The need for fitness in Nerf and the importance of teamwork.

Okay, so at wars, most of us aren't exactly marathon runners or commandos; I mean, let's face it, most of us are gamers by nature . This isn't expected, most of us are here to have good time while flingin' some foam around a bit of bushland or field. However, the plight of not being able to run hit me on the anniversary war. As some of you may know, I stupidly dived into a foxhole and sprained my ankle, preventing me doing anymore than a light jog for the rest of the war.
I can tell you now, having the ability to run or sprint is possibly one of the most valuable in a Nerf war, as it allows you to rush in and dodge, or take the flag, or simply vomit darts onto someone from 15ft while they try to reload their BBUMB.
My usual tactic is to "run 'n' gun" with my compystrike, leaving the high ROF to do the dirty work for me while I simply sprint around. With a sprained ankle, I felt decidedly incompetent.

(Just to make it clear, in this article, I'm not trying to condemn a lack of fitness, just encouraging people to realise the benefits of such a thing in Nerf. Obviously, there are more real-life benefits.)

To quote a famous movie, "Rule #1 Cardio."
To really achieve objectives in FFS or even epeen matches, you really do have to run fast! I mean it's just not possible to strut up to the top of the hill to grab the flag, then casually stroll back. The fast, whippy kids are the ones who can run in, grab the flag, then get out again without getting covered in welts from the resident hill snipers. Furthermore, the ghosts in FFS should really have these same skills, they may be good as a deterrent at the flag or spawn, but really, they need to be more mobile, being able to reload whilst running or strafing or moving back to avoid a well-placed titan rocket.

I could go into the benefits of being fit for each class, but really, the bottom line is, not matter how far your blaster shoots, you WILL have to run at some stage. Obviously, the class that suffers most from lack of fitness is the demo, they simply aren't able to do their job effectively if they can't sprint in and take out objectives.
In short, every class benefits from some level of fitness.

The one thing that can assist a lack of fitness in people is their team. Ideally a team-leader will look at the class each person has decided to play and work out where that person can work best, for example, if someone has chosen assault and isn't particularly fit, they can be easily put in as either defence or midfield, holding ground with a longer-range weapon and providing covering fire for people such as the demo or faster assaults. If the medic is far fitter than the others, they can be of a huge advantage to the team as they can rush in and aid the team in holding ground (especially important in KOTH.) However, what you play and how you play it should be determined by how fit you are. I don't say this to exclude people, but if you have trouble running for a whole round without dying immediately after, don't choose to be a demo. Again the thing of teamwork comes into this, a good team will work together to bolster the strengths of the other players and lessen the weaknesses, whether this be by revising load out choices or by a particularly good player aiding the others.

This idea of teamwork needs to be reinforced, one issue I've noticed this the lack of consolidated efforts in general. When assaulting the hill in KOTH or even taking the flag in CTF, people need to attack in numbers and fast. Although it has been done, sending one person to get the flag while the others sit around and snipe is not effective. However, if you were to attack the enemy base with, say, half the team, there would be a far better statistical chance of actually achieving something.

Fitness and teamwork are but two possible areas that I see us as a community needing to work on. They are not the end-all factor in Nerf wars, but they definitely play a major part in them. Having just one of these key areas under control will not only give you and your team an advantage over others in wars, but also in life.

What you say is true, BFG. Fitness is key for Nerf. But shying away from certain roles because of your lack of fitness isn't the way to go about it. How I see it, Nerf is an opportunity to boost your fitness a little (once we get the wars going regularly enough). Don't be discouraged if you're a big boy, there's just more of you to enjoy the nerfs

Teamwork is a key element, which has often gone ignored in our time warring. In epeen, it's fair enough. There are no real opportunities for teamwork other than rushing together. But in FF:S, there are plenty of scenarios and synergies (lol) between the classes. For the moment, I believe it's because people are still adjusting to the game. I'm hoping the Foam Fortress training day will help with developing the teamwork and tactics that FF:S has the potential to generate.

BFG wrote: I mean it's just not possible to strut up to the top of the hill to grab the flag, then casually stroll back.

It is if you KILL EVERYTHING ON THE HILL FIRST RAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARGH!!!!

*ahem*


Not everyone can be cool like me though, so take BFG's words to heart

I agree with this, fitness plays an important part for NERF. Unfortunately for me, I suffer from mild asthma. While I'm able to sprint fast and for a considerable amount of time, it takes me longer to recuperate and catch my breath afterwards. While I asthma does inconvenient me, I make sure it doesn't hinder me in my activities.

As for teamwork, I believe that players will become more accustomed as they continue warring. Like with the anniversary war, that was my first war I had played and was not quite used to playing medic though I believe I did pretty well during the fortress game.

Ok, I realise now I was a little scathing :S I should probably reiterate; they aren't the end-all factors, but definitely ones to consider.

Also, manwithatophat, you did exceptionally well at medic.