I'd like to compliment OldPaint for pointing out that this is a multi dimensional game and so the various variables a player is faced with will determine what is necessary in the moment to be a great player. I also felt bad that my last comment pretty much killed the conversation so lets give Robbo some support and see if my top 10 list will bring about any debate or approvals amongst the community.
Lets imagine that paintball was Free to play and everyone had the available time to train relentlessly and play events. Lets assume that everyone had the same marker setup and gear, and all was in great condition with an endless supply of batteries that magically replaced themselves. Lets also assume that everyone had epic footwear that ensured stability in all conditions and surfaces. Lets assume that everyone had working eyes, legs, fingers and were not restricted by any brain or body malfunctions. Lets assume that all players felt every shot (and exited the game accordingly) and marshals were robots that don't miss anything, never make mistakes, and always get players out before any confusions can occur, thus eliminating penalties. Finally, lets assume that everyone had a team of players (clones of themselves) that they trusted with their lives, and transport and accommodation to events was all organised and ensured each player arrived to training or events in a state of maximum comfort so that each could give it 100% on the field.
Even with all this checked off the list we still have variables that occur on the day and come as standard to the game; Like for instance the weather and the way the game plays out.
Let me see if i can pull together a top 10 list with only these 2 variables.
The weather can change the properties of the paintball, either making them catch rain or absorb moisture thus redirecting their destination, hardening and softening under temperature fluctuations making them bouncier or more brittle.
This said, accuracy must be dropped from the final list under certain conditions, as the trajectory of your shot cannot be confirmed. It can however, be overcome by effective and efficient barrel cleaning or simply by closing your range to ensure that your opponent is within acceptable range of the spread of your shot. For this to work the player needs to be calm and collected under stressful situations in order to be efficient at cleaning and to be willing to get closer to their target, safely. Also let it be known that being erratic or un-calm, is a ticket to your own demise. It opens up lots of risk and puts your game in the hands of fate. Some you'll win, some you'll lose. By being calm you can control your movements and proceed safely whilst still having the image of a badass that you might receive by getting lucky as an erratic player.
So the only points mentioned so far (and in order) would be:
To remain calm under stressful situations.
To know how to advance the field safely.
To be accurate in shooting.
Next lets look at breakouts. Is it that important to ensure someone is taken out on the break? I'd say no. I'd call it a bonus (in most cases lucky) and say that the breakouts main use is to close down potential routes so that your opponents don't get into locations that are devastating for your team. Is it important to be fit and fast? I'd again say no. Of course the lack of speed will restrict the locations that you can safely get to, but at the same time, without running and being slightly on the heavy side you can still lay devastating lanes down in the right places whilst taking a few slow steps towards your closest suitable bunker. Do you need to be accurate to block a lane and restrict the path of your opponent. I'd say no. So lets assume that breakout just means knowing where to shoot in order or restrict the movement of your opponent whilst getting to your primary (and has nothing to do with ground covered or number of kills) and drop these new items into the list:
To remain calm under stressful situations.
To know how to advance the field safely.
To be effective at breakouts.
To be accurate in shooting.
To be physically fit.
Next, lets look at staying tight. I'm pretty sure that this also means different things to different people. To me it doesn't mean curling up into a tight little ball or necessarily making yourself a smaller target by use of flexibility or squeezing up close to a bunker, It just means staying hidden (so i'll use that description instead). This means not exposing yourself or parts of your body to your opponent. You can do that right out in the middle of the field by using blindspots which appear or disappear as the game evolves. If you was a master of staying hidden, then theres no reason why you can't go and hit a buzzer or capture a flag without the use of your voice or even a marker. So I place that just behind breakouts (because if you cant get to your primary.. you're not in the game).
Next up is communication. I'm actually going to divide this into 2 areas. Listening and understanding, and speaking and delivering. Listening and understanding can be done in both team and 1on1 situations. It involves listing to your team, listening to opponents and gunshots, seeing opponents and team members moving, looking for shadows, smoke from barrel tips, lanes and direction of shots fired. Looking for shadows and the movement of boundary nets and shots splashing on nets, bunkers and the ground. Also watching the movement of the robot marshals and the crowd if there is one. Basically being aware and receptive to your environment. With this you can build a mental map of the field and determine the best path for your assault or defence. You can do this without saying a word and comes in very handy when you're in snake 4 or the centre bunker preparing an attack, or when you're the last player in back right defending a 3 on 1 attack.
Speaking and delivering in the process of taking this map that you have in your mind, and delivering it to any teammates you may have left, in order to maximise your chances of survival and success. For this you need to be able to describe bunkers in a way that your team understands and use non confusing sounds, actions or words that get to the point quickly. There is no doubt that a team that has effective deliverance will dominate a team that doesn't. The reason is: A team with no deliverance (in a 5on5 scenario) is effectively playing 1 vs 5.. 5 times, whereas the team with deliverance is playing 5 vs 5, once. To use odds i'd say its best to be on the 1:1 side than the 1:5 side. However due to this only being effective when other teammates are available, i wouldn't put it as high on the list. It would go above breakout though because seeing your opponents on the start gate may change your plan, so communication is key. So here's my updated list:
To remain calm under stressful situations.
To be able to listen and understand.
To know how to advance the field safely.
To be able to speak and deliver.
To be effective at breakouts.
To be able to stay hidden.
To be accurate in shooting.
To be physically fit.
I would say that the next important points would be Adapting to conditions and Tricks. The game changes all the time. As players drop or the field is opened or closed at any side, the way to play the game changes. If you can adapt to these changes, fixing your style of play, communication techniques, direction of attention and of course acknowledging those new blind spots, then you are safe to continue. I'd say that this was one of the most important factors, but at the same time, impossible if you don't have other areas in our list under control.
Tricks are a fantastic bonus that help you advance or understand your surroundings more effectively. They are found in all the items in the current list. Tricks like wrapping allow you to clarify your perspective and potentially take out players. Crawling safely gets you up the field in harder spots. Running and gunning, diving and shooting, snap shooting, long balling, rapid hand swaps and using both hands for shooting are a few worth mentioning. The biggest trick i would say would be controlling your instincts and logic mid game, thus avoiding getting yourself into dangerous and possibly unnecessarily overcomplicated situations.
And so that would conclude my (in an almost perfect environment) list of 10 most important things to learn to become a great player or team:
1: To remain calm under stressful situations.
2: To be able to listen and understand.
3: To know how to advance the field safely.
4: To be able to Adapt to conditions.
5: To be able to speak and deliver.
6: To have a nice array of tricks under your belt.
7: To be effective at breakouts.
8: To be able to stay hidden.
9: To be accurate in shooting.
10: To be physically fit.
I hope i explained everything clearly and in a way that can be understood across all forms of play. Let me know if you feel any different
Peace.