If this is your first time playing paintball

Paintball is a sport where two teams face off, each having an objective. Depending on the game mode, sometimes there will be a common objective such as capture and hold a location for longer than the other team. Other times, there may be opposing goals such as storming or defending a castle. During the game, players try to eliminate enemy players by shooting them with paintballs. Paintballs are a gel sphere filled with paint that will burst on impact. In most game modes, getting hit with a paintball means you must sit out for the remainder of the round. The game ends either when the objective has been met or all players on a team have been eliminated

Common terms

• Marker: A paintball marker is the actual name for paintball gun, but everyone will know what you mean if you just say gun
• Game mode: The game mode is the set of rules for the round. Some game modes allow you to join the game again after getting hit. Others are about capturing a flag. The game mode determines how you will be playing the game.
• Mask: The goggles that you MUST wear when playing. A good mask should cover your whole face and your ears.
• Hopper: A hopper is the magazine that holds your paintballs. It is the bulky container that usually sits on top of the marker. This is where you load your marker.
• Tank: This is the metal bottle that is attached to most paintball markers. Almost all markers are powered by compressed air or CO2. The tank holds the gas to propel the paintballs.
• Pod: A plastic tube designed to hold paintballs. Players use these to quickly fill their hopper on the field.
• Barrel Cover: This is a special sock that covers the end of the marker to stop paintballs from flying

🩹 Does paintball hurt?

Yes, it does but only a little. My experience is that it is very similar to being snapped with a rubber band. For me, the pain lasts for about a minute and I don't notice it too much. Wearing a heavier long sleeve shirt and pants like a sweatshirt and jeans is enough for most people. If you are really concerned, you can always purchase armor but you will probably find that you don't need it.

🔫 Do I need to bring my own equipment?

Not at all! You are more than welcome to bring your own equipment if you would like but it is not a requirement. Rental equipment is free and includes everything you need to get started. Please make sure that if you do bring your own marker, you are transporting and storing it responsibly. Markers also must have a barrel cover. It is against university policy to keep a paintball marker in university housing or bring it on to university-provided transportation.

🎨 Can I bring my own paint?

Unfortunately not. The field that we attend requires you to use their paint for insurance purposes. If you don't use all of the paint that you buy, you can save it and bring it next time.

👕 What should I wear

The only requirement of things to wear is a paintball mask. You can wear whatever makes you feel comfortable but most common is a sweatshirt and jeans. This helps lessen the impact of being shot a bit. Whatever you wear, please be prepared for it to be painted and muddy. Goodwill or other thrift stores are a great place to get cheap clothes that you don't mind getting ruined. It's also smart to bring a change of clothes for the ride home. Paintball paint usually washes out.

🛒 What should I buy

You don't have to purchase any of your own equipment to be a part of our club but some people prefer having their own gear. Longshot Paintball is a club in Southern California that has put together an excellent buyer's guide for people who are new to the sport. Check it out here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1D8XTLBPDGWpdWSHqygF7vvGLROz4c68TWf4RHBaxE7A/

🚗 How do I get to the field?

Members are welcome and encouraged to use their own transportation if they have it and carpool with other members. This helps keep our overall club costs down. Members are also able to take public transit if they choose. Please make sure to adhere to all local laws regarding transporting a paintball marker. Depending on the size of event, we may also be providing transportation for our players in the form of Uber or Lyft.

💵 How much is this going to cost me?

Thanks to generous funding from the Student Government Board, we have worked out an agreement with Pittsburgh Paintball Park for them to provide a very generous deal to the paintball club. Everything you need to play is FREE for Pitt club members, which includes rental masks, markers, and paint.

📕 Safety Rules

1. You MUST wear a mask while you are on the field.
2. When you are not actively playing, you need to have a barrel cover on
3. Only point your marker at something you intend to shoot or a safe direction
4. Do not shoot other players at point blank range
5. If another player surrenders, allow them
6. Do not overshoot players
7. Make sure that you are looking at what you intend to shoot. Don't blind fire

Tips For Attending Our Sessions

🔫 Transport your marker safely

If you are bringing your own marker please make sure you transport it safely. PA law requires the following if you are transporting a marker in a vehicle (I'm not a lawyer):

1. The marker must be unloaded

2. The air or co2 tank must be disconnected or turned off

3. The marker must have a barrel cover on and be out of reach of passengers

👕 Bring a change of clothes

There is a good chance that your clothes and shoes will get painted and/or muddy. You may want to bring a change of clothes to keep your car clean.

💵 Bring money

While the club will cover admission, you may still need money to purchase food, drink or to donate!

💧 Stay hydrated on the field

Bring your own water or money to buy bottles. Paintball is more exhausting than you may think.

🎯 Set your marker to 280 FPS

The park's standard velocity is 280 fps. If you are bringing your own marker, you can calibrate it when you get to the field. Please do this BEFORE starting for the day.