Using that dense, foggy smoke that comes in smoke grenades or smoke bombs can be a fun tactic on the paintball field.
Smoke can be particularly useful during big or scenario games. Using smoke while playing paintball can also be a big disappointment, when players don’t know how to use it correctly. These simple guidelines show the right way to use smoke.
How smoke works on the paintball field
- The less wind there is, the longer the smoke will stay in the area. Strong wind will disperse smoke quite quickly.
- Because woods block the wind, they hold smoke well. But you don’t want the smoke to be so dense that people are tripping over roots or bumping into branches.
- Smoke is heavier than air, so it stays low to the ground. Smoke from bombs thrown on a hill will go downhill. Smoke from bombs thrown in a valley will stay there for a while.
- Buildings hold smoke really well. It important to make sure there is good ventilation (and no fire hazard) before using a smoke grenade or smoke bomb in a building.
Smart Smoke Tactics
- Smoke works best when everyone on the team knows how it will be used. To get better results, teammates should plan their action together.
- Smoke can be great cover when there’s nothing else in the paintball field to hide behind.
- If there’s a light breeze moving in the right direction, a paintball team can use the smoke as a screen while moving forward.
- Throw paint grenades (assuming they’re allowed) right after smoking an area. The enemy will not be able to see the grenades coming.
- Smoke screens can be used as a distraction. The opposing team will assume something is going on where a smoke grenade has been set off, when in reality the troops can be moving elsewhere.
Downsides to Using Paintball Smoke
- Paintball smoke can be unpredictable, especially if someone doesn’t pay attention to the surroundings and the wind conditions before using it.
- Smoke can end up hiding the enemy as well.
- Many smoke grenades and smoke bombs do not put off enough smoke to hide anyone – particularly in a large, flat paintball field-- making them just a waste of money.
- Smoke is used to be sneaky, but it is actually pretty obvious. When players see smoke, they know that someone is up to something. If a person can be “up to something” without making it obvious, it works out better for them.
- If the smoke gets really dense (as often happens in a small building, in a valley, or in dense forest where there’s no wind), paintball players may not be able to tell where they are going or whether there is anything (tree roots, walls, enemy players) in the way.
Common-sense smoke safety
- Paintball players should read the safety warnings before using any kind of smoke.
- Players should make sure they are allowed to use smoke on the paintball field. (Sometimes players themselves cannot use smoke, but a referee can).
- Players should never use smoke where there’s poor ventilation or where it might become a fire hazard.
- Player should never throw smoke bombs or grenades where it could hit a person or animal.
- Players should never pick up paintball smoke when it’s already going. If it has to be moved, it should be kicked it out of the way.
More on Paintball:
The copyright of the article Playing Paintball with Smoke in BMX/MotorX/Skateboarding is owned by Estela Kennen. Permission to republish Playing Paintball with Smoke must be granted by the author in writing.
