Struggling to adjust to airsoft

[Natah]

As the title suggests, I'm struggling to crack the rhythm of the game. I'm an active CMT in the Reserves and so initially I was playing extremely defensively. Fire and retreat, engaging and covering 50m distances, sprinting around like a maniac (and hurting myself trying to jump around and over stuff). Acting extremely conservative with my ammo etc... I'm sure you guys get the idea.

As I start loosening up and playing more freely, moving closer, firing more, and acting more aggressively, it feels like you're getting pummelled into the ground. I got perhaps 2 or 3 kills during the entire day of play and yeah sure It's with rental kit but at close range on small maps it shouldn't matter a whole lot.

Struggling to find a balance. Any tips? (othering than getting my own kit. I'm working on that)

 

[Mtemprell]

As the title suggests, I'm struggling to crack the rhythm of the game. I'm an active CMT in the Reserves and so initially I was playing extremely defensively. Fire and retreat, engaging and covering 50m distances, sprinting around like a maniac (and hurting myself trying to jump around and over stuff). Acting extremely conservative with my ammo etc... I'm sure you guys get the idea.

As I start loosening up and playing more freely, moving closer, firing more, and acting more aggressively, it feels like you're getting pummelled into the ground. I got perhaps 2 or 3 kills during the entire day of play and yeah sure It's with rental kit but at close range on small maps it shouldn't matter a whole lot.

Struggling to find a balance. Any tips? (othering than getting my own kit. I'm working on that)

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It sounds like your like me. I play aimed controlled shots as I was taught in my time in the forces. I even run gbb with real cap mags. I love this style of game play and find in everyday skirmishes I am out gunned by the aeg mid cap players on full auto.

If recommend you try a more milsim or battle SIM game as you'll find these days are more catered to the real side of play and tactics.

In A general skirmish day don't be disheartened by small amount of kills as long as you enjoy the day. You'll hardly ever get on top of the full auto spammers but by learning the right tactics you'll get them eventually.

 

[Adolf Hamster]

It'll just take time to find your style, learn your site, learn your gat etc.

I wouldnt focus on the number of kills, deaths, wins or losses, just focus on having fun. Getting steamrolled isnt always a skill issue, if theres imbalanced teams or crappy site design the cards are stacked against you but you can still have fun losing by making the other guy have to work for it.

 

[Punisher3990]

I think a lot of people go through this. One thing that helped me was following other players rather than trying to make plays on my own. Stick with someone who's clearly experienced and watch how they move, when they push, and when they hold back.

Also, remember that rentals tend to be at a disadvantage. You're often going up against people who have spent hours (and plenty of money) fine-tuning not just their guns, but their gear as well, so don't beat yourself up over the kill count.

The more game days you get under your belt, the more you'll naturally find that balance between being too cautious and charging in. I found that running around like it's CoD usually just gets you lit up from multiple directions. There are game modes where speed is a huge advantage, like capturing flags, but a lot of the time it just makes you an easy target.

When I first started, I struggled to keep up with everyone else and preferred to hang back, support my team, or try to flank using stealth rather than leading the charge. Over time, I naturally found that I enjoy playing as a sniper/DMR, spotting enemy players, feeding information back to my team, and trying to counter enemy snipers or deal with players who are causing problems for our side.

As Mtemprell mentioned, it sounds like you would like milsim games, as they are a lot more realistic and things like stealth and tactics matter a lot more.

 

[Raiden]

Don’t be too disheartened. The instinct is to blame the rental gun and sure sometimes you’ll be out-ranged but most of the time as a beginner I got lit up without even knowing where the person was, it wasn’t often that I could say I died because the other person simply had a better gun.
I then bought a leaf suit thinking my camo was the problem and thought it’d be some sort of invisibility cloak but it wasn’t that either.

My upward trajectory started when I was starting to learn the map/site. I hate to compare it to CoD but when I play a new CoD map that I’ve never played before, I’m awful, but once I know the map inside out it’s a completely different ball game and that rang true for me in Airsoft. It really is one of those things where the more you play, the better you get.
Like others have said though, don’t worry too much about the kills, I have days where I only get a few kills but have been some of the most fun game days. Just figure out what playstyle you enjoy the most and have fun with it!

 

[Natah]

When I first started, I struggled to keep up with everyone else and preferred to hang back, support my team, or try to flank using stealth rather than leading the charge. Over time, I naturally found that I enjoy playing as a sniper/DMR, spotting enemy players, feeding information back to my team, and trying to counter enemy snipers or deal with players who are causing problems for our side.

As Mtemprell mentioned, it sounds like you would like milsim games, as they are a lot more realistic and things like stealth and tactics matter a lot more.

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I think now playing a few days I'd enjoy a setup that allows for longer range gameplay. Do you have any suggestions for a first sniper/DMR? I'd prefer a GBB but I've seen AEGs are cheaper (when it comes to rifles at least)

 

[Punisher3990]

I then bought a leaf suit thinking my camo was the problem and thought it’d be some sort of invisibility cloak but it wasn’t that either.

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It can be; I got stood on by a teammate on Sunday as I was blended so well. That was definitely a new experience lol

You are right about learning the map though; knowing the sneaky routes, the kill lanes, and the spots with the best vantage are all key parts of it. The CoD analogy seems weird to say, but it's true and does translate over to airsoft quite well. If you're a rental going against people who are regulars and have been to that site 30+ times, it's natural they will know the best spots or the best ways to push an objective.

I think now playing a few days I'd enjoy a setup that allows for longer range gameplay. Do you have any suggestions for a first sniper/DMR? I'd prefer a GBB but I've seen AEGs are cheaper (when it comes to rifles at least)

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My DMR is a Specna Arms V26 One series LVOA that I have locked to semi and upgraded. Its good but if you were to go down the DMR route I would try to find a DMR-specific gun you like. I am sure some DMR mains on here would be able to recommend a decent DMR.

Sniper-wise - For ease and out-of-the-box performance, you cant go wrong with any of the Silverback Tac 41 or SRS rifles. Some people prefer the VSR rifles but they require upgrades most of the time and the TAC41 shoots great out of the box. A TAC41 with a 2J spring is pretty much ready to go. They are a bit more expensive, but the Novritsch rifles are also pretty decent.

 

[Cannonfodder]

Welcome to the madhouse.

As others have posted, experience and knowledge of a site layout will have a big impact on how "well" you do in a game. These will come over time. That being said sometimes a fresh set of eyes can see something others have missed and trying something unexpected can change how a game goes. When the worst thing that can happen is a short walk back to respawn then there's no big problem if it doesn't work.

As others have posted, don't get too hung up on kill counts or who's winning or loosing. Some of the best games I've had have been when I hardly fired a shot or was on the end of an arse kicking

I then bought a leaf suit thinking my camo was the problem and thought it’d be some sort of invisibility cloak but it wasn’t that either.

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Good fieldcraft will always beat fancy camo.