EPIC ARMOURY'S LARP SHIELD COLLECTION
Stand fast, do not falter and lock shields!
If you plan to stand on the front lines of battle at your next Live Action Role Play (LARP) game, you will need more than great LARP armor. You’re going to need an impressive shield.
An essential for any fighter or paladin, our shield collection offers a huge range of historic and fantasy styles that best pair with your LARP character’s aesthetic and your [weapon] of choice. Join the crusade with your own [Templar Shield], fight alongside your fellow vikings with your [Krom Shield], or follow the legion with your towering scutum [Roman Shield]. Not sure what works best? Add a generic kite shield or buckler to your LARP gear, usable by any LARP character you may dream up!
The History of the Shield
Shields came in many sizes and styles throughout history, but each served as personal armor against projectiles and close-ranged weapons. Unlike an expensive full suit of plate, it was also likely that everyone from a foot soldier to a knight would have some sort of shield for battle. A small buckler helped to supplement chain mail, while large shields like the Roman scutum acted like heavy armor on the front lines.
Shields were often decorated to represent an army or clan, later developing into the common practice of showing off one’s heraldry on the battlefield. They were often constructed using split-resistant wood--like poplar or lime--and covered in leather or rawhide. To add strength, shields would also have a metal rim, banding, or spherical boss.
It is a common misconception that shields were used, primarily, to block. While this was certainly true for some types of shields, the roman legionnaires used turtling, which was meant to block any sort of incoming fire, most shields from medieval times and upwards was meant to deflect an incoming attack. You can see this on viking era round-shields, the stick handle was designed in such a way that the user could roll the shield along with an attack, in order to make the attack overcommit into the attack or take them out of balance in order to give yourself an opening.
Shield in general has had a long lasting legacy, even up to modern times where many police forces use riot shields to subdue demonstrations, although this is a practice that is being phased out in several countries.
Shields in LARP
Using a shield is great fun, but since you aren’t simulating the full weight of the shields, some LARP campaigns may put a restriction on your movement, as long as you are carrying a shield. A typical example of this is using a tower shield. Even if you could run with it, a LARP campaign might force you to only walk in order to simulate the immense weight of the shield.
There might also be special rules in terms of other weapons doing damage through shields or shields having a specific hardness, meaning they break after X amount of hits, before they become useless. Always make sure when you want to use a Shield that you take a quick read through the rules as you might find
Shields
Construction of our Foam Shield
As your most trusted online LARP shop, Epic Armoury only delivers the best looking and safest LARP gear in the business. Each shield is handcrafted by a qualified professional, cut from closed cell EVA foam that does not shred and provides padding in combat. They are coated in thick and durable latex and handpainted in order to look as realistic as possible.
The handle differs depending on the model, and can be constructed using foam, leather, or canvas. We also have three different handle styles, including the punch grip, three interchangeable left- and right-arm mounts, and two arm mounts. No matter the material or style, each shield is reinforced to insure that the handle remains attached.
Maintenance of your LARP Shield
Our foam LARP shields require regular maintenance due to their latex coating. We recommend using [maintenance silicone]--a spray that can be purchased separately. Epic Armoury Maintenance Silicone Spray is an easy, spray-on application made from 100% pure and acid-free silicone. This means it’s safer than some alternatives. Spray a thin coat onto your shield on a regular basis to maintain the latex’s flexibility and to prevent it from drying out. A dried out shield will begin to crack and tear!
Store your foam shield in a cool, dry environment. Use a simple sheet or towel lining if stacking it with other latex, plastic or rubber products to prevent it from adhering together.