I have been playing paintball since april 1997, all I can say is that it is extrememly addictive.
Within a short time after playing for the first time I already had a gun and all my own equipment. And I just kept working on my existing eqipment and getting new stuff till I was broke, but is all worth it. Personally I like a "up in your face" kinda playing style, I am always that guy who spends the whole game yelling at all my teamates to move up. It wasn't like that when I started though. I prefered to sit back and preserve myself, for what I don't know. Well after getting killed constantly and seeing no action durring the game I changed my paintball ideals. I went out and got an Automag that could hold it's own up close, and that is exactly where I put myself. Sure I got shot up on a regular basis, but I was having a ball. After getting used to where I was putting myself, I got much better at it. Over time I started playing pump games pretty regularly and carried that same playing style over. Just because you are playing with a pump doesn't mean you can't be just as aggressive on the field. I really wish people would realize that a pump ins't a disadvantage. I can go at someone just as aggressively with my Sniper II as I can with my AutoMag. Playing pump games forces you to think about everything just a little but more. But once you get to be a good pump player, you will most likely be a better semi-auto player too. Everyone should start out with a pump to learn with, not a spray and pray semi-auto. I know it seems like I am ganging on semi-auto's a little, but I just have an extreme respect for pump/stock class players. I respect all paintball players alot, it ins't an easy sport, just I have a special thing for devoted pump players.