The Shootout2
Firing & Stance
Firing your paintball gun is arguably the most
important part of the game, and this is not quite as simple as pointing the end
with the hole in it at someone and pulling the trigger. Don't fire from the hip
or when moving because you only have slightly more chance of hitting than if you
opened your hopper and tipped the balls on the floor. Instead keep the gun
pulled in tight to your shoulder and look along the length of the barrel to aim.
Lying down
Going prone is something to be done selectively. Sometimes
it is necessary because the only available cover is very low, but the problem
with it is the lack of manoeuvrability. If you are lying prone on your front it
is difficult to respond quickly to attacks from the side, so someone can run
round to the side of you and as you try to bring your gun to bear on them shoot
at the whole length of your body, which makes a juicy target. A better position
is often to lie on your back with your feet towards the enemy. This sounds
bizarre but you can roll to one side or the other more easily and you can also
do a half-situp with your gun already in position to do a sort of rapid pop-up
attack over whatever you are hiding behind. This is easily the best way to fire
lying down with a pump because you need to be in a proper firing position to
work the pump handle easily. You can also remain lower while firing than you can
on your front because you don't have to raise yourself up on your elbows to aim.
Finally if you do get hit it is likely to be on the soles of your boots which
doesn't hurt rather than on the top of your head, which does. The only problem
is that it is still difficult to stand up, so pick your location carefully.
Popping Out
Remaining in a firing position around cover for a long
period of time is very dangerous. While your attention is focussed on one
opponent, almost anything could be happening at the peripheries of your vision,
such as someone else sighting up on you. Most of your firing should be done in
relatively short bursts, where you pop out on someone you have already selected
as a target. To start firing effectively in as little time as possible, get in a
firing stance while still behind cover. Then move sideways or upwards round the
cover, with your gun aimed and ready to fire. Be ready to drop back the moment
you are aware of any incoming fire from either your target or elsewhere.
Look twice, move once (and only for a reason)
It's very hard to hit a rapidly bobbing head, so make the
most of looking around. Sit behind a nice large bit of cover and keep popping
out for a split second to get a good look around. Rather than sticking your head
out and ducking if you're fired on, come out and go back in one movement and
repeat until you have seen enough. Your priority is to work out where all the
enemy and friendly players are. Are you safe in your current position? If the
enemy move up then will they be able to get at you from an angle where you no
longer have cover? Then plan your next move carefully. Don't just push forwards
for its own sake, apart from the risk of being hit while moving, once you arrive
at the new piece of cover you will be exposed to a greater angle of enemy fire,
and may well be easily visible to someone that you haven't yet spotted. If you
go to a new piece of cover it should be because either it is a more substantial
than the one you are currently behind, or because it will allow you to get a
better angle on an opponent.
Moving up
Actually moving forward to a new piece of cover under fire
is one of the most risky activities. One of the skills which is acquired with
experience is what is a good bet and what isn't. Don't try to fire back while
you are doing it, because this will slow you up and you're chances of hitting
are minimal. If possible arrange for someone else to cover you, because enemy
fire will be a lot less accurate if they are being shot at themselves. Be
careful when you dive behind the new piece of cover because protruding tree
roots and stones can be surprisingly painful.
