“Western” style combat was developed to meet two specific needs. First, it can be practiced by new and senior members alike, regardless of access to historically accurate body armor. Second, because the head is not a target, no helmet is required. With the face exposed, practitioners must be trained to show restraint and proper weapon targeting, and this lends to a more theatrical performance in front of an audience.

This style is characterized by combatants fully dressed in Viking clothing, without helmets, and target zones that allow for a moderately realistic style of fighting while remaining entertaining for a crowd. It also has a lower level of strike intensity than Eastern style due to the absence of heavier body armor.

The term “Western” is a result of this style being favored among Viking age reenactors & reenactment events in the Western part of Europe. This has spread globally, and many chapters of various groups around the world practice this style. Therefore, we are able to visit groups abroad and fight under the same regulations.

In the graphic below, one can compare the target zones across all three fighting systems we practice, both for cutting edge weapons and thrusting weapons.