Fencing Draft notes:Single Combat Melee and Gunners

2.5.2.5 in Single combat and melee - Melee

Was

You cannot turn your back on an opponent to gain an advantage (that is, to stop them attacking you). If you do turn your back on an opponent during an engagement, you might be attacked.

Now

You cannot turn your back on an opponent to gain an advantage (that is, to stop them attacking you). If you do this intentionally, you may be subject to sanctions under section 4.6.

Functional change

Additional restriction, aligns with other kingdoms and armoured combat rules, makes clear this potentially unsafe act is against the rules.

Reason

Aligns with other kingdoms and armoured combat rules, makes clear this potentially unsafe act is against the rules.

For notes section

June 2023 - Clarification that deliberately turning your back to gain advantage is against the rules and you may be sanctioned for it.

2.5.2.7 in Single combat and melee - Melee

Additional text

Two-handed weapons, including spears, must be held vertically while running, with the point up.

Functional change

Points of two handed meapons must be held up vertically when running.

Reason

At Rowany Festival there were several close calls where control was lost during running due to loose terrain or unexpected action from an opponent. It is significantly easier to mitigate an accidental strike with a single handed weapon, so two handed weapons must be subject to additional care.

For note section

June 2023 - There is a potential to lose control when running, due to loose terrain or unexpected action from an opponent. It is significantly easier to mitigate an accidental strike with a single handed weapon, so you must take extra care with two handed weapons.