www.alieid.com

When I first decided to get into the sport of paintball, I tried to do some research on the web. The problem was, they all said the SAME thing. I decided to make this page so that anyone interested in playing for the 1rst time would know what to expect. I have some answers to many of the questions that just aren't explained in full detail, or are not answered at all. All of my experience is outdoors, as of now that is.

Question #1.......Does getting shot hurt?

Yes, but it is nothing that most people can't handle. The rush/fear you get the first time you hear shots being fired at you is totally awsome. After getting hit once or twice, the fear is gone. Since your adrenalin is pumped up(I guarantee it will be), then there is no way you're going to feel that shot. You're just SO PUMPED UP that you loose feeling in your body, all you are worried about is where the enemy is.

Question #2.........How much does it cost to play?

Well, at most fields in the US, you pay an entrance fee. I didn't want the added expense of playing at a field so I talked some friends into purchasing equipment. We found a location that is secluded and that is when the fun started. WARNING: It is illegal to play in public places that are not designated for Paintball. We are taking a risk as you would be doing also. Below are normal field costs, since we have to play indoors in the winter. It costs $10 to $30 for admission, depending on what field you play. This usually includes a full day, unless you want to leave earlier), a semi-auto gun, 100 round hopper, a barrel plug, 100 rounds of paint, and CO2. Let me start off by saying 100 rounds will not last long, you will need to purchase more field paint. Field paint can run anywhere from $25 to $35 for 500 rounds on up. To save money you can split it with your friends. You will end up spending about $60 total. But, you might spend more or less depending on how much paint you use (which also depends on how large the teams are)

Question #3...........What are some of the STUPIDEST things I could do on the field?

1......Taking your mask off during a game.
2......Using paint you found on the ground (didn't break)
3......Not testing your equipment before playing
4......Shooting at your own team
5......Not communicating with your teammates
6......After being marked out, walking thru a fire fight
7......Retreating back, leaving your partner by themself
8......Starting the game with half a load of paintballs
9......Shooting the refs
10.....Being too scared, you have to be agressive to make your kills!
11.....Starting on empty CO2
12.....Last but not least, the DUMBEST thing you can do is NOT WEAR A CUP or MASK!

Question #4...........What are some of the SMARTEST things I could do on the field?

1......Filling your hopper completely before starting another game.
2......Communicating with your team.
3......Use your ammo only when you need to.
4......Check to make sure you're out before leaving the field, maybe the ball(s) didn't break
5......Be aggressive, this is how you get kills. Yes I know I already said this but it is true.
6......Make sure that your speed is closer to 280 fps (feet per second) rather than 150 fps.
7......Help out your team mates.
8......Don't be a wiper ( person who was shot but wipes off the paint so he/she can continue to play in the game!
9......Don't be one of those people who is marked out and tells their teammates the location of the other team.

Question #5.............What are some of the WORST things that could happen to me?

1......Getting shot right where it counts but if you take my advice and wear a cup it wont be a big deal
2......Getting hit in the ear
3......Getting hit in the neck
4......Getting hit in the front of the mask and eating paint, doesn't hurt but tastes like crap
5......Getting hit by friendly fire
6......Falling when you are retreating
7......Running out of ammo
8......Ball breaking in your HOPPER
9......Ball breaking in your barrel

** Note: Getting hit on places like the hand ear, or other soft parts of the body isn't a problem if you are well protected (wear a cup, full mask, and gloves).

Question #6.............Do you have to be physically fit to play?

NO WAY! But, it wouldn't hurt to be able to run fast, sometimes it is best to just run like hell. On my team was this guy who had to weigh close to 400 pounds! But let me tell you, he was one of the best people there. It takes a lot more precision and thinking instead of running and diving. (But, this also depends on how big the teams are, or how big the field is. If you are playing 5 on 5, hiding and running alot is required in large to medium sized field. If teams are like 20 on 20, then there's no reason to hide, because no matter where you go, at least one person will spot you; unless the field you play on is large.) So even though you're not in top notch condition, you'll still have a great time.

Question #7.............Can you go by yourself, or do you have to bring a group along?

SURE! You can go by yourself (even though taking some friends along would be better, so you'll know someone there, and someone to talk to.) At the place me and my friend went to, we just all met in the little roofed picnic area. And from there, we picked teams. Later on, a group of 30 came out, and the refs just got 15 red and 15 blue ribbons, and let each person take one. The color you got was whose team you were on. So you don't have to worry about sitting out because no one will take you, because once you arrive, you are just placed on a team.

Question #8..............What are some paintball terms?

Well, here are a few:

SQUEEGIE---> a plastic stick w/ a sucker on the end that is a little longer than the length of a barrel. What you do is put the squeegie in the barrel (sucker first) almost all the way back, and yank it out. This gets any paint (from a ball breaking in the barrel) out. Why would you do this? Because w/ paint in the barrel, the paintball you fire will get spin on the ball and will curve in different directions, which is NOT very accurate.
SEMI------> a paintball gun that fires every time you squeeze the trigger. Has a high rate of fire, but isn't as accurate as the pump.
PUMP------> a paintball gun that has a pump on the barrel. in order to fire, you must pump the gun (to load a paintball into the barrel) and fire. You can autotrigger (hold the trigger down and pump any time you want to fire) but you loose speed and accuracy when you do that. Pumps are slightly more accurate than semis (not all, but some) ***A seimi would be the best buy for a beginner so that you are not out gunned. If you go to my main paintball page I list all the equipment you need.
O-Ring-----> It is what a ring on the CO2 tank that keeps CO2 from leaking out.
(AUTO)COCKER------> one of the better semis out on the market.
(AUTO)MAG---------> same as autococker
PAINT------------> short for paintballs
ELBOW------------> connect the hopper to your gun(if you have a vertical feed you wont need one)
HOPPER------------> container above the gun that holds all of the paintballs

QUESTION #9..........What type of Equipment do I need?

The main equipment you need are: MASK, GUN and ACCESSORIES.

QUESTION #10..........What type of Mask should I get?

As you see on MANY web pages, they say the first thing you should buy isn't a gun, but a full mask. Not just goggles, but a mask that protects your WHOLE face. In purchasing a mask, I'd would definatly consider getting a THERMAL mask. A thermal mask has two lenses instead of one. Between these 2 lenses is air, which makes it anti-fog, or close enough. If you buy a thermal mask and you take a direct hit on the lenses chances are the seal is broken and you have to replace the lenses(usually $20). This happened to me and I couldn't figure out why my thermal mask kept fogging about ever 5 minutes. Since you can't just take it off and clean them on the field, I had to shove my hand in front of my eyes between me and the mask to wipe it off. (NOT FUN!!!) Thermals cost about $60 while regular ones cost about $30 to $40. But believe me, you'll be better off with thermals. I bought the Scott Hotshot, a good thermal mask but the replacement lens are hard to find.

QUESTION #11..........What type of Gun should I get?

Now for the guns. I suggest going for a Semi-auto gun because I guarantee you will want to do upgrades. When I started people said "you'll get upgrade fever eventually", I didn't believe them. I was WRONG, I wanted to do anything to get an edge. Ask around and see if you can get a package that includes a SQUEEGIE, BARREL PLUG, GUN, 10oz or bigger CO2 TANK, and at LEAST a 200 ROUND HOPPER. If the goggles that come with the package are good, then take them otherwise upgrade the package. There are MANY types of guns out there, but from what I heard, a BEGINNER should try purchasing a TIPPMAN, SPYDER, OR PYRANHA. There are MANY other guns, so don't take my word for it, do some research, and see what's in your price range. Also, get a gun that has parts that are readily available, in case you break something. If you want to save money, BUY ONLINE like I did. I bought the Spyder SE from Sports Authority Online because they let you return items to your local store if you have problems. Another reason I bought from them is that I got the Spyder for $150, I saved almost $100. Here is how you can also: Order your Spyder SE from sports authority online then call the customer service number(1-800-801-9164) and tell them that you found the same gun at Extreme Paintball and it was much cheaper. Once you do this, they will credit you 150% of the difference. Another reason I bought from Sports Authority is I know they won't hassle me about warranty or returns like some fly by night websites. The Spyder SE is very upgradeable, yet it comes with pretty much everything you want. The one thing I upgraded right away was my barrel, I bought a J&J ceramic barrel and I definatly noticed the difference.

QUESTION #12..........What type of Accessories do I need?

Here is an exact list of additional equipment that you will need, I found the best prices at Extreme Paintball:

-Scott Hot Shot Mask - good thermal mask but the replacement lens are hard to find.
-14oz Tank - average of 900 rounds for this tank.
-VL200 Loader - Cheap and it works great.
-4 Virus 100 round tubes - hold your paintballs and help you reload quicker.
-Elbow - connects the VL 200 loader to the gun.
-Squeegee - cleans your barrell. Don't get the APP Python, it doesn't work for squat.

QUESTION #13..............What should I wear?

Well, camo is nice, but not necessary. Remember, camo helps you the most when you're not moving. I recommend it because it's great when you are playing in the woods and you want to be a sniper. You can wear gloves, just in case you get shot in the hand, or you're going through thorns. I don't personally wear them because I didn't think getting shot in the hand was that bad. Wear old clothes and shoes w/ ANKLE support. You don't want to twist you ankle do you?

Question #14.............What types of games do you play, and what are the rules?

There are MANY games that you can play, but the 3 MAIN ones are CAPTURE THE FLAG, CENTER FLAG, COMBAT (SPEEDBALL).

In CAPTURE THE FLAG, there are 2 teams and 2 flags. The object is to get the other team's flag (which isn't open, but on a post) and bring it back to your own flag. Do this, and you win the game! Games are between 15 and 20 minutes.

In CENTER FLAG, there is only 1 flag, it's placed in the CENTER of the field. The 2 teams have to battle for it, and after getting it, you have to bring it to your OPPOSING team's startoff point (NOT YOUR OWN!!)

In COMBAT (also known as SPEEDBALL) there are two teams (usually 5 on 5) and the object is to eliminate ALL the players on the other team. Do this and your team wins!! This is my favorite game and this is what we always play. One team goes off to hide and be the prey, we wait 2 to 3 minutes and then the hunt is on. We play in a huge field and sometimes it takes 15 to 20 minutes to stalk and find our enemies. If you love to hunt, this is going to be your game!

Question #15.............What does playing paintball feel like?

I've done many fun and exciting things, but believe me, PAINTBALL is the BEST! It beats CAMPING, HIKING and whatever else you might think is cool. It is just a total rush!!!!! It's such a rush that it makes your adrenalin sky-rocket! While playing in big teams, try running across the field (not towards your enemy, but to the other side parallel to your line front.) It gives you even more of a rush, because you see paint wizzing by you and them splattering on trees by you!! After playing, believe me, you're HOOKED!! There's no way you couldn't be! Even if you aren't that good, you find the NEED to come back and play.

LAST Question #16............Some good/bad situations you've been in?

These are stories from other paintballers:

SITUATION #1
SITUATION #2

THE END.........

If you have ANY questions or comments, please e-mail me at eidaj2@yahoo.com

Last Updated: August 16, 2001

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