Paintball Rules Variations and Game Types

[Captain America]

The key to a fun game of paintball is to have everyone on the same page. It only takes a few minutes, but quickly going through the rules each time will help maximize your paintball experience.

Difficulty: Easy
Time Required: 5 Minutes to a Lifetime

Here's How:

1. Establish Boundaries

Before any game begins, be sure to talk a walk around the field and clearly indicate the boundaries to everyone who will play. Make sure that your field is not too big or too small. A field a hundred yards long and fifty yards wide is great for 3 on 3, but if you have sixteen people, you need more room. Establish starting bases on opposite sides of the field and, if possible, make it so they are not in view of each other. Note that if you are playing on a speedball course with no trees or brush, this won't be possible.

2. Mark Dead Zone

Make sure everyone knows the location of the dead zone (or staging area) and knows to not shoot in or near it. The dead zone is an area that is off of the field where people go after they are eliminated. Typically it's also where extra paintball gear and paint is left between games. The dead zone should ideally be far enough off the field that eliminated players can remove their masks to clean them without risk of being hit by players still on the field.

3. Game Objective

Make sure everyone knows what the goal of the game is. Are you playing a simple elimination game? How about capture the flag or center flag? Broadcast clearly any special rules or objectives.

4. Time

Establish a time limit for the game. Nobody likes to play in a game that lasts forever with neither team moving. There are two primary ways of timing a game: start timing from the start or else start timing from when the first person gets out. Remember that long games are not fun for people that get out at right at the start, so keep them short and sweet.

5. Teams

Divide up into fair teams. If some people are new to the sport and others are more experienced, divide them up between the teams. In general, try to keep the number of people on each team about equal. If there are just a few people playing it's not too hard to remember who's on your team, but if there are larger groups of people, tie some colored tape or cloth around your arms or guns to identify different teams.

6. Start

The game begins when both teams are set at their respective bases. One team calls out that they are ready, the other team responds that they are also ready, and then the first team calls "Game On" and the game begins.

7. Hits

A player is hit if a paintball leaves a solid, nickel-sized mark anywhere on the player's body or equipment. Some variations of paintball don't count gun hits or require multiple hits on the arms or legs. Most professional fields and tournaments, though, count any hit on a person or their equipment. Splatter often occurs when a paintball does not break on a person but on a nearby surface and then paint bounces onto the player, but this does not count as a hit unless it forms a solid mark on the player.

8. Paint Checks

If you think you might have been hit but can't tell for sure (such as if your back was hit, but you can't tell if the ball broke), you can call a paint check. Shout "Paint Check" and the closest player to you (on your team or the other team) will come and check you. If you are hit, you will then exit the field, otherwise everyone returns to their previous position and the game is resumed when the player who initiated the paint check shouts "Game On!".

9. Walking Off the Field

When a player is hit, they must then raise their gun over their head, shout that they are hit, and then quickly leave the field to the dead area. Be sure to keep your gun over your head and to shout that you are hit whenever you come across new players.

10. Victory

When one team has completed the necessary objectives, all players still on the field should be notified. Do not remove masks until barrel plugs or barrel covers have been placed on all loaded guns.

After you have played one game, try out a new game type and repeat the steps from the beginning.

11. Safety Rules

Follow all safety rules.

Briefly, the basics are:
* Wear Masks at All Times
* Do Not Drink and Play
* No Blind Firing
* Allow Surrenders
* Shoot less than 280 FPS
* Use Barrel Plugs
* Use Common Sense

12. Equipment Necessary for Each Player
* Gun
* Mask
* Hopper
* Air Tank
* Paintballs

What You Need:

* Mask
* Gun
* Hopper
* Air Tank
* Paintballs
* Friends with equipment
* A place to play

[red]CAPTURE THE FLAG[/red]

Capture the flag is one of the most basic variations of paintball, but it is also one of the most fun to play. While the premise is simple, you can invent countless strategies and techniques to keep you constantly coming back for more.

Requirements

A field, two flags and some players. Flags can be as elaborate as a 3x5 foot flag on a pole or a simple as a plastic bag hanging on a tree. You should have at least four players but you can play with as many as you want - just make sure that your field is large enough to handle your numbers and not too big for a small group.

Setup

Establish two bases at opposing ends of your field and position a flag at each of these bases (hanging from a tree, on a flagpole, etc). Divide your group into two teams and position each team at a base. Make sure that both teams know where both flags are positioned and that the field boundaries are clearly defined. Before you begin, also establish a time limit for the game - twenty minutes usually is about right, but depending on the number of players it could be longer or shorter.

Rules

All general rules of paintball apply, and remember to be safe. When both teams are ready, the game begins when someone shouts, "Game on!" The goal of each team is to capture the opposing flag and return it to their own base without getting hit. A player is out and must leave the field if a paintball breaks on him or he calls himself out for any reason. If a player is carrying the flag when he is hit, he must immediately drop it. A team may not move their own flag unless an opposing player has first moved their flag and is eliminated, then the team may return the flag to its starting position if they desire.

Victory

A team wins by eliminating all the players of the opposing team or capturing the opposing team's flag and returning it to their own base.

[red]CENTER FLAG[/red]

Capture the flag is a classic version of paintball and a simple variation keeps things interesting - there's only one flag instead of two. Center flag is fast paced and requires you think, shoot and move quickly.

Setup

Similar to classic capture the flag, two teams must position themselves at opposite ends of the field. Rather than placing a flag at the base of either team, only one flag is placed in the center of the field.

Goal

There are two variations of center flag - push it and pull it. If you push it, the center flag must be captured by a team and then pushed towards the opposing team's base. Pulling the flag means that once you capture the flag you must return it to your own starting base.

Strategy

The secret to center flag is to move fast and to shoot lots. Right at the start be sure to run as fast as you can and either grab the flag or at least take up position as close as possible to it. Whether you are trying to push or pull the flag, the team that first gains control of the flag typically wins. Often, the game is decided by a player who is willing to rush under fire and take a shot at grabbing the flag.

[red]BASE CAPTURE[/red]

Base Capture is a simple variation of capture the flag that encourages quick games and mad dashes but requires significant amounts of strategy to successfully compete.

Requirements

The setup and requirements for base capture is the same as the setup for capture the flag, you need a field, two flags and some players. Flags can be as elaborate as a 3x5 foot flag on a pole or a simple as a plastic bag hanging on a tree. You should have at least four players but you can play with as many as you want - just make sure that your field is large enough to handle your numbers and not too big for a small group.

Setup

Establish two bases at opposing ends of your field and position a flag at each of these bases (hanging from a tree, on a flagpole, etc). Divide your group into two teams and position each team at a base. Make sure that both teams know where both flags are positioned and that the field boundaries are clearly defined. Before you begin, also establish a time limit for the game - twenty minutes usually is about right, but depending on the number of players it could be longer or shorter.

Rules

All general rules of paintball apply, and remember to be safe. When both teams are ready, the game begins when someone shouts, "Game on!" The goal of each team is to capture the opposing flag by simply touching it without getting hit. A player is out and must leave the field if a paintball breaks on him or he calls himself out for any reason. A team may not move their own flag under any circumstance.

Victory

A team wins by eliminating all the players of the opposing team or by touching the opposing team's flag.

Strategy

Since there is no need to return the flag to your own base, base capture sometimes requires you to gather your courage and charge like mad for the flag. The secret to victory is not to carefully plan a prolonged assault on a base but to simply plan a quick attack that will allow one player to get close enough to tough the flag.

[red]VIP[/red]

Rather than focusing on eliminating the other team, wouldn't it be easier to narrow your focus onto one opposing player? VIP places you with the responsibility of protecting your VIP while also attempting to eliminate your opponent's.

Requirements

A field and some players. You should have at least three players per team but you can play with more. More than about eight to ten players per team might be too many.

Setup

Establish two bases at opposing ends of your field and position. Divide your group into two teams and position each team at a base and have each team elect a VIP. Make sure that the teams know who the VIP is on the opposing team and that the field boundaries are clearly defined. Before you begin, also establish a time limit for the game - twenty minutes usually is about right, but depending on the number of players it could be longer or shorter.

Rules

All general rules of paintball apply, and remember to be safe. When both teams are ready, the game begins when someone shouts, "Game on!" The goal of each team is to eliminate the opposing team's VIP while protecting their own. A player is out and must leave the field if a paintball breaks on him or he calls himself out for any reason. Depending on how you want to play the VIP can play with a gun, but it is often more exciting for the VIP to be unarmed.

Victory

A team wins by eliminating the opposing team's VIP.

[Captain America]

I'll post more later as I round them up.

[Captain America]

[red]DEATH BALL[/red]

As with all games of paintball, remember to follow all safety rules, make sure everyone knows the rules before starting and always use common sense.

Requirements

Two teams, one referee with a stopwatch and a smaller field.

Setup

Teams are placed on opposite ends of the field with a set number of paintballs (5 or fewer, depending on the skill level of the player). The referee will sit in the middle of the field to quickly call people out and keep careful watch of the time.

Rules

When the game starts, each team must try to get as many players as possible to the opposite side of the field. Normal rules apply for eliminations, but players don't leave the field, they simply raise their gun and wait for the game to end. After one minute the referee stops the game and one point is awarded for each player who has successfully made it to the opposite end without being eliminated. Multiple rounds can be played and the scores combined by simply restarting the game each time from opposite sides of the field.

Victory

The team with the most players to successfully make it across the field within one minute wins.

Variations

Flags can be placed throughout the field and any flag that is captured is also worth one point. Alternatively, points can be scored either for successfully crossing the field or for eliminating an opposing player.

[Captain America]

[red]ASSASSAIN[/red]

Requirements

A group of players with their names on cards.

Setup

Players stand in a circle with their cards that have their names and a description of what their wearing. Each player then passes their cards to the player to their left. A referee will tell the players to continue to pass cards to their left for a random amount of time. At that point, everyone takes the card in their hand and has one minute to hide throughout the field.

Rules

Players are only allowed to shoot the person whose name is on the card they hold. When a player successfully shoots the player who he is hunting he then takes that player's card. The player then hunts out the player who is on that card. A player who shoots and doesn't have that player's card is disqualified. The game continues until all players but one are eliminated or until a time limit is reached. Each player retains the cards of all the players they have eliminated. For example, if Player A shoots Player B and B has already eliminated C and D, B keeps the cards of C and D and leaves the field and only gives A the card of the player he is currently hunting.

Victory

The player who has collected the most cards at the end of the game is the winner.

Strategy

Trust nobody. Hunt for your target but treat every opposing player as if they have your name.

Variation

When you eliminate a player you also get all the cards that player has already earned. This way, whoever is the last player on the field will have all the other cards and will be the winner.

[Captain America]

[red]BOUNTY HUNTERS[/red]

Requirements

One fugitive and 4-6 bounty hunters.

Setup

The fugitive is given one minute to hide on the field and the bounty hunters all start together at the home base.

Rules

The goal is for the bounty hunters to capture the fugitive by shooting him on the arms or legs or by touching him. A shot to the body results in a tie (a dead fugitive means no reward for the bounty hunters). The fugitive can shoot the bounty hunters anywhere on the body to eliminate them.

Victory

The bounty hunters must capture the fugitive within a certain time limit (15-20 minutes is usually good). The fugitive wins by eliminating all the bounty hunters or surviving to the end of the time limit.

Strategy

The fugitive must hide well and use the clock to his advantage. By forcing the bounty hunters to separate to cover the field, the fugitive has a better chance at picking off the bounty hunters one by one and at the same time use up the clock.

The bounty hunters must focus on surrounding the fugitive and slowly advancing in on him. Since this can take a lot of time, find the fugitive as quickly as possible and then plan your assault. Remember, since a body or head shot will result in a tie, try your best to avoid firing until you have a clear shot at the arms or legs.

Variation

Give the bounty hunters pumps and give the fugitive a semi-automatic.

[Captain America]

[red]SNIPERS[/red]

Requirements

Two teams, three balloons, a timer and an air horn. It's best to play this on a larger field with significant amounts of brush and cover.

Setup

Start off by inflating the ballons and attaching them to trees or poles throughout the field. Divide the teams into two groups: guards and snipers. The snipers each have a set number of paintballs (around 10-15 is good) and have three minutes to hide wherever they want to on the field as long as they are not within 30 paces of a ballon. The guards start at one base with their backs towards the snipers and have the same number of paintballs.

Rules

When the air horn blows the guards have thirty seconds to seek out and eliminate any snipers they find. After thirty seconds the air horn blows again and the snipers are now able to fire.

Victory

The guards win by eliminating all the snipers. The snipers win by either eliminating all the guards or popping all the ballons by shooting them or by eliminating all the guards. If neither side has won after an agreed upon time (10-20 minutes), it's a tie.

Strategy

With a limited number of paintballs, the key is to make sure you have a shot before you pull the trigger. If you're the snipers either work as a team to get the ballons or else work as a team to get the guards. If you're the guards, try to find and eliminate as many snipers as you can in the first thirty seconds and then systematically search the field while keeping the ballons well-guarded.

Variation

Don't let the snipers use hoppers and make them feed each ball one at a time.

[Captain America]

[red]NECROMANCER[/red]

Requirements

Two teams, a timer and an air horn.

Setup

Teams are placed on opposite sides of the field. In the center of the field there's an air horn.

Rules

It's a game of elimination with one simple exception: each team has the option of bringing back their players from the dead once by blowing the air horn. Team 1 brings their teammates back by blowing the air horn once and team 2 blows the horn twice. Choose a time length that's good for your field size and the number of players involved - twenty minutes is usually about right.

Victory

The team with the most players left when the time is up wins.

Strategy

A good team plan is key to winning at Necromancer. Do you blow the horn at the first or do you risk not even getting to the horn as time runs out? Do you surround the horn and prevent the other team from ever blowing it or do you ignore the horn and just focus on eliminating the other team early on? Whatever your strategy, just make sure your whole team is on board and you work together.

Variation 1

Only allow the first team to get to the horn to raise their dead.

Variation 2

Only allow teams to blow the horn if they get to the horn in the first half of the game.

[Captain America]

Bunker Buster

Teams: 2 Flags: None Elimination: Normal
Team Balance: Even Flag Location: N/A Equipment: Unlimited
Length: 30 Minutes Objectives: 2 Paint: Unlimited
Objective Location: Unknown Roles: None

Summary
This prop-based game is a fun way to use props from your scenario games in everyday play. Our variant involves using our AT Pzookas from OK D-Day as the weapon of choice against our opponent's base!
Set Up
This game requires several props:
Two "gun in a tube" style Pzookas (Details)
Two satchels or tube carriers with several 10-round tubes.
100 or so paintballs of a different color than the field norm. (Call ahead and ask)
Two bunker targets, approximately 8"x 8" wide (Paper plates with duct tape work well.)
Each team designates one bunker at opposite sides of the field as their base. They place a target on the side of the bunker facing their opponents. Each team receives a Pzooka, 5 tubes (50 rounds) of the special paint, and a satchel to carry the tubes.
Goals
Destroy the opposition's bunker by shooting the target 3 times with the Pzooka.
Play
Any player may use the Pzooka to attempt to hit the opposing base. The Pzooka gunner can drop the Pzooka and ammunition at any time. These items must remain together at all times. Players may not touch their opponent's Pzooka or ammunition. If a player using the Pzooka is eliminated, he drops the Pzooka and the ammunition where he was shot. Any friendly player may then pick up the Pzooka and continue the game.
The game ends when one team's bunker is destroyed by 3 special paintball breaks in the target area, one team is eliminated or the time limit is reached. The gunner that delivers the third hit to the target should yell for a paint check on the target. Nearby players or a referee can verify the hits on the target.
Scoring
The team which destroys their opponent's bunker wins. If neither bunker is destroyed, the winner is the team with the fewest amount of hits in the target area. If no shots hit the target, the game is a draw.
Tactics
Keep your Pzooka gunner protected. Don't let him go it alone. The large size of the gun means cover is more difficult to find. 2-3 supporting players should help keep the gunner safe as he heads down the field, and to provide replacement gunners if he is eliminated. Do not allow your opponents to eliminate your gunner, then camp on your Pzooka. Depending on your set up, identifying the opposing bunker may be a task in itself.
Avoid shooting near the target with regular paintballs, as you may end up covering the hit that wins the game. Defend as far away from your base as you can to keep the opposing gunner from getting a clean shot.
Variations
The game can be more difficult if you use a mock satchel charge or grenades to eliminate the bunker. Players have to get much closer, and the object to destroy the target bunker is physically smaller, meaning the player can remain more covered.
You can also play this as an attack/defend scenario if only one Pzooka is available. In that case, the teams should be uneven, with a slight favor (no more than 2:3 ratio) for the attackers.

[Captain America]

Alien Brain

Teams: 2 Flags: None Elimination: Resurection
Team Balance: Even Flag Location: N/A Equipment: Unlimited
Length: 30 Minutes Objectives: 2 Paint: Unlimited
Objective Location: Unknown Roles: None
Summary

A variation on Capture the Flag, Alien Brain uses props to spice up the game play. This game was developed from The Complete Paintball Field Owner's Guide.
Set Up
Two teams are divided evenly. Each team receives an "Alien Brain." This is 4-5 helium balloons contained within a 30-gallon white trash bag. The bag is tied shut and anchored to a brick or other anchor by at least 6 feet of rope. The teams begin at opposite sides of the field. Before play begins, they may place their brain somewhere on their side of the field. It may not be completely obscured within a building or structure, and may not be moved once the game starts. A referee should be stationed within sight of each Brain.Each team receives a "Teleporter." This is a square constructed of 1" PVC pipe, approximately 6' on a side. It should be wrapped with team-colored duct tape or painted in a team color. The Teleporter begins touching one field boundary, usually on directly opposite parts of the field.
Goals
Destroy the opposing team's Alien Brain by paintball fire. The Brain must touch and remain on the ground. The game ends immediately if a Brain dies. Players may not physically touch an opposing team's Brain, anchor or rope. They may only shoot down the Brain with paintballs.
Play
Eliminated players may return to the game using their Teleporter. The Teleporter must be touching a field boundary to accept or release players. Only eliminated players may enter the Teleporter. Four live players may pick up and carry the Teleporter to any location on the field that is touching a field boundary. They need not stay on the boundary during their journey, but cannot drop the Teleporter until they are touching a field boundary. Players within the Teleporter are neutral and may not be shot. As soon as all four sides of the Teleporter touch the ground, the players are live. Remember, dead men don't talk, and cannot ask, nor tell, live players where the Teleporter is!
Scoring
The team that eliminated their opponent's Brain wins. If both survive, and one is damaged and hanging lower on it's anchor rope, the team with the higher brain wins.
Tactics
Place your Brain in as safe a place as you can, preferably out of paintball range of a field boundary. Find the opposing Brain as soon as possible and communicate its location to the team. Keep your Teleporter safe. If you use it for cross field transport, remember that eliminated players may not know where to look for it! This slows your resurrection process considerably. Using the Teleporter as a late-game transport is a good idea. This can swing the tide once you have located the opposing Brain and can coordinate a 2-prong attack.

[Captain America]

Code Book

Teams: 2 Flags: None Elimination: Special
Team Balance: Uneven, 2:3 Flag Location: N/A Equipment: Unlimited
Length: 30 Minutes Objectives: 1 Paint: Unlimited
Objective Location: Known Roles: None
Summary

This prop-based game overcomes the main problem with other single objective games: the "eliminate the opponents THEN grab the flag/disarm the bomb/etc" tactic. The defenders in this game have help on the way, so the attackers must act fast if they are to steal the enemy code book!
Set Up
Props: Combination padlock, lockable container (footlocker, trunk), 3 identical clue containers (large medicine bottles, Altoids cans or something similar), 3 slips of paper, each with one part of the combination to the padlock, code book (a large red binder)
Best played with 10-25 players (depending on field size). Team ratio is 2:3 in favor of the Blue team, with odd numbers going to Blue. Blue team is attacking Objective 1 (OBJ), Red team is defending it. The OBJ should be a defensible location with several structures and an easily defined boundary. Red team begins in the OBJ. Blue team begins in the Landing Zone (LZ), which should be out of sight from the OBJ, at least 50 yards away. Red team has a Reinforcement Point (RP) out of sight from Objective 1, at least 30 yards away. The game works best if the OBJ, LZ and RP are in a rough triangle. (See diagram)

A referee places the code book in the code box and locks it with the padlock. The referee hides the code box inside a structure or near another identifiable landmark inside the OBJ. The code box may not be moved by any player. The combination to the padlock is written in 3 parts on each of the clue cards, which are then placed in the containers. The referee hides the containers in the OBJ area. Clue containers should not be completely covered, but may be tucked in corners of structures, placed in the roots of trees, etc. The containers cannot be moved by any player, and may only be opened by Blue players.
Goals
Blue: Capture the Code Book and return to the LZ. This will invovle seizing Objective 1, finding the code box and the clue containers, and decoding the clues to open the box.
.
Red: Prevent Blue from capturing the code book.
Play
Both teams should be given 5-10 minutes prior to game start to organize and plan. Play begins on a standard horn/whistle.
Blue players that are hit are eliminated from the game. Eliminated Red players are sent to the RP. Once ALL Red players have physically entered the RP, the entire team is allowed to re-enter play. A player hit while in possession of the code book must drop it where he was eliminated. Red players may recapture the code book, but must immediately return it to the code box.
Game ends immediately when ALL surviving Blue players and the code book enter the LZ, or when time runs out.
Scoring
Blue wins if they recover the code book and all surviving players to the LZ. Red wins if the code book is in their possession (either in the code box or in the hands of a Red player) at game end. If the code book is in Blue's possession, but not in the LZ and time runs out, the game is a draw.
Tactics
Blue team must be aggressive enough to use their numerical advantage early in the game, but not reckless enough to take heavy losses. Since Blue losses are permanent, the more they take, the harder the defense/escape will be. Once the OBJ is secured, the team should post 1-2 skirmishers, with the rest of the team looking for the clue containers. Once these are found, one player should work the clues (he must figure out what order the numbers are in the combination!) and padlock, while the others assist the defense. As soon as the code book is free of the box, all Blue players should head for the LZ, covering the player carrying the code book.
Red team should run down the clock on their opponent, trying to minimize losses, and holding ground. Red team must cause as many losses as they can before their reinforcement, preferably at a 1:1 or better ratio. Ambush tactics that trade 1 Red player for 2-3 Blue players are a good idea.
Once Red's numbers are low, the team should become more aggressive, since the eliminated Red player should be replaced soon by the entire Red reinforcement team. The final Red player must be quick to get to the RP, since he must be physically present in the RP to allow reinforcements. Red players eliminated early in the game must take actions to be ready for the reinforcement period of the game. (Clean off hits, etc.)
Variations
The game can be simplified by using only a flag in the OBJ that Blue team must touch for 5 minutes (instead of the code box and clues) before carrying the flag to the LZ. This is less challenging, since Blue only has to concentrate on defense, and not on the actions needed to get the code book.
Blue team may be allowed 1 medic per 10 players. Red team may be allowed to stock extra paint and air at the RP.

[Captain America]

El Presidenté

Teams: 2 Flags: None Elimination: Special
Team Balance: Uneven, 1:3 Flag Location: N/A Equipment: Unlimited
Length: 30 Minutes Objectives: 1 Paint: Unlimited
Objective Location: Known Roles: Yes
Summary

El Presidenté is a classic "get that one guy" paintball game, where a person IS the flag.
Set Up
The game set up works best if played on a fairly large field that is longer than it is wide. It should not have any obvious choke points, like bridges.
One player should have a distinctive costume piece, like a hat, sash or shirt, to designate him as El Presidenté. Teams should be divided in about a 1:3 ratio. The smaller team plays the role of El Presidenté's personal guard. The larger team is a group of assassins out to kill El Presidenté.
Goals
The guards must get El Presidenté to the safe zone. The assassins must eliminate El Presidenté.
Play
The guards and El Presidenté begin at the field boundary of one of the short sides of the field, opposite from an area designated the "safe zone." This can be the opposite field boundary, or a specific building or bunker. The assassins begin at the safe zone.
Eliminated guards may return to their starting point, wipe off any hits, and return to the game. This represents the unlimited number of loyal followers El Presidenté gathers. Eliminated assassins are out until the game ends.
The game ends when El Presidenté sets foot in the safe zone, when El Presidenté is eliminated, when all players on a side are eliminated, or when time runs out.
Scoring
If El Presidenté reaches the safe zone, his team wins. The assassins win if El Presidenté is eliminated. The game is a draw if time runs out and El Presidenté is active but has not reached the safe zone.
Tactics
The guards should not all directly guard El Presidenté. Use him as a high-value target and split the opponents' attention so the assassins cannot afford to focus solely on shooing their primary target.
As the assassins, you initially have numbers on your favor. Try to pin down as much of the guard team as possible. Press the attack when you get eliminations, since the guards will be back very soon! Conversely, the farther away the guards are from their start point, the more effecitve an elimination is against them. Don't let El Presidenté get too close to the safe zone, but don't charge all the way to their start point, either.
El Presidenté should almost never go it alone, unless he is very close to the safe zone.
Variations
The standard version has El Presidenté as just another armed player. A more challenging version requires El Presidenté to only be armed with a pistol. Another option is to have a shield for either El Presidenté or one of the guards. The shield can be used in place of a weapon, or the player can be armed and have the shield, as sort of a mobile bunker. The shield can be dropped at any time if the latter rule is used, and used by any player.

[Captain America]

Head Hunter

Teams: Individual Flags: None Elimination: Normal
Team Balance: Even Flag Location: N/A Equipment: Unlimited
Length: 30 Minutes Objectives: None Paint: Unlimited
Objective Location: Unknown Roles: None
Summary

This is a classic "every man for himself" game. It's a fun way to test your skills against your buddies and to keep every player on his toes throughout the game. Many different play styles can work here - running and gunning, the patient stalker and others.
Set Up
All players are issued a single arm band. A referee leads them to the center of the field. The field should be large enough that players can spread out and have no more than 2-3 other players within their engagement zone at game start.
The referee blows his whistle and players have 30 seconds to scatter. They may move as far as they like within the boundary of the field. At the second whistle, all players freeze. The referee announces "barrel blockers off!" and a 30-second countdown. On the 30-second mark, a third whistle announces the game start.
Goals
Eliminate all other players and collect as many armbands as possible.
Play
Players attempt to eliminate all other players. When eliminated, a player stands in position where he was hit with his gun above his shoulders. He removes his armband and holds it in the hand opposite the one holding his gun. Any player may approach the eliminated player and take the armband. Once his armband has been collected, the player may leave the field.
A player retains all his previously collected armbands when eliminated. Only his own armband is available for collection when he is eliminated. This promotes aggressive play, as you have to collect your own trophies, not benefit from the work of the other players.
Scoring
The player with the most armbands at the end of the game wins. If all but one player is eliminated, the game ends and the totals are counted.
Tactics
Players should find good starting cover. Awareness is a big focus in this game; try to avoid 3-way (or more!) firefights. Be sure that eliminated players are not being watched before approaching to grab an armband. Be cautious around eliminated players so that they don't take additional hits while waiting to have their band taken. Remember that anyone fast enough or brave enough can grab an armband. Don't lose your kills to the sneaky players! A good early game with many eliminations and band grabs may beat an overly-cautious player who does not engage or does not make the grabs for his eliminations.

[Captain America]

Recon

Teams: 4+ Flags: None Elimination: Normal
Team Balance: Even Flag Location: N/A Equipment: Unlimited
Length: 45 Minutes Objectives: 4+ Paint: Unlimited
Objective Location: Known Roles: None
Summary

The goal of Recon is to get as many of your team's players to each of the multiple objectives. It is a game that values survival as much as elimination of other players, and involves large numbers of players in chaotic action all over the field.
Set Up
Teams are divided into even numbers. 4 or more is ideal, with a minimum of 4 players per team. Left over players should volunteer to help referee the game and help with set up and scoring. The field should be large enough to allow players to maneuver instead of bogging down into field-control fights.
Each player is equipped with a wrist band (paper event bands are best) and at least one colored armband. Each objective is marked with a flag and contains a shaped hole-punch on a lanyard about 5 feet long. Maps may be provided with objectives marked for players.
Goals
Players must get to as many objectives as possible, gathering punches to their wristband. They may visit the objectives in any order they choose.
Play
Normal elimination rules apply. Players keep their wristbands until the game ends to tally points.
Scoring
1 point per punch in a player's wrist band. 1 bonus point for players surviving at game end. Example: There are 4 teams of 4 players each, and 4 flag stations. If all players in Team A visit all 4 stations and survive to game end, they earn 20 points. (4 players x 4 stations + 4 bonus points) If Team B gets all of its members to the first 2 stations, then loses 2 players, and the remaining 2 make it to the other flags and game end, they earn 14 points. (4 players x 2 stations + 2 player x 2 stations + 2 bonus points)
Tactics
Keeping your players alive is the key to victory. Avoid point-costly firefights. Instead, plan for team-killing ambushes. Stick together. Lone players get eliminated easily, and you can't keep track of which objectives your teammates have visited. Be unpredictable. The shortest route between objectives is very likely to be your opposition's route too. Once you have all surviving players punched at all objectives, camp out and defend the last one you used. Hopefully you will deprive an opposing team of needed punches and points!

[Captain America]

Smuggler's Blues

Teams: 2 Flags: 2 (props) Elimination: Special
Team Balance: Even Flag Location: Known Equipment: Unlimited
Length: 30 Minutes Objectives: 2 Paint: Limited
Objective Location: Known Roles: None
Summary

A ship carrying dangerous cargo is headed toward the U.S. coast. Navy SEALs have been dispatched to sink it with explosives, and must fight the smugglers on board to achieve their goals. This game changes the typical field orientation, with one team trapped in the center trying to reach objective locations at opposite ends of the field. This game was inspired by "Alien Invasion: Mother Ship" from The Paintballer's Almanac. (A great resource, btw.)
Set Up
Props: Two ship's hatches, two target containers, two "explosive charges," six to eight 10-round paint tubes, an area marked as a "helicopter" about 6 feet on a side, and an air horn. (We use �-inch PVC for the hatches, rubber tubs with lids for the targets, 3-inch PVC props for the explosives, and a bright surveyor's rope to mark a bunker as the helicopter.)
This game works best on a field with good bunker-style cover that is about twice as long as it is wide. Place the helicopter in the center of the field, the hatches on opposite narrow ends of the field. The target containers are placed in cover mid-way between each hatch and the helicopter, and may not be moved by any player.

Two teams are divided evenly. Blue team is a group of Navy SEALs, Red team are smugglers on board the freight ship. Blue team begins inside the area marked off as the helicopter. Red team is split in half and begin touching the two "ship's hatches" placed on opposite narrow-ends of the field.
Blue players are allowed their normal compliment of paintballs. To represent the less well-armed crew, Red players begin with only 10 paintballs in their guns. Upon elimination ONLY, a Red player may add another 10-round tube to their hopper. (If the player has paint remaining from prior to his elimination, this is left in the gun.) To simplify reloading, place three or four of the 10-round tubes at each hatch with the Red players' spare paint.
Goals
Blue: Destroy the ship by planting explosives on two critical target locations, then return to the helicopter to detonate.
Red: Prevent the explosives from being planted.
Play
Both teams should be given 5-10 minutes prior to game start to organize and plan. Play begins on a standard horn/whistle.
Blue players that are hit are eliminated from the game. To represent the more numerous smuggler crew, Red players that are hit may return to their starting "hatch," wipe off the hit and return to the game up to 3 times.
Blue must take their two explosive charges and plant them inside the target containers, with lids closed. These represent points in the ship's hull that, when the charges explode, will guarantee the ship sinks. Once both charges are planted, Blue players must return to the helicopter and send the detonation signal by sounding the air horn. All Blue players must be on board the helicopter before the signal is sent.
If a Blue player is eliminated while carrying an explosive charge, he must drop it on the ground where he was eliminated. Only Blue players may pick up dropped explosives.
Scoring
Blue team wins if they deliver both explosives and return all personnel to the helicopter before sending the detonation signal. If there are Blue players outside the helicopter when the horn is sounded, the game is a tie. Red wins on any other result.
Tactics
The SEALs must balance their firepower advantage with their inability to replace losses. Splitting the team and sending one group to each target is a typical plan. Try using uneven teams, with a larger "delivery" team and a smaller "holding" team to keep the Smugglers from occupying the target location. Don't let the smugglers get too firm of a defense on the target containers, or it will be very difficult to deliver the explosives.
Smugglers must use cooperative fires to even-out their lower firepower. Smugglers can also afford to take risks that trade players 1-for-1 with the SEALs, since the Smuggler player can return to the game up to 3 times. If one side eliminates the SEALs opposing them, it's usually a good idea to send most players to assist the other side to go for the elimination. If you eliminate an explosives carrier, make sure you defend the dropped explosives to prevent the SEALs from getting their critical item back!
Variations
Like most games, you can simplify the props if necessary. The hatches or helicopter can be anything from a tree to a specific bunker. Just make sure all players know which one is serving as special location. The more complex the explosive delivery, the harder the game is for the SEALs. An elaborate prop might require some careful steps, but makes the game that much more fun.