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This article is part of a NerferWiki Project called [[Project:New Nerfer Handbook | The New Nerfer Handbook]].  This article is not yet complete.  You can help the NerferWiki by contributing to it.

Until you go the a [[Nerf War]], you're not really a [[Nerfer]].  This guide is the absolute minimum you need to know before you go to a [[Nerf War]].  If you're totally new to the Nerf Community and you want to know what nerf wars are really all about, you should probably read our faq, "[[What is Nerf?]]" first.

==Know the Rules==
Before you go to a nerf war you're going to need to know the rules we play by.  It's typically not a problem to find out about the rules once you're there, but most nerfers will assume you already know the basics when you show up, so it helps to find out ahead of time. 

===Safety Rules===
There are a few safety rules most nerfers use at their wars that you should find out about before you show up.  These rules will usually be explained in the post that announces the war.  Here are some of the most common ones:
*'''[[Eye Protection]]:''' Some wars require it of everyone, others only if you're under 18, and still other wars leave it up to you to decide.  Whatever the case may be, it's a good idea to wear eye protection.  At most nerf wars eyeglasses and sunglasses are considered eye protection.  Just make sure your lenses don't pop out at the drop of a hat if you're going to go that route.  Safety glasses and airsoft goggles are the safest.  Don't wear a paint ball mask.
*'''Banned Guns/Darts:''' The [[nerfer]] who's organizing the war reserves the right to tell you that you can't use a certain gun or certain darts, especially if he doesn't think it's safe.  If you're not sure, check first.

===Game Rules===
====3-15====
The staple of every nerf war is 3-15 style team elimination.  With 3-15 rules, everyone is divided into two teams (typically by team captains who pick team members dodge ball style).  You can take 3 hits before you are eliminated from the game, after which you are expected to leave the area people are still playing in until the end of the game.  Each time you get hit, you have to count to 15 out loud before coming back into the game (during this time you can't be hit).  When you come back in, you have to be out of range of anyone on the other team, and you have to yell 'Clear' so that anyone on the other team near you knows you're back in.  '''Clearing back in near an opponent and shooting them before they can react is a dick move and won't be tolerated'''.  3-15 refers to the number of hits and the number you count to before you come back in.  So if you hear someone say 4-20, they're talking about having a longer style of battle, not nerfing while high.  Although there are plenty of other game types, such as [[Capture the Flag]] and [[Gunslinger Heaven]], they are less common than 3-15 and will probably be explained at the event for anyone who doesn't know them.

====The Tap Rule====
If you're close enough to an opponent, you can tap them with the end of your barrel instead of shooting them point blank, and say "Tap".  This is done both as a courtesy to your opponent, and as a convenience for you, because you remove any possibility of missing or misfiring.  '''You're only allowed to tap someone if you have your gun primed and loaded, and you can only tap one person per dart.'''
====Calling Tap====
If for some reason you want to surrender and take a hit without actually being shot at (you don't have enough time to load, you don't want to be hit by a powerful gun, you're a huge wimp...) you can "call tap".  This is basically saying "Tap!" as a request to be tapped as in the above rule.  It may sound confusing, but the difference is usually pretty obvious, as someone trying to "tap" you will be tapping you with their gun, and someone trying to "call tap" will be raising their hands, lowering their weapon, or otherwise trying to make it clear that they don't want to be hit with a tiny piece of foam fired from a children's toy.

====Taking Hits====
Anything you do that stops a dart from moving through the air counts as a hit.  If your gun is hit with a dart, it counts as a hit.  If a dart gets caught in your shirtsleeve, it counts as a hit.  If you catch the dart, it counts as a hit.  However, if a dart brushes past you and keeps moving in roughly the same direction for five or more feet, it's a skim and it doesn't count. Dart hits are on the honor system, and it's up to you to determine whether you've been hit; however, if someone tells you that they saw the dart hit you--especially if that person ''isn't'' the one who fired the dart--it's common courtesy to take the hit, since it's so easy to be hit and not notice.  '''Arguing over a hit is incredibly lame and interrupts the fun of the battle.  Don't do it.'''

==Find a Nerf War==
Go to the [http://nerfhaven.com/forums/index.php?showforum=8 Nerf Wars forum at NerfHaven] and look for a nerf war in your area.  (I will update this section when I get the nerf war registry working.--[[User:Langley|Langley]] 03:46, 2 September 2008 (UTC))

==Bring your Gear==
This is a list of stuff you're going to need to bring or borrow when you go to a nerf war.

===Ammo===
Almost everyone uses homemade nerf darts called [[Stefans]].  Specifically, they use 1/2" mini-stefans, which are also occasionally called micros (other sizes of homemade dart exist, but are very rare).  You may be able to buy nerf darts from someone at the war, or even find someone willing to share theirs.  Just get in touch with someone organizing the war and make sure you'll be able to get some darts.  If you have to make your own darts, read the [[Guide to Making Darts]].  It's pretty easy, and you'll have to do it eventually anyway.

===Blasters===
If this is your first war, it shouldn't be a problem for you to borrow a nerf gun from someone else at the war.  Just get in touch with someone who's organizing the war and make sure there will be an extra blaster or two that you can borrow.  If you really want to bring a gun of your own to the war, check out the [[Quick, Cheap, and Easy Mods]] page for some tips on modding your first nerf gun.

===Other Stuff===
*'''Clothes:''' Don't wear full camouflage, or anything else that is going to attract the attention of local law enforcement.  Find out what the weather is going to be like and dress accordingly, preferably in layers unless it's summer.  If it's hot, you will sweat.  A bandanna, a hat, or an extra t-shirt may not be a bad idea.
*'''[[Eye Protection]]:''' See safety rules.
*'''Water:''' Regardless of weather, you're going to need water.  Bring at least a liter of water or Gatorade.  
*'''Lunch:''' If you're not going out to lunch, bring a bag lunch with you.
*'''Money:''' There will be a lunch break, and there will probably be people selling darts, guns, and barrel material.  If you want/need any of those things, or if you aren't packing a lunch, bring cash.

==Get There==
If you can't drive yourself to a nerf war, (and you're not one of those [[East Coast Contingent | nutjobs that fly across the country]]) you can try and get a ride from another nerfer, or you can try public transportation.  In either case, just post in the comments or the forum discussion thread for the nerf war and let everyone know you're looking to carpool or that you need a ride from the train station/terminal.