[braddna]

I'm an intermediate recreational player trying to decide what upgrade will help my game the most. Other than practice (which I do a lot), what equipment will be the most impactful?

• Premium paintballs
• Barrel bore kit (i.e Freak kit)
• Apex2 barrel
• other

[KiNgBuNkEr]

What sort of equipment as "upgrades" are you referring to? More important what equipment do you currently have?
Practice will always reign over any type of equipment however there are upgrades that can improve you're level of play.

[tjboss]

I don't recommend an apex at all, just not a fan of apex's or flatlines. 'premium' paintballs CAN make a difference, but i wouldn't recommend anything over bronze if your not prepared to store and keep it properly, i love using bronze because it shoots good enough for me to shoot faces and i get it at a good deal. barrel kits make a huge difference, i have multiple freak kits and love them

[braddna]

Originally Posted by KiNgBuNkEr

What sort of equipment as "upgrades" are you referring to? More important what equipment do you currently have?
Practice will always reign over any type of equipment however there are upgrades that can improve you're level of play.

To answer your question ... i use an Etek 3 with stock barrel, halo 2 hopper, cf 68/4500 tank, sly profit mask

[tjboss]

i'd probably upgrade the bolt and rammer in the etek, a halo's a good hopper, you don't need to upgrade it but i prefer the rotor for the low profile. i personally don't like profits but if you do then just stay with them, masks are all about personal opinion

[KiNgBuNkEr]

Well your set up is good then. Upgrades and what not are a lot of personal opinion and desire. Mostly I agree with ^. Etek is, with or without a few upgrades, a pretty solid marker. Should be more than enough to keep up with intermediate level tournament markers (given you take the route) . And if you out grow it you can always put that and some cash down on a high end used trade or something of that sort. Forgive me for being that guy, but, just use the money to do what you bought the gun for in the first place! The best part about having the gun is using it! But Part of the fun of paintball is the expense as well, imo anyway, I hope I helped a little bit.

[spaz22colon]

whenever i bought a new barrell i never saw a dramatic increase in accuracy. so i just stick with the stock ones. IMHO i say use the the money to buy a little better paint when you play. Paint can make a huge difference on accuracy and if they break on your opponent. However i would not suggest buying the greatest paint there is to buy since you just are a rec player. Just go out and be thankful you have the money to play.

[tjboss]

Barrel kit, the barrel itself won't make the accuracy better, it's about the bore size.

[raptor22288]

Personally I'd go with a barrel kit first. Think of it like this. You pay say 5$ a case more for premium paint. A barrel kits run around 150$. You can do the math to see that in the long run (after 25 cases if my math is correct), the barrel kit will actually save you money by allowing you to use regular grade paint very effectively. Just my opinion.

[tjboss]

I would to. And it depends on field prices. Sometimes it's 10-15 more. But if the premium paint is the same size as regular paint then it wouldn't make a difference in accuracy, just how often it breaks

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[CrazyDriver84]

Personally I just save whatever money you were looking to spend and play more. Your setup is decent enough. Any upgrade wouldn't be all that noticeable.

[Calais]

I say buy better paint, barrel kit won't help because the only bores you are going to use is .679 and .682, better paint will have fewer imperfections thus will fly better and will be less likely to bounce. No need to go for something super brittle like Ultra Evil, shoot Formula 13 or my favorite, RPS Premium.

[Shocker115]

virtue board.

[Whaaapaaahh]

Barrel Kit =]

[MA kid]

RPS Premium

[SKI008]

Premium paintballs followed by a barrel kit (or at least a small bore single barrel).

Players hate to be told that paintballs are the best way to increase consistence/accuracy because you need to spend $60+ on them each trip but that's a fact of the game.

[Bunker Hog]

An upgrade in skill > any equipment upgrade.

[Paper_Cut]

Originally Posted by tjboss

i'd probably upgrade the bolt and rammer in the etek, a halo's a good hopper, you don't need to upgrade it but i prefer the rotor for the low profile. i personally don't like profits but if you do then just stay with them, masks are all about personal opinion

You realize that the etek 3 comes with a cure bolt and zik kit right?