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The author of this post, “Venator” (Latin for “hunter”), is an avid airsofter that enjoys airsofting with his family on their 10 acres. He prefers the support role when he goes into battle, but isn’t afraid to take command if the situation warrants it. His primary weapon is a KWA SR7 and his current dream gun is a KWA SR10
Basic Field Combat Tactics (Part 1) by zfJames
When an airsoft warrior, veteran of many close-quarter-combat (CQC) battles, engages in a field battle, he or she is often at a loss. Minimal cover and little stealth opportunities can hamper even the most experienced player’s abilities. However, several basic skills can greatly improve your chances of survival in field combat. This article provides combat techniques for individuals and large groups. Modify them as necessary for your style of combat, the size of the group, and the situation.
Movement
Movement is, in its most elemental sense, a method to arrive at point B from point A. The trick in field combat, however, is that someone is shooting at you as you move from point A to point B and you have little cover. Simple zigzagging is fine, but it can become predictable.
Crawling is useful, but a defender on a taller plane of ground (such as a hill or fort) can easily pick off the large blob below him. It is also nearly impossible to shoot accurately in the prone crawling position. Therefore, standing forms of movement are the most useful.
In CQC situations, the best form of movement is crouching and walking carefully forward. In field warfare, this leaves one open for shots. If you must walk forward on a field of fire, turn your body almost completely sideways and walk as straight up and down as you can. This decreases the target by forcing the defender’s aim to be perfectly aligned side-to-side as opposed to up-and-down. This tip should obviously be used only for approaches by walking.
It is near impossible to run sideways, and you are likely to trip and fall. When running, try using a variant of the zigzag. If they catch on, switch it up. Vary your timing as you run, by darting one way, jogging another, and perhaps walking for the third movement. This will further bewilder your opponents. The combinations are endless, just don’t become predictable.
Weaponry
Moving up and down a field is great, but you need to be able to act when you reach your target. While, for most applications, a sniper rifle is virtually useless, a field scenario can be greatly augmented by snipers.
Snipers, if placed correctly, can halt a charge in its tracks. They can also pick off any heads that show above the bushes, grasses, or other cover.
CQC assault rifles and other CQC weapons have little use, especially on a large field. Their accuracy and power diminishes quickly, preventing them from reaching more ranged opponents.
Assault rifles with a Feet-Per-Second (FPS) rating too high for a CQC airsoft arena are invaluable assets in this form of warfare. The higher the FPS, the better, simply because you have more range. Pistols do not apply to this general rule, however. They are used when a person is reloading their gun for self defense and they do not need a high level of firepower to do the job.
Shotguns are utterly useless in this environment. Their low range nullifies their wide spread of shot.
Stay tuned for Part 2 of Basic Field Combat Tactics by zfJames!
