Durty Dan's Alternative Paintball Rules

There are many ways to play Paintball besides the tried and true Capture the Flag. Here's a list of variations that you might enjoy trying. I believe this list originated with Durty Dan... so, thanks Dan for making the game a little more interesting.

Index

Introduction
Capture the flag
Blackjack
Charge of the Light Brigade
Shoot the Captain
Duel
Annihilator
Attack and Defend
Bunny Hunt
Recon
Gettysburg
POW
Down But Not Out
PaintBurner
Reinforcements
Trophy Hunter
Hostage Rescue
Kick the Bucket
Traditor (Latin, meaning "traitor")
Tag
Hide 'N' Seek

Introduction

These games were designed with established fields in mind. That is, the area is all set up, marked out, has flag stations and the like.

When writing the rules, I tried not to insult your intelligence by mentioning painfully obvious facts. I figured I didn't have to tell you that the games start and end with a whistle or horn. You will also notice that a lot of rules from the basic Capture the Flag game are repeated in each game, I've done this so you don't have to keep referring back to the original game and each game will stand on it's own.

I do not doubt you will have played some of these games. I don't claim all of these games are original. Some are games I have played or heard about, some are invented by friends and some come out of my demented mind.

Also, you should know that the durations of the games are not written in stone, you can change the duration of the game to suit the field size, number of players, etc. Most of the games have objectives, you can simply let the game go on until the objective is met.

In the games I intentionally avoided rules like head shots, gun shots and whether or not the ball has to break for it to be an elimination. These are usually local field rules. Also, I will give you a word of advice. If you are taking a group to a commercial field, clear the games you want to play with the owner first. This should be done at *least* a week prior to the day you booked to play. He may want to approve the game, he may want to familiarize his field staff with the rules, etc.

Field owners will find these games an interesting addition to the games they may already run on their field.

You may need to adapt the rules to your own particular needs, but remember that safety is always your number one concern. Play Fast! Play Hard! Play Safe!

I purposely did not include games like speedball. (These games and other games requiring structures will already exist where the structures exist on the field.) Not every field will have a speedball course, a village or a fort. The reason for not including these types of games is an attempt on my part to make these games universal. With a little preparation you should be able to play these games on any field in the world.

Speaking of fields, at the first of this introduction I mentioned "established" fields, this should not be confused with the term "commercial" fields I used later on. What I am talking about is a playing area already set up to play at least Capture the Flag. Whether it's a "legitimate/commercial" field or a "bootleg/outlaw" field is not the point.

I have been to some "legitimate/commercial" fields where I was afraid to take off my goggles at any time, unless I was in my car with the windows rolled up. I have also heard of a "bootleg/outlaw" field who sent a guy home for having a hot gun! Let the games begin.

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Capture the Flag - The game that started it aall!

Teams: Two teams.

Setting Up:

Two Flag stations required.
Two even teams required.
Two flags, hung in their respective flag stations, required

Time Limit: 30 Minutes.

Rules:

All players must begin the game at their flag station (or assigned starting point) and cannot leave that area until the game begins.
Players who are hit are out of the game.
If a player is eliminated while he is carrying the flag, he must drop the flag where he was hit, or hang it on the nearest available object. (Not another player).
Players who are eliminated may not, by word or gesture, indicate any intentions or locations of the opposing team members.
When a player is carrying the flag, it must remain visible at all times and must be carried in the hand, over the arm or around the neck.

Winning: Capture the opposing team's flag and return it to your base.

Tactical Advantage: The basic idea is to capture the flag. If you can avoid mixing it up with the other team, do so. Also, if you do capture the flag, leave a couple of your players behind to slow down the opposition in case they are on THEIR way back with YOUR flag.
You don't need to leave half of your team back to defend your flag. Only a couple of people are needed because the idea is not to stop the opposition from getting your flag, the idea is to slow them down and buy some time for the attackers. Besides, the more attackers you have the better it will be for you when you reach the opposition's flag station.
The attackers should also stay in a large group, if you break into small groups and you do run into the opposition, you're going to get nuked. There's safety in numbers (See Murphy's Laws).

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Blackjack

This is a standard game of Capture the Flag, but players are only given 21 paintballs for the whole game. This is a good game if you want to mix high-tech and low-tech paintguns. A semi-auto really doesn't have much fire power advantage of over a Splatmaster.

Teams: Two teams

Setting Up:

Two flag stations required
Two even teams required
Two flags, hung in their respective flag stations, required
Players are only allowed to have 21 paintballs

Time Limit: 30 minutes

Rules:

Players are not allowed to "share" paintballs
When a player shoots all his paintballs, he is out of the game
All players must begin the game at their flag station (or assigned starting point) and cannot leave that area until the game begins
Players who are hit are out of the game
If a player is eliminated while he is carrying the flag, he must drop the flag where he was hit, or hang it on the nearest available object. (Not another player)
Players who are eliminated may not, by word or gesture, indicate any intentions or locations of the opposing team members
When a player is carrying the flag, it must remain visible at all times and must be carried in the hand, over the arm or around the neck

Winning: Capture the opposing team's flag and return it to your base

Tactical Advantage: The best tactic is to stay together. One player has twenty-one paintballs, two players have 42 paintballs, three players have 63 paintballs, I'm sure you get the idea

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Charge of the Light Brigade

The teams must sally forth 'neath flags unfurled and charge into the ranks of the enemy!

Teams: Two teams

Setting Up:

Two flag stations required
Two even teams required
Two flags, hung in their respective flag stations, required

Time Limit: 20 Minutes

Rules:

All players must begin the game at their flag station (or assigned starting point) and cannot leave that area until the game begins
Players who are hit are out of the game
If a player is eliminated while he is carrying the flag, he must drop the flag where he was hit, or hang it on the nearest available object. (Not another player)
Players who are eliminated may not, by word or gesture, indicate any intentions or locations of the opposing team members
When a player is carrying the flag, it must remain visible at all times and must be carried in the hand, over the arm or around the neck

Winning: Hang your flag in the opposition's flag station

Tactical Advantage: The best thing to do is absolutely forbid the appointed flag carrier to engage if you meet the opposition. Assign at least two people to guard him at all times and assign alternates to stay in the general area to replace the guards if they are eliminated. Leave defenders behind.

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Shoot the Captain

Two teams must try to eliminate the other team's captain.

Teams: Two teams

Setting Up:

Two flag stations required
Two even teams required
One member of the team is selected to be the Captain
The teams are brought to their respective flag stations
The Captain is tied to one end of a 20 foot rope the other end is tied to an immobile object such as a tree or fence post
To add a little spice into the game, the Captain is not tethered, but his paintgun is
Another variation is to limit all players to twenty paintballs while not limiting the amount of paint a Captain can carry

Time Limit: 30 minutes

Rules:

The Captain cannot undo his tether
All players must begin the game at their flag station (or assigned starting point) and cannot leave that area until the game begins
Players who are hit are out of the game
Players who are eliminated may not, by word or gesture, indicate any intentions or locations of the opposing team members
If playing the tethered paintgun variation, the Captain can abandon his paintgun, but cannot use another paintgun
If you use the limited paint option, players cannot share paintballs

Winning: Eliminate the opposing team's Captain

Tactical Advantage: Assign an appropriate number of players to guard the Captain at the flag station. If playing the tethered paintgun variation, this group must stay with the Captain at all times.
Another tactic is to have the whole team stay back to defend and wait for the other team. No matter how long it takes, wait for them to show up. They may be trying the same thing. The team with the most patience will usually win this one.

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Duel

Two players settle an affair of honor. This is a good tie breaker and something to do if you're eliminated early.

Teams: Two players are the duelists, with a third player as the Warder

Setting Up: A clear area is required so that both players can pace off ten paces each

Time Limit:

Rules:

Two players stand back to back. The Warder is standing about ten feet to the side
Both players are armed with pistols. The pistols each have one paintball in them. Ready to fire. The paintguns can have no other paintballs in them, this is a one shot deal.
The warder then says,
"This, Gentlemen, is an affair of honor. You will take ten paces on my command, then turn and fire. If either of you turn before the count of ten, it will be my unfortunate duty to shoot you down." (Or something to that effect.)
The duellists then pace off in time to the Warder's count. At the count of ten they turn and fire.
The paintball has to break for the elimination to count.
Players cannot side step or lie down, but they may kneel if they wish.
No other rules apply.

Winning: The person who was not eliminated wins.

Tactical Advantage: The best way is to take your time. The first person to shoot usually isn't the winner. Also, keep your paintgun down and don't raise it until you are facing the target and then bring it up. If youlift your paintgun first and then turn you are moving the paintgun horizontally to engage what is essentially a vertical target

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Annihilator

Groups of five go into the field and slug it out in this elimination only game.

Teams: Multiple five man teams

Setting Up:

Set up multiple five man teams.
The maximum limit is four teams for every acre of playing area.
Place teams in the area so that they are not in line of sight of each other.
To make score keeping easier, the teams may be accompanied by a referee and each team shoots their own distinct color of paint

Time Limit: 30-45 minutes

Rules:

Teams will stay in their starting points until the Start of Game Signal.
The team gets a point for each elimination it inflicts on the other team.
There are no points for surviving members of the team.
All players must begin the game at their flag station (or assigned starting point) and cannot leave that area until the game begins.
Players who are hit are out of the game
Players who are eliminated may not, by word or gesture, indicate any intentions or locations of the opposing team members.

Winning: Team with the highest score.

Tactical Advantage: One thing you'll learn REALLY quick. WATCH YOUR BACK AND FLANKS. People will figure out really quick that while two teams are slugging it out, it's real easy to drop in and blind side one team and then take off. Don't hang around, get a couple of eliminations and get out of there

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Attack and Defend

Great for training teams how to attack or defend flag stations or when you want a fast and furious head to head game without a lot of sneaking around.

Teams: Two teams, Defenders and Attackers

Setting Up:

Choose a defendable area to serve as a flag station.
Defenders should be restricted to the confines of the flag station. Set boundaries that limit the movement of the defenders out of the flag station.

Time Limit: 10 minutes. The time limit can be changed to accommodate variations in the field size, cover, number of players, etc

Rules:

Defenders cannot leave the flag station area, or the areas of the flag station they are restricted to.
The attackers can attack from any place on the field.
All players must begin the game at their flag station (or assigned starting point) and cannot leave that area until the game begins.
Players who are hit are out of the game
Players who are eliminated may not, by word or gesture, indicate any intentions or locations of the opposing team members

Winning:

Attackers: Pull the flag off of its support. (A string, branch, cone, etc.) It is not necessary to leave the confines of the flag station.
Defenders: >Stop the Attackers from pulling the flag.

Tactical Advantage:

Attackers: Send the main force in one way and a few sneaky players in another. You must move quickly and not allow the defenders a chance to react to your attack.
Defenders: Take up positions at the extreme outside edges of your areas of limitation. That way if you are pushed back, you'll have somewhere to go.

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Bunny Hunt

One person must defend himself against a multitude of players. This game is a great way to end a day of paintball, especially if you play the limited paint option. A lot of players call it a day because they don't have enough paint for a full-blown game of "Capture the Flag". This let's them get in a few more games without having to worry about paint consumption.

Teams: Bunny (One person.) vs Hunters (A whole bunch of people.)

Setting Up:

One player volunteers to be the Bunny. To give the Bunny some kind of advantage (I'm sure he'll appreciate it.), you have two options:
1. The Bunny gets a semi-automatic paintgun plus a garbage can lid or other device to use as a shield.
2. The Bunny carries as much paint as he's comfortable with but the Hunters are restricted to only twenty paintballs each for the game.

Time Limit: 20 minutes. The time limit can be changed to accommodate variations in field size, cover, number of players, etc.

Rules:

If the Bunny has a semi-auto/shield option, hits on the shield do not count as an elimination.
The Bunny has a five minute head start into the playing area.
A signal will be given so that the bunny knows when the game has started.
All hunters must start at the same time and from the same place.
When using the limited paint option, if a hunter runs out of paint he is out of the game.
Players who are hit are out of the game.
Players who are eliminated may not by word or gesture, indicate any intention or locations of the Bunny.

Winning: If you're the Bunny: Survive!
If you're a Hunter: Eliminate the Bunny!

Tactical Advantage: Bunny:

Keep moving. Don't stay in one place for too long.
Avoid large groups of Hunters.
Try to pick them off one at a time. If you can help it at all do not try to engage them.
Hunters:

Form a line across the field and move forward. Have a few players out front as "beaters". These guys will fire random shots into likely hiding places to flush the Bunny out.
Corner the Bunny in an area where there is no chance to escape, like a corner of the field.

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Recon

Small teams must check into several checkpoints, the problem is, they all have to check into the same ones. This a great night game scenario.

This is an excellent night game scenario. People are very cautions about moving around. The last thing you want is to stumble on another team! For night game scenarios, it's best to have the velocity cut down to about 220 feet per second (fps).

Teams: Multiple 5-man teams.

Setting Up:

Checkpoints (one for every team on the field) are spaced throughout the field. Each is clearly marked with a flag or some other marking device. Each checkpoint also has a marker hanging from a string. Each checkpoint has different color marker.
Each player has a card attached to his wrist (a playing card will do) by a string, rubber band or elastic band.
Each team starts near a checkpoint.

Time Limit: 20 minutes. The time limit can be changed to accommodate variations in field size, cover, number of players, etc.

Rules:

Players must mark their card with the markers provided at the checkpoint.
Every team member must attempt to mark his card, although this is not mandatory.
Players who are eliminated are not allowed to count the points they collected with their final team score.
All players must begin the game at their flag station (or assigned starting point) and cannot leave that area until the game begins.
Players who are hit are out of the game.
Players who are eliminated may not, by word or gesture, indicate any intentions or locations of the opposing team members.

Scoring: - 1 point for each different colored mark on a card.
- 5 bonus points if all team cards are mmarked by at least two checkpoints
- 5 bonus points for each additional cheeckpoint where all team cards are marked.
- 2 bonus points for every team member wwith card marks from every checkpoint

Winning: The team with the highest score wins.

Tactical Advantage: This shows you that sometimes the objective is more important than mixing it up with the other teams. When you are collecting points, set up a circular defensive position around the checkpoint. You should all be facing outwards. Every player goes in separately and checks off his card. This way if you get attacked, you're not all gaggling around the checkpoint.

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Gettysburg

This is "Capture the Flag" but with an American Civil War twist.

Teams: The North vs The South

Setting Up:

No bulk loaders, loading tubes or any solid apparatus used to hold or feed paintballs.
Two flag stations.
Two evenly numbered teams.
Two flags, hung in their respective flag stations.

Time Limit: 30 minutes. The time limit can be changed to accommodate variations in field size, cover number of players, etc.

Rules:

Players can carry as many paintballs as they wish.
Paintballs must be loose or in a plastic bag. They cannot be in tubes or in any bulk loading system.
Players can only load paintballs by hand, one at a time into their paintguns and cannot load another paintball until they shoot the one in the paintgun.
All players must begin the game at their flag station (or assigned starting point) and cannot leave that area until the game begins.
Players who are hit are out of the game.
If a player is eliminated while he is carrying the flag, he must drop the flag where he was hit, or hang it on the nearest available object
Players who are eliminated may not, by word or gesture, indicated any intentions or locations of the opposing team members.
When a player is carrying the flag, it must remain visible at all times and must be carried in the had, over the arm or around the neck.

Winning: Capture the opposing team's flag and return it to your base.

Tactical Advantage: Much like other games in which the teams carry limited paint, there is safety and greater firepower in numbers. Try to coordinate the troops so while one is firing the other is loading
Line up your troops and get them to count off. Get them to remember whether they were given an odd or an even number. During the game, the team captain can give out commands like, "Odd numbers, fire! Even numbers, load!" and "Even numbers, fire! Odd numbers, load!".

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POW

Players must rescue their incarcerated comrades.

Teams: Two Teams.

Setting Up:

You will need an area for each team to start from and a a POW Holding Area for each team.

Time Limit: 30 Minutes.

Rules:

When a player is eliminated, he is sent to the opposing team's POW Holding Area. (e.g. A Blue player will go to the Red flag station/POW Holding Area)
Prisoners must stay in the POW Holding Area until one of their teammates tags them.
Once a player is tagged he can rejoin the game.
Each player in a POW Holding Area must be tagged to be set free.
Teams may leave players behind to "guard" their POW Holding Area.
All players must begin the game at their flag station (or assigned starting point) and; cannot leave that area until the game begins.
Players who are eliminated may not, by word or gesture, indicate any intentions or locations of the opposing team members.

Winning: There are two ways to win the game.

Have all of the opposition in your POW Holding Area before time limit expires.
Have the most of the opposition in your POW Holding Area when the time limit expires.

Tactical Advantage: The idea is to engage the opposition and shoot them without getting shot yourself. Hit and run type tactics would be the best. When you've whacked a few, withdraw. Keep doing this while avoiding getting any of your own players hit. Guards should be placed at the POW holding area. They should prevent POWs from being tagged. If an opponent is near a POW you should also be prepared to tag out the POW in case he is put back into the game.

Note: When tagging POWs, make it understood that only one or two will be tagged, then the other tagged in former-POWs can tag in the rest. If you are a POW, be ready to IMMEDIATELY engage the opposition upon being tagged back into the game.

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Down But Not Out

This is Capture the Flag, but with a twist. A simple tag from your team mate brings you back into the game if you've been eliminated.

Teams: Two teams

Setting Up:

Two flag stations.
Two even teams.
Two flags, hung in their respective flag stations.
One white sock per player to be provided.

Time Limit: 30 minutes.

Rules:

When a player is hit, he calls himself out and lays or sits on the ground (using common sense). The player then places a sock over the barrel of his paintgun to indicate that he has been hit. He cannot move from this location until tagged. This is referred to as Waiting.
If a waiting player is tagged by a team mate he is back in the game. (The player, of course, removes the sock.)
Players who are Waiting cannot shoot or disclose the positions or intentions of opposing players.
If a Waiting player is tagged by an opposing player, he is out of the game.
If a Waiting player feels that no one will find him, or he is tired of waiting, he can take himself out of the game. In this case the player cannot be tagged back into the game.
There is no limit to how many times a player can be tagged back into the game.
Players waiting to be tagged cannot shoot or be shot at.
All players must begin the game at their flag station (or assigned starting point) and cannot leave that area until the game begins.
Players who are eliminated may not, by word or gesture, indicate any intentions or locations of the opposing team member, until they are tagged back into the game.

Winning: Capture the opposing team's flag and return it to your base.

Tactical Advantage: This game makes heros out of a lot of players. Knowing you can get back into the game makes some players a little braver. My favorite trick is to wait until someone is in the open, shoot him, then wait for his team members to tag him back into the game.

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Paintburner

This game is great for finishing off the day. Go burn off some energy or paint and not worry about winning or losing.

Teams: Multiple three man teams.

Setting Up:

Create, depending on group size, as many three man teams as you can. Odd players out will wait in the Designated Holding Area for enough eliminated players to return and will make up the next ingoing team.
Teams start the game in different areas of the field.

Time Limit: 30 Minutes.

Rules:

Once a player is hit, he proceeds to the Designated Holding Area.
Once there are three players in the Designated Holding Area, they rejoin the gameas a new team.
A referee will escort a newly formed team out into the field, away from the action and any other teams, if possible and signal their entry with a short whistle blast.
Players cannot shoot or be shot at while being escorted by the referee.
All players must begin the game at their flag station (or assigned starting point) and cannot leave that area until the game begins.
Players who are hit are out of the game, but only until they form another team.
Players who are eliminated may not, by word or gesture, indicate any intentions or locations of the opposing team members.

Winning: Everybody wins!

Tactical Advantage: Stay close to the boundaries of the field, at least you'll know you won't have anyone behind you. If you hear shooting, run up and blind side the two combating teams. It would be advisable to keep checking your back when you're not against the boundary. You'll learn how to stick together and know where your other teem mates are. There is one good thing about being alone, though. You know EVERYBODY is a bad guy.

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Reinforcements

Standard Capture the Flag but the teams can go back for reinforcements and the players you've eliminated go back to defend their flag station.

Teams: Two teams.

Setting Up:

Two flag stations.
Two even teams.
Two flags, hung in their respective flag stations.
Flag stations double as Reinforcement Rally points.

Time Limit: 30 minutes.

Rules:

Eliminated players go back to their flag station.
One player wears a special armband. This is the only player that can go back to the flag station to get reinforcements.
If the player wearing the armband is eliminated, he proceeds back to the flag station. He then collects those players who wish to rejoin the game and he himself rejoins the game. In this case the eliminated players have not choice but to be reinforcements. They cannot stay behind and defend the flag station.
Players can elect to stay behind and defend the flag station, with the exception of REINFORCEMENTS Rule 3. When they return to the flag station they are automatically active defenders.
Players returning to the flag station must physically tag the flag to become active defenders. If the flag is not at the flag stations the players are considered out of the game as they enter the flag station.
All players must begin the game at their flag station (or assigned starting point) and cannot leave that area until the game begins.

Players who are hit are out of the game but the player is only out until he reaches his flag station. Players eliminated at the flag station are out of the game.
If a player is eliminated while he is carrying the flag, he must drop the flag where he was hit, or hang it on the nearest available object.
Players who are eliminated may not, by word or gesture, indicate any intentions or locations of the opposing team members.
Players eliminated in their own flag stations are out of the game.
When a player is carrying the flag, it must remain visible at all times and must be carried in the hand, over the arm or around the neck.

Winning: Capture the opposing team's flag and return it to your base.

Tactical Advantage: You will have to keep in mind that every member of the assault force you eliminate will be back defending the flag. If you get to the flag station and you're low on players, send back for reinforcements. Remember, if you send back for reinforcements and the flag station is being attacked, you will lose defenders and probably your flag.

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Trophy Hunter

Players travel around to collect trophies from one another.

Teams: Players act individually to gather trophies on the field. No teams.

Setting Up:

Each player wears three armbands on one arm (these are referred to as trophies).
Players are interspersed in the playing field.
A signal will sound every five minutes (referred to as the Five Minute Signal) and will be different than the Start and End of Game Signal (The period between these signals will be referred to as the Waiting Period).

Time Limit: 30 Minutes.

Rules:

Players who are hit must drop to the ground (using common sense) and remain motionless and quiet until the next Five Minute Signal.
Another player (not necessarily the one who hit him) has the Waiting Period to collect one trophy. Once the trophy is taken no more trophies can be taken from the player during that Waiting Period.
When the Five Minute Signal sounds the player is immediately in the game.
Players can be hit while collecting trophies and another player may collect trophies
from both players, or however many players there are waiting for the Five Minute Signal.
When all a player's trophies are gone he is out of the game.
Trophies must be displayed on the arms.
All players must begin the game at their flag station (or assigned starting point) and cannot leave that area until the game begins.
Players who are eliminated may not, by word or gesture, indicate any intentions or locations of the players.

Winning: The player with the most trophies wins.

Tactical Advantage: Watch your back as you're collecting trophies. Also, keep track of the five minute signal, it could be a matter of seconds before the player you just shot is back in the game. Just as you step into the open..."tweet!"

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Hostage Rescue

One team must get a "hostage" away from the other team and bring him back unharmed.

Teams: Rescuers vs Terrorists

Setting Up:

Terrorists pick one Rescuer to act as the Hostage.
Two Hostage Holding Areas are designated. The location of one of the Hostage Holding Areas is disclosed to the Rescuers. Terrorists do not know which location was disclosed.
Establish an area the Rescuers will have to take the Hostage in order to win the game. This is known as Sanctuary. Terrorists know where Sanctuary is.

Time Limit: 30 minutes.

Rules:

Terrorists are given a five minute head start to take the Hostage to one of the Hostage Holding Areas.
A start of Game Signal is given to let Terrorists know when the game has begun.
Terrorists cannot move the Hostage out of the Hostage Holding Area.
The Hostage cannot attempt escape.
If the Hostage is hit, the team that hit him looses.
The Hostage must have at least one Rescuer with him when he reaches Sanctuary for the Rescuers to win.
If the Hostage finds himself alone for some reason, after being rescued, he must stay where he is and wait for the Rescuers to find him again. He may call out for help if he wishes.
All players must begin the game at their flag station (or assigned starting point) and cannot leave that area until the game begins.
Players who are hit are out of the game.
Players who are eliminated may not, by word or gesture, indicate any intentions or locations of the opposing team members.

Winning: Terrorists: Stop the Rescuers from bringing Hostage to Sanctuary.
Rescuers: Bring Hostage to Sanctuary.
Tactical Advantage:

Tactical Advantage: A living objective instead of a flag changes a lot of things. Flags don't talk back, flags don't want to stop and take a rest, flags don't hind behind you shouting "Get him. Not him. HIM! You moron!" You must protect the Hostage at all costs. When he/she is in the custody of the opposing team you must also be careful because if you hit him YOU lose the game. Those players protecting the hostage should therefore stay real close to him, the opposition may not want to risk shooting at you if they think they might hit the Hostage.

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Kick the Bucket

Instead of flags each flag station has a bucket sitting on the ground below where the flag should be. You must "kick the bucket" to win.

Teams: Two Teams.

Setting Up:

Two flag stations.
Two even teams.
Instead of flags, a bucket is placed on the ground under where the flag usually hangs. This bucket must be made of a light plastic (remember, someone is going to kick this thing).

Time Limit: 15 minutes.

Rules:

The bucket cannot be moved by the team which owns it.
If a player is hit before he kicks the bucket, the kick (if completed) does not count as a win, the referee then resets the bucket as quickly as possible.
All players must begin the game at their flag station (or assigned starting point) and cannot leave that area until the game begins.
Players who are hit are out of the game.
Players who are eliminated may not, by word or gesture, indicate any intentions or locations of the opposing team members.

Winning: Kick the opposing team's bucket over.

Tactical Advantage: The trick is to storm the flag station, you must get as many people as you can as quickly as you can to the bucket once you've reached the flag station. Surround the flag station and everyone charges in at the same times (on a pre-arranged signal). Remember, all you have to do is kick the bucket over to win the game. In the case of defending the bucket, you should have all your superior firepower back defending it. If you see someone running for the bucket, all defenders should turn their attention on eliminating that player. Well, at least you don't have to worry about running back with the flag.

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Traditor

(Latin, meaning "traitor") You must go forth and eliminate the opposing leader, but beware, one of your own will turn against you.

Teams: Two Teams

Setting Up:

Two flag stations required but only as starting points.
A deck of cards is taken two kings and two jacks are removed, then a number of normal (non-face) cards are taken from the deck. The number is the total amount of players MINUS four (It's minus four because two people will be drawing jack and two will be drawing kings).
Then two piles are made, a king and a jack goes into each pile and then the remainder of the cards that were drawn in Setting Up #3 will be separated evenly between the two piles.
The two piles are shuffled separately and one team will draw from one pile and the other team will draw from the other.

Time Limit: 30-45 minutes.

Rules:

Only those players who drew the kings are to reveal their cards. The players who drew the kings are the leaders for each team.
The players who drew the jacks are the TRAITORS. They do not reveal their identity.
Leaders will wear two armbands on EACH arm to designate themselves as leaders.
TRAITORS may turn on their teams at any time they see fit, once the game starts.
All players must begin the game at their flag station (or assigned starting point) and cannot leave that area until the game begins.
Players who are hit are out of the game until they reach the Border. Players eliminated at the border are out of the game.
Players who are eliminated may not, by word or gesture, indicate any intentions or locations of the opposing team members.

Winning: Eliminate the other team's leader. (If the TRAITOR eliminates the leader the opposite team wins. e.g. Read team TRAITOR nukes Red team Leader, Blue team wins).

Tactical Advantage: As the LEADER you will want all your troops in FRONT of you. Trust NO ONE! Keep them in front of you and keep them in sight. It will be harder for your traitor to turn on you.
As the TRAITOR you must wait until the LEADER's attention is diverted before you can strike. No one should suspect you until AFTER you've eliminated the leader.

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Tag

It's the game you played as a child, but better! This is also a good game to play at the end of the day when a few players still want to play after everyone else is all tuckered out.

Teams: None--this is a free-for-all.

Setting Up:

Select a person to be "It".
Disperse players in the playing area.

Time Limit:

Rules:

The player who is "It" starts the game by sounding the start game signal.
The player who is "It" must wear an armband and It must be clearly visible.
When a player is hit by "It" he must stand where he is. The player then receives the armband from "It" and is now the new "It".
The player who is "It" and the player who is receiving the armband cannot shoot or be shot at.
The new "It" puts the armband on and cannot shoot or be shot at until the player calls out "ready".
The new "It" cannot shoot at the old "It", and vice versa.
When "it" has been eliminated, the game is over.
All players must begin the game at their flag station (or assigned starting point) and cannot leave that area until the game begins.
Players who are hit by players who are not "It" are out of the game.
Players who are eliminated may not, by word or gesture, indicated any intentions or locations of the opposing team members.

Winning: Everybody wins by just having fun.

Tactical Advantage: There isn't much by way of tactics in this game. The idea is to see "It" before he sees you. If "it" is in the area, stay still. The first thing he'll notice is movement. Lay in wait for him and only shoot if you're sure of the shot. If you are "it", move around a lot. If you stay in one place the other players may never come by you, depending on how big the field is and how many players are playing.

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Hide 'N' Seek

Another childhood game, but this time it's paintball.

Teams: No teams--everyone for themselves.

Setting Up:

Select one player to be "It".
Establish a "home" area and within It, an object players have to tag to be "home free".
Establish two different signals, one as the start/end game signal and one as "home" signal.
All players gather at one entrance to the playing field.

Time Limit:

Rules:

The player who is "It" begins a slow count to one hundred, during this count the players race into the playing area and hide.
At the end of the count the player who is "It" sounds the start game signal and enters the playing field.
Players must try to make it back to "home" before getting caught by "It".
The player who is "It" does not have to hit the players to eliminated them. He simply calls to them and points them out ("It" has to actually see them at the time) and the player must go back to "home".
Players who are hit by other players or the player who is "It" are out of the game and must return to "home".
Each player returning home, no matter what the reason, must sound the player "home" signal.
The game is ended when the player who is "It" is hit.
All players must begin the game at their flag station (or assigned starting point) and cannot leave that area until the game begins.
Players who are eliminated, or caught, may not, by word or gesture, indicate any intentions or locations of the opposing team members.

Winning: Long Version: The player, when they were "It" had the most amount of players caught (Players hit by "It" are not included in this number).
Short Version: (One game) the player who eliminates "It".

Tactical Advantage: The idea is to get back to "home" before getting caught, remember, if "It" even SEES you, you're caught. "It" should keep his/her eyes open, the first thing you will notice is movement. Remember that players hit by "It" are not included in his score.

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Teams:	Two teams.
Setting Up:	Two Flag stations required. Two even teams required. Two flags, hung in their respective flag stations, required
Time Limit:	30 Minutes.
Rules:	All players must begin the game at their flag station (or assigned starting point) and cannot leave that area until the game begins. Players who are hit are out of the game. If a player is eliminated while he is carrying the flag, he must drop the flag where he was hit, or hang it on the nearest available object. (Not another player). Players who are eliminated may not, by word or gesture, indicate any intentions or locations of the opposing team members. When a player is carrying the flag, it must remain visible at all times and must be carried in the hand, over the arm or around the neck.
Winning:	Capture the opposing team's flag and return it to your base.
Tactical Advantage:	The basic idea is to capture the flag. If you can avoid mixing it up with the other team, do so. Also, if you do capture the flag, leave a couple of your players behind to slow down the opposition in case they are on THEIR way back with YOUR flag. You don't need to leave half of your team back to defend your flag. Only a couple of people are needed because the idea is not to stop the opposition from getting your flag, the idea is to slow them down and buy some time for the attackers. Besides, the more attackers you have the better it will be for you when you reach the opposition's flag station. The attackers should also stay in a large group, if you break into small groups and you do run into the opposition, you're going to get nuked. There's safety in numbers (See Murphy's Laws).

Teams:	Two teams
Setting Up:	Two flag stations required Two even teams required Two flags, hung in their respective flag stations, required Players are only allowed to have 21 paintballs
Time Limit:	30 minutes
Rules:	Players are not allowed to "share" paintballs When a player shoots all his paintballs, he is out of the game All players must begin the game at their flag station (or assigned starting point) and cannot leave that area until the game begins Players who are hit are out of the game If a player is eliminated while he is carrying the flag, he must drop the flag where he was hit, or hang it on the nearest available object. (Not another player) Players who are eliminated may not, by word or gesture, indicate any intentions or locations of the opposing team members When a player is carrying the flag, it must remain visible at all times and must be carried in the hand, over the arm or around the neck
Winning:	Capture the opposing team's flag and return it to your base
Tactical Advantage:	The best tactic is to stay together. One player has twenty-one paintballs, two players have 42 paintballs, three players have 63 paintballs, I'm sure you get the idea

Teams:	Two players are the duelists, with a third player as the Warder
Setting Up:	A clear area is required so that both players can pace off ten paces each
Time Limit:
Rules:	Two players stand back to back. The Warder is standing about ten feet to the side Both players are armed with pistols. The pistols each have one paintball in them. Ready to fire. The paintguns can have no other paintballs in them, this is a one shot deal. The warder then says, "This, Gentlemen, is an affair of honor. You will take ten paces on my command, then turn and fire. If either of you turn before the count of ten, it will be my unfortunate duty to shoot you down." (Or something to that effect.) The duellists then pace off in time to the Warder's count. At the count of ten they turn and fire. The paintball has to break for the elimination to count. Players cannot side step or lie down, but they may kneel if they wish. No other rules apply.
Winning:	The person who was not eliminated wins.
Tactical Advantage:	The best way is to take your time. The first person to shoot usually isn't the winner. Also, keep your paintgun down and don't raise it until you are facing the target and then bring it up. If youlift your paintgun first and then turn you are moving the paintgun horizontally to engage what is essentially a vertical target

Teams:	Multiple five man teams
Setting Up:	Set up multiple five man teams. The maximum limit is four teams for every acre of playing area. Place teams in the area so that they are not in line of sight of each other. To make score keeping easier, the teams may be accompanied by a referee and each team shoots their own distinct color of paint
Time Limit:	30-45 minutes
Rules:	Teams will stay in their starting points until the Start of Game Signal. The team gets a point for each elimination it inflicts on the other team. There are no points for surviving members of the team. All players must begin the game at their flag station (or assigned starting point) and cannot leave that area until the game begins. Players who are hit are out of the game Players who are eliminated may not, by word or gesture, indicate any intentions or locations of the opposing team members.
Winning:	Team with the highest score.
Tactical Advantage:	One thing you'll learn REALLY quick. WATCH YOUR BACK AND FLANKS. People will figure out really quick that while two teams are slugging it out, it's real easy to drop in and blind side one team and then take off. Don't hang around, get a couple of eliminations and get out of there

Teams:	Two teams, Defenders and Attackers
Setting Up:	Choose a defendable area to serve as a flag station. Defenders should be restricted to the confines of the flag station. Set boundaries that limit the movement of the defenders out of the flag station.
Time Limit:	10 minutes. The time limit can be changed to accommodate variations in the field size, cover, number of players, etc
Rules:	Defenders cannot leave the flag station area, or the areas of the flag station they are restricted to. The attackers can attack from any place on the field. All players must begin the game at their flag station (or assigned starting point) and cannot leave that area until the game begins. Players who are hit are out of the game Players who are eliminated may not, by word or gesture, indicate any intentions or locations of the opposing team members
Winning:	Attackers: Pull the flag off of its support. (A string, branch, cone, etc.) It is not necessary to leave the confines of the flag station. Defenders: >Stop the Attackers from pulling the flag.
Tactical Advantage:	Attackers: Send the main force in one way and a few sneaky players in another. You must move quickly and not allow the defenders a chance to react to your attack. Defenders: Take up positions at the extreme outside edges of your areas of limitation. That way if you are pushed back, you'll have somewhere to go.

Teams:	Bunny (One person.) vs Hunters (A whole bunch of people.)
Setting Up:	One player volunteers to be the Bunny. To give the Bunny some kind of advantage (I'm sure he'll appreciate it.), you have two options: 1. The Bunny gets a semi-automatic paintgun plus a garbage can lid or other device to use as a shield. 2. The Bunny carries as much paint as he's comfortable with but the Hunters are restricted to only twenty paintballs each for the game.
Time Limit:	20 minutes. The time limit can be changed to accommodate variations in field size, cover, number of players, etc.
Rules:	If the Bunny has a semi-auto/shield option, hits on the shield do not count as an elimination. The Bunny has a five minute head start into the playing area. A signal will be given so that the bunny knows when the game has started. All hunters must start at the same time and from the same place. When using the limited paint option, if a hunter runs out of paint he is out of the game. Players who are hit are out of the game. Players who are eliminated may not by word or gesture, indicate any intention or locations of the Bunny.
Winning:	If you're the Bunny: Survive! If you're a Hunter: Eliminate the Bunny!
Tactical Advantage:	Bunny: Keep moving. Don't stay in one place for too long. Avoid large groups of Hunters. Try to pick them off one at a time. If you can help it at all do not try to engage them. Hunters: Form a line across the field and move forward. Have a few players out front as "beaters". These guys will fire random shots into likely hiding places to flush the Bunny out. Corner the Bunny in an area where there is no chance to escape, like a corner of the field.

Teams:	Multiple 5-man teams.
Setting Up:	Checkpoints (one for every team on the field) are spaced throughout the field. Each is clearly marked with a flag or some other marking device. Each checkpoint also has a marker hanging from a string. Each checkpoint has different color marker. Each player has a card attached to his wrist (a playing card will do) by a string, rubber band or elastic band. Each team starts near a checkpoint.
Time Limit:	20 minutes. The time limit can be changed to accommodate variations in field size, cover, number of players, etc.
Rules:	Players must mark their card with the markers provided at the checkpoint. Every team member must attempt to mark his card, although this is not mandatory. Players who are eliminated are not allowed to count the points they collected with their final team score. All players must begin the game at their flag station (or assigned starting point) and cannot leave that area until the game begins. Players who are hit are out of the game. Players who are eliminated may not, by word or gesture, indicate any intentions or locations of the opposing team members.
Scoring:	- 1 point for each different colored mark on a card. - 5 bonus points if all team cards are mmarked by at least two checkpoints - 5 bonus points for each additional cheeckpoint where all team cards are marked. - 2 bonus points for every team member wwith card marks from every checkpoint
Winning:	The team with the highest score wins.
Tactical Advantage:	This shows you that sometimes the objective is more important than mixing it up with the other teams. When you are collecting points, set up a circular defensive position around the checkpoint. You should all be facing outwards. Every player goes in separately and checks off his card. This way if you get attacked, you're not all gaggling around the checkpoint.

Teams:	The North vs The South
Setting Up:	No bulk loaders, loading tubes or any solid apparatus used to hold or feed paintballs. Two flag stations. Two evenly numbered teams. Two flags, hung in their respective flag stations.
Time Limit:	30 minutes. The time limit can be changed to accommodate variations in field size, cover number of players, etc.
Rules:	Players can carry as many paintballs as they wish. Paintballs must be loose or in a plastic bag. They cannot be in tubes or in any bulk loading system. Players can only load paintballs by hand, one at a time into their paintguns and cannot load another paintball until they shoot the one in the paintgun. All players must begin the game at their flag station (or assigned starting point) and cannot leave that area until the game begins. Players who are hit are out of the game. If a player is eliminated while he is carrying the flag, he must drop the flag where he was hit, or hang it on the nearest available object Players who are eliminated may not, by word or gesture, indicated any intentions or locations of the opposing team members. When a player is carrying the flag, it must remain visible at all times and must be carried in the had, over the arm or around the neck.
Winning:	Capture the opposing team's flag and return it to your base.
Tactical Advantage:	Much like other games in which the teams carry limited paint, there is safety and greater firepower in numbers. Try to coordinate the troops so while one is firing the other is loading Line up your troops and get them to count off. Get them to remember whether they were given an odd or an even number. During the game, the team captain can give out commands like, "Odd numbers, fire! Even numbers, load!" and "Even numbers, fire! Odd numbers, load!".

Teams:	Multiple three man teams.
Setting Up:	Create, depending on group size, as many three man teams as you can. Odd players out will wait in the Designated Holding Area for enough eliminated players to return and will make up the next ingoing team. Teams start the game in different areas of the field.
Time Limit:	30 Minutes.
Rules:	Once a player is hit, he proceeds to the Designated Holding Area. Once there are three players in the Designated Holding Area, they rejoin the gameas a new team. A referee will escort a newly formed team out into the field, away from the action and any other teams, if possible and signal their entry with a short whistle blast. Players cannot shoot or be shot at while being escorted by the referee. All players must begin the game at their flag station (or assigned starting point) and cannot leave that area until the game begins. Players who are hit are out of the game, but only until they form another team. Players who are eliminated may not, by word or gesture, indicate any intentions or locations of the opposing team members.
Winning:	Everybody wins!
Tactical Advantage:	Stay close to the boundaries of the field, at least you'll know you won't have anyone behind you. If you hear shooting, run up and blind side the two combating teams. It would be advisable to keep checking your back when you're not against the boundary. You'll learn how to stick together and know where your other teem mates are. There is one good thing about being alone, though. You know EVERYBODY is a bad guy.

Teams:	Players act individually to gather trophies on the field. No teams.
Setting Up:	Each player wears three armbands on one arm (these are referred to as trophies). Players are interspersed in the playing field. A signal will sound every five minutes (referred to as the Five Minute Signal) and will be different than the Start and End of Game Signal (The period between these signals will be referred to as the Waiting Period).
Time Limit:	30 Minutes.
Rules:	Players who are hit must drop to the ground (using common sense) and remain motionless and quiet until the next Five Minute Signal. Another player (not necessarily the one who hit him) has the Waiting Period to collect one trophy. Once the trophy is taken no more trophies can be taken from the player during that Waiting Period. When the Five Minute Signal sounds the player is immediately in the game. Players can be hit while collecting trophies and another player may collect trophies from both players, or however many players there are waiting for the Five Minute Signal. When all a player's trophies are gone he is out of the game. Trophies must be displayed on the arms. All players must begin the game at their flag station (or assigned starting point) and cannot leave that area until the game begins. Players who are eliminated may not, by word or gesture, indicate any intentions or locations of the players.
Winning:	The player with the most trophies wins.
Tactical Advantage:	Watch your back as you're collecting trophies. Also, keep track of the five minute signal, it could be a matter of seconds before the player you just shot is back in the game. Just as you step into the open..."tweet!"

Teams:	Rescuers vs Terrorists
Setting Up:	Terrorists pick one Rescuer to act as the Hostage. Two Hostage Holding Areas are designated. The location of one of the Hostage Holding Areas is disclosed to the Rescuers. Terrorists do not know which location was disclosed. Establish an area the Rescuers will have to take the Hostage in order to win the game. This is known as Sanctuary. Terrorists know where Sanctuary is.
Time Limit:	30 minutes.
Rules:	Terrorists are given a five minute head start to take the Hostage to one of the Hostage Holding Areas. A start of Game Signal is given to let Terrorists know when the game has begun. Terrorists cannot move the Hostage out of the Hostage Holding Area. The Hostage cannot attempt escape. If the Hostage is hit, the team that hit him looses. The Hostage must have at least one Rescuer with him when he reaches Sanctuary for the Rescuers to win. If the Hostage finds himself alone for some reason, after being rescued, he must stay where he is and wait for the Rescuers to find him again. He may call out for help if he wishes. All players must begin the game at their flag station (or assigned starting point) and cannot leave that area until the game begins. Players who are hit are out of the game. Players who are eliminated may not, by word or gesture, indicate any intentions or locations of the opposing team members.
Winning:	Terrorists: Stop the Rescuers from bringing Hostage to Sanctuary. Rescuers: Bring Hostage to Sanctuary. Tactical Advantage:
Tactical Advantage:	A living objective instead of a flag changes a lot of things. Flags don't talk back, flags don't want to stop and take a rest, flags don't hind behind you shouting "Get him. Not him. HIM! You moron!" You must protect the Hostage at all costs. When he/she is in the custody of the opposing team you must also be careful because if you hit him YOU lose the game. Those players protecting the hostage should therefore stay real close to him, the opposition may not want to risk shooting at you if they think they might hit the Hostage.

Teams:	None--this is a free-for-all.
Setting Up:	Select a person to be "It". Disperse players in the playing area.
Time Limit:
Rules:	The player who is "It" starts the game by sounding the start game signal. The player who is "It" must wear an armband and It must be clearly visible. When a player is hit by "It" he must stand where he is. The player then receives the armband from "It" and is now the new "It". The player who is "It" and the player who is receiving the armband cannot shoot or be shot at. The new "It" puts the armband on and cannot shoot or be shot at until the player calls out "ready". The new "It" cannot shoot at the old "It", and vice versa. When "it" has been eliminated, the game is over. All players must begin the game at their flag station (or assigned starting point) and cannot leave that area until the game begins. Players who are hit by players who are not "It" are out of the game. Players who are eliminated may not, by word or gesture, indicated any intentions or locations of the opposing team members.
Winning:	Everybody wins by just having fun.
Tactical Advantage:	There isn't much by way of tactics in this game. The idea is to see "It" before he sees you. If "it" is in the area, stay still. The first thing he'll notice is movement. Lay in wait for him and only shoot if you're sure of the shot. If you are "it", move around a lot. If you stay in one place the other players may never come by you, depending on how big the field is and how many players are playing.

Teams:	No teams--everyone for themselves.
Setting Up:	Select one player to be "It". Establish a "home" area and within It, an object players have to tag to be "home free". Establish two different signals, one as the start/end game signal and one as "home" signal. All players gather at one entrance to the playing field.
Time Limit:
Rules:	The player who is "It" begins a slow count to one hundred, during this count the players race into the playing area and hide. At the end of the count the player who is "It" sounds the start game signal and enters the playing field. Players must try to make it back to "home" before getting caught by "It". The player who is "It" does not have to hit the players to eliminated them. He simply calls to them and points them out ("It" has to actually see them at the time) and the player must go back to "home". Players who are hit by other players or the player who is "It" are out of the game and must return to "home". Each player returning home, no matter what the reason, must sound the player "home" signal. The game is ended when the player who is "It" is hit. All players must begin the game at their flag station (or assigned starting point) and cannot leave that area until the game begins. Players who are eliminated, or caught, may not, by word or gesture, indicate any intentions or locations of the opposing team members.
Winning:	Long Version: The player, when they were "It" had the most amount of players caught (Players hit by "It" are not included in this number). Short Version: (One game) the player who eliminates "It".
Tactical Advantage:	The idea is to get back to "home" before getting caught, remember, if "It" even SEES you, you're caught. "It" should keep his/her eyes open, the first thing you will notice is movement. Remember that players hit by "It" are not included in his score.