Team Deathmatch (TDM)

One of the most popular games, TDM is usually chosen worldwide as one of the most common games to play in airsoft. Especially if you've played the video game, you're probably familiar with how it goes.

Setup: In the game, the group is divided into two different teams.

Objective: Simply enough, the objective of the game is for one team to record more kills and hits than the other team.

Extra Info: This type of objective requires honesty from all players, those who hit and get hit. When a player is hit, they have the responsibility of declaring the hit and then head back to the home base or “spawn location” to wait until they are able to re-enter. A player might have to wait for a certain time or they might have to wait entirely until the next round—this is where the rules can be different from one game to the next.

The simplicity of the game is what makes it so common among players worldwide.

Extraction or Capture the Flag (CTF)

The second most common game is any type of extraction game, like CTF. This type of game can be played with so many variants of rules and a wide range of the number of players. Extraction games can be played using a variety of different objects (not just a flag).

Setup: The group is set up into two teams, who are pitted against one another. Each team gets a flag (or another object) to hide or protect from the other team—it can be hidden or in the open—depending on the game rules.

Objective: This type of airsoft is more objective-focused, requiring each team to defend their own flag (or object) from their opponent while trying to capture their opponent’s flag and bring it back to their home base (without being hit first).

Extra Info: There are two different ways to play CTF. You can either play “Live Flag” or “Dead Flag”.

Live Flag allows the team to continue on after capturing the flag and being hit. For example, if a player reaches the other team’s flag and is continuing back to their home base and gets hit, his or her teammates can still pick up the flag from where the player had been eliminated.

Dead Flag doesn't allow the team to continue on after capturing the flag and being hit. If a player from one team has captured the flag and gets hit while trying to make it back to their base, then the flag is “out of play” and has to return back to the enemy’s base, ultimately, resetting the game.

MilSim

These type of airsoft games can go on for hours. MilSim is a literal abbreviation for “military simulation”. Airsoft guns (such as M4 or AK47 rifles) are usually the perfect “simulation” weapons to use to get as close as possible to the real thing because of the replica weapons that airsoft provides—without needing any modifications.

Setup: Using very realistic but non-lethal airsoft guns, players enter into a scenario not unlike real war, for example. A team can be held responsible for certain objectives, etc.

Objective: The objective of MilSim is to get is as realistic as possible. The actual objectives of the games are more serious than capturing a flag and can involve pretty complicated strategies and tactics.

King Of The Hill

This is a little like extraction, except that it has to do more with where the location of the other team is instead of getting to the flag.

Setup: The group is split up into two teams. One team is allocated to defense and one is on offense. The defensive team is at a certain location (possibly, a hill).

Objective: The offensive team attacks the defensive team to capture control of the location. At the end of the allotted time of the game, whoever has “control” of the area wins. This means that whichever team is closest to a certain pinpointed area or flag when the clock runs out wins. (These rules can vary).

Extra Info: After each round, normally the teams switch positions—one on offense and one on defense—giving each of them equal opportunity to win.

Bomb

Basically, almost literally the opposite of CTF, Bomb requires the team to get rid of the object than to capture it.

Setup: There are two teams and one “bomb” (can be any object). Each team has a base.

Objective: The bomb has a timer (or the game is timed) and whoever has possession of the bomb is trying to get it into the other team’s base before the timer runs out.

Extra Info: Normally, one team begins with the bomb in possession. Once the bomb is dropped, making contact with the ground, it’s free game and can be picked up by either team.

Hostage Rescue

This type of Extraction game involves getting your players back, rather than just a flag.

Setup: A group is divided into two different teams, who are then divided among them. Some are “Hostages” and some are “Rescuers”. The hostages are required to strip themselves of their weapons and are placed at the enemy team’s base. The rescuers begin at their own base.

Objective: The rescuers of a team have the objective and responsibility of getting their hostages back to their own home base. The team also has to leave some members guarding the opposing team’s hostages.

Extra Info: Most rescuers usually travel to the other team’s base loaded with an excess of guns. Once they reach their rescue-intended hostages, they can supply them with equipment to be able to defend themselves as they go back to the team base.

Usually, a team wins if over half the hostages make it back to the team base.

Zombies

Especially with the hype around the apocalypse and zombies recently, this game has become increasingly popular.

Setup: In these games, certain players are assigned to be Zombies and other players are Humans.

Objective: Either the zombie team has to infect all human players or the human team has to find all of the cure items on the map while at least one of their team members stay alive.

Extra Info: In most scenarios, the zombies are outnumbered (usually 4-to-1)—which you would think puts them at a disadvantage. However, a zombie can be shot up to three times (unless shot in the head) before they must be “out”. A zombie’s “out” only lasts around 30 seconds before they can move again—that’s right—the undead can’t be killed.

For a zombie to infect a human, they simply have to touch or tag another player with their hands. The human is then “out” for two minutes and then become zombies themselves (giving up their weapons).

Free-For-All

If you're not looking for anything complicated and ultimately just want to play airsoft for the fun of it, you can play this type of game. Simply enough, all you have to do is look out for you—it is extremely individual.

Quite along the lines of Team Deathmatch, you are just trying to hit as many players as possible, however, in Free-For-All, there are no teams.

Setup: Easy setup here—there is one course and everyone is pitted against one another.

Objective: Not get hit, and try and take down other players in the process. You are fully independent and relying only on yourself to win. The last man standing wins the game.

Extra Info: Once a player gets hit by another player, they have to raise their hands in the air or indicate they've been hit so they can walk off the field or playing area unharmed. Once you are hit, you are out until the next round or next game. This game really tests your accuracy in shooting and your ability to cover and get out of harm’s way—fast. It also removes any possibility of dependence and reliance whether on teams or squad orders, recon information or communication with their teammates.

However, it has been known that certain alliances do form—until they have to go up against one another.

Elimination

Almost like Team Deathmatch, Elimination is a game that has two teams playing against one another. However, what sets this game apart from Deathmatch is that you have limited lives—more than one!

Setup: A group is divided up into two teams in a course or arena and then pitted against one another.

Objective: To be the last man standing—eliminating the other team of “surviving” members.

Extra Info: Having multiple lives gives the game a whole new spin. You have more of a chance of developing tactics, strategic offense, and defense—for those players who only have one life remaining.

This guide should cover the most basic and common types of airsoft games out there. If you're new to the sport and looking to play this weekend, this information should help you get a good idea of what you're going to be playing. Normally, the games don’t get more complicated than these—especially for first-timers.