ASG reached out to female players across the airsoft community to discover more about what it’s like stepping into a male-dominated scene for the first time. We spoke to airsoft player, @Blasphemy_AirsoftGirl, about her airsoft journey and the experiences and challenges she’s faced as a woman playing the game…
Hello, Blasphemy, many thanks for talking to us today. First off, we always like to know the story behind a player’s callsign – how did you get yours?
My callsign ‘Blasphemy’, describes a small part of me, the name speaks for itself. Whoever knows the true meaning of the word, already understands one of my most ‘problematic’ thoughts.
How long have you been playing airsoft and can you recall your first experience of it?
Well, I first played airsoft around 12 years ago, and these days, I pretty much play continuously (every week at least one day).
Yes, I will remember my first airsoft experience for the rest of my life, Hahaha! I was about 18 years old, and it was a zombie-themed game of CQB. A crazy day.A friend left me one of his weapons, a G36, if I remember correctly, and it was completely dark, with the only light coming from strobes.
There was smoke, rain and storm sounds… (Yes, it was like a horror movie!) and I remember perfectly the moment when a zombie came to me, I ran out of ammunition and due to a mix of lack of light and my nerves, I wasn’t quite able to remove the mag from the weapon, the horror!
It wasn’t my best experience, to be honest. But a few years later I came back and here I am today. The rest, as they say – is history.
It’s true bravery to return to airsoft when your first game was zombie-themed, no doubt! So, did you know anything about airsoft prior to playing and what first attracted you to it?
Well, the first thing that appealed from my first game was having a good time with friends and the community in general. A few days after that I began to see many more things that I liked, and it quickly became my main hobby. I already knew that I liked to recreate war scenarios and battle scenes, but I didn’t know how far it could go until few months ago, really. I love airsoft.
What type of games have you played and what’s your favourite? Or do you prefer simply turning-up at your local game site and going with the flow?
As for types of games, I’ve played Milsim and CQB, and while I like to watch Speedsoft, I don’t think it suits my style of play. I’m trying to gain experience in all of it, but Milsim is my favourite.
Each player is different, some like daytime play, while others prefer using the dark to their advantage in night games, supplementing their style of play. What do you enjoy most?
For me, daytime play in a forest or woodland in milder weather is the best. That’s pretty my perfect environment. Hahaha.
In terms of night play, I still don’t have good enough equipment to play in the dark or low-light conditions, but I’ll be rectifying that very soon.
It’s quite something when you play at night for the first time, it’s a definitely a different experience. Okay, do you have a moment from a game that was rather embarrassing that you’d be willing to share?
I have a lot, to be honest, hahaha! But the standout memory was the time when I threw a grenade and hit the corner of a wall which killed my team and I. Disappointing and embarrassing.
Okay, let’s put those bad memories to one side and instead focus on your best moments, such as your finest ‘kill’ or shot, or perhaps your longest killstreak?
I’m not sure, really. But I do especially remember my first kill with a sniper rifle. I played for the first time without a scope and surprisingly the first shot was accurate (I do love being a sniper!).
To me, all kills are impressive if they’re accomplished in one shot/one kill.
In terms of style of play, would you say you are you a lone wolf or do you prefer safety in numbers and to ‘squad-it-up’?
I prefer to be in a squad, but I have no problem going lone wolf. Some of my best plays have been in moments when I have been alone and the adrenaline took over me.
The gear a player carries depends on their personal preference, many go for the classic AEG and sidearm combo, others swear by the sniper rifle – what’s your favourite loadout?
I keep it simple – I like a single AEG and a sidearm, but I do love a sniper and a pistol too.
Have you tried or successfully modified your airsoft guns?
Personally I have not modified my airsoft guns, for that there are specialists who can do it for me to a very high standard.
I have my Scorpion Evo 3a1 from ASG modified, it didn’t need any improvement, it’s just a marvel without modification. But my colleagues from “La Cueva del Tactical” made some changes to it, achieving even better results.
What’s the farthest you’ve ever travelled to play a game?
At the moment I have only travelled around home country of Spain.
Do you think male players can underestimate your abilities as a woman airsoft player?
Yes, it has happened to me, especially at the beginning when they’re unfamiliar with you.
In some cases, they asked how the game situation was and when I answered, the answer was not taken into account until a man reported it.
Most sites we know of are genuinely good-natured for all, but at times you get instances of players showing a lack of respect to others – male or female. Have you ever experienced any hardships due to the fact you are a female player?
On the part of the organisers / airsoft camps… No, NEVER. They always treated me the same as the boys.
When it comes to playing, no, I haven’t had any difficulties. I consider myself just another player, so I think I have the same difficulties as anyone.
But as I said before, if it has happened to me that because I am a woman I have not been taken seriously by some boys.
From the outside, airsoft could be seen as intimidating arena to enter for anyone – what would you say to girls who are perhaps interested in airsoft but are still unsure about taking the plunge?
Basically I would tell them that if they really want to play airsoft, in general it is a very welcoming community and that they should never pay attention to the people who say: YOU CAN’T DO IT (for whatever reason). We put the limits on ourselves. So STAND UP AND FIGHT!
Is there anything you would do differently if you could start your airsoft journey over again?
Hmmm… I think not.
No, I’m very happy with the way I’m going and I’m still the same as at the beginning, in fact, I’m still at the beginning. I’m trying to learn every day, at every moment and from all the players from day one.
If you could change one thing about airsoft, what would it be and why?
Generally I wouldn’t change anything about airsoft. It is a very healthy community. I would only change some thoughts of a minority of people who are dedicated to criticising players and especially female ones for whatever reason. (Luckily, they are few) but this happens in airsoft and everywhere, unfortunately.
In 2022, what do you think is the biggest challenge for a newbie stepping into the airsoft hobby for the first time, and how does it compare for a female player?
Luckily I haven’t had a problem getting started in the world of airsoft. From the first day, my team helped me and made me feel welcome.
I was very lucky, but I think that if it hadn’t been for them, it would have been very complicated to start due to the lack of information in general out there about airsoft.
In that aspect I was very well received, and even people who didn’t know me let me try their airsoft guns and explained little things to me. I’ve only had problems from being a woman in the field.
It is a hobby that attracts many people but is still quite unknown. The lack of knowledge to get started and to be oriented when buying the right material is one of the things that holds some people back. But that’s what we’re here for, to help them!
It has been great chatting to you, Blasphemy. Do you have any shout outs you’d like to give and how can women wanting advice about getting into airsoft, get in touch?
Yes, I want to thank all my colleagues from my team Operaciones Especiales for believing in me from the beginning and opening the door for me to be part of their team in which I am growing as a player and as a person.
To the Argos boys for being a great support and letting me learn from them. They are a great team, great players each one of them but also some beautiful people.
A FRU (Fast Response Unit) for sharing with us great moments of growth of our team. Great players and wonderful people.
Like all the teams that we have had the pleasure of sharing battles, I would love to be able to name them all but I would always be afraid to leave one.
To all the Airsoft fields that we frequent in Catalonia for their kindness and professionalism. (As well as to all the fields of Spain because without all of them it would not be the same obviously).
To the CEAF (Spanish Women’s Airsoft Community), my colleagues!
And in general to all those who have shared battles, talks and moments on and off the field with me. THANKS A LOT.