Best Paintball Guns for Woodsball: Top 5 Markers of 2023

best woodsball gun
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What is the best paintball gun for woodsball?

This is one of the most popular questions asked in paintball and unfortunately it’s not an easy one to answer. With so many different brands and models to choose from it’s nearly impossible to try to claim one woodsball gun as the best of them all.

However, there’s no denying that some paintball guns will definitely give you a huge advantage in a woodsball/scenario environment. These markers typically come with an offset hopper (or no hopper at all) to allow proper aiming and features such as a stock and accessory rails for further customization.

In order to save you time and energy I’ve went ahead and compiled a list of the top 5 woodsball markers below.

Best Woodsball Guns

ImageMarkerTypePropellantPrice
Tippmann CronusTippmann CronusMechanicalCO2 or HPA$
Tippmann A5 MechanicalCO2 or HPA$$
Tippmann X7 PhenomElectro Pneumatic / MechanicalCO2 or HPA$$$
Empire DFenderElectro PneumaticHPA$$$$
Dye Assault MatrixElectro PneumaticHPA$$$$$

Tippmann Cronus

One of the best paintball guns you can buy as a beginner in woodsball is the Tippmann Cronus. In many ways this marker is almost identical to the Tippmann 98 Custom, but it does come with a few advantages as well.

The main advantage the Cronus has over the 98 Custom would have to be the internal gas line. This feature alone is quite impressive as it removes the annoying macroline that you’ll typically find on most beginner markers. The Cronus is also a little more affordable than the 98 Custom and comes with that tactical MilSim look that woodsball players love.

If you really want to achieve that MilSim look though you’ll need to buy the Tippmann Cronus Tactical. This edition of the Cronus is only slightly more expensive and comes with a carrying handle, mock silencer and 6-position adjustable stock. Four Picatinny rails are also located on both the regular and Tactical model of the Tippmann Cronus, allowing you to attach multiple accessories such as a red dot, laser, flashlight, etc.

Now if you truly want to upgrade your marker then you may want to consider getting the 98 Custom instead. At the moment the only upgrades you can buy for the Cronus are the Tactical Mod Kit, a new barrel and anything that will attach to a Picatinny rail. Whereas with a 98 Custom can upgrade your marker with a cyclone feed, response trigger, E-grip, etc.

Tippmann Cronus Tactical Semi-Automatic 68 Caliber Olive Paintball Marker
  • THE ORANGE BUTTON ON THE BARREL IS FOR ILLUSTRATIVE PURPOSES ONLY – NOT INCLUDED
  • High-impact composite body
  • Vertical Grip

Tippmann A5

Old Tippmann A5 with Upgrades

While the 98 Custom may be one of the most customizable markers of all time, there’s even more upgrade options with the Tippmann A5. Not all upgrades are purely aesthetic either, so no matter whether you’re wanting to upgrade for looks or function, the A5 has you covered.

Besides being highly customizable, the Tippmann A5 is also considered to be one of the most rugged and durable paintball guns that you can buy. Crafted out of a high quality die cast aluminum, this woodsball marker can really take some damage on the field and still continue working.

The A5 is also one of the few mechanical paintball guns that can feed up to 15 BPS without the need of a 9-Volt battery. This is possible thanks to the Cyclone Feed System that uses the gas running through the marker to operate the loader. The Cyclone Feed is also conveniently located on the right side of the marker to allow you to aim directly overhead.

Other features that come included with the Tippmann A5 are a Picatinny rail for accessories, a low profile hopper and a tactical selector switch that will allow you to switch effortlessly from safety to firing mode. New Tippmann A5’s even come with a push pin construction that’ll allow you to easily field strip this marker in a matter of seconds.

Tippmann A-5 .68 Caliber Paintball Marker, Black
  • Cyclone Feed System can Fire 15 balls per second without batteries
  • Can be field stripped in less than 60 seconds without tools
  • Enhanced ergonomics with a longer front grip, lighter weight body and easier to Remove push pins

Tippmann X7 Phenom

most customizable woodsball marker

Hopefully you’re not tired of hearing about Tippmann quite yet, as we still have yet to review the best Tippmann marker of all time – the Tippmann X7 Phenom. Unlike almost every other paintball gun from Tippmann, the X7 Phenom isn’t your typical mechanical marker that operates on blow back design.

Instead, the Tippmann X7 Phenom (short for Phenomenal) is an electro-pneumatic marker that utilizes a blow forward (spool valve) system, otherwise known as the FlexValve. With an operating pressure below 300 PSI, the FlexValve offers improved air efficiency, greater accuracy, lower recoil and a quieter sound signature.

Still not impressed?

The Tippmann X7 Phenom is also the first paintball gun in the world that can operate both with or without batteries – and with either CO2 or HPA. When firing the X7 Phenom without batteries though you can only choose to shoot semi-automatic, whereas with a battery (9-Volt) you can choose between any one of the other four firing modes as well: Full-Auto, NPPL, PSP, and Response.

Related Article: Top 10 Best Paintball Guns Ever Made

The Tippmann X7 Phenom also comes with features such as an all-metal trigger, internal gas line, quick release magazine with built-in tool storage, three-position selector switch, and an improved cyclone feed that can feed up to 20 BPS. The X7 Phenom also uses the same pushpin construction that comes with the new A5’s for quick and easy maintenance.

With so many impressive features there no denying that the Tippmann X7 Phenom is one of the best woodsball markers you can buy.

Empire BT DFender

empire bt dfender review

The Empire BT DFender is the first paintball gun ever made to successfully integrate a full-size loader into the stock of the gun.

The reason for doing so?

To give woodsball and scenario players a clear field of view over the top of their marker without the obstruction of a big bulky hopper getting in their way. While companies such as Tippmann simply offset the hopper to the side, Empire decided it would be better to just completely remove it from the field of view altogether.

This bullpup style design gives you a huge advantage over the other players on the field as it lowers your profile, quickens your snapshot and increases your overall effectiveness in CQC (close quarter combat).  And while the Empire DFender may appear to be quite heavy, it’s actually extremely lightweight and durable thanks to being made out of a high-quality magnesium shell.

Not everything about this marker is completely new and fancy though, as internally it’s almost identical to the Empire Axe and Prophecy ZII. This means that the Empire DFender is capable of firing up to 20 BPS and comes included with features such as break beam eyes and an On/Off regulator.

For the woodsball and scenario junkies out there you’ll also enjoy the tactical selector switch with 5 firing modes (Semi, Burst, Ramping, Full Auto and Select Fire), the Apex 2 barrel with three Super Freak inserts (.680, .685, .690) and the removable side Picatinny rails and top Picatinny rails for accessories.

However, because the DFender is both an electronic marker and a loader combined into one, it will require a total of 6 AA batteries and an HPA tank in order to power your marker. A pod pack/vest with remote coil is also recommended as well in order to keep the back of the marker from being too heavy.

Dye Assault Matrix

best paintall gun for woodsball

Another paintball gun that has revolutionized the woodsball industry is the Dye Assault Matrix, otherwise known as the DAM. This tactical paintball gun combines the internals of the Dye Proto Rail with the frame of a tactical MilSim marker to create one of the best woodsball guns ever made.

The main feature that makes the DAM one of the best paintball guns for woodsball is the OTF (On the Fly) system that allows you to seamlessly toggle between hopper-fed loading and magfed loading with the flip of a switch.

What’s really impressive about this ambidextrous mag feed system though is that it can accept both regular paintballs and First Strike rounds. This is a great feature for woodsball players as it allows you to effectively increase your range at a moment’s notice. With no other paintball gun in the world having this capability the Dye Assault Matrix is truly in a league of its own.

With the push of a button, you can even change firing modes between semi-automatic, three-round burst, and fully automatic. You also have the ability to program your own firing modes as well and even implement a board lockout if ever needed.

The only possible downside of the DAM is that it can be a little heavy (especially with the Box Rotor), but at least you can always lower the weight by removing the interchangeable shrouds, Picatinny rails, and even the stock if need be. In fact, when the DAM is completely stripped of all of its accessories it actually makes a great marker for CQC.

Other features that come included with the DAM are a competition-grade trigger, self-cleaning eye pipe, Hyper3 inline regulator, and a removable clamping feedneck with cover plate. For quick and easy maintenance Dye also included a Quick Release Bolt and made sure the Dye Tactical Sticky Grips came with tool-less access to the 9v battery.

If you plan on buying the DAM then don’t forget to buy an HPA tank as well and a remote coil if you plan on comfortably using this marker

Last update on 2024-03-29 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

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Woodsball player, magfed player, automag owner, paintball sniper. Have played woodsball and scenario paintball (on and off) since 2007 and still loving the game!

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