You are probably here asking “What are First Strike rounds in paintball?”. Whether you’re an experienced paintball player or a newcomer to the game, understanding what First Strike is in paintball will change your perspective. As someone who loves realistic scenarios, I have been using First Strike rounds for more than 5 years. I consider myself a true sniper and an expert in stealth paintball.
So, if you are considering starting to play as a snipe or just want to level up your performance in scenario or mil-sim paintball, you are at the right place. In this post, I’ll provide a comprehensive look at First Strike rounds, examining their characteristics and how they compare to regular paintballs. Also, I will talk about the specific markers designed for them, their caliber, their effective range, and their market value.
What Are First Strike Rounds in Paintball?
Did you just have an intense paintball fight and hear someone talk about something that’s called First Strike or FSR? And now, you are probably here trying to figure out “What are First Strike rounds in paintball?”. A First Strike Round (FSR) is not a regular round. But before I do a detailed comparison with the regular paintballs, let’s see what they are and look like. To begin with, First Strike Rounds are a high-performance upgrade of regular paintballs. They have a spiral-rifled fin fitted to the rear of each paintball. This seemingly minor upgrade was a game-changer in paintball.
More importantly, First Strike Rounds are primarily used in scenario and mil-sim (military simulation) paintball formats. That said, First Strike Rounds are not always allowed. As it appears, they are less suitable for small fields and more suitable for large fields, big games, or scenario events. So, if you’re into tactical gameplay and realism, FSRs might be your new best friend. But what’s the main point of First Strike Rounds, you ask? Well, it’s all about precision. FSRs are designed for accuracy, allowing players to hit targets at longer distances with ease. Plus, they’re perfect for those situations where you need to make every shot count.
First Strike Rounds Vs. Regular Paintballs
So, what is the difference between First Strike rounds and regular paintballs? To understand the differences between these two types of paintball, I have to talk about the materials they are made of, the design and the aerodynamics, and the cost.
Materials
First Strike rounds are typically made from a combination of a rigid plastic shell and a filling made of gelatin. This construction ensures their durability and structural integrity during flight. The rigid shell also contributes to their unique aerodynamic properties, allowing them to fly straighter and farther than regular paintballs. However, this composition makes them less environmentally friendly than regular paintballs, which are biodegradable.
On the other hand, regular paintballs are generally considered more environmentally friendly than First Strike rounds. Traditional paintballs are designed to be biodegradable, breaking down over time in natural conditions.
Design & Aerodynamics
First Strike rounds are cylindrical, while regular paintballs are spherical. This unique shape alters their aerodynamics significantly. What this means is that First Strikes lose their speed at a slower rate than a normal paintball. When the trigger is pulled, both types of paintball rounds leave the barrel at the same speed. But, what’s interesting with First Strike rounds, is that they are slowing down at a slower rate than a regular paintball, with initial velocities being the same.
Cost
First Strike rounds cost more than regular paintballs, but their increased accuracy and range can make them worth it for serious players. Plus, they’re usually more durable due to their sturdy materials, while regular paintballs are prone to breaking on impact.
Overall, First Strike rounds are known for their superior accuracy compared to regular paintballs. Their shape reduces air resistance and stabilizes their flight path, resulting in more precise shots. This accuracy can be a game-changer, especially in long-range engagements and tactical scenarios.
What Is a First Strike Paintball Gun?
First Strike rounds typically require a mag-fed paintball marker. This type of marker has a magazine system that feeds the rounds directly into the chamber, ensuring smooth and consistent firing. But keep in mind that not every paintball magazine is compatible with First Strike rounds. First Strike rounds are longer than regular ones. That’s why First Strike rounds require a specific type of magazine designed to accommodate their unique shape and characteristics. These magazines are typically referred to as First Strike magazines or FSR magazines.
On the other hand, standard paintballs are round and have different sizes and shapes, so First Strike rounds won’t fit properly or feed reliably through a regular paintball magazine. If you plan to use First Strike rounds, you’ll need to invest in a marker compatible with FSR magazines and purchase those magazines separately. These specifically designed magazines ensure a smooth and consistent feeding of First Strike rounds. Last but not least, First Strike magazines help each First Strike round to fly much straighter and much further than an average, round paintball.
What Caliber Are First Strike Rounds?
First Strike rounds come in a .68 caliber just like regular paintballs. However, the key difference lies in the design of First Strike rounds. They are specially crafted with fins, which allows for greater accuracy and range compared to regular paintballs. Also, you might be wondering about the barrel for First Strike rounds. The good news is that you don’t necessarily need a specifically designed barrel for First Strike paintball. A high-quality, well-maintained barrel with the right bore size for .68 caliber paintballs will work just fine. However, if you’re a sniper player, you can search for barrels optimized for FSRs that can further enhance your accuracy and distance.
Furthermore, when it comes to markers for First Strike rounds, there are various options available in .68 caliber. Some markers are specifically designed as snipers and are optimized for FSR use. Some players prefer .683 or .686 caliber markers, while others may find .689 or .690 more suitable. In any case, First Strike rounds are .68 caliber and thus, you can choose according to your personal preferences and play style. As you become more experienced, it will be easier for you to make the best choice.
What Are Paintball First Strike Rounds Worth?
Generally, First Strike rounds are considered an expensive paintball product. The price on the market depends on the quantity you want to purchase. So, to make it easier for you I have created a table with the available choices that appear when you search for “First Strike rounds”.
| First Strike Rounds (Quantity) | Cost ($) | Cost Per Piece ($) |
| 10 | 10 | 1 |
| 50 | 25-35 | 0.5-0.7 |
| 150 | 75 | 0.5 |
| 300 | 120 | 0.4 |
| 600 | 200-250 | 0.30-0.42 |
To make this more valuable let’s make a direct comparison with regular paintballs.
| Regular Paintballs | Cost ($) | Cost Per Piece($) |
| 500 | 20 | 0.04 |
| 1000 | 21 | 0.02-0.04 |
| 2000 | 40-80 | 0.021 |
As you can see, the difference is tremendous. To begin with, the more you purchase in terms of quantity the less it will cost you. So, if you are serious about paintball, I suggest you go for the quantity. However, you should make sure that you can bring your own paintballs as some paintball fields don’t allow players to do so. Secondly, the truth about this price difference lies in the manufacturing process of First Strike rounds. First Strike Rounds are typically fin-stabilized, which requires advanced technology and quality control. These rounds are engineered to fly straighter and farther than regular paintballs, making them ideal for sniping or long-range shots. All in all, whether you should use First Strike rounds or not depends on your play style and budget.
How Far Do First Strike Rounds Go?
If you’re wondering, “How far do First Strike rounds go?” you’re in the right place. First Strike paintball rounds are like the precision snipers of the paintball world. They’re designed for players who want that extra edge in accuracy and range. However, their range depends on your paintball marker and the specific rounds you use. Generally, they can reach distances of up to 100 to 150 feet accurately. That’s pretty impressive compared to regular paintballs, which typically max out at around 50 to 75 feet.
More specifically, First Strike rounds can cover about 50-100% more distance than a normal paintball. But, you may still wonder why First Strike rounds travel a longer distance than regular paintball. As I have already explained above, it’s all about aerodynamics. Their design reduces air resistance, allowing them to maintain their speed and accuracy over longer distances. So, if you are into scenario games like me and need to reach targets from a distance, First Strike rounds are worth considering.
Conclusion
As you will probably understand, First Strike rounds are for the serious paintballers out there. If you are a paintball sniper or at least you have tried it, you know that these babies are the secret weapon of paintball maniacs. They offer accuracy and range, which eventually means more stability and better performance for your games. So, who should use them? A paintball sniper or someone who plays against snipers that use them.
First Strike rounds are an investment as they are an expensive choice. But, keep this in mind: The enhanced performance you get is worth every penny, while others might stick to standard paintballs. If you are a total beginner, you can give them a try before you decide to use them regularly.