Roadmap for DrachenFest-US 2026

Hi friends! Here's a little update about what's going on backstage.

If you haven't seen it yet, we have a video trailer up on youtube:

We're also hosting a series of podcasts introducing various parts of DrachenFest. Check them out at https://www.drachenpod.us/. They're also on our youtube channel.

RVs

In past years, we've made RV spots available for camping. This year we quickly sold out our spots, but we'll be making more available in the next few weeks. If you're interested in one, please sign our RV Wait List. Spots will be offered to DrachenFest staff members first.

A Guide to Camping at Cooper's Lake

We're putting together a guide with basic info about the camping realities of DrachenFest. The guide will include packing advice, tips for setting up a tent, specifics about ground conditions and weather at Cooper's Lake, info about the camp store & laundry, and will outline our emergency procedures & response systems.

Game Updates

We normally release our updated rulebook in the Spring. This year, it's ready now! Here's the The DrachenFest-US 2026 Rulebook.

Our big focus this year is not is on rules, but changes backstage that help us communicate, prepare for, and respond to all the wild stuff that happens during the event. This includes growth & development for our operations, build, medical, trust & safety, DEI, and staff support teams.

Core Rules Updates

We've buffed Metal Armor against arrows. If arrows hit metal armor, and you've got armor points left, the arrow subtracts 1ap instead of 1hp. This is meant to encourage wearing heavy armor; if the arrow hits a stud or rivet on leather / quilted armor, it still pierces and removes hit points.

Expanded arrow types. Last year, we drastically limited our range of permitted arrows (only allowing teardrop shaped IDV brand arrows). We also upgraded our arrow check procedures, instituted half-draw rules for close range, and watched the event data closely. Looking at feedback from player surveys, referees, and our medical team, we feel these efforts were successful and we have room to expand the permitted arrow types.

Gorg the Blacksmith has been a mainstay in the boffer community for over 15 years, and is well known for the quality and safety of the Gorgtech brand. Drachenfest-US has decided to include GorgTech arrows for use at DrachenFest 2026. They can be found here, Gorg will be setting up a DrachenFest-US specific page soon.

Newer Gorgtech arrows are identifiable with a triple asterisk maker's mark, seen at right. If you own a Gorgtech arrow that doesn't have this mark, you'll need to bring it to the Battle Team's inspection station for approval (they're trained to distinguish Gorgtech arrows from others, most referees are not).

Weapon Check Procedures. Just like last year, all weapons and arrows must pass a basic inspection, receiving an approval sticker. Referees (and some weapon vendors in the bazaar) can perform this check. This year, we've got a special process to check homemade weapons and unmarked Gorgtech arrows. The battle team will have an desk set up during the pre-game days to conduct these checks. This is the same spot where you'll get Armaments (Large Monsters & War Machines) evaluated. Their hours and location will be available when you check-in!

We no longer require inspection of throwing weapons, which must be coreless and made of foam only. Like Orbs of Power, we haven't seen any significant safety issues with these but we'll keep an eye out for problems.

Armaments

The 2026 Armament Evaluation Rubrics can be found here. Large Monsters received a small update. We added this qualifier at Tier 1, a minimum requirement for all monsters.

No visible duct tape, unpainted PVC, or other clearly modern but undisguised materials.

Building any monster is a serious project, you do not top tier size for it to be powerful and cool. Tiers 3 & 4 need considerable bulk. The top rank is reserved for creatures that feel truly massive.

Tier 3 - In addition to a minimum 7ft height, its main body mass (excluding appendages like limbs, wings, or horns) must measure at least 9 feet in either height, length, or width.

Tier 4 - In addition to a minimum 7ft height, its main body mass (excluding appendages like limbs, wings, or horns) must measure at least 12 feet in either height, length, or width, and must also exceed 6 feet in a second dimension (either length or width). It may require a vehicle or multiple people to operate.

Camp Defense

We've updated the Camp Defense Rubric. This year, since every camp already has custom walls, we'll instead award defense time to camps that focus on lighting their gate, gatehouse, palisades, and courtyard at night. This replaces the previous "Palisade" bonuses. The crenelation bonus now requires the camp to display captured flags on their exterior wall.

Area Lighting - Requirement: Small/dim decorative lights don’t count. No bright white lights - ideally yellow, amber, or camp colors. Lights shouldn’t blind people; they should be diffused and not pointed at faces. Cords should not create a tripping hazard.

• Tier 1: The gate area and palisades are lit by atmospheric lighting such as battery powered flame bulbs in hanging lanterns. No real flames! Lights should be bright enough to illuminate the ground and any tripping hazards.  +2 minutes

• Tier 2: Gate and gatehouse area is lit by diffused directional lighting (ie directional light covered with canvas or bounced off a wall). Outside walls are illuminated. +5 minutes

• Tier 3: Additionally, the courtyard perimeter and entrances to camp thoroughfares are well lit at night, facilitating an evening social space. +10 minutes

Camp Leadership

The Camp Leadership handouts received a small update too, codifying how this already worked in practice in many camps:

Camp leadership roles may be filled by an individual or a small team. For example, three players might serve as Spymaster together. One figurehead should act as the main point of contact.

Because the Fighter's Guild tournament really needs two competitors per camp, we formalized the "backup champion" on the Champion handout:

Because each camp sends two contenders to the Fighter’s Guild tournament, Camps often have a pair of champions, a “first blade” and a “second blade” that serves as backup, or fights when the first champion is injured.

Shields & Big Hits

We fixed an inconsistency in the rulebook about how shields work vs "Big Hits". To straighten things out, this is a quick summary of how shields & "enhanced" shields interact with "Big Hits".

A Big Hit, like an Orb of Power or a shot from a War Machine, goes through shields and armor, takes 3 hp, and sends you flying back.

The exception is that shields provide a slight defense against Big Hits from Large Monsters. A Large Monster hit breaks a shield (without dealing damage). The intention is that if someone is casting Smite Monster nearby, there is a way to defend them from a monster - but only for a few moments!

The Crafting guild created a path to Enhance shields with a Dragon Mark. We've given this Master Crafting ability a small buff, allowing enhanced shields to work against all "Big Hits":

Enhanced Shields can block a "Big Hit" (from an Orb of Power/War Machine/Large Monster) but you're knocked down. If this happens again before the shield is repaired, the hit is blocked but the shield is broken.

If you have the Master Crafting skill, head to the Crafter's Guild early during event to swap out your old skill card for the new one.

To be clear, the Shield Breaker ability isn't a "big hit". It always breaks a shield, even a Dragon Marked one.

General Clarifications

This isn't a rule change, but we added a little extra language about "spells not being taken". Battles can be loud & chaotic, not everyone hears or sees everything clearly, especially in large fights. Please be mindful of participants that may be hard of hearing or have other difficulties. If people are not taking your spells, before assuming anyone is cheating, please try making your casting more obvious. Many people do very subtle casting roleplay until it's time to shout the spell name - this subtlety, generally meant to get the drop on an opponenent, also makes it harder for others to recognize a spell is about to happen and they're being targeted. Even though casting boldly can feel risky, visible and audible casting is the best way to engage your target in your roleplay and make sure the spell works.

On the flip side, when someone is trying to get your attention to target you with a spell, be a good sport. Don't intentionally turn away or pretend you can't hear them. You are allowed to try to move away and break line of sight, causing the caster to target another person. But when the spell fires, if you know you were targeted, react visibly so the caster can see it worked. Clean reactions prevent frustration and escalation.

Join the team!

DrachenFest is set up & run by many amazing teams that have a ton of fun working together. If you love birds-eye-views, being back stage, and helping people have a safe/fair/fun time, we want your help!

• Build Team - they set up and tear down many of the physical set pieces which bring the festival to life

• Referees - They watch out for safety & fairness, workshop player plots, and run the game's "back-end". One scoop of lifeguard, one scoop of game master.

• Operations - they run processes like check-in, coin sales, and parking, which help the festival run smoothly.

• Med Staff - they respond to medical emergencies and support our medical framework. All levels of certified medical training are welcome, from first responder (first aid, EMR, EMT, EMTP) or equivalents, to clinical care (RN, PRN, PA, DO, MD).

If you're interested, please fill out an application under Join the team! at https://www.drachenfest.us/!

Run away from home and join a guild!

Can't make up your mind what camp to join? Many of the guilds are eager to recruit bazaar players for their "guild team". Guild teammates help set up, organize, and run the guild. You don't have to be a teacher, guilds need support in lots of ways. To apply, head to the guild's website: [Alchemists], [Bards], [Crafters], [Fighters], [Magic], [Surgeons]. (sorry, no public application for the Thieves Guild)

Bazaar-Enterprise Applications closing

This year we're approving a limited number of new Bazaar enterprise applications. Space is running out! If interested, head to https://www.drachenfest.us/gameinfo, go to the Bazaar section and hit "I want to start a new enterprise!"

Get Your Tickets

Ticket prices increase slightly in April and again in June. Grab yours early to lock in the best rate. https://tickets.drachenfest.us/drachenfest-us