This is only the second topic on this board? Pistol play-related...

[Hollywood]

I'm a pistol noob...just received my 9" Lapco barrel for my T8, which I plan on using exclusively at Stalingrad: Red Verdict. However, I've never, ever played pistol before and I know a couple of facts going in:

• I plan on being owned frequently due to the variation of tactics between electro, 250 round, 4 pod-carrying play and pistol
• I don't have any real knowledge of key points or a condensed list of factors I should consider ahead of time regarding pistol play
• I will have the advantage of a lower profile, a lightweight form factor, and need to seek opportunities to communication more than shoot

Beyond these facts, I don't know much else. Does the two-person cover-and-move system work as effectively with pistol-wielding as it does with normal gats? Do flanking maneuvers come into play more often or should they be considered more with pistols, or no more than usual play?

Maybe you guys can coach me virtually before I paint a bullseye on my forehead...oh wait, it doesn't require a bullseye, I get hit there anyway. LOL

[Crimson]

Its hard for me to tell you what you will experience in the transition between carrying what you normally would to playing pistol. I think Varnel would be the one that could explain it the best to you since he essentially did the same thing. Went from an EGO toting trigger walker, to a pistol weilding bada$$ overnight, LITERALLY.

I'm always concerned about team support. Only when things are drastic will I go off on my own and try to attempt something. Sometimes there are situations where I can make it into a bunker to get an objective, but without team support behind me, there is no way that I would be able to make it out with the crates.

Thinking 3 moves ahead. With a pistol, if you get yourself into a sticky situation and there isnt anyone available to bail you out (or they are in the same situation) you will most of the time end up screwed. Pinned down, suppressed until something gives; and its usually you being eliminated because you simply cant shoot your way out of the situation. Team support helps this, but still, you want to try and stay out of trouble as much as possible. You dont want to be distracting your team constantly.

So thats some of what I process. I'm sure other LPD'ers will chime in shortly!

[Enhander]

Welcome to LPD play my friend

I am by no means an expert, I just started last year..however I love it. First of, you will love the Lapco barrel on the T8..amazing. One major thing to keep in mind is the fact that you are only carrying 20-50 rounds..depending on how many mags you have and how many 10 rd tube you have.

This is very important. The realizition of only having limted paint is somewhat of a shell shock. However once this concept is grasped, you understand that you must now rely on your skill, cunning, stealth and tactics for a successful game.

Most of the time you will be relying on others to lay the fire down, so be prepared to have at least 1 gunner run with you. Take only the shots that you are sure of. This was hard for me at first because I am so use to playing defensivly and laying paint. Watch our HC videos from last season, specifically the ealier videos to review some pistol play. If you havent already, I would make sure to get several mags, unless you plan on reloading 1 mag every time you shoot..which I do not recommend.

Do not be intimidated.

There is nothing more gratifying than elminating someone with a pistol/pump. Especially when they empty a hopper at you and you poke around the corner, shoot once or twice, and get them.

There is a learning curve..heck I am still learning. But you will come to find that pistol play is extremely fun!

[Hudd]

For me ther are two things I live by when playing pump. Dont shoot at people running across the field infront of you (read left to right) you cant hit them because you cant lay down a string of paint. The second is snap shooting is your friend. you can have a smaller profile and get back in your bunker quicker.

I also play LPD alittle difrently than most people. I like to either but up front in there face or sneaking aroud the behind them by my self or with one other person.

[Varnel]

For me it was just a perfect fit. I can't explain switching from an Ego to a pistol in words. I can say though that before I tried it I was like you H.Wood. I was full of questions and doubt. How can this possibly be effective or fun? I asked this over and over...I asked it so much that I kept pushing trying Pistol play back and almost truly never tried it. If it hadn't been for Brad's bachelor party I might not have. Once I did I was hooked and answered most of my own questions. I don't know if it will be the same for you, but playing pistol just felt so much more natural to me. I was no longer being weighed down and slowed up by huge tanks, pods of paint, and vests. I was able to move more precise and much faster. As others have said it was a little weird at first, knowing I only had 48 rounds and I had to force myself to only take the shots I knew I could make, but I do this now without thinking. I say all this, but I am by no means an expert. I feel I am a pretty decent LPD player, but I am still learning. Actually, the more I think about it, I don't think I will ever stop learning. Playing LPD I think is going to be a never ending learning experience. Every time you play you will learn something new, something that will work or something that won't. Just keep going at it and before long you won't even feel like you're at a disadvantage using a pistol. Sure there are points were Ego/g3/etc might have a advantage, but there are situations were you are at the advantage. The key is just to make sure you keep the Op-For in your comfort zone so you have the advantage, not them. The other good thing about playing LPD is that all the skills you pick up easily transfer over to your normal play. Your snap shooting and accuracy will sky rocket. A shot that would normally take a stream to make will now only take 3-4 shots.


So my advice to you is just go out have fun and play. The skills, reactions, and thinking will come naturally. You are good normal player and I think your skills will transfer well to LPD. Maybe hold back a bit at first, but don't be afraid to let loose. With the new spawn system in Stalingrad you will have many many chances to get out there and see what works for you.

[Hollywood]

I'm such a noob...

What is Op-For? Operation Forward?

What is "LPD"? Light Pistol Defense? Lean Paintball Death?

Thanks guys!!! This helps my confidence. Varnel, your experience is almost a mirror to mine thus far. I'm so nervous, but excited to try it out and it marks an evolution in my play style. Also, you're right: Stalingrad will be the prime spot to test it because the mission design will allow more time for flanking and the respawn stuff will also allow me to talk out my mistakes in the dead box!!! LOL!

[Enhander]

Op-For = Opposing Force

LP/LPD = Limited Paint Division/Limited Paint

[Hudd]

whats new with the spawn system at stalingrad?

[Varnel]

Instead of infinite respawn for the first five minutes there is going to be 3 separate respawns. I think they are 7 mins/15 mins/ and 20 mins or something like that. The missions will also run 30 mins instead of 20 mins.

[Hudd]

thats intresting. could make the end of each mission really intense.

[Hollywood]

I see Karl and/or Brad gave stuff away.

But yes, there are TWO different respawns, not three, and the length of the missions are increased.

In fact, I can spill this here and now: missions are 30 minutes instead of 20, and there are 7 of them instead of 8. Do the math

7 missions X 30 minutes = 210 minutes of field time with better respawn and strategic value

8 missions x 20 minutes = 160 minutes of field time with less effective respawn and strategic value

All for the same price. 50 minutes more paintball...gotta love it.

[sun-tzu]

I am excited for the 30 min missions.  I hope that not all of them are intense firefight from start to stop.  i like the suspence of hunt and destroy from time to time.

[Varnel]

I see Karl and/or Brad gave stuff away.

But yes, there are TWO different respawns, not three, and the length of the missions are increased.

In fact, I can spill this here and now: missions are 30 minutes instead of 20, and there are 7 of them instead of 8. Do the math

7 missions X 30 minutes = 210 minutes of field time with better respawn and strategic value

8 missions x 20 minutes = 160 minutes of field time with less effective respawn and strategic value

All for the same price. 50 minutes more paintball...gotta love it.

I believe Karl hinted at it and Cuda himself spilt the full beans on Spec Ops.

[Hudd]

 I pretty much have my load out planed around a 20 min game. Might need to change it up a bit.

[Hollywood]

Yeah, plan your load-outs accordingly. I wasn't aware that Cuda dropped all this yet on SpecOps. I'll need to travel over there to get on the topic.

But yeah, 30 minutes shouldn't really add to the firefights, but should intensify strategy surrounding the objectives. And, during the dead box time, you'll be able to formulate alternate strategies with the random dead players going into the box with you. Check out the field map that will be there in each box, and figure out your tactics on the fly. Also, you never know what other objectives may "come up" at random points throughout a given mission, further changing the battlefield.