Help with Sniping

[Ewokinarmor]

Hey guys, sorry about another self help thread , but I attempted to create just a small sniper team today, and things...didn't really go stellar. Before you jump down my throat, yes, I do know what a sniper is supposed to do, and yes, I do treat the kit with proper respect and know why the kit gets the almost cultish respect it deserves (I'd write more, but rest assured I have the same attitude towards sniper as the rest of you - I'm not a COD MLG DANKSCOAP PRO).

With that out of the way, here's my thought process of playing sniper for you to critique, because something certainly went wrong.
- always attempt to flank/get behind enemy first
- when picking position, always have something in front of and behind yourself, preferably with small opening
- move to at least another window every 2-3 shots
- aim for center mass (some survived this, including a squad lead I shot)
- take out the SL first.
- always report fob positions that you see
- wait at least 5 seconds to steady before taking shot (I think I have the shooting technique down)

I'm not sure, it might just be because I'm sometimes a little bit intimidated by dealing with other people. I do tend to stutter a bit on the mic and can be quite indecisive at times. Should I just get more experience leading squads? I just thought it would be easier to lead two people than to lead seven. Anyways, what are some crucial things you always take to mind when sniping? Because this is something I really am bent on doing. I love playing a sneaky role in any kind of combat game (Airsoft, planetside, regular battlefield), but I usually do it alone. Thanks.

[thelastvortigaunt]

My two cents is that knowing the map you're playing on is extremely vital to doing well, not just in the sniper role, but in any role. Knowing popular spots for hideouts/FOBs, as well as popular vantage points players might take advantage of gives you a great advantage over the enemy team. Fundamentals are, of course, important. I think your decision-making process seems pretty sound. What specifically went wrong?

[iwingi]

My quick pro tips:

• Stay very far away (You will feel nearly zero drop.)
• Headshots are key. (If standing still.)
• Learn to lead. (Most important thing for being effective.)
• Sadly, the spotter is dead weight. (Be honest guys.)

These are reflective to my opinions, whether it is the intended use or not.
While playing as a sniper, my main goal is to be the most annoying shooter out there for the enemy. When you spot a squad, attempt the squad wipe. Even if you only manage a single kill, the squad will stop to get him back up. That's mission accomplished.

On the scouting note, it would seem using the sniper kit for gathering intel is simply not effective. You won't manage to cover enough ground. Simply go to the next capable flag on the map and attempt to communicate what's waiting and stop there. Once you've done this, attempt to annoy the opposition.

inb4 flame. The sniper kit is surrounding by scrutiny and surrounded by stereotypes. People say the sniper's goal isn't to hunt for the highest amount of kills, but it's what it does best. It is incredibly effective at eliminating enemies, less at scouting for intel and things of the sort.

Other than that, you seem to know what your doing. Using the sniper kit isn't difficult. Learning to overcome the hate will be the real challenge. Practice at leading and killing as many targets in the shortest of time windows and you'll be fine.

[UTurista]

inb4 flame. The sniper kit is surrounding by scrutiny and surrounded by stereotypes. People say the sniper's goal isn't to hunt for the highest amount of kills, but it's what it does best. It is incredibly effective at eliminating enemies, less at scouting for intel and things of the sort.

The scrutiny is there because of (retarded) comments like this, yes this a game and like any other game everyone wants a good KD ('cause is usually porprocional with amount of fun )but that doesn't mean its the goal of the kit, specially with the amount of teamwork required for this game.

So were should you use the sniper kit? Like any other you should use it in the front line, with the advantage you're not in it.
How so? Imagine a building, 1 squad vs 1 squad is usually the defenders that will win the fight, but a single sniper can suppress then to the point the attackers will have an easy job getting the building.
Just that? No! Using the sniper in conjunction with the CAS allows you to kill AAs and clear the path for the big guns, use it with the Armor and kill the tows.

TL-DR TEAMWORK, if you're not helping or being helped you're doing it wrong!

[Cossack]

*WARNING: Elitist post incoming*

On the scouting note, it would seem using the sniper kit for gathering intel is simply not effective. You won't manage to cover enough ground. Simply go to the next capable flag on the map and attempt to communicate what's waiting and stop there. Once you've done this, attempt to annoy the opposition.

inb4 flame. The sniper kit is surrounding by scrutiny and surrounded by stereotypes. People say the sniper's goal isn't to hunt for the highest amount of kills, but it's what it does best. It is incredibly effective at eliminating enemies, less at scouting for intel and things of the sort.

For how long you been playing this game to come to this conclusion and what sort of experience you have?

You sound just like any other guy who fires two shots and gets killed wasting tickets, while not providing any good for the team.

Best use for sniper is:

1. Working with infantry squad, helping killing AR's and other static units
2. Harass the enemy so they are pinned
3. And as Turista said, help CAS/Armor by keeping enemy heads down.
4. And INTEL, because its one of those rare kits right now that has binos.

All these points are based on my 4 year experience in competitive and public level.

Sniper kit on public games does not work if you are all alone. Join PRT, there where the real thing is going on, next level of PR gameplay is going on.

[K4on]

that sneaky advertising tho

[Cossack]

Thats the best kind

[Careless]

My 2 cents;

-Spotters are useless 99% of the time. Let's be honest guys

-Patience is a virtue, don't kill every single guy you see

-You're easier to detect than you think

-Use explosion sounds and other ambient sound as your cover to shoot/move (just like in Enemy at the Gates )

-Trip flares are USEFULL

-Don't take the shortcut

-Never take on a close combat fight. You'd rather want to flee whilst throwing smoke grenades in front of you

[Jacksonez__]

1. Find a good spot, or a bad spot. Doesn't matter really. "Good" sniping spots are obvious and known to most PR players. Sometimes "bad" spots are the best spots. Depends on the map.
2. Wait for target
3. Shoot
4. Kill or miss
5. Withdraw & advance from flank. Don't spend too much time on one spot.
6. Repeat 1-5

[Frontliner]

- aim for center mass (some survived this, including a squad lead I shot)

Don't go for body shots unless you're targeting insurgents. Opponents with body armour won't get knocked out by your shot, so you're doing 0 tickets worth of damage at the cost risking it all. If possible, go for the feet or the head.

[Finrar]

Well, if you are using the brits, french or the canadian snipzor just hit anywhere and enjoy the free kills

[iwingi]

For how long you been playing this game to come to this conclusion and what sort of experience you have?

You sound just like any other guy who fires two shots and gets killed wasting tickets, while not providing any good for the team.

Best use for sniper is:

1. Working with infantry squad, helping killing AR's and other static units
2. Harass the enemy so they are pinned
3. And as Turista said, help CAS/Armor by keeping enemy heads down.
4. And INTEL, because its one of those rare kits right now that has binos.

All these points are based on my 4 year experience in competitive and public level.

It is indeed the conclusion I've gathered playing for several years. I too have expressed my opinion just as you have, to you, mine seems to be irrelevant. I believe that's why you warned us your post was from an elitist point of view. Arguing with you is pointless because of this. I simply think your over exaggerating the capabilities of the sniper kit. Whilst playing, my methods have proven to be quite effective, just as yours have been. There are multiple ways to play, not just yours. It's why we both stated that these were our opinions and experiences.

[Ewokinarmor]

Thanks again guys, real helpful, but why are spotter supposedly useless? The one I had with me was very useful. He got us over some walls, spotted the fob we fired upon, and defended agains somebody who found our position. I mean, it would be a godsend if I could do this alone, because, as I said earlier, I'm not a very commanding presence.

[LtPedersen]

A spotter is there to be your secondary eyes, and your wide view so to speak.
As a sniper you have a very narrow sight of the battlefield, while a spotter is there to soak in everything else you cannot possibly see trough basic scanning techniques.

A spotter will lead you on to priority targets, give range estimates and if need be provide security. Overall a spotter is your best asset and best battle buddy to have around, being there to make your job as a sniper a whole lot easier.

[RarWinZip]

Rule #1: Be invisible.
Rule #2: Be useful.

There's a whole map belongs to you, unless you broke Rule #1, but if you want to be a good sniper, you should follow Rule #2.

[Onil]

Best Sniper Tip Ever:

NEVER call your Squad "Recon" !!

There is always one of these with a freaking sniper leading it and it gives the biggest bad name to the few that actually do recon, and guess what, without your precious sniper kit.

Call it what it is: "Free Kits" or even better, go play some other game which is focused on Sniping only like Sniper Elite.

[SShadowFox]

Best Sniper Tip Ever:

NEVER call your Squad "Recon" !!

There is always one of these with a freaking sniper leading it and it gives the biggest bad name to the few that actually do recon, and guess what, without your precious sniper kit.

Call it what it is: "Free Kits" or even better, go play some other game which is focused on Sniping only like Sniper Elite.

TL;DR: Don't pick the Sniper kit.

But seriously, what makes sniping in PR cool is the fact that you can actually cooperate with other Squads to do your job, something that lacks in most (if not all) sniper-only games such as Sniper Elite, seriously, if I picked the sniper kit for the sake of playing as a sniper and getting kills, I'd simply install Sniper Elite and play it anyway, but that's not what I want when I play as a sniper in PR, I actually want to cooperate, but the actions of some people that want nothing but easy kills with a fancy weapon make the "elite/veteran/team-worker" class hate everyone who picks the kit, before even knowing who the guy is going to use the kit.

My tips are:

- Stay hidden;
- Always have a spotter with you, people say they're useless, but it's better to be safe than sorry, you never know when an enemy might come across you;
- Keep your team noticed of everything that you see, especially if you can't take out (e.g. full enemy Squads, vehicles, etc).

[Mikemonster]

People arguing about 'sniping', hahahaha..

The best use for it is to have a medic as your gimp and camp the **** out of hills. Tried and tested since vBF2

Not my cup of tea mind.

[Murphy]

The rifle is more useful on some maps, and on others it can be a liability.

Just keep in mind each shot fired is akin to ringing the dinner bell for your enemies.

The best snipers support infantry, if you find you are not directly assisting the ground forces advance you are useless and would be more effective as a rifleman.

Don't take the sniper kit, especially if you're the type of guy that "don't need no spotter/medic, n don't need to give no intel cause my rifle will nullify any info I pass on...cause the enemy is DEAD". Onil put it nicely (odd thing, that), in 99% of the situations you will encounter having a sniper rifle is a liability. Most people don't get that because Mark Walhberg was fkn awesome in that Shooter movie, and I'm cooler than Marky Mark right?