Good afternoon.
First off, let me give a short history lesson to those who have not played NERO more than 4 or 5 years. Before 8th edition, NERO had rules for using real bows. The specifications were generally around 30lb. pull max on the bows and specified what is essentially our current 'thrusting tips' on the end of an arrow (the head removed and the tip reinforced so the rod did not poke through).
In 7th edition, the choice was given for each chapter to allow either the existing boffer archery or packet archery. Very few used packet archery as it is decidedly inferior on a number of levels -- realism, immersion, range, etc.
In 8th edition, packet archery was made mandatory. A number of safety reasons have been cited for why boffer archery was removed. The majority of these dealt with two specific issues: First, that the shaft could snap and splinter. Second, that when the arrow hit something or someone and bounced backwards, the nock could impale another person and cause serious damage.
In the intervening years, a number of solutions have been found by other groups for these issues. Fiberglass shafts can be bought now that are virtually indestructable (far more so than melee boffer weapons, anyhow). And recently certain SCA chapters have been experimenting with "Anti-Penetration Devices" (APDs) which prevent the nock from penetrating someone on rebound:
http://www.northstararchery.com/apd.html
So, a question for those of the Seattle chapter: What remaining reasons do you see to keep boffer archery out of NERO? Do you see that there are other safety issues not yet resolved? Would it be worth pushing to have boffer archery reevaluated in the future?
I'm just looking for opinions here. I'm not about to show up with a bow at the next event, but I'm curious what people's thoughts are on the issue. Maybe everyone except me thinks packet archery is the greatest thing ever?
-Bryan
First off, let me give a short history lesson to those who have not played NERO more than 4 or 5 years. Before 8th edition, NERO had rules for using real bows. The specifications were generally around 30lb. pull max on the bows and specified what is essentially our current 'thrusting tips' on the end of an arrow (the head removed and the tip reinforced so the rod did not poke through).
In 7th edition, the choice was given for each chapter to allow either the existing boffer archery or packet archery. Very few used packet archery as it is decidedly inferior on a number of levels -- realism, immersion, range, etc.
In 8th edition, packet archery was made mandatory. A number of safety reasons have been cited for why boffer archery was removed. The majority of these dealt with two specific issues: First, that the shaft could snap and splinter. Second, that when the arrow hit something or someone and bounced backwards, the nock could impale another person and cause serious damage.
In the intervening years, a number of solutions have been found by other groups for these issues. Fiberglass shafts can be bought now that are virtually indestructable (far more so than melee boffer weapons, anyhow). And recently certain SCA chapters have been experimenting with "Anti-Penetration Devices" (APDs) which prevent the nock from penetrating someone on rebound:
http://www.northstararchery.com/apd.html
So, a question for those of the Seattle chapter: What remaining reasons do you see to keep boffer archery out of NERO? Do you see that there are other safety issues not yet resolved? Would it be worth pushing to have boffer archery reevaluated in the future?
I'm just looking for opinions here. I'm not about to show up with a bow at the next event, but I'm curious what people's thoughts are on the issue. Maybe everyone except me thinks packet archery is the greatest thing ever?
-Bryan