11 replies to this topic

[TheNewGuy7000]

Okay so do you need to be on a team to play? If not are there teams you can join and how? And finally can you make a team without sponsors?

[longhornjake]

No
Yes
Yes

Guys & Gals will chime in with details for each.

[Gato]

Never played on a formal team. Like going out with my friends and venting some steam. Scenario games are my favorite. Hundreds of players going after the objective and only a handful of them are on formal teams.

[splinterspartan]

This is just a personal opinion and my own experience. I am on a team. We are called the Task Force Raiders. We are sponsored by our home field Flag Raiders. We are their dedicated senario team. We play at all our our big games as well as some games in the surrounding province. Being on a sponsored team has its advantages though. But, you have to put in some extra work for the field. An example is that every once in a while we will have build days where we all go out and build something at our fields. Whether that is a two story church that we built last year or just adding some walls in places. I personally enjoy being a Task Force Raider. When I come out on a walk-on day dressed in all my senario gear I love the looks I get from other players.

[TheNewGuy7000]

I wouldn't mind helping out at the field I like building things but do you have to be really good to be on a team like that? I'm a team player I'd like to be on some sort of team and play on a regular basis

[Tomcat]

1)Do you need to be on a team to play?
  No you don't need to be on a team to play.  Makes if a bit more fun if you have someone to go with and work off of.  Being a lonewolf is tough especially if you or the majority of players are new.

2) If not are there teams you can join and how?
Yes, depending on where you are, there might be several teams - Tournament types, woodsball/rec, and scenario teams.  Put up a shout out in the TEAMS or BT Battalion forum in the locale that you are in.  Sometimes teams come on here and advertise.

3) And finally can you make a team without sponsors?
   Yes Teams and sponsors do not always go hand and hand.  Very few teams have any form of sponsorships and fewer have the top sponsorships (PRO level),. Remember: All NEW guys should forget about sponsors...As Splinterspartan says sponsorships are for the more experienced players that already had time to enjoy, play and understand the sport and the players in it.  Just go out and enjoy playing with a bunch of guys. (or gals).  Sponsorships are hard work - its the business end of the game.  If we showed you that side, it would blind you for life! LOL!!!!

[bvdave]

1)Do you need to be on a team to play?
Absoluytley not, iin fact id be willing to bet most people who play, are not on teams, that said, I think you can get more enjoyement from the game on a team, because you play with the same people and you learn teamwork and have a general better time playing with the same group all the time with people you know how to anticipate on the field. Expecially if you get team uniforms and play together alot because then you feel like your a part of something which is very satiusfying, and people recognise you as a team on the field.

2) If not are there teams you can join and how?
Always, theres almost always teams that are starting or looking to recruit, just remember, the #1 way to get on a good team is by having fun, being helpfull, and playing fair, thats what paintballs about, its not a super competitive sport where skill alone gets you teammates. at least iin my experiance thats how teams worth playing on deal anways.

3) And finally can you make a team without sponsors?
You certianly can. teams are not about sponsorships, if you just want to play and have fun, you need no sponsorships and in fact I would suggest teams play at least a year together before even attempting to get a sponsorship of any kind at all (and im not saying after a year you nesisarily should eithor as a sponsorship is not required in any way whatsoever) a sponsorship is a lot of work and a long ways from cheap gear or handouts, and if you want to keep one if you do get one you have to work hard at it. Sponsors will look at you as a investment, not a charity.

[TheNewGuy7000]

Thanks guys I have anxiety and not a lot of friends so I would like to meet new people to hang out with

[longhornjake]

Nothing to break the ice and encourage teamwork like little pellets of paint at 275fps!

[Tomcat]

You'll find that most players are great people who are willing to take you under their wing and help you out.  Come to ION (Skirmish) this year, we'll be on the American side, and you can join the Fighting Five Oh and the BT Rangers as we take the field and perform missions as required..  Plus the hanging around the Empire Battle Tested tent/Battalion area is really neat too.  And there  you can ask all the questions you want and try out all the markers you want as well.

[Dorian Feyd]

All answers well said! I would also add my personal take on sponsors. They add pressure to what is supposed to be fun. I go to the field with a loose bunch of guys that happen to wear the same shirt every once in a while. I would say find a wing man and work on your skills and have fun. If your in an area that has a lot of teams and you make a difference on the field they will notice you. Just be cool and don't try to hard to impress a team. When you go to the same fields for a couple of seasons and meet people it will happen naturally. And if it doesn't don't sweat it just have fun. Being on a team is hard work! You need to be dedicated to going to lots of games and practices and spending money maybe you don't have or want to spend. Starting a team with friends is always better in my book. More fun and you won't get hammered if you miss a game or practice and you have that trust thing you get with friends. One other thing about sponsors is it limits some of the gear you can use and I don't like being told what to use. Hook up with some guys you see from time to time at your field and try and run as a group with goals. And I mean walk on games where your playing against players with the same skill level and equipment. But don't try to be an arm chair Patton! If people don't know you they will not listen to you and you will turn them off from playing along side you. I would say hey you guys wanna try this or that?  But ya, for me I'm going to say wing man is the way to go! Good luck and keep us posted up on how you do! Feyd................

[splinterspartan]

Definitely don't try to be a Patton. That is great advice. I have seen my fair share of those people and it makes me want to use some friendly fire and shut 'em up. There are good and bad ways to be a good help to your team. Standing around yelling at people isn't one of them.