Here’s a quick backgrounder to explain “Nerf Philippines” in a street war – particularly in the local context.
While nobody does a Nerf battle, let alone a pellet blaster war, in countries such as the US and Australia, BB gun fights are common here in the Philippines, especially in provincial areas. There are even videos and photos that would attest to this phenomenon, where children, teens, and even full-grown adults participate in this fight!
Now, imagine this format adapted for Nerf – given the steady adoption of these blasters, especially by the new generation (and especially outside the cities). What could happen in the process? What are the tactics used on the streets?
Take note that the Philippines has access to Nerf knockoffs that cost as little as 1.4 USD for a Jolt or 4 USD for a springer-type pistol. A flywheel can start at around 10 USD (Stryfe) or 14 USD for a 32-round “machine gun” flywheel. All of these are rather cheap entry prices, though as they say, “you get what you pay for”.
How do they do a street war?
These events last for multiple days (or weekends, depending on the arrangement). Typically, two groups or neighborhoods would arrange a matchup on a particular street (or area).
Needless to say, the matchup attracts a lot of spectators, as each team could have hundreds of members!
Generally, the local police or barangay tanod (deputized neighborhood watchman) would not intervene in these kinds of events unless bystanders are hurt or there’s a lot of disruption to the local traffic. If a war is already held away from a road, then it’s basically no holds barred – the battle will go on until there’s a clear winner!
There’s a daily winner, and an overall winner. Overall ties are possible.
What are the rules to win?
It’s a combination of Team Deathmatch, King of the Hill, and Urban Assault, but with a twist: No “hits” are called, but rather, “fight through the pain” is the rule.
All kinds of blasters are allowed, as long as no one deliberately goes for the face (nevertheless, participants use eye protection in one way or another).
A team can win by routing the entire enemy side, trapping a part of the enemy (and causing them to give up their blasters and ammo), or by simply outlasting them and showing a more dominant performance in the field.
Tactical notes
Since there are no restrictions (again, it’s play until it’s too painful for you), here are some tactics that could be used in these particular fights:
Shield and flywheels
No one would be able to hit you directly once you have a shield. The only two tactical disadvantages that could come to mind are that you might be slowed once you need to run up or down…and that you would be a prime target for taunts (you’re not a man if you use a shield in a street fight!)
Skirmish and engage
Choose five or ten members to advance up quickly with pistol and/or lightweight blasters, while preparing the rest of the team to prime their blasters and engage from range. The enemy will advance, thinking that it is a weak line, but they would be in for a bad surprise!
Works best if the backline has either high FPS blasters or automatic ones that have high capacity.
Staggered engagement
One part of the team would advance forward, while another part would stay something like ten or twenty steps behind. The enemy team would typically go rush, thinking it’s a weakness in the lines…until they realize that they are in a classic L-shaped ambush!
From there, you could either encircle them (and force them to give up their blasters) or force them to retreat.
Special delivery
The classic “make them ragequit” move.
Have a mortar team (not the foam one, but the one that spits out blobs of darts) or two positioned in open sight of the enemy, with your flywheel team ready to cover them and block the way. They’ll come charging, but it’s a trap: As soon as the flywheel line comes forward, the mortar teams can start firing at preset ranges…and the rest would be history as the audience would be treated to a great show!
Take note th
Contextual notes
Participants of these fights are scared of three things.
First, they’re afraid of automatic (i.e. flywheel) blasters, especially ones that could throw out multiple darts in a second. Given the target-rich environment that is a street war, flywheel blasters with high capacities and relatively high velocities (100 FPS and above) are king here.
Second, they’re afraid of well-trained users who could use high-velocity blasters (i.e. 150 FPS and above). They can dish out the pain for real and make them quit the field or go to the backline for a while longer, thus ensuring that they don’t get the “showing up” points.
Finally, they’re afraid of specialized weaponry (and teams who could utilize these assets well). A team who could use grenades, mines, mortars, and the like would typically win outright, though acquiring them is already prohibitively expensive in the first place. Case in point: A pump-action BB blaster can be bought for 4 USD (P200), while a grenade could be only bought for 40 USD (P2000) – keep in mind that the maximum minimum wage in the Philippines is at 300 USD per month.
Final notes
What do you think? Do you think of doing street battles in your community?
Hoping that you get to know more about “Nerf Philippines” and the context in which it is played!
Here is the official group of Nerf Club Philippines – if you want to find out more about the hobby in the country!
