Amtgard is a system of combat rules that are designed to give people a place to have fun. Though they try to put some slight historical accuracy and realism into play things of this nature are usually not regarded as primary objective. The system promotes fun in the following ways: it attempts to create a enviornment in which people can role play fantasy and midieval personas. It creates a fighting enviornment which is designed to promote speed and technique over strength and numbers (though numbers do help :P)

What I see as amtgards major flaw is that while roleplaying is desireable it is not necesary and is not rewarded if done well, now I only say this about a few "sections" of amtgard. As a whole amtgard has a fairly good record of RPing.

A person who says that amtgard is for uncreative wusses must take into account that not all people are socially outgoing enough to appear creative and not all people see brute strength as the soul of combat.

If you are interested in using a original style of spells and magic with a speed and accuracy oriented form of combat then check out the amtgard web site at www.amtgard.com for a chapter near you.