comfortable during cold or wet outdoor LARP events, covering layering, hydration, and knowing when to step out.
- Combat safetyAn introduction to combat safety basics for new LARP players, covering the most common practices used in games with physical combat.
- Consent and calibrationAn introduction to consent and calibration tools for new LARP players, explaining how to set limits and adjust scenes safely during play.
- Emotional safety and aftercareAn introduction to emotional safety tools and aftercare practices for new LARP players attending games with intense or dramatic themes.
- First aid on siteA plain-language overview of on-site first aid awareness for new LARP players, covering what to expect before and during an event.
Get kitted out
Kit guides
- Mid-rangeFantasy kit, mid-rangeA practical mid-range packing guide for new players building a high fantasy LARP kit without overspending or starting from scratch.
- StarterFantasy starter kitA packing checklist and gear overview for players new to high fantasy LARP, covering the essentials without breaking the budget.
- StarterGothic horror starter kitA starter packing guide for players joining a gothic horror LARP, covering the essential kit pieces that help you look the part without overspending.
- StarterHistorical starter kitA packing checklist and starter overview for players joining a historical-themed LARP for the first time, covering the core kit pieces to bring.
- StarterPost-apocalyptic starter kitA starter kit guide for new players building a wearable post-apocalyptic LARP costume on a modest budget, using found and repurposed items.
- StarterScience fiction starter kitA packing checklist and quick-start guide for new players stepping into a science fiction LARP for the first time.
Weapon standards
- Boffer weaponsAn introduction to boffer weapons for new LARP players, covering how they are built, what safety checks marshals look for, and why game rules are the final word.
- LARP arrows and bowsAn overview of LARP-safe arrows and bows for newcomers, covering foam-tipped construction, low draw weights, and the safety checks marshals commonly apply.
- Latex weaponsAn introduction to foam-and-latex LARP weapons for new players: how they are built, what marshals look for, and how to keep them safe and game-ready.
- ShieldsAn overview of LARP-safe shields for new players, covering construction basics, grip and strap setup, weight considerations, and marshal safety checks.
Genres
- Contemporary and urban fantasyContemporary and urban fantasy larp hides magic in a modern world, suited to players who enjoy character drama, secrets and social conflict more than combat.
- Gothic horrorGothic horror larp blends eerie atmosphere, dark mystery, and dramatic roleplay for players who enjoy suspense, secrets, and collaborative storytelling.
- High fantasyHigh fantasy larp brings epic sword-and-sorcery stories to life, blending heroic quests, magic systems, and rich costuming in a shared world anyone can join.
- HistoricalHistorical larp puts players in real past periods, rewarding research, careful costuming, and respect for the cultures and events being portrayed.
- Post-apocalypticA gritty survival genre set after civilisation's collapse, blending scavenged aesthetics with tense faction politics — good for players who enjoy improvisation and resource drama.
- Science fictionScience fiction larp drops players into futures, space frontiers, or dystopian societies, blending costume craft with speculative storytelling for anyone curious about what comes next.
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