Battlegames

Battlegame Rules

1. Switching classes or sides during a battlegame is not allowed unless specified by the scenario or by a reeve.
2. Never handle anyone's personal property without first having their permission.
3. There cannot be more than 1 bow to every 5 people on a side - round fractions up.
4. Each side may only have one Wizard, Healer, Druid and Bard per ten people, rounding fractions up. Therefore, a team with seventeen people may have no more than two of each magic-using class.
5. The following activities are strictly forbidden:
1. Maneuvering or engaging during a hold.
2. Striking at reeves or non-combatants.
3. Calling a hold to retrieve spent items or derive other advantages.
4. Trying to influence a game while you are dead.
5. Deliberately mimicking an ability that you do not currently have, such as casting a "pretend" Finger of Death as a Barbarian. Grand standing and bluffing is fine, as long as it can't be confused with a real ability.
6. Deliberately mimicking an ability that you do have, such as pretending to cast a spell but using the wrong wording.
7. Using rules loopholes or gray areas to derive an advantage on the battlefield.
6. Players who break the rules may be removed from the game by a reeve.

Deaths and Lives

Immediately remove yourself from impeding play on the battlefield once you have died. If you want to get into the spirit of things, then fall down and scream. Make it dramatic. Reeves may give you a bonus for a good death. Then report to nirvana. The reeve in charge there will take your name and record your time. Deaths are for 5 minutes though a bonus will subtract 2 minutes and a penalty will add 2 minutes. The number of lives you get varies with level and class. You are out of a battle once you have expended your last life and left the field. When returning to life from nirvana you must return to your base and announce 'alive' so that it is audible out to 100 feet before reentering the battle. Dead persons on the field must hold their weapons over their heads. If the battlegame does not call for a nirvana reeve, one must sit down in nirvana for a 300 count before returning to life at one's base. Most battlefield effects will not work on a dead person once he has left of his own choice from where he died, with the obvious exception of not impeding play. Effects that will function on dead players who have moved from where they died are noted as doing so in their descriptions. Dead players (provided they are not affecting or impeding play) may stay on the field as long as they want. A person may voluntarily take a game death at any time, but must immediately go to nirvana and may not be raised from the dead in any manner unless Summon Dead is cast upon them first. Dead players may not move if they are currently the target of a magic or ability that affects dead players such as Steal Life or Resurrect.

Subduals and Prisoners

During class battles, prisoners may be taken by surrendering or by being rendered "unconscious" by a killing blow (torso or second limb shot) preceded by the word "subdue." The person will then be unconscious for 60 seconds. The prisoner may be subdued up to 5 times. Any more hits will result in his death. Armor negates a subdual blow and instead takes damage as normal from the blow. If this damage is sufficient to pass through the armor, then the target is still affected by the subdual blow. A subdual blow striking a person who is unaffected by Subdual or Subdual magic does not wound or kill. Stabbing-only weapons or stabbing with a slashing weapon may not be used to subdue. A subdual blow to a limb will render that limb useless for a 60 count. A prisoner's equipment must be kept within 10 ft. of him and cannot be destroyed. Rescued prisoners must still count the required time before they are considered recovered. Subdual blows cannot be healed.

Holds

When a hold is called, all players must stay where they are and be quiet. No tactical maneuvering is allowed and weapons may only be collected if a reeve gives permission. If you really do get hurt, yell "hold." Remove yourself from the battle and reenter behind your own lines once you have recovered. Deliberate faking of a game death or real injury is not allowed. Battlefield participants should only call a hold for injuries or when a potentially dangerous situation arises such as a seven year old child straying onto the battlefield. If you are involved in a dispute then go find a reeve or remove yourselves from the field until the issue is resolved.

Game Etiquette

While not absolutes, the following conditions have stood the test of time and should be observed:

1. Do not use a hold to gather or retain spent equipment or valuable game items. A reeve or the other team may grant a person the opportunity to pick up spent equipment if they are simply asked.
2. Do not use a hold to avoid a death or get out of a bad situation.
3. While it is honorable to return the other team's spent equipment (magic balls, weapons, expended arrows, etc.), it is not mandatory. Don't delay or stop play to return equipment. Similarly, don't attack someone who is being kind enough to return your own team's items.
4. As stated before, players should remove themselves from the field when discussing disputed blows or rules. This is not always practical in the immediate heat of the moment. If you see a dispute, do not engage or strike at those involved. By the same token, don't use the excuses of returning equipment, a headshot, or resolving a dispute to save yourself when the enemy has you dead in his sights. Example: You are accidentally struck in the face, and simultaneously cleaved in two from behind by another opponent; you are still dead.

Garb

Each class has its own particular garb parameters. In addition, there are certain other garb elements that denote special positions. Note that all battlefield participants must be in "period" garb (tunic, robe, armor, etc.):

1. White belts (any belt more than 25% white), unadorned chains, and spurs are reserved for knights and may not be worn by others. A knight may also choose to trim a knights white belt with a color particular to that order of knighthood: Gold for Crown, Silver for Sword, Red for Flame, and Green for Serpent.
2. Red belts (any belt more than 50% red) are generally only worn by squires.
3. Black belts with silver trim are generally only worn by men-at-arms.
4. The phoenix is the symbol of Amtgard. White and black phoenixes are reserved for knights. A gold phoenix on a red background is reserved for Warlord. Otherwise, the phoenix is generally only worn as part of kingdom heraldry.
5. A diagonal slash of a guild's distinct color, worn on a belt, baldric or tunic, is the mark of a class master.
6. Guildmasters are entitled to wear favors marked with the symbol of their guild.
7. The use of crowns and coronets is reserved for royalty and nobility, although their retainers may wear the symbol of a crown on their garb.
8. Most companies and many individuals choose to register their personal symbols and colors. While not specifically disallowed, it is considered bad form to use another's coat of arms without his agreement. Personal symbols and colors should be registered with the Guildmaster of Heraldry and the Prime Minister.
9. Single color belt favors are indicative of a fighter's relative standing within the fraternity of Order of the Warrior.
10. The garb of a page is a yellow belt (not a sash as per Wizard) and is generally not worn by others. A non-fighting page must also wear a gold "enchantment" strip if on the field.
11. The use and application of good garb is important in creating the correct mood of the battlegames and events. All members must be garbed in a "period" fashion. Newcomers should have their own garb (and weapons) within a month of having first attended. It is easy and inexpensive to fashion a T-tunic or tabard, and plenty of people are willing to help. If you have questions about garb or any area of the rules, then all you have to do is ask.
12. For the purpose of determining what class people are playing, class sashes must run diagonally across the chest from one shoulder to the opposite hip. They must be at least two inches wide. You may not wear sashes for classes you are not currently playing. Paladin and Anti-Paladin symbols must be at least 5 inches by 5 inches.

Non-fighting Types

If you do not want to fight but wish to participate in a battlegame there are a few options to do so:
Reeve - The garb is a gold tunic, strip worn around the head, or sash. The reeve is a referee for the battlegame. The reeve should be impartial, fair, have a good eye, and be well versed in the rules. The reeve has the last say in any decision in a battlegame. The reeves do not fight and should not be purposefully hit or touched in an offensive manner. The Guildmaster of Reeves shall deal with biased, unfair, or incompetent reeves.
Page - Garb consisting of his master's device is optional. Non-fighting pages may retrieve spent equipment, but may not retrieve or carry new or extra equipment. Must wear a gold enchantment strip around right wrist.
Color - Garb is encouraged. It is not a class, yet includes everyone else who wishes to participate in the mood and ambiance of Amtgard. Examples include minstrels, water bearers, serpent knights, and many others.
Arts And Sciences Guilds - Artisans, smiths, garbers, etc.

Fighting Classes and Abilities

This section contains a few examples of archetypal medieval and fantasy character types. While the names of the classes reflects a European centric viewpoint, that does not define how you must portray them. You can easily play the Barbarian or Warrior classes as a Samurai or the Healer as a Necromancer. With a little flair and creativity, the Scout class makes an excellent Pirate. Your character and persona are defined through your actions and behavior, not the name of the class that gives you your abilities. The classes exist in a strict form to maintain game balance on the field; it is up to you to give them life, substance, and personality. Fighting classes are listed in the following manner:
Name: The name of the class.
Historic Examples: This lists historical or fantasy examples of each class plus a brief overview.
Garb: Garb that is required to denote playing the class. You are required to dress in medieval-looking garb in addition to this class specific garb. Failure to do either will result in playing the Peasant class.
Requirement: A few classes list experience requirements. If you do not meet these requirements you may not play nor gain credits in that class.
Armor: Maximum point value of armor the class may wear. You can always wear armor with a point value higher then you are allowed use of, but in these cases the armor simply gives you the maximum allowed for your class. Example: a Scout wearing full plate still only gets three points from it.
Shields: Largest size shield available to a class.
Weapons: Types of weapons the class can use.
Immunities: What the class is immune to.
Lives: The number of lives the class has.
Limitations: Some classes have restrictions. For example, Barbarians are restricted from wearing enchantments.
Traits: Class attributes that function all of the time without activation being required. Includes such things as extra lives and the ability to wear extra armor. Traits are denoted with a (T) and are always non-magical in nature.
Abilities: Powers or skills that must be activated to be used. Abilities are denoted as either Magical (m) abilities or Extraordinary (ex) abilities. Unless otherwise specified, class ability enhanced equipment cannot be used except by the player who enhanced the equipment. For instance: a Warrior cannot loan his Improved Weapon to another player, even another Warrior.

Credits and Levels

If you wish to fight or participate in a battlegame, you must conform to one class for each game. A person may advance in level in a class after having the requisite credits and passing a class test administered by your class Guildmaster. Only one attendance credit may be given on a single day. You must play the class you wish to gain credit in. If no class is played but fighting takes place, you may take a Warrior credit. All classes gain new abilities and levels at the following rate:
1st Level - less than 13 credits of experience in that class
2nd Level - at least 13 and less than 25 credits of experience in that class
3rd Level - at least 25 and less than 37 credits of experience in that class
4th Level - at least 37 and less than 49 credits of experience in that class
5th Level - at least 49 and less than 61 credits of experience in that class
6th Level - 61 or more credits of experience in that class