LARP stands for live action role-play. Instead of rolling dice at a table, you dress as your character and play them in person, in a field, a forest, a castle or a village hall. Here's how it works, the words you'll hear, and what to wear to your first game.
In short
- In a LARP, you play a character in person, with other players, inside a shared story.
- Games range from big foam-sword battles to quiet, story-heavy evenings.
- Fights use soft, safety-checked weapons and simple rules.
- For your first event, a simple, comfortable costume is enough.
How a LARP works
Organisers create a world, a story and a set of rules. Players make up characters and play them for the length of the game, from an afternoon to a whole camping weekend. Crew members, often called NPCs, play the villagers, monsters and villains you meet. In a campaign, you come back to the same world and character several times a year. A one-shot is a single game that starts and ends at one event.
The main kinds of LARP
- Fantasy battle games: fights with foam or latex-coated weapons, magic, monsters and quests. This is the kind most people picture.
- Story-focused games: little or no combat. The play is in conversation, politics, intrigue and drama. Nordic-style LARP is known for this.
- Festival LARPs: huge camping events. In Germany, the biggest draw thousands of players each year.
- Other worlds: horror, science fiction and post-apocalyptic games exist too. This guide sticks to medieval and fantasy.
Words you'll hear
- IC and OOC: in character and out of character. You're in character unless you say or signal otherwise.
- NPC or crew: the people who play the characters the organisers need.
- Ref or GM: the people who run the game and make rulings.
- Phys-rep: a prop that stands in for an in-game item, like a potion bottle or a scroll.
- Kit: your costume and gear.
- Safety call: a word or phrase that stops play at once for a real problem. Every game has one. Learn it before you start.
How fighting works
Weapons are made of foam, often with a latex coating, and organisers check them for safety before play. Blows are light and controlled, and each game sets where you may hit, usually not the head. Some games give your character extra protection for armour you wear, and each has its own rules on what counts.
What to wear to your first LARP
- A base layer: a long-sleeve shirt or tunic, with trousers or a long skirt. Natural fibres are comfier and safer near a fire.
- A warm layer: a vest, overcoat or second tunic. Nights at camping events get cold.
- A cloak: ideally hooded, for wind, rain and late nights. See how to wear a cloak.
- A belt with pouches: to carry your phone, keys and snacks out of sight.
- Boots you can walk in all day: cover modern shoes with gaiters if you need to.
- One character piece: bracers, a pauldron, a circlet or a harness tells everyone who you are. Or go for a full set, like the Hooded Elf Dress Costume Set.
Hide anything modern: logos, plastic and bright colours. A good rule: if it looks right from ten feet away, it works.
What to pack for a weekend event
- Spare socks and a dry base layer
- A warm layer for the night
- A waterproof layer that hides under your cloak
- Water, snacks and sunscreen
- A head torch
- A small repair kit: needle, thread, spare laces and safety pins
How to find a game
Search for LARP groups near you, and look at local LARP groups on social media or the r/LARP community on Reddit. Most games have a guide for new players: read it before you go. Ask the organisers about beginner events and whether they lend kit. Many groups welcome first-timers and are happy to help.
A simple first LARP kit
Questions people ask
Do I need a full costume for my first LARP?
No. A simple base outfit, a belt and a cloak is enough. Many groups lend kit to new players, so ask.
Is LARP the same as a Renaissance faire?
No. At a faire you visit, shop and watch shows. At a LARP you play a character inside a game. Many people do both, and the same garb works for both.
Can I wear your armour in a LARP game?
Yes. Our armour is light and made for LARP, cosplay and display. Each game has its own rules on what you can wear in a fight, so check with your organisers.
