5 Tips That Make Your First LARP Easier

Everything can be a little overwhelming the first time you attend an event or even a combat practice with a new group. This is even more true if it’s the first time you’ve ever attended anything. You can find yourself in a completely new group of people that have their own traditions. It can sometimes feel like they are speaking their own language. There are a few tricks you can use to get yourself acclimated quicker than you’d realize though.

1) Listen

Every LARP is different, and new things can be frustrating, but the best way to learn is to just soak it up. Most veterans will be more than willing to talk for great lengths. It has the benefit of letting you get to know not only the out-of-game side of things, but also lets you learn a little bit about the in-game things, too.

2) Ask

If you have a question, ask. It’s better in the long run to get your answers as soon as you can, and only a dick would make fun of someone for not knowing something. Find the person in charge and ask them any questions you have come up. If they can’t answer themselves, for example if they are swamped with a large number of players, they will be able to hook you up with a player that can help you out.

3) Don’t Expect Too Much From Yourself your First Time

A lot of new players go into a game thinking they have to be on the same level as the veteran players. Don’t. You are new to this, and everyone knows that. The less expectations you bring with you, the less shattered you will be if you don’t match them. Don’t worry about being the best fighter right away, or not having the right clothes or props. The skills come with practice, and if someone is worried about your clothes or props, then they will probably have loaners for you.

4) Don’t Expect Too Much from Game Officers

For the most part, they are volunteers that help run the game because they love it, and love to help new players. That doesn’t always mean they get to do as much as they would like. Especially in story/character heavy games, give them some time to work you in. A good story teller will do his best to get everyone involved in the game, but when there are a lot of players, it can take time to get to everyone. They are snubbing you, it’s just easier for them to handle more established characters first.

5) Find a Veteran and Learn from them

Most players coming into a new game will be brought by their friends, and can stick with them while they are learning the ropes. If you’re just starting out on your own, then the best thing you can do for yourself, and to help out those stressed game officers, is to ask if there is someone you can shadow for the day. The people they stick you with might not be who you end up running with in the future, but they are chosen because they’re established veterans that are good with new players.

Extra Bonus: Don’t be upset if you get passed from one vet to another. Most players who take newbies under their wing do so because they want to help you get into the game in a way that you’ll enjoy the most. If they ask you some questions and then hand you off, they are doing so because the person they’re passing you on to will be the best for you. That might mean they are from the same area you are, or that they can help you better establish what you want to do with your character.

More than anything else, just show up and expect to learn a lot of new things and have fun, as long as you’re having fun, you’re doing your job as a player. Everything else will come in time.