What is Airsoft Skirmishing

In layman’s terms Airsoft skirmishing is an action game based on military simulation. Airsoft is many different things to many different people, but the one thing that binds most Airsoft skirmishers together is the imaginary element. You are suspending belief for the short time you are playing, immersing yourself in a fictitious situation and playing in character.

Airsoft is so much more than a simple game of ‘tag’ as Paintball tends to be, it is an all-encompassing experience, which constantly evolves and changes. In this respect it is much more akin to the film industry or re-enactment than Paintball or Laser Tag. Airsofters role play simulated situations, knowing in reality they are safe and won’t be hurt. Airsoft is not about winning, or about leagues and competitions, it's about suspending belief (to borrow a favorite term from film and TV), 'taking part' and 'having an experience', not to mention the beneficial aspects of teamwork and exercise that are part and parcel of the airsoft experience.

How does it work

Airsofters use 'Soft Air' replicas to fire non lethal projectiles (BB's) at each other. The replicas are in looks and function as realistic as they can be, this means during the simulation magazine changes are as realistic as possible, adding to the experience. Different types of Soft air replicas are available for different purposes, just as in real life. There are to many varieties to list, but they include pistols, sub machine guns, rifles, assault rifles, sniper rifles and support guns. All have appropriate magazine capacities and although they fire the same ammunition, they function and handle in very different ways.

Endless scenarios are acted out by opposing teams and players, from simple base swaps, or capture the flag games, to complicated hostage rescues. It's not uncommon to see a VIP being escorted through a specific game zone, it's as varied as your imagination allows.

The whole system is based around honor, there is no paint or mark left by the BB that hit's an opponent, so we all rely on the honesty of the other players to indicate when they have been hit. The system works surprisingly well once players get the hang of 'feeling' or sometimes 'hearing' when they have taken a hit.

The velocities 'Soft Air Weapons' operate at means they are non lethal, that has two advantages. The replicas can fire in fully automatic mode (this is a function that is banned for lethal air weapons) and the minimum safety equipment Airsofters need is eye protection, this all adds to the realism and experience so players can get the most from their gaming days.

Who can play

Anybody can enjoy skirmishing.

Airsoft is played by a massive cross section of society, lawyers and city bankers rub shoulders on the airsoft field with police men, trades people, single mums and everybody in between. Age isn't an issue, we take players in secondary school education to those well into retirement.

There are no fitness requirements to play, unlike other action games it's not essential to be fit to play airsoft, there are roles for most shapes and sizes. Some actually use airsoft as a means of getting fit and burning off excess energy after sitting at a desk all day, much more exciting and enjoyable than going to a gym.