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Welp.. kicked again. I guess scoring 80+ points with the M24 is cheating in itself.
Prior to discovering C4 chucking (a few weeks prior to the patch that ended it) and all the time after it was resolved, I've been playing as a Sniper on the urban maps religiously. Playing Sniper all of the time and actually trying to win takes alot of concentration, so I needed to mindlessly throw C4 for a while to get it out of my system
Anyhoo, back on topic..
I've noticed that alot of people choose the Sniper class in-game because of a Sniper's status in the real world (see, I'm even capitalizing Sniper :laugh. Beyond that though, it seems that they don't put any thought into the actual role of the Sniper in-game and how to be effective. However, there are those that play the role very well and actually greatly help their team using that class. Heck, I'll regularly knock out a 50, 80 or even 100+ point round in Karkand 16 player any day of the week (with the distant second being around 30-50 points).
I learned alot of tricks from the greats:
DIE::Revolution420
Mr.C
1LT superevilcube
etc.. (i suck with names, cant remember the rest)
So, I want to dedicate this thread for tips and tricks in playing the Sniper role effectively.
As a disclaimer, yes I'm aware that there are alot of bad Snipers out there and may have given the entire class a bad rep. On the flipside, when it comes to all-infantry roles a great Sniper will stomp a great PKM, AK-101, M16, etc player. Those that have been unlucky enough to face one of the greats will understand
And finally, theories are theories.. this may seem like common knowledge to some of you, though it takes alot more than just reading and understanding. You need alot of practice and all of these things need to become like instinct. It's common to see great snipers regularly using about 50 different tactics and strategies in split second moments. Think of like Karate, where you need to react instantly to a threat -- your mind has to be geared towards these concepts.
So.. let the tips begin.
Always Have Somewhere to Duck
I commonly see snipers laying in the middle of the street or at the top of a hill. Initially, their problem is that they are prone. Believe it or not, if you practice how to shoot right and get a feel for it, you'll be able to pull of headshots while standing or crouching.
Use the crawl mode as a ducking maneuver wherever you are. If you're running down street level, run along areas where can get quick cover.
When you are looking for a good "spot" to hang out in for a while and pick off enemies, pick a spot that allows you to go into crawl mode and be completely concealed -- for instance, behind a standbag or in a crater -- anything that will allow you to duck and reload quickly.
This must become instinct. When I run down a street and I'm paying attention to the game, I'll move in such a way that if anyone creeps up behind me or pops around a corner, I'll be able to duck first decide how to react and then strike.
When you are stuck in the middle of a street and someone is unloading a clip in your direction, it's usually best to run. However, in times where they are using single shot, using a pistol or if they are an enemy sniper, you will be surprised to realise how great lamp posts are for cover. The trick is to get them to start chasing you around the lamp post and you will occasionally have enough time to drop them with your pistol. I've done it on many occasions an the feeling was quite pleasant
The point is, anywhere you go.. anything you do.. you must be ready to duck and cover in split seconds. That huge squad running around the corner won't stand a chance as long as you can get them into firefight and keep their heads down. Finding cover does just that, since they will wait for you to come back out. If you time your shots well, you'll be able to rip up an entire squad before they can empty a clip.
Snipe + Pistol Combo
Even though you're a sniper, headshots aren't always the preferred way to take out a target. Your advantage is that you have a scope and a bullet that can severely cripple an enemy with one shot (provided you're not using an SVD.. but this tactic won't be needed if you're using a semi-auto rifle like the SVD as opposed to the bolt action rifle like the M24).
A trick that Mr.C taught me (by kicking my ass) was the Sniper/Pistol combo.
The M24 is presumabley the weakest of the bolt action rifle set, but it can still shave off enough health for you to take someone out with a pistol easily.
All you need to do is get one body shot in on your target. After that you duck (you remembered to have somewhere to duck right?) and pull out our pistol -- then quickly pop back up (the duck and switch should take you about half a second). Then line up your target and unload the pistol. You'll be able to hit them at very long range with the pistol and getting an accurate shot is very easy with some practice.
Normally, it takes one rilfe shot + 2-3 pistol shots and the target drops. It also keeps your fingers moving and keeps your brain from stalling out trying to get that perfect headshot.
Play Smart
Snipers that hang out on rooftops or in some brush on the other end of the map are useless. There's nothing challenging about laying in the cut and shooting unsuspecting enemies in the back to score your 3 kills for the whole round.
Some of the good snipers like to stay at around medium range but still assault when the time is right. As long as you have good cover (and especially if you have the SVD) you can toe to toe with the bad guys and kill them all.
On the other hand, I like getting into the thick of it. I like the fact that I'm used to quickly thinking on my feet at a moments notice and will commonly outsmart the average opponent by confusing them (ie: running from them around a corner and once they get close to the corner, charging with a knife or pistol).
The thing about sniping is that you need to use your noggin. While all of the medics and assaults are running around with their own priorities, they aren't concentrating on the tactical end of the battle. Instead, the medics are working their way up to the flags and reviving people on the way.. the support guys are layout down trying to rack up kills -- you need to see the general flow of the battle.
You need to engage, but do so in a smart way.. thinking through each move until, again, it becomes instinct and you don't need to think anymore. When you die, make it a habit to plan out your next route. Once you plan about 50 routes, 50 times, they will instantly pop into your head when the situation when they are needed arrives.
Always look for chokepoints. Right before a flag goes neutral, start nading the spawn points so people dont hit you at the last second. Place your claymores in conjested areas and move on. Use the UAV to anticipate where everyone will go and constantly look at the map to understand the flow of the battle.
Right before you get to a cover point, leep there.. dont just run in. How many times were you killed right before you got to cover?
If you're running from someone, throw a grenade in front of you at about a 75 degree angle. By time you run past the grenade and turn the corner, it'll blow right at their feet.
There are times when your shots wont register worth a damn. We've all had it. Best thing to do in this case is move on to another server -- regardless of what your ping is on this one.
Go after the best players. If you see someone tearing up a server, they're mostly likely good and are paying attention the game. They will notice someone who is consecutively killing them. If you can defeat the best player, your team will be free to move on and crus the enemy while you sit back and pick off the rest of the targets.
If a vehicle is taking a flag and there is nothing you can do, best thing to do is to wait until the vehicle takes the flag and cap it. Dont go anywhere else and dont try to sneak around the vehicle's wheels hoping you wont be noticed. Just wait until it leaves and take the flag... disrupt their flow.
If using an SVD, learn how to Duck+ComeUp+Shoot+Duck+ComeUp+Shoot in a very fast motion. Since it's a semi-auto rifle you have the luxury of missing shots. Popping up and down the right way will never get you killed by bullets.. ever.
Always try to get distance between you and the enemy. If you're turning a corner, dont hug the wall. Instead, run around the corner so that if an anemy pops up you'll atleast stand a chance (the great snipers can pull off close range shots easy).
--
Anyway, it's getting late so 2 is enough for now. I'll add more if you guys add more. There are some secrets I'll never give away, but we all have our secrets tactics. If you're a great sniper, by all means, contribute to the thread and help restore the Sniper's good name in BF2
Prior to discovering C4 chucking (a few weeks prior to the patch that ended it) and all the time after it was resolved, I've been playing as a Sniper on the urban maps religiously. Playing Sniper all of the time and actually trying to win takes alot of concentration, so I needed to mindlessly throw C4 for a while to get it out of my system
Anyhoo, back on topic..I've noticed that alot of people choose the Sniper class in-game because of a Sniper's status in the real world (see, I'm even capitalizing Sniper :laugh
. Beyond that though, it seems that they don't put any thought into the actual role of the Sniper in-game and how to be effective. However, there are those that play the role very well and actually greatly help their team using that class. Heck, I'll regularly knock out a 50, 80 or even 100+ point round in Karkand 16 player any day of the week (with the distant second being around 30-50 points).I learned alot of tricks from the greats:
DIE::Revolution420
Mr.C
1LT superevilcube
etc.. (i suck with names, cant remember the rest)
So, I want to dedicate this thread for tips and tricks in playing the Sniper role effectively.
As a disclaimer, yes I'm aware that there are alot of bad Snipers out there and may have given the entire class a bad rep. On the flipside, when it comes to all-infantry roles a great Sniper will stomp a great PKM, AK-101, M16, etc player. Those that have been unlucky enough to face one of the greats will understand
And finally, theories are theories.. this may seem like common knowledge to some of you, though it takes alot more than just reading and understanding. You need alot of practice and all of these things need to become like instinct. It's common to see great snipers regularly using about 50 different tactics and strategies in split second moments. Think of like Karate, where you need to react instantly to a threat -- your mind has to be geared towards these concepts.
So.. let the tips begin.
Always Have Somewhere to Duck
I commonly see snipers laying in the middle of the street or at the top of a hill. Initially, their problem is that they are prone. Believe it or not, if you practice how to shoot right and get a feel for it, you'll be able to pull of headshots while standing or crouching.
Use the crawl mode as a ducking maneuver wherever you are. If you're running down street level, run along areas where can get quick cover.
When you are looking for a good "spot" to hang out in for a while and pick off enemies, pick a spot that allows you to go into crawl mode and be completely concealed -- for instance, behind a standbag or in a crater -- anything that will allow you to duck and reload quickly.
This must become instinct. When I run down a street and I'm paying attention to the game, I'll move in such a way that if anyone creeps up behind me or pops around a corner, I'll be able to duck first decide how to react and then strike.
When you are stuck in the middle of a street and someone is unloading a clip in your direction, it's usually best to run. However, in times where they are using single shot, using a pistol or if they are an enemy sniper, you will be surprised to realise how great lamp posts are for cover. The trick is to get them to start chasing you around the lamp post and you will occasionally have enough time to drop them with your pistol. I've done it on many occasions an the feeling was quite pleasant
The point is, anywhere you go.. anything you do.. you must be ready to duck and cover in split seconds. That huge squad running around the corner won't stand a chance as long as you can get them into firefight and keep their heads down. Finding cover does just that, since they will wait for you to come back out. If you time your shots well, you'll be able to rip up an entire squad before they can empty a clip.
Snipe + Pistol Combo
Even though you're a sniper, headshots aren't always the preferred way to take out a target. Your advantage is that you have a scope and a bullet that can severely cripple an enemy with one shot (provided you're not using an SVD.. but this tactic won't be needed if you're using a semi-auto rifle like the SVD as opposed to the bolt action rifle like the M24).
A trick that Mr.C taught me (by kicking my ass) was the Sniper/Pistol combo.
The M24 is presumabley the weakest of the bolt action rifle set, but it can still shave off enough health for you to take someone out with a pistol easily.
All you need to do is get one body shot in on your target. After that you duck (you remembered to have somewhere to duck right?) and pull out our pistol -- then quickly pop back up (the duck and switch should take you about half a second). Then line up your target and unload the pistol. You'll be able to hit them at very long range with the pistol and getting an accurate shot is very easy with some practice.
Normally, it takes one rilfe shot + 2-3 pistol shots and the target drops. It also keeps your fingers moving and keeps your brain from stalling out trying to get that perfect headshot.
Play Smart
Snipers that hang out on rooftops or in some brush on the other end of the map are useless. There's nothing challenging about laying in the cut and shooting unsuspecting enemies in the back to score your 3 kills for the whole round.
Some of the good snipers like to stay at around medium range but still assault when the time is right. As long as you have good cover (and especially if you have the SVD) you can toe to toe with the bad guys and kill them all.
On the other hand, I like getting into the thick of it. I like the fact that I'm used to quickly thinking on my feet at a moments notice and will commonly outsmart the average opponent by confusing them (ie: running from them around a corner and once they get close to the corner, charging with a knife or pistol).
The thing about sniping is that you need to use your noggin. While all of the medics and assaults are running around with their own priorities, they aren't concentrating on the tactical end of the battle. Instead, the medics are working their way up to the flags and reviving people on the way.. the support guys are layout down trying to rack up kills -- you need to see the general flow of the battle.
You need to engage, but do so in a smart way.. thinking through each move until, again, it becomes instinct and you don't need to think anymore. When you die, make it a habit to plan out your next route. Once you plan about 50 routes, 50 times, they will instantly pop into your head when the situation when they are needed arrives.
Always look for chokepoints. Right before a flag goes neutral, start nading the spawn points so people dont hit you at the last second. Place your claymores in conjested areas and move on. Use the UAV to anticipate where everyone will go and constantly look at the map to understand the flow of the battle.
Right before you get to a cover point, leep there.. dont just run in. How many times were you killed right before you got to cover?
If you're running from someone, throw a grenade in front of you at about a 75 degree angle. By time you run past the grenade and turn the corner, it'll blow right at their feet.
There are times when your shots wont register worth a damn. We've all had it. Best thing to do in this case is move on to another server -- regardless of what your ping is on this one.
Go after the best players. If you see someone tearing up a server, they're mostly likely good and are paying attention the game. They will notice someone who is consecutively killing them. If you can defeat the best player, your team will be free to move on and crus the enemy while you sit back and pick off the rest of the targets.
If a vehicle is taking a flag and there is nothing you can do, best thing to do is to wait until the vehicle takes the flag and cap it. Dont go anywhere else and dont try to sneak around the vehicle's wheels hoping you wont be noticed. Just wait until it leaves and take the flag... disrupt their flow.
If using an SVD, learn how to Duck+ComeUp+Shoot+Duck+ComeUp+Shoot in a very fast motion. Since it's a semi-auto rifle you have the luxury of missing shots. Popping up and down the right way will never get you killed by bullets.. ever.
Always try to get distance between you and the enemy. If you're turning a corner, dont hug the wall. Instead, run around the corner so that if an anemy pops up you'll atleast stand a chance (the great snipers can pull off close range shots easy).
--
Anyway, it's getting late so 2 is enough for now. I'll add more if you guys add more. There are some secrets I'll never give away, but we all have our secrets tactics. If you're a great sniper, by all means, contribute to the thread and help restore the Sniper's good name in BF2
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