By Jordan Ricks

Why is one scenario paintball gun excellent for woods play while another paintball gun is barely adequate? What features does a top-notch scenario paintball gun have that makes it so effective on the demanding scenario paintball field?

One of the exciting aspects of woodsball^™ / scenario paintball (or rec-ball) is that the demands for each game varies dramatically because of the wide variety of playing fields and terrain, the different strategic objectives, and even the diversity of markers. Paintball equipment, particularly markers, plays an important role in affecting the outcome of most scenario and woodsball games. The top scenario players know this and understand the importance of using a marker that is versatile, durable and reliable. (Fortunately however, the most crucial deciding factor is still the person behind the paintball gun.)

Players on successful scenario teams typically play a designated position that is best suited for their unique abilities. A good squad commander is also part talent scout, and utilizes his player’s skills by putting them in positions where their strengths will be maximized and their weaknesses will be minimized.

In addition to the specific strengths of each team member, the player must also have a marker that provides the features best-suited for his style of play. For example, a lightweight Dagger Mk I, Dagger Mk II, or MP5K would be an ideal scenario gun for the team speedster who needs maximum maneuverability and tends to be a little rough on his equipment. On the other hand, the team’s heavy gunner keeps well behind the front lines in order to provide suppression fire for his front players, and he is most effective with the A-5 Double Trouble Gatlin gun - a virtual paintball flame thrower that spits out paint at 30 bps.

Regardless of position, if you want to be an effective woodsball warrior, your paintball gun must first be durable - and preferably easy to maintain. Delicate scopes, sights, and techno gadgetry is only going to get damaged or knocked off the gun during the course of a game, where it is likely to remain in the thick weeds and serve as an expensive playground for the neighborhood ant colony.

Scenario paintball markers need to be able to handle the dirt and dust associated with woodsball play. Most tourney guns aren’t built to withstand frequent exposure to harsh environmental conditions and lots of dirt or water. The internals of some paintball markers are susceptible to airborne dust and others can’t handle the beating of an occasional drop or when a player has to dive for cover. Exposure to extreme conditions, moisture, chemicals, and dirt ultimately affects the marker’s performance, and in many cases, some markers stop functioning altogether. (For the ultimate protective finish, check out our DuraCoat articles.)

One of the all-stars of the scenario paintball world is the Special Ops A-5A2. Built on the high performance, rugged chassis of the Tippmann A-5, the A-5A2 is proof that one marker can have it all – good looks, high-performance, durability, and functionality – at an affordable price!

The A-5A2 is also available in four patented Digi-camo^™ patterns. Special Ops applies the camouflage in DuraCoat®, the finest and only finish designed specifically for firearms. DuraCoat is resistant to chemicals and water and can withstand harsh temperatures and environments, including humid, salty conditions. DuraCoat will protect your marker from salt corrosion and rust for a lifetime. The finish is also impact and abrasion resistant, and won’t chip off like many other cheap paint gun finishes.

If you are serious about finding the ideal scenario paintball gun, the A-5A2 is the marker that sets the standards. The A-5A2 is available with on-air and remote air configurations and several other custom variations to accommodate your position and style of play. We also have hundreds of top-quality paintball guns and a huge selection of woodsball equipment.

We eat, breathe and sleep ‘paintball’. The scenario guns and gear we design and develop is rigorously tested before we consider marking it worthy to sell. If it doesn’t measure up to our standards, we don’t sell it.