Paintball Game Scenarios & Tactics...

Teams try to capture a flag from the opponents’ base. The base camps are separated by approximately 200 metres of woodland. The red team must capture the blue flag from the blue teams base. The reds must then bring the flag back to their own base without being shot.

Tactics

You need to defend your own flag to stop it being captured and you need attackers to go out to capture the opponents flag.

Time is always fairly short (typically 15 - 20 minutes) so get out and dominate the game field early. The attackers must ensure that they stay organised and go out at a similar speed. If the opposition get behind you or to your side, you will be shot very quickly!

If you see an opponent carrying your flag, shoot them as a priority! If they get the flag back to their own base you will loose the game.

It is always worth leaving a spare attacker behind in the opponents base, if you manage to capture their flag. They may be your last chance to save a game (by shooting the returning flag carrier) if both teams manage to capture the flags at the same time.

The Village game consists of a series of basic wooden huts, set amongst woodland, within a marked out boundary area. The teams start at opposite ends of the village and have 20 minutes to eliminate all of the opposition. The first team to succeed wins. Occasionally the game runs for the full 20 minutes with players from both sides being left alive. The winning team is decided by awarding points for the number of live players left at the end of the game.

Tactics

The Village is a fast moving game requiring good team work and communications. The game area is not flat and one side of the game field is dominated by an earth bank. This can prove to be a key strategic feature. The team who dominates the bank, along its entire length, will control a good arc of fire over the whole game field.

One team will start close to one side of the bank. They should take advantage of this point and control the area with several players. The team who start at the lower end of the game field should certainly send a couple of fast runners to try to reach the bank.

The temptation with the Village game is to advance too quickly into the game field. If you do this you will end up surrounded by the opposition or exposed to crossfire. It is best to secure a line of huts across the game field and gradually move forward.

If the opposite team manage to get around the sides of the playing area you will get shot very quickly. The sides are very important.

Communications are very important. It is easy to jump into a hut and shoot the occupant only to find out it is one of your team mates. Talk to your team and make sure you know where they are and where the opposition are.

A smoke grenade can turn a game around - lay down a smoke screen and move forward to a hut - the enemy won't see you until its too late!

The Trenches tends to be one of the favourite games of the day during the dryer times of year. A maze of interconnecting trenches fills a rectangular area (100 x 70 metres). Teams start at opposite end with the aim of capturing a central flag and taking it to the opponents back trench.

The area is surrounded by a boundary rope - live players stay within this area. Eliminated players can offer advice from the sides.

This is a fast, high adrenalin game that often involves close encounters with the opposition!

Tactics

A successful team will need a good defence and a good number of brave attackers to go forward. The attackers should work in small groups to allow one person to advance through a trench whilst at least one other provides covering fire.

Jumping over the top of a trench may look impressive but you will get shot very quickly!

Crawling along a trench is hard work and will inevitably result in close quarter action. Crouching on top of the trenches, using the mounds or earth spoil as cover can be very successful and allows you to see the entire playing area.

The Trenches is another game where you must dominate the sides. If the opposition get around a side you team will be wiped out quickly. Use the game time wisely. If you advance too far too quickly it is easy to find yourself surrounded.

Never assume a trench is empty. It is all too easy to turn a corner and end up face to face with an opposite team member!

Smoke grenades can add an eerie atmosphere to the Trench game and really get the adrenalin pumping - who knows what is in front of you in the smoke filled trench!

This classic game involves three base camps that lie in a triangular pattern. Teams start at separate bases and the third base contains a metal ammunition box. The objective is for each team to capture the the box and take on into the opponents base.

There is only one box and both teams are trying to capture it. If the box carrier is shot the box is left at that point and either team can then capture it.

If you are very small you can use the box as a shield - shots on the box don't count.

Tactics

There are two main ways to play the game: active attack, and passive defence.

Most teams will opt for the active attack. At the start of the game the majority of the team will race off to the box location. If they are the first ones there they will gain control of the box. At this stage the sensible approach is to back off, re-group and then attack the opponents base camp (If the team don't back off and just carry straight on to the opponents base they are likely to run straight into the oppositions attackers).

If the opposition get to the box first and there is no trace of where it is, it would be wise to get back to your base and defend - the box will be coming your way sooner or later!

A second tactic is a passive defence. At the start of the game the whole team set up a solid defence around their base. The theory being that the other team will capture the box and then attack. Due to the strong defence, the attackers will be eliminated and the defending team will gain control of the box .

This tends to be a high risk strategy as if the defence is not strong enough the attackers will just steam through and win the game!

Communications are important. Your team need to know who has the box and where it is.

The Arena Ball game field consists of a large open grass area (approximately 70 x 100 metres). The only cover available comes from plastic oil drums dotted around the area in small groups.

Teams start at opposite ends. A flag is located in the middle and both teams must capture the flag and take it on to the opponents end. If the flag carrier is shot the flag is returned to the middle. After being shot players make their way to the side boundary from where they can shout instructions and pass in ammunition.

Tactics

Arena Ball is a fast moving game where it is possible to shoot anyone from anywhere on the game field. A rapid getaway is important at the start of the game. Players need to get out to the sides and get behind a barricade quickly. If you linger at the start you may get shot or get pinned down to prevent you getting to the sides.

From the sides of Arena Ball field you can see what's going on and you will only get incoming fire from in front of you or to one side (not both sides).

If you do get stuck in the middle (someone will have to eventually to get the flag) you will be receiving fire from both sides and in front - it is very difficult to get your head up to take a shot.

If you do get the flag it is usually best to take it out to your strongest side and push hard and fast to the opposite end. If you try to go directly through the middle to the opponents end you will be receiving fire from all sides (including your own if you are unlucky)!

Use your eliminated players to give information from the sides. They can let you know where the flag is, how many of the opposition are behind a barricade and keep an eye out for players on the opposite side of the game field.

One team members from each team is nominated (usually a volunteer) as the V.I.P. They will be dressed in a brightly coloured jacket to allow both teams to spot them easily.

Each team will start at a base camp (teams will be around 300 metres apart through thick woodland), the objective is to get your V.I.P. into the opponents base alive.

Tactics

You can only win this game by getting your V.I.P. into the opponents base alive. If your V.I.P. is shot you can no longer win the game but you can draw by shooting the opponents V.I.P. or stopping them getting into your base.

A good defence is vital. It is easy for the opposition to smuggle their V.I.P. into your base through the thick woodland without you noticing.

If your team shoot the opponents V.I.P. you no longer need to leave any players back in defence (the opposition have no reason to get into your base anymore).

Communications need to be clear - you need to know if either V.I.P. has been shot so you tactics can be changed.

Rushing forward with your V.I.P. in the first few minutes will probably result in heavy casualties. Go forward a bit and then hold tight and wait to see what the other team are up to (they may be doing the same - so don't wait for too long).