What is Woodsball?
Woodsball is named after the woods where paintball first started back in 1981. Players using ‘marker’ pistols, designed for farmers tagging livestock, played a strategy war game in the woods and Woodsball was born! This original form of paintball is excellent for everyone, from beginners looking for an entry-level, inexpensive option to dedicated ‘weekend warriors’ who enjoy customizing their weapons and gear.
Woodsball is played in the woods?
Not always. The Woodsball name is a bit misleading as it’s now used to refer to most paintball games played primarily for fun rather than spectators. Although it is mostly played in woods, the defining feature of Woodsball is interesting terrain: bunkers, trenches and defensible structures, either natural or man-made. Even mocked-up urban battlegrounds are considered Woodsball. Woodsball gives players multiple options where quick wits and strategy can be pitted against fast-shooting firepower.
So it’s just for fun?
Not just fun. Whether you want excitement with friends or to practice serious manoeuvres with fellow enthusiasts, Woodsball has something for you. It’s perfect for allowing players to role-play stories or simulate military situations (known as milsim) with fully customizable realistic weaponry like this Tippmann Stormer Semi-Automatic.
The range of customizable equipment is staggering. Players can swap through multiple tactical roles, showing off their full range of skills with the right gear. This strategy is unique to Woodsball. They can also act out realistic military roles based not just on their experience, but the equipment they have at their disposal. Players in a re-con role might match a sniper-style marker gun with camouflage clothing such as the Maddog Tactical Paintball Rip-Stop Coverall Jumpsuit to sneak up close to the enemy, report back, then return to snipe off as much of the other team as possible before being spotted.
Is it always the same?
Absolutely not. The land itself and the mood of the weather on the day can change it massively. Play any game on a regulation flat field and the weather can have some influence, but factor in the terrain and vegetation of Woodsball and the weather can throw some big curveballs. Temperature can affect propellant tank pressures. Fog changes visibility. Shade provides shifting cover and wind nudges paintball trajectories. Items such as special lenses for masks can be used to reduce sun glare, like this Pure Dual Pane Thermal one from HK Army, but true skill is needed to overcome Mother Nature.
Team size also affects the range of the game and the time played. Sometimes it can take 5 to 10 minutes before players from opposing teams even encounter each other. Woodsball generally features large teams anyway, but really big games can take up whole weekends. These are called ‘Big’ or ‘Scenario’ Games. How the game plays out also depends on the goals set at the start, and these generally fall into 3 types.
Sounds interesting, what are the 3 main types?
Elimination - The aim of this game is to wipe out as much of your opposition as you can in a set time. Both teams deploy their players to take out the most opposing players possible before time’s up. The team that wipes out the biggest percentage of the opposing team are declared winners.
Attack and Defend - A small team is given a location, usually raised up on a hilltop for visibility, with bunkers for fortification so they have a significant defensive advantage. Then, a much larger second team is given the challenge of attacking them. The terrain is against them, but their numbers and firepower give them an edge. Running across open ground, they’ll want rapid firepower to rain down paintballs so their opponents keep their heads down and can’t fire back. The Tippmann U.S. Army Alpha Black Elite Tactical with E-Grip trigger has two full-auto settings for just this kind of scenario.
Two Flag - A flag is placed on each side of a field. Each team must guard their flag to prevent the other team stealing it whilst also fighting their way across the field to capture their opponents’ flag and bring it back to their half of the field. The need to be both offensive and defensive simultaneously tests even the most experienced players.
What makes Woodsball so great?
The beauty of Woodsball is that wherever you play and whichever version, it skillfully combines tactics and stealth with raw power for an exhilarating experience that will have you coming back again and again, not only to test yourself but also the newest piece of kit you are itching to try out.