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[cptpackrat]

After a recent disscussion with a friend of mine about an old outdoor field he mentioned it was his style. That comment kinda "erked" me in and set me into a crazy list of questions.

 Heres some background info on said friend: Hes played for 3-4 years mostly outdoors, recently picked up an indoor CQB habit and plays their regularly, I played with him at this field back in december and yes hes become very good and very efficient at the cqb indoor play style. Myself Ive been playing for about 8 years almost strictly all outdoor fields ranging from large 100+ acre fields of all woods and mountains, and then field in the woods of a smaller size with a couple buildings here and there. Ive played the same indoor field quite a bit and also a couple other CQB-ish enviroments so Im not completely new to it either.

My theory for play style is that every "operator" should be able to adapt to any enviroment ranging from indoor to outdoor, rain or shine. They should be able to adapt to any situation no matter what even if it means taking a short barreled cqb weapon to a longer range outdoor field or visa versa... They should be able to make whatever their gear is work in whatever situation. Nothings perfect, and rarely is the situation in which you find yourself in.

I personally have built my gun and gear primarilly for outdoor use, Im able to quickly go from cqb to long range field play very quickly.

My question for all the members here is whats your take on play styles? Should you have your load strictly for one thing even though you play in more than one area? And on a parting note I leave everyone with this "Jack of all trades, master of none."

[kdb135]

Working at an indoor arena, and I have been geared mostly towards close quarters combat. Not a whole lot has changed in my play style or my load out. Aside from sniping here and there my out door tactics have been mostly either pushing up quickly on the OPFOR or flanking. Much the same now when I play CQB. I usually either push up though the maze with a close-knit team, or lay down cover fire so my team mates can flank.

As for the gear, I have swapped from a plate carrier to a few OPS chest rigs, but as before, I try to carry as many (mid cap) mags a possible, while still staying lightweight and low profile. Sure, some nights when we partake of some good old full auto fun, where I will keep one or two hicap mags on my far right, but for the most part I aim for effectiveness. It was the same way when I played field games. Why do with thirty+ rounds what you can do with one.

To sum it up, my play style has stayed the same in most aspects aside from the speed and the necessity to corner properly.

[Limey]

I mainly play at an outdoor site but my style of play is to go flanking and sneaking through bushes etc so I prefer to carry a carbine length gun and keep my kit relatively lightweight. This has the advantage that I don't have to make changes for playing CQB.

As for being able to play in different environments, if you play at one one type of site then you will naturally tailor your loadout to that site, however if you play at different sites or have different types of terrain then you will either adapt your loadout or your style of play to suit whatever environment you're in at the time.

[Elephant_Gunner]

I think your gear is always determined by the mission, but everything's a tradeoff. I.e., a DM probably won't take point to clear a structure, but his value elsewhere is worth the tradeoff. You should feel your personal loadout gives you the best chance to be effective with consideration to your "playing style", where you play, and if you plan to fulfill a specific role in a squad.

[cptpackrat]

Well said, but even then i think you also shouldnt say you have 1 single style and you wont play anything else but that style... this goes for field and actual attitude(rushing, recon, stealth, ect...)

Ive seen it alot with people that have gone from playing strictly cqb play style then trying to go and take that same style play to the woods, of course your not gonna be as effective, but you should be able to adapt and make it work, if your thing is being at a good standoff distance but your thrown into a cqb enviroment you should be able to make your guns and gear work and be as effective as possible in those circumstances.

Ive been there and done it, Ive ran short barreled AEPs and SMGs in long range situations, Ive also ran long range BASRs in CQB enviroments both to some kind of success or another... I guess what im trying to say is being mission flexible and adapting creates a better overall player than one that can only be good at one single play style. Agree?

[deadeye11]

^I 100% agree with you. Why be one-dimensional when you can be effective in any environment. Obviously your kit should be somewhat pre-planned, based on the mission and the environment, but crazy things happen in the middle of games. Sure, you could be playing at a huge outdoor facility, but if there are many buildings within the field, then you must be prepared to work in close quarters. I always over-prepare, but I prefer to always have the ability to be combat effective and feel comfortable in whatever situation may arise, whether it be cqb, woodland, counter-sniper engagements, or whatever else you can think of, than be SOL when a tough situation arises.

[Elephant_Gunner]

I guess what im trying to say is being mission flexible and adapting creates a better overall player than one that can only be good at one single play style. Agree?

But even if you have a completely down the middle, "jack of all trades" loadout, you're still making a tradeoff. You'll be outgunned at range by snipers/DMs, and outgunned up close by SMGs and some pistols. You're making a call that a minor tradeoff at both ends of the spectrum is worth the versatility it gives. But some terrain, even complete fields, favor one weapon or style of play over another, and you should come prepared. So on some fields, maybe that flexible style of play you suggest won't cut it against a weapon and style tailored to that terrain. From what you've posted, I think you have substantially more experience than me, but I'm calling it like I see it.

But honestly, if you're skipping games because you don't think you're gun matches the field, you're doing it wrong. Run what ya brung, and have fun! It's airsoft.

[cptpackrat]

But even if you have a completely down the middle, "jack of all trades" loadout, you're still making a tradeoff. You'll be outgunned at range by snipers/DMs, and outgunned up close by SMGs and some pistols. You're making a call that a minor tradeoff at both ends of the spectrum is worth the versatility it gives.

But honestly, if you're skipping games because you don't think you're gun matches the field, you're doing it wrong. Run what ya brung, and have fun! It's airsoft.

This, and especially the last statements

The great thing about airsoft is the guns can be built to have similar ranges. (example) sniper rifles in real life have long range 800m effective on 7.62 airsoft usually somewhere about 230-280feet. Real M4 is 500m airsoft usually about 200-240feet. Sure the sniper rifle is gonna be more accurate as its designed to be, but doesnt mean it can completely outrange the M4 by crazy amounts same goes for SMGs and such. Airsoft ranges can be closed alot faster than the 300m in real, life making the M4 or SMG still effective against a sniper rifle, sure theres the accuracy trade off but once again you can get into your own effective alot faster than the enemy can get out of his minimum.

Either way if the enemy does get into your minimum you should be able to remain flexible and change your play style to a much more close in style and still be effective. Same goes for if you are a SMG user and theres a sniper taking random shots, you need to be able to use your current load and perform counter-sniper operations.

Im personally more of a standoff distance person, my guns and gear reflect it, doesnt mean i cant bring same guns and gear into a close in fight and do work... Ive always practiced adapt and overcome even when SHTF and im thrown into a situation where im not 100% prepared. Make do with what you got when youve got it

[deadeye11]

Elephant Gunner is right, you do make a tradeoff even with a versatile load out, but there's no reason not to try to be flexible and at least compete. Hey, when the odds are against you sometimes that can almost be more fun. Airsoft is supposed to be both fun and challenging, right? Definitely agree with running whatever you bring and having fun competing.

[coda87]

Light load, fast, and flanking.

[cptpackrat]

Light load, fast, and flanking.

Wasnt asking for your play style. Did you even read the first post? The point of this thread is discuss why a certain play style is or isnt a good thing. Why a certain play style may not work in other enviroments.

[DrOpPoInT1110]

I personally play mostly indoor cqb. However, I agree with the op- I think everyone should have a way of adapting to different scenarios. My gear can easily be switched for either indoor our outdoor play since I usually run a pretty minimal rig. I usually just change my guns since I don't feel that I need an entirely new loadout. Indoor, I use my KWA USP tactical and one of my two M4's. For outdoor, I switch to a Socom Gear Oasis and a KJW M700 (or set up an M4 with a scope). Other than that, my actual vest/ rig only changes to accommodate whatever mags I need to carry.

[thefusescape]

I play out doors. Very rural outdoors. I have to cut down thorn bushes and still retain cover with my sniper friend as we make our way in. I use a more short medium range? MP5. My friend a L85 sniper (yes it is a carbine, rifle and sniper for those who didn't know it has rich history etc etc) He is soon using the crosman pulse 'pan gun' as his side. Most of my matches end up as watching somebody guard there with a 'walmart' shotgun that is actually more effective than you know, wandering around looking for us being stupid as heck in our natural territory (a small team we played with played in indoor areas usually) well I was alone then with a springer a11 jamming from frost. I shot him 3 times in the thigh and the other guy in the chest when they were breaking across a river. I go semi auto like almost all of the time stalking and shooting.