F.A.Q.

What is airsoft?

Who can play?

What enviroment is it played in?

What do i need?

How much does it cost?

What Is Airsoft?

In layman’s terms Airsoft skirmishing is an action game based on military simulation. It can be many different things to many different people, but the one thing that binds most Airsofters together is skirmishing, the minimum requirements being eye protection and a gun. It is so much more than a simple game of ‘tag’, it’s an all-encompassing experience, which constantly evolves and changes. Players will often use the same rigs, equipment and uniforms as their professional counter parts in real military forces around the world.
Airsofters use 'Soft Air' replicas to fire non lethal projectiles (BB's). The replicas look and function as realistic as they can be, this means during the simulation magazine changes will be necessary, adding to the experience. Different types of Soft air replicas are available for different purposes, just as in real life. There are too many varieties to list, but they include pistols, sub machine guns, rifles, assault rifles, sniper rifles, support guns and more recently anti vehicle launchers. All have appropriate magazine capacities and although they fire the same ammunition, they function and handle in very different ways.
Endless scenarios are acted out by opposing teams and players, from simple base swaps or patrolling, to complicated hostage rescues. It's not uncommon to see a VIP being escorted through a specific game zone, it's as varied as your imagination allows.
The whole system is based around honor, there is no paint or mark left by the BB that hit's an opponent, so we all rely on the honesty of the other players to indicate when they have been hit. The system works surprisingly well once players get the hang of 'feeling' or sometimes 'hearing' when they have taken a hit. Cheating in airsoft is highly frowned upon and anyone caught cheating will be sent home from the site they are playing at without a refund!
The velocities 'Soft Air Weapons' operate at means they are non lethal, that has two advantages. The replicas can fire in fully automatic mode (this is a function that is banned for lethal air weapons) and the minimum safety equipment Airsofters need is eye protection, this all adds to the realism and experience so players can get the most from their gaming days.

Who can play?

Anybody can enjoy skirmishing.
Airsoft is played by a massive cross section of society, lawyers and city bankers rub shoulders on the Airsoft field, along with police men, trades people, single mums and everybody in between. Age isn't an issue, we take players in secondary school education to those well into retirement. (Under 14’s normally require guardian to be with them or sign an agreement form)
There are no fitness requirements to play, unlike other action games it's not essential to be fit to play Airsoft, there are roles for most shapes and sizes. Some actually use Airsoft as a means of getting fit or relieving stress, burning off that excess energy after sitting at a desk all day, much more exciting and enjoyable than going to a gym.

What type of enviroment is it played in?

Airsoft is played in a variety of different environments. Typically skirmishes are organised in woodlands or bush ground, as these offer natural cover. In addition to this urban surrounding are also used, but this tends to be derelict environments or ex forces land.
It is important to always play at organised and insured sites, not the public woodland behind your or a mates house. As you can imagine, if someone see’s people running around with guns, the police are likely to be called, which make the rest of us look bad!

What will i need?

Airsoft can be as complicated or as simple as you want.
Some players are totally equipment, or 'gear' orientated and 'must have' the latest and greatest that comes onto the market, this is fortunately not 100% necessary for you to play Airsoft.
Below is a list of items of categories that contain information about what you will need for Airsoft.

Footwear

Strong pair of boots or shoes are essential for Airsoft. The site conditions can often be muddy underfoot, so your best white trainers (apart from giving your position away) are not very suitable. Ankle protection is advised as players get so engrossed in playing Airsoft, slippery ground or trip hazards are often ignored or missed. You are statistically far more likely to injure yourself from falling over or twisting an ankle than anything associated with the little white balls flying around.

Clothing

We supply camouflaged coveralls for our Full Hirer's. We have enough variation to fit all sizes. If players prefer they can just as easily wear their own camouflage kit, there is no set type you must wear. If you prefer you don't have to wear long sleeves, especially in hot weather many players wear short sleeves or T shirts, but please bear in mind clothing provides protection from stinging nettles and bracken as well as BB's.

Protective Wear

All Airsoft equipment is non lethal and cannot (unless used as a blunt instrument) kill you. You could however receive a non lethal, but otherwise eye damaging injury. For that reason the only piece of mandatory safety equipment is eye protection.
At E.A.G we use full face masks for our hire customers. These have the added advantage of protecting the soft parts of the face which if hit by a BB, although being non lethal may sting and leave a small bruise or mark. The face masks are equipped with a mesh mask, this is ample to prevent penetration by a BB, but will never steam up and are especially suitable for spectacle wearers. These have a tenancy to steam up independently of any mask you are wearing. We also allow the use of 'shooting glasses' for eye protection, this is with the understanding that players receiving 'face shots' do so at their own risk and understand any consequences. There is a supply of shooting glasses for use, but they are on a first come basis and the previous comments about shots to the face are relevant. Mandatory wearing of face masks is required for those under 16.
Other recommended protective clothing for a worried first timer (that is not supplied by E.A.G) would be: Gloves, Hats, Knee/Elbow Pads, A Good Pair of Boots and a Scarf.

Equipment

All players use replicas that fire the same projectile, A plastic round biodegradable 6mm BB's. The replicas we supply for hire are exactly the same as those you would purchase from a shop for personal use. There is no difference in quality or power, so you are not disadvantaged against players with their own equipment. The only edge they may have over you is superior skill, but everybody learns fast in Airsoft and we always try to balance out the teams with equal numbers of new and experienced players.
The ability to hire exactly the same equipment you would buy is a massive advantage for those players that are looking to purchase their own equipment, it's very much a 'try before you buy'. Many new players make expensive mistakes when purchasing a replica first time out, what looks suitable on the wall in a shop is sometimes not the most practical for the individual or environment.
Other useful equipment: Torch, Water Canteen, Water Proof’s, a Change of Clothes and Sun Cream.

Weapons

So let’s face, this is probably the main thing that attracted you to airsoft in the first place right? Of course!
In Airsoft the type of weaponry can be broken in to three sections:

Spring

These are the most basic airsoft weapons on the market and are often referred to as springers. These types or weapons can come as pistols, shotguns, assault rifles and sniper rifles. But they all only shoot in single shot, meaning you need to cock it each time manually.
Although these sound useless when up against a full auto gun, the sniper rifles can be highly effective in the right hands.
These can cost anywhere from £5 for a cheap market springer to £300 for a really good sniper rifle. (Cheap market springer are not recommended for skirmishing as they often fall to bits within 2 minutes)

Gas

These types of weaponry are normally used as back up in the form of a pistol or SMG but are also available as shotguns and sniper rifles. There are assault rifles on the market that use gas, but they can be cumbersome compared to the electric version.
Gas guns use gas to launch the projectile out of the gun and in most cases (except sniper rifles) the automatically load the next bb to be fired, meaning you only have to cock it once to get it going.
As mention before, more resent developments in airsoft have brought along the new LAW anti vehicle launcher. This is a gas operated piece of equipment and launches a foam ball over a short/medium distance. Great fun!
Gas guns can cost anywhere from £50 for a pistol up to £500 for a rifle.

Electric (AEG)

The mainstay of an Airsofters armory and the replicas we supply to our customers are AEG's (Automatic Electric Gun), they run off a battery and function with magazines just like their real steel counter parts. It is impossible to convert an AEG to fire real bullets and the power levels they run at mean they are non lethal.
All the Airsoft replicas fire the same ammo, it's available in different brands, packaging and sizes, walk on players can use whichever brand they like in their own guns, but Hire guns are limited to the ammo supplied by the site. Quality does vary enormously and from past experience (and costly repairs) this is the only way of providing consistency for our customers.
All AEG’s run on batteries that are charged before the event or onsite. For those with their own replicas we do have onsite charging facilities and can top up or completely charge batteries for those that run down. The capacity of the site gun batteries normally last a whole day with no problems, but we do have supplies of fresh batteries 'just in case'.
AEG start at about £120 for cheap Chinese clones of recognised manufactures and go up to and over £800 for top of the range ones.

How much does it cost?

Not as much as you might think actually...
Although all different sites charge different amounts they all have what's know as a green fee or a walk on fee. This is basically how much it will cost a player to play on that site if they have all their own equipment. For those that are renting equipment, there will be a charge on top of that.

Most sites have games going on all day (9:30 - 17:00) with lunch normally around 12:00 - 13:00. Some sites may charge you extra for lunch. At Elite Action Games Epsom and Worthing, lunch is included. At Dorking there is on-site catering that is not provided E.A.G, but is included in the price, however drinks are extra. Please let us know prior to game date if you are vegan/vegetarian or have any medical restrictions on your playing style, such as asthma.

Elite Action Games Price List:
Dorking day rental prices are £80, which includes weapon, magazine, 2500 rds of ammunition, facemask, combats, Burger lunch, and includes a £40 refundable sliding scale deposit.
If you are renting at any of our sites a £40 deposit is included in all the rental prices and covers you against breakage of the hire equipment and guns.
When the weapon is returned working and in a clean condition, your deposit will be refunded in full.
£35 of deposit money returned when the rented equipment is returned covered in mud
£20 of the deposit is returned if there is any small cosmetic damage (non vital to the gun working).
£10 of deposit money returned when the rented equipment is returned with parts missing (like a mag).
And £0 returned for a completely broken or smashed up gun.

Walkons
Dorking days £20

We regularly play evening/night games from May until September at our woodland sites. These are available for those with their own guns and equipment. Prices depend on numbers playing.