1. Use the community

Online you can find numerous groups or forums where LARPers exchange information. You can search for a group to connect with, which you can join on your first LARP. You can also get tips on clothing or character development, inspiration for new crafting ideas or information about events in your area.

2. LARP with friends

LARP is more fun when you LARP with friends. If you are just starting the hobby and do not know any LARPers, persuade a friend to come along. If you know LARPers, join their group. Nothing relaxes you more than seeing familiar faces at the first event. So you know who you can easily play with and who you feel comfortable with.

3. Roleplay(!)

Use your character concept to get the gameplay that suits you. If you are unsure at first and prefer to stay in the background to see LARP from the outside, play a shy character. If you like to experience adventures but don’t dare or don’t know how to do it, play a character with a big mouth that generates gameplay.

4. Try to do what is fun for you

At a LARP event there may be situations where you are asked to do something you do not want to do, maybe because you are unsure or because you do not want to be the center of attention yet. Do not stress yourself and remember that you are there to have fun. It is okay to say no, to take a break when all the excitement gets too much or to go to bed earlier than everyone else to have enough energy the next day.

5. Be proactive

Don’t wait for anything to happen to you, take action! But it doesn’t have to be anything earth-shattering at first. Just start by talking to someone and asking them about their background or profession. Such shallow conversations can lead to friendships, alliances or opportunities that will generate game play later. If you feel safe, you can also try to provoke a conflict based on something that makes your character angry. Conflict orientated play is fun and lets you play out a side of yourself that you may not know in real life.

6. Relax, leave room for improvement

You don’t have to create everything about your character and his background at your first event. The more you play the character, the more confident you feel and the more you can tell people about your character. If you feel like it, after a few events you can add funny or mysterious traits to make the game more interesting. But your first LARP is all about getting to know the hobby with a simple character.

7. Don’t forget to eat and drink water

The moment will come when the plot is so exciting or your task so urgent that you don’t have time or forget to eat. The same happens with drinking water. Often at LARP events, people celebrate in the evening and drink alcohol. Please do not forget to drink water in between. You should always have a container of water with you on the battlefield, especially in summer.

8. Ask questions

This applies both in-time and out-time. If you don’t understand what’s going on in the game, tap someone on the shoulder and ask what’s happening. If a name comes up that you don’t know, ask your fellow players who that person is. In most cases you will find someone who is willing to help you. It is always better to ask once more than not to do something and not to understand what is going on afterwards.

9. Stay immersed, stay in the game

In the beginning you may have some moments where you don’t stay in character. This is completely normal and understandable for new LARPers. Nevertheless, try to keep these moments to a minimum and try not to pull other players out of game. If you need a break, go into your tent and take it without interrupting the game of other players.

10. Play to lift

In LARP everyone has the chance to be the hero or the heroine, but this only works if you allow others to sometimes do the same. That’s why we have the principle “play to lift”, a concept where you help others be the focus of attention and make their character look good. Often, this generates better play if you let someone else take the stage and give him or her a nice moment. Also, “play to lift” is a good way for beginners to react to other players and get involved without having to be too extroverted.

11. Extra: Invest in comfortable, durable shoes

This tip is not necessary for your first event, but becomes important if you plan to continue to pursue LARP. You spend a lot of time in your in game shoes, walking through mud, hiking up and down hills and possibly going into battle. Good footwear, which is ideally waterproof, suitable for in-time use and fits well around the ankle, is worth its weight in gold.