Another look at the Sniper class (a sniping guide for all players)

Now, I've made a sniping guide in the past...lets just say it didn't go to well...(go look at it if you want but i won't link it to you). This time though, I am going further in detail on how to be a better sniper decided into three different "modes" or "sets", each with there own moves/tactics.
Please so spam or flamewar starting. We don't want another "snipeing tips" post. ok?​

Basic understanding of the sniper class​

The sniper class contains inside it several different layers of engagement. These are all geared toward the sniper's overall objective supporting your team. There is only a small number of times were a sniper should intentionally enter a direct firefight with another class other then sniper. Keep this in mind as I will look at this one first.
Aggressive Snipers​

Aggressive
sniping is best to be avoided, overall, it is not what a sniper is supposed to be doing on the battlefield. But, it can have it's benefits as a well placed maneuver can save the game
Basic optimal tactics/loadouts for aggressive sniping:
Flank advantage: MSR, Desert eagle/python, Tomahawk, flash bangs​

"flank advantage" is a load out for getting up close and personal with your target(s) and blasting his/her face off without them reacting. Timing is key for success with this class As you need team support. But if done correctly, with 6 shots by the MSR you can have 6 dead hostiles, throw a flash bang or pick off a straggler with your tomahawk, and get out with your pistol before anyone knew what hit them

Hit and run: l120Isolator,python,tomahawk,c4
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This is one of the most used tactics by players who don't know what a sniper is actually for and just want to farm kills. This tactic will, in most cases, leave you with a 20-15 kdr and an angry team. This is why I do not suggest this tactic to be used and that you should only use it on servers that have many other players of low skill level so that you can have a chance at surviving the match.

Basically, what you want to do is come in with your iso, using it's relatively fast shot time to kill unsuspecting players, then moving to your python as soon as they start attacking you. This is why most players end up dieing if they don't know what a sniper rifle, no matter how strong it is, is ultimately designed for. You cannot hold your ground when under fire, you must cover your retreat with your python and maybe use some c4 if your really in a bad position.

Anti-Automatic combo: l120Isolator/MSR,Desert eagle/python, grenades,flashbangs
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Please try in general to avoid the low fire rate snipers for more aggressive shooting, especially against sniper's greatest enemies: the automatic class. This is one of the most effective ways to get into enemy lines and get out again without dieing quickly

1. Pull in with two other players that have automatics
2. have both of your team members rush a cluster of hostiles, providing covering fire even if they aren't "in"on your strategy. Let your team help you
3. utilize the time to take potshots at the enemy while pulling off into a flanking maneuver
4. if your team members keep them pinned, then rush them from behind with a high fire rate sniper
5. move on to another cluster while your team moves in
6. be aware that the enemy team will recognize you after a while and start to target you, this is when you change gears and fall back a bit

if that made any sense then good, otherwise, please ask me about this in the reply section.
NOTE: this can be done solo, but always remember that if you lose stealth, then your dead. Autos counter snipers. Its fundamental.

Passive Sniping
Passive sniping is a Good thing to start on. If your still learning the ropes of shot leading and hitting those quick head shots, then passive sniping this the best "mode" to start in. It also is the most dynamic of classes being able to spread a large amount of control over a large area if done correctly
Basic optimal tactics/loadouts for passive sniping:

Harassment: l118a/barrett50c/msr/dragonv, usp-45/m-16/python,flash bangs,tomahawk
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This is a really good class for a starting player going into the sniper class. This is because the way to play this tactic is very easy to grasp, you need to harass the enemy from a long way away and allow your team to finish them off. This may not make sense to you, and I can see why, "how does this help me in the long run? its not helping my kdr" and your completely right, its not, but what it is doing is allowing your team to push up to a position so that you can get to a good sniping position. This tactic is only supposed to be used when your team is bogged down and you can get out. If theres none to finish them off once you body shot the enemy, then finish him yourself. The tactic is only used if your team is actively pushing the other team and can finish your target before they can heal. The reason why this is a good starter tactic is that you don't need to one shot the enemy and still help the team. Remember, this is what snipers do, you will need to learn to sacrifice kills sometimes for the benefit of the team

Pop and fade: Barrett50c/l118a/disassembler,deagle,grenades,flashbangs
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This set of tactics centers around a basic hit and run tactic, but much more aggressively. This tactic is to be employed when your team is at a stalemate with the other (in terms of map control not score). The tactic goes as follows

1. Find a corner that has several enemies behind it
2. dont crouch, you want them to start coming to you
3. when the target(s) reach about ten to five blocks from your corner, jump out and pop one in the head
4. Pull back around the corner while covering your escape with your pistol
5. repeat until all hostile die

This tactic is only effective against hostiles that are rushing you, if another sniper is there then its just a sniper fight. Try to target the enemies with the meanest guns, example: 5 enemies are rushing you, one has a skull crusher, one a model, one an l118a, one with a spas 12, and one with a law
You would target in this order, skull crusher, model, l118a, spas12, then law
If you attack the target with the spas12 first, the next time you'll have to deal with a model, and a skull crusher instead of one of them.

"Rain":msr/dragonv/disassembler,deagle,flashbangs,tomahawk
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This is the tactic that I would advise against most strongly in this section. The general idea is to spray from a position of high cover, above the enemy. It is most effective at stoping an enemy advance or picking off some strong weapons (hopefully) quickly. You must have a high rate of fire weapon to pull this one off, but this is primarily for the deagle.

1. This time around you will engage with your deagle. Lucky for you, you've been (again, hopefully) hiding behind a high rock (or something) and the enemy doesn't know your there
2. Sneak out from behind the rock (or something) and fire as many shots into the target as possible.
3. Cover your slow crawl back into cover with a few shots from your sniper
4. Watch your back as targets will want to kill you quickly after this happens

The passive sniper has an overarching tactic, Stealth you cannot survive as a passive sniper without hiding most of the time. The other tactics have a huge hole in them as well: always watch for the

Longshot Snipers

This is by far the most difficult "mode" to learn in sniping. "Longshot" sniping is the act of getting a headshot (or a body shot if its an iso) from over about 50 blocks away. This, therefore, is not recommended for new players or old players getting into sniping. The longshot snipers are snipers like the ones in the EST (I'm sure that there are other sniping clans but I know this one at least). Stealth and near flawless accuracy as well as a good knowledge of your gun is a minimum should you want to try longshoting.

Basic optimal tactics/loadouts for longshot sniping:​

Unseen, Unheard: Disassembler, python, flashbangs, c4​

This is the stealth sniper approach to longshot sniping, and its fundamental law is: Use the fact that players cannot be seen from a certain distance to your advantage. In the most recent minecraft update, we found that players would "disappear" after going a certain distance from our eyes. This tactic uses this to it's fullest advantage. One thing that you can see while out of the range of other player's eyes is particle effects (see were I'm going with this?)

1. Find a high ground or a long stretch of land
2. Let your team go way far in front of you
3. Scope down, and wait
4. As soon as you see a stray particle effect, put two bullets into them
5. If your target was on your team, nothing happens, if your target was on the other team, you have a dead player
6. As soon as you have a null period reload

Should you ever get rushed (unlikely but possible) pop them with your python, dissembler shots are important to keep on hand. NOTE: this is the most difficult of the tactics, it can also be done by using an iso,barret50c,or l118a.

Countersniper (team support): barret50c/l188a/iso/dissembler,python/deagle,flashbangs,tomahawk
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In this tactic you will be providing close team support by killing the enemy team's snipers. It is very important that they don't see you and that you target the strongest snipers, sniper rifles, and highest up players. This doesn't mean that you can't take potshots at other classes, but the point of this tactic is to stealthily take out the other team's snipers so that you can push the enemy.

Elite Sniper (personal class):Barret50c, Python, Flashbangs, tomahawk, scavenger
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No I dot want a flame war over the name of this tactic set, its only what I call myself. But I wanted to share my personal tactics to you. This includes, pulling quickly from different roles and using anything against your enemy. Its not a nice set of tactics, But it what happens if you do this enough, you'll make your own play style that suits you. So, the tactic goes as follows

1. Immediately after exiting spawn, sprint into the back of the middle of the map and stand inside a building or other heavy cover
2. Allow your enemies to come to you, and take target priority as they come at you (remain scoped with your sniper until they either, come to close, you start taking fire)
3. As soon as your targets reach an uncomfortable distance, throw a flash bang to split them up
4. Run from your sniping spot and intercept them as they begin to naturally flank you
5. Using a python for close quarters or the barret if they aren't looking at you or they've gotten far away enough, plant them with bullets in the head before they can react
6. Run back to the front lines and do close support until you can see another group clustering up for a flanking maneuver
7. repeat until the round is over

Always use your surroundings to help you and make sure that you never attack unaided. Again, the snipers are not for engaging the enemy alone, even against another sniper

Closing: well, thanks for reading, if you read this guide all the way though then congratulations! you've hopefully learned something! Heres to hopping this guide doesn't spawn a flame war!
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-JKzoom

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I try

 

um.. about 6 hours...

interesting. I noticed that the tip of the head was the easiest way to land a headshot... thats certainly strange

 

Glad to help everyone
this is an old guide now, I'm surprised this is getting new readers

Glad to hear that, there will always be a majority of players that don't understand teamwork, and thats just something that players have to learn to deal with if they want to keep playing. People will always do this in any situation and thats why we snipers need to be good enough to protect them