ExileCon 2026 Cosplay Rules Bar Metal Weapons and Replica Guns
Event staff will inspect costume weapons, tag approved props, and may confiscate items that fail the safety checks.
Cosplayers heading to ExileCon 2026 will need to leave functional and metal weapon props at home. Grinding Gear Games’ cosplay policy bars replica guns outright and requires every costume weapon to pass an inspection before entry. The convention is scheduled for Nov. 7 and 8 NZT.
Every prop must pass inspection
Weapons must be nonfunctional, lightweight, and an appropriate size for the event. Props that make it difficult for attendees to move around or turn without hitting someone count as oversized and will not be admitted. A Stone Hammer made from actual stone is too heavy, while a version made from styrofoam and balsa wood is a safer option.
Staff will inspect every costume weapon before entry and tag props that pass. Attendees must leave those tags in place, since an altered or removed tag may lead to confiscation. Items that fail the policy may be refused at the door or held for pickup at the end of the day.
Projectile and sharp props are prohibited
Replica guns are not allowed, and costume weapons cannot contain ammunition or fire projectiles. That restriction also covers BB guns, Nerf weapons, and airsoft replicas. Bow and crossbow props must have no string or a string that cannot launch a projectile. Arrows need to be headless or fitted with soft, significantly blunt or rounded tips.
Blade props must be made without metal and have blunt, rounded edges. Any metal parts disqualify a weapon, including a metal spearhead attached to a wooden staff. Sharpened blades, needles, and other sharp points are also prohibited.
Stilts are not permitted. Attendees with large costumes may also be unable to use allocated theater seating for the keynotes on both days or the Sunday closing talks, which are expected to fill the theater.
Cosplay does not make swinging a prop at another attendee acceptable. Posing for an attack-style photo is allowed, but wielding even a foam Marohi Erqi at someone with force is not. Staff may ask anyone behaving dangerously or aggressively to leave.
What kind of lightweight prop would you bring to ExileCon under these limits? Keep up with the event’s attendee guidance and schedule through X, Bluesky, YouTube, Instagram, Steam, and Telegram.
Path of Exile 2
Developed by Grinding Gear Games
Path of Exile 2 is a next generation Action RPG created by Grinding Gear Games. Set years after the original Path of Exile, you will return to the dark world of Wraeclast and seek to end the corruption that is spreading. Path of Exile 2 is a free-to-play online multiplayer game with co-op for up to six players.
- Genre Role-playing (RPG), Hack and slash/Beat 'em up, Adventure
- Platforms Xbox Series X|S, PC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation 5, Mac
- Perspective Bird view / Isometric
- Modes Single player, Multiplayer, Co-operative, Massively Multiplayer Online (MMO)
- Release December 6, 2024
- Publisher Grinding Gear Games, Kakao Games
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Age Rating
