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[sackbagjr]

It is a constant struggle at the games I run (monthly small free Ops) to figure out a good way to respawn.  Medics are ok, but people don't like watching the enemy spring back to life before their eyes.

We don't generally have cadre to run a respawn area, and don't want people sitting around bored more than they need to.

Usually 20-30 people games. 

What do you guys recommend for the best respawn rules for scenario games with objectives that each side must complete?

[RLB]

Regen at base and/or mobile regen points.

[arryouhappy]

In my community we've got a variety of different re-spawn rule sets for different turnouts, game styles, and field sizes.

The most basic is the static set-time re-spawn. The spawn time is announced before the game starts, and depending on the field size and amount of people that showed up, a 1-5min re-spawn is used. A cheap easy way to be sure everyone spawns on time is to buy a couple big, battery powered analog clocks and put them up at the teams spawn locations.

For mobile re-spawns/FOB's (in certain game types and again depending on the turn out) we use a 3-5 man touch-and-go re-spawn.. Meaning you set a specific minimum number of people, lets say 3, and you have to have at least 3 people touching the flag at the mobile re-spawn in order for them to spawn back in. For larger events this can be coupled with a standard time re-spawn and the mobile re-spawns need to be set-up by the players and can be destroyed by opposing players, adding another strategical element to the game.

My favorite is the 5-minute-all-in rule. Re-spawns are allowed every 5 minutes on the analog clock and everyone waiting is back in at the same time. This means that if you die and get back to re-spawn at 12:04:30, you've got a 30 second re-spawn. But, if you get back at lets say 12:00:30 then you have to wait 4 1/2 minutes. We play primarily mil-sim games and this helps a lot to keep squads together on the field.

I'm on the same boat as you as far as medics go. It's really frustrating to see people you just blew away back in the fight in >30 seconds in some cases. Our community does utilize medics with pretty standard rules (limb hits mean you bleed out in 2 mins unless a medic can tie a bandage to your arm, after that the next hit you have to go back to re-spawn.) I actually thought of this idea as I was typing this out, but I'm going to propose a new rule to our community and feel free to use it. Medics must move wounded out of sight or behind cover before the injured can get back in the fight. Of course I don't think this would work on every airsoft field out there, but it wouldn't hurt to try.

[gunfighters]

for games your size we use 2-2-2..
2 mins @ base, or 2 payers, or pay the host $2 lol
if you are a lone you wait 2min, if there are 2 of you (@any time) you both go in, if three, 2 can go , one waits 2min.. etc

If your group is milsimish.. try a cot and a first aide flag as a mobile re spawn point in adation to a base type one. make it a instant respawn point an it becomes a big asset if used well...it aslo makes for a mobile, player controled (less work for host) objective for the other team (disrupt supply lines)
the medic can move a cot (dissacembled and in its bag) and set it up/take it down and move it again as the co sees fit.

[Itsahak]

We've used 3x5 cards with numbers from 1 to 5 written on them.  You fold them in half, put a piece of tape on it to keep it closed and toss it in your pocket.  When you're hit, you call it, open the card and the number is the time, in minutes, that you're out.  It creates an unknown in that no one else knows how long you're out.  You may return in  a minute, it may be 5 minutes...

[Sparky D]

Typically we use 3 minutes in the Respawn area.
Recently, we've added a maximum capacity of 5 players in respawn. If there are 5 or more players, they are all clear to return to action (kind of like a reinforcement squad).

[sackbagjr]

I'm worried about dealing with the flow of the game.  This might be a problem with the scenario more than the respawn rules I guess.

Multiple teams trying to move onto a "hill".  If people are dying and respawning back at a safezone, what's the most effective way of getting them back into the battle?  3 people spawn at the same time?

[Sparky D]

If people are dying and respawning back at a safezone, what's the most effective way of getting them back into the battle? 

They run...

Used to be an issue with one of our fields (extremely hilly terrain). We established temporary FOB/MASH location that would function as mobile respawns in the event of a heated and/or prolonged battle at any particular point on the field.
Our Cadre (reffs, admin, organizers) would mark the FOB/MASH with a flag and set a time limit (usually 10 min). After that time expired, the respawn would go back to the original pre-assigned base.
If the enemy pushed to within 100' of the MASH, it would be forced to retreat to the original re-spawn site.

It worked well once everyone got the hang of it, but it required extra Cadre to manage it.

[Limey]

I've played at a couple of sites where both sides have shared a respawn point and have used a clock with alternate 5 minute sections painted in the colours of each team. If you reach the respawn and the clock is on your team colour you go straight back into the game, if not then you wait till it is. The only issue I've found with this is you need to make sure the respawn location doesn't give one side a massive advantage.

[sackbagjr]

That's a cool idea, having a single spawn point but changing team spawns.  Could make it simpler and take away the timer.  First team to get 3 people back there spawns.   If it happens at the same time, gotta give the other team a 30 second headstart.

Thanks for the ideas.

[Limey]

When all issues are ironed out it works really well but it can go wrong so be prepared to be flexible and make changes if things arn't working out first time you try it

Or if you want to keep the medics allow them to drag/carry the shot player a short distance to behind cover before giving "treatment"