Tactics


Tactics
Most players will know all this by now. I hope this reminder helps those new to the game.

The easiest way to learn tactics is to team up into pairs with an experienced player guiding a newer player. The mentor will be able to spot your mistakes when/after you do it and correct you immediately so it doesn't become ingrained. Play with as many different good players as you can so you can combine their advice.

Later you can form your buddy pairs based on running speed and playing style. A pair should have buddies with the same endurance/running speed because a fast player and a slow player both destroy each other's game. Two pairs of runners can serve as fast offense while two pairs of slowpokes can act more defensively. If two players are both experienced and KNOW EACH OTHER WELL, a stalker/sniper can buddy-up with a scout/flanker so that one can cover the weakness of the other.

Play as many times as you can so you can discover/develop your preferred style of play. Once you know what you like to do, buddy up with someone who likes doing the same thing you do so you can guide/support/protect each other. Remember, a pair is better than three solo individuals (as fighter-plane pilots well know).

1. LOOK AROUND ALL THE TIME.
Don't focus too much on what's in front of you. If you can't see along one direction, tell others to do it for you. Ask yourself, if you can see them (opponents and/or teammates), can they also see you?

2. TALK TO YOUR TEAMMATES.
When the firing starts, all surprise is lost and coordination becomes more important. Tell your mates what you intend to do(and what you want them to do) so they won't waste time having to ask you. Don't leave them in the dark about what you can see.

3. TAKE ADVANTAGE!
When you spot an opportunity, get ready to go full blast for it. Quick reflexes based on situational awareness gives you a massive momentary advantage (SURPRISE!). Knowing the right timing (when to do what) is an invaluable skill. Also, be ready to create an advantage (distractions, bluff, speed, etc.).

4. MOVE AROUND.
Do it either silently or quickly because in-between won't work--slow AND noisy sucks! Work with available cover if you can, but RUN FAST as much as possible if you really have to move. At full speed you can cover 5 meters (15 feet) in as little as 2 seconds, just be sure to STOP as gracefully as possible (if you hurt yourself, you hurt your team). If you have to stop moving, pick a protected spot--or don't stop until you're out of range. SHOOT, THEN MOVE. Even if opponents know you're in the area, don't let them know exactly where you are at any particular time.

5. THINK AHEAD.
Once you learn how to read the terrain (ambush areas, movement routes, weak spots, etc.), begin considering how your opponents might use it against you. If you spot an opponent moving in your area, ask yourself where he'll stop and where he'll go to next. If you're moving to another location, you should be looking where you might be spotted from and where you'll go after you reach your next destination. A lot of players have picked a spot where they have nowhere else to go--thus neutralizing themselves.

6. OUTFLANKING WORKS.
Frontal attacks are costly in terms of time, ammunition, and teammates. One defender in a good position can hold up, eliminate, or otherwise neutralize up to five opposing attackers, unless one of those attackers goes to a flank position and hits the defender from the side or behind. A buddy pair works because they can split up momentarily to hit an opponent from two different angles. Two pairs work even better against multiple opponents. If you're being outflanked, move to another position--you can't shoot effectively in two different directions.


UNORTHODOX SHOOTING
Conceal the overall effectiveness of your paintgun. Avoid shooting at targets you have no realistic chance of hitting. This will keep the enemy from knowing how far your gun will actually shoot. You can make your gun hard to gauge by missing on purpose.
If you're longballing make your balls fall short so your opponent will come closer thinking he's still out of your range.

ILL COMMUNICATION
Communicate that you will be using different tactics so your teammates won't become confused. Develop a way to tell teammates that you are luring opponents instead of being in need. "Stan, I need help over here!" will help bait your opponent, but since there is no one on your team named Stan your teammates will no that you aren't in trouble.

MAKING OFFENSE WORK
These elements are needed to make any offensive tactic work.

1) THE POINTMAN
Contrary to popular belief, the point man's job is not to absorb the first hail of paintballs. His job is to communicate. He must be observant to conditions accurately. The pointman should not engage opponents if he makes contact, only relay information back to you or your group leader.
He should move in spurts, stopping every twenty or so yards to orient himself as to what is ahead. He should be able to move quickly and choose the best terrain to move through. in the end, he will make the best choice as to the best possible route.
It's important that he has a good eye for routes that can provide cover without slowing the momentum of the group.

2) COMMUNICATION
Orient yourself on the field using the clock. Is there an opponent at 10'o'clock or 2 o'clock? That's simpler and less confusing than saying, " there's a guy over there behind that tree" A raised fist from the pointman is the signal to stop.
Moving your raised fist in an up and down motion once or twice is your signal to move. A sweeping motion to the left means go left t, to the right means go right. Simple. Keep the field chatter to a minimum. Concentrate on what's ahead of you and what the pointman is doing.

3) CROSSFIRE
How many people does it take to get a guy hiding behind a tree? One, if you're a good shot , Two if you're smart. Effective crossfire is achieved by creating several angles of fire forcing your opponent to move himself into a vulnerable position. Don't only shoot straight ahead of you shoot at an angle across the field. Work in teams. Identify a target then work on getting him out. He can't shoot at two people at once.
Have your teammate move to a better position and create another angle of fire. When he moves and he will, he's yours. If he doesn't move, then you only have to keep his head down until someone else can get a bead on him. Make sure everyone knows what your shooting at and call out positions that might not be notices.
Working in this way will help you coordinate your fire so that you can create a weak point in that line. Again, it's that simple- identify targets, then work together.

4) BREAKING THE SKIRMISH LINE
Move down the field in a single file line, one behind the other. Stay at least two arms lengths away from the guy in front of you. Nothing matters but moving forward.
Watch the pointman. If he stops you stop. be patient. If your opponent is in front of you he will only see the pointman first. Watch for ambushes but don't get fixated on them. Very few people have the patience to complete a successful ambush.
When the pointman makes contact, then you will move on-line. In other words form a skirmish line to the left or right depending on the pointmans signal. The trick here is to come up on-line aggressively, firing and moving. The idea is to attack at an angle as opposed to head on confrontation. Your opponent may have already found a good defensive position. Chances are he is behind a good cover. Never run straight in the direction their guns are already pointed.
You want to force them to turn in your direction away form their cover. This should have a somewhat disorienting effect on them. It's important that you always move forward. A moving target is more hard to hit than a stationary one.
As you eliminate forward positions, begin to move into those spots. Then gradually begin to move laterally across their front. By now you should have momentum. Now is not the time to be bashful. Call out the positions to your teammates. Make sure each position is secure before moving up.
Once you've built some momentum, you may find yourself closing with them very quickly. Don't expose yourself needlessly. At this range it's hard to miss. You are essentially firing and maneuvering. Pick the position you want to move to first then move to it. Signal to your teammate that you're moving up so he can take your position once it's vacant. These types of tactics are devastating when used by a group.
Skirmishes stall when there is no movement. Once both sides decide to settle down and trade shots, the action is aver. Taking the initiative with an aggressive action automatically gives you the psychological and tactical edge.


PLAY LIKE AN ANIMAL

RABBIT
Rabbits, when spooked run around in a circle. If the predator is a little slow taking up the chase, the rabbit will end up behind him. This will only work if you begin your circle OUT OF SIGHT of the opposition.

DEER
Deer will run a ways and stop. In this case, when you are being pursued, once you are out of sight, line up your sights on where your pursuers will come at you. When they come into range let them have a few, and run some more.

GROUSE
Quail will go unnoticed until you are right beside them, then they take off. This makes a lot of noise, and unless you have nerves of steel you'll have a load in your pants. The best way to make this work is to wait until the opposition is really close. If you leave too much room they will have time to react. This will scare the shit out of them.

CHARGE
Some animals will charge directly at the predator. This throws the predator for a loop as they anticipated and escape in a direction away from them. Like the grouse this works best if you wait until they are almost on you. This also works if you're cornered and in full sight of your opposition.

FREEZE
Some animals will absolutely not move, no matter how close you get to them. Unless they are directly threatened, or sense their discovery, they will remain absolutely motionless. Most times the predator will pass them by, allowing for a back shot.


NEVER PURSUE A FLEEING ENEMY!
12 TACTICAL MISTAKES
1. Don't stop in one place for to long. It's hard to regain momentum once it's lost. And it makes you an easier target.
2. Stay calm when you're eliminated.
3. Don't take the game to seriously. After all it's only a game.
4. Don't ever take things for granted. A little paranoia could keep you in the game longer.
5. Don't turn your back on the opposition. There is nothing honorable about getting shotin the back.
6. Don't get tunnel vision. Look at the whole field not just who you're shooting at.
7. Don't forget to look over your shoulder now and then. It's not fun to get MERCY KILLED
8. Don't get intimidated, especially by the type of equipment a player uses.
9. Don't bother shooting a player if a teammate is already pounding him. Try to get an angle on him.
10. Don't get cocky! There is always someone younger, better, faster, and stronger than
you. You just haven't met him or HER yet.
11. Don't dismiss luck.
12. Don't be a bad loser. The only thing worse than a bad loser is a bad winner. Don't be EITHER!
13. Don't limit yourself to tips found here. Learn something every time you play.

STEALTH
APACHE SPIRIT WALK
To perform the spirit walk, you must push the toe of your shoe down into the ground cover and then slowly push it forwards. Doing this you will be using your shoe as a bulldozer, clearing a spot for your foot to rest in.

BETTER THAN THE AVERAGE BARE
Use bare patches whenever possible. A well worn path is better than a twigstrewn forest floor.

HIGH STEPPIN'
Pick your feet up. Not only will contact with the ground make noise but brushing your feet through high grass and low bushes will make noise too.

SOUND F/X
Use background to cover any noise your movements will make. Move when the wind blows, or use the sounds of paint battles to cover your sounds.

Rain is the stealth
players best friend.

DON'T BRUSH THE BRUSH
It's better to go around branches than it is to push through them.

RIDIN' HIGH
Keep your loaders tube etc. away from your legs. They'll rattle when you walk.

STEP SHORT
If you take short steps your balance will be better. If you feel something that will be noisy under your foot you can pull back. Crawling makes way too much noise.

HALT
Travel a short distance, stop , look , and listen, before you start moving again.

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