Build a Nerf Fort
If you are a paintball, airsoft, or a Nerf fan, you are probably going to be having a Play 'Zombies' in Airsoft or Nerf soon, or you could be having a leap of courage, and you are reading this as you play. You are probably winning or losing, if you are having a leap of courage, or, you are smart and are getting prepared so you don't need the leap. You are probably at this article to find out how to build a well thought-out and well built fort, no matter where you are, how much courage you have, or how often you play. So here we go. (Hope you paid full attention in Survive Geometry Class; you'll need it.)
Contents
Steps
Blueprinting
- Decide on the details for your fort.
- How large you want your fort to be?
- What facilities do you want? Your facilities will depend on how you fight. An ammunition dump can be useful, as can seats and electric lighting. If you can, try to build your fort near your nerf arsenal if you have one. If not, try to transport as many nerf guns as possible to your position
- What will be the shape of your fort? A simple square is easy to build, while a system of bunkers is good for a strong defense.
- Remember that team sizes vary. If you have an organized team, ask your team what they want, and make enough room for that.
- Design it. Get some graph paper and design away!
Main Station
- Use your blueprint to design it.
- Find the materials you need for the frame. 2 light sticks for every side, 1 heavy forked stick for every corner, unless you are lucky enough to have several trees.
- Either tie or nail the frame together.
- Turn it the way you want it forever.
- Put dirt over the bottom side sticks.
- Put rocks in front of the bottom corners.
- Create holes in the sides for your team-mates' weaponry.
- Make several walls out of sticks or put the tarp over the sides.
- Make your door and shooting windows.
- Have fun shooting from your main station.
- If you are a sniper, and leader, make a sniper tower
The Easy Way
- If you do not have the patience, time, or readily available wood, consider using plywood. 4x8ft. is a popular size and is easy to find in The Home Depot, Lowes, etc., and is a great size for your fort.
- If you want longer walls, make sure to buy/make planks to bind the walls together.
- Before you start building, seal, or weather-proof the wood so it does not rot.
Simple Method
- Find 2-4 tall stools or chairs. Like bar stools or armchairs.
- Cover them with a blanket. This will make the roof.
- Put a heavy object on each one. This will keep the roof on.
- Mount a turret or two. These can be Vulcans or Lots.
- Store your gear. Put all your ammo, guns, armor, etc. in the fort.
- For the main entrance, have strong, yet small wall to hide behind, small enough to climb over.
- Have a light in there, you don't want to end up stuck in you own fort while under attack.
- Have a hole in the top with a large blunt object underneath to hold a turret A.K.A a vulcan, also to collect darts on the roof.
- Have an emergency exit in case your base is under attack.
- Keep a dart tag vest on the door to collect darts when people shoot and miss.
- If you want,you can make tunnels.
Tips
- If constructing a permanent fort with wood is impractical or too difficult, suitable barricades can be constructed with other items, such as stacked boxes or lawn chairs tipped on their sides. Pre-existing barriers, such as bushes, fences and walls can also be incorporated into the design.
- Have a gunner for the fort so if anyone tries to come they get shot at.
- Practice attacking and defending the fort so flaws can be found and dealt with.
- If you don't have that kind of space, make two main forts.
- If you don't have a plug for lighting, try using glow-in-the dark materials, or buy a crank flashlight which are usually very cheap.
- You may wish to add camouflage to the fort.
- If you aren't handy with tools, have a capable adult help.
- Make several sniper towers to take opponents out silently and to finish off the last by attacking head on.
- Have your fort on the top of a hill to shoot enemies from above.
- If you are making a fort out of blankets (for a sniper tower) use boxes to stack up in front of the chair you stand on.
Warnings
- If the main station is built in a tree, make sure it is anchored very securely to the tree. Also be sure that no tools or materials can fall out of the fort during construction, as this could injure anyone standing below.
- Make sure you build your fort somewhere that won't be in the way of anything else so you won't have to take it down as quickly. Make sure it is a generally unused area and get your parent/legal guardian's permission before you start building.
- Wood, especially on cut edges, can cause splinters. When working with pressure-treated lumber, wear gloves and a dust mask as the chemicals used to treat the lumber are very unhealthy.
Things You'll Need
- Wood. The kind that is needed varies with the size and shape of the fort. Pressure-treated lumber stands up to the elements well, but must be handled carefully.
- Shovel, for digging foundations or trenches.
- Post hole digger. This allows landscaping posts (4x4's) to be securely placed in the ground.
- Hammer. A framing hammer is good for general nail-driving.
- Screwdriver. A portable drill is useful for this task.
- Nails, screws, glue and other fasteners. Varies by design.
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