The most important part of airsoft.

Whenever I hear people talking about players they respect at the field, players with the best gear and guns are always on the top of the list. Many of them deserve the title, as they have spent years practicing the sport and are truly skilled players. A few don’t. But the last thing that should qualify a player as good isn't the quality of their gear, it's how they use it.

Unlike most girls my age: I don’t know where the nearest mall is. Hence, I put all my extra money (time and love) towards airsoft. That’s not saying much for an 18 year old college student. However, the last thing I put my money towards is gear. I say “don’t fix what ain’t broke.” The truth is: all you need is a solid AEG, a pistol, and a couple of grenades. A few extra mags won't hurt either. I’m the girl who comes to the field in nothing but a t-shirt, one hi-cap, and an AEG that is exactly the same as I bought it (aside from the inner barrel). I just barely got a pistol that I’ll look after like a child, the same way I treat my AEG. Two guns, two mags, four grenades, more than enough for me. (The pistol and inner barrel were gifts.) My favorite purchase so far is a pair of Oakley sun glasses. Nothing beats good eye pro. My next favorite purchases have been registrations to certain events.

Sure, I’ve longingly gazed at a few thousand dollar guns. Still, I lose respect for players who always rely on these upgraded guns and nice gear. Its fine to buy these things and work with them to the best of your ability. In fact, plenty of expensive gear and guns are realistic and challenging to use. My point is: Avoid constantly using gear or guns you have to rely on to be good, and never assume that gear makes the player.

Player skill, regardless of equipment, should be the most important part of airsoft and the most fun. It’s hard to develop skill when you have an excessively good gun. I see the hobby of gun building, as just that, a hobby. Outside of airsoft. Taking you’re marvelous gun that shoots a little hot (but don’t worry, you just use a heavy bb to chrono…) and unbelievable ROF to play at every game is a little much. It’s like applying cheat codes to a video game: it’s real fun at first, but you get tired of it. Your opponents get tired of it. And most of all: it ruins the game for you because you’ve experienced what it’s like to play without the challenge.

When I think of cheat codes in video games, the first thing I think of is “What’s the point?” If a video game is no longer a challenge, why play it? It is also the initial question I think of when heavy duty guns and gear come to mind in airsoft. It’s fun to build, try out, and save for, but whatever you do, don’t do it regularly. Just like your favorite video games: don’t ruin airsoft for yourself.

I have to admit, looking cool will always be 90% of airsoft. Let's just make that other 10% meaningful, alright?

“The goal is not to be better than the other man, but to be better than your previous self.”

Honor, skill, maintenance.

ThatGirl