Braiken
Member
Hello there fellow legioneers! I've seen many threads about sniping, some found it underpowered while others believed the total opposite. I did some sniping in the last few weeks and while there is a lot more for me to learn I thought I'd share my experience with you about being a sniper (the pros and the cons).
So here are my thoughts:
I. Combat:
1) The enemy and you! Snipers are not frontline fighters (especially if you take the outrider sniper). Your most powerful weapon is your laser rifle which can deal a great deal of damage to the enemy before he reaches you or your base. Once in direct contact with your enemy your sniper rifle becomes somewhat useless since it eats your energy thus reducing your moving capabilities (which is essentials in combat). Other issue is that if you try to aim it takes time and during that time you'll most likely get a rocket in your face, so I'd advise either get away or practice your twitch-shooting skills (in time you'll recognize moving patterns and be able to shoot your enemies while moving/flying). If you're lucky a teammate will be there to assist you or even divert the attackers attention so you can aim carefully and land that killer shoot.
2) Zooming! I find it important that newbie snipers use the zoom function since it really makes your aim more precise. It's also important that what zoom level fits the current situation the best. There are 3 levels of zooming + the default view:
a) Level 3 (highest) zoom: I'd advise this on far away targets or mid range targets who move slowly.
b) Level 2 zoom: It's great for small maps to shoot incoming cappers (I use this the most). c) Level 1 zoom: Level 1 is probably the one you'd prefer in mid range (cappers who are getting real close or just leaving your base).
d) Default view: It's great when you need to shoot while moving since it gives you the best view of your surroundings (so it's your choice if you are attacked). In time you can become so professional with the laser rifle that you can shoot even far away targets without zooming!
3) Hitting your targets! At first it can be real tricky to get the enemy players, so here are a few tips on how to land a succesful shoot. Peak-shoots (thats how I call them) are one of the easiest ones to master. It involves shooting your target when his/her route reached its peak (when the route reached it's top and it's about to go down), cause during this few moments they hardly move. Another easy way to hit your target is to get into a position where it heads in your direction. Just aim at it and pull the trigger. It's also important to note that later you'll be able to shoot enemies who move really fast in any direction. The trick is to predict its movement and shoot where you think he will be the second you pull the trigger. So when you aim for those targets who are going away from you always shoot where you predict there will be the next moment (+ ping), cause if you aim for them directly it most likely will miss.
4) Range! Snipers are best at close to long range (350-400m). It's also important to note that after a certain distance your damage output will be reduced (it can be even zero if your target is really far away)
5) 1st or 3rd person? This really is an interesting question. I'd say whichever you prefer. I did just as good in 3rd person as in 1st so I'd say choose which fits your needs better, it won't influence how good you can become!
6) Energy and laser rifle! It's also important to note that the damage output of your laser rifle is based on your current energy level. Try consecutive shooting and notice how your damage output is reduced.
II. Your place in the match:
1) Snipers - Guardians of the falg! Snipers are meant for defense so I wouldn't advise offensive sniping (aka osniping). This means don't shoot the enemy defenders. I know they can be easy targets for their lack of movement, but this won't improve your skill, and you'll never become good at sniping. If you decide to roll a sniper you should stay in your base and obliterate the enemy's offense. Still I think it's okay to leave your cozy base just to retrieve the flag from the opposing team.
Another viable option is to snipe in midfield.
2) Positioning! It's really important to find the perfect place from where you can take out the enemy offense. The best position to shoot a capper is to stand somewhere where he comes straight forward for you (it's really easy to shoot them then and you might even do a body block). In time you'll able to shoot enemies from many directions, still it's best to choose the position where you can land your shoots with the highest precision (usually it's the front of the base or the back of it). If you are midfielding find an either high place where you can see the enemy targets or get into their routes and snipe/bodyblock them.
3) Chasing as a sniper! Currently I find the hornet (rocket launcher+laser rifle) the best one at snipe chasing. A quick rocket jump or the new trendy grenade+rocket blast combo and you're after your enemy. Sniping while going fast is really tough nut especially after the 1st shoot (it drains your energy and if the terrain isnt plain it can cause you to fall behind), so I'd advise to either get close to your enemy, stop, aim then shoot or get to a high point (or any other place) where you can have a clear shoot on them.
4) Roles!
a) Defender (see II. 1.)
b) Chaser (see II. 3.)
c) Midfielder: A variant of defender, the main difference is that midfielders are based somewhere on the battlefield instead of their own base.
d) Sweeper: Sweepers are killing machines, their job is to keep their base and its territory (or even the enemy base) free of the enemy
III. Loadouts:
Currently there are 3 loadouts that have the sniper rifle in them.
a) Sniper (light armor): Sniper is the only class that has the laser rifle 2, which deals a slightly more damage than the plain laser rifle. It can 2 shoot kill an outrider(59,5%HP/shoot), 3 shoot kill a raider(44,5% HP/shoot) and 5 shoot kill a sentinel (22,5% HP/shoot). It also has the chaingun which chainwhores will love. The greatest weakness of this loadout is the low HPs and the lack of splash damage weapon (some clever enemies use this to their advantage).
b) Hornet (medium armor): Armed with laser rifle and a rocket launcher this loadout is able to devastate an enemy player in a blink of an eye (well if that blink is longer then 3-4 seconds of course). One of the best combos is to shoot your target who is far away with the laser rifle then change to rocket launcher and suprise them with a MA (mid-air). Also this loadout has more HP than the Sniper and is more fitting for those who are good at MAs. It can 2 shoot kill an outrider(x%HP/shoot), 3 shoot kill a raider(40% HP/shoot) and 5 shoot kill a sentinel (20% HP/shoot). Weakness is the slightly less damage output with laser rifle (trust me it matters), somewhat worse manuverability, and the long weapon swapping time.
c) Rooster (medium armor): Same as the hornet just with grenade launcher instead of rocket launcher. I only recommend it if you are really good with the grenade launcher.
Well this post has gotten a bit long, but I do hope this will help some snipers who are eager to learn and become valued members of our community. Thanks for reading!
Other opinions:
1) Redvan raised a concern about osniping.
Regards
Braiken
So here are my thoughts:
I. Combat:
1) The enemy and you! Snipers are not frontline fighters (especially if you take the outrider sniper). Your most powerful weapon is your laser rifle which can deal a great deal of damage to the enemy before he reaches you or your base. Once in direct contact with your enemy your sniper rifle becomes somewhat useless since it eats your energy thus reducing your moving capabilities (which is essentials in combat). Other issue is that if you try to aim it takes time and during that time you'll most likely get a rocket in your face, so I'd advise either get away or practice your twitch-shooting skills (in time you'll recognize moving patterns and be able to shoot your enemies while moving/flying). If you're lucky a teammate will be there to assist you or even divert the attackers attention so you can aim carefully and land that killer shoot.
2) Zooming! I find it important that newbie snipers use the zoom function since it really makes your aim more precise. It's also important that what zoom level fits the current situation the best. There are 3 levels of zooming + the default view:
a) Level 3 (highest) zoom: I'd advise this on far away targets or mid range targets who move slowly.
b) Level 2 zoom: It's great for small maps to shoot incoming cappers (I use this the most). c) Level 1 zoom: Level 1 is probably the one you'd prefer in mid range (cappers who are getting real close or just leaving your base).
d) Default view: It's great when you need to shoot while moving since it gives you the best view of your surroundings (so it's your choice if you are attacked). In time you can become so professional with the laser rifle that you can shoot even far away targets without zooming!
3) Hitting your targets! At first it can be real tricky to get the enemy players, so here are a few tips on how to land a succesful shoot. Peak-shoots (thats how I call them) are one of the easiest ones to master. It involves shooting your target when his/her route reached its peak (when the route reached it's top and it's about to go down), cause during this few moments they hardly move. Another easy way to hit your target is to get into a position where it heads in your direction. Just aim at it and pull the trigger. It's also important to note that later you'll be able to shoot enemies who move really fast in any direction. The trick is to predict its movement and shoot where you think he will be the second you pull the trigger. So when you aim for those targets who are going away from you always shoot where you predict there will be the next moment (+ ping), cause if you aim for them directly it most likely will miss.
4) Range! Snipers are best at close to long range (350-400m). It's also important to note that after a certain distance your damage output will be reduced (it can be even zero if your target is really far away)
5) 1st or 3rd person? This really is an interesting question. I'd say whichever you prefer. I did just as good in 3rd person as in 1st so I'd say choose which fits your needs better, it won't influence how good you can become!
6) Energy and laser rifle! It's also important to note that the damage output of your laser rifle is based on your current energy level. Try consecutive shooting and notice how your damage output is reduced.
II. Your place in the match:
1) Snipers - Guardians of the falg! Snipers are meant for defense so I wouldn't advise offensive sniping (aka osniping). This means don't shoot the enemy defenders. I know they can be easy targets for their lack of movement, but this won't improve your skill, and you'll never become good at sniping. If you decide to roll a sniper you should stay in your base and obliterate the enemy's offense. Still I think it's okay to leave your cozy base just to retrieve the flag from the opposing team.
Another viable option is to snipe in midfield.
2) Positioning! It's really important to find the perfect place from where you can take out the enemy offense. The best position to shoot a capper is to stand somewhere where he comes straight forward for you (it's really easy to shoot them then and you might even do a body block). In time you'll able to shoot enemies from many directions, still it's best to choose the position where you can land your shoots with the highest precision (usually it's the front of the base or the back of it). If you are midfielding find an either high place where you can see the enemy targets or get into their routes and snipe/bodyblock them.
3) Chasing as a sniper! Currently I find the hornet (rocket launcher+laser rifle) the best one at snipe chasing. A quick rocket jump or the new trendy grenade+rocket blast combo and you're after your enemy. Sniping while going fast is really tough nut especially after the 1st shoot (it drains your energy and if the terrain isnt plain it can cause you to fall behind), so I'd advise to either get close to your enemy, stop, aim then shoot or get to a high point (or any other place) where you can have a clear shoot on them.
4) Roles!
a) Defender (see II. 1.)
b) Chaser (see II. 3.)
c) Midfielder: A variant of defender, the main difference is that midfielders are based somewhere on the battlefield instead of their own base.
d) Sweeper: Sweepers are killing machines, their job is to keep their base and its territory (or even the enemy base) free of the enemy
III. Loadouts:
Currently there are 3 loadouts that have the sniper rifle in them.
a) Sniper (light armor): Sniper is the only class that has the laser rifle 2, which deals a slightly more damage than the plain laser rifle. It can 2 shoot kill an outrider(59,5%HP/shoot), 3 shoot kill a raider(44,5% HP/shoot) and 5 shoot kill a sentinel (22,5% HP/shoot). It also has the chaingun which chainwhores will love. The greatest weakness of this loadout is the low HPs and the lack of splash damage weapon (some clever enemies use this to their advantage).
b) Hornet (medium armor): Armed with laser rifle and a rocket launcher this loadout is able to devastate an enemy player in a blink of an eye (well if that blink is longer then 3-4 seconds of course). One of the best combos is to shoot your target who is far away with the laser rifle then change to rocket launcher and suprise them with a MA (mid-air). Also this loadout has more HP than the Sniper and is more fitting for those who are good at MAs. It can 2 shoot kill an outrider(x%HP/shoot), 3 shoot kill a raider(40% HP/shoot) and 5 shoot kill a sentinel (20% HP/shoot). Weakness is the slightly less damage output with laser rifle (trust me it matters), somewhat worse manuverability, and the long weapon swapping time.
c) Rooster (medium armor): Same as the hornet just with grenade launcher instead of rocket launcher. I only recommend it if you are really good with the grenade launcher.
Well this post has gotten a bit long, but I do hope this will help some snipers who are eager to learn and become valued members of our community. Thanks for reading!
Other opinions:
1) Redvan raised a concern about osniping.
Regards
Braiken
