Paintball newbie...help please (1 Viewer)

[dutch]

Im thinking of taking my son and a few of his friends to a local field and am trying to figure out the costs involved.  Found a packag for four that offers gear, guns, field time and 500 rounds of ammo split amongst the four.  I s 500 rounds enough or should I expect to shell out more if we plan to stay for 3 hours or so?

 

[Angry Beavers]

Im thinking of taking my son and a few of his friends to a local field and am trying to figure out the costs involved.  Found a packag for four that offers gear, guns, field time and 500 rounds of ammo split amongst the four.  I s 500 rounds enough or should I expect to shell out more if we plan to stay for 3 hours or so?

Depends how strategic your son is with his ammo. The younger kids and teenagers tend to shoot a ton so I would plan on spending from extra dough. 

I think there is a paintball thread from years ago if that helps

 

[TLEF316]

Im thinking of taking my son and a few of his friends to a local field and am trying to figure out the costs involved.  Found a packag for four that offers gear, guns, field time and 500 rounds of ammo split amongst the four.  I s 500 rounds enough or should I expect to shell out more if we plan to stay for 3 hours or so?

A lot will depend on the type of field your playing on (speedball vs woods ball) how long they last in each  individual match and their style of play. But either way, 500 for 4 people is no where near enough paint. When I played growing up, 5-600  balls was a normal day's worth of shooting. We played on fields we set up in the woods (with teams of 10-12 people, so the) and would play maybe 7-8 rounds in a day.  In some rounds, you'd be one of the first ones out and only shoot 30 rounds. Later, you might last for 30 minutes of heavy action and go through 200 balls.   At anything other than really short range, paintball guns aren't super accurate (especially rental guns in the hands of inexperienced players). So there's not a lot of 1 ball kills. Its a lot of 10 rounds of covering fire to people your opponents' head down in a bunker while you move to a better position. The paint adds up quick.

Either way, its a blast. Have fun.

 

[[icon]]

What's up! I play a bit.. used to play a good bit. 

A few random thoughts: 

ENOUGH AMMO? For 4 kids (who will likely shoot a lot) playing 3 hours, that's very likely not anywhere near enough. The average paitball hopper will hold about 150-200 rounds. Trigger happy kids will often shoot their hopper dry each game (figure 30ish mins per game give or take, depending on field traffic, size of groups, etc). My guess is you'll blow through those 500 rounds in the first hour or so with 4 kids. 

You can mitigate this by only half filling their hoppers each game to force them to ration them (new players will often hide behind something and steadily spray stuff far across the field which is wasting ammo). You can always grab more at the park. My guess is you'll be buying another case or two before the day is out if they're having a blast and the games are moving quickly. 

PLAYING WITH OTHER FOLKS: When playing with strangers, sometimes you'll encounter groups with cheaters (wipe paint off and keep playing after getting hit), geared up folks (who abuse high end markers with high rate of fire and greater accuracy at distance). Neither of these are fun to play with... so talk with your kids in advance about it and definitely don't hesitate to report that to the field marshall if you see it. Hell, mention your concerns to the park when you show up and they make a point to put you guys in the right group if possible. 

PAIN: Your kids will have bruises. Wearing baggy attire or a a layer or two helps. Hoodies are great buffers. Be sure they're prepared for this. Some folks get hit once and are over it. 



 

 

[[icon]]

A lot will depend on the type of field your playing on (speedball vs woods ball) how long they last in each  individual match and their style of play. But either way, 500 for 4 people is no where near enough paint. When I played growing up, 5-600  balls was a normal day's worth of shooting. We played on fields we set up in the woods (with teams of 10-12 people, so the) and would play maybe 7-8 rounds in a day.  In some rounds, you'd be one of the first ones out and only shoot 30 rounds. Later, you might last for 30 minutes of heavy action and go through 200 balls.   At anything other than really short range, paintball guns aren't super accurate (especially rental guns in the hands of inexperienced players). So there's not a lot of 1 ball kills. Its a lot of 10 rounds of covering fire to people your opponents' head down in a bunker while you move to a better position. The paint adds up quick.

Either way, its a blast. Have fun.

Great post here. 

New players tend to be spray and pray shooters. This is exacerbated when they realize how inaccurate rental markers are at distances over 30-40ft. 

In some games, if I was playing back/mid and providing cover fire, I'd reload my hopper 2 or 3 times in a longer match... because I was just laying down paint to open lanes for folks to advance. Other times, if I was playing front, I might only go through 20-30 rounds in 3-4 shot burst kill shots when I'd encounter someone. Newer players will tend to play the former approach.... lobbing paint long distances all game. 

 

[dutch]

Really appreciate all the responses, especially form you, icon.  Good stuff.  Im guessing the $50 will balloon to $200 or so but probably still worth it.

 

[kentric]

Like others have said, 500 for four people won't be enough.  Depending on the field/owners, you may be required to buy directly from them.  If not, buy yourself a case which i believe has 2000 balls in it (or used to, haven't played in a while) and bring it with you.  

 

[offdee]

I did this once at a public course and seemed like half the group did it every weekend and had their own personalized guns that shot twice as far and 4 times as more accurate as the rented thing I had in my hand.  Basically every time I even looked at daylight and trying to shoot I was blasted about 3 times before I could even think.  Not fun at all.

 

[[icon]]

Really appreciate all the responses, especially form you, icon.  Good stuff.  Im guessing the $50 will balloon to $200 or so but probably still worth it.

Definitely still worth it. It's a LOT of fun for people who enjoy that sort of thing. If your kids are excited it'll likely be one of those "Epic days" assuming they don't have to deal with too many dbags (wipers, overshooters, etc). 

IF the cash is a concern, One idea would be to ration the paint out to quart ziplocs or something... but few things suck worse than running out of paint on the field if you're having a good game. Now you've got a good idea of what to expect at least... and can make your own decisions on rationing or whatnot. 

 

[[icon]]

Like others have said, 500 for four people won't be enough.  Depending on the field/owners, you may be required to buy directly from them.  If not, buy yourself a case which i believe has 2000 balls in it (or used to, haven't played in a while) and bring it with you.  

Good point here... most parks require you to buy paint from them.... but if you go on a BYOP (BYOPaint) day you can sometimes save a bit by purchasing a case or two from amazon or walmart. Just make sure the colors are okay (some parks require white paint only). 

 

[[icon]]

I did this once at a public course and seemed like half the group did it every weekend and had their own personalized guns that shot twice as far and 4 times as more accurate as the rented thing I had in my hand.  Basically every time I even looked at daylight and trying to shoot I was blasted about 3 times before I could even think.  Not fun at all.

Yeah this was something to consider... MOST good players are cool about it. But some ##### will use their thousand dollar markers to light up newbies for kicks. That's why it's generally good to try to get in groups with lots of beginners using rental gear if possible. 

We went once and the ref paired all his buddies (who had good gear and played regularly) on one team for a game or two and we were getting smoked (most of our group were newbies with Tippman 98 rentals).

One **** in particular was an overshooter (lights folks up and keeps shooting punitively after they've got their hands up). He did this to my GF once.. I was furious.

The next game my buddy (who used to be sponsored) and I (Ego 7 marker heavily upped to shoot 35bps) hunted him down, and dumped 300+ rounds of paint on him at increasingly close range until the kid was howling in pain. He went home after that.  

 

 

[glvsav37]

Yeah this was something to consider... MOST good players are cool about it. But some ##### will use their thousand dollar markers to light up newbies for kicks. That's why it's generally good to try to get in groups with lots of beginners using rental gear if possible. 

We went once and the ref paired all his buddies (who had good gear and played regularly) on one team for a game or two and we were getting smoked (most of our group were newbies with Tippman 98 rentals).

One **** in particular was an overshooter (lights folks up and keeps shooting punitively after they've got their hands up). He did this to my GF and the next game my buddy (who used to be sponsored) and I hunted him down specifically, and dumped 300+ rounds of paint on him at close range until the kid was howling in pain. He went home after that. 

 

I use to play a bunch but never made the jump to getting my own marker. But I remember one game where I was working with a guy who had a sick set—big hopper, semi auto with rhythm triggers, vest with CO2 that his marker was tied directly to— needles to say he got shot and i was the last one. Out of the blue, he's like "Here take my vest" and threw it on me...I didn't even know the guy. I went on a rampage with that thing for a few minutes before i got nipped...thing was hella fun...spraying paint everywhere. 


one thing the OP should consider, which we did, is we got sick of playing with D-bags, so we would organize our own games. The place would give us our own field and refs if we guaranteed a certain amount of players. We didn't play as often b/c it was harder to get guys consistently, but when we did, we had a blast—tailgating, talking #### and whatnot. 

 

[[icon]]

I use to play a bunch but never made the jump to getting my own marker. But I remember one game where I was working with a guy who had a sick set—big hopper, semi auto with rhythm triggers, vest with CO2 that his marker was tied directly to— needles to say he got shot and i was the last one. Out of the blue, he's like "Here take my vest" and threw it on me...I didn't even know the guy. I went on a rampage with that thing for a few minutes before i got nipped...thing was hella fun...spraying paint everywhere. 


one thing the OP should consider, which we did, is we got sick of playing with D-bags, so we would organize our own games. The place would give us our own field and refs if we guaranteed a certain amount of players. We didn't play as often b/c it was harder to get guys consistently, but when we did, we had a blast—tailgating, talking #### and whatnot. 

LOL @ Bolded... exactly!

...and we did the same as you with dedicated group/ref/games. Much more fun that way. That said, for the OP's first trip he should hopefully be fine. If the kids love it then I agree, organizing groups of 10-12 folks if possible for private games is 100% the way to go. 

 

[Thunderlips]

Im thinking of taking my son and a few of his friends to a local field and am trying to figure out the costs involved.  Found a packag for four that offers gear, guns, field time and 500 rounds of ammo split amongst the four.  I s 500 rounds enough or should I expect to shell out more if we plan to stay for 3 hours or so?

You're going to need more after the first match. 

 

[[icon]]

Private games are where it's at. I used to play as a teenager with a group of 30-40 people. We'd rent a field for the day and it was a total blast. Everyone was cool and nobody cheated or acted like psychos....which seemed to always happen when I'd play in a public match. 

 

Reminds me of another public game story. We were waiting on a field in the safe area behind netting (barrel plugs in, masks off, NO shooting)... and we saw this group of 3 kids cheating their asses off. Wiping marks off of each other when hit, then playing on. I pulled my plug, slid my barrel through a seam in the netting and hit them all a few times each. 

They JUMPED and spun around like  . We were all laughing and yelling "Quit ####### wiping!" 

I got yelled at by our ref for shooting in the box, but he was struggling to hold back laughter while reprimanding me. 

 

[EYLive]

Don't play with a Vietnam vet.

 

[glvsav37]

My dad is a Vietnam Vet, marine, m-60 gunner, guy must have been psycho back in the day b/c he did 2 tours. 

needless to say, he came with us one game. Being its capture the flag, my buddies had the flag in sight, no one around. One guy goes for it and get 2 in the chest. After a few minutes, they check and still can't see anyone. Next guy goes, sure enough he's cut down. Finally one last guy makes a fast break for it and out of the corner a pile of leaves flies in the air and out pops my dad. He literally covered himself in a pile of dead leaves for 15-20 minutes with nothing but his gun barrel sticking out sniping people as they went for the flag. 

 

[fantasycurse42]

I'll chip in $50 and help alleviate the costs if you post a video of yourself taking a groin shot from less than 10 feet. 

 

[Johnny Rock]

Even though the company will explain the rules and safety when you arrive, go over it with your son and his friends beforehand so they listen. It would be beyond terrible if someone had their mask off and took shots to the eye or ear. 

My first time, we put on camo face paint and Army Surplus clothing. Found out the face paint is not good for the masks and you sweat so much you don't want it anyway. We had to take it off before playing in rental equipment.

Love the stories guys!

Have fun. Be prepared for welts. 

 

[dutch]

I'll chip in $50 and help alleviate the costs if you post a video of yourself taking a groin shot from less than 10 feet. 

You sound like my young son...

 

[Ditkaless Wonders]

There are always ##### at public courses.  Most places limit the speed of a shot to 200 to 300 feet per second.  Many expensive markers powered by multiple tanks CO2 packs can shoot up to 800 ft. per second.  The first speeds are good recreation, though if it hits an unprotected area it will leave a good welt.  The latter are nearly the speed of a slow .45 caliber round.  They really hurt.  Why these ##### feel it necessary to turn recreation into an exercise in sadism is beyond me.  These same guys will always overshoot, pumping multiple rounds into a player already hit.  A good rule is to not go out on a course with multiple folks with multiple CO2 tanks on a combat webbing vest.

Wear thick, loose clothing that billows away from your skin.  It's hot, but paintballs sting.  You need the buffer.

Emphasize that under no circumstances does the helmet come off until you are back in the safe box with a referee. There are some a-holes who just have to empty their guns to make the most of their ammo, and will do so even after a game is called.  You can get hit after the game is called and if hit in the eye, unprotected, you have a lifetime injury.  Its a game, and if played safely its a riot, but if played unsafely, and that is to be anticipated, it can be something which leads to permanent and serious injury.  Always follow the rules to the letter on protective gear.

You will need a minimum of twice the ammunition you are currently contemplating.  For 3 hours of play you have about 40 rounds, per man. per hour.  Kids shoot far more often than once every minute and a half.

About 1 out of three times playing on a public course I had a bad experience due to poor behavior by ##### who thought the apocalypse was upon them and they loved that it was.  I once lost my temper with one such individual.  He shot me maybe a dozen times, at close range, with his marker turned up way too high, after I had been killed and was walking off with my marker clearly raised well over my head.  I responded poorly.

 

[Thunderlips]

We played up at Skirmish once in a game where the flag was in the middle and you had to get it and take it to the other teams base.  Sent our two fastest guys to get it, they brought it back and we spent the rest of the time just probing the enemy lines to find a weakness to get the flag thru.  They were rock solid. With about a minute left, we get the idea just to charge the middle....everyone.  It was like an ill fated Civil War charge.  We broke the line and pushed a decent bit into their territory....but between friendly fire, cross fire and their established positions......noone survived.  Good times. 

 

[[icon]]

There are always ##### at public courses.  

...(prune

About 1 out of three times playing on a public course I had a bad experience due to poor behavior by ##### who thought the apocalypse was upon them and they loved that it was.  I once lost my temper with one such individual.  He shot me maybe a dozen times, at close range, with his marker turned up way too high, after I had been killed and was walking off with my marker clearly raised well over my head.  I responded poorly.

Love me some DW posts   Very true regarding safety. I've been in the box (safe area with helmets off and barrel plugs in) when shots have been accidentally discharged by careless folks. Thankfully no body was hurt.

I always made it a point look around to ensure everyone had barrel plugs in, and to stand with my back to most folks facing field netting when waiting in the box with people I didn't trust... just because as DW said... one stray round = lost eye. 

Thankfully most markers are chronoed (checked for speed), and breaking 285fps (the cap at all fields I've played at) is punishable by a potential ban from the park. Not all parks are that judicious, however. 


 

 

[fantasycurse42]

You sound like my young son...

Maybe it's me, dad... I'd recommend wearing a cup

 

[[icon]]

Maybe it's me, dad... I'd recommend wearing a cup

I know people who do wear a cup to play...

 

[Dan Lambskin]

I know people who do wear a cup to play...

I would wear one.  Only played once and got shot with 2 quick shots both about an inch away from each ball

 

[glvsav37]

I know people who do wear a cup to play...

took a shot while firing on one knee. 

thankfully it wasn't from close range, but still hurt like a mofo

 

[[icon]]

I was because I generally wore one as well. If you've got a good one, it's not too uncomfortable... and I don't wanna find out what a close direct shot to a testicle would feel like.  

 

[glvsav37]

I was because I generally wore one as well. If you've got a good one, it's not too uncomfortable... and I don't wanna find out what a close direct shot to a testicle would feel like.  

as an ice hockey goalie for over 25 years, I recognize the importance of a good cup.

 

[Ditkaless Wonders]

I was because I generally wore one as well. If you've got a good one, it's not too uncomfortable... and I don't wanna find out what a close direct shot to a testicle would feel like.  

The first time I played I was somewhat unprepared, it being a spontaneous decision.  I had on jeans and a polo shirt, but I had a cotton sweatshirt in my truck.  I put that on.  As a last minute decision I slipped a work glove down the front of my pants.  I needed it as I got shot there. The work glove was welcome protection.  One of the guys I was with had no such protection.  He also got shot there.  Apparently we had some **** sniper on the course as one other guy from a group I did not know also got **** shot. Anyhow my buddy who got shot there apparently had an impressive welt and he kept offering to show it or asking us to look at it.  We took him home and let his wife check whether he had to get treatment.  Turned out he did.  He did not lose the testicle.  He did go back to the course.  The fun he had apparently outweighed getting shot in the gonad.

Don't be either of these guys, the shooter or the shootee.

 

[popeye]

bigger worry - paintball to the satchel

wear a cup and thank me later

ETA - looks like others agree

 

[[icon]]

**** sniper

**** Sniper is the name of my Husker Du cover band. 

 

[[icon]]

**** Sniper story reminds me of a co-ed game we played. A female friend was VERY mouthy leading up to the day at the park, playfully talking all sorts of smack about how she was going to light me up.

One game I got around the right flank along the out of bounds tape without much incident, and made it to their back line undetected. From there I worked my way across the back line, lighting up folks from behind that were hiding in various bunkers. I happened upon her in one unexpectedly and she spun around on me so I fired off 3-4 rounds in quick succession on the run from about 15ft away. 

Shot one hit her right in the lady bits...
2 was in the stomach...
3 caught a breast...
and with the 4 shot I apparently "gogged" her (hit the goggles of the mask all/mostly obscuring the shooters vision).

She fell backward into the bunker wall and yelled out "MOTHER####ER!" loud as hell... I fell down laughing and was promptly dispatched by a teammate of hers. 

Something we still laugh about to this day when together over beers.  

 

[Cold Dead Hands]

I was sponsored in my late teens and also played many a pub.

I have so many stories.

 

[jerry jones]

Im thinking of taking my son and a few of his friends to a local field and am trying to figure out the costs involved.  Found a packag for four that offers gear, guns, field time and 500 rounds of ammo split amongst the four.  I s 500 rounds enough or should I expect to shell out more if we plan to stay for 3 hours or so?

Put the paint balls in the freezer for a couple hours, great fun!

seriously though paint balling is sooo much fun, I used to go with a group once a month throughout the summer. Definitely miss it

 

[Ditkaless Wonders]

. A female friend was VERY mouthy leading up to the day at the park, playfully talking about how she was going to light me up.

I got around her right flank along the out of bounds tape without much incident, and made it to her back line undetected. From there I worked my way across the back line, lighting her  up from behind in various bunkers. I fappened on her unexpectedly and she spun around on me so I fired off 3-4 rounds in quick succession. 

Shot one hit her right in the lady bits...
2 was in the stomach...
3 caught a breast...
and with the 4 shot I apparently "gogged" her (hit the goggles of the mask all/mostly obscuring the shooters vision).

She fell backward and yelled out "MOTHER####ER!" loud as hell... I fell down laughing and was promptly dispatched by a roommate of hers. 

Something we still laugh about to this day when together over beers.  

Sexy time.

 

[Johnny Rock]

**** Sniper story reminds me of a co-ed game we played. A female friend was VERY mouthy leading up to the day at the park, playfully talking all sorts of smack about how she was going to light me up.

One game I got around the right flank along the out of bounds tape without much incident, and made it to their back line undetected. From there I worked my way across the back line, lighting up folks from behind that were hiding in various bunkers. I happened upon her in one unexpectedly and she spun around on me so I fired off 3-4 rounds in quick succession on the run from about 15ft away. 

Shot one hit her right in the lady bits...
2 was in the stomach...
3 caught a breast...
and with the 4 shot I apparently "gogged" her (hit the goggles of the mask all/mostly obscuring the shooters vision).

She fell backward into the bunker wall and yelled out "MOTHER####ER!" loud as hell... I fell down laughing and was promptly dispatched by a teammate of hers. 

Something we still laugh about to this day when together over beers.  

Great money shot on the goggles, especially on the run.