Weapons and props guidelines

If you experience or witness any issues at any point, please speak to a member of the Creed team or ask for the organiser. We are here to help.

Any violence, threats of violence or intimidation towards any attendee or crew member will result in immediate removal from the event. This also includes simulated violence / staged fights both with and without props.

You may be permitted to perform a fully choreographed scene as part of a cosplay masquerade performance but this must be pre-approved by the event organizer and will be dependent on suitable staging.

Weapons and Props Guidelines

Please take care when outside or when transporting any form of weapon prop.

Regardless of how realistic it looks, many members of the public find weapons offensive - when traveling to and from the venue or simply relaxing outside, be mindful that not everyone knows about cosplay. 

Certain props could cause worry or concern for the safety of the public. Please keep ALL props covered and stowed away at these times, this is also for your own benefit as it could stop unnecessary interaction with police. 

False alarms waste police resources and risk creating stricter rules and laws.

If you have any concern regarding if your weapon or prop is suitable to bring to the event, please complete a contact form here (link), or speak to the event organizer on the day. 

Please note you may be refused entry to the event if your prop or weapon does not adhere to the guidelines set out below. You will be required to store your prop or weapon outside of the venue at your own risk.

No exceptions are made for special licences, memberships, or training. Police or venue security may destroy confiscated items without warning. Attendees bring items to an event at their own risk.

Creed Conventions reserve the right to give permission for anything usually forbidden by these rules on a case-by-case basis e.g. to an exhibitor or sponsor for a promotion.

Guns, Projectiles, Bows, Crossbows

Any replica, prop or toy gun or firearm must display an orange or red ring around the barrel of the weapon which is visible from a distance. This is for YOUR safety, in the unlikely event of a police incident.

• Airsoft weapons are only accepted as a prop, provided they have been modified to no longer function as a projectile. 
  • This would mean removing the firing mechanism, batteries, gas and pellets and fitting with a brightly colored tip. Any attendee found with an airsoft weapon that does not comply with the above will have the item removed on site.
• Unrealistic and toy guns such as those sourced from modern children’s programming (made of brightly coloured plastics, with flashing lights and stickers), or that are clearly science fiction based (phasers, plasma guns, blasters) are permitted; maximum size is 150cm.
• BB guns, deactivated guns, paintball guns, or props built using these or parts of these as a base are not permitted.
• Caps, incendiaries and any ammunition that can be fired are not allowed. Compressed air chambers and batteries for weapons are similarly not permitted. 
• Large weapons such as replica rocket and missile launchers, mortars, and other anti-aircraft or artillery props are not sensible items to transport or bring to the event.
• Bows and crossbows are allowed if unstrung or if they are prop bows that cannot effectively fire an arrow or bolt i.e. drawing the string does not create tension in the arms and/or string that could be used to fire a projectile effectively; said string must also not be adjustable via tightening to fire a projectile effectively.
• Prop strung bows shaped to look like a bow under tension without actually being under tension are allowed if not contrived somehow to fire projectiles effectively.
• Sharp arrows are not allowed, along with darts and slingshots.

Melee, Household, Sporting & Other

Most melee props are permitted except those listed in the Banned Items list. Any sensible material is permitted e.g. lightweight wood, foam, card; avoid materials that may shatter into sharp pieces or otherwise pose a danger or may be banned by the venue e.g. props including a glass item in their construction

The maximum size permitted is 150cm, or 180cm in the case of a narrow staff/spear. Any items exceeding these dimensions must be dismantled into smaller pieces without tools and be dismantled before entering crowded areas.

Scythes and oversized axes are a particularly difficult item to carry safely. As such, they must be made to disconnect into two parts without tools regardless of size i.e. the blade removes from the handle. The unassembled blade or axe head should not exceed 100cm in size.

• Whips are permitted if kept coiled at all times.
• Theatre items such hollow aluminium retracting swords with no sharp edge are permitted.
• Foam weapons built round a core such as those used for live action roleplaying are permitted.
• Lightsabers are permitted, including those with a metal hilt.
• Shields are allowed as long as they do not exceed 1 metre in height or width or have any sharp edges.
• Sharp or blunt metal or hard objects are not permitted - including baseball bats, heavy/power tools.
• Lightweight plastic or foam bats, paddles, and clubs are fine.
• Heavy items that could be used as weapons e.g. iron pokers, heavy cast iron pans, canes with heavy metal tops or crowbars are not permitted.
• Roller skates and blades, skateboards, scooters, battery operated go-carts, etc. are only permitted in areas that the venue allows their use. Assume any part of a venue under a roof forbids their use.
• Large, scenic props on wheels e.g trolleys may be permitted outside the show halls at security’s discretion but are not suitable inside the event space. Small, lightweight static items such as tables that can be quickly packed and moved may similarly be permitted.
• Small remote control items may be used outside if permitted by the venue. They should be driven carefully and in an open space where no vehicles or people can hit it or trip on it.
• Items that may be permitted for outdoor use may not be permitted indoors. You will be required to store this outside of the venue at your own risk.

Banned items

You may be able to buy items included in the banned list while at the event. These items must remain in their packaging while you are inside the event.

• Sharp or blunt metal or hard objects - including baseball bats, heavy/power tools.
• Guns and rifles - including BB guns. Chemical weapons, explosives, incendiaries. 
  • Costumes, props, performances, and displays must not involve or create naked flames, explosions, smoke, arcs or bursts of exposed electricity. 
• Functional projectile weapons - such as bows, crossbows, slings, and catapults
• Fog and vapour machines. Laser pointers, vuvuzelas, silly string, glitter bombs, drones.
• Any items restricted or prohibited by law, such as but not limited to:
  • Knuckledusters, nunchucks, shurikens, and bokken (a type of hard wooden or toughened plastic training sword)
  • Mace, pepper or other self defence spray
  • Knives - including butterfly, disguised, flick/switchblades.
  • Batons, blowpipes
• Note that some venues prohibit other items e.g. glass bottles and vessels, alcohol, and e-cigarettes. Please check with the venue before bringing such items.