LARP Armor: What Can I Use?

Live action role playing, LARPing, has been around for a very long time. Ancient societies did this in one manner or another through reenactments of ancient battle or by dressing up their warriors in costumes based off of older cultures and allowing them to battle each other. Children have always done this as well, whether they were playing cowboys and Indians or pretending to be Buzz Light Year the concept is the same.

However, in the last few decades people have taken to playing role playing table top role playing games and those lead to a more dynamic form of role playing known as LARPing. This LARPing often takes the form of wearing elaborate costumes of history or fantasy origin in the game setting. One of the most intriguing aspects is found when wearing armor.

What is LARP Armor?

LARP armor is any piece of apparel that is designated by such in the game setting. With lower budget groups it could be a card board cut out or even a T-shirt with the name of any given armor type written on it. However, the real fun comes with the high end and truly dedicated groups.

These individuals may even go so far as purchasing historically accurate armor such as what happens with many reenactment groups. Others might commission fantasy armor based on the world setting they are participating in. LARPing can run the gamut from the Stone Age era to the far flung future. Some settings such as the table top game world of RIFTS can include many of these facets and some role playing groups will go so far as to craft large card board cut outs of the famous Glitterboy power armor with the pilot occasionally leaning around from behind it to fire off a nerf gun or automatic airsoft pellet gun.

The best LARP armor is going to be something that feels comfortable when worn. Beyond that the sky is the limit. Those who go all out and want real combat grade historical or fantasy replicas can find them easily enough. Others may wish to purchase armor that is not combat quality but looks nice and doesn't weigh nearly as much as the real thing.

The play is the thing. Whatever type of armor is worn the participants must have fun. If one individual has an incredible set of articulated battle armor and another is wearing a t-shirt with the words, "Blazing Inferno Armor of the Damned" there may be a little less enjoyment in the game for the one wearing such mighty, yet thin, equipment.

It would be best to take the entire cast of characters into account and work together to get everyone a similar level of equipment even if one of the members still seems to have a higher production budget this will allow for everyone to enjoy the game again.

LARP armor is a key component in many types of role playing campaigns. There are many ways to handle the necessity of equipping the characters in any group from historically accurate and the fantastic to the simple but creative. In the end fun and imagination are the real armor so game on valiant warriors.

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