Anvil Combat Protocols

These guidelines are intended to understand how to manage combat in Anvil if you are asked to ref it. The key message is if in doubt radio for advice or backup:

Combat in Anvil Ref Process

1. Assess combat risk
   • Number of combatants per referee, 1:30 is adequate for low risk combat in a large area and this ratio decreases as other risks increase
   • Fighting area (inc the borders) is it free from hazards (which cannot be moved), debris and spectators (especially pre warrior test participants) – move debris and spectators where possible and mark the hazards
   • Fighting area is large enough for participants to move – min area would be at least twice the space they occupy when mustered but this is high risk (cf skirmishes & battles typically have 20+ times the muster areas)
   • Other factors such as PVP with high IC risk/reward, experience of combatants, armour, weaponry type, use of healing or other methods to prolong combat can increase risk
2. If not happy with overall risk then nominate a lead ref from all the refs present to manage the situation
   • Lead ref may change if backup is requested but this must be jointly agreed by incoming and outgoing parties plus must be communicated to all refs in the combat
   • Lead ref may call for an OC safety brief to all participants either prior to or during the combat
   • Lead ref should consider if First Aid should be called in advance e.g. combat is high risk or high numbers (over 150 participants)
3. If not happy with the number of combatants to refs then call for backup
   • If back up will not arrive before combat starts then request the participants to wait (starting by speaking to the IC leaders if possible) and escalate to a time freeze if required
   • Known refs (inc player battle refs) in the area may be approached to volunteer, in which case request spare tabards from the Anvil shift manager
   • Either shift manager can be called and should coordinate with the other shift manager as needed leaving the calling ref to manage the situation on the field
   • Skirmish shift manager to strip skirmish ref team to minimum to provide combat ready backup (noting we cannot stop skirmishes entirely)
   • Anvil shift manager to ask for volunteers who are combat ready (noting we cannot leave ref station unattended). A stock of spare tabards should be stored at the Anvil ref station to bring
   • Consider using a free channel to coordinate the combat – shift managers to confirm if a skirmish channel or ref chat can be made available
4. If not happy with the fighting area risk then relocate if possible
   • Negotiate this with IC leaders if possible, escalating to time freeze and OC instruction if required
   • Dawn Glory square is suitable for 50 participants
   • Anvil Arena is suitable for 100 participants with suitable preparation. Rope, haz tape and roadpins may be available under the grandstand and if there is a large number of participants then an inner and outer ring is recommended with a 1m gully to separate combatants from spectators and allow ref movement.
   • Spare battlefield (access via the gate near Dawn / OC North) is suitable for <2000
5. If risk cannot be managed then inform participants the combat cannot take place for safety reasons.
   • If possible do this via IC leaders, allowing an option for them to scale back the combat – this should be done tactfully as it may create a lot of pressure on them OC and IC. Note this should not be done for the Dawn Tourney, this must be relocated instead
   • Escalating to time freeze and OC instructions from ref team to disperse
   • Note this may occur after the combat has started if risk factors change or First Aid incidents increase