Methods of play

Military Simulation

"MilSim", short for Military Simulation, generally combines airsoft play with some military live-action role-playing elements. This type of play may be considered "hardcore" by many players because of the amount of roleplaying required. Several goals or missions may be assigned to each team, along with a basic load-out (i.e., supply) of ammunition, rations and radios.

A key element is that you cannot shoot as fast as you may want to in Military Simulation games is the use of low-capacity magazines, replicating the actual magazine capacity of the authentic firearm the airsoft gun is replicating. Examples of these include the 30 round STANAG magazines of the M4, M16, Type 89, SCAR-L, and several others.

Teams will remain in the field for the duration of play, only returning to a staging area or "safe zone" for medical emergencies and for other special circumstances. Military simulation games often last several days. For example, the large Berget annual event in Sweden lasts for six days with no breaks. In large scale Military Simulation operations, the players often use vehicles such as painted vans and trucks. In some cases, such as Operation Irene (an annual Military Simulation held in the Midwest U.S.), real APCs and tanks are used. Such large scale events can take place in MOUT (Military Operations in Urban Terrain) facilities.

True Military Simulation requires players to adhere to an agreed level of uniform authenticity and to play as part of a team.

Open Days

Also known as pickup games or skirmishes, among other names. This is the more common form of airsoft. These games are considerably less strict with their rules and restrictions and therefore is the style of play for most players and a common event even for MilSim players. Realism may be broken in this style of play with things like high-capacity magazines, clothing that doesn't match with any nation's (or non-military style dress), and lax rules to name a few examples. Occasionally, teams may use specific uniforms on either side, but usually players dress in a variety of military or paramilitary clothing to their liking.

Skirmishes are often structured as multiple short to mid length games containing various different scenarios, including capture the flag and attrition style games, deathmatches or simplified CQB games and many others. Other skirmishes can run for the entirety of the game day, playing out like a much shorter MilSim Event, including full game plans with objectives, from anything as simple as capturing a certain location, to something as complex as collecting parts of a bomb from around the Skirmish Site, assembling them, and then planting the assembled bomb in the enemy forces base.

Live Action Role Playing

Live action roleplaying groups games in modern or science fiction settings sometimes use airsoft weapons to simulate firearms. Similar to military simulations but with more emphasis on the theatrical aspects and not necessarily set in a war zone, these games often have more complex rules for airsoft combat, including rules for armor, unrealistic enhancements or supernatural abilities.

These games can be seen as a modernized version of the popular fantasy boffer LARP. Popular genres include cyberpunk, post-apocalyptic and zombie horror.

Venues

There are many airsoft sites worldwide. These can vary from woodlands and dense forests, to industrial facilities to Military camps and training areas, and other more specialised locations like shopping malls.

Honor system

Airsoft play employs an honor system whereby the players rely on each others' honesty to admit to being hit, because unlike paintballs, airsoft pellets do not leave visible marks on clothing.

The effect of a marking bb on the honor system is an addition to the game but does not remove "honor" from the game as it still remains with the player to choose whether or not to call his or her hits. Instead, it simply allows for verification when the need arises. For instance, depending on the muzzle velocity of the gun and distance from the shooter, the targeted player may not feel the impact.

Players are discouraged from calling out hits on an opponent - instead players are expected to signal a marshal to judge how effectively they have hit their opponent. Simulated 'knife kills' can, at the venue's discretion, be recognized when a player touches or taps an unaware opponent. This prevents the player being forced to shoot him or her at point-blank range. Some sites will allow players to use training knives made out of rubber, plastic or occasionally non-bladed metal to perform a 'knife kill' as long as they do not use violent stabbing or cutting movements. Similarly, a 'courtesy kill' occurs when a player refrains from shooting an opponent at close range while enforcing that opponent's surrender, instead of risking injury. Players are usually prohibited from blindfiring when not able to see their target, especially around corners. In some instances, players do not call out hits they have sustained as a result of this "blind fire". Players are expected to avoid the shooting of an opponent who has already admitted to being hit. Harsh language and forceful physical contact between players is strongly discouraged and even penalized. Players are expected to resolve disputes politely.

All airsoft players are expected to acknowledge being hit, even if they are in doubt, by shouting "HIT!" loudly, and raising their hand or gun high and/or displaying a 'hit indicator' or dead rag while walking back to the safe zone. Paintball style "speedball" games may include hit markers. A hit indicator can be either a bright-colored cloth during daytime or a blinker, glow stick or mini-flashlight when playing in dim light or darkness.