Decimator Hybrid - Body Form & Shield Curve Ergonomics
Decimator Hybrid LARP Weapon System
Body Form and Shield Curve Ergonomics
Please see the video below. The next step in the Decimator Project was to build a Proving Principle Prototype or PPP to test out the theories I had for the system and develop a the form most practical for to the job.
It had to be evenly balanced, attach comfortably, but firmly to the arm in a manner that maximised control, that enabled the shield and blades to flow around the body in a very natural manner, without any of the offensive edges simulating (As is a latex mock/toy) damage to the body or getting hooked.
First Proving Principle Prototype
The PPP was created as a rough card and bamboo mock up.
It worked excellently as intended. The PPP appeared to work well, handling was good, disarming and trapping systems worked very well including a move which made the opponent spin around, drop to their knees with their hands and arms pinned behind their neck if they did not release their own LARP weapon.
It flowed well around the body, elbow strikes back, arm slashes to the side, strikes to the front slashing and thrusting, the shield spinning easily to keep the body covered whilst the offensive strike edges, and blade tips stay directed at the opponent, even when elbowing backwards at a second opponent behind.
This was used to start a high fidelity prototype, version 1 of the Decimator. A plan printer was used to produce a cutting plan for both inside and and out markign channels for the rods.
Inverse Curving the Shield
Typical shields are circular or kite shaped and smooth around the outside. This was to be covered in hooks, loops, barbs and twin blades all designed to trap opponent’s arms, legs and necks to trip, spin, pin the opponent, open them out and disarm them.
Whilst many of the tweaking adjustments done to the form during these tests were small, a big issue that cropped up was that a flat hooked shield got caught on the user’s own weapon side leg.
Inverting the shield meant the shield shape flowed and deflected over the user eliminating the catch effect. It also added to the grabbing ability of the systems. It also in effect thickened the shield so a strike would strike the forward curved edges and boss fin.
Full Design Process Report
Please click on the image for the full detailed design process development report for this project. The bottons cover the various elements that went into the design of the hybrid, the design decisions and project development
This was far more complex than any of the LARP weapons done before and many of the other projects here.
