Airsoft is a lot of fun, but it can also be pretty challenging. There are countless game modes and ideas that can be used to change things up and keep the game interesting. Each airsoft game offers its own set of unique challenges and opportunities
In this article, we will discuss 27 of the best airsoft game modes. Whether you are looking for something new to try or just want some inspiration, you’re sure to find something here!
1. Team Deathmatch
The classic game mode that most people are familiar with. Team Deathmatch is also one of the most straightforward and simple airsoft game types out there.
In a team deathmatch, two teams face off against each other with the objective of gathering the most “kills” by the end of the game. In order to score a “kill”, a player must completely eliminate an opponent hitting them in their vital areas, or forcing them to surrender. When a person is hit he returns to the respawn point. The team with the most kills at the end of the game wins.
This is a fast-paced and action-packed game mode that is perfect for beginners and for those who want to get right into the thick of things.
2. Capture the Flag
Capture the flag is another classic game mode that has been around for ages. The objective of the game is pretty self-explanatory – each team must capture the other team’s flag and return it to their own base.
There are two different types of capture the flag, one is called “live flag” and the other “dead flag”. In a live flag airsoft match when the flag carrier gets hit, he can drop the flag on the ground and another player can pick it up and continue running. In dead flag, when the carrier is hit, he must return the flag to his own base before anyone else can pick it up.
This game mode is a great test of strategy and teamwork as each team must not only offensively capture the other team’s flag, but they must also defend their own.
3. King of the Hill
King of the hill is somewhat similar to capture the flag. In king of the hill, the airsoft group is divided into two groups again. One smaller group (about 1/3 of the players) and well… the rest.
The smaller group’s objective is to barricade themselves on a hill or an open area and defend their position and their flag, while the larger group’s objective is to take the hill and capture the flag. The team that is closest to the flag at the end of the game wins.
This game mode can be quite interesting as it changes up the dynamic of a classic game mode like capture the flag, while also providing an opportunity for the smaller group to make a comeback if they are able to hold their ground.
4. Ambush
In ambush, the objective is for one team to make it from point A to point B without being killed. The other team’s objective is to, well… kill them all. It mimics the real-life scenario of a military ambush.
This airsoft game mode usually has a restriction for weapons allowed and the ambushing team will have to use airsoft snipers while the “infantry” (other guys) can use whatever types of airsoft guns. The game mode is over when all the ambushers are killed or when the infantry team makes it to the other side.
This game mode can be quite exciting as it provides an opportunity for players to use different weapons and strategies than they are used to. It is also a great test of coordination and communication between teammates.
5. Free for All / Skirmish
A free for all (skirmish, battle royale) is exactly what it sounds like. It is every man for himself and there are no teams like in other airsoft game modes. The objective is simply to get the most kills by the end of the game or to be the last person standing.
Players can choose to team up if they want, but it is not necessary to do so. This game mode is great for players who like to be in the thick of things and who enjoy a good challenge.
This can be quite a chaotic and hectic game mode as players are running around everywhere trying to shoot each other. It is not for the faint of heart and it is definitely not recommended for beginners.
6. High-Value Target (HVT)
In high-value target, one player is chosen to be the “high-value target”. The objective of the game is well to eliminate that player!
There are two ways this airsoft game type can be played. One way is to choose an HVT and give him an escort/ protective team and then divide the rest of the airsoft group into 2 teams, who will have to hunt that HVT down.
The other way is to divide the group in two and have the HVT be in one of those groups.
This game mode can be quite exciting as players have to use different strategies and tactics than they are used to. It is also a great test of coordination and communication between teammates.
7. Hostage Rescue
In hostage rescue, the objective is for one team to rescue a “hostage” or “hostages” while the other team tries to stop them. The game is over when the hostage is safely rescued or when the timer runs out.
At the beginning of the game, the hostage(s) is/are placed in a room or an area, and the teams are divided into two groups, an attacking team, and a defending team. The attacking team’s objective is to rescue the hostage while the defending team tries to stop them.
The game can be quite exciting as it requires players to use different strategies and tactics than they are used to. It is also a great test of coordination and communication between teammates.
8. Plant the Bomb
In Plant the Bomb or just Bomb (sometimes also referred to as search and destroy), the objective is for one team to plant a bomb at a certain location (like the other team’s camp) while the other team tries to stop them.
When the team plants the bomb the other team will have to “defuse it” before the time runs out. The game is over when the bomb explodes or when the planting team is killed (stopped).
There are of course many different variations of this game type, but the basic premise is always the same.
9. Find and Recover
Find and recover can be played in two ways. In the first way, two teams will be fighting over finding and recovering certain objects that are placed throughout the airsoft field. The team that finds and recovers the most objects by the end of the game wins.
In a second way, one team will be trying to find and recover certain objects while the other team tries to stop them. The game is over when the timer runs out or when the team has found and recovered all of the objects.
It’s a fun game type that can be played with a lot of different variations.
10. Alien
In this game type, one team is “the aliens” and the other team is “the humans”. Now here is the kicker, at the start of the airsoft game there is only 1 alien and the rest are humans. As the game progresses more and more humans will “turn” into aliens. How you may ask? Well, whenever an alien shoots a “human” that human will turn into an alien.
The objective of the game is for the aliens to turn all of the humans into aliens or for the humans to eliminate all of the aliens. The game is over when one team has been eliminated or when the timer runs out.
It’s a really interesting and a bit out-of-the-box game type that can be quite fun to play.
11. Wingmen
In this airsoft game type, there are two groups, one group is “the wingmen” and the rest are “hunters”. The “wingmen” group consists of two players and the objective of the game is for them to survive as long as possible while the “hunters” try to eliminate them.
The game is over when the timer runs out or when all of the wingmen have been eliminated. This game mode is more meant as a way to train your shooting and movement skills.
But it can still be quite fun, especially if you make it more difficult by adding more hunters or making the playing area smaller.
Also, an often-used rule here is that the “hunters” shouldn’t try to be stealthy and they should try to make more “noise” than usual in order to level the playing field a bit between the two opposing teams.
12. Zombie
Zombie is a cool and a bit different game mode that is gaining in popularity. It’s quite similar to Alien and it can be played in many different ways.
In this airsoft game type, one team is “the zombies” and the other team is “the humans”. There are usually 4 humans per 1 zombie at the start of the game.
Zombies usually can take up to 3 shots or a headshot before they go down and zombies usually don’t have guns. They just need to touch the opposing team player to incapacitate them.
The objective of the game is for the humans to eliminate all of the zombies or find cures (objects) and bring them back to their base. The game is over when one team has been eliminated or when the timer runs out.
The game can also have an “infect” element, where if a human is touched by a zombie they will turn into a zombie after a certain amount of time has passed.
13. Sniper
Sniper, also known as hide and seek, is a game type where one player (the sniper) hides and the other team seeks. The ratio between hiders and seekers is usually 1:10.
The hider is equipped with an airsoft sniper rifle and he/she gets a two-minute head start to find a good hiding spot. The sniper can of course move around the area as well.
The objective of the game is for the seekers to find and eliminate the sniper or for the sniper to eliminate all of the seekers. The game is over when one team has been eliminated or when the timer runs out.
This game type is quite popular because it’s a great way to train your sniping skills. Also, its a great airsoft game type for small groups. It can also be quite fun, especially if the hider is good at hiding.
14. Fortress
Fortress or fortress defense is a game type where one team is on the offensive and the other team is on the defensive. The objective of the game is for the defensive team to defend a fort or a base while the offensive team tries to capture it.
The game is over when the timer runs out or when one team has been eliminated. This game mode is quite popular because it’s a great way to train your teamwork skills.
It can also be quite fun and challenging, especially if the fort is well-defended.
15. Medic
In this airsoft game type, there is one player on each team who is the “medic”. The medic has the ability to cure/review players that get hit. There is usually no respawning allowed in this game mode so the role of the medic player is quite important. Usually, there is a single medic for every 10 people in both teams.
The objective of the game is for one team to eliminate the other team and the game is over when one team has been eliminated or when the timer runs out.
This game type is quite popular because it’s a great way to train your teamwork skills. It can also be quite fun, especially if you’re the medic and you get to save your teammates!
16. Manhunt
The manhunt is one of the most unique airsoft games to play. It’s a game type where one team is “the hunted or prey” and the other team is “the hunters”. The objective of the game is for the hunted team to reach a certain point on the map or to eliminate all of the hunters. There can be a single prey or multiple ones. And they usually don’t have weapons.
The game is over when the prey is eliminated or when they reach their destination (aka safe zone). The hunter who hits the prey wins!
This game mode is quite popular because it’s a great way to train your teamwork skills. It can also be quite fun, especially if you’re the prey and you manage to escape the hunters!
17. MilSim
MilSim actually isn’t an airsoft game mode rather it’s a separate style of airsoft altogether.
MilSim stands for “military simulation”. It’s a style of airsoft where players try to simulate military operations as realistically as possible. This includes using authentic military gear, tactics, and procedures.
Players in MilSim airsoft events usually form squads and teams just like in the military. They also use radio communications and sometimes even GPS units. Everything is done in a very realistic and authentic manner.
MilSim is a great way to experience airsoft in a very realistic and authentic way. It’s also a great way to train your teamwork skills or even hone your real-life tactical skills.
18. Speedsoft
Just like MilSim, Speedsoft is also its own style of airsoft rather than a game mode.
Speedsoft is the complete opposite of MilSim. It’s a style of airsoft that focuses on speed and agility rather than realism. Players in Speedsoft use lightweight clothing and gear so they can move around quickly and easily. They also use lightweight airsoft guns that are easy to maneuver.
Speedsoft is a great way to experience airsoft in a very fast-paced and action-packed way. It’s also a great way to train your speed and agility.
19. Murder
Murder, also known as betrayal, is an airsoft game type where two players are selected to be the “murderers or traitors”. The murderers have to kill all of the other players without being caught. Also, one player is selected to be a detective who has to find out who the murderers are. The rest of the players are the “innocents” or “victims”.
The game is over when all of the players are killed or when the murderers are caught.
This game mode can be quite challenging and fun, especially if you’re a murderer or detective. It’s also a great way to train your teamwork skills.
20. Close-Quarter Combat
Close-Quarter Combat (CQB) is a game type where players have to engage in combat at close range. This is usually done inside buildings or other close-quarters areas. The objective of the game is to eliminate the other team or to capture a certain objective.
Players must use short-range airsoft guns such as airsoft pistols, submachine guns, and shotguns in order to be effective in CQB. They also need to use appropriate tactics such as room-clearing in order to be successful.
CQB is a great way to experience airsoft in a very close and intimate setting. It’s also a great way to train your close-quarters combat skills.
21. Demolition
In demolition, there are two airsoft teams with their own bases. One team starts in each base. The objective of the game is for one team to destroy the other team’s base by planting a bomb in it.
The bomb is initially planted in the middle of the airsoft field. One team has to take the bomb to the other team’s base and plant it there. The game is over when one team destroys the other team’s base by placing the bomb there.
The bomb has to be placed in the base for a set time before it “explodes”. When a player from the opposing team touches it they diffuse it and can then take it to the other base
22. VIP
VIP also called the president is a fun airsoft game mode where one player is chosen to be the VIP. The objective of the game is for the VIP to reach a certain point on the airsoft field.
The other players are then divided into two groups, the bodyguards and the assassins. The bodyguards have to protect the VIP and escort him to the objective while the assassins have to try to kill the VIP.
The game is over when either the VIP reaches the objective or when the VIP is killed.
23. Scavenger Hunt
A scavenger hunt is a game mode where players have to collect certain items on the airsoft field and bring them back to their team’s base. The first team to collect all of the items and bring them back to the base wins the game.
Each team is then given a list of items that they have to find. The items are usually spread out all over the airsoft field. Teams can “kill” other players in order to take their items.
The game is over when one team has collected all of the items and brought them back to the base.
A scavenger hunt is a great way to explore the airsoft field and find new hiding spots. It’s also a great way to train your navigation skills.
24. Prison Break
Prison break is a game mode where one team is the prisoners and the other team is the guards. The objective of the game is for the prisoners to escape to a certain location or point.
The prisoners are usually given a head start before the game starts. They then have to make their way to the objective while avoiding the guards and surviving. Prisoners are usually equipped with airsoft pistols while the guards have airsoft rifles.
The game is over when either all of the prisoners are eliminated or when the prisoners reach the objective.
Prison break is a great game mode for players who want to put their navigation and survival skills to the test.
25. Save One Bullet
In save one bullet, there are two airsoft teams, one team is the defending side and the other one is the attacking side.
Defending players are only allowed to carry one airsoft gun and one magazine. This means that they have to make every shot count.
This airsoft game is usually played similarly to fortress where the defending side has to defend a base or objective from the attacking side.
The game is over when the attacking team has captured the base or when the defending team runs out of ammo and can no longer defend the objective.
Save one bullet is a great game mode for players who want to test their marksmanship and gun-handling skills.
26. Survival
Survival is another airsoft game type that is very similar to a fortress where teams have to defend a base or objective from the other team. The difference is that there are no respawns in survival for the defending team. Once a player is hit, they are out for the rest of the game.
However, the attacking team does have respawns. But they usually can’t use airsoft rifle or other heavy weapons. This makes the game mode more challenging for the attacking team.
The game is over when either the defending team has been eliminated or when the attacking team captures the base or objective.
27. Rambo
Rambo is a game mode where one player is chosen to be Rambo. The objective of the game is for Rambo to eliminate all of the other players on the airsoft field.
Rambo is usually given a head start before the game starts. He then has to make his way around the airsoft field and eliminate all of the other players. Also, there are no respawns in this game mode. So once a player is hit, they are out for the rest of the game.
The game is over when either Rambo is eliminated or when he has eliminated all of the other players on the airsoft field.
Rambo is a great way to really test your skills and take on a hard challenge!
FAQ About Airsoft Game Types
In Conclusion
Airsoft game types are a great way to add excitement and challenge to your airsoft experience. These are just some of the different game modes that you can try. There are many more game modes out there with a million different variations for you to try with your friends.
