The pressure system or Air System, is what gives the marker the air it needs to release a paintball. There are the two types of gases that power your paintball air system to choose from. The question you ask is, “which one best suits what I need?”
There are different variables to both gases; such as, shot count, weight,
price etc etc etc.

The co2 systems are very common for the new player or foe field rentals. The tank size determines the shot count. In other words, if you want more shots, you just select a tank that can hold more co2. The most common sizes for co2 are 9oz, 12 & 20oz. The argument against co2 is that it can either take gas or liquid form, so you might have alterations in the velocity and accuracy of these rounds especially in colder environments. The plus is
that they are great for recreational use because they are light weight, reliable (most of the time), cheap and safe.

The other Gas (if you will) is High-Pressure Air, AKA HPA. Air only operates as a gas, so the co2 issues DO NOT apply. Its safe to say that the novice player will start with co2 & graduate into HPA as he/she gets more involved in the game. I can say with confidence that paintball leans more towards HPA as it will definitely enhance the your gameplay and will overall enhance your paintballing experience.

I guess the only question I have is, “When you purchase your first tank, will you go co2 or HPA?”

For those still relatively new to paintball, you’ve probably been renting all your equipment. However, the day will most certainly come when you decide you want to play more frequently and need your own marker. Here are some questions to ask yourself before making a purchase:

- How often will you play? If the answer is once or twice a month, a basic setup might be a better option for the time being. However, if you really want to increase your skills and game time, be willing to spend more on a better marker. Also, you will want at least a medium-range marker that is reliable and upgradeable.

- Do you want electronic or mechanical? Mechanical markers are slower and louder but more reliable. Electronic is definitely quieter and you can shoot faster. They cost more and because they are technologically advanced, they’re not as easy to tech.

- What kind of paintball do you play? For those who play scenario or woodsball, you may want choose a marker that resembles an assault rifle. If you play speedball, smaller and lighter is ideal.

- What other equipment do you need? Keep in mind, the higher end the marker, the higher the cost of parts etc. You shouldn’t skimp on your mask, body armor, and other items. Budget wisely.

There are a few new cameras, but one is getting a lot of attention– the R7 Replay XD1080 camera by Greg Hastings is lightweight, easy to mount, and compact (it’s about the diameter of the barrel of your marker). Having a camera record in full HD for several minutes can greatly affect the way the game is viewed. It’s not only wonderful for professionals trying to improve their game, it is also highly entertaining to watch and let’s the audience feel some of that excitement the players do– making the sport more enticing for television.

Essentially the thrill of paintball comes from the personal experience of the players. Sure, it’s fun to watch too, but the first-hand is truly mesmerizing. By putting a viewer in the driver’s seat, so to say, you can visually translate that experience. It helps to have a camera for paintball markers that doesn’t disrupt the game and that can be easily controlled and tracked through LED and vibration features.

For a sport so active, it may require innovations like this to really draw more attention to it– paintball fans can look forward to exciting new stories.

Digging trenches is another great option, but it depends on the toughness of the soil. Some digging may be really easy and in other areas, not so much, so be prepared for a work out. Oil drums work well as cover and are a cheap way to add  more to a bunker. Be creative with the way they are  built up on top of one another. They can work well for all kinds of bunkers, from one person set ups to larger bunkers that will fit multiple players on a team. Sand bags and tires are also great choices.

Wooden bunkers for paintball are a bit more work and you need to definitely know what you are doing to build one, but it can really be a great idea especially for setting up team bases on the opposite sides of a field.  Elevated bunkers can be built in the trees as well, if you have that kind of overhead coverage.

A bill recently signed into law by President Obama open up American airspace to unnamed “hobby aircraft”. Companies have already begun marketing these impressive crafts, some of which can be piloted via smart phone. Many of these drones are small enough to fit in a backpack and come equip with a camera so players are already using them to spy on the opposition. The UAVs sold are a bit fragile and expensive but undoubtedly cheaper models designed specifically for paintball will hit the market soon. The paintball world is already buzzing at the prospect.

What does the future hold? I am sure as we speak someone is figured out how to rig a commercially-available hobby drone with a paintball marker. Maybe Call of Duty style airstrikes will be part of your next scenario game? Keep an eye on the sky because that next paintball may come from above!

It may seem like a lot, you’ve got to carry around your paintball air tank, gun, extra ammo, and a number of other things with you in the game. Trust me when I say that you’ll be glad you carried around these items, and no, they’re not as big or bulky as your paintball tank.

Carry some alcohol wipes to clean cuts and scrapes when you play in the woods. Cleaning the site will prevent infections. Band aids are crucial because there’s a great chance that you’re going to bleed at some point during the game. Tylenol or some other kind of aspirin is a good idea for after the game. Poison ivy wipes, snake bite kit, and other specialty items aren’t necessary if you’re playing in an arena but could come in handy if you’re playing woodsball.

The first thing you need to do is make sure you try on masks as you are shopping. No one wants to buy a mask without giving it a try and wear it out on the field, only to find that it’s rubbing your face the wrong way or you can’t breathe well in it. It’s a big mistake to just pick a mask and go with it. Take your time, try them on. Make sure it is comfortable, that you can see well and breathe well.

You also have to ensure that the mask covers all the important parts of your face.  It is also good to know whether parts of the mask can be replaced if broken or if you’ll have to spend more on a brand new mask.  Some masks will come with a visor and goggle bag, so if that is important to you, look for those models.

Most importantly, the best paintball mask isn’t just one products for everyone. You have to find the best one for you, specifically. Happy hunting!

For our final round though I truly found my place in the world of paintball games. I may not have been a great shot or a master strategist but unlike many of my fellow paintballers I could take a shot like a champ. Shoot me all you want, it might hurt but I can suffer through it. We ended on an endurance match last one standing won, every person for his or her self. I stood in the center of a field and let the surviving six people playing shoot me until their ammo was dry. Then I unloaded on each just enough to let them know who was boss. In spite of all the welts I was confident that boss was me.

If you are at all interested you should take a shot at building a woodsball team and researching different events and leagues. One of the popular leagues is the UWL, the Ultimate Woodsball League, run by Tom Cole. This league in particular is designed for fans of scenario, 10-man teams, and anybody who really loves the sport enough to do it justice. Each year they have events and activities planned in several states.

Another is the Woodsball Tournament League. They combine woodsball with milsim, pump, and speedball. They focus specifically on tactical play without marker or hopper restrictions. The one thing they will limit is ammo. The teams in this league are 7 players, with 1 being the “heavy gunner.”

Do you play scenario or woodsball?