How to prepare for your first LARP

It's normal to feel nervous (and it almost always fades fast)

If you've never done live-action role-play before, it's completely normal to feel some nerves before your first event: the idea of "acting" in front of other people creates some initial resistance in almost everyone. The good news is those nerves tend to disappear as soon as the mission really gets going: once you're immersed in the story, you stop thinking "I'm acting" and simply start reacting the way your character would.

Read your briefing carefully (but don't memorize it like a script)

Before the event you'll get a briefing about your character: their backstory, their goal, and their relationship to other characters in the plot. Read it carefully more than once, but don't try to memorize a script — there isn't one. The briefing gives you a starting point; you build the rest yourself, reacting in the moment to whatever happens.

Pick two or three simple character traits

You don't need to build a full biography. It's enough to settle on two or three simple traits you can hold onto all night: is your character suspicious or open? Impulsive or calculating? Loyal to the crew above all else, or willing to put their own goal first? Having this clear beforehand gives you an anchor for reacting naturally to situations you can't plan for.

Costume: simple and intentional beats elaborate

You don't need an elaborate costume to get into the mood. A couple of simple elements that fit your character — an accessory, a color palette, a specific piece of clothing — go a lot further than an elaborate costume that has nothing to do with who your character actually is. If you're not sure what kind of costume fits, the event page usually shares concrete ideas based on the type of role you're playing.

Arrive early

Arriving with some time to spare before the mission starts gives you a chance to get a feel for the space, clear up any last-minute questions with the organizing team, and start settling into character before everything begins, instead of rushing in right as the story has already started.

There's no "right" way to play

One of the biggest things holding back a first-time player is the fear of "doing it wrong." There's no single correct way: everyone builds their character in their own style, and the goal isn't a flawless performance — it's living the story with genuine enthusiasm. The organizing team is there specifically to support the experience and help you out if you ever don't know how to proceed.

About boffers and blasters: you don't need to bring anything

If your character is going to be involved in some physical conflict within the fiction, you'll find safe prop weapons (boffers and blasters) available at the event as part of the game. You don't need to buy or bring any of that — it's already included with your ticket.

Go with someone you know, or work up the courage to go alone

Both options work well. Going with someone you know can give you more initial confidence, but going alone is also very common: the event is designed so you connect with other characters from minute one, so you won't be "alone" within the fiction even if you showed up without company.

You can step out of character if you need to

If at any point you need a break, have a rules question, or something makes you uncomfortable, you can always step out of character for a moment and talk directly to the organizing team. That's a normal part of any well-run live-action role-play event, and nobody will see it as an annoying interruption.

What to bring (and what you don't need to bring)

You don't need a long list of things for your first time. Wear comfortable clothes you can move in for several hours, footwear you can wear all night without discomfort, and if the weather calls for it, something light and warm in case the event has outdoor stretches. You don't need to bring weapons, combat props or safety gear: anything your character might need for in-fiction conflict (boffers, blasters) is already available at the event. If you have a specific need — a medical condition, a dietary restriction if the event includes food — it's a good idea to let the organizing team know ahead of time.

After your first time

Most people who go to their first event come out wanting to do it again, and pretty surprised at how quickly they got pulled into the story once it started. If you want to understand the general logic of the format before signing up, it might help to first read what live-action role-play (LARP) is and what an Experiencia RPG event looks like, and the full step-by-step walkthrough in what an Experiencia RPG event in Buenos Aires is like.

One last piece of advice: loosen up

The advice repeated most often by people who've already been to several events is simple: the more you let go and the less you think about "how it looks," the more you enjoy the experience. Live-action role-play rewards spontaneity, not perfection. Nobody is grading how "well" you act; what makes an event memorable is letting yourself get carried away by the story and reacting genuinely to what happens, even if your character ends up making decisions you, in your normal life, would never make.

Find out about the next event

We announce every new mission on our homepage and on Instagram, along with the date, the location and the link to get your ticket. If it's your first time, don't hesitate to write to us with any questions before you decide: we're here to support you from before the mission even starts.