Battleground Rules, Basic and Advanced

General Rules

These are the general rules for the entire Battlegrounds event, and are to be followed at all times regardless of what is going on.

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1. If you do not understand any of these rules, ask a Marshal. Ignorance to the rules is not an applicable excuse for breaking them. Marshals can be identified by the sash they wear (Color still to be decided upon.) and the Battlegrounds badge they will be wearing. Obey at all times the instructions of the marshals during your stay in the room.

2. No head shots, groin shots, or hand shots. Shots to the opponents head/groin/hand will end up as a strike against you, and we have a two strike rule. Two strikes and you will be asked to leave the play field, or the room depending on the severity of the offense. Marshals on hand will be watching the fight to judge whether or not the offending shot will count against you as sometimes, yes, people do lean,jump,swing into them. The Marshal's ruling is final and while you may discuss the call do not argue with the final ruling as it may bring a second strike against you.

3. No Baseball Batting. This is a term you will hear us use in regards to excessive force when swinging with one hand or two. While the weapons are padded, anything swung with sufficient force can harm another and if warnings are not heeded it will land a strike against you. We understand battles can get heated, but this is as much about control as skill- gauge your attacks and be careful with the power of your swings.

4. No Stinking. As silly as this sounds, many people in the room will be exerting themselves during play, many of whom are otaku (joke) and it can add up to an uncomfortable aroma if not kept in check. Be respectful of others and wash up and deodorize before playing. If it becomes an issue you may be politely spoken to on the subject as many of you understandably may not have planned on such activities and not properly safeguarded against it ahead of time. You will be expected to freshen up, and then you can return. We'd like to avoid the place smelling like a gym room for your sake and ours.

5. Weapon Combat Only. Unarmed strikes, grappling, shoving, tripping etc is not allowed. The only thing that should make contact between you and your opponent are the padded ends of your weapons. Failure to follow this rule will be grounds to your immediate expulsion.

6. No Shield Checking. Yes, we know the shields are padded- but they cannot be used as a weapon. No striking, or pushing with them is allowed, and any such actions will be considered a violation of rule #5.

7. No Cheating. If you get hit, back up and call it. If you did not hit someone, do not say you did. Marshals will be on-hand to watch the fights, and will count a strike against you if you are caught cheating. We understand that in the heat of battle you may not notice a grazing blow, but it is important that you pay attention to avoid these misunderstandings. If a shot is called against you by a marshal, unless you are -absolutely- sure you did not get hit, do not argue the matter. If you are 100% sure you did not get hit you may discuss the matter with the Marshal, but they still have the final ruling.

8. Only strike your opponent with the padded ends of the weapons. Striking someone with the unpadded ends of the weapon is grounds for immediate expulsion from the room.

9. If you have problems with another player, talk to a Marshal. Arguments between players will have both parties frowned upon and possibly removed. The same goes for inflammatory comments or verbal abuse. This is a friendly game, and it will remain so.

10.We hold the right to remove someone from the room at any time for any reason. If you are asked, or told to leave the room, do so. If you would like to speak with one of the Battleground Admins on the matter, wait to do so and we will come to you as soon as we have a free moment. If it was an admin who asked you to leave, then the matter is settled.

11.If you hear "Hold", during a fight immediately stop fighting and back up. Do not try to work in an extra or final attack- stop mid swing if you have to and back up. Failure to adhere to this rule will count as a strike against you.

12.Disarming. If someone is disarmed you may attack them as they go for their weapon, or let them pick it back up- the choice is yours. However, be ware you do not strike them in a forbidden area as they dive for their weapon as it will still count against you.

13. Clothing. We are not responsible for torn costumes or clothing. Wear something comfortable if possible and absolutely -no- headgear outside of vision necessary glasses and sparring helmets. If you have billowy or poofy clothing and it gets hit, understand that it is hard for the Marshals to tell wither or not your body got hit and it may be called against you even if you were not actually hit. This is again, the Marshal's final ruling. If possible, change into something more appropriate for the event. All con badges whether worn on a lanyard or snapped onto your clothing are to be removed before fighting.

14. We are not responsible for belongings left in and around the room while fighting or otherwise. There are a lot of people in the room at any given time and the Staff will be busy running the event and unable to watch over your things. If possible, leave excess items with a friend, or better, in your room before attending the event. We are not responsible for anything misplaced, stolen or lost.

15. Golden Rule - Use Common Sense. If you think it might get you in trouble, it likely will. If you are even slightly uncertain it pays to ask a Marshal- we are on hand to help you at any time. Do not try and use loop holes to get past the spirit of a rule, it is frowned upon and the final say is always ours.

16. Have fun, and fight well!

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General Rules of Engagement.

These are the general rules for most fights. If the rules of a certain sort of match differs from these, we will explain the changes before that match- but these are the most commonly used methods and rules.

The progression of a match.

Whether it is one on one, or mass melee- these parameters will always remain the same. You are given a specific corner of the ring or arena you are designated, as is your opponent(s). You are not to engage until the marshal overseeing your bout gives you the okay. You will be asked if you are ready, as will your opponent. When both "Ready"s are given, the marshal will signal and the match will begin.

Defeat your opponent by whatever means you can so long as you follow the rules above. If someone is struck in the arm they must tuck that arm behind their back or at least keep it at their side. It is considered "gone" so if they are struck there again it counts as a torso shot. If that arm was holding a weapon it must immediately be dropped (preferably near the edge of the play field if possible.) or immediately switched to the offhand if it is empty. If both arms are taken, you are considered unable to defend yourself and your opponent the victor.

If a leg is taken, you have the choice of either taking to a knee, or hopping on your good leg. If you choose the later take care that you do not stand on the wounded leg at all or it may be called against you. If you lose both legs, then you may either relent the fight, or continue from a sitting position. The choice is yours.

All shots to the torso are considered lethal and result in death to the attacked. The rules on headshots/handshots/groinshots can be found in the main rules but are to be avoided at all times.

In one on one, if you are the victor, the match ends and you are awarded a point if it is ranked. Three points and you continue on to the next level. If you are the slain you return to the end of the line. If you win you may continue fighting until you gain a level, or you lose.

Larger battles progress very much the same, though there are far more people to watch out for. Often times teamwork is key, and teams with good teamwork come out on top so do not neglect this. You may if you wish before a match call time out to make a strategy, and you will be given about 30 seconds or so to come up with one.

Again, matches which have alterations of these rules will always be explained before it begins.