DSM Paintball

Paintball is an intense role-playing game, somewhat like tag, played with sniper paintball markers. These markers, or paintball guns, often look like rifles or machine guns and are fitted with special containers holding small, plastic balls of paint or dye. During game play, snipers track each other in the playing area, attempting to shoot an opponent. A hit is evidenced by a smear of paint after being pelted with a paintball.

Paintballing developed in the early 1980s, and attracted players interested in hunting and military service. Chasing opponents while armed replicated the experience and adrenaline rush that many of the early gamers sought. Over the past thirty years, the audience has grown as paintballing has become safer, and as supplies have been marketed worldwide.

This challenging activity is often played in areas that mirror hunting or combat environments. Forests, ruined buildings, or artificial obstacle courses are favorite playing fields. The environs must provide sufficient cover for the various players to hide from each other. Tracking hidden opponents is a core element of the game. Some players incorporate a capture the flag aspect into the game. In these scenarios, the playing area is divided based on the number of teams. All playing formats involve great hiding and targeting options, hence the “sniper” aspect of paintball.

In addition to the paintball gun itself, players often purchase other supplies to maximize their enjoyment and safety:

Paintballs are the ammunition that players feed into their sniper paintball markers. The balls are generally made of plastic or a degradable substance, and are filled with a dye or paint-like substance. They are often brightly colored so hits are easy to identify. They tend to be fairly small, around two-thirds of an inch thick, and they feel pliable when squeezed. They are designed to withstand some jostling around, but to burst on contact when fired from the gun.

Goggles and Protection: Because safety is important, and because paintballs leave a bruise when they hit a player’s skin, protective gear is a must. A blanket requirement for almost all games is that players were goggles to protect their eyes. Usually, all players also wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants as well. Gamers are encouraged to purchase additional safety gear to protect themselves. Sometimes players wear helmets, covers for their faces and mouths, and special body armor to cover their chests.

Targets and Obstacles: Many gamers purchase supplies to improve their skills and design their own paintball playing areas. Artificial courses can be built with blow-up obstacles. These large, rubber obstacles are then placed throughout an area to increase its complexity, or to make-up for a lack of natural obstacles. Some players also purchase targets, like those from a shooting gallery, to improve their aim.

As noted above, this game presents serious safety concerns. It is not an activity that should be attempted without training and practice. Many groups throughout the United States offer coaching and introductory lessons for new players. All players should understand the mechanics of their gun, and have a sense of its safety limitations. Further, all players should purchase and use all the relevant safety gear. And players should survey their playing area for potential hazards. The goal of paintball is strategy and fun, not to injure individual players.

Gamers interested in strategy, hunting, the military, or just a good time should explore the world of paintballing. With sniper paintball markers, some brightly-colored paintballs, and appropriate safety gear, this new sport is waiting for you.

Best place for getting sniper paintball markers cheap is to go at paintball-wizard.net and see what paintballing equipment they have to offer.