Frequently Asked Questions:	Print

Q: Is there a password?
A: Yes. "Conquest" is the magic word. When you pull in tell the parking person you want to go "Conquest". They will point you up the road.

Q: What do I need to know about new CONQUEST?
A: NEW CONQUEST is located on the same property as Paintball USA/Close Encounters. We are SEPERATE businesses. This is a first for paintball but each of us has very different fields and we should both do well. PB USA has the lower lot where you drive in. A dirt and gravel road leads up to a MASSIVE plateau. That's us. We've already built 7 fields. Lots of pictures are coming. A few are up now in the pictures section.

Q: Do you have Walkons?
A: YES

Q: Are the old staff coming back?
A: Mostly, yes. Todd will be running the booth. Calais will be working part time. Rosa is back, hopefully full time. Your favorite bilingual walkon ref Mondo is back. Little Joe is back. Gerry and Roger will be working part time. Mitch will be there part time as well. JB should be working behind the scenes to make Todd look good. We're working on bring Lillie back. We haven't see her on the cover of People yet so we might yet get her back. New staff includes my two new partners, Craigy and Diamond. In fact, the only one you won't be seeing is Jon. Jon is now a full time student at Art Center. Get your pics taken now before he's famous.

Q: Barrel Sleeves
A:Barrel sleeves are required. Barrel plugs are not allowed by insurance. We loan or sell sleeves.

Q: COUPONS!
A: Coupons! Conquest does not take coupons. HOWEVER, on the lower level, Paintball USA/Close Encounters DOES take coupons.

Q: What is Paintball?
A: Over 40 countries around the globe participate in the sport of paintball. It is one of the most diverse sports and is played by men and women of all ages and life-styles. Paintball is a sport where women and men compete on equal ground. Youth may not always triumph. Quick wits go pretty far as well as determination. Paintball is a hybrid sport of chess, tag, and hide-n-seek, but far more challenging then you could imagine.

Q: What kind of games are there?
A: There are many different variations on the game, but usually, a group of players will divide into two teams to play "Capture the Flag" or “Elimination”. There are 8 - 14 games played during the day. Referees on the playing field enforce rules and monitor the safety of the players.

The object of Elimination is to eliminate every player on the other team in the time allotted. A player is eliminated when he or she has a paint mark larger than a quarter on their person caused from a paintball strike. Games can last from 10 to 20 minutes but time will vary depending on the field and may not be timed at all. If they are not timed the game is over when all players from one side have been eliminated.

The object of the Capture the Flag is to capture the other team's flag while defending your own flag. Again players are eliminated with a paint mark to the body larger than quarter size. Games usually have a 20-minute time limit.  The game is won when one side grabs the flag and runs it to the correct station.

Q: Does it hurt?
A: Depending on where you get hit and how close you are standing to your opponent, a paintball may sting or you might not feel it at all. At close range, on bare skin or tight clothing, a paintball can cause a welt. The sting lasts momentarily. Overall, it’s not that bad. Actually, knowing it can sting a bit adds excitement to the game.

Q: Will I get shot a lot?
A: Probably not. Most beginning players will tend to hang back and play defense. It’s the Rambo wannabes that charge the enemy base and get “lit up”.

Q: What if you don't know if you are out?
A: Check yourself. Feel for paint where the ball hit you. Ask a buddy to check you. Call a ref to check you. However you check, CHECK before you continue aggressive play. Take cover or retreat, and get checked before playing on.

Q: What are paintballs made of?
A: The paintball is one of the most important items in the game. You will especially appreciate them if you ever run out on the field during a game. The paintball is a penny size gelatin sphere capsule with colored vegetable oil inside. The gelatin is similar to medical capsules or bath oil beads. The liquid is non-toxic, non-caustic, water-soluble and biodegradable. It is non-staining for the most part and should rinse out of clothing and off skin with soap and water. When the paintball hits a player, the gelatin ball opens and the liquid leaves a paint mark. Players who are marked are eliminated from that game.

Q: What is a marker?
A: The Paintball marker or guns can be rented at the field or purchased from one of the many paintball stores. Paint markers come in many different brands and styles. There are small stock pistols and rifle-like guns. The guns can be pump-action, semi-action and even full auto. Paintball guns are powered by 12-gram CO2 cartridges that last 15 or so shots or refillable CO2 cylinders that supply hundreds of shots.

Q: What should I bring?
A: Bring water, a couple of towels, snack food, and plenty of cash. A change of clothes for the ride home isn’t a bad idea either.

Q: What should I wear?
Shoes: The most important thing you will wear is your shoes. Bring something that has traction, ankle support, can get really dirty, and won't hurt your feet! Don't get a new pair of boots on the way to the field unless you bring an ample supply of Band-Aids! If you do get new footwear, wear it at home for several days before you bring it to the field. Also, invest in a pair of socks designed (yes, socks are technological wonders, just like paintball gear!) for sports use. People tend to wear light hiking boots or football cleats. Check with your local store for more info about paintball specific footwear. Alternatives are high top sneakers, but remember, they will get dirty (often very dirty).

Gloves: Wear gloves if you have them. If you don't, buy a cheap pair of brown cotton gardening gloves. You can cut the gloves to allow you to "handle" things better. I would suggest that you cut the top half off of the glove finger that you use to pull the trigger. It wont kill you if you don't have them, but it does hurt getting shot in the knuckles!

Hats: A lot of people wear hats when they play. It keeps the paint splatter out of your hair and keeps you out of the sun when it is out. Bring one.

Clothing: Cammies, or camouflage, is always a smart thing to wear. The green and brown of the cammies makes it harder for your opponents to see you (you know, they match the color of the trees and stuff). If you don't have cammies, wear something that is dark, comfortable to move in and appropriate for the weather you will be playing in. You will also see guys out there wearing nifty paintball outfits. The nifty outfit just tends to intimidate new players like yourself, but they really aren't necessary. The important thing is to cover everything! Long pants and long sleeves. Go for a couple light layers vs. one heavy one. This minimizes the impact of a paintball.

Remember, you can always take something off, but if you don't bring something, it could lessen your enjoyment. The point out there is to HAVE FUN!

Tips:

• Don’t be late or you’ll miss the morning orientation...you don’t want to be the only one who doesn’t know how to shoot your gun.

• Don’t be afraid to shoot or be shot!

• It’s ok to play aggressive, as long as you play safe!

• Always use a barrel plug when off the field.

NEVER TAKE OFF YOUR GOGGLES!
Paintball is a very safe sport. The only way to get seriously injured from a paintball is to get hit in the eye. So, only remove your goggles when you are in the designated safe area. Only wear goggles and face protection made for paintball. If you are having a problem on the field (fogging, paint or other stuff obstructing your vision) CALL FOR A REF! They will help you! NEVER TAKE OFF YOUR GOGGLES while you could get shot!! There is NO reason to break this rule.