Any airsoft fan will be quick to tell you that airsoft is the best military simulation sport available and is second to none. But is this all just hyperbole? Airsoft and paintball may appear to be very similar on the surface, but dig down and you’ll discover that they are in fact quite different.
Paintball and airsoft are both tactical combat scenario experiences that rely on teamwork, tactics and firearms. Objectives vary from capture the flag to classic Team Deathmatch, but they broadly involve teams of players out-manoeuvring and out-gunning each other.
So why play airsoft?
Simple!
Airsoft is easily one of the most exhilarating team sports out there. Experience unparalleled intensity as you work with teammates to shift the outcome of battle. Stay physical and active, all while learning sophisticated combat techniques that will allow you to boost your skill level.
A Completely Unique Experience
Due to its very nature, airsoft is a completely different experience compared with almost any other sport. Instead of using racquets and goals, players are equipped with high powered (but non-lethal) weapons.
As an airsofter, you will regularly find yourself in intense situations throughout a weekend of skirmishes, with players firing from all directions. You’ll need to have a cool head and be able to adapt on the fly as the battle rages.
Realism
If you want to get closer to experiencing warfare than using a video game controller, nothing compares to airsoft. Everything down to the appearance, the scenarios, and even the player discipline is exactly what you would expect to see on a modern-day battlefield. Airsoft is about pushing yourself and finding out how well you would do in a battle scenario when you are responsible for defending yourself and teammates.
Airsoft prides itself on using authentically replicated firearms to provide as real an experience as possible. There are thousands of firearms available, each with its own range, weight and rate of fire. Part of the tactical element of airsoft comes down to the choice of loadouts and ensuring that all your options are covered.
Customisation
For many people, airsoft is far more than just a sport. It allows players to express themselves creatively through their gun choice, loadout and apparel. There’s a huge range of different guns, attachments, clothing, accessories and other gear to choose from. So, whatever your style, there is something for everyone. Plus, innovations are being created all the time, so there are always more products coming out.
And we’re not just talking about cosmetic upgrades, either. Many of the upgrades available can provide tangible in-game benefits such as increases in power and accuracy, improved camouflaging and so on.
Finally, being part of an airsoft squad allows you to choose your own position, as well as the tactics deployed throughout the skirmish. This allows every player to become integrated within each skirmish, each person contributing by performing their role. It helps to add an air of individuality to each person’s playstyle, adding further immersion to the gameplay.
Meet New People
Like all the best first person shooters, airsofting relies on teamwork. But unlike the faceless avatars on the computer screen, airsoft allows you to meet your team and collaborate better. The squad aspect of airsoft is often underrated, but is a vital part of the community.
Airsoft players are respectful of one another, passionate about the sport and take great enjoyment in each and every game, irrespective of whether their team wins or loses. As such, for the most part, you’ll be hard pressed to find anyone who isn’t welcoming to new players. It’s easy to think that a sport that involves guns is full of macho posturing and showing off, but in reality the community is inclusive and supportive.
Even after you’ve left the game site itself, you’ll find a thriving online community offering help and advice as well as posts detailing the latest news, modified weaponry, clothing and more.
Location, Location, Location
Sometimes you look into a new hobby and just when you think you’d like to go for it, you look around and find there’s nowhere to play! Considering how much space you need to run an airsoft site, a quick Google search will reveal over 150 sites in the UK alone, and thousands more worldwide.
Airsoft can be played in almost any type of location including woodland, urban and desert environments. Simply choosing where to play can totally change your experience. Every terrain demands different tactics, which will even change with the weather and the seasons! So not only do you need strong proficiency with your own weapons, you need to be flexible in their approach to combat in order to maintain effectiveness.
Different sites also offer different game modes, of which there are dozens. Think beyond Team Deathmatch and Capture the Flag, airsoft is versatile enough to have game modes that vary wildly, demanding new approaches and tactics.
Cost
When choosing a new hobby, cost is often a concern. After all, you only have so much disposable income to spend. Fortunately, airsoft, while not without its outlays, is generally cheaper than paintballing. The guns are cheaper and less expensive to maintain and the BB ammo can be up to five times cheaper than paintballs.
This is just a brief glimpse into the huge number of reasons why you should start playing airsoft. But if you like what you’ve read, visit your local game site and give it a go!
Produced in collaboration with Socom Tactical, your one-stop shop for everything airsoft.
