Q: What is Dagorhir?

A: Dagorhir Battle Games is a full contact foam fighting game that uses swords, shields, spears, and other types of medieval weaponry. Participants wear medieval clothing, craft their own equipment, and fight in full throttle battles. Learn more about Dagorhir.

Q: Am I safe playing this?

A: All Dagorhir weapons are checked for safety before being allowed onto the field. Dagorhir weapons are padded to prevent injury when swung with full force without any safety equipment required. Strikes are uncomfortable enough that you will notice the hit, but the feeling fades away quickly.

Q: What does it take to get started?

A: You’ll need appropriate clothing (see below). Practices are always free to participate, Loaner gear, including weapons and shields, are available for you to use free of charge. Come have fun!

Q: What should I wear?

A: For practices, wear loose and comfortable clothing that you don’t mind getting dirty, like gym clothes. You’ll also want to wear shoes with good traction, like hiking shoes, since we practice on grass. Hand protection is recommended due to the nature of a full-contact sport with many fighters using lacrosse gloves or MMA style gloves. Garb is not required for practices but is required for battle events.

Q: What is garb?

Garb is clothing from the appropriate time period for Dagorhir. This means any clothing that would be worn from an age before the use of gunpowder, in a historical or fantasy context, is acceptable garb. Some examples of garb are a viking’s Bockstein tunic, a knight’s surcoat, a greek chiton, a samuari’s hakama, etc.

Q: Is this difficult to learn?

A: Dagorhir’s rules have been playtested for 40 years and are intentionally kept as simple as possible to keep the combat moving. Combat is fast-paced, but veteran fighters will work with you to bring your fighting up to speed. New fighters generally feel comfortable on the field within a few practices.

Q: What is there to do in Dagorhir?

A: We practice every week and run games, drills, and training. There are often day events which are a meetup between different groups to fight in the same park for a day. There are also camping events with even more groups that will span multiple days and have battles, tournaments, arts & science competitions, parties and/or a feast. In the meantime, many participants will develop their fighting technique and craft new equipment or clothing.

Q: Is Dagorhir a LARP?

A: Dagorhir includes elements of roleplay to create an anachronistic environment where the participants are immersed in a scene that depicts a medieval battle. However, there are no classes or spells and fighters are granted no bonuses beyond their own physical capabilities. There is no requirement to create a “character,” although many participants enjoy adding to the atmosphere by including light elements of roleplay (e.g. player name and backstory). Read more about Role-playing in Dagorhir.

Q: What kind of weapons are there?

A: Dagorhir weapons can be any type of medieval style weaponry with a few exceptions (e.g. no lassos or nets). Read more about foam fighting weapons.

Q: How do I get weapons?

A: Dagorhir weapons are handmade by the Dagorhir community. There are many reputable vendors that sell weapons and crafting tutorials with instructions on how to get started. Find links on our Resources Page.

Q: What kind of armor can I use?

A: For armor to be allowed in Dagorhir, it must be constructed of period materials and must meet the minimum thickness requirements. The Dagorhir Manual of Arms has more detailed information.

Q: How much does this cost?

A: Practices are free to attend. When you’re ready to get your own equipment and garb, you can make your own sword for ~$10 and your own garb for a minimum of about $20. For artisan clothing or pre-made weapons, expect to spend a little bit more. Day battles are typically free and camping events are ~$30 for the weekend plus any personal costs for camping gear. Dagorhir is a non-profit organization with no membership fees and all event fees are kept to a minimum.