Paintball 06 Upd

The Ion wasn't fancy, but it changed the sport forever. Retail for $199? Electronic trigger? Break beam eyes? In 2006, this was absurd. The Ion was a plastic-bodied marvel that could be upgraded with aftermarket bodies (like the infamous Lucky or NDZ parts) to shoot just as well as a $1,200 marker. If you played rec-ball in 2006, you owned or hated the Ion.

Did we miss your favorite 2006 marker? Sound off in the comments below (or, in true 2006 fashion, on the PBNation forums).

X-Ball was a brutal evolution: two teams, 20-minute halves, a running clock, and the ability to “hang” the flag multiple times. It rewarded athletic endurance over camping. Fields became symmetrical, inflatable bunkers (the "Dorito" and the "Temple"). The game became a chess match of lane blocking and run-throughs. paintball 06

2006 was the year the , the traditional 7-man format, began losing ground to the NXL (National X-Ball League) .

This feature is particularly popular for players who enjoy a less "gritty" aesthetic or want to relive the nostalgia of classic "paintball modes" from previous gaming eras. The Ion wasn't fancy, but it changed the sport forever

But for those who were there, 2006 represents a specific smell: HPA (high-pressure air) mixed with grass and the faint acrid scent of cheap Walmart paint. It was a time when a 17-year-old with a part-time job could buy a used Ion, throw a drop-forward on it, and feel like a pro.

If you're an experienced paintball 06 player, here are some advanced strategies to take your game to the next level: Break beam eyes

This era saw the release or dominance of legendary markers that are still revered for their "feel" and performance. The Planet Eclipse Ego6 Bob Long Intimidators (Timmys) Dye Matrix (DM6)