I'd like to go on record as saying that I like boffer archery using bows and padded arrows for a lot of reasons. I think it adds a touch of authenticity and a real psychological dynamic to combat, something that streamer-type packets can never reproduce. I also believe wholeheartedly that it's at least as safe as normal boffer fighting (which can and does result in minor injuries from time to time, but I think we can all agree it's as safe as any contact sport), or at least can be made to be just as safe with enough due diligence. When these were the only factors under consideration, I was still on the fence about what style of boffer archery we were going to use going forward.
Unfortunately, it seems park rules override all other considerations. According to NC state park regulations, "No person except authorized park employees, their agents, or contractors, or officers of the state shall carry or possess firearms, airguns, bows and arrows, sling shots, or lethal missiles of any kind within the park." All safety debates aside, maintaining use of the site is essential to the game, and this pretty clearly spells out that using a bow and arrow are prohibited, even if it isn't a "lethal" missile.
So, based solely on the rules of NC state parks, we'll be discontinuing traditional boffer archery and trying out the streamer packet idea next season. I'm a little disappointed, which I realize puts me in the minority, but those of you who had safety concerns can rest easy regardless. The matter has been settled. Note that, in light of this regulation, we also won't be able to pursue other forms of ranged combat, such as crossbows or fantasy firearms. We're pretty much limited to packets and thrown weapons from here on out.
I'll be rewriting the weapon guidelines to coincide with this ruling. Consequently, the ranger class is now approved for general use. The only reason it was restricted to begin with was because of archery qualification, which is no longer necessary. Heather, I know you were waiting for this ruling to respend, so look over the class and let me know if that's still what you want.
I'm sorry you didn't get your way Thad. While I agree that boffer arrows are very unique and add a realistic aspect to the game, at least streamer packets are easier to manage, much saffer, and more people would be able to use the Ranger class. Like you've said yourself, "Orn is all about being what you can't be in real life." Well, perhaps some people are unable to access real archery OR boffer archery. This system, while too much like the spell-packet system for some peoples' tastes, allows even a brand new LARPer with no archery training to decide, "Hey, I wanna shoot some arrows at orcs and zombies and trolls!" So if it's any consolation Thad, I'm sure you'll be making a lot of players happy with this choice. Including me! :D
I understand that the rules of the park override what we can do, but I think the real problem with going to streamers to begin with was that you could not achieve the same range with a packet as an arrow. At least that was what I had issues with. It would have made it a lot different dynamic to get some archers behind a shield wall. So my question to the masses is how we could simulate that range while still being able to use the streamers? I figured maybe allowing an archer to have some sort of range increment. por exemplo...Glimmer is in the thick of the fight throwing her streamer packets at a group of monsters. Once they get within melee range, she must move back another range increment to simulate her actual distance to the target. I think that while leveling or acquiring more ranks, you could add range increments, but still feel that it is a sort of broken mechanic in that it takes away from the suspension of belief quite a bit. On the other hand, it adds a sense of the realism of having a rain of arrows from a long way off, without having to have Peyton Manning's passing arm. Just a thought that I wonder if anyone had any thoughts on.....
I half agree and half disagree with my husband. I agree that at the start of combat, someone running up on me completely defeats the purpose of being an "archer." However, I do not have Peyton Manning's arm and me being 80 feet away is unrealistic. My only suggestion would be to allow anyone using ranged combat to make a heavier packet for long range shots, so that the weight will carry itself. I wouldn't be doing a point blank shot to begin with if it could be avoided. My two suggestions would be as follows:
1)- Make a packet double the size of a spell packet so that the weight can carry a longer range, or
2)- Be allowed to use the streamer part of the package for leverage to launch the packet farther. (I was a fast pitch softball pitcher, so try to invision what an underhanded pitch looks like, but using the streamer as the leverage) Sort of like one of those rope things with a rock on it used to trip people. I can't remember what they are called.
I am fine and dandy and still heart ranger even if these get shot down
2 questions here... i think distance would be a bit of a problem with communicating damage, would yelling across the battlefield be practical or would everyone have to know that the specialty packets do 10 sharp? And would shields block arrows or would they act like normal packets?
The more I have thought on my range increment suggestion, the more broken it is. The point I was trying to illuminate was how do we simulate range without actually having to have to be a long ways away. If that would be figured out, you would not have to worry about hearing someone calling damage, because they would be closer to you. It makes a lot more work and is not very accessible to newer players though, so it is not that great of an idea lol. The way I understand it Joe is that arrows will work like any other attack, but classes like ranger can call pierce damage on ranged attacks. I think a much easier solution would be to do something more like my wife suggested, by using a different type of ammunition (ie nerf footballs) that can travel further, but on the other hand, you would have a harder time hearing the damage being called. My whole reason for bringing this mess up was that it seems pointless to be a ranged attacker (and to some extent a mage) if you have to stand in there with melee fighters all day. What I think now is that the simpler we keep it, the more accessible to new players and fun overall it will be. Now I see why flight has been such a problem to get hammered out.
"Now I see why flight has been such a problem to get hammered out."
You hit the nail on the head there, Mark. Whenever possible, the best way to phys rep something is to actually do it. This is part of the appeal of LARP in general; I don't have to pretend there are a bunch of goblins in front of me, because they're right there. This is why I initially preferred to find a way to make real bows work; there's no need to find a rule to make arrows work if they're actually flying through the air.
I wish I could say I have a solution for this one. As you've pointed out, representing a character standing further away than he or she actually is becomes difficult rules-wise, violates suspension of disbelief, and potentially slows down combat because of holds. This is exactly why we don't have a flight mechanic; representing attacks to and from the air is impossible without actually being in the air.
The only other solution, as has been pointed out, is some other kind of projectile, which poses its own safety hazards. Anything that could be thrown at considerable distance would, by necessary, have to be heavier and more aerodynamic than a packet, and will thus hit harder. I recall Scott taking a shot to a very tender area from one of Jeff's darts, for example. Ultimately, I don't think there will be a way to achieve the sort of range and safety we want without mechanical assistance, which we can't use.
Now that I think about it, we'll have to pay close attention to the streamers themselves. If they end up posing a tripping hazard (like bolos), that will need to be addressed.
I guess re inventing the wheel really wasnt the thing to do in hind sight. I hadnt really thought about taking a nerf to the nuts from 50 ft away, so good call there. I dont think that the streamers will be too much of a problem as far as trip hazard goes, but I figure we will find out at the first event next season!
Well we obviously can't use real bows, 1) because it's against park regulations. and 2) safety becomes a concern, what with draw strength and whatnot. However, I was at the North Carolina Renaissance Festival about a month ago, and I saw there fake bows for little kids. The frame was wooden and in the shape of a bow, but it didn't bend (it was stiff). Instead, it had a bunji-like rope on it (weaker than a bunji cord, not much stronger than a large rubber band). In essense, it was like a slingshot, only shaped like a bow and not NEARLY as powerful as even a slingshot. But I think you could get a bit of distance out of it with something (i don't know if we could use boffer arrows or packets or what, but we'd figure it out) plud you'd get the realistic dynamic of archery. Would this type of thing be acceptable, Thad? If we could buy or make (assuming they pass inspection either way) these "boffer bows", we could find something to use as ammunition, and it would make rangers-at-heart like Heather much, much happier.
Also, to address the issue of, "If i'm shooting arrows at a guy, he notices and comes up on me, what then?" This is an issue that real-life archers had to face. For this reason, either stick near a swordsman or carry a dagger/shortsword as an emergency weapon. I played a ranger on Dungeons and Dragons Online for some time, and I often ran into this problem. Unfortunetly, short of running away or beating them to death with your bow (the latter not being very feasable), you just have to have a backup plan.
What do you guys think?
I feel like heaviness and softness can be achieved at the same time. For instance, Jeff's darts with 4 inches of extremely forgiving cushion on front. It'd still fly straight when thrown, it'd still get distance, though not as much. And the fluff would absorb all of the impact. If not fluff then something. I know we can find a material that can have weight and a streamer behind it to add range without pain.
I feel the easiest and most logical solution is a different projectile-type to add diversity and range to the class which comes down to us deciding what to make the projectile out of. I'm sure if we all search our closets and wal-marts we can find SOMETHING to reduce impact.
Well that sucks... i was with you on the archery, but i was gonna suggest that we do both ideas, and use whichever the person that was using the bow wanted to. and yea i hate getting strong-armed into rule changes