Simulated Warfare is a very fun game to play with friends and family or with other fans known on the internet. There are many different ways to organize a match and you can try many in one day if you decide to hold a big event.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Getting Started
Step 1. Choose a suitable place
Simulated wars are more fun in the great outdoors, like parks and playgrounds, but if you have access to a large indoor space or backyard, you can consider that kind of solution as well. Make sure your chosen location has the following characteristics:
- The area should be free from other people, especially small children;
- There should be bathrooms. Drinking water fountains and food shops are optional, but recommended.
- Roofs where people can hide. Almost all places except open fields have some kind of cover.
Step 2. Choose a backup battleground
Simulated warfare is almost always organized in public places, so there is a chance that the place you have chosen is already in use. Be prepared for this by looking for a spare space within walking distance.
- In some cases you can reserve public spaces by making arrangements with local communities or with the school, but it is not always possible to do so.
- If both places are busy, politely ask the people present when they will finish. Don't push them to leave and don't start simulated warfare until you're alone.
Step 3. Choose the date and time
Plan the simulated war at least three weeks in advance, especially if you are looking to recruit new players. For a classic game, it will take about four hours. If you have more than twenty people involved or are planning a special occasion, the war can last longer, but try not to exceed eight hours or the participants will start to tire too much.
- Remember to include meal breaks if needed. Allow at least half an hour break if your lunch is packed or an hour or more if you are going to a restaurant or organizing a communal picnic.
- Set a time when you will start putting everything back in order, at least 15 minutes before the official end of the war. This allows everyone to help collect the bullets and clean up, avoiding parents having to wait for you while you do it.
Step 4. Recruit Soldiers
It is possible to play simulated warfare with three or four players, but if you're putting in so much effort with advance preparations, you probably want to throw a bigger event. Start contacting your friends as early as possible and write a reminder to people who don't respond after a few days. If you want to get more people involved, you can recruit local players from simulated warfare internet communities, such as NerfHaven or NerfHQ.
Bear in mind that players you can meet online may be used to strict rules and will often come up with modified weapons and homemade bullets, capable of firing farther and faster than regular shotguns
Step 5. Announce the rules of the game
Once enough people are gathered, communicate the rules in advance. There are many variations of simulated warfare, but the important thing is to clearly establish the rules, so that everyone can follow it. Here are some of the popular versions:
- "West Coast Rules": Each player has five "life points". When hit, he loses one. He will then have to slowly count to 20 with the shotgun high above his head. He can pick up ammo and move, but he cannot shoot or be hit. He will finish the countdown by saying the last five numbers aloud, then say "I'm in" and start playing again. Whoever reaches zero life points is permanently eliminated.
- "East Coast Rules": Each player has ten life and loses one when hit. There is no 20 second invulnerability period, but if multiple bullets from a single automatic weapon's discharge hit you at the same time, they usually count as a single wound. You are eliminated when you reach zero hit points.
Step 6. Tell everyone what safety equipment they should have and what weapons are allowed
Protective goggles are mandatory for all players. In addition, some weapons and certain bullets are often prohibited for safety reasons or to make the game more balanced. These restrictions vary from game to game, but here are some of the rules you should follow:
- All homemade ballasted bullets must have a rubber tip to cover the weight.
- Rifles capable of firing more than 40 meters away are prohibited.
- All bullets containing sharp materials are prohibited, even if the points are hidden inside.
- Melee weapons such as swords or batons must be made of foam (in some games they are prohibited altogether).
Step 7. Decide what kind of games to play
Simulated warfare can last for many hours, but single matches don't usually last that long. Read on to learn about the various game modes and choose at least two or three to try, in case players get tired of the usual rules and want to spice up the game.
You don't have to decide in advance in what order to play the various modes. In some cases, it's best to evaluate if everyone is enjoying themselves and suggest a change of rules when the players seem bored
Part 2 of 3: Game Modes
Step 1. Take part in a classic simulated battle
There are no hard and fast rules to have fun. Choose one of the life total variants described earlier before the war begins. Divide into teams and stand on opposite sides of the battlefield. If you prefer, you can even play a free-for-all game, in which only one player emerges the winner.
If you have a pretty good idea of which players are the best (or the best equipped), you can create two balanced teams. Otherwise, create random teams and change their composition after each match
Step 2. Play human versus zombies
This is a fairly popular version of simulated warfare, particularly good if you don't have enough weapons for everyone. Divide the participants into two teams, humans and zombies. The team of humans has weapons at their disposal, while the zombies do not. When a zombie manages to touch a human, it turns him into an undead. Zombies have life like other players and lose them when hit.
- Use a bandana to easily identify members of the same team. Humans can wear them on their arm, while zombies can wear them on their heads.
- Zombies can't use weapons even if they manage to steal one from a human.
Step 3. Organize a Capture the Flag match
Each team must keep a flag (or other easily recognizable object) close to their base, but far enough away for it not to be too easy to defend. The team that manages to capture the opponent's flag without losing possession of its own wins.
- Instead of using the normal life total rules, in this variant when you get hit you have to go back to base and wait 20 seconds before re-entering the game.
- Consider a time limit of 20 minutes to prevent games from lasting too long. When time runs out, the team that managed to bring the flag closest to their base wins.
- For a flag-free alternative, hand out candy to all players. When someone is hit, they must drop the candy they have and return to the base. The team that gets all the candies wins.
Step 4. Try a short game of Assault on the Fortress
The defending team chooses a position to defend, usually a structure or an elevated area with a lot of cover. If the defenders survive for ten minutes, they win the game. To win, the attackers must eliminate them all.
As an optional rule, a defender can leave the fortress and become an attacker after being hit three times. This variant can be fun especially if the fort is easy to defend
Step 5. Play hunter if you only have one shotgun
It is a simple game of cops and robbers, where when a player is hit, he takes the weapon. The last person to be hit wins.
Part 3 of 3: Strategies and Tactics
Step 1. Assign a team member to take care of the strategy
If the teams are made up of many players, having a leader on the pitch makes the game much smoother. The squad leader decides when to attack, ambush or retreat, but should heed the advice of his teammates.
You can change team leaders from game to game so that everyone can fill that role. You can also elect a deputy chief
Step 2. Use code words or gestures with your mates
Make up a few simple code words or gestures before you start playing, so you can discuss strategy without revealing information to the opposing team. Find words for "attack", "retreat" and "ambush".
Step 3. Choose a weapon and develop a tactic based on your decision
If you have a long-range weapon, you can position yourself behind cover and act as a sniper for your team. A small, quiet weapon is better suited to a stealth assassin. A rifle with a high rate of fire and a large magazine is perfect for a direct assault or to cover the advance of companions.
If possible, carry a pistol as a secondary weapon in an emergency or for situations where your primary weapon is not ideal
Step 4. Occupies an elevated position
If you have the chance, go to a hill, structure, or other area higher than the rest of the battlefield. From there you will be able to see farther and shoot at a greater distance. Try to stay behind cover if possible or you too will be a more visible target.
Step 5. Lure enemies into a trap
Choose a location with a lot of cover, such as trees or walls. Pretend to run away from your opponents, then hide behind cover, turn around and shoot the players chasing you. This strategy is even more effective if your teammates have set up an ambush there.
Step 6. Consider the effect of the wind when shooting
Unmodified rubber bullets are very light and therefore their trajectory is easily deflected by the wind. Don't shoot when you feel strong gusts and get used to compensating for the effect of the breeze when aiming.
Step 7. Hide the extra magazines
Hide your ammo stash throughout the battlefield. Remember where they are, so you can easily retrieve them when you run out of shots.
Advice
- Carry a lot of bullets with you. You will lose a lot of them.
- If you are using a magazine weapon, make sure you have extra magazines.
- Bring another weapon with you to use in an emergency.
- Try to outflank the enemy team and locate the medic, killer and squad leader. Hide your medic as much as possible, because the opposing team will try to assassinate him first.
- Ask everyone to write their name on the bullets and weapons.
- If you wish, you can use an opposing player as a trap. Sneak up behind him and grab him without hurting him.
- Consider the time it will take to collect the bullets at the end of the war. If you know a bullet isn't yours, don't take it. Stealing is wrong.
- If you are the foreman, be very careful. You have to be stealthy and ready for anything.
- Consider that you will lose bullets. In order not to run out of it, bring more than you will need and prepare to refuel during the game.
- Don't walk on bullets.
Warnings
- If someone yells that they need help, go see what happens or tell the event organizer.
- Pretending to be eliminated (by raising the rifle in the air) to surprise another player is considered unfair, even if it is not specifically prohibited by the rules.
- Make sure all players are wearing protective goggles before starting. Getting hit in the eye is very dangerous.
- Make sure none of the participants annoy or attack passersby (or players who are eliminated) if you are playing in a public park.
