Paintball - The Only Legal Way to Shoot Your Friends

      Last weekend I went paintballing with my good pal Chris at our local paintball field, Paintball Jungle (http://paintballjungle.com/), in American Canyon. This game is quite different than hearts but is still a lot of fun if you are up to it. My favorite part of playing is shooting people and getting shot. Because getting hit with a paintball hurts a little it makes it more exciting because you are concerned about getting shot. It is also more fun if you play with a partner or a team because you can cover them and implement a team strategy. When you know someone you are able to communicate more effectively which makes your team able to react to new situations, especially if you have a designated leader.

     This was a completely different experience than I have had before in paintball, because apparently what I had done before is called speedball. Actual paintball takes place on a much larger field and has a lot more challenges to win the game. At this field they had 4 game scenarios; Mad Bomber, Capture the Flag, Base Control, Elimination. In Mad Bomber there is a smoke bomb in the middle of the field and your team needs to capture the bomb and detonate it in the enemy fort. In Capture the Flag each team has a flag and the goal is to capture the other team’s flag and bring it back to your fort. In base control there are three bases and your team wants to control as many bases as they can when the time ends. Elimination is just your basic fight to death. The game is over when the other team is completely eliminated.

     My favorite scenario was mad bomber, this was the most fun because the smoke bomb created a focal point for the conflict, in the other game mode it is easy to flank the team and come up behind them but when you are both going for the same goal if you try to go around them it will take too long and the other team will be able to rush in and grab the bomb and get to your base before you are able to spring your trap. This is one of the situations where you need to have a team. In a team you can split into groups and count on each group to do their job. One group will hold them off and the other team will flank around and sandwich them. My favorite part of the game is right at the beginning when you hear the first shots fired that serves as an augury for the coming conflict.

     I would recommend paintballing to anyone who wants to try a game that is very physical and takes teamwork and strategy. Getting hit with a paintball stings a little so if you don’t want that this probably isn’t the game for you. Otherwise, it is a fun day running around shooting your friends, what could be better?