Armoured Combat Draft:Change Log

Combat authorisation requirements

General

2.1.2

Was

...The requirement to demonstrate ability means there must be a practical component to all authorisation tests.

Now

The requirement to demonstrate ability means there must be a practical component to all authorisation tests. This test must occur at an official event or official practice.

Functional change

Makes it absolutely clear that authorisation bouts must occur at official events or practices.

Reason

SCA combat only occurs at official SCA events and practices. We have no jurisdiction over people fighting in their backyard in their own time, therefore nothing that occurs there is valid for our purposes.

Clarification that authorisations must occur at official events or practices - December 2024

SCA combat only occurs at official SCA events and practices. We have no jurisdiction over people fighting in their backyard in their own time, therefore nothing that occurs there is valid for our purposes, so your official authorisation bouts cannot occur outside of an official SCA event or practice.

---

Conventions of combat

Killing conventions

4.4.7.8 - Engines of war and their crews

Was

Siege engines may be destroyed by placing a weapon on the engine or structure and declaring "this weapon is destroyed," or by being struck by siege-class munitions from another siege engine.

Now

Siege engines are destroyed by closing to within 5 metres unimpeded and declaring "this weapon is destroyed," or by being struck by siege-class munitions from another siege engine.

Functional change

You no longer lay a weapon on the siege engine to declare it destroyed, you just need to be close enough,

Reason

The previous rule was leading to siege weapons being struck and damanged by handheld weapons unnecessarily.

Do not use handheld weapons against siege engines - May 2025

Siege engines are now destroyed by closing to within 5 metres unimpeded and declaring "this weapon is destroyed," or by being struck by siege-class munitions from another siege engine. The previous rule required you to touch the engine with your weapon, but this had led to siege engines being struck with force and damaged unnecessarily.

---

Killing conventions

4.4.7.11 - Engines of war and their crews

Was

A misfire from a cannon renders all of the crew dead.

Now

Removed

Functional change

None, as cannons have not been allowed in combat for over a decade

Reason

Cannons have not been allowed in combat for over a decade.

Notes

Not required, as rule has been invalid for a long time.

---

Missile weapons standards

10.3.3 - Arrows and bolts

Was

3. Shafts must be made from one of the following woods:

a. Port Orford Cedar (Chamaecyparis lawsoniana or Lawson Cypress)

b. Silver Ash (Flindersia bourjotiana)

c. Tasmanian Oak (Eucalyptus regnans or mountain ash, Eucalyptus obliqua or stringybark or messmate, Eucalyptus delegatensis or alpine ash or woollybutt, or Victorian Ash)

d. Western Red Cedar (Thuja plicata or giant cedar or shinglewood)

Now

3. Shafts must be made from one of the following woods:

a. Port Orford Cedar (Chamaecyparis lawsoniana or Lawson Cypress)

b. Silver Ash (Flindersia bourjotiana)

c. Tasmanian Oak (Eucalyptus regnans or mountain ash, Eucalyptus obliqua or stringybark or messmate, Eucalyptus delegatensis or alpine ash or woollybutt, or Victorian Ash)

d. Western Red Cedar (Thuja plicata or giant cedar or shinglewood)

e. Rose gum (Eucalyptus grandis)

Functional change

Rose gum has been added to the list of approved timbers

Reason

Rose gum has similar breaking characteristics to the other forms of allowed eucalypt and is available from Australian hardware stores as 8mm dowel.

Rose gum added as approved timber for combat arrows - May 2025

Rose gum has similar breaking characteristics to the other forms of allowed eucalypt and is available from Australian hardware stores as 8mm dowel.

---