A Complete Guide to Paintball

What is Paintball?

Paintball is a team-based game where players attempt to eliminate their opponents by shooting paintballs from paintball markers, more commonly known as paintball guns.

The goal of the game varies, but commonly is to capture the flag or eliminate all of the other teams’ players.

Paintballs are made of biodegradable materials and contain paint that breaks open upon impact, marking a hit.

How Do You Play Paintball?

The basic rules of paintball are simple: each player has a paintball gun, the objective is to tag opposing players or capture the flag on a field or arena filled with bunkers or obstacles.

Games can be played in various formats and lengths, but typically last around 15 minutes. In order for a player to be eliminated, a paintball must break on them.

Players have complete control over their paintball gun and can customize it with accessories such as scopes, magazines, hoppers, barrels, paintballs, and more. 

Types of Gameplay

Each type of paintball scenario variation has its own unique rules and strategies, and each one offers a different take on the sport. 

Here’s a quick overview of some of the types of gameplay:

Capture the Flag (CTF)

The objective of this paintball game is for one team to bring the other team’s flag back to their own base while the opposing team tries to prevent them from taking their own flag.

Deathmatch

In this game style, two teams must compete and eliminate all players on the other team to win.

Fort Assault

In this scenario, the game begins with one team having only one life and must protect a fort from enemy attackers in a limited amount of time.

The attackers have an infinite number of “respawns”, meaning they can clear the paint off themselves, go back to their base, and start attacking the fort again.

Free-for-All (FFA)

Similar to deathmatch, free-for-all is about eliminating all of the other players, but there are no teams. In this game, each individual player competes against each other until only one person is left standing.

Military Simulation

In military simulation, or MilSim paintball games, the rules and scenario can vary greatly. 

Speedball

Speedball is a fast-paced and exciting variation on paintball. It is typically played in an open field with a variety of inflatable bunkers set up to create different lanes, angles, and strategic areas for players to use.

Recball

Recball, often referred to as ‘woodsball’ or recreational paintball, is an informal version of the sport. It is played by recballers who usually play on outdoor courses with natural obstacles and various man-made bunkers.

What Gear Do You Need for Paintball?

At a minimum, paintball players need paintball guns, paintballs, and appropriate safety gear.

Each paintball gun is connected to compressed air or CO2 (carbon dioxide) to propel the paintballs out of the barrel at around 300 feet per second.

Players should also consider investing in some other paintball equipment such as protective clothing, goggles and gloves.

This will help protect you from any unexpected impacts that may occur during play.

Paintball Guns

The paintball gun is the most important piece of paintball gear. Without it, you can’t play paintball!

Paintball guns come in various shapes and sizes, from pump-action, semi-automatic, burst, to fully automatic markers.

Paintball guns are generally powered by compressed air or CO2 gas.

Pump action paintball guns require players to manually cock the marker after each shot and are generally used by paintballers who prefer a slower style of play, or to hone in their accuracy skills.

Semi-automatic, burst, or fully automatic paintball markers allow players to shoot paintballs quickly without having to manually cock their gun after every shot.

No matter what, you should find the best paintball gun for your needs and style of play.

Air Tanks

Air tanks are an essential piece of paintball gear as they store the high pressure air (HPA) or CO2 used to power paintball guns.

The tank is connected to the paintball gun and allows players to fire paintballs for long periods of time, depending on the size of the tank.

Air tanks come in various shapes and sizes, ranging from small 25g disposable cartridges, to larger 90 cubic inch (CI) HPA tanks.

The size of tank you’ll need will depend on your paintball gun and playing style — if you’re a casual player who plays a few games every month, then a small CO2 tank should be enough. If you play competitively or very frequently, then investing in an HPA air tank may make sense.

Masks

Paintball masks are the main piece of paintball safety equipment, and they cover your entire face and head to protect you against paintballs.

Paintball masks come in a range of styles and designs, with some offering more protection than others.

Most paintball parks will require players to wear paintball masks at all times while on the paintball field.

For the best paintball masks, look for paintball masks that feature anti-fog lenses, breathable fabrics and adjustable straps for a perfect fit. 

Hopper/Loader System

Finding the best paintball hopper (or loader) system is an integral part of any paintball gun as it stores and feeds paintballs into the marker’s breech chamber.

Loaders come in a variety of shapes and sizes, from gravity fed or agitating loaders that feed paintballs into the paintball gun at a constant rate, to force-fed loaders that are capable of feeding paintballs much faster.

The type of loader you’ll need will depend on your paintball gun and playing style.

For casual paintball players, a basic agitating loader should be enough. For serious paintball players who want more firepower, a force-fed loader may prove to be beneficial.

Paintballs

Paintballs are round, gelatin capsules filled with paint dye.

Paintballs come in a variety of colors, sizes, quality, and types — from thin-shelled paintballs for paintball guns that shoot up to 300 feet per second (FPS), to thick-shelled paintballs designed for paintball guns shooting up to 500 FPS (less common).

When choosing paintballs, it’s important to match the type of paintball with your paintball gun’s barrel caliber.

It’s also important to make sure you are buying the right quality of paintballs so that they don’t break in the chamber or barrel when fired.

Pods and Packs

Paintball pods are used to carry spare paintballs on the paintball field.

Pods come in various sizes, ranging from 50 to 200 round capacity, and they can be attached to your paintball vest, belt, harness, or mesh for easy access during play.

If you’re playing paintball competitively or frequently, then a larger paintball pack may be beneficial as they allow players to carry more paintballs at once.

No matter how many paintballs you need to carry, it’s important that you choose a pod or pack that is lightweight and comfortable so that you don’t become weighed down during play.

Clothing

It’s important to wear paintball clothes that are comfortable and don’t restrict your movement.

Loose-fitting clothing such as paintball jerseys and paintball pants provide the best protection from paintballs while also allowing you to move around freely on the paintball field.

For added protection, look for paintball gear with integrated padding or thick fabrics designed to protect against paint splatter.

It’s also a good idea to choose clothing in colors that blend into the environment so that you can camouflage yourself during game play.

Obscure Paintball Gear

Other items you may not have guessed that are used in paintball include:

• Paint Grenades
• Paint Grenade launchers
• Paint land mines
• Paintball bow and arrow
• Smoke grenades
• Paintball shotguns
• Paintball Gatling guns
• Paintball sentry guns
• Paintball rocket launchers

Each of these paintball items is designed to give paintball players an edge during certain types of gameplay, so depending on your playing style, you may want to look into obtaining one or more of them.

Where Can You Play Paintball?

Paintball games can be played in a variety of locations, both indoor and outdoor.

Paintball fields are typically designed with bunkers, ramps, and other obstacles to give paintball players a more realistic combat experience.

Most paintball fields also have rental equipment available for those who don’t own their own paintball gear, which opens up the sport to a variety of people who may not be ready to invest in their own gear.

Is Paintball Dangerous?

Paintball is a relatively safe sport, as long as the proper safety measures are taken.

It’s important to always wear paintball goggles or face masks and to follow the rules of the paintball field or arena.

It’s also important to stay aware of your surroundings, as paintballs can be painful when they make contact with unprotected areas.

Overall, paintball is an incredibly fun sport that offers plenty of adrenaline-filled excitement for both new players and experienced veterans alike! So what are you waiting for?

Is Paintball Really a Sport?

Yes, paintball is a real sport!

It requires physical skill, teamwork and strategic thinking — all of which are key components of any sport.

Paintball has even become an officially recognized competitive sport with its own professional leagues, tournaments and teams.

When Was Paintball Invented?

The sport of paintball was invented in the early 1980s and has grown into a popular recreational activity since then.

The paintball markers used in the game were originally designed for forestry workers, who would use them to mark trees from afar.

From there, paintball grew into an adrenaline-filled game that is now played all over the world.

Costs

The cost of paintball depends on the type of paintball gear you need, as well as how often you play.

Basic paintball gear such as paintball markers, paintballs, masks and other protective equipment can range from a few hundred dollars to several thousand dollars depending on what you buy.

You should also consider the cost of admission to paintball fields or arenas, which can vary depending on where you’re playing.

Overall, paintball can be an affordable sport that can fit into any budget if the right gear is purchased and proper safety measures are taken.

On the flip side, if you’re a pro, you’re likely investing thousands of dollars into you paintball gear.

Average Costs

• Guns: $1,275 (don’t get discouraged – many paintball markers are in the $100-$500 range)
• Paintballs (2,000 rounds): $60
• Masks: $140
• Hoppers: $100
• Pods & Packs: $70
• Air Tanks: $290
• Clothing (Jerseys, Pants, & Protective Bodywear): $100

Summary

Paintball is an exciting sport that requires physical skill, teamwork and strategic thinking. It has become a popular recreational activity over the years with its own professional leagues, tournaments and teams.

The paintball gear you need will depend on your style of play and how often you play.

The cost of paintball can range from a few hundred dollars to several thousand depending on what kind of paintball gear you want to buy.

It’s also important to remember the importance of safety when playing paintball, as paintballs can be painful when they make contact with unprotected areas.

With the right gear and knowledge, paintball can be an incredibly fun and rewarding experience!