Action Combat

In 198X, combat is intended to be fun, cinematic, fast paced, but above all, safe. Players should expect physical combat to be very physical in nature, but it should never cause injury. Players that choose to engage in combat should acknowledge that in the fast pace hustle and bustle of combat, it is possible that mistakes will be made, and strikes can sting, or be painful. In those cases, it is important for players to communicate with each other. Hall Monitors will also communicate with players to ensure that everyone is having fun.

To ensure safety, combat must follow the following rules.

• Strikes in combat should be noticeable to the person being struck, but never painful. Impacts should be light enough that they do not hurt, but hard enough that there is no question that the strike landed.
• Attacks should be full swings, as if a real weapon were being used. That means that a weapon must complete a 90 degree swing to be valid, two handed melee weapons over 60" must complete a 45 degree swing instead of 90. 
• Weapons cannot be held inverted and may not be used to stab or thrust.
• Valid hit locations include the whole body, with the exception of the following locations; head, neck, groin, hands, and feet. These locations are excluded for safety and the maximum enjoyment of combat for all participants.
• You may not block attacks with prohibited hit locations. For example; if a strike is going to hit you in the lower leg, you may not lift your foot to substitute the hit location. Doing so intentionally would be a rules violation. Unintentional target substitution in the heat of a battle can be glossed over, but repeated occurrences should be addressed by a Hall Monitor.
• Flurries of no more than 3 attacks by melee weapons can be delivered at a time. Strikes may not be directed at the same location twice in a row. After an attack flurry, the attacker must pause for at least a full second before attacking again.
• While wielding 2 melee weapons, flurries are still made in sets of 3 attacks, following the rules above. You may choose which of your 2 weapons you use for each attack.
• All blocks are considered totally effective. If an attack is partially blocked by a weapon or shield, it is considered nullified. This is to prevent attempts to power through blocks. While that might be realistic for actual combat, in 198X, safety is paramount.
• There is no grabbing or grappling allowed of persons, equipment, or clothing.
• If the attack hits an inanimate object that is attached to the Players body such as backpacks or the like, it is considered a legal hit and must be taken.