Ragnarocktoberfest brings you ...

The Stalking Dead

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The high noon sun bears down on a dusty road. Tumbleweed rolls around from the corner of a barn. The wind that carries it makes a saloon’s doors swing lazily, but the creak of old hinges can barely be heard. All that’s missing is a haunting harmonica and two gunslingers walking toward each other, fixing for an old-fashioned duel. But there’s no one to harp and no one to shoot either. This town is well and truly dead.

 

You are here at the whim of your company. A motherlode was found under the hills here, and there is fortune to be made. An earlier rush came through and built this town, but they missed the big vein. There was a fight over whatever they dug up. Some ended up buried, the rest left with what they could carry on their backs. Tale as old as the frontier, really.

 

At least that’s as far as the boss man cares to tell you, but some folk sing a different tune. You’ve heard strange stories about this place on the trail; people going mad, cattle dropping dead out of nowhere, whole mine shafts disappearing overnight... The town has no name, but you’ve heard it mockingly called “Undeadwood”. Folk love their stories to be sure, and the imagination can run wild under the desert sun when you so much as forget to put your hat on.

 

But you have more urgent problems. The boss said whatever’s left in the town is fair game, but you arrive to find two other rival companies have set up camp nearby. Your payout might just depend on whether you and the company get to the spoils first. All of that sounds like trouble, but this job could finally make you a pile big enough to get back home and build you and yours a grand big ranch to grow old in.

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List of changes from last year:

• Humans start with one life against the undead and can buy another.

• Player versus player lives have been removed, but they are still tracked for awards purposes.

• Players at the end of Act 2 can choose to switch sides but lose all upgrades.

• A rule video will be available from Out Of Darts.

• Undead that require special ammo to be tagged out will wear the same indicator.

• Improved version of the website.

• Reworked and simplified rules, including:

  • Removal of stun mech from undead (now players bleed out, regardless of what hits them)

  • Reduced item complexity

  • A new rolling respawn timer where all players who are ready can respawn at the start of every minute

 

Story Timeline

• Briefing 12:00 pm -12:30 pm

• Chapter 1: 12:30 pm - 4 pm 

• Dinner Break 4 pm - 5:30 pm

• Chapter 2: 5:30 pm - 8:00 pm

• Chapter 3: 8:15 - 8:30 pm ish

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Resource Rules

• Resources are scattered around the play area, with players only allowed to carry one at a time. Resources must be dropped when a player is tagged or hit by a dart. Humans can pick up dropped resources if they aren't already carrying one, but undead cannot.

• Coins are used to make purchases by the human faction

• Victory points (VP) are earned by collecting resources: Rail Spikes provide 1 VP, while Supply Crates give 5 VPs when returned to the base. Crates require both hands to carry and prevent firing while being carried, though they can be placed down to fire. Paper bags with ammo caches can be carried and redistributed without restrictions.

• All resources and ammo must be returned to the registration area at the end of the game or if leaving early.

 

Humans

• Key Fob – Always carry your numbered Key Fob with you. It tracks your stats.

• Bandanas – Humans must wear their bandana on their arms above the elbow.

• Ammo – Each player starts with 50 pieces of ammo (including socks). Ammo type is selected at registration.

• Melee – Can only be acquired through quests; no external melee weapons allowed.

• No Contact – Never push or make physical contact with other humans.

• Projectile Tagging – When hit by any projectile, take a knee, raise your hands, and count “5 Mississippi” as you "bleed out." You’re vulnerable to Undead tags during this time. If not tagged, stand up and raise your hand to indicate you are out of play, go to the base, and scan your Key Fob.

• Respawn – After scanning your Key Fob at the base, you can respawn at the start of every minute. There will be a clock at each base to let you know when to respawn. 

• Tagged by Undead – If you have more than one bandana, give one to the Undead and respawn. If you only have one bandana when you are tagged, drop your gear at the Undead base and respawn as an Undead by removing the bandana from your arm and wearing it around your neck.

• Combat – Humans can throw socks, use quest-acquired melee weapons, or fire foam dart blasters to stun the Undead. Headshots are discouraged for safety.

• Non-Players – Do not shoot any non-players. YOU WILL BE BANNED if seen or reported for doing so.

• Dart Rules – Do not throw darts or hit people with blasters. Ricochets don’t count
  Melee Rules – Melee weapons are varying-size pool noodles, which can block darts but can’t be dual-wielded. Only specific melee weapons can be thrown.

 

Undead

• Communication – Undead and humans cannot communicate or plan together, which disrupts the game and goes against its spirit.

• Bandanas – Undead wear bandanas on their heads when unstunned and around their necks when stunned. When stunned, immediately pull the bandana to your neck.

• Stunning – Undead become stunned when hit by a dart, a sock, or a melee weapon. A stunned Undead must pull the bandana to their neck, leave the area, and raise their hands to indicate they are stunned.

• Stun Duration – Stunned Undeads are out of play for 1 minute. Keep track of time using your phone or by counting 60 Mississippi. They must stay at least 100 feet away from humans and out of sight. If hit again, their stun timer resets.

• Tagging: 

  • Tagging occurs when a hand touches a human player (not a blaster). Anything a human wears but isn’t holding (e.g., backpacks or holstered blasters) is fair game for tagging.

  • To avoid injury, run past the player when tagging with one hand. For two-handed tagging, avoid locking arms and try to tag from the side.

• Dart Pickup –  Undead cannot pick up darts unless specified by specific missions.

 

Global Rules

• Rule 0: Be Respectful – Don’t be a jerk. This is just a game. Be understanding, as tensions may run high.

• Stay in the Game – If you get turned into an Undead, keep playing. Quitting is unfair to both sides. Besides, being undead is way more relaxing.

• Honor System – Acknowledge hits and tags honestly. If someone calls a hit or tag, assume they are correct.

• Moderators/Referees – Identified by yellow sashes, they have the final say in disputes. Their decisions prioritize safety and fairness.

• Follow Laws and Campus Rules – No breaking and entering, no damage to property, and no law violations.

• Act 3 Choice: Players at the end of Act 2 can choose to switch sides but lose all upgrades.

• Eye Protection Required – No excuses. Full-face masks are not allowed.

• Safety First – Don’t endanger yourself or others. No drugs or alcohol.

• Respect Property – Don’t touch others’ equipment without permission.

• Post-Game Cleanup – Everyone helps collect darts and return all items to the registration area.
  Game Boundaries – Play is only allowed within the defined school grounds as shown on the event map.
  Bandanas – indicate human or Undead status. They must be worn at all times except in safe zones or during dinner break (4:00 - 5:30 p.m.).

• Safe Zones – Inside buildings are safe zones. No tags or shots can happen inside. You may shoot out from a safe zone, but not into one.

• Restroom Breaks – Remove your bandana and leave blasters at your base to be safe.

• Leaving Safe Zones – Humans have 10 seconds of invulnerability when leaving. Count aloud to maintain it. Shooting or throwing a sock ends the invulnerability.

• Staircases are Out of Play – No tagging or stunning on stairs. Stay on stairs for a maximum of 15 seconds, then get 10 seconds of invulnerability upon exiting.

• Stay In-Game – Wear bandanas and carry key fobs while on campus.

• Rule Changes Possible – Stay updated through Discord or event pages.

• Dispute Resolution – Raise your arms and speak to a moderator. Their rulings are final.

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Captain Rules

• Captains cannot die during the first two chapters. (This will change later in the game.)

• Each time a captain is shot or tagged, they must return to their base and respawn after 3 minutes. If tagged by the undead, they will provide the said player with a token.

 

Hidden/Unknown Items

Some items' rules on how they work are unknown to the general public. In most instances, when players receive one of these items, they will be informed of how it works and what it does. No item affects any other player except the one holding it. These items can be beneficial or not. 

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Blaster Rules

• 130 FPS is a soft cap. We will take an average of three shorts through the Chrono.  You must chrono with the same ammo you intend to use in the game. 

• Blowguns are illegal. Socks may not be weighted specifications in our tutorial video; DO NOT USE DIRTY SOCKS. 

• Outside shields are not allowed. Only 3 (1 per team) moderator-provided shields will be used.

• All blasters and socks must be cleared by a moderator at registration (check the main event rules for restrictions). This includes both functional and decorative modifications. No blaster may look like a real gun or have exposed wiring, as per our agreement with the Police Department. The use of non-approved gear will result in a ban. Blaster Chrono checks are mandatory (10 am - 12 pm). 

​Questions? Contact Jamie at ragnarocktoberfest@gmail.com

 

More TSD Rules:

                                  Zombie Specials

 

Quick Table Lookup

Zombie upgrades only last for the duration of the chapter this year, except for the undead Captain. Allowing players to try other specials. * Indicates a change from last year.

 

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Detailed Rules

 

• Undead Captain (Permanent): 

  • Undead Captain is the leader. They are large and mighty, and carry a giant Weapon. Only one is ever seen leading the undead.

    • Undead Captain must walk

    • Undead Captain is identified by their large weapon.

    • They are immune to regular darts, but can still be affected by large ammo (mega, socks, rockets, etc.)

    • Their Rocket launcher fires rockets that cause players to bleed.

• Prospectors (Upgradable): 

  • They carry a shield around them to protect their fellow undead.

    • Shield Undead cannot tag

    • A shield behaves the same way as a human shield

• Longhorn (pool noodle hands, Chapter Long):

  • The melee version of the Undead Captain. Instead of a giant Bazooka they have pool noodle hands. Nothing is scarier than an undead with wiggly arms.

    • The tank must walk

    • They are immune to normal darts, but can still be affected by large ammo (mega, socks, rockets, etc.)

    • Both pool noodles must touch the player to be considered tagged.

• Crier (chapter long):

  • No one brings the party like the person serving.

    • The crier is indicated by carrying a large flag.

    • Once the flag is planted, the crier can revive the undead players. The crier is tagged when a player shoots a dart into the net at the top of the flag, or if the crier moves.

    • Tagged Undead holds onto a planted flag for 5 seconds (Mississippi) to respawn. 

• Deadeye (Spitter, upgradable):

  • An undead with a ranged attack. Why run when you can throw?

    • Indicated by a green sash across their bodies

    • They carry one sock which, when thrown and touches a player, will cause a bleed out (see projectile Tags)

• Wrangler (Whipper, upgradable):

  • An undead with varying side swords. It is not the size of the blade that matters… no it is all about the size

    • Wrangler is an undead with a pool noodle. The pool noodles count as an extension of the player's arm. They can block melee, deflect small ammo, but are still taggable by large ammo.

    • Noodle length increases with upgrades

•  Conductor (upgradable):

  • 4 - 10 undead attached to each other by the shoulders. Sometimes the best party is the one you bring.

    • The front undead can tag using pool noodle hands. The rest of the undead are attached by the shoulder (make sure everyone in the line is comfortable with the contact). 

    • All undead are considered immune to tags except for the last one in the chain. When the last undead in the chain is tagged, they disconnect from the chain, leaving the next(last) undead vulnerable. 

    • Everyone in the line must walk.

    • Upgrades increase how many undead can join the line.

    • If the conga line disconnects, all players behind the disconnected person are considered tagged.

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Human Upgrades

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Detailed Rules

• Global

  • Long Arm

    • A melee weapon that gets longer with upgrades

• Vs. other Humans

  • Salon Shield

    • Megas and socks (excluding green spitter sock) hit to shields count as a tag to the player wielding a shield.  

    • Players need to call out Mega and Sock tags to shield wielders because it’s very difficult for shield wielders to distinguish different ammo types fired at them.  Please abide by rule 0 and be honest when calling and taking Mega and Sock hits.

    • Shields are only transferable between players when an Undead tags the wielder. If the shield wielder is turned, they will return the shield to their faction base, where it can be transferred to another player.

    • Undead tags to shields are considered tags, just like tags to garments (bags and pouches), and are also valid.

    • Absolutely no bashing into another player with a shield at any time. Doing so will cause the player to lose shield privileges. 

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