Armored Combat:Change log - pre 2025

Change log - pre 2025

Changes approved by Board of Directors - October 2023

Wording update. "Marshal's Handbook" to "Armored Combat Marshal's Handbook" to be consistent with other handbooks.

VI.E.2

Groin protection change. Added clarification wording "Testicles must be protected to a standard equivalent to that provided by an athletic cup…".

Removes unclear, undefined requirement of "pubic protector" that was often interpreted as rigid groin protection for women, and that varied wildly in size and level of protection.

Research by medical personnel has not found data to support the need for rigid groin protection for women, even for high contact sports or similar activities. Wording reflects input from the DEIA community to accommodate variations.

VI.E.3

Removed "separate breast cups" rule. Not needed for safety issues. Originally intended to dissuade "fantasy" armor styles. Removes ambiguity raised for other acceptable armor styles such as lamellar, scale, small plate armor.

VI.F.4

Side strapped shields. Clarifies hand protection requirement with a shield. Removes ambiguity with center grip shields (F.1.).

VII.B.5

Single-hand weapons change. Thrusting tip resilient material changed from 0.75 inch to 0.5 inch. The 0.5 inch thickness has been successfully used in Trimaris for 10 years with no issues.

VII.D.4.a

Fiberglass spear cap clarification. Allows schedule-40 PVC cap or equivalent. Wording change is intended to remove issues with the legality of commonly used commercially available tips being used safely across the SCA.

VII.C and VII.D

Reorganized these two sections into Two-Handed Weapons and Spears. (Section C used to contain both two-handed weapons and rattan spears, and Section D was fiberglass spears.). Clarified use of Mandrake tips.

VII.D.6

Maximum spear length change. Maximum length changed from 12 ft to 9 ft. This will improve game play and simplify rules. (Most kingdoms already limit to 9ft. The six kingdoms that still allow 12 ft have all reported that there would be no issue returning to 9 ft.)

Changes approved by Board of Directors - June 2022

Change log not included.

Changes approved by Board of Directors - April 2022

Change log not included. Rules for Armored Steel fighting removed, and moved to their own stand-alone handbook

Changes approved by Board of Directors - July 2021

Change log not included

Changes approved by Board of Directors - July 2020

IX

Armored Combat with Rebated Blades added, subsequent sections renumbered

Changes approved by Board of Directors - January 2020

III. A.

Removed reference to Siloflex

III. B.

Added prohibition from striking bow/crossbow

III. D.

Conventions added for "make ready" after holds, crossbow/prod references to "bow", added limited reinspection during battle for tubular ammunition.

IV. F.

Removed prohibition on firing a weapon while carrying a shield/pavise

V. H.

Added note on blow calling.

V. I.

Added note about underpowered bows/crossbows

VII. F.

Removed lower weight limits for both bows and crossbows; increased light bows to 35 lbs maximum; clarified wording on handbow draw at 28 inches

VII. G.

Updated ammunition section for clarity and consistency; added Crutch Tip blunts to approved blunts

XV. D.

Added guidelines for commercially manufactured blunts; added APD inspection guidelines, removed references to yellow tape

XVIII. B. 2.

Inserts policy that single event revocation of fighting privileges are not "administrative sanctions"

Glossary

Updated definition of resilient padding to included combat archery ammunition, updated definition of Siloflex and Siloflex equivalent

Changes approved by Board of Directors - October 2018

VI.E.2.

Combined the phrasing for groin protection to be simpler and not specific according the gender. Changes: VI.E.2 and VI.E.3 become VI.E.2, 4. Becomes 3.

VI.F.4.

Removed the word "gloved" from the second part of the rule, as the current rule indicated a glove is required on the shield hand though it is not required on the weapon hand.

XIV.A.1.

Removed the word "signed" from the phrase signed "signed blue membership card" as the Society does not require a signature on a membership card as proof of waiver.

I. A. 9.

Updated the language to remove references to royal treaty, a term nowhere defined in Society law or policy.

XV. A. 3.

Added a section to describe the role of marshals conducting inspections, specifically with regard to liability issues.

XV. B.

Updated the Sample Armor Inspection - added off the head helmet inspection, clarified inspection requirements for other areas.

Changes approved by Board of Directors - March 2018

VII.A.16

Removed section 16

Changes approved by Board of Directors - October 2015

X.B.1.b

Deleted the recommendation that the Marshal in Charge for a war not be a member of a group on the field

Changes approved by Board of Directors - March 2015

VII.D.5-8

Deleted section 5, renumbered, for the purpose of eliminating a manufacturer's name

Changes approved by Board of Directors - January 2015

VII.E.2

Revised the size requirement for thrusting tips for throwing weapons

VII.G.7

Modified the shaft requirement to specify 100 PSI or greater