Anubis_Maximus

The sniper is often thought of with negative connotations attached. Many gamers have heard the words "noob, pussy, coward" and other various insultations aimed at snipers. Remember though, the battlefield has no rules when it comes to killing the enemy, so don't let the enemy's pissing and moaning discourage you. What follows is the my own personal study of the sniper and his most effective role in on the battlefield.
~Index~
1.Weapon Selection
2.Movement
3.Cover
4.Accuracy
5.Stealth
6.Other weapons in kit
7.Vehicles

1. When most snipers select their weapons, they want to know what will get them a one shot kill. Statistically througout history it takes the sniper 1.3 shots to get a confirmed kill. Other classes shoot thousands of rounds. Always pick the sniper rifle with the power and accuarcy. Scopes help, so make sure the scope is to your liking. Assault rifles with scopes are not sniper rifles, if you rake one of those you are essentially a long range assault troop. You want to achieve a kill with one shot and not miss, bottom line.

2. Despite many people's assumptions on sniper's movement, it's very different than what you might think. A sniper must NEVER be seen. If the enemy ever sees you before you see him, kiss your life good bye unless your friend Rambo wants to lend you his assault cannonl. Knowing the maps is essential. Try to get a good idea of the enemies main roadways and then find a place a good distance from there that has substantial cover. Using sprints to get from cover to cover, make your way to your nest taking great care to make sure you get their unseen. Your sniper nest can't be to obvios either, otherwise the enemy will most likely masterblast your location if that area becomes known for harboring snipers. After 2 or 3 kills on enemies that have not got a bead on your location, it's probally safe idea to move to another position that you can get to safely. When you scope in an area, make sure it can be scoped form AT LEAST 3 locations. After every few kills move. If the enemy does see you, even if you kill him, he will most likely tell his buddies and they will waste you. So to sum it up, find where the enemy likes to move, find 3 areas from where you can get a nice scope on and move after every few kills or if you have been spotted.

3. Cover is anything that will either cover your movement or give you a safe haven from flying shrapnel and lead. Understanding cover and how it can be used is key to a sniper's success. Never stand in the open. Never take shots from the open. Never run in the open. Run from cover to cover until you arrive at your location. Scope in before you look out at the scoping area. Slowly bring your scope out fo cover into the scoping field and wait untill an enemy comes. Remember that most cover isn't bullet-proof. Cover helps us hide.

4. Accuracy - precision, exactness. If your not a crack shot, then don't be a sniper. If you can get 4 kills with 5 shots, then you are most definatly a sniper. Track where the enemy will most likely continue to move and put your scope a small ways ahead of him and shoot when he runs into your crosshairs. If your scoping a small area where enemies run by in 2 or 3 seconds, head shots are not always available, so a regular body shot is your best bet. If you have 4 to 5 seconds, then make sure you get a face shot, which is ideal over a head shot. Accuracy also comes with practice, so dont get frustrated if your not a pro right away. Its also nice to know if the game you are playing as bullet drop or wind so you can adjust accordinly, which is posted in other threads so there is no reason to expand on it here.

5. Stealth - the act of moving, proceding, or acting in a covert way. Most of this was explained in movement so I'll talk about a different part of stealth. Cammo is becoming increasingly useful in games nowadays, so try to get the camo that matches the terrain you will be fighting in. IF someone sees your hideout or knows where your scoping from, and you are 90% sure they are going to try and sneak up on you then do the following - if things are too quite, then take out your pistol and hide somewhere near your hideout which provides cover for you. If the enemy comes looking for you, and doen't see you he will either A) Take up your sniping position, or B) leave and continue doing what he was. IF he takes up your sniping area, sneak up on him and slit his throat with your knife. If he leaves, or looks for you some more use your pistol and aim for the head before he sees you. And the last thing, when you scope make sure what you are scoping at the time is everything that can see you back, so don't leave an open area that you arn't scoping at the time, because you will be shot throught the skull.

6. The other weapons in your kit are meant to be used. I dont like calling them secondary, because i think they can be used just as effectively as you rifle. Most snipers get a pistol and a knife (explosives if your lucky) Use the pistol only when you think you can't do the job with the rifle, say you need to kill two men who came looking for your nest. The knife is fun, but use caution when you use it, make sure your target it preoccupied with someone else. If you have mines, make sure you use them. I like to place them in areas that lead to my nest or on areas where there is a lot of enemy movement. If you feel tricky, place 2 in slightly different or hidden areas leading to your nest.

7. Vehicles, a snipers worst nightmere. Most tanks and Troop transports are a little to much for a sniper to chew. If you got mines use them. But whatever you do, do not shoot at the tank or the foot troops accompanying it. Wait for the vehicle to pass, then pick off anyone not in the vehicle or on top of it, the vehicle most likely will not think that the fire came from behind.

So that sums it up for this article. Please feel free to share any questions/comments. Remember, one shot, one kill.

Mateo

Only one thing to add: snipers do not waste ammo on shots that are not sure things. Passing on a low percentage shot is preferable to a certain one shot kill.

Anubis_Maximus

Good point, kills are important, but if your a serious sniper get the kill with a single shot for boasting rights.

Acid

but when it comes to bf2, you need like 4 shots in a guy to kill him. and the bullet cone is wacko so you cant trust it.

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Anubis_Maximus

I have to say I am a little disappointed in BF2 sniper combat. Buts its not the sniper rifle, its the enemies armor. In real life an M24 would pierce kevlar with extreme ease, but BF2 is @!$*#$ up that way. Shoot for the face, neck, lower back, or any other exposed area for 1 shot kills.

Anubis_Maximus

Oh, and the cone is not messed up. If you are having problems its either lag or your hardware. (Or maybe you aim, snicker snicker)

Acid

actually, its not my aim, as head of the TG-4th Force Recon (dedicated to the Sniper/SpecOps kits) we specialize in long range combat. there is a bullet travel time and a small, but still there cone of fire.

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Anubis_Maximus

Im certain that the cone is sooo small that if it even does exist its incigniftcant, could you be mistaking it for bullet drop? Again, if you still think there is a cone try playing offline, im very certain that if a cone exists its so small that it doesnt matter. It probally is lag.