Sniper Kit

**slowmotionman** · 04-04-08, 10:58 AM

I am interested in how everyone else feels about having snipers in their squad.

For me, I would say it is situational. It is acceptable to have one or two snipers in the squad if the objective is defense or if the squad is getting sniped by a number of snipers. On offense for capping flags, unless you can play the sniper kit like Sprint do not even bother bringing it. He is the only person I have seen effective close range. Laying 100 yards from the rest of the squad trying to pick of enemies is not going to help cap the flag or effectively support the squad. I would rather have another medic. The more people in the flag zone the faster it turns and the faster you can move out to avoid arty. Let's here everyone else's opinion.

**WolverineBrother** · 04-04-08, 11:20 AM

I guess I fall into the sniper hater category, almost as much as Trigger...

For defence, of say TV station or Airfield on Wake, I will accept up to 2 snipers in my squad and toss in a support for good measure to keep the area covered with clays.

For everything else I have no use for snipers. Pick up the kit and deploy clays, but change back and we move on. If we are pinned down or on temporary defence I will occasionally allow one person to spawn counter sniper, but only if I have someone capable, like RV, in my squad. If not, we will just jump around...

Like Slow said, Sprint is the only guy I will accept as sniper on flag offence. He is to the sniper kit what GMG is to engineer. We can't all be that good.

On offence I need a full squad assaulting the objective, and all need to be able to bite back if there are enemies around. Medics, AT, Support, Engineer, Spec Ops can all bite back fiercly, while bringing a special ability to the table which is imediately relevant at the flag. Clays are nice, but not worth sacrificing close combat ability and special abilities like healing for.

I have only met a handful of qualified teamplaying snipers. Many great shots, but few teamplayers. That means that all the fancy talk in the forums about spotting, covering, deploying clays to cover the SL, etc, are all worthless in the field. On the actual battlefield, 9,9 out of 10 snipers spot nothing, cover nobody, use clays to protect their own ass, and stay on top of a crane all game. That is why I hate snipers.

And the fact that the M95 is not a one shot kill regardless of where you hit. In reality, you get shot in the pinky finger with that gun, you go into shock and bleed out.

Yeah, I think I'm done...

**JBMCW2010** · 04-04-08, 02:55 PM

snipers have their uses. Claymores for Flag defense and general defense of a position eg Market/Junkyard area on Jalallalalalalabad

Offensively snipers are not as strong as other kits so if I intend on going into the fray I hope that my squad picks kits accordingly.

**AKA_Lump6** · 04-04-08, 03:05 PM

While I am not a huge advocate for snipers in the squad (defense being their primary use) I have even utilized them in flag offense situations quite nicely.

Around each flag there is between 2 to 4 spawn points. As the squad is moving onto the flag placing themselves in precarious nade danger I have employed a sniper to lay claymores on key spawn points and then have him join us on the flag. Any spawners blow up and they don't blow us up, we cap, we run from arty. It can be very handy when you are against a foe such as GMG who will suicide just to spawn on your ass to take your entire squad out as they huddle in glee on the "undefended flag". Don't count out a sniper unless person playing the sniper can not be counted on.

**rv2pc3d** · 04-04-08, 03:09 PM

Originally Posted by JBMCW2010

snipers have their uses. Claymores for Flag defense and general defense of a position eg Market/Junkyard area on Jalallalalalalabad

Offensively snipers are not as strong as other kits so if I intend on going into the fray I hope that my squad picks kits accordingly.

I would have to disagree that the sniper kit is not a power offensive kit...... It all breaks down to how you use the kit. I am testament to that fact, as I've had many good players curse my name for kill after kill after kill as a sniper, and I'm not sitting around some distant place sniping (thats for the birds), I'm upfront and personal with my sniper weapons.

I'm my own personal experience, I used the Sniper kit very successfully as an offensive weapon... but on rare occasions. I tend to stick to the defensive aspects of the sniper kit, as these are the circumstances I find myself in most.

But my point is, is that it can be a powerful offensive kit if used properly; sure the Sniper doesn't have an assault rifle, but doesn't mean you couldn't pick one up and kill who you need to kill, then grab your Sniper kit and move forward..... Sure the Sniper doesn't have a medic pack, but doesn't mean you couldn't just pick on up and revive/heal who ever needs healing, picking up your Sniper pack when you're done and moving forward.... Likewise with all the other kits; get what you need along the way, learn to be versatile, adjusting your kits as need be. Rarely if I spawn Sniper, do I remain a Sniper.... I'm like a freaking bird that changes colors....

However, with all of that said, the Sniper kit is NOT for everybody, as this particular kit takes a great deal of understanding in it's use; this required understanding of the kit has resulted in it's unpopularity, IMO.

It is only human nature for poeple to not like what they do not understand.

**CivilWars** · 04-04-08, 03:13 PM

You might want to sit down for this.

Ready? I could care less if you play as a sniper in my squad AS LONG AS you can effectively kill and support your squad. If you want to sit in some remote location away from the squad just trying to kill unsuspecting victims find another squad. If you can sit on a hill and spot and pick off people trying to kill me, and our squad, while we are trying to capture/defend a flag, then I will not ridicule you.

As many of you can attest if you ask me what kit I need my stock reply is whatever you can stay alive with, and kill the enemy with. If the best option for you to accomplish this is a sniper kit then get it. HOWEVER, if at any point I disagree that the sniper kit is your most effective then please switch to a more effective one.

I used to be a sniper hater, and I still only usually play the kit while commanding, but if you can prove to me that you can make it work I will never say a word. But if you play it in my squad, and act a total fool, I will berate you until you get so embarrassed that you switch, or even leave my squad or the game.

Civil

**slowmotionman** · 04-04-08, 03:20 PM

RV..you are refering to a much higher skill level than most people have with the kit.

**rv2pc3d** · 04-04-08, 03:24 PM

Originally Posted by slowmotionman

RV..you are refering to a much higher skill level than most people have with the kit.

"I cannot tell a lie", and I think you are right, which is why I included this very important statement....

"However, with all of that said, the sniper kit is NOT for everybody, as this particular kit takes a great deal of understanding in it's use. this required understanding of the kit has resulted in it's unpopularity, IMO."

Thanks by the way, I think I'll take your statement as an unintended complement.

**slowmotionman** · 04-04-08, 03:37 PM

I am not a sniper hater and as many of you know when asked what kit to bring MOST of the time I will tell my SMs to play whatever kit they play best. In my opinion though, the sniper kit is best suited for defense. For capping flags you need to get in the thick of things and clear the area quickly. Sniper is not the best kit for this. Unless you have elite sniper skills and most do not.

It is interesting to hear everyone's take on the kit. I must disagree with Civil that a sniper hanging back on the hill to try to pick people off one at a time is helpful to the squad. One more person in the thick of things is much more help to the squad. Especially if they are reviving SMs.

RV ..I must admit your skills and understanding with the kit are far above most. The man that sets the bar for this kit though is Sprint.

If you see me playing sniper (I actually do sometimes) it is because I am playing defense or I am looking for another kit on the ground.

**CivilWars** · 04-04-08, 03:41 PM

In my defense, as if I needed any but that is another topic, I don't see a ton of difference in 4 guys on a flag, and 6. If I have 3 SMs playing with themselves somewhere else then you bet your ass I will let everyone know I do not approve. However, if it is one guy spotting and killing from a few feet away, then moving in once the coast is clear and the flag is gray I can live with it.