V9: What Is Amtgard?

This page is part of the Official Amtgard V9 Alpha-Playtest Rulebook.

• The Amtwiki is the official home and primary source for Amtgard V9 Rules as of February 25, 2023.
• These rules are currently in Open Alpha Playtest. See the Playtest Disclaimer for more details.
• To learn more about Amtgard V9 Development, please visit Amtgard.com.
• To view the current Amtgard V8 ruleset, please see the Amtgard V8 Rulebook.

---

What is Amtgard?

Amtgard is a free-to-join, swords & sorcery, boffer LARP with a full class system including bow-wielding archers, spell-flinging wizards, and armor-clad warriors.

Amtgard combat is a full-speed, medium-contact activity. This means that players will often make physical contact with each other using approved equipment but not all types of contact are allowed. Grappling, Head Shots, and most other forms of non-padded contact are prohibited.

Amtgard combat can be experienced through 1-on-1 tournaments, team battles, or story-based adventures.

Amtgard is not an immersive experience by default, although we encourage our players to dress and portray themselves in line with the visuals and themes of a swords-and-sorcery / heroic fantasy genre.

Roleplay is only expected when participating in dedicated roleplay activities, such as Quests and Scenario battles. The setting and narratives are driven by regional and local-level initiatives with no oversight from Amtgard International. Amtgard roleplay is typically episodic in nature.

Amtgard offers a wide variety of non-combat activities to explore and participate in. Our community boasts a diverse base of crafters, cooks, writers, performers, and visual artists, as well as game designers, roleplay organizers, referees (called reeves), and a multitude of leadership & logistics volunteers.

Lastly, Amtgard has a robust award system designed to recognize and celebrate the accomplishments of our players across our wide spectrum of possible activities.

Interested? Find your nearest Amtgard chapter and join us!