Aces High Bulletin Board
General Forums => The O' Club => Topic started by: shotgunneeley on February 20, 2011, 08:31:50 PM
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Anybody planning on traveling to Wyandotte, OK, home of the world's largest scenario paintball game this June? I was there back in 2009 with the Allied 1st division "big red 1", not sure yet what I want to join this year. Had a lot of fun there, I'll post a write-up I did about my experience there when I get on my computer.
www.ddayadventurepark.com
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I hope things have changed ALOT from when I was there 9 years ago. We ended up packing up after the middle of the second day when we had the Allies boxed in on the road out of one of thier bases. Our German General came up cussing at all of us telling us we were a bunch of p*****S and to pull back with our tank (we took out 2 of thier tanks while holding that position). So instead of them flanking around on us they had thier commander get a ref to get ours to pull us back. All because they had it scripted for the Allies to win.
The worst thing was not enough refs and only 2 chronos at the chrono area with NOBODY manning them to make sure everyone was not shooting hot.
I haven't been back since nor know of anyone that has, but I suppose since they haven't been shut down, they've gotten thier act together.
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2 chronos for that many people? :huh
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Back in 2002, yes.
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Went to a 24 hour scenario in Houston back around that time. I got my fill of bs rather quickly and never went to another.
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Viper used to do some big games around Texas a few years ago. He ran them pretty well.
The best run big games I ever played were done by Black Cat productions. Spiro (the guy who ran them) always went around to meet everyone that was there and make sure they were having a good time. He stayed on top of everything.
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Ive always wanted to go to a big paintball gathering, but never have gotten enough people willing to pay for gas. :uhoh
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Viper used to do some big games around Texas a few years ago. He ran them pretty well.
The best run big games I ever played were done by Black Cat productions. Spiro (the guy who ran them) always went around to meet everyone that was there and make sure they were having a good time. He stayed on top of everything.
Viper was the one. It was very lacking in areas to be polite about it.All the missions were handed out 5 minutes in the scenario to local teams, getting sent out as cannon fodder so locals with missions would have a distraction. The worst though having some 20 year old punk ref start in on me because he misinterpreted a conversation he was eavesdropping on from the other side of the screen while he was supposed to be watching the damn game. He popped off to me and I retorted .He got to screaming about how I'll be banned for life and escorted off the property, etc. It then progressed to how I was lucky to be on the other side of the screen from him or the bellybutton whoopin' would commence. I made my way around to test the luck theory. He suddenly had no recollection of that part of it but I was labled an unhinged maniac and half the place thought I was part of the Manson Family by the time I got back to my trailer. Overpriced paint, ripped off on the missions, fights with inbreds, plus I got to stay in beautiful Houston roach motel. Good times indeed.
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Yeah, there are still plenty of ways to get frustrated and agitated out there. The games were usually set up where one team attacked up a hill while the opposing force sat on the high ground and defended it. It never failed that my group was always on the attacker's side because they would move us over to the Axis side to balance the teams as needed. I think they had about 10-12 chronographs when I was there. Also, we got a heavy thunderstorm the day before the main D-Day game, so the allies were trying to fight up a rock/mud slip-n-slide while the gerries sat at the top sipping cold brews and popping us in the tops of our heads. I recommend this event to anyone who truly enjoys playing paintball or any extreme sport, but if you're just the casual player and not used to ground-pounding in the summer heat then it can break you down physically and mentally. :bhead
I posted this on Facebook before the 2010 game:
Based on my experience attending D-Day 09, I will share what I have learned about the #1 paintball event in the world. To all of the players who will registering for the first time...prepare to have your face melted.
Equipment:
Obviously, to play paintball you need a marker, mask and air so I wont get to deeply into that. What I do want to talk about is all of the accessories that will make your week of fighting in the woods more enjoyable and less painful. At the top of my list, is a hydration pack. I cannot stress how important it is to stay hydrated when temperature is in the 90's with sweltering humidity. There will be vendors selling 2 Liter camel backs up there left and right so that wont be a problem to find. Next off are knee pads. You should look into having pads for your other extremities but I found the knee area to be the most critical. The terrain out hear is litered with sharp rocks that will cut you to shreds if your not careful. Regardless of what you might think of Oklahoma, this is boot country. Leave the cleats and tennis shoes at the house, you'll need lace-up leather boots for this outdoor venture. If you'll be camping on site, which i highly recommend for the full experience, you'll need all of your basic camping gear.
Food and Drink:
You already know how important it is to keep your body hydrated with plenty of fluids (water, Gatorade, etc.) don't tank out on soft drinks or you'll be hurting. It is also critical that you eat on a regular basis as well. You'll get hot out there and not feel like eating, but trust me, you must eat a little something so you don't get sick. There will be tons of places to get good food up there, most of it is catered by groups and restaurants (some local, some from afar).
The Game:
Over 4,000 players have attended Oklahoma D-Day in the past several years. That means that the chance of you coming to odds with someone is pretty high. In a large event like this, there will always be the type who run around with their markers thinking that rules and sportsmanship do not apply to them. In a melee like this, you will get bunker balled. Just go a head and accept it. you will get over shot, one way or another, by members of the opposing team. If this happens, try to keep a calm head about you and notify a ref of anyone being a jerk. I had stuff like this happen to me and my squaddies on Omaha beach and believe me it was not pleasant. There will be times that you will get hot and frustrated, there are plenty of dead zones around the battlefield to rest and cool yourself down.
The Site:
It is a wild experience at D-Day Adventure Park and there is always something to do when your not participating in the mini-scenario games. There is a movie tent to cool down in the shade and watch your favorite war flicks. Vendors that have every piece of top of the line paintball gear will be there for your enjoyment. I'm going to say it right now though, the showers/bathrooms stink, literally like foul eggs from the sulfur in the well water. There are two sets of shower houses, last year one was scalding hot and the other was freezing cold: take your pick. In the middle of the complex are two speedball courses to watch pickup games and tournaments between squads. The tents, campers and RVs are on the outer perimeter of the site with all of the vendors and facilities located near the middle.
Cost:
The entrance fee is $75 wether you play for the entire week or just for the big game. As far as paint goes, you buy 500 round tickets for about $15 bucks a pop you can just keep in your billfold. Whenever you need paint, you just go up to the back of the paint trailer where they keep it cool and just turn in the # of tickets for however much paint you need. Only you know how much paint your going to need. As for me, I would go through about half a case for every mini-game and then a full case for the big game for a grand total of about four 2,000 round cases for the entire week. Your air is included in the $75 entrance fee. I'd say meals, depending on who you got it from, varied between $8-12 a meal. The vendors will have just about every piece of paintball/outdoor merchandise you could possibly need or want. You may see something that would really compliment your set up, so save up on your birthday money cause this is the place to spend it.
So lets tally it up (prices vary):
entrance fee: $75
meals (plus snacks and drinks): $10 per meal x 3 meals a day x 7 days = $210
Paint: $60 per case (or $15 per bag) x 4 cases = $240
vendors (spending cash): $100-200
Miscellaneous (camping equipment, gasoline): $300
I'd say, as a grand total with direct and indirect costs applied, your looking at spending close to a thousand bucks. But hey, everyone is different on how they can get by on trips. You'll mail in the $75 entrance fee prior to leaving on the trip, but I'd start off with $500 in your pocket when you leave. If you ever need it, theres a ATM machine in the D-Day Cafe. I don't want to scare anybody off if the prices seem steep, they're really not since you get the ultimate bang for your buck and its completely up to you as to how much side money you'll need.
Get plenty of exercise. Get your body acclimated to the heat and humidity. If you think you can lay up in the air conditioning playing video games and drinking cokes then your going to hurt. Also, since there are plenty of ways to punish your body out there I would suggest that you pack a first aid kit. D-Day provides professional medical treatment on site but it's good to have your own supplies to treat yourself when you need it. D-Day starts in 2 weeks so get your gear ready and have fun out there.
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I would love to do this (I've heard about it for years), especially to get an idea of how to run my paintball business. (Tactical, Realism, Intensive, Paintball - T.R.I.P.).
We use modern weapon paintball markers (M249, M16's, M4s etc.) in a jungle setting with fighting holes, sandbag bunkers etc. Hope to be a big as this one day :)
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Marine, where is your field located?
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x 4 cases
haha 4 cases for a weekend? when I practice I go through 4 cases in 2 hours for a big scenario like D-day you are gonna want to bring at least 1000$ for paint
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Live Oak FL
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haha 4 cases for a weekend? when I practice I go through 4 cases in 2 hours for a big scenario like D-day you are gonna want to bring at least 1000$ for paint
I said from the start that only you know how much paint you're going to need. I was using a semi-auto Tippmann X7 and 4 cases lasted me the entire trip. I play both woodsball and speedball; they're two completely different animals. If your style is to stay low, concealed and take your time on your shots then you're not going to use much paint. On the other hand, if you have an electronic ramping machine and your style is to lay out as much cover fire as possible then, yeah, you're going to blow through some paint. In woodsball, a great way to not get shot is to not be seen so I'd suggest that you use the natural and artificial cover to your advantage. Wear camouflage, but only light and breathable material since the summer heat will cook you. Take your time and move steadily, leapfrog from cover to cover. Use flanking maneuvers and don't stick out, players with light trigger fingers will not become a beacon to the enemy like spray-n-prayer's.
Additionally, if the option is available to you, I'd suggest you bring a rugged, dark-skinned marker rather than a high-dollar, bright fluorescent marker. I have a Tippmann X7, A5 and Shocker NXT e-trigger. I'd go with the Tippmann's and full camo, but there were plenty of guys out there in speedball uniforms and tourney grade markers so take your pick.
P.S. they don't air up your tanks all the way because of the summer heat, so get used to running on much less air. Compressed air has the advantage over CO2 since it can be refilled on the go while still attached to the marker and is room temperature, not freezing cold. Compressed air will handle better over CO2 in the heat.
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I was just being a dink :) I dont use electro's off the tourney field, when im not playing on a speedball field I play Stock class with my phantom, also because I dont like to take any of my Joy division Angels into the woods but alas I have no money to travel for paintball after my trip so I might miss D day this year
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This is essentially a bump, but with Oklahoma D-Day less than a week away I just wanted to see if anybody fromt the AH community will be there. I'll be there Sunday (June 5th) for the entire week until Sunday (June 12) when they finally throw me out. I'll be with the Allied 1st divsion "big red one", shoot me a pm if you'll be joining :x
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Oklahoma D-Day debriefing:
I participated in Oklahoma D-Day 2011 with the Allied Army -> 1st Infantry Division -> Special Operations Group (Heavy Weapons). Overall, I enjoyed this past game much more than my first experience back in 09. I was much more active and involved with my unit this go around. I would get up at 4:30 for PT training with my 6-man squad and would not stop until around midnight each day. By the end of the week, after my group took Omaha Beach and Colleville in record time, I was a complete wreck and 10lbs lighter than when I started. It was much more exhausting and physically demanding this go around because I was more involved with my group since I had gained some experience since 09.
(http://i1124.photobucket.com/albums/l575/shotgunneeley/Oklahoma%20DDay%202011/246851_1846565996916_1023630281_31569188_5110925_n.jpg)
Me under the D-Day entrance sign
(http://i1124.photobucket.com/albums/l575/shotgunneeley/Oklahoma%20DDay%202011/249711_1846568516979_1023630281_31569196_1281987_n.jpg)
More of the Colleville area. This town is located just above and west of Omaha Beach. The allies captured this area and Omaha Beach in less than an hour.
(http://i1124.photobucket.com/albums/l575/shotgunneeley/Oklahoma%20DDay%202011/253492_1846806402926_1023630281_31569360_5932868_n.jpg)
Home Sweet Home for a solid week
(http://i1124.photobucket.com/albums/l575/shotgunneeley/Oklahoma%20DDay%202011/247236_1846568676983_1023630281_31569197_1677147_n.jpg)
4 out of 6 of my 1st ID Special Operations Group posing around our mobile gun/bunker built in less than 3 hours. It was intended to to be left on Omaha Beach, but proved indispensable in defending Colleville from German counterattacks.
(http://i1124.photobucket.com/albums/l575/shotgunneeley/Oklahoma%20DDay%202011/DDay2011Sat_1417.jpg)
A round busts on the plate, and I hurriedly raise my yellow caution flag to signal that he has been hit. German armor patrol this road that runs along the perimeter of Colleville and I want to neutralize him before he can eliminate any of my teammates. To my left is our mobile AT gun, which my unit employed to knock out three German panzers.
(http://i1124.photobucket.com/albums/l575/shotgunneeley/Oklahoma%20DDay%202011/254931_1846806482928_1023630281_31569361_4370187_n.jpg)
The dreaded Omaha Beach. from this perspective, I'm looking at a 45 degree angle up several hundred feet
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Oh to be young again.
I hung up my paint stained BDU's back when most players were still using pump action guns.
The first true semi auto had just come out, Tippman 68 special I believe it was called.
June in Oklahoma is no place I would be running around outdoors.
Should schedule it in October so their players don't puke from heat exhaustion.
Where is Wyandette? Is that in the tick filled woods?
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Oh to be young again.
I hung up my paint stained BDU's back when most players were still using pump action guns.
The first true semi auto had just come out, Tippman 68 special I believe it was called.
June in Oklahoma is no place I would be running around outdoors.
Should schedule it in October so their players don't puke from heat exhaustion.
Where is Wyandette? Is that in the tick filled woods?
Believe it or not, I never had a problem with bugs. Both times that I have gone I only picked one tick and there were no mosquitoes or chiggers to speak of. The worst part about the week is definitely the heat and humidity because there was just no escape from it especially if you slept in a tent. I would go through at least 6 liters of water a day out of my camelback alone.
Wyandotte, OK is about 8 miles from the OK-MO border, near the quad state area shared between Kansas, Missouri, Arkansas and Oklahoma. Its just over a 6 hour drive for me.
There was a guy in my unit that was over 70 years old. I have no idea what became of him or if he even survived the big game but he was out there in full camo and gear. He looked like he was in real good shape, probably an avid runner, but I was still amazed to see him in that kind of environment that seriously tested younger and more athletic guys.
One of the most gratifying parts of the week was Operation Sea Lion (proposed invasion of Great Britian by German forces). It took place on Omaha Beach where the German forces were pouring out of the landing craft and attacking the allies positioned on top of the hill. Since I knew how rough that hill was, I was grinning from ear to evil ear when I saw that the germans were not taking it seriously and some even had the audacity to dress up in nothing but swimming trunks and floaties to have a "beach party". Those poor fools I'm sure are still in the hospital receiving blood. Needless to say, we ruled that hill the entire mini-scenario and didn't allow them to even destroy the sea walls at the base of the hill.