Fencing with epée swords has remained unchanged in Pentathlon since its Olympic debut in 1912.  The event is a round-robin tournament, with a single hit deciding each bout.

The fencing event is held in an indoor arena on special strips, known as pistes, with all athletes taking on each other.  Bouts last for one minute and the winner is the first fencer to score a hit. It is the only time during the competition that an athletes can directly take points from an opponent.

If neither scores a hit, both competitors register a defeat. If competitors hit one another at the same time a double hit is recorded and neither hit is registered.

Point penalties are awarded for a variety of infringements including hitting the epée on anything other than the opponent to register a hit, crossing the boundary line with both feet or to avoid a hit, dangerous play and when a fencer turns their back on the opponent. 

An athlete winning 70% of their bouts will earn 1000 Pentathlon points.