The Basics

A Pocket Book of Belegarth Combat Basics

What Are We Allowed To Do?

by Squire Acolyte Sum'n

This guide is meant to help more experienced fighters teach newer fighters or walk-ons the basics of blue combat. This guide does not cover Reds or Projectiles.

I made this guide as a field pamphlet one could hand to any fighter whose experience on the field ranges from 1st Day Walk-On to anybody still classified as a newb in an Alpha/Omega tournament (a number I've learned varies by region and population).

This page will also provide a link to a Google Slide (pictured below) to a printable zine version of the following information that should fit inside the standard 8.5x11 printer paper most common in the US. The zine is typed using the Atkinson Hyperlegible typeface, available for free through the Open Font License and was designed in partnership with the Braille Institute of America to assist readers with low-visibility and/or dyslexia, because our sport should strive to remain as accessible as possible.

Before we cover what IS allowed, we must cover what is NOT allowed. Strikes above the level of the shoulders are NOT allowed; this includes neck, face, or anywhere else on the head.

Repeated strikes to the head are likely to be assumed as dishonorable intent and will likely result in your ejection from the field.

I like to break it down as a “Two Point System”. Read as: 2+ points = Win

Stabbing (Green): 0 points on limb, disables that limb. 2 points on torso.

Striking (Blue): 1 point on a limb, disables that limb. 2 points on torso.

Strikes or Stabs that land on either: someone’s foot (while it is on the ground), or, someone’s hand (while it is holding a weapon) are worth 0 points.

Strikes or stabs that land on someone’s shield are also worth 0 points.

Because this is an honor based sport, it’s up to the discretion & honor of the hit-receiving fighter to call where it hit.

If, as the hit-receiving fighter, you’re unsure whether a shot hit your arm or shoulder and you can’t decide quickly, the most honorable thing you can do is call “dead”.

A diagram of legal and illegal target zones in Bel.

Another diagram of legal and illegal target zones in Bel.

The Pocket Book of Beginner Basics printable pamphlet/zine.