By JOracle
March 29, 2005
www.specialopspaintball.com

Since Scenario Paintball takes the sport to a new level, it should be no surprise that scenario gear goes next-level, too.

A regular recball player, with a typical gear kit, can walk onto a scenario game with few additions. But, if you want to really enjoy yourself, you’ll make some basic, and maybe some not-so-basic, enhancements to your equipment.

Your Paintball Gun. Many scenario games allow full-auto. Depending on the rules of your scenario game, you may want to upgrade your firepower. A lot of scenario players go for mil-sim (military simulation) guns. There are a million bolt-on modifications you can make to your Tippmann A-5 or 98 Custom that will make it look like a mean, milsim weapon. Be careful, though. A heavy chunk of steel and aluminum will be the last thing you want to lug around for a game that will run hours, if not days. Make sure your mods make sense, or you might find yourself ditching unnecessary parts in the middle of the day, after you’ve gotten sick of your milsim boat anchor. Another caution:  beware of milsim paintball guns that are manufactured for scenario games. They are often of very poor quality and will not stand up to the rigors of hard-core scenario play. If you stick with Tippmann, you can rest assured that you own the most reliable milsim platform anywhere.

Paint. It’s pretty common for scenario games to require the use of field paint. In any case, you’re going to want to carry more paint than usual. Scenario games always have a way to restock your paint, but these resupply points are often hard to reach. You’ll want to double or triple your normal recball paint load, even though the added weight can become a drag.

Air. As with paint, you may want to carry a larger supply of air than normal. Upgrading to a larger tank can keep you in the game while others are searching for an air depot.

Vest. With all that extra paint and air, you’re going to need a way to comfortably haul it. While pod packs work great for quick games of capture the flag or speedball, they’re not practical for scenario paintball. Buy yourself a good vest and discover how paintball can be when your gear is properly stowed and at your fingertips. A good vest will give you space for extra paint, off-gun air, paint grenades, water, snacks, maps, radios and anything else you’ll be hauling around the massive scenario battlefield.

Off-gun Air. As you’ve probably gathered, with scenario play you’re going to need more air, which means more weight, which means a heavier gun. That is, unless you take your air off-gun. Going “remote” is very popular among scenario paintball players, probably because, once you’re used to it, it’s a very light way to play. Carrying a heavy tank on your back is a thousand times easier than carrying it in your hand. The only down-side of playing remote is that the coiled hose sometimes tangles in the brush. But, this is something you can easily get over to and, at the end of the day, it’s well worth it to play remote. You’ll be amazed at how much better your paintball gun handles once you relieve it of its awkward
and clunky air tank.

Water. Probably the biggest cause of scenario game injury is lack of water. Scenario season straddles the hottest part of spring and summer and it’s pretty common to get your melon baked while fighting on some scenario battleground. Be smart and carry lots (LOTS) of water. A camelback system is a must. Either buy a vest that takes a camelback or make sure your camelback can comfortably be worn on the outside of your vest.

Comms. During a scenario game, you WILL become separated from your team. Without communications, it’s next to impossible to reunite. When one of you is eliminated, the rest play on while that person heads to the elimination zone. After the dead men resurrect, they’ll want to find their buddies and keep on rolling. On a small to medium-sized scenario field, basic Motorola radios will probably suffice. On a serious scenario field, you may want to upgrade to a more powerful Motorola. In any case, make sure that you’ve synchronized your channels and privacy codes and that you’ve turned off that annoying call chime. Earbuds or throat mics are also very, very handy.

Exotic Weapons. A lot of times, recball moves too fast for grenades, landmines, smoke, rockets, mortars and other special “weapons.”  Scenario paintball was made for the exotics and you shouldn’t miss the chance to get crazy with your gear kit. Definitely bring along a couple of grenades. And, if you’re feeling like doing something new, pick up one of these scenario specialties:

• Landmines. Since scenario paintball games revolve around fixed bases that must be taken and held, landmines, known as “area denial devices”  by true scenario nerds, make a lot of sense. You have the time to set them up and the likelihood that someone will walk by and have them blow up in their face. The current batch of SpecOps “trip” style mines tend to be easier to set up and more likely to go off than “step-on mines.”  Give both (or either) a try as you set up a tactical defense.

• Smoke Grenades. Watching the hordes land on the beaches of Normandy, during Oklahoma D-day, it’s easy to see how smoke grenades can be the key to breaking fixed defenses. Besides, they’re just really, really cool. Get with a team and chip in on a couple of these babies.

• Mortars. Fixed mortars with large paint bombs are rarely seen at scenario games. It seems that the idea of someone getting flattened by a pound-and-a-half paint grenade gave insurance companies the willies. However, gun-mounted launchers, with small, four-ounce grenades, are finding general acceptance among scenario paintball promoters. Check out the Scepter Combat Systems under-mounted grenade launcher for some high-arcing fun.

• Rocket Launchers. “Javelin” Tank Hunters roam most scenario battlefields seeking the ultimate prey – the scenario tank. Firing shoulder-mounted rocket launchers, these sneaky buggers lay in ambush while tanks roll by unaware of their impending doom. If you’re going to play Javelin, be prepared for a completely different kind of paintball. You’ll work to avoid enemy infantry and you’ll place yourself where you’re most likely to encounter armor – exactly the opposite of everyone else on the field.

•Tanker. It takes serious commitment to build and operate a scenario tank (unless you win our drawings and get a chance to fight in the SpecOps Razorback.)  But, nothing compares to the ultimate power that can be found behind the big guns. Tanks are nearly invincible – vulnerable only to the rockets of the Javelin. Within twenty minutes on the field, it’s not uncommon to rack up over 200 “kills.”  Tanks are THAT powerful. No kidding.

Scenario paintball is one of the fastest-growing segments of the sport and it’s easy to see why. If you’re getting bored of tourney-style paintball (and who wouldn’t?) or if you’re looking for somewhere to really test your recball skills, then sink your teeth into a scenario game.