Rules & Requirements

• A current waiver must be on file with the hosting field; this also applies to observers, photographers, and support personnel entering the AO.
• Only biodegradable (BIO) BBs and purpose-built airsoft replicas are permitted. Conventional or converted BB guns and metal-BB guns are prohibited.
• Full-seal eye protection is strongly encouraged. The PDF references an ANSI rating written as “ANSI 787.1”; verify the intended designation with staff before relying on it.
• Carry a red dead rag with at least 50 square inches of visible material.
• All replicas must pass inspection and chronograph testing (at least three shots); staff may require retesting.
• In staging, holster pistols; remove magazines, clear chambers, and safe other replicas. Do not dry-fire in parking areas. Keep eye protection on in the AO except the designated FOB space.
• Minimum age is 14. Players under 16 must be accompanied throughout the event by a participating legal guardian. Ages 16–17 require a participating guardian or designated adult guardianship transfer as stated in the source. The source also contains a separately worded notarized release requirement for players “older than 16” when no guardian is present; confirm forms with organizers.

Section 1 of the official 2026 ruleset; consult the complete source and staff for full wording.

• Rule violations can incur faction point deductions or detention through POW gameplay. Safety violations carry greater penalties.
• Staff may privately record player identities for violations. Repeated safety offenses or arguing with staff may lead to removal.

Section 2 of the official 2026 ruleset; consult the complete source and staff for full wording.

• If eye protection is lost, call “Blind Man,” cover your face and keep your head down.
• Everyone echoes “Blind Man,” stops play, unloads/clears and safes replicas, and remains in place until staff gives the all-clear and game-on command.

Section 3 of the official 2026 ruleset; consult the complete source and staff for full wording.

• Approved faction uniform patterns are required unless staff announces an exception. Tops must cover at least as much as a T-shirt; pants are mandatory (no shorts or tank tops).
• Headgear and face coverings must meet faction colors. Tactical gear colors are unrestricted. Ghillie suits must match faction green or tan.
• Red shirts are reserved for staff, photographers and observers. Observers must be visually distinct from combatants.
• Weather exceptions may be announced, but clothing should still reflect faction colors.

Section 4 of the official 2026 ruleset; consult the complete source and staff for full wording.

• ASC / GREEN: Woodland, Desert Night, Multicam Tropic, MARPAT Woodland, Jungle Tiger Stripe, Ranger Green / OD, Pencott Greenzone, Kryptek Mandrake, A-TACS FG.
• PCF / TAN: Multicam OCP, Multicam Arid, MARPAT/AOR1, Desert MARPAT, Chocolate Chip / 3-Color Desert, 6-Color Desert, Kryptek Highlander, A-TACS AU, Pencott Badlands, Desert Tiger Stripe, Tan.
• Gear colors are unrestricted for either faction. The PDF does not specify a separate Mandate uniform list.

Section 5 of the official 2026 ruleset; consult the complete source and staff for full wording.

• Chronograph tests use 0.20 g BBs with hop-up off; other BB weights may be used during play.
• External air systems must have a tournament lock or equivalent lock on the in-line regulator.

Section 6 of the official 2026 ruleset; consult the complete source and staff for full wording.

• Squads have a maximum of 12 players; leaders oversee class, ammunition, and reload compliance.
• Each faction may have up to four sniper/spotter teams, no more than one per squad, and four EOD specialists, no more than one per squad. Only EOD specialists may disarm or demolish explosive objectives.
• Each squad may field no more than two LMG/SSW weapons. Mandate embedded roles have the source's exception to restricted roles.
• The source PDF lists outdated medic limits in this section (one squad medic per 10 players, and one critical care medic per faction). Event organizers confirm Section 18 supersedes these figures: one squad medic per 5 players and one critical care medic per 30 personnel, per faction. The PDF will be revised separately.

Section 7 of the official 2026 ruleset; consult the complete source and staff for full wording.

• Class 1 / General (including pistols): 400 FPS maximum, 0-foot MED, semi-auto only.
• Class 2 / DMR: class certification required; 16-inch minimum barrel, magnified optic, 450 FPS maximum, 40-foot MED, semi-auto only; carry standard AEG or sidearm for close targets.
• Class 3 / LMG: certification required; qualifying real-world machine-gun model, 450 FPS maximum, 40-foot MED; full auto allowed, burst encouraged; 30 rounds/second maximum. Carry close-range backup. When shooting outward from a ground-floor room, muzzle must extend beyond opening.
• Class 4 / Sniper: bolt/slide-action only, magnified optic required, 550 FPS maximum, 80-foot MED, close-range backup required.
• Class 5 / Shotgun: maximum eight BBs per trigger pull, 350 FPS maximum, 0-foot MED.
• Class 6 / SMG: certification required; qualifying actual SMG type, 350 FPS maximum, 0-foot MED; full auto allowed, burst encouraged; drum magazines prohibited.
• All listed FPS figures use 0.20 g BBs.

Section 8 of the official 2026 ruleset; consult the complete source and staff for full wording.

• Only approved purpose-built rubber-edged training weapons may be used for tap kills; modified real edged weapons are prohibited.
• A tap-kill victim cannot call out to teammates, request a medic, or be revived; return to respawn.

Section 9 of the official 2026 ruleset; consult the complete source and staff for full wording.

• Players may carry no more than six fragmentation-type grenades.
• Magazines may only be reloaded at a Mobile Respawn Point (MRP) or Forward Operating Base (FOB), not during active field play.
• Drum, box and C-Mag magazines are reserved for LMG platforms.

Section 10 of the official 2026 ruleset; consult the complete source and staff for full wording.

• Use is subject to event briefing and weather/fire-risk restrictions. Red smoke is reserved for Hostile Ground staff.
• A detonated grenade affects players within a 20-foot radius without requiring BB impact. Thunder B devices use this radius when they detonate.
• Pneumatic/gas grenades using CO2, green gas, or propane are permitted by the source rules. Smoke devices may not be deployed inside buildings.

Section 11 of the official 2026 ruleset; consult the complete source and staff for full wording.

• The source lists Enola Gaye, TLSFX thermobaric and TAGinn FBG-4, TAG-67, TAG-19, TAG-18, AFG-4 and AFG-6 grenade products.
• Other products require approval, and all use remains subject to weather/fire risk and the event briefing.

Section 12 of the official 2026 ruleset; consult the complete source and staff for full wording.

• Clear-lens full-seal ANSI-rated eye protection, a flashlight, and a red illuminated hit marker are required for low/no-light play.
• Night vision, thermal and similar systems may be used; retention cords are encouraged. Pair operations are encouraged.
• Laser systems must be eye-safe. Never intentionally aim at people's eyes or at aircraft.

Section 13 of the official 2026 ruleset; consult the complete source and staff for full wording.

• Ballistic shields and riot shields are prohibited.

Section 14 of the official 2026 ruleset; consult the complete source and staff for full wording.

• Call your own hits. Report suspected cheating through leadership and staff rather than confronting players.
• Dead players cannot relay tactical information, improve position, or fire.
• No radio jamming or unauthorized enemy-frequency monitoring. No blind firing or using cameras/mirrors to shoot without proper sight/line of sight.
• Bullying, malicious profanity, roughhousing, intimidation and other disrespectful conduct may result in removal.

Section 15 of the official 2026 ruleset; consult the complete source and staff for full wording.

• Captured or eliminated players may be searched in gameplay. The searching player must be within arm's reach and announce the search; surrender game intel items such as intel documents and kill cards.
• If multiple kill cards are carried, only one must be surrendered per search/death. No searches once bleed-out has ended and the player moves to respawn.

Section 16 of the official 2026 ruleset; consult the complete source and staff for full wording.

• Hits to players or worn gear count, including packs. Replica hits do not count as player hits.
• Players stop where hit and wait at least five minutes before choosing to return to FOB, MRP, or active Aid Station. Leaving early may be penalized.

Section 17 of the official 2026 ruleset; consult the complete source and staff for full wording.

• Minimum bleed-out is five minutes without intervention; players may wait longer for treatment.
• Medics use Ares Alpha to diagnose injuries. Nonfatal injuries may be bandaged up to twice. Fatal/critical diagnoses require critical care or completion of bleed-out and respawn.
• Bandages must be at least 36 inches long and wrapped around the arm; pre-tied loops are not permitted. Medics cannot self-treat.
• Wounded players may not move themselves until revived; teammates may move them only with the player's consent.
• Official staffing ratios, confirmed by event organizers: one squad medic per 5 players, per faction, and one critical care medic per 30 personnel, per faction. These Section 18 ratios supersede the conflicting figures in Section 7 of the current PDF.
• Critical care medics have a defibrillator/respawn protocol described in the source; forward Aid Stations have specific limitations.

Section 18 of the official 2026 ruleset; consult the complete source and staff for full wording.

• An Aid Station functions when it displays the controlling faction flag and is staffed by a medic.
• After a qualifying death, a squad medic may remove one bandage at an active station. Magazines may not be reloaded there.
• Capturing forces must change the station flag before use. Procedures can vary by event.

Section 19 of the official 2026 ruleset; consult the complete source and staff for full wording.

• MRPs operate only when used in the event design and fully deployed. They must be in transport configuration to move; enemy capture is possible.
• Captured MRPs cannot be used to spawn the enemy faction. MRPs cannot deploy within 50 feet of a building.
• Players waiting at an MRP under accurate/effective fire must relocate to another respawn point.

Section 20 of the official 2026 ruleset; consult the complete source and staff for full wording.

• After a hit, visibly indicate wounded status and optionally call for a medic. Wait at least five minutes before opting to respawn.
• FOB respawns can re-enter play immediately. Squad leaders should order squad-wide respawns when no longer combat effective; the source recommends 70% casualties as a threshold.

Section 21 of the official 2026 ruleset; consult the complete source and staff for full wording.

• POW play must remain safe and respectful. Physical restraints, blindfolds, aggressive interrogation, humiliation, unsafe treatment and seizure of personal property are prohibited.
• Notify Admin/Mandate of captures. Maximum detention is 30 minutes, recorded with tape/time. POWs may be released, traded, or rescued.
• Surrender is voluntary. Shooting a player after surrender is a rules violation.
• Captured players clear magazines and safe replicas; equipment remains visible to its owner. Released POWs use dead rags and return to spawn; liberated POWs may rejoin the fight under the source rules.

Section 22 of the official 2026 ruleset; consult the complete source and staff for full wording.

• Real firearms are prohibited at Hostile Ground operations.

Section 23 of the official 2026 ruleset; consult the complete source and staff for full wording.

• Alcohol is prohibited in the AO; the source permits alcohol in personal camping areas.
• Underage use or furnishing alcohol to minors results in ejection and may be referred to local authorities.

Section 24 of the official 2026 ruleset; consult the complete source and staff for full wording.