The Picric Hamster

Pretty straightforward topic here, gentlemen.

Are there any observable advantages to aiming for a person's head with an assault rifle, rather than center-mass?

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|TG|picric_hamster

I am the picRic hamster, not picNic. Say my name with an R.

pred011586

I assume you mean in terms of accuracy, from the thread title. The head is a smaller target so aiming at the head means lower accuracy rating. In terms of accuracy and accuracy alone, there is absolutely no advantage to aiming for the head. In fact, aiming for the body takes more shots to kill, on a much bigger target which will actually INCREASE your accuracy.

Realistically there are alot of advantages to aiming for the head. When you're up close it takes less shots to kill via headshots than from body shots including misses. Your accuracy rate drops, but your kill rate will increase. The key is being smart about it. A rule of thumb that I always go by is "If there is any doubt about hitting the head, lower your sights and make them dead."

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Zhohar

I usually never aim for the head. If the target is more than 3 meters away, it's a waste of time.

The only exception to this is, if I'm very warmed up with the Voss and I'm fighting in extreme CQ -- think Belgrade buildings between Comm and Playground. It's a fun and showoff move when you're in top form, but if you aren't, it'll make your killing prowess suffer.

I imagine if you've trained yourself to always shoot for the head, you would be a monster, but I can't imagine anyone who has that kind of patience.

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Mixa

No point using Voss as headshotter, but Krylov, Scar and even Baur become real death dealers if you do so. At range Baur doesn't hit on head at almost any point but Scar and Krylov can, though the range is still going to be pretty shot, about 20m is my record.

I think it was Lyra who made out point that the head of 2142 ''doll'' is actually tinier than it seems so hitting into it is actually extremely hard, but like Zhohar said it is possible to hit it if you practise!

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Mercenary90

Fast forward to 4:00.

Personally, I like shooting for the head with the Baur or Krylov. Both are accurate and damaging enough to kill an opponent in 2-3 shots to the head. Many times, a mid-range encounter can be quickly ended with a quick double-click to the head with a zoomed-in Baur.

However, if you're trying to shoot at close range, it's much simpler to just aim for the torso, as it takes a very skilled shooter to control the recoil of any assault rifle to consistently hit the head when your opponent is likely to be bobbing and weaving all over the place.

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Crux

It is all situational for me. There are times I will shoot for the head at 20m away. Others it is center of mass from 5m away.

These days I mostly use the Baur.

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LogicalHarm

Dunno about that. The Baur is the best long-range rifle, if you're using it in single-shots / burst-fire.

Re. Headshots. Depending on the range, there are a number of areas in 2142 where headshots work great. Firing from playground/comtower/ruins up to statue when the enemy has their head over the wall is an example where headshots come in very handy.

If I see a headshot, and the time it takes me to take that headshot won't put me in danger, then I'll take my time for it.

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LordKelvin

The only time I ever aim for the head on purpose is when its the only thing exposed or if I have a sniper rifle. Otherwise, I shoot into the center of mass and hope I put more bullets on target than my opponent.

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spiff913

I usually aim for high center-mass, and let the recoil walk it up into the head.

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Specterr

If the target is standing still I almost always aim for the head, especially if they don't see you. Pop them once in the head for a quick 50% HP knock off followed by a burst to center mass drops the opponents just as quickly as two head shots.

If they are close to me, engaging me with their own fire, or if they are mobile then I go center mass.

IMO the Baur is the best gun for heat shots, and in fact its the gun I used to learn and refine my rifle accuracy.

Remember there is no bullet drop in BF2142, so what you see is what you get.

DrBeat

What he said.

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FL1Pmode

I do what Spiff does, aiming for high center-mass and letting recoil do its magic. Since my preferred weapon of choice, the almighty Baur, has a higher recoil than other assault rifles, landing headshots is not hard and usually results in very quick and accurate kills.

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TheDarkPenguin

Close range, I usually spray, which typically would run me out of bullets and make me die. Mid range (20 M up to... 70 M) I always try headshots by not doing single shot, and aiming for the torso. If the target is stationary, then I got one body shot and one headshot. Over 70 Meters I am quite bad, so... I am not sure what I do there. :P

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Cavall

Yea ditto to Spiff/DrBeat/Fl!pmode. If its 20m+ then I aim for the neck area and burst fire. Close range against a single infantry I'll go full auto, but if theres more than one I usually do long bursts of 5 or 7 bullets. Long range (50m+) is when you shine at the headshot, at least its when I do; Voss is horrible at it but the Baur, Scar and Krylov will punch your enemy out quick. The trick of long range headshots is to aim for the neck again and either single shot quickly or do 2bullet bursts. If the enemy is running perpendicular to you (ie, you're facing north and he's running east to west) then a heashot isn't going to be easy, so don't give away your position with misses, aim for the body. Also, I find the most bang for your buck is the Krylov or Scar -- the clip, accuracy and power is a pretty decent balance so its best overall, with the Baur excelling at ranged combat and the Voss at mid to close quarters.

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Good Luck. You're gonna need it ^_^

Reaperassault

if you have the practice and therefore skill to get head shots take them every chance you get, if not shoot the thighs

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