Paintball General 101

So you want to be a General? Here’s what your getting yourself into.

“Expect the unexpected”

I got a random e-mail from my new Team Captain of Team Brute Force asking if I wanted to General the Russian side of the MW2 scenario game. I immediately accepted the request as I wanted to General at least once this season. I basically did the same thing as I did when I was XO, getting together maps, going over possible mission scenario the works, except this time I was the one in charge. In all honesty the only thing I was nervous about was making my pre-game speech to the players at the game! I was comfortable in this position as I kind of had knowledge of what to expect. Something that does help out as well is reading the script of whatever story the scenario is based on. My XO, Cameron Eames (Co-Capt. of Brute Force) sent me the walk through for the actual MW2 video game. This made me a little more aware of what the missions would hold. I had all the information and all that was left was to wait for what seemed to be forever for this game. It was more like 2 months…

Game Day is here and I was on my way to the field, I was probably speeding as I was so excited for this game! (I DO NOT encourage speeding, but you guys understand) Some of my teammates were already at the field and they give me a call while I was on the highway. All I heard was a bunch of rain, and thunder in the background…very disappointing and I thought the day was lost. Fortunately, the rain gods split the clouds and let the sun come through right before we got our safety briefing.

At the briefing I find out that the other team will NOT receive extra points for hitting me. Which is a HUGE plus for me! Make sure you understand the rules before hitting the field as things can and will change throughout the day. Something that may help is have EVERY team that is on the side side channel into the same radio channel so you can communicate the missions with one announcement.

One thing I constantly and probably annoyingly kept telling my team was “To expect the unexpected” SR has been known to throw, what I call curveballs into the scenario, and sure enough they did! We were told that “helicopters” (4 players holding onto a rope and guided by Ref’s) were going to be available for deployment. There were 4 types and 4 of each type. They could not shoot their markers and the opposing team could not shoot them, the only way to take out the helicopters were by LAW’s. They also deployed Riot Shields randomly around the field. Players who used the shield could only use pistols, pumps, or grenades.

Now that rules and the safety briefings were out of the way, the game could now start. I went over one last time with Brute Force what I wanted to do and what I expected of them. I wanted Brute Force to lead the charge and wanted them to hold the front lines and NEVER retreat. I knew if people saw our team retreating that the rest of our side would fall back as well. We were going to either win or lose this game simply on the front lines. We hit the field and we hit it hard, we took over half of the field immediately and we see the American forces coming at us full speed. I moved up with the team knowing that I could be hit without consequence, even still I stayed back just enough where I could observe what was actually going on.

The first mission was for us to defend a laptop while the Americans were obviously attempting to capture it. I relayed information to everyone who had radios and also screamed at whoever could hear me, where to go and where we were running thin. After 30 minutes of what seemed to be a 50/50 battle we successfully held our lines and didn’t let any Americans near the laptop. From here on out, the Russians set the tone for the rest of the day. During one battle the Americans received their reinforcements but for whatever reason the Russians who left the field didn’t feel like coming back until the next re spawn window, which was like 20-30 minutes away. When I heard that we weren’t going to get reinforcements I started to try and figure out what options I had…which weren’t much. I could have pulled my guys back, which would have let the American forces walk right up to our base. I could have left what little guys were on the there and told them to wait it out, which would cost valuable resources including paint and men. I decided to pull my guys back, but only to a certain point. What happens next probably changed the game and decided the fates of both the Russians and Americans. When I had my guys pull back it allowed the Americans to push hard, and they did especially when they knew we were thin on the front they went in for the “kill” but unfortunately for them… I had a plan. By baiting the Americans to take cover in the area of the field where the most bunkers were I knew if I called in an Attack Helicopter they were easy targets. The Attack Heli’ was simple, 4 guys hold the rope, what ever bunker or building they touch, whoever is within 5 feet of said bunker/building is considered out. Without hesitation I had 4 guys, 2 from Brute Force and 2 others who were walk ons, grab hold of a rope and off they went with the ref.

About 5 minutes goes by and I see one member, who was part of the helicopter attack, walking back to the base. My heart sank, thinking the attack was a failure and the helicopter was shot down. I asked him what had happened. He responded “I was hit on the hand with a paintball and accidentally let go of the rope, so the ref called me out.” I asked if the rest of the guys were still out there and he responded with a big smile “Oh Yeah…” 20 minutes now go by and I see the 3 guys from the heli’ coming back to base. I immediately ran up to them and asked how it went, even though they were wearing goggles I could see their ear to ear smiles. One player responded “We dominated!” Another said “That was so epic!” The third player, Paul Christopher of Brute Force gave me a in depth run down of what had happened. “We easily just took out 20-30 players and our reinforcements are coming back right now.”

I started freaking out with so much excitement. With one quick and precise decision to send out that attack heli’ we were able to retake the front lines and eventually push all the way to the American base.

After the eventual overtaking of the American base, we were ordered to push back to allow for American reinforcements to come in. During this time we took over a 2 story building where I put 2 of my teammates in there to give me visual updates of movement from the Americans.

One of the guys had a radio and the other a riot shield. This combination worked flawlessly. While they were on the second floor calling out positions, they spotted an enemy attack helicopter coming straight for the building. They evacuated the building just as the helicopter was coming in for the kill. I called for one of my LAW team members to take out the heli’. The guys in the building got out right as the heli’ touched the building so they were considered live, due to the were outside of the five foot rule. Right as they got out the LAW team member shot a precise nerf rocket and it actually hit the helicopter ref, which is considered hitting the helicopter itself. The ref immediately called the helicopter shot down and the guys who evacuated the building ran back inside. This sequence of events probably happened within 2 minutes and was one of the funnier things that happened during the game.

We finally had a lunch break and were all updated on the scores and were briefed for the final battle. Which would take place in “Ghost Town” P&L’s main attraction. A very large and nicely constructed CQB town. The scores before the final battle was only 1400-1000 in favor of the Russians. I was happy that we were in the lead but not comfortable. The final battle would determine is we would hold on to win or if we would lose. I was nervous because we were defending the town, and that is nearly impossible to do. For the first half of the battle you could re spawn if you had a certain ref wipe the paint off you. These ref’s were stationed at opposite ends of the town. For the last 20 minutes if you were hit you were out.

Final Battle

We marched into Ghost Town and awaited the horn to go so we could take up defensive positions immediately. The horn sounded and everyone split up defending upper, lower, left and right sides of the town. Our guys got pummeled for the first half and were barely carrying enough paint to continue the fight, but with determination and discipline on when to use their paint our guys held on. As for me, I stayed on the ground level right smack in the center of the town with a friend of mine, Mike Trapani of local team Boston Reapers, where we held defended a special item the Americans had to capture. We fought hard and so did the Americans but never did I feel as though we were loosing ground. We kept the communications going and kept having guys help out the sides that were running thin. When the horn sounded, signaling the game was I looked up to see if our flag still hung, and I am proud to say our flag wasn’t even touched. I had about 5 guys all from Steeel Reserve come up to me and shake my hand and say “that was an amazing day, and an amazing defense of the town.” I couldn’t get the smile off my face for days after that.

Now we get the announcements of the winners and the Russians won the match with a final score of 2400-1000. The Russian side went CRAZY! I shook the opposing General’s hand and told him that it was an amazing day and I had a great time competing against him. I announced the MVT was the team Fuzzy Bunnies, who were my LAW team, and they absolutely deserved it. My MVP was a player from local team Connecticut Commandos. He actually ran around for the entire game without firing one shot, simply cause he “dual wielded” riot shields (it was legal) and was a moving bunker. The game was awesome, I had a great time and each side played hard and with absolutely NO cheating. Not a single player was called for wiping, playing on, or talking after being hit. Everyone played with a lot of honor and integrity.

Now, what did I learn from this and what can the new and even the veteran Generals learn from my experience.

Firstly. Prepare yourself. Don’t think this is just something that you can do with no preparation. You need to know what your getting into. Check the weather the day before. Check what teams are going on your side, and communicate with them! Stay in contact with the producers of the game for any kind of “special” announcements. Get a map of the field. This is very important and is crucial when the missions get handed out.

Second. Communication is key. I firmly believe that without the radios we used to communicate with each other, that we would have lost the game. Communicate through what ever way you can. Hand signals, yelling and radios. These three are key, to winning and are often overlooked.

Lastly. Be smart and deceptive. Think ahead of time, know what you opponent is going to do before they do it. It may sound hard, but just think of what you would do if you were them. I did this when I pulled my guys back and then called a helicopter. I knew if I were the General for the Americans I would have pushed hard as well. Just think ahead of your action. “You win battles by knowing the enemy’s timing, and using a timing which the enemy does not expect.” Miyamoto Musashi

I hope this helps anyone who attempts to be a General and I wish them the best of luck!

Sean Connell

Team Brute Force