Latex weaponry now legal in Alliance?

[Mark]

I just saw the below posted on the Seattle boards.  Please tell me it's true (I'm squealing like a school girl here).

Here are the new Guidelines for Alliance latex weapons:

1) The latex weapon's length and overall volume must not exceed our current limits.

2) The weapon's core must be covered at all striking points with pipe foam, or foam of equivalent softness, that is no less than 5/8 of an inch in thickness. The handles can be covered in leather, grip tape or a similar material, just as with standard weapons. All non striking surfaces, besides the handle, must be covered in foam and soft enough to protect any player from potential harm.

3) All other specifications with regard to hardness, weapon trapping parts must meet with the current guidelines.

4) Lastly, as with the current weapons in our game, the weapon's marshal has to be willing to declare the weapon safe for its intended use, striking and blocking with the sides of the weapon's striking surface; thus, due to current latex designs in the industry, no one is permitted to stab or attempt to stab anyone with the tip of a latex weapon. Additionally, for the same reasons regarding design, no player is permitted to use the skill ''waylay'' with a latex weapon. It is understood that latex weapons commonly have less than a 2x2 inch blade width, and in addition to the lack of open cell foam at the tips, the common slenderness of latex weapon's blades are another reason we do not permit their use for the purpose of stabbing. If a player wishes to be able to stab or waylay anyone with any weapon used in an Alliance game, said player must use a boffer sap or a boffer weapon which has the standard two inch open cell foam tips on each end; thus, said player, in order to stab or waylay, must use a weapon that has been approved under our current non-latex, standard weapon guidelines.

5) Each chapter has the right to refuse or accept latex weapons, so please do not assume that any latex weapon you bring will be accepted. Please contact the specific chapter ahead of time to learn their policies on the matter.

[Nyrani]

It's true.

No thrusting, no waylaying unless the weapon has the requisite 2 inches of foam on the appropriate end.

Provided, of course, that SF accepts latex weapons. Just because they've qualified them as legal, doesn't mean the chapter has to allow them.

[Mark]

If they don't, I'll take the latex spear I made for Warlock back.

[Davio]

So, Mark...  any ideas how to make a latex great sword with legal thrust points?

[Mark]

Nope.  There's no way to make a sword look good with an Alliance legal thrusting tip.  You have to have a 2" by 2" blade and that just doesn't work.

[Davio]

Thought so, darn.

[Mark]

Yup, sorry.  Now if I can only convince them to let me use a pair of the hammers below.  Been dying to dual wield these puppies in a game for years!

[Mark]

For the record, latex legality will be decided upon a chapter by chapter basis.  HQ will be posting a list of chapters once the chapters have had a chance to discuss it amongst themselves as to whether or not they wish to allow Latex weaponry into the game.  I am quite sure that Seattle is one though as I have received an order from the plot team there for some things.

[vikingsurvivor]

be nice I would certainly see these in my future

[Mark]

I'm just wondering if my hammer might be failed either because of the pointy bit on the back or the possible hooking nature of it - both of which shouldn't be an issue as long as I use the flat end to smack with.

But of course, I'd love a ruling before I actually put down the cash for that - or for some latex swords.

[Nyrani]

How sturdy is it? Could you hook my shield away from my body with it? (Keeping in mind I use an ultralight shield.) Could it wrap around the shield to tag me in the shoulder, thereby eliciting one of my well-reknowned "OW F***!" in the middle of combat?

I'm inclined to think that the last one there is distinctly possible with that warhammer. If so, I'd have to go with no for two reasons... the first being that if thrusting isn't allowed with swords because of pointy ends lacking padding, then that weapon probably won't pass due to a pointy end that lacks padding that can hit me in a way that hurts. The second reason being that I don't think anyone really likes it when I yell "OW F***!"

This all being me being hypothetical since I'm only looking at a picture.

[Mark]

Well realize I wouldn't be using the pointy end, I'd be using the blunty end.  As for hooking, it wouldn't be anymoreso than any other hammer or axe that has any sort of angle on it.  The head doesn't protrude that far to do 'hook shots' and although I don't have one to actually let you know about, if it is made from the foam that almost all LARP weapons are made from, it would fold if I tried to 'hook and pull' anything.  However I wouldn't ever use it or have it in a hooking situation because unlike some others I actually control what the weapon does and not blame the weapon's construction for it.  From what I can tell via scale and the picture, the head part is about 3" total out from the main core.

But, like you said, until I have it in hand, I'm not certain.  The main thing I want a yes or no on before I buy it is will having that 'pointy bit' in the back of the weapon, even if not being used to thrust or even hit with, auto fail it.

[Nyrani]

From what I can see, it's intended to be a striking surface (much like the real thing.) I'm going to go with a no. I showed it to Dan, and he's of the opinion "no spikes on hitty surfaces, no matter how soft." I don't know who else would want to chime in on that, but, for what it's worth, Dan and I actually agreed on a weapon for once.

[Mark]

Well the spike is not the hitty surface.  The flat part is.  You theoretically could hit with the point bit, just like you could stabby with the point of a sword that you shouldn't stab with.  Again, it is the the wielder and not the weapon.  So I'll wait for staff or a weapons marshal to give me the final go or no go.

[Nyrani]

From the website:
"This medieval weapon sports a detailed hammer head with a large spiked back for any engagement. Features a suede wrapped, hard rubber handle for good balance and excellent control. This realistic latex weapon, from our Warlords Collection, is perfect for LARP for all ages."

It's a hitty surface. It's intended to BE a hitty surface.