Skirmish Vs Simming

[Baz JJ]

Quite early on in Airsoft, I realised that Skirmishing wasn't hitting the spot for me.

It seemed chaotic somehow.

Now I recognise that a lot of people get a lot of pleasure from skirmishing and there is nothing wrong with that. Ive seen dressing up sessions with halloween outfits and girl teams with pink guns.

In a way, I suppose this is one form of Airsofting - a game with what on the surface appears to be very little military connotations, yet in the same game, guys are running around dressed in the full US Afghanistan rig.

Perhaps Airsoft works on different levels for different people and maybe that is the secret of its success.

Looking at milsims, these appear to be a veritable Airsoft onion, with concentric layers of depth and realism.

I saw a commercial company comprising of ex British Army guys, now in the civilian world and trying to sell their experience in infantry tactics to Airsofters. They offered everything from contact drills to unarmed combat around an Airsoft core. Their marketing thrust was along the lines of find out what its like to be in the army.

If you want to spend a weekend living rough, fighting an Airsoft foe and working within a rigid command structure and saluting "officers", there is an extreme milsim level for you.

One organisation even had an ongoing theme where there was compulsory training and you worked your way up a rank system.

I suppose its about finding the level you want.

Personally, I think its strange to run around with an M4 with the latest optic and tactical fittings and then say its got nothing to do with the military - its just a game or sport.

My level ?

I think my future lies with something between 45 minute objective related skirmishes involving flags or pumpkins and the full-on Full Metal Jacket milsim.

A day long game with structure, themes, progressive objectives and the need to be able to work tactically in fireteams, communicate efficiently by radio, think as a team through problems, read maps, utilise medics, and so on - a little more than charge and seize the flag.

and then go home for a nice hot shower...

 

[Unrustle_Thine_Jimmies]

I've started attending MILSIMS recently,I've gone to two under my belt so far and another upcoming on the 8th. I'm converted,I'd say,regular skirmishes don't seem to do it for me as much as they used to.

The slower paced,more objective focused gameplay fits great with my playstyle,as I contribute more to the team than in a regular skirmish as scouting out positions is much more crucial. The Ammo limitations make engagements much less spammy,giving me an actual advantage as my rifle is quieter and more accurate than an average AEG, so I need less shots to take someone down. Varies though.

It feels kind of cool having matching gear with everyone and feeling like a speshul forsus unit,all organized and shiet. But I did enjoy playing on the rag tag disorganized guerrilla allah snackbar rebel team too.

I too love the tactics,the radio communication, thinking as a team and all the stuff listed above-adds a nice depth of gameplay that I enjoy in tactical/hardcore shooters like the ArmA series.

 

[Moose87]

yer i prefer the all day event rather than paintball style. we play it as a loose scenario. so like good guys and bad. a scenario of bad guys trying to smuggle a briefcase or such for certain reason. progressive objectives depending on the outcome of the previous one.

 

[Insanityx]

How common are milsims? I'd definitely love to give one a go sometime. I kinda like the madness of the skirmishes I've been to but I imagine milsims would be a hell of an experience.

 

[Baz JJ]

They are available but they take a lot of detailed planning - planning that is consumed at a vast rate in the game itself, so the events dont happen every week as skirmishes do.

Its by no means the authoritative source on milsims, but Ive started a Facebook group on soft milsims called Airsoft SOFSIM. It doesnt cover the classified and technical side of Airsofting as this forum does but it does cover news of sims and lots of weapon, loadout style ideas and military news from the real and simulation world and the membership is steadily growing.

 

[Stormhall]

I've only been to 3 events so far. But the weekender was pretty cool with all the co-ordinated teamwork from a team who are known as the ragtag "others". If I ever play in a big milsim event then I'll probably stick with the vehicle crew and maybe man the turrets on the humvees. But I love playing normal infantry as well.

 

[bornleverpuller]

I was reading about filmsims and I think they are the best fit for me.

 

[Baz JJ]

Why ?

What do you see as the fundamental differences between a filmsim and other types ?

I was reading about filmsims and I think they are the best fit for me.

 

[bornleverpuller]

Why ?

What do you see as the fundamental differences between a filmsim and other types ?

I liked the idea that it was narrative driven think it goes back to my experiences with table top games over the years, the best times I had with them weren't about who won and lost but the story behind it and the great moments

 

[Baz JJ]

Im not so sure its clearcut.

The SIM Im currently involved with has a strong storyline and characters but I don't think of it as a filmsim ?

I would be interested if anybody has a definition of the different types as i know what I have in my own mind but not so sure of the differences in the classifications ?

 

[Ian_Gere]

After yonks of trying to make it happen, I've just taken part in the first of what will be four training days lead by Wallace and Coldy @Skirmish. It's small section military training based on Wallace's extensive experience as a marine and Coldy's recent basic in the engineers, with emphasis on how stuff is relevant to airsoft. It was really good - 'kin knackering, but worth the pain. I'm looking forward to putting what we learned into practice in an ordinary skirmish, rather than just our practice sessions because, as inexperienced as the four of us are at things like giving each other useful target info and moving effectively under cover of sufficient suppressing fire, just the willingness to try to do it will put us streets ahead of the usual cat-herd of random opposition.

As we start going through a standard 1/2 red 1/2 green stylee team like shit through a goose then I expect that I'll want to go to more involved events, for the challenge. I'm hoping to get to OP: SHINING LIGHT in May, but unless the OPFOR places are full I plan on going full-on terrorist...

I would like to take part in events which are not so military oriented though. There are plenty of scenarios, although not being a gamer I haven't a clue about the story lines which spring from those. I'm sure that a quick outline is all that's necessary though: my imagination works just fine when I'm reading so I have no doubt that I don't have to actually see some particular graphics to get it. Of course there are films too. Someone mentioned The Book Of Eli t'other day - not my fav post apocalyptic film by a long chalk, but if anyone fancies getting their gun off to 'save' t'bibble, I'll be just as happy to try my best to see the 'last' copy in flames, muahahaha... Babylon A.D. I would love... and, camp as it may be, Mad Max 2. Predators maybe... or perhaps Predator 2 - (cops vs drug dealers) vs some massive guy in a predator costume with say 5 hits/life or something... Maybe something based on William Gibson's books. Actually, I'd be well happy with military scenarios based on stuff which never happened, for eg WW3 starts in Europe and, for some bizarre reason known only to a demented Soviet General Staff, the Soviets parachute into the UK.

I do feel slightly uncomfortable with some of the people I meet dressed in current uniforms. I know damn well that they have a very unsophisticated view of current conflicts and that dressing that way to airsoft is a form of realising a pretty sketchy fantasy, which in itself entrenches their received opinion based views. Not that I'm talking about everyone, or even the majority, of people I meet in MC/MTP, nor am I saying that an unsophisticated viewpoint indicates those I do mean are totally deluded: it's politics, a very deep and twisty rabbit hole indeed :lol: and even if I could press a button and rid the world of Rupert Murdoch, that would not get rid of the political function he serves, nor the opinions which spring from that function. Still, maybe that could be a scenario...

[cue gravelly voice] In a world driven to the point of collapse by greed... when fresh food is a luxury only the corporate saleried can afford... and Coca Cola Shakes are the only sustenance available to most... drugs are more illegal than ever and used habitually by all sections of society... law and order the province of security corporations who are also responsible for collecting the taxes which are needed to pay for their services... bla bla bla... a group of misfits, thrown together by desperate circumstances, bonded by hatred, set out for revenge... if you only see one action adventure film this winter, make sure it's

Stake Murdoch's Heart​

 

[Fumps]

I would love to do something with multiple sides (More like 4 different teams/gangs fighting over various areas) and each skirmish will effect the next scenario. Almost like an ongoing campaign/storyline.

In these different skirmishes other teams could join in for certain games that change the whole dynamic (For example put the 4 gangs in a position where they have to fight together to survive). But all these changes happen during a skirmish so the players have to adapt to changing circumstances on the hop.

I'm guessing this could be described as a narrative skirmish based game.

 

[jcheeseright]

I think you'd struggle to find someone abhorrent enough to play Rupert Murdoch, not unless you sprung Ian Huntley from prison and handed him a copy of the Sun.

Before anyone starts, I am aware that the comparison above may be deeply offensive to some members of society and would like to extend an apology to all child rapist/murderers for comparing them to Rupert Murdoch.

 

[bornleverpuller]

I'd like to be the lad to kill Kelvin McKenzie in Ian's film.

That training sounds great Ian is this something they are putting on regularly?

 

[Fumps]

I think I'm looking for by doing this is a midway point between fantasy & reality. I'm wanting to think on my feet & react to fast changing situations that is out of your normal remit in the real world, in a way stepping out of my comfort zone.

Its a game based in the military vain but I think it has the potential for so much more. I mean giving a narrative to a skirmish does not have to be over complicated, all it needs is a sense of excitement & fun by giving a reason for the skirmish.

I used to play a table top skirmish game (many years ago now)& the best scenario that we invented was a basic game played with three or four sides or units all with slightly different objectives to carry out & wasys to stop the other teams.
And during the game things would change so you had to change & adapt to these things. You were constantly having to rethink stratergies. I'd love to adapt this idea to a live action environment.

I need to have dig out of my old books.

Please ignore my crap spelling I have a combination of dyslexia & Corona

 

[Ian_Gere]

I'd like to be the lad to kill Kelvin McKenzie in Ian's film.

That training sounds great Ian is this something they are putting on regularly?

They've done it once before so it's still evolving, but I think the intention is to do it as often as there are people who want to learn (min 4 / max 12). Thing is it's 4 days, big Sundays for 4 months, so unless you can get say 4-5 people together to join this class, and get Chippins, Mark & Aiden (the other 3 in the class with me) to agree to redo day 1 with you, you'll have to wait until March. I'd be ok with redoing day 1 - I'll just sit at the back during the lecture bits and flick peanuts at the back of your head

 

[Ian_Gere]

There's a storyline to this event.

 

[Nickona]

Filmsim is a term coined by Gunman. The main difference as far as I know is that there's a lot more acting, so for instance when you get hit, you hold the area thats been hit and scream etc

I to want to do a milsim but finding one where dates are good and I can get to are hard.

Gunman do Ops Weekends at Eversley which sound like a good half way. Its more normal skirmish, as in less tight on clothing etc but there are team decided by colour of clothing and a rough story and ammo limits