The Indianapolis Fencing Club Pas d’Armes is unlike any HEMA tournament you’ve experienced.

Inspired by the medieval tradition of martial challenges, this event rewards clean technique, tactical thinking, sound defense, and historical fencing rather than speed or point-fighting.

Every exchange is judged by a single principle:

Would this action have decisively ended the fight?

Light touches, reckless doubles, and accidental contact do not earn victory here. Instead, competitors are challenged to demonstrate control, proper measure, initiative, and martial judgment under pressure.

Every fencer attacks.
Every fencer defends.
Every opponent presents a new tactical puzzle.
Every weapon choice matters.

Whether you fight with Longsword, Rapier, Military Saber, Messer, Sword & Buckler, Sidesword, or Arming Sword, you’ll need to think, adapt, and fence with purpose.

There are no easy paths to the title. Using a round-robin format, every competitor faces every other competitor, and the champion is the one who proves the most consistent martial skill throughout the day.

This is more than a tournament.

It is a test of historical fencing.

What Makes It Different?
⚔️ Fight-ending actions only — Clean, decisive blows score. Light touches don’t.

🛡️ Defense matters — Successfully stopping an attack is just as important as launching one.

🧠 Tactical weapon selection — Choose your weapon wisely and adapt to your opponent’s choices.

🎯 Historical fencing over point fencing — Victory comes through judgment, timing, measure, and control.

🤝 Honor first — Good fencing and respectful conduct are valued as highly as winning.