Stuff I need?

[Crunk_Ain't_Dead]

Hey all:
I turned 18 last month, I plan to get Age Verified next month or so, and I would like to start going to games in the spring. I'm hoping to try to buy a (used) AEG at the Toronto Airsoft Convention in March. (Used as I'm on a tight budget)
Basically, I'm wondering what I need. I realize that there was a thread about this recently, but it didnt really answer all my questions.
I realize, at bare minimum I need:
-AEG
-Battery
-Charger
-Mags
-BBs (Bought at the event probably)
-Eye protection
-Boots.
I've got boots and a paintball mask, the rest I'll be buying ASAP.

Will I be criticized for being a "noob" for not showing up with BDUs, a chest rig/vest, helmet, radio and all that other jazz? Cause frankly, maybe apart from the chest rig/vest, I don't think that I'll buy the "extra" stuff, even later on down the road.
I will be playing CQB mostly, after watching videos of both Field and CQB, I think I'll prefer the latter.
Am I approaching this totally the wrong way or do some players also not go for the whole "dressing up as a soldier thing"? I don't look down on it or anything, but it's the actual gameplay, not the roleplay, that interests me.

[Grrxmaster]

Originally Posted by Crunk_Ain't_Dead

Hey all:
I turned 18 last month, I plan to get Age Verified next month or so, and I would like to start going to games in the spring. I'm hoping to try to buy a (used) AEG at the Toronto Airsoft Convention in March. (Used as I'm on a tight budget)
Basically, I'm wondering what I need. I realize that there was a thread about this recently, but it didnt really answer all my questions.
I realize, at bare minimum I need:
-AEG
-Battery
-Charger
-Mags
-BBs (Bought at the event probably)
-Eye protection
-Boots.

Will I be criticized for being a "noob" for not showing up with BDUs, a chest rig/vest, helmet, radio and all that other jazz? Cause frankly, maybe apart from the chest rig/vest, I don't think that I'll buy the other stuff.
I will be playing CQB mostly, after watching videos of both Field and CQB, I think I'll prefer the latter.
Am I approaching this totally the wrong way or do some players also not go for the whole "dressing up as a soldier thing"? I don't look down on it or anything, but it's the actual gameplay, not the roleplay, that interests me.

Now, I'm by no means at all an expert, but that sounds completely reasonable.

[DEATH2000]

To start out thats all you really need. A gun, place to put mags, good boots. Dont cheap out on boots. Rolling or snapping an ankle SUCKS. Their are plenty of great manufacturers out their. Even surplus CF boots are good.

[Ballcancer]

It really depends on your play style toronto has games that host indoor cqb games and games around toronto host outdoor games I would suggest tryin both, who knows you may like both. As for your gear you are pretty set in terms of starting gear it's basically what I started with I just used an old set of my my dads work clothes that he didn't need anymore and that's how I played formu first few games I then slowly bought some mags and other gear. That was over a year ago... Today? I play in jeans still once in a while mainly because it's comfortable and I like to go for a merc look sometimes. When I play bush games I have a full set of bdus that I use and I use everything else: RRV my helmet gloves pouches, slings, tac boots, radio, camo paint etc etc... As my true love for this hobby is in milsim and I would love to get into more of it. When I skirmish or play cqb it's usually jeans and civvies or bdu pants and civvies with my gear over top. I'd say go with what you are comfortable with and then try different things down the road and see what suits you! Have fun!


Oh and death2000 is absolutely correct if you are to spend money on sobering with quality (aside from your AEG) it should be your boots he's write as a snapped ankle will ruin a good portion of the season and it never heals properly, I would know and trust me it sucks. A good pair of police boots is what use (currently magnums) a few good brands to loom at are are original swat, 5.11, magnums, merril (don't know if I spelt that right) are a few to look at to get you started or as death2000 said get a pair of combats!

[L473ncy]

No not usually. If you go to strict scenario games then you'll be denied entry but you shouldn't be going to those kinds of games in the first place anyways.

No need for helmet or radio, I don't even run those, not to mention the helmet just makes you a slightly bigger target and impairs your hearing (for me it impairs me hearing as well as slightly impairing my balance....).

Chest rig doesn't need to be purchased right away (I borrowed a chestrig my first game) but it's something you should pick up eventually. For your first game holding your mags in your BDU pockets and doing a "lightweight" loadout is OK, and hell some people even do run super lightweight "scout" loadouts like that holding 2 mags in their upper slanted BDU pockets and another few in their BDU pant pockets.

As for the not showing up in BDU's (speaking about outdoor games)..... it's iffy, they're nice of course but if you could do a convincing "PMC" loadout it would be perfect in my eyes, just don't show up to a game with neon SB Dunks, skinny jeans and a tight fitting "V neck" shirt with a tight fitting hoodie and you'll be fine (basically don't come looking like a hipster).

At a CQB game, you'll probably be fine in runners (no chance of rolling ankles here), "regular" jeans (ie. from Marks Work Wearhouse, or something you'd find at a "tack shop"), and a plain tshirt or plain dress shirt (like something a police detective or undercover agent would wear).

[Crunk_Ain't_Dead]

Thanks so much guys.
I have good boots, don't worry, these things have taken me up more mountains than I can count and saved my ankles multiple times. Not to mention they cost more than I plan to spend on my AEG .
Hipster clothes probably wouldnt' work too well either. I haven't tried running in tight jeans but I can't imagine it would work too well.
And yes, scenario games are not at all what I wanted to do, I'll avoid them.

[DEATH2000]

Originally Posted by L473ncy

At a CQB game, you'll probably be fine in runners (no chance of rolling ankles here), .

Trust me, their is always chance you will roll an ankle indoors. Its happened. Specially around tight corners. A good pair of boots with ankle support is always best. I wear tactical boots at work as part of my job and have done so for the last 4 years. I wear my old Magnum's right now when i go outside to minimize my chance's of slipping and rolling an ankle in the snow.

[SuperCriollo]

Just make sure that the pb mask you have is good quality and doesnt fog up five minutes after you put it on

[Brian McIlmoyle]

For indoor , CQB play..

1 pistol 2 mags
paintball mask
good footwear
gloves
hoody

done.. nothing else required and you will do just fine

if you want replace pistol with AEG SMG

[AoiShikaku]

AEG
Yes. Since you are in Toronto a lot of the places around here have 350 FPS max (some places extremely strict about it). Chronos are generally available on site so you don't need to buy one. Always nice to have a few AEG springs so you can get the right FPS so you don't end up shooting a guy close range with a 550 FPS gun. Sometimes people will have tools available to do the change and generally a lot of people are friendly enough to help you out if you don't know what you are doing. Ohh and also.. an AEG rifle/submachine gun will help you out in some fields in Toronto.. like Sgt. Splatters and Ultimate Airsoft.. they have long open spaces at times so it helps to have a decent gun.

Battery + Charger
Usually comes with the AEG depending on who you buy from.

Mags
Aim for Real Cap/Low Cap/Mid Cap mags. High caps are generally frowned upon, but some places will allow them until you get proper mags.

BBs
Sometimes sold at events, but not always. Easier to just pick up a bag yourself from one of the local vendors. Also stay away from silica BBs...

Eye Protection
Don't cheap out on this. This is for your safety. I recently played at a venue where a person was firing too hot or silica BBs. These suckers were able to break through 1cm thick glass. So imagine if a cheapo pair of goggles was shot... wouldn't look so pretty. Fog can make or break you in a game so one with a fan is generally recommended. ESS Goggles with fan would be a good recommendation.

Boots
High cut and ankle support work real well (reasons stated above by other members)


Will you be criticized..
Maybe, but who cares. You'll get to shoot the guy when the game starts. I'd recommend a vest/chest rig + sling to be added to your list only because it'll help you run around easier with your ammunition and lighten the load from your arms so you dont' have to always be carrying the full weight of the gun. If you had the vest/chest rig don't think anyone would look at you differently. Lots of people just show up in jeans and a hoodie and slap on their vests/rigs right on top.

Other things on the list you might want to add:
- gloves that protect your knuckles and fingers
- a scarf to protect your neck from getting shot
- knee pads (two reasons: You may be kneeling a lot for cover and it'll save you on getting your pants dirty/ripped/torn)
- proper bag/case to transport your gun(s) in. I know people who use old guitar cases to avoid anyone knowing what's in the bag.


Just remember... if they ever said something to offend you. Just be honest with them and just tell them I'm new and I don't really know much. A lot of people will understand where you are coming from because we all had to start somewhere. By stating this early before the game starts to the person hosting the event is generally a good thing because they will give you a run down on the field, safty precations, and safe zone areas and what you need to do to make sure it is kept safe for yourself and other people.

Most importantly... it's a game... just have fun. Who cares if anyone looks at your differently because you are starting out. You'll pick up things like working as a team, strategies in CQB, and all the other goodies in time.


Hope you have a blast with airsoft =)

[DEATH2000]

Originally Posted by AoiShikaku

- knee pads (two reasons: You may be kneeling a lot for cover and it'll save you on getting your pants dirty/ripped/torn)

Indoors, kneepads are definitely important. Smashing your knee into something is just as bad as rolling an ankle. Kneeling down onto a BB HURTS LIKE HELL!!! I've done it way to many times! One other good thing about kneepads is we have ramps leading to a second level at our indoor arena and with a good pair of kneepads you can slide down the whole ramp.

[vondnik]

Originally Posted by DEATH2000

Indoors, kneepads are definitely important. Smashing your knee into something is just as bad as rolling an ankle. Kneeling down onto a BB HURTS LIKE HELL!!! I've done it way to many times! .

Just under kneeling down on a broken neon tube.... man I still have the scars....:banghead:

[Spawn28]

everthing you mentioned is perfect the only thing i would suggest is if your going to outdoor games you really should have a radio.
And if anybody says anything about ya being a noob just tell em "Hey listen! you were a noob once too! go Talk to a mirror!."