So, you’ve picked out your gear and have chosen a great Airsoft rifle. Now it’s time to see some action! I’ve put in a lot of time into researching and battling in some of the very best Airsoft games that everyone should play. It’s clear that many of these will be familiar to seasoned Airsofters who get out on the field regularly.
However, with a little creativity, anyone can put a new spin on any of the following games to enhance the level of excitement and gameplay. These games will get you out there in various scenarios from war battle reenactment and military simulation to classic games like capture the flag (only with a replica weapon that sprays plastic bb’s).
Without further Ado, here are 30 of the best Airsoft games that everyone should play!
In this article we will discuss:
Battle Royal
Sometimes known as “Team Death Match”, is one of the most common and most basic types of Airsoft games. This game is played team against team with two or more teams of equal numbers. This game can be played anywhere that can accommodate the number of players. The winning team is declared based on kill count and players are responsible for tracking their kills. Thus the game requires the use of the “honor system” heavily for kill counting. The team with the most recorded kills wins the battle.
There can be variations in the rules and objectives of the game. Typically this type of game is played with the ability to respawn once killed. When a player is hit, they can only resume playing after having gone to the designated respawning point. One disadvantage of respawning is that a game can go on for a long time unless a limit is established for the number of times a player can come back to life. This requires a volunteer to keep count of the number of respawns each player has used. When all respawns are exhausted, the game ends.
Medic
Medic is another classic Airsoft team played game. The objective of this game is simple. Two teams of equaled number players battle it out. Amongst the teams are a small number Medics. Ideally, there should be no more than two Medics for every fifteen to twenty players. Each team must guard their Medics from the other team.
The Medic’s objective is to maneuver the field “healing” their fallen team members. Once healed, players can then rejoin the game. The Medic can either treat players where they have fallen or for a more challenging game, the Medic can “transport” players back to a location deemed as a safe zone while trying not to be killed along the way.
However, it plays out, if the Medic is killed, they are out and cannot respawn. Once all medics have been retired, then it is only a matter of time before one team kills off the opposing team. The last team standing wins. For a shorter game, try limiting the number of Medic’s per team.
Rescue
This is a classic Hostage Rescue game scenario. Two medium sized teams are formed. One team is composed of the Captors. The other team is composed of the Rescuers and Hostages. The Hostages are taken by their Captors into the playing area. Hostages have no weapons. However, when rescued, Hostages can be given small arms to fight with. Rescued Hostages are also able to rescue other Hostages.
Once rescued, Hostages can be killed just as any other player can be. Hostages that have yet to have been rescued are safe from being eliminated. When all Hostages are rescued, the game ends. With larger teams in larger playing areas, this game may take longer to play. If the game is running too long, it can be decided prior to the start of the game that an occasional Hostage can be killed off by their Captors.
Secret Service
Sometimes called “President or VIP” amongst Airsoft Players, this is another fun yet simple game. Despite having a very simple objective, it can be exciting and at times, very strategic. The objective is for one team of four players to guard one unarmed player. The unarmed player is the President or VIP. The team of Secret Service agents must escort the President/VIP across the playing area to a designated safety zone. If the President/VIP reaches the safety zone unharmed, the team wins.
The second group of five to six players assumes the role of assassins whose objective is to the kill the President/ VIP under the guard of the Secret Service. If the President/VIP is killed, the game ends. Teams may opt to allow the President/VIP to carry a small low round capacity weapon, but it is much more challenging with him/her unarmed.
Assassin
Assassin is a great little game scenario for a small group of four to five players. One player is the assassin. The remaining players are given achievable objectives to complete during the game. The Assassin must find and kill all players in a timely manner. He or She must then reach the rendezvous point before time is up. The Assasin can be killed by any of the players if discovered. If the Assassin is killed he/she loses. If the Assassin does not reach the rendezvous point before the game ends, he/she loses.
Terrorist
This is a Special Ops Simulation scenario where a small team of four players has to clear out a building of Terrorists. A Ratio of three bad guys to every Special Ops player works really well. The Ops team has less than five minutes to clear out the bad guys. Innocent unarmed people are peppered in amongst the Terrorists making it more challenging. The objective is a fast-paced clearing out of all Terrorists with minimal Innocent losses.
Blackhawk Down
This is a classic variation of a rescue game scenario. This pilot rescue game is best played in an open field or clearing. This scenario works best for two small teams of four to five players and one pilot. Ideally, the terrain should have some small amount of cover. 55-gallon drums could be used to simulate crash debris. The pilot only has a pistol and a limited amount of ammo (thirty-five to forty rounds total).
The pilot is injured and cannot leave from the crash site on his own. He can try to defend himself, but due to limited movement and firepower, he’s likely going to be taken out very easily. Once one of the teams finds him, they must CARRY him to the designated extraction zone. The objective is to find the injured pilot and carry him to the extraction zone with little team casualties.
If played with four small teams, it would be interesting to see if any alliances are made (or broken) amongst team members.
Bomb Squad
This variation of a traditional game of hide and seek has players seeking out bombs as opposed to other players. The objective is simple. One small team is the Bomb Squad seeking out bombs hidden in the playing area (see below for ideas on how to make props for this game). One volunteer or referee can hide the bombs prior to the start of the game. The idea is that the fake bombs are well hidden.
Depending on how challenging players would like the game to be, clues or hints about the potential bomb locations can be incorporated into the game. The game can be made more complex by adding a number of bombs in various locations. Each bomb has a timer which is set to 30 minutes. The Bomb Squad must seek out each bomb and “diffuse” them before time runs out. If any of the bombs reach zero before they all are found, the game is over and the Bomb Squad team loses.
Demolition
In this Airsoft game scenario, one team has to plant a bomb at the opposing team’s base while battling and managing to stay alive. This game can be tailored for large or small groups. The objective is that one team will have a bomb (see below for ideas on how to make props for this game). The bomb has a timer which is set to 30 minutes (for a faster-paced game, it can be set even lower).
The team must deliver the bomb before the end of the time count. If they cannot deliver the bomb before time expires, they lose. A fun element would be to allow the opposing team to intercept the bomb during gameplay or in the event, the bomb is intercepted, have it sent back to the teams base where they must retry to deliver the bomb within the remaining time frame.
Capture the Flag
This classic game is usually played between two opposing teams. For a larger scale battle, four teams can play against each other capturing as many of the opposing team flags as possible. Each team starts out with a prominently displayed flag at their base. The opposing team has to capture the flag and make their way back to their home base. During the game (and when captured) the flag must be visible.
Gameplay can be made more challenging by allowing opposing team members to take the flag from players who have been “Killed in Action”. In games with multiple teams playing, the captured flag on display can be recaptured by the original team or captured by another opposing team.
Center Flag
Center Flag is a classic variation of Capture the Flag and is one game scenario played by many Airsofters. Two teams each battle it out with the objective of capturing one flag that is accessible by either team in a designated location on the battle area. First team to bring the flag back to their base wins.
Bunker
This is a pretty simple variation of Capture the Flag. This is best played either in the small confines of a bunker or dugout. A small team of two or three barricade themselves in a small building, fox hole or similar post. They guard their flag. The objective is for a small team of two to five players to try and capture the flag. Unlike Capture the Flag, the flag can be hidden within the confines and does not have to be visible. Successful capture of the flag ends the game. To make it more challenging, consider only the use of single fire Airsoft weapons and limited ammunition. No Sniper weapons allowed.
Open Field
This is a variation of the BUNKER and also a Capture the Flag game variant. This is best played either in an open area such as a small field with little cover. A small team of two must defend the flag in the wide open confines of the gameplay area. The objective is for a small team of two to five players to successfully capture the flag. In this game, the flag should be out in the open as well. Successful capture of the flag ends the game. To make it more challenging, consider only the use of single fire Airsoft weapons and limited ammunition. No Sniper weapons allowed.
Survive
This is one of the least complicated games around. It is basically an “every player for them self” kind of game. Everyone fights everyone, no allies, no friends, no teams. The only objective is to be the last player standing. Great for small or large groups. Make it more challenging by limiting weapon capabilities such as only allowing small arms or weapons with small-cap magazines. The last player standing wins. This is a very easy way to go if you just want to get into a game.
CQB (Close Quarter Battle)
This is a team versus team game where the winning team is the team that eliminates the other team entirely. The only caveat is that gameplay occurs in tight confines, hence the name “Close Quarters”. To make things even more challenging, small arms or single shot weapons can be used. This would be entirely up to both teams prior to battle.
Base Wars
This is yet another variation of Capture the Flag. However, unlike Capture the Flag, the objective is for one team to capture the opposing team’s base. Each team must battle it out to defend their base while attempting to capture the opposition’s base. Successful capture of the opposing team’s base ends the game. Each base will limit the number of players who can be barricaded within the base. The remaining team members must battle outside of the base. To make it more challenging, consider only the use of single fire Airsoft weapons and limited ammunition. Another variation that can change up the game would be to allow the game to end if the players inside the based are killed regardless of how many remain fighting outside of the base. No Sniper weapons allowed.
Low Rounds
This scenario can be played as a game or can be an added condition to almost any game type on the list. The objective behind Low Round is to limit players to a low amount of ammo for which they have to play the game. In doing this, you force players to be more strategic and accurate in order to get through the game. As a game, it can be team play or every man for himself. As a condition, it’s simply a limited amount of ammunition allowed to achieve the object of the particular game.
Good V. Bad Shootout
This game scenario is best played amongst smaller to medium-sized teams. Dividing each side unevenly making one side larger in number than the other. The objective is simply a battle of the “good guys versus the bad guys” similar to Cops N’ Robbers. Small arms are recommended for this fast-paced scenario. Whichever team is eliminated first, loses.
Officers & Enlisted Men
The objective of this game is to take out all High-Ranking Officers on each team while protecting your own. Somewhat similar in objective to Secret Service, but with more than one VIP target on each team. Each team will have easily identifiable officers amongst the remaining grunts on the team. Teams are guarding their Officers while trying to take out the opposing teams Officers.
Swat/SRT
This is a Law Enforcement Simulation scenario where a small SWAT/SRT team has to clear out a building filled with bad guys. A Ratio of four bad guys to every SWAT/SRT player is preferred. The SWAT/SRT team has less than (3-4) minutes to clear out the bad guys. Unarmed civilians can be peppered in to increase the challenge.
Manhunt
This is a classic game of hide and seek with Airsoft weapons. A player is given 90 seconds to hide. After that, the remainder of the team has to seek them out. The objective is to seek out and find the player who is hiding and shoot them. The game continues with the shooter becoming the next player to hide.
Benedict Arnold
Each team has one traitor. This can be played with small or large groups. All players draw one paper from a hat. The paper is marked either “Team” or “Traitor”. There is only one “Traitor” per team. All players who draw, must keep their pick to themselves. Each team begins gameplay. After (5) minutes of gameplay, the traitor switches teams. Traitors can switch back and forth until killed or a winning team emerges. The key to this scenario is that the “Traitor” remains true to their team until they are able to switch back and forth. To keep their cover from being blown, the “Traitor” should attempt to be stealthy with kills in order to hide their true role.
The Escapist
In this scenario, a Majority of the team will make up those Guarding Prisoners. A small group of players escape one by one. The objective is for them to make it to a designated area alive. Escapists could be given small arms with limited ammo although they could be forced to rely on stealth skills to make it past the many Guards in order to survive. Escapists first making it to the designated “Safe Zone” will be able to pick up a weapon to battle the guards. They then must help the other escapees to the Safe Zone. The game ends when all surviving escapees are in the safe zone or the Guards are dead.
Ware Reenacted Battles
Scenarios from this type of gameplay are typically more for die-hard reenactment buffs. One challenge facing random players is the period correct replica weapons and gear. While you may have an awesome customized M4, bringing it out on the WWII battlefield really takes away from the realism of the period.
Teams playing these scenarios, typically select a specific historical war or battle during that war to reenact. With period weapons and gear, each team reenacts as close as possible, each battle. While there is less competitive gameplay as the winner is predetermined based upon historical accounts, the fun lies in how accurately teams can reenact each battle in terms of play and realism.
Infection
This scenario is best for larger groups of players. This is also a fun way to change up an existing scenario. For example, the addition of the “Infected” in a Capture the Flag game scenario. Instead of a flag, a mock vial with an “Antidote” can be held at an infected/infested local. The objective is the “well” players battle the “infected” players. Players can become “infected” if tapped on the shoulder by another infected player. Or when killed they can spawn into infected players. The Infected cannot be killed. However, if the “Well” players capture the antidote, the game ends.
Walking Dead
This scenario is similar to the INFECTION scenario. A great scenario for a larger group of players. This is also a fun way to change up a Capture the Flag scenario. For example, Instead of a flag, mock machetes can be hidden within a Zombie infested local. The objective is the living battle each other and the dead. Players killed in action can become the living dead. For safety, the living dead cannot be shot in the head. The only way to “kill” the Zombies is by machete to the head. If the “Alive” players capture the machete(s), the game ends.
Alien Takeover
This is very similar to the objective of the WALKING DEAD & INFECTION scenarios but geared more for SCI FI fans. Aliens (who mimic humans) are trying to take over in this Capture the Flag variation. Instead of a flag, you must capture an item belonging to their ship to keep them from going home to bring back reinforcements. Throw in an Alien player on the human side who was sent to infiltrate the humans and you’ve kicked the game up a notch. Five minutes in and the Human looking Alien turns on the team (can’t switch teams back and forth)…
Hunger Games
This is a free-for-all. It starts with all weapons being placed in the center or half-way point of the playing field/area. When the game starts, players make a mad dash to the center to retrieve their weapons. Once they have their weapons the shooting begins, every many for himself until the last two players standing battle it out. The last remaining player wins.
Block
This is a timed variation of Capture the flag (one flag version) where a cinder block is an object used instead of a flag. The objective is for one team to capture the concrete block and hold onto it for as long as possible. Doing so is quite the challenge as a cinder block weighs approximately 28 pounds.
49’er
This scenario is similar to the “BLOCK” game. A stack of 15 “Gold Bars” is strewn about in the center of a playing field. One team is positioned at each end of the field. Players make a mad dash to collect as many gold bars as possible while defending themselves from the opposing team. The team with the most gold bars wins. Try using gold painted bricks or some other weighted items to keep it from being too easy.
Conclusion
This list, while chocked-full of some of the best Airsoft games everyone should play, is by no means complete. Each game here can be modified and added onto to create different scenarios. Rules, weapon choices, number of players can all be adjusted to create different game scenarios suitable for you and your fellow players. With a little creativity, the scenarios you can play can be endless. You are only bound by your creativity…
See you out on the battlefield!
