Battle re-enactment is a popular component of historical action. However, most re-enacted battles cannot be choreographed in detail due to the number of participants involved. Combat rules are imposed on the participants for their own safety thereby prohibiting the most realistic actions. Some of the scenes involve competing armies and must be carried out within the specific combat rules.

Battle scenes are not hindered by safety concerns, they are choreographed and performed in sequences. Historical action aims to show the various forms of combat in history which include single combat, scuffles and full-scale battles with hundreds of participants. Performances may vary depending on the intended effect which may be a display of historical martial arts or just for entertainment. Each of these is unique in its own way.

Since the 1990s, many companies have been using replicas of historical weapons and armour. Blade weapons for combat reenactment are usually unsharpened.  Specialized sparring weapons such as  Albion's "Maestro Line" also possess rounded points.The use of replicas can be as dangerous as using of a real weapon. Instead, weapons made of rattans or latex are used. These examples differ from real weapons and therefore difficult to handle.