On the topic of sniper locations. We have a set of parameters we follow. Since in all reality with a DS a sniper can reach nearly any high position. We took steps to ensure that what sniper points do exist are able to be engaged by other players in some way.

To be more specific, over a certain height in meters snipers are completely blocked. In one range X meters up to X meters the sniper must be limited in their movement and must always be exposed to ground units. In the last parameter, that sits at the lowest of meters snipers are given more freedom to move, and able to move in and out of exposure freely.

Objective hack locations are to be protected from "long range" attacks and any snipers if at all possible.

For the sniping rules. Remember. This applies to sockets only.

For those believing we need a better system where players are the solution to snipers, we also believe this. Game design will be working something for this out eventually. I have discussed this before on IRC at least and possibly here on the forums. The design team would like to come up with something effective that makes the players a part of that experience. For example, and I stress this is an "example" idea only. A player can laser sight a sniper location allowing other players to more easily hit a sniping location with mortars.

With that being said, take into consideration again, the rule only applies to sockets. With height variations in terrain, and sockets sitting on various heights, other variously sized objects on the terrain not inside actual sockets, and the variations of terrain in of its self, the snipers have plenty of locations to snipe from still.

It can be done. Use tactics, use strategy, coordinate with your team / squad, and find good locations. Strategy, tactics, teamwork.

Good post is good. I'm all for snipers, and as a non-sniper and I have *definitely* seen an improvement in accessibility to enemy snipers when I need to go hunt them down.

Just means they'll need to be on their toes. Maybe invest in dropsuit scan skills, and stay alert to their radars. There's nothing wrong with that. I'm fairly sure that's what he meant by "thinking".

Snipers aren't dead. No risk/low risk snipers are dead. And good riddance.

Reduce the Forge Gun's anti-infantry ability and none of this would be the problem you think it is.
Hundreds of PC matches i've been in have been focused on who can get their forge gunners to the high point on the map first, not who can have a sniper guard a point.

A better way to deter sniping from the red-line in public contracts would be far better for the community as a whole than the method of keeping Null Cannons protected from snipers.

Correction: he has responded on this thread.
He has not made any new remarks since.
As soon as they spot criticism they run and hide and don;t show back up. They may change something, they might not, but they stop responding.

Looking back on all of this, I wish they had told us that the "new direction" was going to sniper-proof big parts of the game (NULL cannons, etc) and to promote CQC inside closed structures.

Perhaps they could have gotten some feedback from us before such changes were implemented.

BUT ...

We have what we have and it is what it is.

So the way forward is to be constructive. Post in the DUST 514 Map Feedback ---> Outposts forum.

Here.

But guys, please keep it constructive or we will all get tuned out.


Munch

Covering an entry/exit point doesn't work well, because:
a) As soon as the enemy drops an uplink inside, uplink spamming starts and the fight is continuously walled (especially during domination matches)
b) These entry points are often hard to cover from the distance (100+m) that a sniper needs to stay alive. Once he's seen within this distance, he's usually dead.

Do what I do when I snipe. Use an Caldari assault suit, sniper rifle and carry an SMG that you have fairly leveled up. Pull out the SMG while traveling, travel with teammates in case of a firefight, find a spot at ground level or with moderate elevation, take a few shots, move on. Just repeat the process. The bonus is that most people don't look for snipers at ground level so you have a little bit of an element of surprise. Not only that, but you might even get a few SMG kills while moving from point to point.

maybe but alot of care-bearing was done and not all of it bad, just the important things. do you like the tower squad standing around FG objective preventing anything less then an multiple orbital strike to dislodge them? i know that gets old fast.

in research in two matches I have found 4 great sniper nests. while they might not have perfect sight lines, I can hit about a third of the map from all of them. Logicloop, love the map,

I've seen sniping decreasing a lot since the changes in the aim assist, CQC is a lot easier this patch.
The fact is sniping does good only in red line (in both teams), and since the removal of the ultra high mountain in that one map before uprising snipers haven't been much of a threat.

The problem is the Forge Gun and his overcoming power to infantry which outshines the snipers at the ranges you're giving and should get some kind of movement in 1.5 for the AV and Vehicles balance, but who knows.
Really, outside the bold Thale's snipers and those pesky ones that get on top of the MCC sniping has went down.

Maybe (just maybe) by this focus on CQC the snipers could get a new TAC AR type sniper like the minnamatar one or something but I realize this isn't a solution for what's being asked here. I joined Dust initially to be a Heavy sniper, taking shots and being a rock among the other snipers, but eventually grow tired of standing outside and going 30/0. Now snipers can't do this because of the size but I've seen the new snipers that go around killing heavies at 10 meters with scout suits that have been learning to aim fast and shoot precisely, that's why I gave that solution.

Anyways the new meta of close encounters is coming but I know the good snipers will find their way in, now I'd like to see what the next patch is having for us. CCP give a good balance to the teamwork aspect but don't forget the Lone Wolf perspective because I've enjoyed both in your game... either that or just put a damn scope on the Forge Gun already

Snipers should move where needed to attack, and then move on. The new maps do not encourage entire teams to fall back and snipe at the first sign of trouble; but ISK payouts do. Contract payment should be more heavily weighted toward active participation in battles. This would discourage AFKing to some degree.

I guess if you're a ****** sniper you can't find a spot, but... just because the op can't watch a plantzone doesn't mean there aren't good sniper positions.