You’re getting into paintball, one of the most exciting sports out there. Nice idea. Paintball is one of the most enjoyable sports out there, but it is quite gear intensive. To get started, you'll need to get a marker, a mask, clothes, a loader, an air tank, and many other random accessories. For now, let’s just focus on the gun.
In the past, choosing your gun was easy. If you were a beginner, you got yourself a basic gas blowback gun like a Tippman Model 98 or something. If you were feeling fancy, you might have sprung for something like an Autococker. This is still a good way to go, but things have changed in recent years. High tech electropnuematic markers have come down greatly in price. Back in the old days, a fast electronic gun like an Angel would have cost you dearly. Today, you can get many fast, high performance markers that let you dive right into the world of electropneumatics.
However, just because you have the power doesn't mean you should use it. Basic blow back style paintball guns are very reliable, and a snap to repair if they happen to break. Not so with the cheaper electro-pnuematics. Also, to really get the most out of an electric marker, you’ll need to get some sort of compressed air system. This costs more than the basic CO2 tanks that you can use easily with a gas blowbkack marker.
Of course, this decision really depends on your style of play. If you’re doing a lot of woodsball/scenario type games, symplicity and reliability are paramount. However, if you’re playing speedball games, having a nice, fast marker can be invaluable. You need to understand your playing style so you can make the right decision. No single marker is right for everyone, but with the proper research, you can find something that works for you. Now, stop reading and start playing some paintball!