If you’re new to paintball, the slang and shorthand can be confusing at first. Here’s a quick primer on common terms and game modes to get you speaking like a pro【43306363369606†L2323-L2336】.
Common Terms
- Marker: The paintball gun. We call it a marker to emphasize sport over weaponry【43306363369606†L2329-L2334】.
- Hopper/Loader: The container on top of the marker that holds your paintballs【43306363369606†L2334-L2340】.
- Barrel Sock/Cover: A safety cover placed over the barrel when not playing【43306363369606†L2341-L2344】.
- FPS & Chrono: FPS (feet per second) measures paintball speed; chronographing checks that your marker shoots within safe limits【43306363369606†L2345-L2348】.
- CO₂ / HPA: The propellant used to fire the marker – CO₂ (carbon dioxide) or HPA (compressed air)【43306363369606†L2350-L2353】.
- Pod/Paint Tube: A tube that holds extra paintballs for reloading during a game【43306363369606†L2362-L2366】.
- Bunker: Any obstacle used for cover. “To bunker” someone means to run up close and tag them at point blank【43306363369606†L2368-L2374】.
- Flank: To move around the side of the field to attack from an unexpected angle【43306363369606†L2376-L2380】.
- Cover Fire: Shooting to suppress opponents so your teammate can move【43306363369606†L2382-L2385】.
- Out/Hit: When a paintball breaks on you, raise your hand and exit the field【43306363369606†L2387-L2390】.
- Friendly Fire: Accidentally shooting your own teammate【43306363369606†L2394-L2397】.
- Wiping: Cheating by wiping off a hit to stay in the game – don’t do it!【43306363369606†L2399-L2402】.
- Snapshot: A quick pop‑out and shot from behind cover, then back in【43306363369606†L2403-L2405】.
- Deadbox/Spawn: The area where eliminated players wait until the next round【43306363369606†L2406-L2410】.
Popular Game Modes
- Team Elimination: The classic mode. Two teams try to tag out all opponents【43306363369606†L2412-L2417】.
- Capture the Flag: Grab the opponent’s flag and bring it back to your base【43306363369606†L2433-L2440】.
- Attack/Defend: One team defends a position while the other attacks【43306363369606†L2441-L2449】.
- King of the Hill: Hold a central area at the end of the round to win【43306363369606†L2451-L2455】.
- Bomb/Objective: Deliver a prop “bomb” or complete an objective at the enemy base【43306363369606†L2457-L2464】.
- Civil War / Shootout: Players line up and duel without taking cover – more for laughs than competition【43306363369606†L2466-L2474】.
- Respawn Games: Eliminated players can re‑enter after a short count, keeping the action continuous【43306363369606†L2475-L2483】.
This isn’t a complete dictionary, but it covers what you’ll hear most often on the field【43306363369606†L2493-L2499】. Knowing these terms will help you communicate with teammates and understand referees’ calls. If you’re ever unsure, just ask – paintballers love helping newcomers learn the ropes!