| Nightsoft, a night-time airsoft skirmish, is an excellent | | | | to locate something you have dropped; just make sure |
| way to change up your airsoft play to add a new | | | | you don't give your position away! |
| degree of excitement and challenge to the sport. It you | | | | - Identify the teams. Use glow-in-the-dark tape on the |
| live in warmer climates, it is also a great alternative to | | | | upper shoulder/arm to identify team members. One |
| playing in the summer heat. Here are a few tips for | | | | team might be three lines in a row, while the other is a |
| planning a successful nightsoft skirmish. | | | | triangle... or any symbols that are easy to tell apart. |
| - Integrity matters even more in the dark. Choose your | | | | - Keep the game structured. Night games can become |
| teammates and fellow skirmishers wisely. If you think | | | | chaotic, so have a very clear goal for each team. |
| people cheat in daylight, wait until you get them in the | | | | Capture the flag, for example, is an excellent nightsoft |
| dark! | | | | game. Make sure team members also have clear role |
| - Take a break to prepare for nightfall. If your switching | | | | with objectives as well. Clear strategies will help |
| from day play into nightsoft, it is best to have an official | | | | prevent the game from deteriorating into run-and-gun |
| break to make sure everyone is ready for the | | | | chaos. |
| transition. This will give you an opportunity to recap | | | | - Protect yourself from injury. Because of limited |
| night-play rules and to get your gear situated. If you | | | | visibility, you are much more likely to get hurt when |
| misplace gear in the darkness, it is likely lost for good, | | | | playing at night. The most popular injury I have seen is |
| so it's worth taking the time to make sure everything is | | | | twisted or sprain ankles. Running shoes won't cut it. I |
| secured. | | | | recommend water-proof military/combat boots, which |
| - Determine how you will navigate the darkness. Night | | | | will provide extra support for your ankles. |
| vision goggles, though expensive, are an awesome | | | | - Dress for night temperatures. If you are in cold |
| way to enhance the sport. (Go Gen1 if you can afford | | | | climate, be sure to come prepared with several layers |
| it.) If going night-vision free, you need to some sort of | | | | of clothing. You may be lying close to the ground for |
| lighting device on hand in case of emergency. This | | | | long periods of time which can get quite cold. In some |
| could be a formal lighted scope added to your airsoft | | | | climates, warm summer nights are perfect and require |
| AEG, or a simple handheld LED. These lights can also | | | | little modification, in others, you're better off with long |
| help when doing a quick surveying of the area or trying | | | | johns, ear warmers and wool socks. |