Paintball is a team-based sport in which players eliminate each other by “tagging” them with capsules of nontoxic and biodegradable water-soluble dye housed in gelatin outer shells. When fired from a paintball marker/gun, these capsules leave behind a visible mark on an opposing player or their equipment. The game can be played in a variety of ways, from traditional territory control based gameplay to more specialized scenario games that elevate the immersive, storyline and gaming mechanics above paintball itself. Depending on the game type, a match may last from seconds to hours or even stretch for days during scenario play.
A game of paintball requires both strategy and agility. A good player will be able to think on their feet, anticipate an opponent’s movements and react quickly to make the most of any opportunities that arise. Paintball also relies heavily on teamwork, and being able to work well with other players is a big advantage.
Players are issued with a pair of overalls, possibly body armour and a face mask when they arrive at a paintball center or field, together with a marker (gun) and a hopper which holds and feeds the paintballs into the barrel. Most painters will practice shooting with their gun before heading out onto the live fire zone. This is important to help familiarize themselves with how their gun shoots and its accuracy.
A player is considered hit when a paintball leaves a solid mark on them, usually no more than a nickel- or quarter-sized area. Some variation between fields and tournaments exists regarding this, with some requiring hits on the equipment of a player as well as the player’s body.