In a suburban Wellington backyard, there is a scene out of a fantasy novel. Appropriately clad in several kilograms of polished metal armour, three people face off armed with a variety of swords and axes.

It's just a standard evening for Ben Thomas-Paulson, Dayna Berghan-Whyman and captain Justin Harris - a team of Kiwi knights about to travel overseas to battle it out for our country's honour.

"This isn't nerdy. This is full force, full contact," Harris told Newshub.

"I've had broken bones, bruises, cut open hands... I had a longsword slip underneath a gauntlet once and shatter one of my fingers into an extra four pieces."

He's not speaking lightly when he says "full force". The aim is to knock your opponent to the ground - meaning each swing has power behind it, smashing into the enemy combatant and battering them until they can't fight back.

The trio of warriors have spent weeks training to prepare for the International Medieval World Championships, persevering through a sweltering New Zealand summer and fighting in thick, padded armour.

They'll be competing in the polearm, longsword and sword and shield events in the tournament in Scotland.