The following rules represent the standard ruleset for Tournaments being held by Royal Arts fencing academy. This includes: Ascalon, Blue Box, Looking Sharpe, and Hemmageddon
All valid strikes that occur within a single beat (tempo) of the first touch are valid and will be counted with the lower scoring strike subtracted from the higher scoring blow.
This means that after-blows and doubles are essentially identical. This allows judging to be streamlined and encourages maintaining a defense while attacking.
Example: Combatant A lands a strike to Combatant B worth two points. Within the same tempo, Combatant B lands a strike worth one point. In this instance, Combatant A will be awarded one point (2-1=1).
Points can be earned for successful strikes, thrusts, and slices. For a strike to be valid, it must be made with proper technique and intent. For instance, a blow with the flat is worth no points, regardless of the target. The Director can call a contact incidental without stopping the bout and having the fencers return to their start positions.