Drachenfest US in review. 

Thanks for all the nice comments everyone! I'm really glad so many of ye enjoyed it! Just to clear up a couple of concerns I've seen about the bandit group thing: On reflection I probably shouldn't have used the term “create a feeling of danger at night” I meant this more as in character caution/ out of character excitement and not one of out of character fear/feeling unsafe at night. So I just wanted to clarify this wouldn't be a bunch of lads roaming around wailing on people and thinking they're great. It would totally be a play to lift group that would give players something to get their teeth into (In terms of roleplay and/ or fighting if that's what they're up for) when roaming around exploring the site. It would be a dynamic that would give other players cool stories and experiences they could share with others later or experience together. The bandits themselves would be closer to low level ruffians that you would fight in the tutorial mission of an mmo, that kind of thing! Its all about everyone getting to have a good time while playing the game.

"Public transport was a problem" Ah, I see you've encountered the US

Can't wait for next year! 1000% agree on the social media presence suggestion.

Hey, Will! Solid review. So glad I got to be your Tavern Traversing buddy that first night. Your reaction to Fireflies was legendary. Hopefully I will cya at the next one! ~ Selenite from Camp Silver

Hey man - are you at Drachenfest Germany this year? Your Drachenfest videos are one of the first LARP videos I watched - and a big reason why I will be at DF for the first time this year :) Would be super awesome to meet you there! (I will be in the green camp btw)

If you didn't like the hill at that site, wait till you get to cardiac hill at Cooper's!

Regarding the "in English bitte": I'm not sure if it's a thing all around German Drachenfest or only in the golden camp, but we have a tradition that when people are shouting battlecries, someone who isn't native shouts back "What are they shouting?" and everybody answers "Something in German!" 🤣

Aaaagh this sounds like so much fun! I’ve only recently learned about the Dracenfests after finding a German group of Skaven who play together and just been loving the idea of it all. Big fantasy fan and a massive drama nerd so this sounds so perfect. I don’t know if I’ll be able to get things together to go to US next year (want to try that which is just on the other coast before thinking about across the ocean) but Wel see what I can come up with! Thinking about trying to get a Skaven Skurvy ship surgeon together if possible. Healer/artisan for hopefully lots of fun chats with screaming people. Really hope I can get things together in time. No idea about camp color yet but wanted to focus on the character first. But looking at yours and many other reviews makes this seem like an epic event to go to. I just hope that I can do some good lifting as a new player to larps.

Bandit camp is a 10/10 idea

Oh boy... Limbus was absolutely the most *REDACTED* experience I've experienced in a while. It was crazy entering the *REDACTED* and having to *REDACTED* without getting *REDACTED*. I genuinely didn't know if I was gonna *REDACTED* or *REDACTED*. But anyways, I'm glad I made it out. Generally agree with all your pros and cons and had a great time, especially representing Blue as their champion in the tournament! Was great to meet you and say hi! Blue Camp! For the Drink and the Abyss! (Side note: I'd absolutely do a bandit camp! Maybe play the honorable scallyway who steals from the rich and gives to the needy... Tho he doesn't say that the needy are actually himself)

RED AVATAR ACCEPTS YOUR DESCRIPTION MORTAL!

Thanks for the review. See you at DF in Germany in just a couple of weeks! :-)

Bandit Camp, eh? Yes, absolutely, count me in

You are SO humble and professional! I love you🤘❤️

I always love seeing content about my favorite LARP! Although I will sadly say that some of the things you mentioned are unique to the campsite it was held on last year. Like the tavern- the the cups and bar and decorations are part of the campsite. And the stuff about the terrain too. This year’s campsite is completely different (and another commenter mentioned it was hilly 🥲) It’s interesting to hear a European’s view on things, because “traditional” American larps are very different, with PVE and battles that are (unfortunately) all about hit points and skill calls. Hence why people were waiting on content and not used to the theatrical fighting style. Drachenfest has ever-so-slightly ruined me for regular American larps 😅 If you’re ever so inclined, I would be very interested in a follow up video talking more about your personal experience. Like who your character was, what you did, which camp you were in, etc.

thank you for this, will be sure hitting this years us drachenfest, hope you come

I played in shadow in this drachenfestUS as one of their diplomats and I agree that the avatars were amazing. They did a fantastic job. It’s very cool to hear your perspective on the US and the German games! Do you feel like the forest terrain impacted the contest element of the event? I thought it played a HUGE role in strategy so I’m curious to hear how that compares to the open fields of the German version

You serious about the bandit camp? I'm going this year. If you're for real then I want in.

My friend ran the death/resurrection scenes and modules

Are you coming out to Drachenfest US? This year?

Solid review from all I’ve already heard from other folks who’ve attended. If you do show up this year I hope you enjoy the new site. It’s got a bunch of terrain features from forest to streams to hills and open fields! I’ll be attending this year and am HERE for anymore talks/stories/information about the day to day during the events 💕

Well shit. Now I cant come in hollering "This is SPARTAAAA!" Plus I haven't done the 300 workout or diet so yeah, theres that too. I cant pull off that Spartan physique.💪

Thank you for sharing your experience. I'm just getting into LARPs and Drachenfest sounds wonderful. Hearing first-hand accounts really helps since, as you rightfully pointed out, there's almost no social media content that's easy for the average person to find. I understand not wanting to harm immersion by allowing everyone to carry cameras, but at the very least, they need to invite more RU-vid influencers to participate and film so more people can be introduced to the game. I also hear you about people not taking hits, or knowing how to play up the battle mechanics. The US is very "me"-centric, and it shows in our fighting style. Hopefully, game runners can place more emphasis on the importance of the "acting" part of LARP, rather than the "I win" attitude people want.

It looks like the next one is gonna be in Pennsylvania. Are you going again?

Ok I’m a US larger I know the location for this years Draconfest. Coopers Lake in Butler Pennsylvania. I hope you like Hills lol 😂

Im at my first Drachenfest (germany) next week. I dont have social media, communication has been a nightmare for me! The forums are dead, so I've relied solely on others for speaking for me through Facebook to get any Information.

Considering how close I have places to stay near this year's US Drachenfest . . . I might go. I know my wife will be there

Curious how many people where there at DF US?

Play to lift and fostering that mindset and culture within a group could be a good video unto itself. Loved this one :)

I play in Shadow as a demon who encourages people to be their worst selves and the bandit camp would be DELIGHTFUL to play off of

Also, wait till you see all the fireflies at Coopers! Its a view that you dont see any where else.

Now I finally know what happens in the limbus. 😁

“This one time at bandit camp…”

This was a great video!!

Limbus my friend ran limbus

Well, let's get to see your face again. I'm glad you're able to go to the fest and I hope the best for you

Awesome review, thanks Will

Is Drachenfest friendly to young players? I want to go with my friends this year but I'm concerned that it won't be a good experience considering our age (all three of us are fourteen)

Hey Will, been a while since I've seen one of your videos. Just curious, Where in the US was it held?

Im going this year and am really excited. ive really enjoyed your videos to get ideas on what to expect. Thank you!! and keep them coming!!

Was there an Elven camp?

i hope i get to meet you there this year.

I see you've done a few fest larps, have you thought about attending/ maybe crewing a smaller event? One where you're not the small fish in the big pond.

a bandit group threatening pvp would be a pretty fun concept. but if the player factions are boring, they'll overrun you. :/

Hey will I was the first person here and I just want to say ima huge fan. And I have watched a lot of your videos. I’m from America so this is really exciting to me. I’ve never Larped before and your also how I found out about Larps I’m looking forward to Larping thank you for all the videos. Ps first comment

While i agree with most of your points i will point out that someone not reacting the way you are describing to an arrow vs how you described them acting after being hit does not innately mean they were "cheating" or "ignoring" the shot. Arrows only do one point of damage. Many players have anywhere between 2 to 5 HP. Someone who gets shot by an arrow can still be taking the hit, deducting the total, and looking around to see where they were shot from. A champion fighter who has full HP may not see being nicked by 1 point as a reason to flounder all over the ground until they reach that 1 HP range because he is battle hardened whereas a wizard might. Also thinking people will all fall on the ground from an arrow is just not how it works. Especially when there are abilities like gust of wind and knockdown with those specific purposes. Archers are not using howitzers. I get wanting to enhance the play via lifting and adding to the atmosphere but there is also a degree to which you have to be somewhat understanding that not everyone is going to ham that hard. Now if all you are asking for is acknowledgement, than i agree. I suggest people do a minimum what I did where you stagger and touch the area you were hit. That way the archer gets a two point recognition / acknowledgement of the shot.

The big question I ask myself is, is this official approved by the original Drachenfest team or is it just a cheap copy? Here the Official YT Cannel: www.youtube.com/@dasdrachenfest

Fireflies are magical as children, so remembering that magic for a moment is amazing