New Players

First Game Free!

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Quick Links

Check-In Guide
Event Preparation
NPC Shift
Character Creation
Campsite Info
FAQ

What is Dystopia Rising?

Dystopia Rising is a post-apocalyptic wasteland survival Live-Action Role-Playing game set in the United States many years after the fall of humanity due to the hubris of humanity. This game is a Full Immersion weekend LARP that starts between 9pm and 10pm Friday night, and runs until noon on Sunday.

Dystopia Rising focuses on the theme of a community attempting to survive and thrive under the constant threat of raiders, zombies, critters, and other survivors who want to take everything from you. You can expect to see plotlines and events take place that have to do with moral dilemmas, difficult choices, and loss.  

Having a good experience at Dystopia Rising: The Pike is not difficult, and our staff aims to make every weekend a memorable one. However, there are some things you can do leading up to your first weekend to make it much more enjoyable!

Check-In Guide

Alright, let’s get you all set up for your first event!

Step 1: Get a player number by filling out the form below

Step 2: Once you have a player number, get a NEW PLAYER ticket

Step 3: Next, you check in to the Database. View the video below or reach out if you need assistance!

TICKETS & BUILD
DATABASE
Six people dressed as zombies or monsters posing outside a building, with another person in the background near a sign.

Player Number Request Form

Database Login Guide

Event Prep

Before arriving at the event site, please review the campsite information HERE.

If you have further questions about medical and/or sleep accommodations, reach out to Mel at Melanie@DystopiaRisingNewJersey.com

A display of tactical gear, including multiple pouches, gloves, and tools, laid out on a table covered with a furry white cloth.
A plastic mask of a yellow mouse with holes and painted facial features, placed in front of a canister labeled 'Bong water's Revenge' with a worn cloth hat on top, which has a patch with a skull and crossed scalpels design.

What to Bring…

    • Supply bag

    • Boffer weapons

    • Ranged weapons

    • Base layer

    • Top layer

    • Armor

    • Jackets

    • Goggles, hats, scarves, other accessories

    • Pen (for your sheet)

    • Duct tape (to cover drink labels)

    • Notebook

    • Green headband

    • Toothbrush & toothpaste

    • Medications

    • Deodorant

    • Big towel & face towel

    • Shower shoes

    • Body wash

    • Shampoo & Conditioner

    • Hair brush

    • Makeup/Makeup remover

    • Baby powder (great for hot days)

    • Baby wipes (DO NOT FLUSH)

    • Hand sanitizer

    • Hiking boots

    • Black top and pants for NPC shift

    • “Normal People” clothes

    • More socks than you think you’ll need

    • Underwear (extra, always bring extra)

    • Pajamas

    • Water bottle

    • Electrolyte drink

    • Caffeine (if you so choose)

    • Rain poncho/umbrella

    • Protein snacks

    • Red flashlight

    • Sunscreen

    • Bug spray

    • Hand/foot warmers

    • Camping mug

    • Mess kit

    • Sleeping bag

    • Twin-bed sheets

    • Pillows

    • Blanket

    • Ear plugs

    • Camping chair

    • 2 ply toilet paper

    • Hair dryer

    • Boot dryer

    • Neck fan/hand fan

    • Fabric Febreze

    • Ice packs

    • Extra sheets

    • Stuffed animal

NPC Shift

NPC Shifts are typically a 4 or 6 hours depending on which ticket you purchased. Each individual time block is 2 hours, so players may choose to do their NPC shift in consecutive 2-hour blocks OR split it across different times of the day. Available time blocks will be shown in the database while you are checking in, after you have purchased your ticket.

During this time, you will be provided with props and costuming. You must show up to NPC shift wearing all-black clothing and NOT your character costume. This helps maintain immersion for you and other players, as it is common to play multiple NPCs in a shift, and black clothing works under all costuming.

NPCs range widely, from high-combat zombies to defenseless chatty villagers…we do it all! Note that you always have a say in what you do on your NPC shift, and let a guide know if you are not comfortable or are unable to do a certain role. Our staff strives to provide an inclusive experience for everyone and will be happy to work with you to find an alternative.

Person dressed as a sci-fi or fantasy character, wearing a face mask and a large brown cloak with a glowing pink shoulder pad, participating in an outdoor role-playing game or cosplay event in a wooded area.
A man with a shaved head and long beard, wearing a black mask with a menacing red mouth design, and armored gear, standing outdoors with green foliage in the background.
Person wearing a zombie mask with twisted, grotesque features, black eyes, and a wide, jagged smile, dressed in a purple leather jacket and black clothing, outdoors with blurred background
A woman with curly brown hair, wearing a black and red corset and a blue jacket, is holding a staff or spear in a forested area with green trees and foliage.

Create Your Character

Every character at Dystopia Rising has their own story and kit created by the players. Both are integral, but also fluid, parts of portraying a desired role.

A character’s kit is their costume and the items that they carry with them. This may be weapons, shields, trinkets, books…anything that your character needs to get by!

Your character should also carry a physical representation of certain carded items you have obtained in-game. We call these “Phys-Reps”. For example, to use a “brew” card, you must have a physical bottle on your person.

Be sure to check out the books HERE to learn more about Phys-Reps and other items on your character.

A woman with platinum blonde hair wearing a black face mask, black dress with puffed sleeves, and a white lace blouse. She has dark eye makeup and is accessorized with black lace gloves and jewelry. She is outside, surrounded by trees.
Person dressed in a dark, layered costume with chains, feathered accessories, a bird mask, and green hair, holding a staff, standing outdoors in a wooded area.
A person with short, slicked-back black hair and decorative gemstones on their face, standing outdoors with a green blurred background. They are touching their lips with their hand, wearing rings and an earring, and dressed in patterned clothing with orange accents.

  • Strains represent creature types, not a social group or a personality. There is a large amount of rich lore behind each one, and we suggest checking out the Community Discord or the Strained Ancestry Book to get a deeper understanding if you care to.

  • Building a Costume is a fun experience and donning it for the first time at an event can help immerse you into the world of Dystopia Rising! Second-hand shopping is a great way to start putting together a costume that you can be rough with! We highly recommend using pieces of clothing that you are not afraid to damage. Spending a weekend at a campground while battling Zombies, Raiders, and Monsters isn’t always going to be good for a Cosplay-grade product, so we suggest starting simple.

  • Pick a style of play you think you will enjoy! There’s a deep, living world at Dystopia Rising: The Pike, and there are many playstyles that can be carved out from it! Everything from the Boffer Combat Lover, the Performer/Entertainer, the helpful Cook, and even the Shady Assassin types has a place at our chapter. Pick an idea that sounds fun to you, and dive into it.

    Creating a general concept from the points above helps give your character a recognizable role and will allow them to integrate into the world successfully. When creating a character, you don’t need an elaborate backstory, just come up with a reason to become involved with the local settlement. Starting with a want/need for a community in the apocalyptic wastes gives your character a reason to stay and get involved. You can always change direction later, and add in more details!

A man dressed as a hunter with a long gray beard, wearing a blue hat decorated with feathers and a brown fur coat, standing in a wooded area holding a knife and a machete.
Person dressed in colorful, eclectic clothing holding a black fan and an umbrella with a red and pink web pattern, standing outdoors among trees.
A person with green hair and black lipstick standing outdoors in a wooded area, wearing a black leather jacket with patches and artistic designs, black pants, and black outdoor boots, holding a round black bag with colorful musical notes and a red face design.