So you want to give Amtgard a try but you’re not sure where to start. Finding your local group and showing up for a park day is the first step, but there are a few things you can do to make sure you have a good first day.
Connect on Facebook
Join the Facebook page for your local park and introduce yourself. This way the monarchy will know you are coming and will keep an eye out for you. If the park day is canceled or moved for some reason it is usually announced on the Facebook group so it’s a good idea to keep an eye on it. You can also join the Kingdom Facebook page for announcements about bigger events.
Garb and Gear
No one expects you to have full garb and gear your first day. If you have garb, or a costume, feel free to wear it out. We love to see people that are excited to participate. If you don’t have any garb that’s fine too. Once you decide what kind of garb you would like you’ll be able to find people that can help you make garb. If your not as crafty there are also people you can buy garb from.
Most parks have loaner gear available for new players to give the game a try. If this is your first LARP, or you haven’t made a LARP sword before, it’s best to start out using loaner gear and find someone to help you build your first sword. Amtgard gear must meet safety requirements to be used on the field. Having someone help make sure your gear is built properly can help make sure you don’t have a problem.
Check Out the Rule Book
If you have time it can be helpful to take a look at the rule book before showing up to the field the first time. You don’t need to know the rules by heart, but reviewing the chapter on combat rules, the chapter on battle games, and the “Magic, Abilities, States, and Special Effects made Easy” section is a good idea. Looking over the classes and finding one or two you might like to play will also help your first day go well.